Underwater fixed object installation system

Abstract

Various aspects include apparatus, systems and methods for anchoring a fixture to the seabed. The method may use a subsea fixture placement system that may include a subsea grout supply assembly. The subsea grout supply assembly may include a variable volume grout storage chamber, a paddle, and a subsea grout pump. The variable volume grout storage chamber may be configured to transport dry grout to the seabed. The variable volume grout storage chamber may include a water injection port configured to receive water at the seabed for mixing with the dry grout. Additionally, the variable volume grout storage chamber may be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration when water is injected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Applications This application was filed on March 12, 2021, and claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 160385, entitled "Remote Anchorage Installation System", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Background Art

[0002] Background Conventional methods of fixing and mooring objects to the seabed involve large and heavy mooring devices (anchors) or piles to provide the strength (durability) required to restrain the object. These fixing and mooring systems provide both ballast to overcome the buoyancy of the object and lateral stability to maintain the position of the object on the seabed dynamically to overcome waves and ocean currents. These fixing and mooring systems are currently used throughout the offshore construction industry, which includes floating and underwater ocean renewable energy systems, submarine pipelines, ocean structures for the oil and gas industry, and underwater infrastructure.

[0003] Disadvantages of conventional fixing and mooring systems include the cost and size of these systems, the required support equipment, and the environmental impact of installation. The cost of assembling, installing, and mooring large mooring devices is high and often includes a large portion of the ocean development cost. The size and weight of many conventional fixing and mooring systems require large support vessels and special equipment for transporting and installing them. The availability of such support equipment is often limited and desired throughout the offshore construction industry, thereby tending to increase operating costs and may cause delays. The installation of many of these systems requires extensive dredging of the seabed, which poses an environmental hazard to the surrounding waters.

[0004] Micropiles are small, lightweight, and strong alternatives to foundation supports. Before installation on land or the seabed, micropiles are formed to have a hollow annular section configured to be filled with grout. For underwater applications, micropiles are installed using drilling equipment designed for underwater use. These systems are deployed from surface vessels but require additional support equipment and materials to be delivered to the seabed along with the drilling equipment, and generally require the support of divers. The grout used to install micropiles is mixed on a surface support vessel and pumped from the surface support vessel to the underwater drilling equipment to fill the micropiles with grout.

[0005] overview Various embodiments include underwater anchoring systems for anchoring anchoring elements to the seabed. The underwater anchoring system may include an underwater grout supply assembly, which includes a variable-volume grout storage chamber, a paddle, and an underwater grout pump. The variable-volume grout storage chamber may be configured to transport dry grout to the seabed. The variable-volume grout storage chamber may also be configured to expand from a folded configuration. The variable-volume grout storage chamber may include a water injection port configured to receive water for mixing with the dry grout. A paddle may be positioned within the variable-volume grout storage chamber. The paddle may be configured to mix the dry grout and the water received through the water injection port into the grout mixture. The underwater grout pump may be configured to pump the grout mixture from the variable-volume grout storage chamber to the anchoring element on the seabed.

[0006] In some embodiments, the variable-volume grout storage chamber may include an upper section and a lower section. The upper section may be formed of a flexible bladder, and the lower section may be formed of rigid sidewalls. In this case, only the upper section of the upper and lower sections is configured to expand and contract. The submarine grout supply assembly may further include a mixing motor configured to drive a paddle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the underwater anchorage system may further include an underwater drilling device. The underwater drilling device may include a drill mast, a drill head, and a plume hood. The drill mast may be configured to stand up to a selected drilling angle. The drill head may be coupled to the drill mast. The drill head may be configured to twist the anchorage element into the seabed at the drilling site. The plume hood may be coupled to the drill head. The plume hood may be configured to collect sediment generated in connection with twisting the anchorage element into the seabed.

[0008] In some embodiments, the underwater fixed structure installation system may further include a plume capture assembly. The plume capture assembly may include a discharge device, a water filter, and a water pump. The discharge device may be configured to remove flushed sediment particles from the drilling site of the fixed element. The water filter may be configured to remove sediment and particles from the water flow. The water pump may be configured to direct the water flow through the water filter.

[0009] In some embodiments, dry grout material may be mixed with seawater from the surrounding waters into the submarine grout material supply assembly. Alternatively, the dry grout material may be mixed with freshwater supplied from a submarine container. The submarine grout material supply assembly may withstand and operate at ocean depths of 50 m or more. The submarine grout material supply assembly may be configured to self-propel on the seabed. For example, the submarine grout material supply assembly may be configured to move itself along the seabed using a motor and tracks (treads) or wheels. Alternatively, or further, the submarine grout material supply assembly may be configured to propel itself using thrusters and buoyancy adjusters.

[0010] Various embodiments include methods for installing fixed elements on the seabed. These methods may include transporting dry grout material from a variable-volume grout storage chamber to the seabed. The dry grout material can be kept dry on the seabed within the variable-volume grout storage chamber. The methods may also include mixing the dry grout material with water to form a grout mixture within the variable-volume grout storage chamber on the seabed. Furthermore, the methods may include pumping the grout mixture from the variable-volume grout storage chamber on the seabed to an underwater drilling device at the drilling site.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method may further include inflating a variable-volume grout storage chamber and injecting water into the inflated variable-volume grout storage chamber. In some embodiments, the injected water may be seawater from the area around the drilling site on the seabed. In some embodiments, the injected water may be freshwater other than seawater. In some embodiments, the variable-volume grout storage chamber may be deflated as the grout mixture is drawn out of the variable-volume grout storage chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method may further include twisting the anchoring element into the seabed to a selected depth at the drilling site. In response to twisting the anchoring element to a selected depth, pumping the grout mixture from a variable-volume grout storage chamber on the seabed to the underwater drilling apparatus at the drilling site may include pumping the grout mixture to the anchoring element. In some embodiments, the method may further include inserting a casing into the seabed. Thus, twisting the anchoring element into the seabed may correspond to inserting a casing into the seabed. The anchoring element may be inserted through the casing so that it can be twisted into the seabed.

