Concrete chain row type protective net for protecting submarine cable

Abstract

A concrete chain row type protective net for protecting submarine cables comprises the submarine cables and protective net bodies laid at different positions of the submarine cables. The protective net body is composed of a plurality of concrete type modules arranged in an array mode, and the concrete type modules are connected with at least two adjacent concrete type modules at the same time. The concrete type module comprises a positioning concrete block, a transverse connecting cable connected to the positioning concrete block in a penetrating mode and a longitudinal connecting cable connected to the positioning concrete block in a penetrating mode, a transverse rope knot used for being connected with the adjacent transverse connecting cable is formed on the transverse connecting cable, and a longitudinal rope knot used for being connected with the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable is formed on the longitudinal connecting cable. Compared with the prior art, the concrete type modules are connected into the protective net body through the transverse connecting cables and the longitudinal connecting cables, the protective net body covers the submarine cable exposed on the superficial surface, the protective net body has a plurality of connecting point positions with the seabed under the positioning and supporting effects of the positioning concrete blocks, and stable arrangement of the protective net body is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of submarine cable protection technology, specifically to a concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables. Background Technology

[0002] Submarine cables, serving as crucial power transmission and communication links connecting offshore wind farms, islands, and land, as well as various marine facilities, are experiencing rapid growth in both quantity and mileage. However, the complex and ever-changing marine environment, especially in areas with strong currents, presents numerous severe challenges to shallowly exposed submarine cables, making effective protection of these cables a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed.

[0003] In multi-wave zones, the water flow is fast and complex, accompanied by frequent wave impacts. Sediments such as silt and sand on the seabed are easily washed away and moved. Traditional methods of protecting submarine cables, such as simply covering them with gravel or sandbags, are often unable to adapt to these complex hydrodynamic conditions. In addition, some existing protection technologies are significantly inadequate in dealing with changes in seabed topography and long-term seawater erosion. Some protective structures, due to a lack of sufficient integrity and flexibility, are prone to cracking, breaking, or displacement when there are minor changes in the seabed topography. This not only fails to provide reliable protection for submarine cables but may even cause additional mechanical damage to the cables. Moreover, the corrosiveness of seawater will gradually weaken the performance of protective materials, shorten their service life, and increase maintenance costs and the risk of cable failure.

[0004] Chinese patent CN118100073A discloses a submarine cable protective cover and system, including a cover body, multiple plates, and filler. The cover body has multiple connecting holes penetrating through it, and the cover body has multiple chambers. Each chamber includes two interlayer cavities and an intermediate cavity located between the two interlayer cavities. The cover body is flexibly deformable and used to cover the submarine cable. The multiple plates are filled in the multiple interlayer cavities and are used to absorb the impact force of sinking sea anchors. The filler is filled in the multiple intermediate cavities and is used to resist the impact force of the sea anchors to protect the submarine cable.

