EP1546017A1

EP1546017A1 - Capstan winch

Info

Publication number: EP1546017A1
Application number: EP03775495A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rémi Blanc
Original assignee: Kley France
Current assignee: Kley France
Priority date: 2002-08-28
Filing date: 2003-08-26
Publication date: 2005-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-26
Also published as: EP1546017B1; US7175163B2; AU2003283521A1; FR2843953A1; DE60334228D1; ATE481351T1; CA2496944A1; US20060022182A1; FR2843953B1; CA2496944C; WO2004020323A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a so-called capstan winch ( 1 ) comprising drums ( 2, 3 ) driving a cable (C) and provided with a peripheral wall ( 22, 32 ) around which are strung independent peripheral rings ( 40-45, 50-55 ). Said rings are provided with a peripheral groove designed to receive the cable (C) and are made of an elastic material so as to allow both the cable (C) to be driven and a relative sliding movement between the peripheral rings ( 40-45, 50-55 ) and the peripheral wall ( 22, 32 ), the relative sliding movement being of amplitude substantially equal to longitudinal deformation of the cable (C), when it is subjected to tension stresses. The two drums ( 2, 3 ) can be axially offset relative to each other (p/2) and their axes of rotation (Delta<SUB>1</SUB>, Delta<SUB>2</SUB>), may form a non-null angle of inclination. The invention is particular applicable to deep sea oil exploration.

Description

WINCH OF THE CAPITAN TYPE

The invention relates to a winch of the so-called capstan type, in particular with two drums.

It applies more particularly to a winch intended to drive very heavy loads via a cable, a non-negligible part of the aforementioned load being moreover often constituted by the weight of the cable, generally of large diameter and very long once unrolled.

The invention also relates to the application of such a winch to technologies of the so-called "off-shore" type, in general to petroleum or similar research industries, oceanography and dredging at great depths, etc. In the context of the invention, the term "winch" must be understood in its most general sense.

To fix the ideas, we will place ourselves in the following in the case of the preferred application of the invention, namely petroleum research requiring lowering and / or lifting of loads to great depths. Capstan winches, of single drum or double drum types, have been around for a long time, but have the drawback of causing wear and tear on the driven cable very quickly. This is due to the very principle of operation. Indeed the cable is driven by adhesion. As the tension on the cable increases, the cable lengthens and its linear speed increases accordingly. The drive grooves with which the winch drums are provided being completely rigid, this results in relative sliding between the cable and the grooves, resulting in significant wear, both of the cable and of the grooves.

In order to try to overcome these drawbacks, numerous modifications have been proposed in the known art. Improvements have been made to this type of winch to limit slipping, but never completely eliminate it.

There are, moreover, many types of winches. Known in particular are winches with a drum (s) mentioned above, with a capstan, or of the so-called "winch traction" type according to Anglo-Saxon terminology, and with multiple pulleys.

In French patent N ° 90 14 612, published under the number FR 2 669 701 B1, entitled: "Adhesion pulley", the Applicant has proposed a pulley for transmitting a tensile force to a cable. The pulley includes a wheel and an endless belt wound on the peripheral surface of the wheel to support the cable to be driven. The endless band is constituted by a succession of spaced pads which can slide with friction on the wheel, each pad being connected to the next by an elastically extensible connecting element, the longitudinal elastic modulus and / or dimensions of which are chosen such so that, in service, the elongation of the endless belt corresponds to that of the cable under a determined maximum tension.

For a more detailed description of the characteristics of this device, reference will be made to the aforementioned patent.

These provisions make it possible to virtually eliminate any slippage. Winches using the technology taught by the patent have also been produced and used. They fully meet the goals set by the above patent, at least for a range of well defined applications. Indeed, the technology used does not allow the production of winches capable of lifting loads greater than 50 Tons (approximately 490 kN). In addition, this type of winch is quite sensitive and somewhat unstable in use. Finally, it can be seen in certain circumstances significant heating due to the sliding of the endless band, especially on the edges of the drum.

However, currently, the petroleum research industries, in particular, require winches capable of carrying very heavy loads, typically equal to or greater than 200 T (approximately 1960 kN), this in very deep water (2000 m to 3000 m, or even 10,000 m for some applications). Only synthetic cables (whose apparent weight in water is very low or even zero) can be used for this type of application. However, these cables are very expensive, which excludes the use of conventional winches. As previously mentioned, winches of this type would deteriorate them too quickly.

Finally, some cables have a complex structure. In fact, for the basic traction or load-retaining function, it is sometimes devolved to cables for additional functions: energy transport, for example electrical (so-called electrically-carrying cables), or transmission of analog or data signals digital, for example via internal optical fibers (so-called opto-carrier cables). It is understood that this type of cable is particularly expensive and that premature wear is not admissible economically.

