Internal jacket leveling tool

Abstract

A jacket leveling tool may include a substantially cylindrical central body and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body. A radial skirt and a radial collar may be disposed about an exterior surface of the central body, each of which may also be attached to an end of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders. A cap may be attached to an upper end of the central body, with the first and second links configured to be attached to connection points on an exterior surface of a jacket, such that the relative vertical position of the jacket may be adjusted by injecting hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders. Abstract Figure: Figure 2B

Description

Title of invention: Internal jacket leveling tool Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to equipment used in the construction of offshore installations, such as a platform used to carry a drill carriage or a wind turbine. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an internal jacket leveling tool. Background

[0002] In general, for an offshore installation, such as a platform used to carry a drill carriage or a wind turbine, the arrangement of piles, underwater structures, and / or the type of platform varies based on the depth of the installation. Shallow installations, such as those less than about 50 meters, are typically secured to the seabed by a rigid structure anchored by hollow piles driven into the seabed.

[0003] With this type of installation, each pile is typically connected to a jacket leg that extends upward to contact and support the platform or other facility located at or near the surface. It is important that all of the jacket legs be substantially level with each other. If they are not substantially level, the platform or other facility supported by the jacket legs may be tilted from the horizontal, which may negatively impact the performance of equipment mounted thereon.

[0004] Historically, jacket leveling has often been performed using external hydraulic jacks, attached to the outside of the jacket. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2022 / 0333328, entitled “System and method for leveling and gripping a jacket leg into a hollow foundation pile” and filed by McCarthy, et al. Another commercial example is the jacket leveling tool manufactured by IQIP® of the Netherlands, as disclosed at https: / / iqip.com / products / handling-equipment / levelling-tool. As explained in paragraph 0021 of McCarthy, et al., an advantage of such a tool is that after construction of a particular facility, the tool can be removed and reused for other projects.

[0005] A disadvantage of external jacket leveling tools is that they are only usable if the difference in diameter between the pile and the jacket is large enough that the tool, including its hydraulic cylinder(s), can be inserted into the annular space between the pile and the jacket. In addition, it is often difficult to use these tools because limited space is available to grip the outside of the jacket due to other structures that comprise the foundation of the installation.

[0006] A possible solution to the above-mentioned disadvantages of external jacket leveling tools would be an internal structure that is inserted into the hollow space inside the pile and therefore does not require a large difference in diameter between the pile and the jacket.

[0007] An example of an internal jacket leveling structure is disclosed in Chinese patent application 115125989, entitled "Jacket leveling device for offshore wind power generation units" and filed by Luo Jianying, et al. The internal structure disclosed by Jianying, et al., however, is permanently disposed within the offshore installation, and thus, unlike more traditional external jacket leveling tools, cannot be removed and reused for the construction of other installations unless or until the installation is completely dismantled. In particular, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Jianying, et al., the anti-tilt support component, the adjustment connector, and the hydraulic rod are installed within the adjustment pipe fitting 3, on which the jacket body 2 is mounted.

[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a jacket leveling tool that is compact and has flexibility for use when access to the exterior of the jacket is limited and / or there is only a small annular space between the pile and the jacket, but is also easy to remove during construction of a particular facility, allowing it to be used for other projects. The present invention addresses this unmet need, as well as one or more other problems obvious to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0009] In one embodiment, the jacket leveling tool may include a substantially cylindrical central body including a central longitudinal axis; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an outer surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the outer surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap.

[0010] In one embodiment, the radial skirt may further comprise a plurality of radially extending ribs.

[0011] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders may further include an extension member connected to one of the plurality of radially extending ribs.

[0012] In one embodiment, the jacket leveling tool may further include pins configured to engage the first and second links.

[0013] In another embodiment, a system for leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure may include a pile including a hollow interior space having a central longitudinal axis; and a jacket leveling tool including a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap;and a substantially cylindrical jacket disposed around the pile and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. ;

[0014] In one embodiment, the radial skirt may further comprise a plurality of radially extending ribs.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders may further include an extension member connected to one of the plurality of radially extending ribs.

[0016] In one embodiment, the system may further include pins configured to engage the first and second links.

[0017] In one embodiment, the jacket may further comprise first and second connection points attached to the outer surface.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pins may be configured to connect the first link to the first connection point and the second link to the second connection point.

[0019] In one embodiment, a method of leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure may include placing a substantially cylindrical jacket around a pile including a hollow interior space; placing within the hollow interior space of the pile a jacket leveling tool including a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed around the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an outer surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed around an upper portion of the outer surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap; connecting the first and second links to an exterior surface of the jacket; and injecting a hydraulic fluid into one or more of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

[0020] In one embodiment, the step of connecting the first and second bonds to an exterior surface of the jacket may comprise inserting pins.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of removing the jacket leveling tool from the jacket and the pile.

