Angle adjusting system of submarine cable laying device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of submarine cable laying, and particularly discloses a submarine cable laying device angle adjusting system which comprises a suspension tool and a hydraulic cylinder, the top end of the suspension tool is connected with a cable laying ship through an umbilical cable, the bottom end of the suspension tool is hinged to a laying device, and a cable to be laid penetrates through a tensioner of the laying device and moves along with the movement of the cable laying ship. The tensioner synchronously performs cable laying so as to complete submarine cable laying in a matching manner; a shell of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the laying device, an output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the hanging tool, the telescopic direction of the hydraulic cylinder is perpendicular to the central axis of a hinge structure of the hanging tool and the laying device, and the output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder stretches out and draws back to drive the laying device to rotate relative to the hanging tool. An included angle between a cable clamped in the tensioner and a vertical line is adjusted, and an included angle between the cable and a seabed plane when the cable is laid is changed. The angle adjusting device has the advantages of being high in adaptability and flexible in angle adjustment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of submarine cable laying, and in particular to an angle adjustment system for a submarine cable laying device. Background Technology

[0002] Submarine cables typically refer to specially insulated and reinforced conductors laid on the seabed for transnational or intercontinental telecommunications data transmission and power transmission. With technological advancements and the gradual development of telephone, power, and internet communications, modern submarine optical cables not only have large transmission capacity but also high transmission speeds, making them a crucial infrastructure for global communication networks.

[0003] Laying submarine cables requires specialized cable-laying vessels. One end of the cable is placed on the seabed, while the other end is wound up on the cable-laying vessel. As the cable-laying vessel advances along the pre-set laying path of the cable, it simultaneously unwinds the cable, gradually laying it to the predetermined position on the seabed.

[0004] However, the height difference between the sea surface and the seabed is large, and cables usually need to be laid to the seabed at intervals of one or two kilometers. Affected by the seabed currents, the laying device may rotate, which will cause the cable to swing and deviate from the original laying position, resulting in poor laying accuracy. Utility Model Content

[0005] To improve the accuracy of submarine cable laying, this application provides a submarine cable laying device angle adjustment system, which guides and limits the submarine cable during the movement of the cable-laying vessel, avoids excessive bending or tangling of the submarine cable, and improves the accuracy and efficiency of cable laying.

[0006] The submarine cable laying device angle adjustment system provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable laying device includes a suspension fixture and a hydraulic cylinder. The suspension fixture is connected to a cable-laying vessel via an umbilical cable. The suspension fixture is hinged to the laying device. The housing of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the laying device. The output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the suspension fixture, and the extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic cylinder is perpendicular to the central axis of the hinge structure between the suspension fixture and the laying device.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the angle between the cable held in the tensioner and the vertical line is adjusted by using a hydraulic cylinder, and the angle between the cable and the seabed plane is changed during cable laying to adapt to cables with different minimum bending radii, thereby improving the adaptability of the device and avoiding cable bending losses. At the same time, for sloping seabed laying surfaces, the laying angle of the cable can be flexibly adjusted to improve the accuracy and effect of cable laying.

[0009] Optionally, it may also include multiple propeller blades, which are mounted on the deployment device and driven to rotate by a motor.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the attitude of the laying device is adjusted in real time using propeller blades, ensuring that the laying device always maintains a fixed direction as it is moved by the cable-laying vessel, while preventing the cable and umbilical cable from getting tangled, thus significantly improving the accuracy and stability of cable laying.

[0011] Optionally, multiple propeller blades may be located in the same vertical plane.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the position of the propeller blades is optimized, thereby improving the effect of adjusting the attitude of the deployment device.

[0013] Optionally, the deployment device is equipped with a compensator, which is used to balance the internal and external pressures of the hydraulic system.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solutions, the internal and external pressures of the hydraulic system are balanced, the risk of water leakage in the hydraulic system is reduced, and the safety of the system is ensured as much as possible.

[0015] Optionally, a gyroscope is installed on the suspension fixture.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the attitude of the deployment device in the seawater is detected by a gyroscope, and the position and state of the deployment device are adjusted in conjunction with the attitude adjustment component, thereby further improving the stability of the deployment device's attitude during the laying process.

[0017] Optionally, the suspension fixture is equipped with a camera for capturing underwater images, and the deployment device is equipped with lighting to improve the captured images.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, underwater images are captured by a camera and lighting for staff to view, so as to detect the underwater status of the deployment device and adjust its underwater attitude in a timely manner.

[0019] Optionally, the deployment device is equipped with a digital precision altimeter for collecting data on the height of the deployment device.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the altitude data of the deployment device in the seawater can be collected and monitored in real time.

