CN105143563A

CN105143563A - Trench cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN105143563A
Application number: CN201480020237.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗杰·保罗·怀特; 约翰·格雷姆·沃克; 西门·薇薇安·拉努夫·贝特森
Original assignee: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd
Current assignee: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-05
Filing date: 2014-04-04
Publication date: 2015-12-09
Also published as: EP2787126A1; WO2014161984A1; EA201591636A1; EP2981657A1

Abstract

A trench cutting apparatus (2) for cutting a trench in the sea bed supporting a pipe is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tractor (8) and tracks (14) for engaging the sea bed and supporting the tractor. A first chain cutter (18) for cutting a first trench portion in the sea bed on a first side of the pipe cooperates with a second chain cutter (20) for cutting a second trench portion on a second side of the pipe and the first and second chain cutters are spaced from each other in a direction of travel of the apparatus, such that the first and second chain cutters cooperate with each other to form a trench (28) below the pipe while leaving uncut sea bed material 34 between the pipe and the trench. The first and second chain cutters are provided with jet outlets (32) for cutting uncut material of the floor between the trench and the elongate object.

Description

Groove cutting equipment

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of groove cutting equipment for the ground cutting groove through water body, wherein said ground supports slender body, particularly relates to but is not limited to a kind of groove cutting equipment cutting groove on the sea bed at supporting pipeline or cable.

Background technology

Italian patent file IT1228784 discloses a kind of groove cutting equipment for cutting groove below pipeline, and the chain type cutter of its medium dip are at an angle toward each other to cut out the groove of V-type.The shortcoming that this equipment has is complex structure, and easily can not adjust the degree of depth of the groove that this equipment cuts.And the shortcoming that this equipment also has is that cutter may cut the tube contacts of groove with below and cause damage to it.

European patent document EP1985766 discloses a kind of groove cutter, and wherein pipeline is lifted by from seabed, and three chain type cutter tilted cut out the groove that pipeline is subsequently placed into.The shortcoming that this configuration has is lifted by pipeline to leave the risk that cutter can increase Pipeline damage, but if do not lifted by pipeline, just have cutter cause damage risk to pipeline.

BP file GB2134155 discloses a kind of groove excavating equipment, the digger chain being wherein positioned at the relative both sides of the pipeline that will bury cuts out V-groove, thus to be located immediately at below pipeline and the earth do not contacted by digger chain to fall in the groove that formed, and to be ground by the one or more digger chains being positioned at a pair guiding digger chain rear.

The shortcoming that this configuration has is, the limitation that earth grinds, and result is the placement obstacle that the earth be not grated becomes the pipeline being positioned at groove, thus limit the degree that pipeline is positioned over channel bottom.

Summary of the invention

The preferred embodiments of the present invention seek the above-mentioned one or more shortcoming solving prior art.

According to the present invention, provide a kind of for the groove cutting equipment at the ground of water body cutting groove, wherein said ground supports slender body, described equipment comprises:

(1) one main part;

(2) ground engagement device, for engaging the ground of water body and supporting described main part;

(3) first groove cutter sweeps, for cutting the first trench portions on the ground of the first side of described slender body;

(4) second groove cutter sweeps, for cutting the second trench portions on the ground of the second side of described slender body;

(5) material cutter sweep, is installed on described first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep;

Wherein, described equipment is suitable for moving relative to described slender body, thus the non-cutting material on described ground is between described first trench portions and slender body, and between described second trench portions and slender body, described material cutter sweep is suitable for the non-cutting material cutting described ground at least partly.

By providing so a kind of equipment, namely the non-cutting material on the ground of described water body is between described first trench portions and slender body, and between described second trench portions and slender body, the advantage provided is, due to can be broken at least in part under himself gravity during non-cutting material tensioning between described slender body and groove, also make the region of not cutting earth material that stayed by the first and second groove cutter sweeps enough large simultaneously to such an extent as to can prevent described slender body from contacting with described first and second groove cutter sweeps, less energy is consumed when cutting groove in some cases.This advantage makes described equipment can construct more succinct simultaneously and weight is less.By the non-cutting material providing the material cutter sweep being installed on described first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep to cut the ground between described groove and slender body at least partly, the further advantage provided is, reduce the degree that uncut earth material hinders the placement of the slender body in groove, make burying of slender body more reliable thus.