[0013] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part of this specification illustrate exemplary aspects of various embodiments and, together with the general description above and the detailed description below, are useful in illustrating the features of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic diagram of various embodiments of underwater fixed object installation systems. [Figure 1B] This is a schematic diagram relating to an underwater fixed object installation system according to various embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 1C] This is a close-up view of various embodiments of anchoring elements inserted into a seabed casing.

[0016] [Figure 2A] These are isometric views of underwater grout material supply assemblies in various embodiments.

[0017] [Figure 2B] Figure 2A is a top view of an underwater grout material supply assembly according to various embodiments.

[0018] [Figure 2C] Front view of the underwater grout material supply assembly of FIGS. 2A and 2B according to various embodiments.

[0019] [Figure 2D] Rear view of the underwater grout material supply assembly of FIGS. 2A - 2C according to various embodiments.

[0020] [Figure 2E] Left side view of the underwater grout material supply assembly of FIGS. 2A - 2D according to various embodiments.

[0021] [Figure 2F] Partial cross - sectional bottom view of the underwater grout material supply assembly of FIGS. 2A - 2E according to various embodiments.

[0022] [Figure 3] Front view of the underwater grout material assembly with a partially transparent variable - volume grout material storage chamber according to various embodiments.

[0023] [Figure 4A] Cross - sectional view of a variable - volume grout material storage chamber showing the process of bladder inflation and grout material mixture according to various embodiments. [Figure 4B] Cross - sectional view of a variable - volume grout material storage chamber showing the process of bladder inflation and grout material mixture according to various embodiments. [Figure 4C] Cross - sectional view of a variable - volume grout material storage chamber showing the process of bladder inflation and grout material mixture according to various embodiments.

[0024] [Figure 5] Side view of a mobile underwater fixture installation system according to various embodiments.

[0025] [Figure 6] Side view of another mobile underwater fixture installation system according to various embodiments.

[0026] [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of installing micropiles on the seabed using various embodiments.

[0027] [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of supplying grout material underwater using various embodiments.

[0028] Detailed explanation Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. References made to specific examples and embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0029] The various embodiments described herein relate to underwater anchorage systems and methods, more specifically to micropile driving and underwater grout mixing and pumping, which can reduce costs compared to existing installation methods. In particular, the various embodiments include hardware that allows dry grout material (hereinafter referred to as dry grout material) and water to be mixed at or near the drilling site on the seabed. Customized storage chambers can prevent the dry grout material from mixing with water when it is transported to the seabed with the underwater drilling equipment. Once the underwater drilling equipment is positioned at the drilling site, a control system can position the drill mast of the underwater drilling equipment by raising it to the desired drilling angle. The underwater drilling equipment then begins drilling into the seabed using anchoring elements (e.g., micropiles) while flushing the drilled hole with water, slurry, or other fluids. Water, slurry, or other fluids can be injected through the hollow portions of the fixed element itself, such as the bores of micropiles. Drilling and fluid injection may produce plumes of sediment, which can be collected using a plume hood. The sediment plume collected by the plume hood can then be sent through a plume capture assembly, which filters the mixture of sediment and water to remove any plume particles. The filtered water can then be reused, for example, by being sent back through an underwater drilling device for fluid injection, or by being sent to an underwater grout supply unit for mixing with grout material. Once the fixed element (e.g., micropiles) has reached a predetermined depth, drilling can be stopped and grout material mixing can begin. Grout material mixing may include adding water to the dry grout material transported to the seabed via water injection ports. Water injection ports may be located at the top, bottom, and / or sides of a variable-volume grout material storage chamber. Various embodiments may include using seawater from the surroundings or freshwater delivered along with the underwater drilling equipment to mix with the dry grout material.When water is injected into the grout mixture, the variable-volume grout storage chamber expands, and the upper and lower mixing motors begin mixing the grout mixture with internal mixing paddles. Once the grout mixture is properly mixed, the bladder is compressed, and the grout mixture can be pumped through the hollow portion of the anchoring element to fill the borehole and secure the anchoring element to the seabed. Once the grout mixture has been pumped to the borehole, the anchoring element is released from the underwater drilling equipment, and the underwater drilling equipment is recovered or moved to another anchoring location.

[0030] In some embodiments, the anchoring element may be twisted into the seabed at the drilling site to a selected depth. As the anchoring element is twisted into the selected depth, the grout mixture may be pumped from a variable-volume grout storage chamber on the seabed to the underwater drilling apparatus at the drilling site. In particular, the grout mixture may be pumped into the anchoring element.

[0031] In some embodiments, the casing is initially inserted into the seabed through a layer of soft matrix, which extends from the uppermost layer of the seabed to a harder, subsurface matrix suitable for filling the anchoring element with grout. The casing can be drilled, driven, or screwed in by a number of means. In some embodiments, twisting the anchoring element into the seabed may correspond to inserting the casing into the seabed. The anchoring element can be inserted through the casing so that it can be twisted into the seabed.