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the devices of the known art, and some of which have just been recalled, while meeting the needs which are felt, in particular in the context of the preferred application of the invention.

The invention sets itself the goal of a winch allowing, in particular, to lift large loads, by means of a cable, while substantially eliminating the slippages due to the elongation of the cable causing said loads, which makes it possible to avoid premature wear.

To do this, according to a first important characteristic, the winch according to the invention employs the technique, known per se, of the drive of the so-called capstan type with two drums. It is a safe technique, and recognized as such, which allows you to enjoy its advantages. According to a second important characteristic, a series of independent closed rings, made of material with elastic property, concentric with the two drums is put into operation. This arrangement makes it possible to preserve the advantages inherent in the device which is the subject of the aforementioned French patent No. 90 14612, namely being able to avoid relative slippages between the groove and the cable, while avoiding the drawbacks mentioned.

The aforementioned rings are provided with grooves machined at the periphery into which the cable to be driven is inserted.

The material constituting the rings must have physicochemical characteristics which allow it to withstand the loads and pressures exerted, for a given application, as well as to deform in order to elongate by the same value as the cable under the same conditions.

Furthermore, the friction characteristics must be such that they make it possible to safely drive the cable through the drum. No relative movement between the cable and the grooves of the rings therefore exists. On the other hand, the body of the ring must be able to slide on the drum (very small relative movement due to the elongation). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to minimize friction of the cable on the grooves, the rings are advantageously offset axially by a fraction of a pitch, advantageously by half a pitch, the pitch being defined by the distance separating the bottom of the grooves from two adjacent rings of the same drum.

In a further preferred variant, the axes of the two drums may not be parallel, in order to further limit friction. In other words the axes form between them an angle of small amplitude, typically between 0.5 ° and 3 °. Finally, although in a preferred embodiment, the number of drums is equal to two, it is possible to design winches comprising a greater number of drums, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Due to the provisions adopted, the invention has many advantages, among which the following: - it is possible to work with any type of cable: steel, synthetic, normal, electro-carriers or opto-carriers, etc. ;

- it is possible to use very large winding diameters;

- As noted, there is no relative sliding movement between the cable and the groove of the rings, or at least of negligible amplitude;

- the rings undergo only a tiny circumferential movement on the drum, but no axial movement, unlike a band winch in accordance with the aforementioned French patent No. 90 14 612: this characteristic makes it possible to considerably limit heating of the band, as well as its already very limited wear;

- Similarly, the absence of axial movement eliminates the deflection bearings that were necessary in the case of a band winch, fragile and expensive bearings;

- the virtual absence of heating also eliminates all cooling systems of the drum;

- the use of a winch according to the invention is very simple, safe and reliable, and does not require the presence of permanently specialized personnel; - the rings are simple to produce and machine; and

- They are easily interchangeable, which makes it possible to change the cable used (diameter and / or type) without major modifications to the winch itself. The main object of the invention is therefore a winch of the so-called capstan type, comprising at least two drums arranged opposite, carrying a load by means of a cable wound on said drums in a predetermined number of turns, characterized in that each of said drums comprises a peripheral wall and is provided with a predetermined number of peripheral rings of elastic material, independent of each other, threaded around said peripheral wall, in that said peripheral rings are each provided , a peripheral groove intended to receive said cable, and in that the elastic material constituting said peripheral rings is endowed with physicochemical characteristics such that it allows, at the same time, a drive of said cable and a relative sliding between a lower wall of said peripheral rings in contact with said peripheral wall of the drums and this wall, said slide relative position being of amplitude substantially equal to longitudinal deformations undergone by said cable, when it is subjected to voltages of variable amplitudes. The invention also relates to the application of such a winch to petroleum research or the like in deep water, for the descent and / or ascent of large loads.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which: - Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a winch according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with a view to top and in partial section; Figure 2 is a detail view of the winch of Figure 1, illustrating more particularly the independent rings of elastic material provided with peripheral grooves intended to receive a cable; Figure 3 schematically illustrates the operation of the winch of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 illustrates, in side view, a second preferred embodiment of winch according to the invention.

In what follows, without limiting in any way its scope, we will place ourselves below in the context of the preferred application of the invention, unless otherwise stated, that is to say in the case of so-called applications "off-shore": petroleum or similar research involving lowering and / or lifting of loads to great depths, via a cable.

An example of a first preferred embodiment of a winch according to the invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In these figures, identical elements have the same references and will only be re-described in as needed.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates the winch 1, in top view and in partial section. This winch 1 comprises two subassemblies each essentially comprising a drive motor, 6 and 7, respectively, and a drum for driving a cable C, 2 and 3, respectively.