Described material cutter sweep can be installed on the first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep.

This advantage provided is, when described first and second trench portions are formed, described material cutter sweep can be placed near non-cutting material, improves the operating efficiency of described equipment thus.

Described first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep can be installed at least one support component, and described material cutter sweep can be installed at least one described support component.

This advantage provided is, when adjusting the position of the described first and/or second groove cutter sweep by making described material cutter sweep can place near the described first and/or second groove cutter sweep, can improve the operating efficiency of described equipment.

Described material cutter sweep can comprise injection apparatus, sprays at least one fluid jet for the non-cutting material aiming at described ground.

Described material cutter sweep can comprise rotary cutting apparatus.

Described rotary cutting apparatus can move between the first position and the second position, and described in described primary importance, rotary cutting apparatus engages the non-cutting material on described ground, described in the described second place rotary cutting apparatus do not engage described in non-cutting material.

On direct of travel when described equipment use, at least part of first groove cutter sweep can with at least part of second groove cutter sweep separately.

Be spaced on the direct of travel of described equipment by providing described first and second groove cutter sweeps, this advantage provided is, when the relatively described object of described equipment travels forward, the otch of trench portions can intersect mutually, rotated relative to the suitable of described main part by the first and second groove cutter sweeps of part, the groove that enable depth of cut is adjustable.

Described first groove cutter sweep and the second groove cutter sweep can be fitted to each other with the adjustable groove of Formation Depth.

Described first groove cutter sweep can rotate around the first axle relative to described main part at least partly, and described second groove cutter sweep can rotate around the second axle relative to described main part at least partly.

This advantage provided is, the groove of depth adjustable can be cut in mode more easily.

At least part of first groove cutter sweep can rotate to avoid contacting with described slender body relative to described main part with at least part of second groove cutter sweep.

This advantage provided is, such as, when run into described slender body can sink under himself gravity through soft earth material time, avoid the damage to described slender body.

Described equipment can comprise checkout gear further, for detecting described slender body.

Described checkout gear is suitable for detecting described slender body before or after described first and second groove cutter sweeps.

Described equipment can comprise bracing or strutting arrangement further, for being supported on the slender body after described first and second groove cutter sweeps.

This advantage provided is, when it moves in groove that described equipment newly formed, minimizes the damage risk to described slender body.

Described checkout gear and/or bracing or strutting arrangement can comprise at least one roller, for engaging described slender body.

Described equipment can be suitable for engaging in fact described slender body, and described slender body is lifted on the ground of relatively not described water body.

This advantage provided is, minimizes risk object being caused to damage.

Described equipment can comprise material removal device further, for removing the earth material of cutting in described groove.

Described equipment can comprise material handling device further, for carrying the material in groove towards the described first and/or second groove cutter sweep.

This advantage provided is, by the joint with the described first and/or second groove cutter sweep, improves the possibility removed in groove by material.

Described equipment can comprise protective device further, contacts with at least part of first and/or second groove cutter sweep for preventing described slender body.

Described protective device can be suitable for the described non-cutting material of the described earth material being supported to small part.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Below with reference to the accompanying drawings, by only to have but the example without any limited significance describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein

Fig. 1 is the lateral view of groove cutting equipment in collapsed state of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the lateral view of groove cutting equipment in deployed condition of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the top view of the groove cutting equipment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the elevation of the groove cutting equipment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is the elevation of the groove cutting equipment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is the elevation of chain type cutter under urgent release conditions of the groove cutting equipment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 to Figure 14 represents the order be inserted into by pipeline by the groove cutting equipment of Fig. 1 to 6 in groove;

Figure 15 is the phantom drawing of groove knife assembly 60 in collapsed state of the groove cutting equipment of the second embodiment with ditch cleaning device of the present invention;

Figure 16 is the lateral view of the groove knife assembly of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is the rear elevation of the groove knife assembly of Figure 15; And

Figure 18 is the elevation of the groove knife assembly of Figure 15.