[0021] Optionally, the laying device is equipped with a sonar unit that detects in the direction of cable laying.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, underwater objects are detected using the principles of sound wave propagation and reflection, thus avoiding collisions during the movement of the deployment device.

[0023] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0024] 1. By using counterweights to keep the umbilical cable vertical, the relative position of the deployment device and the cable-laying vessel can be kept as constant as possible, reducing interference from seabed turbulence and improving deployment accuracy. At the same time, the propeller blades are used to adjust the attitude of the deployment device in real time, ensuring that the deployment device remains in a fixed direction as it is moved by the cable-laying vessel, while preventing the cable and umbilical cable from getting tangled, which significantly improves the accuracy and stability of cable laying.

[0025] 2. The angle between the cable held in the tensioner and the vertical line is adjusted by using a hydraulic cylinder, and the angle between the cable and the seabed plane is changed during cable laying to adapt to cables with different minimum bending radii, improve the adaptability of the device, avoid cable bending loss, and at the same time, for sloping seabed laying surfaces, the laying angle of the cable can be flexibly adjusted to improve the accuracy and effect of cable laying.

[0026] 3. Utilize the first and second tracks to release the cable synchronously, so that the cable remains taut during the laying process, avoiding tangling or affecting the laying accuracy due to cable slack. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a front view of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a side view of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Reference numerals: 1. Deployment device; 2. Gyroscope; 3. Suspension fixture; 41. Hydraulic cylinder; 42. Propeller blade; 5. Camera; 6. Sonar unit; 7. Compensator. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-2 This application will be described in further detail.

[0031] This application discloses an angle adjustment system for a submarine cable laying device, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device includes a suspension fixture 3 and a hydraulic cylinder 41. The top of the suspension fixture 3 is connected to the cable-laying vessel via an umbilical cable, and the bottom is hinged to the laying device 1. The cable to be laid passes through the tensioner of the laying device 1. As the cable-laying vessel moves, the tensioner releases the cable synchronously to complete the laying of the submarine cable. The housing of the hydraulic cylinder 41 is hinged to the laying device 1, and the output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder 41 is hinged to the suspension fixture 3. The extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic cylinder 41 is perpendicular to the central axis of the hinge structure between the suspension fixture 3 and the laying device 1.

[0032] The output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder 41 extends and retracts, causing the laying device 1 to rotate relative to the suspension fixture 3. This adjusts the angle between the cable held in the tensioner and the vertical line, and changes the angle between the cable and the seabed plane during cable laying. This allows the laying device 1 to adapt to cables with different minimum bending radii, improving its adaptability and preventing cable bending losses. Furthermore, for sloping seabed laying surfaces, the laying angle can be flexibly adjusted, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of cable laying.

[0033] It should be noted that the deployment device 1 is also equipped with a signal processing center and an electrical control processing center. The signal processing center is responsible for collecting and transmitting various control commands and feedback signals. It receives commands from the operator on the cable-laying vessel via the umbilical cable and transmits the commands to each execution unit of the system through the processor and communication interface. At the same time, it transmits the operating status of each module and sensor feedback back to the operator. The electrical control processing center performs centralized processing, logical judgment and control decision on the electrical signals of each subsystem (such as power, sensing, actuators, etc.). After further data processing, verification and logical operation of the commands transmitted from the control signal center, it outputs precise electrical control signals to drive the hydraulic cylinder 41, tensioner and other related actuators to complete the predetermined actions.

[0034] In this embodiment, the deployment device 1 is equipped with a hydraulic power unit, which is controlled by the control signal center and the electronic control processing center. The hydraulic power unit is used to output hydraulic oil with a certain pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 41, push the piston to move, and convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy, thereby adjusting the relative position between the deployment device 1 and the suspension fixture 3.

[0035] In addition, the deployment device 1 is equipped with a compensator 7 as a hydraulic pressure compensation device to ensure the pressure balance inside and outside the hydraulic system, reduce the risk of water leakage in the hydraulic system, and ensure the safety of the system as much as possible.

[0036] Furthermore, refer to Figure 1 The angle adjustment system of this application also includes propeller blades 42, which are rotatably mounted on the deployment device 1 and driven by a motor to rotate, thereby pushing the deployment device 1 located in seawater to rotate. In this embodiment, a total of four propeller blades 42 are provided, respectively installed at the four corners of the deployment device 1, and when the deployment device 1 is deployed into the seawater, the four propeller blades 42 are located on the same vertical plane. Due to the frequent turbulence in seawater, the deployment device 1 is often affected by turbulence and rotates irregularly, causing the cable to become entangled with the deployment device 1 or the umbilical cable, ultimately damaging the cable. The propeller blades 42 can be used to adjust the attitude of the deployment device 1 in real time, ensuring that the deployment device 1 always remains in a fixed direction to prevent entanglement.