[0032] Various embodiments include methods for remotely installing micropiles on the seabed, including a method for mixing grout material on the seabed and pumping it in. The subsea drilling apparatus and subsea grout supply assembly can be sent to the seabed along with all support materials and equipment, so that once installation has begun, no additional material needs to be sent to the seabed. Once the subsea drilling apparatus and subsea grout supply assembly are positioned at or near the drilling site, the drill mast can be erected and drilling can begin. Any dust plume generated from drilling can be contained by a plume capture hood that covers the drilling site. A seawater pump can create negative pressure within the plume capture hood, which draws water through the hollow interior of the fixed element, flushing out particulate matter at the drilling site. The flow of water and particulate matter is then sent to a water filtration system. The filtration system filters out all plume particulate matter and stores it in the drilling apparatus until it is recovered by a support vessel.

[0033] The underwater drilling apparatus and underwater grout supply assembly can be delivered to the seabed along with a predetermined amount of dry grout required to install one or more fixed elements. Once the fixed elements are twisted into the seabed, water can be added to the dry grout through water injection ports at the top, bottom, and sides of the variable-volume grout storage chamber. In some embodiments, the system uses seawater to mix the grout, and in other embodiments, it uses freshwater. Freshwater can be contained in the underwater drilling apparatus and used to mix the grout. The underwater grout mixing hardware may include a variable-volume bladder that contains the grout mixture during underwater mixing and pumping. The variable-volume grout storage chamber can be deployed on the seabed, in which case the bladder collapses while enclosing the dry grout. This reduces the size and weight of the underwater grout supply assembly during deployment. The bladder volume can be controlled by linear actuators that expand and contract the bladder during mixing and pumping, respectively. Upper and lower mixing paddles can be driven by hydraulic motors and can be used to thoroughly mix the grout material so that mixing begins once water is added to the grout material. The grout material mixture can then be fed through hollow micropiles using a piston pump located at the bottom of the grout mixer, and the bladder volume can be compressed by linear actuators.

[0034] Various embodiments further include methods for installing micropiles on the seabed as summarized above.

[0035] As used herein, the term “fixing element” means an elongated, durable foundation element that can be fixed into a borehole and is configured to receive a mixture of grout and / or resin inside. For example, a fixing element may include “micropiles,” which mean small-diameter metal tubular elements that can be twisted into the seabed (i.e., submarine). Micropiles are also called minipiles, pinpiles, or rootpiles and are generally high-strength, durable, small-diameter (e.g., 1 to 12 inches (25 mm to 300 mm)) steel casing piles, ribs, or bars that are configured to be twisted into a borehole and filled with high-strength cement grout and / or resin. Alternatively, a fixing element may be an elongated, solid form configured to be twisted into a borehole, in which case the grout and / or resin is applied directly to the annular portion around the fixing element to provide fixation. Fixing elements may be metal, plastic, composite material, and / or concrete. The fixing elements can be twisted into the borehole or inserted into a pre-drilled socket in the seabed rock.

[0036] Figures 1A and 1B show various embodiments of the underwater anchorage system 100. The underwater anchorage system 100 may include an underwater grout supply assembly 140 configured to transport dry grout material to the seabed 10 and then mix the dry grout material with water when required for underwater anchorage. The underwater grout supply assembly 140 may be configured to operate in conjunction with an underwater drilling device, such as an underwater drilling device 150. In particular, the underwater grout supply assembly 140 may be configured to supply mixed grout material (hereinafter referred to as mixed grout material) to one or more underwater drilling devices. The underwater grout supply assembly 140 may also be supplied with water from various sources, such as a plume capture assembly 130. Water may be used to convert the dry grout material into a moist grout mixture. Alternatively, the submerged grout supply assembly 140 may receive water from a separate pumping unit, which may also be submerged or located on a surface vessel. Furthermore, the submerged fixed installation system 100 may further include a power supply unit (power source) 110 and, optionally, a hydraulic power unit (HPU) 120 which may be used to control the submerged grout supply assembly 140. The power supply unit 110 may be the power component of the submerged grout supply assembly 140. The optional HPU 120 may be used for mechanical actuators included in the submerged grout supply assembly 140 that are not powered in any other way by the power supply unit 110. Further details related to the submerged grout supply assembly 140 will be described later in relation to Figures 2A to 3.

[0037] In various embodiments, the underwater anchorage system 100 further includes an underwater drilling device 150 configured to operate in conjunction with an underwater grout supply assembly 140. The underwater drilling device 150 may be used to drill a borehole in the seabed 10, embed anchoring elements such as micropiles, and anchor the anchoring elements to the seabed 10 using mixed grout supplied by the underwater grout supply assembly 140. The underwater drilling device 150 may include a drill mast 151, a drill head 152, and a plume hood 154. The drill mast 151 may be configured to tilt to a desired angle. A tilt actuator may be included to control the tilt angle of the drill mast 151. Once the drill mast 151 is tilted to the desired angle, the drill head 152 may be configured to twist the anchoring elements 153 (e.g., micropiles) into the seabed. Various embodiments may include a hydraulic cylinder for tilting (i.e., raising) the drill mast 151. Figure 1A shows the drill mast 151 tilted to a horizontal position, which may be particularly used for moving and / or transporting the underwater drilling apparatus 150. Figure 1B shows the drill mast 151 raised to a vertical position to orient the fixed element 153 toward the seabed 10 at a desired angle for the fixed element 153 to penetrate at the drilling site 15. Figure 1B shows the drill mast 151 tilted at a 90-degree angle (i.e., vertical), but other desired drilling angles may be achieved.