[0005] The aforementioned protective cover is applied to the surface of the submarine cable to protect it. However, this protective cover is fixed to the seabed solely by anchors on both sides. With only one anchor point, the anchors on both sides cannot effectively secure the protective cover when there are minor changes in the seabed topography, thus affecting the protective effect of the cover on the submarine cable. Furthermore, different sizes of protective covers need to be prepared for different sizes of submarine cables, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the defects in the prior art and provide a concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables that is easy to prepare, has good protective effect, and is suitable for multi-wave current areas.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned utility model objectives, the present utility model adopts the following technical solution: a concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables, comprising a submarine cable and a protective net body laid at different locations on the submarine cable; the protective net body is composed of several arrayed concrete modules, each concrete module being connected to at least two adjacent concrete modules simultaneously; each concrete module includes a positioning concrete block, a transverse connecting cable passing through the positioning concrete block, and a longitudinal connecting cable passing through the positioning concrete block, wherein transverse knots are formed on the transverse connecting cables for connecting to adjacent transverse connecting cables, and longitudinal knots are formed on the longitudinal connecting cables for connecting to adjacent longitudinal connecting cables; the outer ring of the protective net body is provided with connecting rings connected to the transverse and longitudinal connecting cables.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the protective net body is arranged along the axial direction of the seabed cable and symmetrically arranged along the radial direction of the seabed cable.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, several transverse connecting cables in the radial direction of the same submarine cable are sequentially connected to form a transverse cable body, and the transverse cable body has a corrugated structure along the length direction.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the corrugations of adjacent transverse cables are in opposite directions, and the corrugation amplitude of the transverse cables gradually decreases from both ends toward the submarine cable.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the transverse connecting cable in the middle of the transverse cable body abuts against the submarine cable, and the corrugations of adjacent transverse connecting cables are in opposite directions.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the transverse connecting cable located within the positioning concrete block is in a horizontal state.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, several longitudinal connecting cables in the axial direction of the same submarine cable are sequentially connected to form a longitudinal cable body, and the longitudinal cable body has a corrugated structure along its length.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the longitudinal connecting cable located within the positioning concrete block is in a horizontal state.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a reserved rope loop is formed on the transverse knot to facilitate binding the ends of adjacent transverse connecting cables, and a reserved rope loop is also formed on the longitudinal knot to facilitate binding the ends of adjacent longitudinal connecting cables.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the transverse connecting cable is connected to the transverse knot of the adjacent transverse connecting cable, and the transverse knot of the transverse connecting cable is connected to the end of the adjacent transverse connecting cable. Similarly, the longitudinal connecting cable is connected to the longitudinal knot of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable, and the longitudinal knot of the longitudinal connecting cable is connected to the end of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, multiple concrete modules are connected into a protective net body by horizontal and vertical connecting cables. By covering the exposed submarine cables on the shallow surface with the protective net body, the protective net body has multiple connection points with the seabed under the positioning and support of multiple positioning concrete blocks. This ensures the stable installation of the protective net body and can effectively resist the action of water flow and waves, making it less likely for the submarine cables to be eroded on the seabed. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a concrete module;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between adjacent concrete modules;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of multiple concrete modules on the same transverse cable.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of multiple concrete modules on the same longitudinal cable.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure with reserved rope loops;

[0024] Reference numerals: 1. Submarine cable; 2. Protective netting; 3. Concrete module; 31. Positioning concrete block; 32. Horizontal connecting cable; 33. Longitudinal connecting cable; 34. Horizontal knot; 35. Longitudinal knot; 36. Connecting ring; 37. Reserved rope ring; 4. Horizontal cable; 5. Longitudinal cable. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1-6As shown, a concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables includes a submarine cable 1 and protective net bodies 2 laid at different locations on the submarine cable 1. The protective net body 2 is composed of several arrayed concrete modules 3, and each concrete module 3 is simultaneously connected to at least two adjacent concrete modules 3. Each concrete module 3 includes a positioning concrete block 31, a transverse connecting cable 32 passing through the positioning concrete block 31, and a longitudinal connecting cable 33 passing through the positioning concrete block 31. A transverse knot 34 is formed on the transverse connecting cable 32 for connecting with an adjacent transverse connecting cable 32, and a longitudinal knot 35 is formed on the longitudinal connecting cable 33 for connecting with an adjacent longitudinal connecting cable 33. The outer ring of the protective net body 2 is provided with connecting rings 36 connected to the transverse connecting cables 32 and the longitudinal connecting cables 33.

[0027] The protective net body 2 is laid along the length of the submarine cable 1, with only a portion of the transverse connecting cables 32 contacting the submarine cable 1 to compress it. Under the action of the positioning concrete blocks 31, the protective net body 2 is connected to the seabed at multiple points, increasing the overall contact area between the protective net body 2 and the seabed, ensuring the stability of the protective net body 2, and thus ensuring the stability of the transverse connecting cables 32 that compress the submarine cable 1.

[0028] The connecting lifting ring 36 is used to lift the entire protective net body 2, so that the protective net body 2 can be laid at the required position of the submarine cable 1 by means of lifting.

[0029] The transverse connecting cable 32 and the longitudinal connecting cable 33 are selected according to the characteristics of the marine environment and protection requirements. The transverse connecting cable 32 and the longitudinal connecting cable 33 can be any one of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PP), and thermoplastic elastomer (TPV).