[0037] Furthermore, refer to Figure 2A gyroscope 2 is installed on the suspension fixture 3 and is electrically connected to the signal processing center. The gyroscope 2 monitors the attitude of the laying device 1 in real time and can promptly provide feedback on the attitude of the laying device 1. In turn, in conjunction with the propeller blade 42, the laying device 1 is kept in a fixed attitude during the laying of the submarine cable, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of the laying of the submarine cable.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The suspended fixture 3 is equipped with a camera 5, which is electrically connected to the signal processing center. The camera 5 captures underwater images in real time and feeds the video data back to the cable-laying vessel through the signal processing center. The operator can adjust the underwater attitude of the deployment device 1 in a timely manner based on the images captured by the camera 5 and the data from the gyroscope 2. In addition, the deployment device 1 is also equipped with a lighting system. Due to insufficient light on the seabed, the lighting system can provide illumination for the camera 5, improve the quality of the images captured by the camera 5, and optimize the user experience.

[0039] The deployment device 1 is equipped with a digital precision altimeter, which is electrically connected to the signal processing center to collect and monitor the altitude data of the deployment device 1 in the seawater in real time. When the deployment device 1 is far from the seabed, the cable extends a longer distance from the tensioner to the seabed, making the cable more susceptible to interference from seabed turbulence. Conversely, if the deployment device 1 is too close to the seabed, it will affect the normal deployment of the cable. By using the data fed back by the digital precision altimeter, the altitude of the deployment device 1 can be monitored and adjusted in a timely manner, thereby improving the deployment accuracy of the submarine cable.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 The deployment device 1 is equipped with a sonar unit 6, which is electrically connected to the signal processing center. It uses the principle of sound wave propagation and reflection to detect underwater objects. The detection direction of the sonar unit 6 is the same as the laying direction of the cable to avoid collisions during the movement of the deployment device 1.

[0041] The implementation principle of the submarine cable laying device angle adjustment system disclosed in this application is as follows:

[0042] First, the cable is clamped between the tensioners and the laying device 1 is dropped into the sea. Under the action of the counterweight, the laying device 1 sinks and straightens the umbilical cable. Then the cable-laying vessel moves forward along the predetermined trajectory, and the tensioners release the cable synchronously. As the cable-laying vessel moves forward, the cable is gradually laid to the predetermined position.

[0043] During the laying process, the angle between the cable and the seabed can be adjusted in a timely manner according to the slope of the seabed, thereby improving the accuracy of the laying. By using the propeller blade 42 to adjust the attitude of the laying device 1, it can be ensured that the attitude of the laying device 1 remains almost unchanged during the movement of the cable-laying vessel, so as to prevent the laying device 1 from being rotated by turbulence and causing the cable to become entangled, thus further optimizing the cable laying process.

[0044] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A submarine cable laying device angle adjustment system, characterised in that: The device comprises a suspension tool (3) connected to a cable laying ship through a umbilical cable, the suspension tool (3) is hinged to a laying device (1), a hydraulic cylinder (41) is hinged to the laying device (1), an output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder (41) is hinged to the suspension tool (3), and a telescopic direction of the hydraulic cylinder (41) is perpendicular to a central axis of the hinge structure of the suspension tool (3) and the laying device (1).

2. A cable-laying apparatus angle adjustment system according to claim 1, characterised in that: A plurality of propeller blades (42) are installed on the laying device (1) and are driven to rotate by an electric motor.

3. A cable-laying apparatus angle adjustment system according to claim 2, characterised in that: The plurality of propeller blades (42) are located in the same vertical plane.

4. An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable installation apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that: The laying device (1) is provided with a compensator (7) for balancing the pressure inside and outside the hydraulic system.

5. An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable installation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gyroscope (2) is installed on the suspension tool (3).

6. An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable installation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A camera (5) for collecting underwater pictures is installed on the suspension tool (3), and a lighting lamp for improving the collected pictures is installed on the laying device (1).

7. An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable installation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A digital precision altimeter for collecting the height data of the laying device (1) is arranged on the laying device (1).

8. An angle adjustment system for a submarine cable installation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sonar unit (6) is installed on the laying device (1), and the sonar unit (6) detects in the direction of laying the cable.

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