[0022] In one embodiment, the step of removing the jacket leveling tool may comprise removing a pin from the first and second links.

[0023] In one embodiment, the step of removing the jacket leveling tool may further comprise lifting the cap away from the pile.

[0024] In one embodiment, an inner surface of the jacket may substantially abut an outer surface of the pile. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numerals may indicate the same or similarly functional elements.

[0026] [Fig-1] illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the leveling tool of jacket.

[0027] [Fig.2A] illustrates a cutaway side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in [Fig.l], viewed along line AA, in an initial unretracted position.

[0028] [Fig.2B] illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in [Fig.2A].

[0029] [Fig.3A] illustrates a cutaway side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in [Fig.l], viewed along line AA, in a fully retracted position.

[0030] [Fig.3B] illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in [Fig.3A]. Detailed description

[0031] [Fig.l] illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a system 1 comprising a jacket leveling tool 100 relative to the pile 10. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the pile 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a hollow interior space 15. As shown in [Fig.2B], the hollow interior space 15 comprises a central longitudinal axis X.

[0032] As shown in [Fig.l], the jacket leveling tool 100 comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130 disposed around a substantially cylindrical central body 115. The central body 115 is configured to be disposed within the hollow interior space 15 of the pile 10, and substantially coaxially about the central longitudinal axis X. The central body 115 is dimensioned such that the hydraulic cylinders 130 are also disposed within the hollow interior space 15 of the pile 10.

[0033] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the diameter of the center body 115 and the size of the hydraulic cylinders 130 can be adjusted based on the diameter of the hollow interior space 15 for a particular pile 10. In addition, the size of the hydraulic cylinders 130 will vary depending on the amount of force required to adjust a particular jacket, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0034] A skirt 140 is attached to a lower portion of an outer surface of central body 115. The skirt 140 may include radially extending ribs 145. As shown in [Fig.2A], the ribs 145 may be configured to be connected to a portion of the hydraulic cylinders 130, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0035] As shown in [Fig.2B], each hydraulic cylinder 130 may include a chamber 135, within which a piston 136 is disposed. The piston 136 may also include an extension member 138. As shown in [Fig.2A], the extension member 138 may be connected to one of the ribs 145 extending radially outwardly from the skirt 140. In other words, the skirt 140 may be attached to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders. In the position shown in [Fig.2B], the piston 136 is disposed at the lower end of the chamber 135. This is the initial or unretracted position in which the jacket leveling tool 100 has not yet been actuated to adjust the vertical position of the jacket 20 relative to the pile 10.

[0036] A collar 125 is disposed around an upper portion of the outer surface of the central body 115. As shown in [Fig.2B], the collar 125 may include connection points 126 configured to be connected to an upper portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. The collar 125 may further include an annular surface 127 that is substantially horizontal and configured to abut an upper end of the pile 10. Since the jacket leveling tool is in the unretracted position, the vertical distance DI separates the collar 125 from the upper end of the jacket 20.

[0037] A cap 110 is attached to an upper end of the central body 115. As shown in [Fig.2B], the cap 110 may be generally annular with a outer periphery 112 which extends radially outwardly beyond the pile 10, relative to the central longitudinal axis X.

[0038] First and second links 120 are attached to the cap 110 at points 122 near the outer periphery 112. Although more than two links may be used in accordance with the present disclosure, the preferred embodiment includes two links on opposite sides of the cap 110, i.e., spaced 180 degrees apart.

[0039] The lower end of each of the first and second links 120 may be attached to the connection point 105 at point 124. The connection point 105 may be a stud welded or otherwise attached to an exterior surface of the jacket 20. Point 124 may include a pin used to connect the lower end of the link 120 to the stud 105. In other words, pins may be configured to engage the first and second links. Since the preferred embodiment only includes two links 120, only two connection points 105 are required on the jacket 20. Thus, the pins may be configured to connect the first link 120 to the first connection point 105 and the second link 120 to the second connection point 105.As noted above, this configuration is substantially easier to use and install than existing external jacket leveling tools that require more connection points and / or greater access to the exterior of the jacket 20. .

[0040] As shown in [Fig.2B], the jacket leveling tool 100 can be installed without any particular difference in diameter between the jacket 20 and the pile 10. Indeed, the outer surface of the pile 10 can substantially abut the inner surface of the jacket 20, provided that there is no interference engagement that would prevent relative axial movement of the two components. This is the case because unlike existing external jacket leveling tools, no portion of the jacket leveling tool 100 needs to be disposed in an annular space between the jacket 20 and the pile 10.