[0030] Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a man-made high molecular weight polyethylene fiber that is highly resistant to chemical corrosion, oils, acids, and alkalis. It is especially suitable for high-salt and low-temperature marine environments. At the same time, UHMWPE is soft and wear-resistant, which avoids damage to cables or operators. It can achieve stable compression of submarine cable 1, thereby playing a protective role for submarine cable 1.

[0031] High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has high toughness and corrosion resistance, effectively resisting seawater erosion and water flow impact. It also has low maintenance costs and a long service life, making it suitable for large-scale engineering applications.

[0032] The protective net body 2 is arranged axially along the submarine cable 1 and symmetrically in the radial direction along the submarine cable 1. The number of concrete modules 3 on both sides of the submarine cable 1 is the same, so that the same clamping force is generated on both sides of the submarine cable 1, thereby achieving stable clamping of the submarine cable 1.

[0033] Several transverse connecting cables 32 in the radial direction of the same submarine cable 1 are connected in sequence to form a transverse cable body 4. The transverse cable body 4 has a corrugated structure along its length. The corrugation directions of adjacent transverse cable bodies 4 are opposite, and the corrugation amplitude of the transverse cable body 4 gradually decreases from both ends toward the submarine cable 1.

[0034] The transverse cable 4 of the corrugated structure generates an arch effect under the impact of water flow on the concrete module 3. Each concrete module 3 will convert part of the load it receives into lateral thrust, which is transmitted through the transverse cable 4. Since the transverse cable 4 has a corrugated structure, the lateral thrust generated by the transverse cable 4 changes alternately on the same concrete module 3, so that the lateral thrust generated by the transverse cable 4 on the same concrete module 3 is partially canceled out, reducing the displacement requirement of the overall structure and thus improving the stability of the overall structure.

[0035] The corrugation amplitude of the transverse cable 4 gradually decreases from both ends toward the submarine cable 1. Therefore, the transverse connecting cable 32 in the middle of the transverse cable 4, which is used to press the submarine cable 1, tends to be in a horizontal state, which facilitates the tensioning of the transverse connecting cable 32 between the two adjacent positioning concrete blocks 31 on both sides of the submarine cable 1. At the same time, the water flow impact force on the two adjacent positioning concrete blocks 31 on both sides of the submarine cable 1 is reduced under the buffering effect of the outer positioning concrete block 31. There is no need for the two adjacent positioning concrete blocks 31 on both sides of the submarine cable 1 to offset the lateral thrust. The two adjacent positioning concrete blocks 31 on both sides of the submarine cable 1 achieve stable setting of the transverse connecting cable 32 for pressing the submarine cable 1 by positioning on the seabed.

[0036] The overall protective net body 2, along the radial direction of the submarine cable 1, has outer positioning concrete blocks 31 that are in direct contact with the water flow. Under the action of the transverse cable 4, the transverse water flow force on the protective net body 2 is blocked, reducing the water flow impact force on the middle positioning concrete block 31 and ensuring the stable setting of the middle positioning concrete block 31. Under the stable setting, the middle positioning concrete block 31 is pressed against the submarine cable 1 by the transverse connecting cable 32.

[0037] The transverse connecting cable 32 in the middle of the transverse cable 4 abuts against the submarine cable 1. The corrugations of adjacent transverse connecting cables 32 are opposite. When the transverse cables 4 at different axial positions of the submarine cable 1 are impacted by the same water flow, the lateral thrust generated by the transverse cables 4 at different axial positions of the submarine cable 1 is opposite in direction. Thus, the transverse connecting cables 32 with opposite corrugation directions partially cancel out the overall lateral thrust, ensuring the stability of the protective net body 2 and the overall structure.

[0038] The transverse connecting cable 32 located inside the positioning concrete block 31 is in a horizontal state, which facilitates the installation of the transverse connecting cable 32 inside the positioning concrete block 31. At the same time, the position of the transverse connecting cable 32 makes it easy to distinguish the concrete modules 3 in different positions, which facilitates the connection and assembly between multiple concrete modules 3. At the same time, the required number of concrete modules 3 of the protective net body 2 can be set according to the actual situation, so as to meet the protection needs of submarine cables 1 of different sizes and requirements.