[0038] Once the drill mast 151 is aimed at the appropriate drilling location 15 at the desired angle, the drill head 152 can rotate the fixed element 153 as well as the drill bit. The drill head 152 may also be powered to descend along the rails of the drill mast 151 in order to feed (i.e., twist into) the fixed element 153 into the seabed 10. The movement of the drill head 152 along the rails of the mast may be controlled by a separate actuator. During the drilling process, a surrounding sediment plume may arise from swirling sediment on the seabed 10. Thus, in various embodiments, the plume hood 154 may be configured to capture the surrounding sediment plume and redirect the captured sediment to a plume capture assembly 130, which filters water to remove the sediment. The power supply unit 110 may be a power component of the underwater drilling apparatus 150 (e.g., a tilt actuator or other actuator and / or drill head 152). An optional HPU 120 may also be used for mechanical actuators (e.g., a tilt actuator and / or drill head 152) included in the underwater drilling apparatus 150 that are not otherwise powered by the power supply unit 110. Once the fixed element 153 has been twisted into the seabed 10 to the appropriate depth, the underwater drilling apparatus 150 can be ready to receive mixed grout from the underwater grout supply assembly 140, which can be supplied through the grout supply line 155.

[0039] In various embodiments, the underwater fixed structure installation system 100 may further include a plume capture assembly 130, which may be configured to supply water (for example, for mixing grout) to an underwater grout supply assembly 140 through a grout / water supply line 137. Alternatively, or further, the plume capture assembly 130 may be configured to supply water to an underwater drilling device 150 through a drill / water supply line 139. According to various embodiments, the water supplied by the plume capture assembly 130 may capture surrounding sediment plumes that may occur during drilling.

[0040] To capture the surrounding sediment plume, the plume capture assembly 130 may include a discharge device 131, a water filter 133, and a water pump 135. The discharge device 131 may be configured to remove fine particles of sediment flushed from the drilling site 15 of the fixed element 153. The discharge device 131 utilizes hydrodynamic properties to separate water from the sediment pumped into it. Using the negative pressure supplied by the water pump 135, the discharge device 131 can draw in water mixed with sediment to separate the water from the sediment. Furthermore, by connecting the discharge device 131 to the plume hood 154 of the underwater drilling device 150 via the plume capture line 157, the surrounding sediment plume can be drawn into the plume hood 154 through the plume capture line 157 and through the discharge device 131. In this way, the discharge device 131 may be used to perform a first level of separation of water from the sediment.

[0041] Additional levels of sediment are removed from the water by using the pressure provided by the water pump 135 to push the water drawn in by the discharge device 131 through the water filter 133. The water pump 135 can be a mechanical device that converts mechanical torque into hydraulic energy. The water pump 135 can facilitate the movement of fluid (i.e., water and / or water mixed with sediment) from one place to another using suction force, pressure, or both. The water pump 135 can be driven by a water pump motor, which can be an electromechanical device used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Alternatively, the water pump motor can be driven by an HPU (e.g., 120).

[0042] The water filtration device 133 may be configured to further remove sediment and particulate matter from the water flow. The water filtration device 133 may include a series of filters. The series of filters may be configured to separate sediment and particulate matter of progressively smaller size from the water passing through them.

[0043] Unlike conventional micropile drilling systems, all components of the underwater fixed structure installation system 100 can be configured to operate underwater at the drilling site, thus eliminating the need to mix grout material from a support vessel on the water surface and pump it to the drilling site. This reduces the complexity and cost of installing underwater fixed structures.

[0044] Figure 1C shows a close-up view of another environment 101 in which the anchoring element 153 is inserted into the casing 160 in the seabed 10 according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, the casing 160 may be inserted into the seabed before the anchoring element 153 is twisted in or inserted. Thus, twisting the anchoring element into the seabed may be performed after the casing 160 has been inserted into the seabed. The casing 160 may be twisted in and / or driven into the seabed before the anchoring element 153 is inserted. The length of the casing may be longer or shorter than the length of the anchoring element 153, depending on the application. In some embodiments, the casing 160 may be shorter than the anchoring element 153, so that the casing 160 extends only through the harder layers of the seabed, and the anchoring element 153 is configured to extend beyond the casing 160 if fully embedded. Thus, the anchoring element 153 still needs to be twisted into place beyond the depth of the casing 160. Furthermore, although the casing 160 is shown not to be completely embedded in the seabed 10, alternatively, the top of the casing 160 may be coplanar with or below the upper layer of the seabed.

[0045] Figures 2A to 2F show various embodiments of the submarine grout supply assembly 140. The submarine grout supply assembly 140 may include a variable-volume grout storage chamber 216, at least one paddle (see paddles 311 and 312 in Figure 3), and a submarine grout pump 251. The variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may be configured to expand from a folded configuration. In various embodiments, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 in a folded configuration can receive dry grout. Dry grout may be added to the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 before the submarine grout assembly 140 is deployed in water. In the folded configuration, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may be configured to hold enough grout to install one or more fixed elements (e.g., 153). The variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 can be sealed to keep the dry grout stored inside dry until it is time to moisten the grout and create a grout mixture. In this way, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 can be configured to maintain a waterproof seal at depths of 50 m or more, and preferably beyond 100 m. Thus, the underwater grout supply assembly 140 can be configured to withstand and operate at ocean depths of 50 m or more.

