Submarine pipeline underwater hauling device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of ocean engineering, in particular to an underwater hauling device for a submarine pipeline, which comprises a plurality of buoys and a plurality of counterweights, the buoys are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline, the counterweights are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline, the buoys lift the pipeline, the counterweights pull down the pipeline, and the pipelines are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline. The conduit is configured to be suspended in water. According to the underwater hauling device for the submarine pipeline, the pipeline is suspended in water by arranging the buoy and the counter weight, so that the pipeline can be hauled away from the bottom between a floating hauling method and a bottom hauling method, the pipeline is not in direct contact with the seabed and is not influenced by the seabed, and therefore only small hauling force is needed, and the pipeline can be hauled away from the bottom. And the pipeline can be prevented from being affected by surface wind wave flow like a floating dragging method, and the device is simple in structure, convenient to use and good in effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of marine engineering, in particular to an underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline. Background Art

[0002] In some marine projects, it is necessary to install submarine pipelines, such as marine drift pipes. The existing submarine pipeline laying processes mainly include pipe-laying ship method, hoisting method and pipe-dragging method.

[0003] The pipe-laying ship method has high construction costs for offshore operations and also has requirements for pipe diameters, making it impossible to lay large-diameter submarine pipelines.

[0004] The hoisting method mainly involves transferring the pipeline to the open sea via a barge, and then using a crane ship for hoisting construction. The length of the pipeline for a single construction is short, the construction efficiency is low, and each section of the pipeline needs to be docked underwater, which takes dozens of windows to complete, and the construction period pressure is huge. The ability to resist strong winds and waves is poor, and if there is a sudden wind or wave, the pipeline hoisting process cannot be stopped immediately, which poses certain safety risks.

[0005] The pipe-dragging method is a method of hauling the prefabricated pipe on land to the predetermined location and sinking the pipe. It does not rely on pipe-laying vessels and can be completed by using ordinary tugboats. It can adapt to various water depths and is very suitable for pipeline laying in offshore areas, especially the installation of large-diameter, thin-walled submarine pipelines. Conventional pipe-dragging methods include bottom-dragging and floating-dragging.

[0006] The bottom towing method is to weld the pipeline into a certain length of pipe section on land, drag it into the water through a slide, and tow it on the seabed. Because the pipeline is close to the seabed, the bottom towing method has a certain adaptability to the influence of wind, waves, tides, etc., and the operation can be interrupted when necessary. The loss in time and economic loss is relatively small, so it is widely used in the laying of pipelines near the coast, beach and riverbed. However, the bottom towing method will pass through seabeds with different conditions during towing, and different seabeds will produce different resistance to the pipeline. At the same time, the bottom towing method will also be affected by the slope of the seabed.

[0007] The floating and towing method is that after the pipeline is welded into a certain length of pipe section on land, buoys / air bags are tied to the pipeline at a certain interval, and then it is towed into the water by a tugboat. After the pipeline is launched into the water, it floats on the sea surface. During towing, the main tugboat is at the head of the pipe, and the auxiliary ship follows at the tail of the pipe. When necessary, a certain tension is applied to assist. At the same time, several guard ships are equipped on both sides of the pipe section axis, ready to push and pull the pipe section at any time to prevent the pipe section from being offset or deformed too much under the action of wind, waves and currents. Wind, waves, tides, etc. have a greater impact on the floating and towing method, and a larger window period is required. Utility Model Content

[0008] The utility model aims to provide an underwater towing device for submarine pipelines in view of the problems that the existing floating towing method in the prior art is greatly affected by wind, waves, tides, etc. and requires more window periods, and the bottom towing method is affected by different seabeds and produces different resistances to the pipeline and is also affected by the slope of the seabed.

[0009] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0010] A submarine pipeline underwater towing device comprises a plurality of buoys and a plurality of counterweights, wherein the buoys are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline, and the counterweights are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline, the buoys lift the pipeline, and the counterweights pull down the pipeline, and the pipeline is configured to be suspended in water.