This assembly therefore has the general structure, known per se, of a so-called "bi-capstan" winch. It also retains the advantages, also well known, as has been recalled.

The drums, 2 and 3, are provided with central rotary shafts, 20 and 30, respectively, around axes of rotation Δi and Δ ₂ . In the example described, the shafts 20 and 30 are hollow and concentric with drive shafts 60 and 70, driven by the respective motors 6 and 7.

It should be clear that, in a practical embodiment, reduction gears of the gear, gearbox or similar type can advantageously be provided. This aspect is outside the strict scope of the invention and is within the reach of those skilled in the art. These are provisions common, in themselves, to known art. It is therefore unnecessary to describe them further.

The drums, 2 and 3, comprise a cylindrical peripheral wall, 22 and 32, respectively, supported by at least two central radial parts (two per drum in the example described), 24 and 34, respectively. Pairs of lateral rings, 21 a-21 b and 31 a-31 fo, are arranged on either side of the peripheral walls, 22 and 32.

Each of the peripheral walls, 22 and 32, forms with the pair of lateral rings associated therewith, 21a-21fo and 31 a-31 ιb, respectively, a groove which will be called hereinafter "drum groove".

According to an important characteristic of the invention, a series of independent peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55, is threaded onto the peripheral walls, 22 and 32, in the aforementioned drum grooves. These rings are made of elastic material, for example a synthetic material.

As shown more particularly in detail figure 2, the lower walls, for example 431 to 451, of the peripheral rings, 43 to 45, are substantially planar, so as to be in intimate contact with the peripheral walls, 22 and 32 ( Figure 1), drums, 2 and 3. The peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55 (Figure 1), are provided with grooves also machined at the periphery, two of which are visible in Figure 2: 440 and 450, for the respective rings 44 and 45. These grooves, 440 and 450, advantageously having the shape of a "V" rounded at its bottom, are intended to receive the drive cable C. The dimensions (depth, width, radius of the bottom circle, etc.) are naturally suitable for receiving a type of cable, or even a range of separate cables.

It is easily understood that the mounting (insertion and positioning) of peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55, or their replacement, by identical rings (for maintenance reasons, for example) or by different rings (for example , to accept a cable of a different type and / or diameter), is easy. It is only necessary that the pairs of lateral rings, 21a-21 b and 31 a-31 b, (for at least one of the rings of each pair) are removable, that is to say removable. It is then enough to thread the peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55, on the drums, 2 and 3, around the cylindrical walls, 22 and 32, and to reassemble the lateral rings, 21a-21 b and 31 a- B. The side rings, 21a-21 b and 31 a-31b, can be secured to the side walls by any suitable means: screws, etc.

A priori, the number of rings, 40-45 and 50-55, can be any, it only depends on the number of turns (turns) desired for the cable C around the drums, 2 and 3. It is this number of turns which will constitute the determining factor of the reduction in force obtained, in accordance with the well-known operating principle of a capstan. To fix the ideas and by way of example, one typically chooses a number of peripheral rings of between five and seven, or even more. Figure 3 schematically illustrates the operation of a winch 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The cable C is wound in the grooves (440 and 450, Figure 2) of the peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50 -55, so as to form several loops or turns around the drums, 2 and 3. To fix the ideas, due to the reduction obtained by this arrangement, the tension force at output F can be, for example 9 T ( Approx. 88 kN) for a tension force F at the input of 3 kN.

At the input, the cable C is wound / unwound on or from a storage device (not shown). This member can be chosen from those commonly used in the prior art and it is unnecessary to describe it further. Still according to one of the important characteristics of the invention, the material constituting the peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55, must be able, at the same time, as it was recalled in the preamble to the present description, to support the loads and pressures exerted, deform to elongate at the same time as the cable C. In addition, it must have friction characteristics which make it possible to drive the cable C safely, by friction (adhesion).

These are therefore requirements, a priori contradictory, but which can be satisfied by a compromise, in particular by an appropriate choice of the material constituting the peripheral rings, 40-45 and 50-55, and that of the peripheral walls, 22 and 32, drums, 2 and 3. To fix the ideas, one can choose for the rings, 40-45 and 50-55, a synthetic material of polyurethane, polyethylene or similar type.

Similarly, the peripheral walls, 22 and 32, of the drums, 2 and 3, can be made, in particular, of stainless steel or steel coated with ceramic, which will ensure the abovementioned adhesion.