[0046] Where appropriate, water may be injected into the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 to mix with dry grout to create a grout mixture. Water may be injected into the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 using one or more water injection ports 231, 232, 233 contained within the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. At least one paddle (e.g., 311, 312) may be configured to mix the dry grout and the received water into the grout mixture. In this way, at least one paddle (e.g., 311, 312) can produce a uniform grout mixture of dry grout and water that dissolves well. Once the grout mixture is completely mixed, the subsea grout pump 251 may be configured to pump the grout mixture from the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 to the anchoring elements on the seabed.

[0047] In some embodiments, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may include distinct upper and lower sections 212, 214. The lower section 212 may be configured to be a storage section for dry grout. The lower section 212 may be formed with rigid side walls, forming a rigid structure more suitable for withstanding the water pressure in the sea. Furthermore, the rigid side walls of the lower section 212 may be more convenient for holding the side water injection ports 232. The upper section 214 may be formed with a flexible bladder that can be expanded and contracted as needed. For example, the upper section 214 may be compressed into a contracted configuration in which the top of the upper section 214 is closer to the lower section 212 than when the top is in an expanded configuration. The contracted configuration may coincide with the folded configuration of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. An expanded configuration having a larger internal volume than a contracted configuration may correspond to a mixed configuration in which the grout mixture is mixed. A portion of the upper section 214, such as the top, can be fixed to an elevator 222, which is configured to move vertically up and down in the positional relationships shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C-2E, 3, 4A-4C, and 5B. By moving upward, the elevator 222 can expand the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 or at least its upper section 214. By moving downward, the elevator 222 can contract the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 or at least its upper section 214. In various embodiments, the elevator 222 is formed as a horizontally extending upper plate that can seal the top of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. Thus, a waterproof seal may be provided between the upper edge of the upper section 214 and the elevator 222. Similarly, a waterproof seal may be provided between the bottom plate and the bottom of the lower section 212. The bottom plate extends horizontally and can seal the bottom of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216.In contrast to the elevator 222, the bottom plate can maintain a fixed position relative to the structural chassis 213 of the underwater grout material supply assembly 140.

[0048] Alternatively, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may not include a rigid lower section and instead include a single continuous bladder that can be compressed to various degrees to provide a variable, condensed configuration. Thus, the bladder of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 can be folded to almost any level of the dry grout held within the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 and then expanded during the mixing process.

[0049] The submarine grout supply assembly 140 may further include a dry grout filling hatch 211 located at the top of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 for adding dry grout to the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. Opening the hatch 211 and adding the dry grout may be done before the submarine grout supply assembly 140 is deployed on the seabed. The submarine grout supply assembly 140 may also include a structural chassis 213 that can function as a frame and support for the various components of the submarine grout supply assembly 140. The submarine grout supply assembly 140 may also include an elevator control cylinder 221 that controls the movement of an elevator 222 that inflates and deflates the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. The variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 can be deployed on the seabed in a fully folded (i.e., deflated) configuration and expands during the grout mixture process. A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) 223 can be used to measure the elevator displacement in order to determine the volume of the variable-capacity grout storage chamber 216 before, during, and / or after it changes configuration.

[0050] The variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may include one or more water injection ports 231, 232, 233 configured to receive water for mixing with the dry grout material. For example, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may include an upper water injection port 231 located on the upper side of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216, which is configured to receive water for mixing with the dry grout material as part of the mixing procedure. Further or alternatively, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may include a lower water injection port 233 located on the bottom side of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. Further addition or alternative, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may include a side water injection port 232 located on one or more sides of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. Together and / or individually, the water injection ports 231, 232, and 233 may be configured to appropriately spray water into the variable-volume grout material storage chamber 216 and appropriately wet the dry grout material to form a grout material mixture with an appropriate hydration level.

[0051] Figure 2F shows a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2E and a bottom view of a portion of the underwater grout material supply assembly 140. The gate valve 254 may be located above the grout material pump 251, which can be used to house the grout material in a variable-volume grout material storage chamber (e.g., 216) during deployment and mixing operations. Once mixing is complete, pumping of the grout material mixture can be started. The gate valve 254 can be opened and closed using the gate valve actuator 253.

[0052] Figure 3 shows translucent views of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 of the underwater grout plant 140 in various embodiments. As shown, at least one paddle 311, 312 may be positioned inside the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. The upper grout mixing paddle 311 may be positioned at the top of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216, and the lower grout mixing paddle 312 may be positioned at the bottom of the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216. Alternatively, the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may contain only one grout mixing paddle, such as the lower grout mixing paddle 312. The variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 may be configured such that, in a folded configuration (i.e., a configuration with the shortest vertical profile), the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 still maintains sufficient space for the upper grout mixing paddle 311. These paddles are driven by upper and lower mixing motors 241 and 242 and are used to mix the grout material in the water after water has been added through water injection ports 231, 232, and 233. Using multiple mixing paddles helps to properly mix the grout material.

[0053] In various embodiments, the underwater grouting assembly 140 may include at least one mixing motor configured to drive at least one paddle 311, 312. In some embodiments, the at least one mixing motor may include an upper grouting motor 241 and a lower grouting motor 242. The upper and lower grouting motors 241, 242 can operate in conjunction on the seabed to mix and form a suitable grouting mixture. The upper grouting motor 241 may be configured to drive the upper grouting paddle 311. Similarly, the lower grouting motor 242 may be configured to drive the lower grouting paddle 312. One or both of the upper and lower grouting motors 241, 242 may be powered by a power supply device (e.g., 110). Alternatively, at least one paddle 311, 312 may be driven by an HPU (e.g., 120).