[0011] By adopting the underwater towing device for submarine pipelines described in the utility model, the pipeline is suspended in water by arranging the buoy and the counterweight, so that the pipeline can be towed away from the bottom. The off-bottom towing is between the floating towing method and the bottom towing method, and it neither directly contacts the seabed nor is affected by the seabed. In this way, only a smaller towing force is required, and the pipeline can be prevented from being affected by surface wind and wave currents as in the floating towing method. The device has a simple structure, is easy to use, and has a good effect.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of the utility model, the counterweight is an anchor chain, and the anchor chain is configured to partially contact the seabed.

[0013] When the buoyancy of the float is equal to the gravity of the pipeline itself, the pipeline can reach a suspended stable state, but this balance is a static balance, and the slightest external disturbance will break the balance, and the pipeline will either float up or sink to the bottom, with a large number of uncontrollable factors.

[0014] Therefore, firstly, the counterweight adopts an anchor chain, and part of the anchor chain contacts the seabed, and the seabed supports the weight of this part of the anchor chain. When the pipeline is disturbed and floats up, the anchor chain on the seabed is pulled up, so that the overall gravity of the pipeline increases, forcing the pipeline to sink. When the pipeline is disturbed and sinks, the anchor chain is placed on the seabed for support, so that the overall gravity of the pipeline is reduced, forcing the pipeline to float up, thus achieving dynamic self-balancing of the pipeline suspension.

[0015] Secondly, the counterweight adopts an anchor chain, and part of the anchor chain contacts the seabed, and there is friction between the anchor chain and the seabed, so that the pipeline can maintain stability during towing under the action of the ocean current and will not deviate greatly. The friction of the anchor chain that contacts the seabed is not large (relative to the entire anchor chain contacting the seabed), so it can be dragged with a small pulling force.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of the utility model, the underwater towing device for submarine pipelines also includes a connecting cable, the buoy is connected to the connecting cable, and the pipeline is connected to the connecting cable.

[0017] As a further preferred technical solution of the utility model, each of the counterweights is connected to a corresponding binding belt, and the binding belt binds the pipe and is connected to the connecting cable.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution of the present utility model, the buoyancy of the float can be adjusted.

[0019] As a further preferred technical solution of the present invention, at least one valve is provided on the buoy.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the utility model, at least one of the buoys is connected to a buoy, and the buoy floats on the water surface.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution of the utility model, the buoys are evenly arranged, and one buoy is added to each end of the pipeline.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution of the utility model, the underwater towing device for the submarine pipeline also includes a lead tugboat, and the lead tugboat is connected to one end of the pipeline via a tow cable.

[0023] As a further preferred technical solution of the utility model, the underwater towing device for the submarine pipeline also includes a tail tugboat, and the tail tugboat is connected to the other end of the pipeline through the tow cable.

[0024] With this structure, the tail tugboat can exert appropriate tension on the pipeline when it is affected by a strong lateral current, thereby preventing the pipeline from being deflected or deformed excessively.

[0025] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0026] 1. The underwater towing device for submarine pipelines described in the utility model suspends the pipeline in water by setting the buoy and the counterweight, so that the pipeline can be towed away from the bottom. The off-bottom towing is between the floating towing method and the bottom towing method. It does not directly contact the seabed and is not affected by the seabed. In this way, only a small towing force is required, and the pipeline can be prevented from being affected by surface wind and wave currents like the floating towing method. The device has a simple structure, is easy to use, and has a good effect.

[0027] 2. In the preferred underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline of the utility model, the counterweight is an anchor chain, and the anchor chain is configured to partially contact the seabed, so as to realize the dynamic self-balancing of the pipeline suspension on the one hand, and on the other hand, there is friction between the pipeline and the seabed, so that the pipeline can maintain stability during towing under the action of the ocean current, and will not deviate greatly, and can be towed with only a small pulling force;

[0028] 3. The utility model is preferably an underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline. The tail tugboat can exert appropriate tension on the pipeline when it is subjected to a strong lateral current, thereby preventing the pipeline from being deflected or deformed excessively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline off-bottom dragging method;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the underwater towing device for submarine pipelines.

