Seabed Cable Reel Support with Adjustable Hub Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for unwinding flexible cables on seabeds lack versatility in handling reels of different sizes, requiring multiple units and increasing costs due to limited vertical piston travel and height adjustments, which complicates safe and efficient loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a support structure with hub-carrying groups and reaction bars, equipped with locking mechanisms and actuators that allow for extended vertical movement and adjustable positioning, enabling the handling of reels with varying sizes by moving the hub-carrying groups and reaction bars along a series of anchoring elements, allowing for increased height adjustment without the need for spacers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vertical pistons with limited travel (about one meter) are used for lifting and lowering the reel, then the apparatus can be simpler and cheaper, but it cannot handle reels of different sizes and requires multiple apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support structure adaptable through movable hub-carrying groups that can be repositioned vertically along the towers. The system transitions from a static, fixed-position support to a dynamic, adjustable support that can accommodate different reel sizes. The hub-carrying groups can be moved to different heights using the hydraulic pistons and locked in position, enabling the same apparatus to handle reels of varying dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into multiple hub-carrying groups that can independently be positioned at different heights. Each hub-carrying group can be adjusted separately, allowing flexible configuration to match different reel sizes. This segmentation enables the apparatus to adapt to various reel diameters without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Reliability
If multiple apparatuses are provided for different reel sizes, then each apparatus can be optimized for its specific size range, but the overall cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single apparatus that can perform multiple functions - handling reels of different sizes within a wide range. The support structure with adjustable hub-carrying groups and extendable reaction bars enables one apparatus to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized apparatuses, reducing the quantity needed while maintaining operational reliability across different reel configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the height of the apparatus is increased to accommodate larger reels, then larger reels can be handled, but the apparatus becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than increasing the fixed height of the entire apparatus, the patent uses dynamic adjustment mechanisms - hydraulic pistons that can extend and retract, and movable hub-carrying groups that can be repositioned along the towers. This dynamic approach allows the effective support height to be adjusted as needed without permanently increasing the apparatus structure, avoiding the complexity and cost of a taller fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the height adjustment capability from the fixed structural design and implements it as a separate, movable functional component. The hub-carrying groups and reaction bars can be extended or repositioned independently of the main tower structure, allowing height adaptation without permanently modifying the core apparatus structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the versatility and safety of the apparatus, allowing it to handle reels of different sizes efficiently, reducing the need for multiple units and lowering operational costs by enabling precise and adjustable positioning of the reel for unwinding on seabeds.
Implementation Method 1
at least two first movement actuators (16) mounted between the hub-carrying group (7) and the reaction bar (13) for moving them towards or away from each other in the vertical extension direction Y
Implementation Method 2
The hub-carrying group (7) supports first locking means (14) actuable to move between a first interference position A, in which the first locking means (14) constrain the hub-carrying group (7) to the relative shoulder (4), and a first non-interference position B, in which the first locking means (14) are released from the relative shoulder (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus for unwinding flexible cables on seabeds, which comprises a support structure (2) for a reel (5) on which a flexible cable (6) is wound, provided with two shoulders (4) each advantageously formed by two counter-facing towers (19), between which a seat (20) is defined susceptible for slidably receiving a hub-carrying group (7). Each shoulder (4) is associated with a plurality of aligned anchoring elements (12), a slidably movable reaction bar (13) guided in the aforesaid seat (20), and first and second locking means (14,15), each mounted on the hub-carrying group (7) and on the reaction bar (13), able to be actuated to move between an interference position (A, A'), in which they intercept at least one anchoring element (12) constraining the hub-carrying group (4) or the reaction bar (13) to the relative shoulder (4), and a first non-interference position (B, B'), in which they are released from the anchoring elements (12), freeing the hub-carrying group (7) or the reaction bar (13) from the relative shoulder (4). Two first movement actuators (16), each of which mounted between a hub-carrying group (7) and the corresponding reaction bar (13), allow modifying the distance between them with the first or the second locking means (14, 15) in non-interference position (B, B').