[0054] The submarine grout pump 251 may be driven by a grout pump motor 252, which can be fixedly mounted to the structural chassis 213. For example, the submarine grout pump 251 and grout pump motor 252 may be located at the bottom of the submarine grout supply assembly 140 to utilize gravity when feeding grout mixture through a grout supply line (e.g., 155) to a submarine drilling device (e.g., 150), particularly to a drill head (e.g., 152) for installing fixed elements (e.g., micropiles) into the seabed (e.g., 10) after drilling is complete. Alternatively, the submarine grout pump 251 may be driven by an HPU (e.g., 120).

[0055] Figures 4A to 4C show cross-sectional views of variable-volume grout storage chambers 216 in various configurations according to various embodiments. Figure 4A shows a deployment configuration 410, in which the elevator (e.g., 222) can be in the lowest position 413 and the upper section (e.g., 214) is in a fully folded configuration 412. Dry grout material 411 can be stored in the variable-volume grout storage chamber 216 in the fully folded configuration 412 during deployment to the seabed.

[0056] Figure 4B shows a water injection configuration 420, in which an elevator (e.g., 222) is raised to an upper position 423 to inflate a variable-volume grout material storage chamber (e.g., 216) or at least its upper section (e.g., 214) to a fully inflated configuration 422. The fully inflated configuration 422 creates space for a large amount of water 424 to be added to the variable-volume grout material storage chamber (e.g., 216). When the water 424 is first injected into the variable-volume grout material storage chamber (e.g., 216), the rest of the water 424 may not automatically mix with the dry grout material 411, except for a small area of ​​partially mixed grout material 421 where the water 424 comes into contact with the dry grout material 411. Thus, Figure 4B shows that the water 424 has not yet been properly mixed with the dry grout material 411.

[0057] Figure 4C shows a grout mixture configuration 430, in which the elevator (e.g., 222) remains in the upper position 423, and the variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216) is in the fully expanded configuration 432. The variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216) may have a slightly larger volume in the mixed configuration 430 compared to the water injection configuration (e.g., 420) to create space for mixing and expanding the grout. Once the water and dry grout are completely mixed to the appropriate viscosity (which can be determined by a predetermined mixing time), the grout mixture 431 can be ready to be delivered to the underwater drilling apparatus (e.g., 150).

[0058] Figure 5 shows mobile versions of elements of an underwater fixed structure installation system according to several embodiments. In particular, Figure 5 shows a mobile underwater grout supply assembly 540 and a mobile underwater drilling device 550, each configured to self-propel along the seabed. For example, each of the mobile underwater grout supply assembly 540 and the mobile underwater drilling device 550 may include a continuous track type vehicle propulsion system 545, 555 that runs on a continuous band of tracks or tracks driven by two or more wheels. The continuous track type vehicle propulsion system 545, 555 may be driven by an onboard motor.

[0059] Figure 6 shows another mobile version of the elements of an underwater fixed structure installation system according to several embodiments. In particular, Figure 6 shows a mobile underwater grouting assembly 640 and a mobile underwater drilling device 650, each of which is configured to self-propel along the seabed. For example, each of the mobile underwater grouting assembly 640 and the mobile underwater drilling device 650 may include one or more skis or sled-type bottoms 642, 655 configured to help the assembly glide along the seabed. Furthermore, each of the mobile underwater grouting assembly 640 and the mobile underwater drilling device 650 may include thrusters 644, 654 for propelling the assembly along the seabed. Furthermore, each of the mobile underwater grouting material supply assembly 640 and the mobile underwater drilling device 650 may include buoyancy adjusters 648, 658 configured to help the mobile underwater grouting material supply assembly 640 and the mobile underwater drilling device 650 achieve positive buoyancy, neutral buoyancy and / or negative buoyancy.

[0060] Figure 7 shows one embodiment of method 700 for fixing a fixed element to the seabed, according to various embodiments described above in relation to Figures 1A to 6. In relation to Figure 7, method 700 and its operation may be carried out using an underwater fixed object installation system 100 configured to fix a fixed element to the seabed, as described herein. For example, method 700 and its operation may be carried out using an underwater grout supply assembly (e.g., 140, 540, 640). Furthermore, method 700 and its operation may be carried out using an underwater drilling device (e.g., 150, 550, 650) and / or a plume capture assembly (e.g., 130). The operation of method 700 may be controlled by an operator, by a processor of a control system, or a combination thereof.

[0061] Method 700 may include deploying the underwater fixed installation system from a support vessel toward the seabed in block 710. For example, an underwater grout supply assembly (e.g., 140) may be lowered from the surface vessel using a crane or davit on the deck of the surface vessel. The lowering process may position the underwater grout supply assembly at the approximate location of a more specific drilling site (e.g., 15). In some embodiments, underwater drilling equipment (e.g., 150, 550, 650) may also be deployed from the support vessel toward the seabed. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a plume capture assembly may also be deployed from the support vessel toward the seabed. The deployment of the underwater grout supply assembly, underwater drilling equipment, and / or plume capture assembly may be carried out together or separately.