[0031] Markings in the figure: 1- pipeline, 2- buoy, 3- counterweight, 4- towing cable, 5- bow tugboat, 6- stern tugboat, 7- connecting cable, 8- lashing belt, 9- buoy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with test examples and specific implementation methods. However, this should not be understood as the scope of the above subject matter of the present invention being limited to the following embodiments, and all technologies realized based on the content of the present invention belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, in the description of the specific embodiments of the present invention, the terms indicating the orientation or position relationship such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "center", "inside", "outside", etc. are all expressions based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, or are the orientation or position relationship when the invented product / equipment / device is usually used. These terms of orientation or position relationship are only for the convenience of describing the scheme of the present invention or simplifying the description in the specific embodiments, so as to facilitate the technicians to quickly understand the scheme, and do not indicate or imply that a specific device / component / element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific position relationship, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0034] In addition, if the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging", "parallel" and the like appear, it does not mean that the corresponding devices / components / elements are required to be absolutely horizontal or vertical or overhanging or parallel, but may be slightly tilted or have deviations. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but may be slightly tilted. Alternatively, it can be simplified to mean that the corresponding devices / components / elements are set in directions such as "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging", "parallel", etc., and can have an error / deviation of ±10% relative to the corresponding direction setting, more preferably an error / deviation within ±8%, more preferably an error / deviation within ±6%, more preferably an error / deviation within ±5%, and more preferably an error / deviation within ±4%. As long as the corresponding device / component / element is within the error / deviation range, it can still achieve its role in the scheme of the present invention.

[0035] In addition, the expressions “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., which appear in the terms, are merely used to distinguish the description of the same or similar components and should not be understood as emphasizing or implying the relative importance of specific components.

[0036] In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "several", "plurality" and "a number" represent at least 2. It can be any number such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and even more than 9.

[0037] In addition, in the description of the technical solution of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified / defined / restricted, the terms "set", "install", "connect", "connected", "provided with", "laid", and "arranged" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, and can be welding, riveting, bolting, threading, and other commonly used connection means in the field. This connection can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements.

[0038] In the related technologies, the existing floating towing method is greatly affected by wind, waves, tides, etc., and requires a longer window period. The bottom towing method is affected by the different resistances of different seabeds to the pipeline and is also affected by the seabed slope. Figure 1 to Figure 2 To elaborate.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline described in the utility model comprises a bow tugboat 5, a stern tugboat 6, a connecting cable 7, a plurality of buoys 2 and a plurality of counterweights 3.

[0041] Among them, the connecting cable 7 serves as the skeleton for transporting the pipeline 1. The connecting cable 7 is arranged parallel to the pipeline 1. The bow tugboat 5 and the tail tugboat 6 are respectively located at the head end and the tail end of the connecting cable 7. The bow tugboat 5 and the tail tugboat 6 are respectively connected to the two ends of the connecting cable 7 through the tow cable 4.

[0042] like Figure 2As shown, the buoys 2 are evenly spaced along the length direction of the pipeline 1, the counterweights 3 are evenly spaced along the length direction of the pipeline 1, the buoys 2 are connected to the connecting cable 7, the pipeline 1 is connected to the connecting cable 7 through a plurality of binding belts 8, each of the binding belts 8 corresponds to a counterweight 3, and the counterweight 3 is connected to the binding belts 8, that is, the buoy 2 lifts the pipeline 1, and the counterweight 3 pulls down the pipeline 1, and the buoyancy provided by the buoy 2 and the gravity provided by the counterweight 3, the pipeline 1 is configured to be suspended in the water.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the counterweight 3 adopts an anchor chain, and the anchor chain is configured to partially contact the seabed. When the buoyancy of the buoy 2 is equal to the gravity of the pipeline 1 itself, the pipeline 1 can reach a suspended stable state, but this balance is a static balance, and a slight external disturbance will break the balance, and the pipeline 1 will either float or sink to the bottom, and there are many uncontrollable factors. Therefore, firstly, the counterweight 3 adopts an anchor chain, and part of the anchor chain contacts the seabed, and the seabed supports the weight of this part of the anchor chain. When the pipeline 1 floats up due to the disturbance, the anchor chain on the seabed is pulled up, so that the overall gravity of the pipeline 1 increases, forcing the pipeline 1 to sink. When the pipeline 1 sinks due to the disturbance, the anchor chain is placed on the seabed for support, so that the overall gravity of the pipeline 1 decreases, forcing the pipeline 1 to float up, thus achieving the dynamic self-balancing of the suspension of the pipeline 1. Secondly, the counterweight 3 is an anchor chain, and part of the anchor chain contacts the seabed, and there is friction between the anchor chain and the seabed, so that the pipeline 1 can maintain stability during towing under the action of the ocean current and will not deviate greatly. The friction of the anchor chain that partially contacts the seabed is not large (relative to the entire anchor chain contacting the seabed), so it can be dragged with a small pulling force.