Detailed description of the invention

See Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, groove cutting equipment 2 for forming groove on sea bed 4 comprises main part and the ground engagement device that has a tractor 8, described groove is for holding the slender pipeline 6 be supported on sea bed 4, described tractor 8 has a cable attachment point 10 for making described equipment 2 be dropped to sea bed 4 from a ship (not shown) by cable 12, described ground engagement device is the form of pair of tracks 14, installs a track 14 in every side of described tractor 8.One group is installed in rotation between the expanded position shown in the stowed position shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 for the blanket roller 16 engaging described pipeline 6, can control to make the position of the relatively described pipeline 6 of described equipment 2.Be rotatably mounted around the first respective turning cylinder 22 and 24 with the first groove cutter sweep of the first chain type cutter 18 form and with the second groove cutter sweep of the second chain type cutter 20 form relative to tractor 8, described first turning cylinder 22 and 24 crosses the center longitudinal axis 26 (Fig. 3) of described equipment 2 substantially, and spaced apart on the direction being namely in substantially parallel relationship to the center longitudinal axis 26 of described equipment 2 at the direct of travel of described equipment 2.As shown in Figure 5, described first and second chain type cutter 18 are arranged at the relative both sides of the center longitudinal axis 26 of described equipment 2 with 20, and it is rotatable between the expanded position shown in the stowed position shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 and Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 around the first respective turning cylinder 22 and 24, to have the groove 28 (Fig. 5) of the generally v-shaped of the first trench portions 27 and the second trench portions 29 in the cutting of the below of the pipeline 6 be supported on sea bed 4, uncut sea bed material 34 is stayed between described pipeline 6 and groove 28.

Described first and second chain type cutter are installed on respective support boom 19 and 21, and comprise respective chain and drive tungsten carbide cutting teeth 30, and there is material cutter sweep, described material cutter sweep comprises jet exit 32, and described jet exit 32 makes fluid jet 33 (Fig. 5) aim at and do not cut sea bed material 34 between described pipeline 6 and groove 28.This contributes to the fragmentation of not cutting sea bed material 34 formed when described groove 28 cuts, owing to being subject to tension force instead of pressure, under himself gravity, formed in groove 28 be separated not cut sea bed material 34 lower than the unsegregated sea bed strength of materials before formation groove 28.The respective boom 19 and 21 of described first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 is rotatable between the urgent off-position shown in the cutting position shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 around respective the second turning cylinder 36 and 38 (Fig. 5) being in substantially parallel relationship to the center longitudinal axis 26 of described equipment 2, wherein sinks down in soft sea bed material at the urgent off-position pipeline 6 of Fig. 6 and does not contact with the first chain type cutter 18 or the second chain type cutter 20.

Material removal device near former excavation pump 40 (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) form on the top of the first and second respective chain type cutter 18 and 20 makes the sea bed material cut under the effect of the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20, be elevated to the top of groove 28, to remove in described V-groove 28, thus the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 define V-groove 28, uncut sea bed material 34 is stayed between described pipeline 6 and groove 28.This effect completes under the assistance of the material handling device of respective later scraper 42 form at the boom 19 and 21 being installed on the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 respectively.The sea bed material cut by described chain type cutter 18 and 20 promotes towards the bottom of chain type cutter 18 and 20 to the bottom of the groove 28 of new cutting by described rear scraper 42, the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 are made to transport, some sea bed materials cut to remove in groove 28 towards front excavation pump 40 thus.

Another material removal device excavating pump 44 form after rotating between the expanded position shown in the stowed position shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 makes sea bed material fall into after described equipment 2 in groove 28 to remove in groove 28, such as, due to the collapsing of wall of the sea bed material of the groove 28 or cutting that have passed through scraper 42.A pair for engaging described pipeline 6 rear roller 46 makes the position of the relatively described pipeline 6 of described equipment 2 to control, and also can contribute to pipeline 6 described in the posterior support of described tractor 8, although described roller 46 can engage described pipeline 6 for 6 times not supporting described pipeline.