[0062] In block 720, the underwater anchorage system may be moved to a drilling site (e.g., 15). In some embodiments, the underwater anchorage system may be positioned together with external support equipment. Alternatively, the underwater anchorage system may use onboard propulsion (driving force) to move or propel all or some of its components to the drilling site. For example, the underwater anchorage system may have its own transport method for moving underwater to the drilling site. Some embodiments may include the use of wheels or tracks in conjunction with drive motors for movement along the seabed. Other embodiments may include thrusters and buoyancy control devices for movement along the seabed.

[0063] In block 730, the drill mast (e.g., 151) of the underwater drilling apparatus can be tilted to a selected drilling angle. The tilt of the drill mast can be controlled to position the drill mast and the corresponding drill head (e.g., 152) and fixing elements (e.g., micropile 153) at the appropriate drilling angle. Various embodiments may include a hydraulic cylinder to raise the drill mast.

[0064] In block 740, the drill head (e.g., 152) of the underwater drilling apparatus can begin to twist and insert the fixed element (e.g., micropile 153) into the seabed.

[0065] In block 750, a plume hood (e.g., 154) of the underwater drilling apparatus may be used to flush the drilling site and remove most of the surrounding sediment plume resulting from drilling into the seabed. Water may be pumped up through the hollow interior of the anchoring element (e.g., micropile 153) to remove sediment from the drilling site. The plume hood may maintain negative pressure to capture the surrounding sediment plume. The sediment-water mixture captured by the plume hood can be sent to a plume capture assembly (e.g., 130), which may be used to remove sediment and filter the feedwater. The plume capture assembly (e.g., 130) may include a discharge device (e.g., 131) and a water filter device (e.g., 133) to remove sediment and filter the feedwater. The plume capture assembly may also include a water pump used to distribute the filtered water to other parts of the underwater anchoring system, such as an underwater grout supply assembly and / or the underwater drilling apparatus.

[0066] In block 760, an underwater grout material supply assembly (e.g., 140) may be used to mix dry grout material with water in the underwater region (i.e., the seabed) of the underwater drilling (boring) site.

[0067] In block 770, the underwater grout supply assembly (e.g., 140) may pump the grout mixture from end to end of the underwater drilling equipment and the fixing elements (e.g., micropile 153) to fill the borehole cavity and fix the fixing elements to the seabed.

[0068] In block 780, the underwater fixed structure installation system can be recovered from the seabed using a support vessel. In particular, the underwater grout supply assemblies (e.g., 140, 540, 640) can be recovered by a surface vessel using a crane or davit on the deck of the surface vessel. Furthermore, the underwater drilling equipment (e.g., 150, 550, 650) and / or the plume capture assembly (e.g., 130) can also be recovered by a surface vessel using a crane or davit on the deck of the surface vessel.

[0069] Figure 8 shows one embodiment of Method 800 for supplying underwater grout material, according to various embodiments described above in relation to Figures 1A to 6. Method 800 can be implemented using an underwater fixed structure installation system 100 configured to fix fixed elements to the seabed. For example, Method 800 and its operation can be implemented using an underwater grout material supply assembly (e.g., 140, 540, 640). Furthermore, Method 800 and its operation can be implemented using an underwater drilling device (e.g., 150, 550, 650) and / or a plume capture assembly (e.g., 130). The operation of Method 800 can be controlled by an operator, by a processor in a control system, or a combination thereof.

[0070] In block 810, dry grout material can be stored in a variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216). In some embodiments, a flexible bladder 214 may form all or part of the variable-volume grout storage chamber. Furthermore, the variable-volume grout storage chamber can be maintained in a compressed configuration by an elevator (e.g., 222), which is configured to selectively change the configuration of the variable-volume grout storage chamber from the compressed configuration.

[0071] In block 820, dry grout material in a variable-volume grout material storage chamber (e.g., 216) can be transported to the seabed. For example, an underwater grout material supply assembly (e.g., 140, 540, 640) can be lowered to the seabed from a support vessel.

[0072] In block 830, water can be injected into the underwater grout supply assemblies (e.g., 140, 540, 640) while the structure is above the seabed. For example, water can be injected into a variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216) through water injection ports (e.g., 231, 232, 233). The injected water is used to wet the dry grout for the grout mixing process carried out on the seabed. In some embodiments, seawater from the surrounding water can be used to mix the grout mixture into the underwater grout supply assembly. In other embodiments, water other than seawater stored in the micropile drilling equipment (e.g., drinking water) may be used for the grout mixture. Water injection ports can be located at various points in the underwater grout supply assembly to properly wet the dry grout mixture.

[0073] In block 840, a variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216) can be expanded. For example, a control system can bias an elevator (e.g., 222) to expand the variable-volume grout storage chamber to create space for water to be added to the grout mixture.

[0074] In block 850, dry grout material and water can be mixed in a variable-volume grout material storage chamber. For example, after water is added to the dry grout material, upper and / or lower mixing motors (e.g., 241, 242) can drive mixing paddles (e.g., 311, 312) to mix and agitate the grout material. Mixing may continue until the grout material is properly mixed and wet. The mixing process may be a timed process to ensure proper mixing to the correct grout material viscosity.

[0075] In block 860, the grout mixture resulting from the mixing in block 840 may be pumped into the underwater drilling equipment (e.g., 150, 550, 650). For example, a gate valve (e.g., 254) may be opened, and a grout pump (e.g., 252) may begin pumping the properly mixed grout mixture into the underwater drilling equipment and ultimately from end to end of the hollow portion of the anchoring element (e.g., micropile 153) to fill the borehole cavity and anchor the anchoring element to the seabed.