[0039] Several longitudinal connecting cables 33 in the axial direction of the same submarine cable 1 are connected in sequence to form a longitudinal cable body 5. The longitudinal cable body 5 has a corrugated structure along its length, and the longitudinal connecting cables 33 located in the positioning concrete block 31 are in a horizontal state.

[0040] The transverse connecting cable 32 and the longitudinal connecting cable 33 are prepared by binding the positioning concrete block 31 to the reinforcing cage of the positioning concrete block 31 during the pouring process. The positioning concrete block 31 is mixed and poured into shape according to the predetermined concrete mix ratio.

[0041] The longitudinal cable 5 of the corrugated structure generates an arch effect under the impact of water flow on the concrete module 3. Each concrete module 3 will convert part of the load it receives into lateral thrust, which is transmitted through the longitudinal cable 5. Since the longitudinal cable 5 has a corrugated structure, the lateral thrust generated by the longitudinal cable 5 changes alternately on the same concrete module 3, so that the lateral thrust generated by the longitudinal cable 5 on the same concrete module 3 is partially canceled, reducing the displacement requirement of the overall structure and thus improving the stability of the overall structure.

[0042] The overall protective net body 2, along the axial direction of the submarine cable 1, has outer positioning concrete blocks 31 that are in direct contact with the water flow. Under the action of the longitudinal cable body 5, the protective net body 2 is blocked by the lateral water flow force, reducing the water flow impact force on the middle positioning concrete block 31 and ensuring the stable setting of the middle positioning concrete block 31. Under the stable setting, the middle positioning concrete block 31 is pressed against the submarine cable 1 by the transverse connecting cable 32.

[0043] A reserved rope loop 37 is formed on the transverse knot 34 to facilitate binding the ends of the adjacent transverse connecting rope 32, and a reserved rope loop 37 is also formed on the longitudinal knot 35 to facilitate binding the ends of the adjacent longitudinal connecting rope 33.

[0044] The ends of adjacent longitudinal connecting cables 33 can pass through the reserved rope loops 37 and be tied to achieve the connection between the longitudinal connecting cable 33 and the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable 33.

[0045] The transverse connecting cable 32 is connected to the transverse knot 34 of the adjacent transverse connecting cable 32, and the transverse knot 34 of the transverse connecting cable 32 is connected to the end of the adjacent transverse connecting cable 32. Similarly, the longitudinal connecting cable 33 is connected to the longitudinal knot 35 of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable 33, and the longitudinal knot 35 of the longitudinal connecting cable 33 is connected to the end of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable 33.

[0046] The two transverse connecting cables 32 are connected to each other. Even if the binding of one transverse connecting cable 32 and the other transverse connecting cable 32 is loosened at one of the transverse knots 34, the two transverse connecting cables 32 can still be connected to each other at the other transverse knot 34, thereby improving the connection strength between adjacent concrete modules 3.

[0047] Similarly, the two longitudinal connecting cables 33 are connected to each other. Even if the binding of one longitudinal connecting cable 33 and the other longitudinal connecting cable 33 is loosened at one of the longitudinal knots 35, the two longitudinal connecting cables 33 can still be connected to each other at the other longitudinal knot 35, thereby improving the connection strength between adjacent concrete modules 3.

[0048] With the two transverse connecting cables 32 connected to each other, and the transverse knots 34 of the two transverse connecting cables 32 connected to each other, the transverse connecting cables 32 between the two transverse knots 34 form a closed ring structure. As needed, the submarine cable 1 can be passed through the ring structure or the submarine cable 1 can be compressed through the ring structure.

[0049] When the seabed is in a stable state, the submarine cable 1 can be tightened by the transverse connecting cable 32 to ensure the stable installation of the submarine cable 1. When the seabed is in an unstable state, the submarine cable 1 can be passed through the ring structure formed by the transverse connecting cable 32 between the two transverse knots 34. At this time, even if the seabed cracks, breaks or shifts, the support and limiting effect of the ring structure will ensure that the submarine cable 1 will not fall to the cracks or breaks, nor will it shift, thus preventing the submarine cable 1 from being pulled and broken.