The cable C, and this constitutes an additional advantage, can be of any type as it was recalled in the preamble of the present description: steel cable, of synthetic material, so-called electro-carrier or opto-carrier cable, etc., even expensive type. Indeed, premature wear is no longer to be feared.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 2, according to an advantageous characteristic, an axial offset can be provided, that is to say in a direction parallel to the axes Δi and Δ ₂ which has been implicitly assumed , up to this point in the description, parallel to each other. If we call p the pitch between two adjacent peripheral rings of the same drum, that is to say the distance separating two bottoms of grooves (see for example Figure 2: grooves 440 and 450), we preferentially choose an axial offset equal to half a step, or p / 2, as illustrated more particularly in FIG. 1. This arrangement allows greater limitation of friction.

Similarly, the axes of rotation may not be parallel to each other.

Figure 4 illustrates, in side view, a practical embodiment of a winch according to the invention, more specifically a winch according to a second preferred embodiment. In this figure, only the elements essential for a good understanding of the invention have been referenced.

According to the essential feature of this second preferred embodiment, the axes of rotation, here referenced Δ'i and Δ ' ₂ , associated with the drums, here referenced 2' and 3 ', form between them a low amplitude angle. The drums, 2 'and 3', are driven by motors, here referenced, 6 'and 7', respectively, via conventional angle transfer and gear members, referenced globally, 60 ′ and 70 ′, respectively.

To fix ideas, the angle α is typically between 0.5 ° and 3 °.

The angle α is calculated from the aforementioned step p (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the winding diameter of the cable C. Still to fix the ideas, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the angle α is equal at 2.32 °.

This arrangement also allows greater limitation of friction.

In addition, it is entirely compatible, and therefore cumulable, with the previously described arrangement consisting in carrying out an axial offset, preferably by a half-step p / 2.

On reading the above, it is easy to see that the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself.

The winch according to the invention has many advantages, which have been previously listed.

Without recalling all of them, we will emphasize that it makes it possible to minimize friction of the cable on the grooves of the drums and to correlatively limit the wear of the cables. It therefore allows to consider the use of cables of all types, even expensive, their life is extended.

The parts specific to the invention, essentially the peripheral rings, are simple to produce and machine, and do not require the use of particularly expensive materials. They are also easily interchangeable, which makes it possible to change the cable used, without major modifications to the winch.

It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited only to the examples of embodiments explicitly described, in particular in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Finally, the numerical examples have been provided only to better fix the ideas and should not constitute any limitation of the scope of the invention. They proceed from a technological choice within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

The invention is also not limited, as has been indicated, to petroleum research alone or, more generally, to so-called "off-shore" applications at great depth, even if it finds a particularly advantageous application in these areas.

Claims

1. Winch of the so-called capstan type, comprising at least two drums arranged facing each other causing a load by means of a cable wound on said drums in a predetermined number of turns, characterized in that

5 each of said drums (2, 3) comprises a peripheral wall (22, 32) and are provided with a predetermined number of peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55) of elastic material, independent of each other, threaded around said peripheral wall (22, 32), in that said peripheral rings (40-45 50-55) are each provided with a peripheral groove (440, 450) intended to receive said cable (C), and in that the elastic material constituting said peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55) is endowed with physicochemical characteristics such that it allows, at the same time, a drive of said cable (C) and a relative sliding between a lower wall (441, 451) of said peripheral> rings (40-45, 50-55) in contact with said peripheral wall (22, 32]

15 of the drums (2, 3) and this wall (441, 451), said relative sliding being of amplitude substantially equal to longitudinal deformations undergone by said cable (C), when it is subjected to voltages of variable amplitudes .

2. Winch according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said drums (2, 3) is provided with a pair of lateral rings (21a-21, 31a-31), er

20 that at least one of the lateral rings (21a-21b, 31a-31b) of each pair is removable, so as to allow the positioning of said peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55) around said peripheral wall (22, 32) of the drums (2, 3), or their removal.

3. Winch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55) are made of a synthetic material.

4. Winch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said peripheral walls (22, 32) of the drums (2, 3) are made of stainless steel or steel coated with ceramic.

5. Winch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that 5 the distance (p) between the grooves (440, 450) of two adjacent rings (44, 45 of the same drum (2, 3) defines a pitch of value p, in that each of said drums (2, 3) rotates about an axis of rotation (Δ-i, Δ ₂ ), and in that said drums (2, 3) are axially offset, one with respect to the other of a fraction (p / 2) of said step (d).

w 6. Winch according to claim 5, characterized in that said fraction is equal to half a step (p / 2).

7. Winch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of said drums (2, 3) rotates around an axis of rotation (Δ'-i, Δ ' ₂ ) and er that said axes of rotations (Δ'i, Δ ') form an angle (α) between them

15 draw.

8. reuil according to claim 7, characterized in that said angle (α) is between 0.5 ° and 3 °.

9. Application of a winch (C) according to any one of the preceding claims to oil research in deep water.