Seabed Foundation Pressure Control for Installation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing sea-bed foundations using suction can cause seabed collapse due to pressure differential, leading to misalignment and interruption of the installation process.
Innovation Solution
A sea-bed foundation design utilizing both negative pressure in a primary chamber for sinking and positive pressure in secondary chambers for alignment control, allowing for safer and faster installation by using dedicated pumps and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction pressure is increased to accelerate foundation installation, then installation speed is improved, but seabed collapse occurs due to pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system is segmented into multiple independent pressure chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can be controlled separately. This allows different suction pressures to be applied to different regions of the foundation skirt, enabling accelerated installation in stable seabed areas while maintaining lower pressures in sensitive areas to prevent collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pressure conditions are applied to different local regions of the foundation based on seabed characteristics. The system can apply high suction pressure in regions with stable seabed for rapid installation, while applying reduced or zero suction pressure in regions prone to collapse, achieving both speed and reliability locally.
2Manufacturing precision
If suction pressure is increased to improve alignment control, then alignment precision is improved, but seabed material fluidizes creating open connection
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment control function is segmented across multiple pressure chambers distributed around the foundation skirt. Each chamber can independently adjust pressure to achieve precise alignment control without requiring high overall suction pressure that would cause seabed fluidization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter distribution around the foundation by using multiple independently controlled chambers. Instead of uniform high suction pressure, the system optimizes the pressure parameter in each chamber to achieve alignment while avoiding seabed collapse.
3Reliability
If multi-chamber pressure control system is implemented, then installation safety and precision are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple pressure chambers serve multiple functions: they enable differential pressure control for safety, provide alignment adjustment capability, and allow adaptation to varying seabed conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the increased system complexity by delivering comprehensive control capabilities.
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 approach enables precise and efficient placement of the foundation, overcoming the limitations of suction-only methods by allowing realignment and ensuring stable seabed conditions during installation.
Implementation Method 1
Activating said primary pump to create negative pressure in the primary pressure chamber, so that the foundation sinks into the sea bed
Implementation Method 2
Activating said one or more secondary pumps to create positive pressure in the secondary pressure chambers, so as to control the alignment of the foundation with respect to a substantially vertical axis during the sinking of the foundation into the sea bed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a seabed foundation (1) for an offshore facility, comprising a primary pressure chamber (7) connected to a primary pump (8) and one or more secondary pressure chambers (9) connected to one or more secondary pumps (10). According to an embodiment of the invention, said primary pump is a suction pump and said secondary pump is a pressure pump. The invention further relates to a method (12) of installing said foundation on the seabed (19), which comprises the steps of activating (14) said primary pump to create negative pressure in the primary pressure chamber (7), so that the foundation sinks into the seabed, and activating (15) said one or more secondary pumps (10) to create positive pressures in the secondary pressure chambers (9), so as to control the alignment of the foundation with respect to a substantially horizontal axis (16) during the sinking into the seabed.