Seabed Cable Plough With Movable Drawbar for In-Situ Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ploughs face difficulties in loading elongate elements, particularly underwater, due to the risk of exceeding cable bend limits during pre-deployment loading, and require additional lifting mechanisms for seabed loading.
Innovation Solution
A plough design with a movable drawbar that allows top-loading of elongate elements by spacing apart from the loading path, enabling in-situ loading without additional mechanisms, and includes actuators for transitioning between loading and towing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plough is loaded with elongate elements prior to deployment on the vessel, then the cable can be securely loaded, but the cable bend limit may be exceeded during deployment into deeper water
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar is made movable between a loading position (spaced apart from the loading path) and a towing position (aligned with the towing direction), allowing the system to adapt its configuration dynamically. This enables safe in-situ loading on the seabed where the cable can be loaded without excessive bending, then transitions to towing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawbar movement from a lateral position (loading position) to a longitudinal position (towing position) utilizes spatial dimensionality change. This allows the loading operation to occur from a different spatial arrangement than the towing operation, resolving the conflict between secure loading and preventing cable bend limit violations.
2Ease of operation
If additional lifting means are incorporated into the plough for seabed loading, then in-situ loading becomes possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable drawbar serves multiple functions: it acts as a towing attachment when in the towing position and as a loading guide when in the loading position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lifting mechanisms, achieving in-situ loading capability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawbar's movement between positions is achieved through actuators that enable the system to load itself on the seabed without requiring external lifting equipment. The plough uses its own movable components to perform the loading operation, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the drawbar is positioned to allow top-loading from above, then easier loading is achieved, but the towing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar transitions from a static loading position to a dynamic towing position, allowing the system to optimize for loading ease during the loading phase and for towing capability during the operation phase. The movable design enables the drawbar to be in the optimal position for each specific operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading and towing functions are segmented into distinct positional states of the drawbar. The loading position (spaced apart) and towing position (aligned) are separate configurations, allowing each function to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for providing an elongated element in a seabed is disclosed. The device comprises a main body having trench forming means for forming a trench in a seabed, and a receiving section for receiving an elongated element. The main body is adapted to guide said elongated element, from said receiving section, into a trench formed by said trench forming means. The device further includes supporting means defining a contact surface for supporting said main body with respect to said seabed, wherein the receiving section is configured to receive the elongated element from a side substantially opposite to the contact surface along a loading path. The device further includes a drawbar connected to said main body. The drawbar is movable from a loading position to a towing position. In the towing position said device is towable in a trenching direction via a towing line connected to said drawbar. In the loading position the drawbar is spaced apart from the loading path to allow the elongated element to be loaded into the receiving section along the loading path.