[0041] During operation, hydraulic fluid is injected into a lower portion of the chamber 135 of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the injection of the hydraulic fluid causes the piston 136 to rise within the chamber 135. Due to the connection between the extension member 138 and the radially extending rib 145, the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid results in a corresponding upward force exerted on the outer surface of the central body 115. Due to the connection between the cap 110 and the central body 115, as well as the connection between the first and second links 120 and the connection points 105 (which are attached to the outer surface of the jacket 20), the upward force exerted on the outer surface of the central body 115 results in a corresponding upward force on the outer surface of the jacket 20.

[0042] This upward force results in a vertical movement of the jacket 20 relative to the pile 10. As shown in [Fig.3B], when the piston 136 was moved toward the upper end of the chamber 135, the vertical distance between the collar 125 and the upper end of the jacket 20 decreased from D1 to D2. This relative movement can be used to adjust the vertical position of the jacket 20 to ensure that each individual jacket is in a location such that the platform or other installation is substantially horizontal.

[0043] Although Figures 3A-3B show the jacket leveling tool 100 in a fully retracted position, such that the piston 136 is at the upper end furthest from the chamber 135, those skilled in the art will understand that this is not necessarily the case. The amount of hydraulic fluid injected into each hydraulic cylinder 130 may vary so that the vertical movement of the jacket 20 is controlled to allow for precise leveling of the jacket 20.

[0044] Once the jacket leveling tool 100 has been retracted to the point where the jacket 20 is in the desired location, the tool can be easily removed prior to construction of the remaining portions of the installation. In particular, the jacket leveling tool 100 can be removed by removing the pins at points 124, separating the first and second links 120 from the connection points 105 on the jacket 20, and lifting the cap 110 away from the pile 10.

[0045] It is understood that variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and / or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

[0046] Any spatial references, such as, for example, "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "between", "bottom", "vertical", "horizontal", "angular", "upwards", "downwards", "side by side", "left to right", "right to left", "top to bottom", "bottom to top", "above", "bottom", "ascending", "descending" etc., are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above. Similarly, references to the general shape of certain components, such as, for example, " planar” or “cylindrical”, are intended for illustration purposes only and do not limit the specific configuration of the structure described above.

[0047] In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as separate actions, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and / or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously, and / or in sequence. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes, and / or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes, and / or procedures.

[0048] In several exemplary embodiments, one or more operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Additionally, in some instances, certain features of the present disclosure may be used without a corresponding use of the other features. Additionally, one or more of the embodiments and / or variations described above may be combined in whole or in part with one or more of the other embodiments and / or variations described above.

[0049] Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the disclosed embodiments are exemplary only and not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes, and / or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the innovative teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and / or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not just structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Furthermore, it is the express intent of the applicant not to invoke 35 USC§ 112, paragraph 6 concerning any limitation of any of these claims, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word "means0" with an associated function.

Claims

Claims

1. A jacket (20) leveling tool (100), comprising: a substantially cylindrical central body (115) having a central longitudinal axis; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (130) disposed around the body; a radial skirt (140) attached to a lower portion of an outer surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar (125) disposed around an upper portion of the outer surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap (110) attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links (120) attached to the cap.

2. The jacket leveling tool of claim 1, wherein the radial skirt further comprises a plurality of radially extending ribs (145).

3. A jacket leveling tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders further comprises an extension member (138) connected to one of the plurality of radially extending ribs.

4. A jacket leveling tool according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising pins configured to engage the first and second links.

5. A system (1) for leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure, the system comprising: a pile (10) comprising a hollow interior space provided with a central longitudinal axis; a jacket leveling tool (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the substantially cylindrical central body being disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; and a substantially cylindrical jacket (20) disposed around the pile and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the jacket further comprises first and second connection points (105) attached to the outer surface.

7. The system of claim 6, comprising the jacket leveling tool of claim 4, wherein the pins are configured to connect the first link to the first connection point and the second link to the second connection point.

8. A method of leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure, the method comprising the steps of: placing a substantially cylindrical jacket around a pile comprising a hollow interior space; placing within the pile a jacket leveling tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the substantially cylindrical central body being disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; connecting the first and second links to an exterior surface of the jacket; and injecting hydraulic fluid into one or more of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of connecting the first and second bonds to an exterior surface of the jacket comprises inserting pins.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of removing the jacket leveling tool from the jacket and the pile.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of removing the jacket leveling tool comprises removing a pin from the first and second links.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of removing the jacket leveling tool further comprises lifting the cap away from the pile.

13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein an inner surface of the jacket substantially abuts an outer surface of the pile.

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