[0044] In a specific embodiment, the buoyancy of the buoy 2 can be adjusted, and at least one valve is provided on the buoy 2. Specifically, a DN1000 steel pipe sealed on both sides is used as the buoy 2, and the length of a single steel pipe is 5m, and the buoyancy is about 4t. Figure 2 As shown, a sling is used to directly bind and connect the steel pipe to the pipeline 1. Two valves are provided on the top of the steel pipe. The valves are used to fill the buoy 2 with water after the pipeline 1 is connected, and to recover the buoy 2. The valves are also used to control the amount of water filled into the buoy 2 to control the buoyancy of the buoy 2.

[0045] In a specific embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the buoys 2 is connected to a buoy 9, and the buoy 9 floats on the water surface to serve as a marker.

[0046] In a specific embodiment, the buoys 2 are arranged at intervals of 10 m, and one buoy 2 is added to each end of the pipeline 1, so that the head and tail of the pipeline 1 are slightly floated.

[0047] The underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline described in this embodiment suspends the pipeline 1 in water by arranging the buoy 2 and the counterweight 3, so that the pipeline 1 can be towed away from the bottom. The off-bottom towing is between the floating towing method and the bottom towing method, and is neither directly in contact with the seabed nor affected by the seabed. In this way, only a smaller towing force is required, and the pipeline 1 can be prevented from being affected by surface wind and wave currents as in the floating towing method. The tail tug 6 can apply appropriate tension to the pipeline 1 when it is affected by a strong lateral current, so as to prevent the pipeline 1 from being offset or excessively deformed. The device has a simple structure, is easy to use, and has a good effect.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater towing device for a submarine pipeline, characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of buoys (2) and a plurality of counterweights (3), wherein the buoys (2) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline (1), and the counterweights (3) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the pipeline (1); the buoys (2) lift the pipeline (1), and the counterweights (3) pull down the pipeline (1); the pipeline (1) is configured to be suspended in water.

2. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The counterweight (3) is an anchor chain, and the anchor chain is configured to partially contact the seabed.

3. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a connecting cable (7), the buoy (2) is connected to the connecting cable (7), and the pipeline (1) is connected to the connecting cable (7).

4. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the counterweights (3) is connected to a corresponding binding belt (8), and the binding belt (8) binds the pipeline (1) and is connected to the connecting cable (7).

5. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buoyancy of the float (2) can be adjusted.

6. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 5, characterized in that: The buoy (2) is provided with at least one valve.

7. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the buoys (2) is connected to a buoy (9), and the buoy (9) floats on the water surface.

8. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buoys (2) are evenly arranged, and one buoy (2) is added to each of the two ends of the pipeline (1).

9. The underwater towing device for submarine pipelines according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: It also comprises a bow tugboat (5), wherein the bow tugboat (5) is connected to one end of the pipeline (1) via a tow cable (4).

10. The underwater towing device for submarine pipeline according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also comprises a tail tugboat (6), wherein the tail tugboat (6) is connected to the other end of the pipeline (1) via the tow cable (4).

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