pipeline propulsion device

Abstract

A pipeline propulsion device is disclosed for advancing a water intake pipeline toward a body of water along a shoreline track. The device includes a base frame, a first propulsion carriage, a second propulsion carriage, a first clamping assembly, a second clamping assembly, and at least one hydraulic actuator. The base frame extends longitudinally and defines a passage for the water intake pipeline. The first and second propulsion carriages are supported by the base frame and are longitudinally movable relative to each other and spaced apart. The first and second clamping assemblies are respectively disposed on the first and second propulsion carriages for selectively clamping the outer surface of the water intake pipeline and can operate alternately, ensuring that at least one of them remains clamped during propulsion to suppress unintended pipeline slippage. A controller can instruct the clamping assemblies and the hydraulic actuator to execute a step sequence to advance the pipeline.

Claims

1. A pipeline propulsion device for advancing a water intake pipeline toward a target area along an onshore track, the pipeline propulsion device comprising: a base frame extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a channel for the water intake pipeline to pass through; a first propulsion carriage supported by the base frame and movable relative to the base frame in the longitudinal direction; a second propulsion carriage supported by the base frame and movable relative to the base frame in the longitudinal direction, the second propulsion carriage being spaced apart from the first propulsion carriage in the longitudinal direction; a first clamping assembly disposed on the first propulsion carriage and configured to selectively clamp an outer surface of the water intake pipeline; a second clamping assembly disposed on the second propulsion carriage and configured to selectively clamp the outer surface of the water intake pipeline; and at least one hydraulic actuator coupled between the base frame and at least one of the first and second propulsion carriages to drive reciprocating motion of the at least one propulsion carriage relative to the base frame, wherein... The first clamping component and the second clamping component can be operated alternately, such that during the advancement of the water intake pipeline, at least one of the first clamping component and the second clamping component remains in a clamping state to suppress unintended slippage of the water intake pipeline.

2. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a controller configured to instruct the first clamping assembly, the second clamping assembly, and the at least one hydraulic actuator to execute a step sequence comprising: (a) engaging the first clamping assembly in a clamping state and disengaging the second clamping assembly; (b) moving the first propulsion carriage along the longitudinal direction toward the water surface; (c) disengaging the first clamping assembly and engaging the second clamping assembly in a clamping state; (d) moving the second propulsion carriage along the longitudinal direction toward the water surface and reversing the first propulsion carriage in the opposite direction; (e) engaging the first clamping assembly in a clamping state and disengaging the second clamping assembly; and (f) moving the first propulsion carriage along the longitudinal direction toward the water surface and reversing the second propulsion carriage in the opposite direction; wherein, Steps (c) to (f) of this step sequence are executed repeatedly.

3. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first clamping assembly and the second clamping assembly each include an annular clamping ring that surrounds the water intake pipeline.

4. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the annular clamping ring is a segmented ring comprising an upper ring segment and a lower ring segment, the upper ring segment and the lower ring segment being separable from each other.

5. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper ring section is detachably installed such that the upper ring section can be removed to allow one of the enlarged external features of the water intake pipeline to pass through the annular clamping ring.

6. The pipeline advancement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the upper ring segment and the lower ring segment is movable to increase the effective opening diameter of one of the dividing rings to allow the passage of one flange joint of the water intake pipeline.

7. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 3 further includes a propulsion plate assembly disposed on at least one of the first propulsion carriage and the second propulsion carriage, the propulsion plate assembly defining opposing plates that clamp at least a portion of the annular clamping ring therebetween to confine the annular clamping ring within a bounded area while allowing the annular clamping ring to translate along the longitudinal direction with the propulsion carriage.

8. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base frame includes a first longitudinal guide rail and a second longitudinal guide rail, the first longitudinal guide rail and the second longitudinal guide rail being parallel to each other and spaced apart, the first longitudinal guide rail and the second longitudinal guide rail being disposed below the water intake pipeline, and both the first propulsion carriage and the second propulsion carriage including wheels, the wheels rolling along the first longitudinal guide rail and the second longitudinal guide rail.

9. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base frame includes a third longitudinal guide rail and a fourth longitudinal guide rail, the third longitudinal guide rail and the fourth longitudinal guide rail being disposed at an upper position relative to the first longitudinal guide rail and the second longitudinal guide rail, and the first propulsion carriage and the second propulsion carriage further include lateral rollers configured to contact the third longitudinal guide rail and the fourth longitudinal guide rail to restrict lateral movement of the propulsion carriage.

10. The pipeline propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one hydraulic actuator includes a double-acting hydraulic cylinder having a first end coupled to the base frame and a second end coupled to at least one of the first propulsion carriage and the second propulsion carriage, so as to move the first propulsion carriage and / or the second propulsion carriage back and forth along the longitudinal direction.

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