Figure 15 to the groove knife assembly 60 that Figure 18 shows that the second embodiment of the present invention, but wherein represents with the identical reference marker increasing by 100 with assembly total in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to Figure 14.Those skilled in the art know and know, in the operation of described equipment 2, groove knife assembly 60 is positioned over every side of described pipeline 6 with the mode of operation being similar to the chain type cutter 18 and 20 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to Figure 14.

Described groove knife assembly 60 has chain type cutter 118, and described chain type cutter 118 are installed on a boom 119 and have cutting teeth 130.Boom 119 is installed on a support 62, described support 62 supports with the material cutter sweep of ditch cleaning device 64 form simultaneously, described ditch cleaning device 64 has the rotation clay crushing element 66 that is installed on a support 68, thus ditch cleaning device 64 rotates, chain type cutter 118 are rotatable relatively for moving axis 124.Described support 68 is installed on a boom 70, and rotate through about 90 ° relative to boom 70 around axle 72 between a stowed position and an expanded position, stowed position clay crushing element 66 shown in Figure 15 with 18 does not contact with uncut sea bed material 34, and described in expanded position, clay crushing element 66 engages with uncut sea bed material 34.Boom 70 has one with the material cutter sweep of jet exit 132 form, for uncut sea bed material 34 jet water course 133 of aligning.

The operation of the equipment 2 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 is described below in conjunction with Fig. 7 to Figure 14.

In original state, rear excavation pump 44, the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 of described equipment 2, blanket roller 16 and rear roller 46 are in the collapsed state shown in Fig. 1, described equipment 2 is lowerd by from a ship (not shown) by the cable 12 that is arranged on attachment point 10, thus tractor 8 to be positioned on center longitudinal axis that its center longitudinal axis 26 is positioned at described pipeline 6 substantially and to be parallel to the position of the center longitudinal axis of described pipeline 6, the sea bed 4 being arranged in the every side of described pipeline 6 is shelved a track of its track 14, as shown in figs. 4 and 7.

Then described blanket roller 16 and rear roller 46 rotate around their respective turning cylinders, engage, as shown in Figure 8 until formed with the relative both sides of described pipeline 6 in the front and back of tractor 8.First and second chain type cutter 18 rotate relative to tractor 8 with 24 around their respective first turning cylinders 22 subsequently with 20, along with the direction of described equipment 2 along arrow A is driven, to form a shallow inclined groove in every side of described pipeline 6, as shown in Figure 9.When equipment 2 is along when in Fig. 9, arrow A direction moves forward further, rear roller 46 reduces further and relatively described pipeline 6 tilts, and engages, as shown in Figure 10 to be formed with the respective downside surface of described pipeline 6.Rear excavation pump 44 subsequently relative tractor 8 reduces, to remove the sea bed material of cutting from the bottom of groove 28, as shown in figure 11, simultaneously, along with described equipment 2 moves forward, first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 rotate around their respective turning cylinders 22 and 24, further to improve the degree of depth of groove 28.

Along with described equipment 2 moves forward further, first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 turn to around their respective turning cylinders 22 and 24 full height reaching groove 28 further, thus, V-groove 28 is formed 6 times at described pipeline, what between described pipeline 6 and groove 28, leave a region does not cut sea bed material 34, as shown in fig. 5 and 12.This prevents described pipeline 6 from contacting with the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20, avoids the damage to pipeline 6 thus.Simultaneously; unexpected activity is there is (such as at described pipeline 6; owing to running into soft sea bed material) when; be arranged on and prevent described pipeline 6 from contacting with the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 with the protective device of friction-proof piece (not shown) form between described pipeline 6 with the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20, described friction-proof piece is simultaneously for being supported on the uncut sea bed material of the below of described pipeline 6.