[0050] In practical use, the size, shape, and quantity of the protective netting 2 are determined according to the laying path of the submarine cable 1 and the area requiring protection. Then, individual concrete modules 3 are prepared on land or offshore construction platforms, and a certain number of concrete modules 3 are connected to form the protective netting 2. Next, the protective netting 2 is hoisted to the location above the submarine cable 1 requiring protection using connecting rings 36, and precisely laid so that the protective netting 2 tightly covers the submarine cable 1. Finally, adjacent protective netting 2 are connected using connecting rings 36 to form a complete submarine cable protection system.

[0051] Since the transverse connecting cable 32 and the longitudinal connecting cable 33 are flexible, the protective net body 2 can bend along with the bending of the submarine cable 1, thus meeting the protection requirements of the submarine cable 1 at different locations.

[0052] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention; therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0053] Although this document frequently uses reference numerals from the accompanying drawings, such as submarine cable 1, protective netting 2, concrete module 3, positioning concrete block 31, transverse connecting cable 32, longitudinal connecting cable 33, transverse knot 34, longitudinal knot 35, connecting ring 36, reserved rope loop 37, transverse cable 4, and longitudinal cable 5, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. These terms are used merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of this utility model; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables, comprising a submarine cable (1) and protective net bodies (2) laid at different locations on the submarine cable (1); characterized in that, The protective net body (2) is composed of several arrayed concrete modules (3), and each concrete module (3) is connected to at least two adjacent concrete modules (3). The concrete module (3) includes a positioning concrete block (31), a transverse connecting cable (32) passing through the positioning concrete block (31), and a longitudinal connecting cable (33) passing through the positioning concrete block (31). A transverse knot (34) is formed on the transverse connecting cable (32) for connecting with the adjacent transverse connecting cable (32), and a longitudinal knot (35) is formed on the longitudinal connecting cable (33) for connecting with the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable (33). The outer ring of the protective net body (2) is provided with a connecting ring (36) connected to the transverse connecting cable (32) and the longitudinal connecting cable (33).

2. The concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective net body (2) is arranged along the axial direction of the seabed cable (1), and the protective net body (2) is arranged symmetrically along the radial direction of the seabed cable (1).

3. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several transverse connecting cables (32) in the radial direction of the same submarine cable (1) are connected in sequence to form a transverse cable body (4), and the transverse cable body (4) has a corrugated structure along the length direction.

4. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 3, characterized in that, The corrugations of adjacent transverse cables (4) are opposite in direction, and the corrugation amplitude of the transverse cables (4) gradually decreases from both ends toward the submarine cable (1).

5. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transverse connecting cable (32) in the middle of the transverse cable (4) abuts against the submarine cable (1), and the corrugations of adjacent transverse connecting cables (32) are opposite.

6. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transverse connecting cable (32) located within the positioning concrete block (31) is in a horizontal state.

7. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several longitudinal connecting cables (33) in the axial direction of the same submarine cable (1) are connected in sequence to form a longitudinal cable body (5), and the longitudinal cable body (5) has a corrugated structure along the length direction.

8. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 7, characterized in that, The longitudinal connecting cable (33) located within the positioning concrete block (31) is in a horizontal state.

9. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse knot (34) has a reserved rope loop (37) for tying the ends of the adjacent transverse connecting ropes (32), and the longitudinal knot (35) also has a reserved rope loop (37) for tying the ends of the adjacent longitudinal connecting ropes (33).

10. A concrete interlocking protective net for protecting submarine cables according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transverse connecting cable (32) is connected to the transverse knot (34) of the adjacent transverse connecting cable (32), and the transverse knot (34) of the transverse connecting cable (32) is connected to the end of the adjacent transverse connecting cable (32). Similarly, the longitudinal connecting cable (33) is connected to the longitudinal knot (35) of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable (33), and the longitudinal knot (35) of the longitudinal connecting cable (33) is connected to the end of the adjacent longitudinal connecting cable (33).

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