[0076] In block 870, the variable-volume grout storage chamber (e.g., 216) may contract as the grout mixture is dispensed. For example, as the grout mixture is drawn out of the variable-volume grout storage chamber, the elevator (e.g., 222) may descend in such a way that it folds the variable-volume grout storage chamber or at least its upper portion (e.g., 214).

[0077] Various embodiments allow for the installation of anchoring elements, such as micropiles, on the seabed without the use of additional support equipment or the pumping of grout from a surface support vessel. This has the potential to support installation in deeper waters and is less expensive than existing methods for installing underwater anchoring structures.

[0078] Furthermore, various embodiments of underwater drilling equipment have all the necessary support equipment to be self-sufficient and can perform all the tasks necessary to position themselves at the drilling site, twist and insert fixing elements (e.g., micropiles) into the seabed, capture and filter out surrounding sediment plumes generated during the drilling process, mix grout material on the seabed, and pump the grout mixture to fix the fixing elements to the seabed and fill the drilled cavity.

[0079] The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to create or use the claimed invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein and should be limited to the following claims and the broadest scope that is consistent with the language of the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An underwater fixed structure installation system for fixing fixed elements to the seabed, This includes an underwater grout material supply assembly, and the underwater grout material supply assembly is A variable-volume grout storage chamber configured to transport dry grout material to the seabed, comprising a water injection port configured to inject water into the variable-volume grout storage chamber for mixing with the dry grout material while on the seabed, and configured to expand from a folded configuration when water is injected, A paddle is placed in the variable-volume grout material storage chamber and configured to mix the dry grout material and water received through the water injection port into the grout material mixture, An underwater fixed structure installation system, comprising an underwater grout pump configured to deliver the grout mixture from a variable-volume grout storage chamber to the fixed element on the seabed.

2. The underwater fixed installation system according to claim 1, wherein the variable-volume grout material storage chamber comprises an upper section and a lower section, the upper section being formed of a flexible bladder, and the lower section being formed of rigid side walls, and only the upper section of the upper and lower sections is configured to expand and contract.

3. The underwater fixed object installation system according to claim 1, wherein the underwater grout supply assembly further includes a mixing motor configured to drive the paddle.

4. The present invention further includes an underwater drilling device, the underwater drilling device is A drill mast configured to stand up to the selected drilling angle, A drill head, which is coupled to the drill mast and configured to twist the fixing element into the seabed at the drilling site, The underwater anchoring system according to claim 1, comprising a plume hood coupled to the drill head, wherein the plume hood is configured to collect sediment generated in connection with twisting the anchoring element into the seabed.

5. Further including a plume capture assembly, the plume capture assembly is A discharge device configured to remove fine particles of sediment flushed from the drilled location of the fixed element, A water filtration device configured to remove sediment and fine particles from the water flow, The underwater fixed object installation system according to claim 4, further comprising a water pump configured to send the water flow through the water filtration device.

6. The underwater fixed structure installation system according to claim 4, wherein the water injection port is configured to inject seawater from the surrounding waters into the underwater grout supply assembly into the dry grout material in order to form a grout material mixture at the drilling site.

7. The underwater fixed structure installation system according to claim 4, wherein the water injection port is configured to inject fresh water supplied from an underwater container into the dry grout material in order to form a grout material mixture at the drilling site.

8. The underwater grout supply assembly is configured to withstand and operate at ocean depths of 50 m or more, according to claim 1, for the underwater fixed structure installation system.

9. The underwater fixed object installation system according to claim 1, further comprising a self-propulsion mechanism configured to move the underwater fixed object installation system on the seabed.

10. The underwater fixed object installation system according to claim 9, wherein the self-propulsion mechanism includes a motor and an endless track or wheels.

11. The self-propulsion mechanism includes a thruster and a buoyancy control device, as described in claim 9, for the underwater fixed object installation system.

12. A method for installing fixed elements on the seabed, Dry grout material is transported to the seabed in a variable-volume grout material storage chamber configured to expand from a folded state, and the transported dry grout material is maintained in a dry state on the seabed within the variable-volume grout material storage chamber. Water is injected into the variable-volume grout material storage chamber through the water injection port. In order to form a grout mixture in the variable-volume grout storage chamber located on the seabed, the transported dry grout and water are mixed using a paddle placed inside the variable-volume grout storage chamber. A method comprising pumping a grout mixture from a variable-volume grout storage chamber located on the seabed to an underwater drilling apparatus at a drilling site.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising injecting water into the variable-volume grout storage chamber while expanding the variable-volume grout storage chamber.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein injecting water into the variable-volume grout storage chamber includes injecting seawater from an area around a drilling site on the seabed into the variable-volume grout storage chamber.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the injection of water into the variable-volume grout material storage chamber includes the injection of fresh water other than seawater.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising contracting the variable-volume grout storage chamber when the grout mixture is drawn out of the variable-volume grout storage chamber.

17. The process further includes twisting a fixing element into the seabed to a selected depth at the drilling site, The method according to claim 12, wherein pumping a grout mixture from a variable-volume grout storage chamber located on the seabed to an underwater drilling device at a drilling site includes pumping the grout mixture to the fixing element in accordance with twisting the fixing element to the selected depth.

18. Further including inserting the casing into the seabed, Twisting the aforementioned fixing element into the seabed includes twisting the aforementioned fixing element into the seabed in accordance with inserting the casing into the seabed, The method according to claim 17, wherein the fixing element is inserted through the casing so as to be twisted into the seabed.

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