Front water jet pump (not shown) is by being arranged on a fluid stream 33 of jet exit 32 atomizing of liquids on the first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20, described a fluid stream 33 for by be positioned at described pipeline 6 and described V-groove 28 not cut sea bed material 34 broken, non-cutting material described in contributing to thus is by fragmentation during tension force under himself gravity.In addition, this minimizes uncut sea bed material and hinders degree to the placement of the pipeline 6 of the bottom at groove 28, ensures the reliability of burying of pipeline 6 thus.In the configuration shown in Figure 14, described equipment 2 is just cutting the groove 28 of full expection height, on the sea bed 4 that described pipeline 6 is supported on groove 28 position 48 the place above and bottom of the groove at position (not shown) place, described equipment 2 rear one.To run into suddenly described pipeline 6 can sink through soft sea bed material time, first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 can turn to the less perpendicular configuration shown in Fig. 6 around their second turning cylinders 36 and 38 separately, allow pipeline 6 to sink when not contacting first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 thus.

Those skilled in the art know and know, above-described embodiment, by only to have but the example without any limited significance is described, not departing under the scope of the present invention that claim of enclosing defines, can make multiple modification and change.Such as, although in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to Figure 14, first and second chain type cutter 18 and 20 are spaced on the direct of travel of described equipment 2, also chain type cutter 18,20 or 118 can be set to toward each other, thus the region of not cutting sea bed material is still between described first and second trench portions 27 and 29.The region of this non-cutting material can be broken by such as the ditch cleaning device 64 in the embodiment of Figure 15 to Figure 18 subsequently.

Claims

1. a groove cutting equipment, for cutting groove on the ground of water body, wherein said ground supports slender body, is characterized in that, described equipment comprises:

(1) one main part;

Wherein, described equipment is suitable for moving relative to described slender body, thus the non-cutting material on described ground is between described first trench portions and slender body and between described second trench portions and slender body, described material cutter sweep is suitable for the non-cutting material cutting described ground at least partly.

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described material cutter sweep is installed on the first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 2, it is characterized in that, the first groove cutter sweep and/or the second groove cutter sweep are installed at least one support component, and described material cutter sweep is installed at least one described support component.

4. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, described material cutter sweep comprises injection apparatus, sprays at least one fluid jet for the non-cutting material aiming at described ground.

5. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, described material cutter sweep comprises rotary cutting apparatus.

6. equipment as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, described rotary cutting apparatus can move between a primary importance and a second place, described in primary importance, rotary cutting apparatus engages with the non-cutting material on described ground, and described in the second place, rotary cutting apparatus does not engage with the non-cutting material on described ground.

7. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, on the direct of travel when described equipment use, at least part of first groove cutter sweep and at least part of second groove cutter sweep are separately.

8. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, described first groove cutter sweep and the second groove cutter sweep are suitable for cooperatively interacting with the adjustable groove of Formation Depth.

9. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, at least part of first groove cutter sweep rotates around the first axle relative to described main part, and at least part of second groove cutter sweep rotates around the second axle relative to described main part.

10. the equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, at least part of first groove cutter sweep rotates to avoid contacting with described slender body relative to described main part with at least part of second groove cutter sweep.

11. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, comprise checkout gear further, for detecting described slender body.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 11, is characterized in that, described checkout gear is suitable for detecting described slender body before or after described first and second groove cutter sweeps.

13. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, comprise bracing or strutting arrangement further, for being supported on the slender body after described first and second groove cutter sweeps.

14. equipment as described in claim 11,12 or 13, it is characterized in that, described checkout gear and/or bracing or strutting arrangement comprise at least one roller, for engaging described slender body.

15. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that, described equipment is suitable for engaging in fact described slender body, and described slender body is lifted on the ground of relatively not described water body.

16. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, comprise material removal device further, for removing the earth material of cutting in described groove.

17. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, comprise material handling device further, for towards the material in the described first and/or second groove cutter sweep carrying groove.

18. equipment as described in aforementioned arbitrary claim, is characterized in that, comprise protective device further, contacting for preventing described slender body with at least part of first and/or second groove cutter sweep.

19. equipment as claimed in claim 18, is characterized in that, described protective device is suitable for the non-cutting material in described ground being supported to small part.