EP2049388A2 - Suction pile suitable for shallow depths - Google Patents

Suction pile suitable for shallow depths

Info

Publication number
EP2049388A2
EP2049388A2 EP07803873A EP07803873A EP2049388A2 EP 2049388 A2 EP2049388 A2 EP 2049388A2 EP 07803873 A EP07803873 A EP 07803873A EP 07803873 A EP07803873 A EP 07803873A EP 2049388 A2 EP2049388 A2 EP 2049388A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suction
piston
cylindrical wall
seabed
water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP07803873A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2049388B1 (en
Inventor
Pierre-Armand Thomas
A. Brian Roberts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Technip Energies France SAS
Original Assignee
Technip France SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technip France SAS filed Critical Technip France SAS
Publication of EP2049388A2 publication Critical patent/EP2049388A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2049388B1 publication Critical patent/EP2049388B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/24—Anchors
    • B63B21/26—Anchors securing to bed
    • B63B21/27—Anchors securing to bed by suction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a suction pile intended to be driven into a seabed, in particular in a shallow seabed.
  • Suction piers are used to anchor facilities or structures in the seabed to keep them in a fixed position.
  • These well known suction cells comprise a cylindrical wall and inside, a partition which divides the cylindrical wall into two sealed chambers vis-à-vis the other.
  • the cylindrical wall then has an open suction end adapted to be applied against the seabed so as to close one of said chambers.
  • This chamber is then filled with water and pumping means are adapted to extract the water from said chamber to create a depression and cause the depression of the cylindrical wall in the seabed.
  • pumping means are adapted to extract the water from said chamber to create a depression and cause the depression of the cylindrical wall in the seabed.
  • a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is to facilitate the penetration of suction piles in shallow seabed.
  • the present invention proposes a suction pile intended to be driven into a seabed, said seabed being surmounted by water, the water having a bottom hydrostatic pressure in the vicinity of said bottom, said stack suction nozzle comprising a cylindrical wall and a piston movable inside said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall having an open suction end adapted to be inserted into said seabed, said piston sealingly delimiting two opposite chambers, one of said chambers extending between said suction end and said piston being capable of filling with water when said suction end is disposed against the seabed, said suction cell further comprising pumping means for extracting the water contained in said one of said chambers and causing the depression of said suction end open in said seabed;
  • said suction cell comprises means for blocking said piston with respect to said cylindrical wall, whereas said cylindrical wall has a water inlet end opposite said suction end with respect to said piston to allow arrival of water at the hydrostatic pressure in the other chamber; and said piston is alternately locked and driven in motion from said suction
  • a feature of the invention lies in the hydrostatic pressure of the other chamber, opposite to the suction chamber and also in the mode of cooperation of the piston and the wall cylindrical, which are alternately blocked with respect to each other as the cylindrical wall sinks into the seabed.
  • the piston is initially driven towards the open suction end and is blocked at a distance from the latter, so as to provide a suction chamber filled with water.
  • the cylindrical wall extends vertically on the seabed, and the piston located near the bottom is then subjected to the hydrostatic pressure of the seabed, since the water inlet end has allowed the filling of the wall cylindrical.
  • the piston which is blocked relative to the cylindrical wall transmits the forces it undergoes thanks to the hydrostatic pressure, and which are exerted vertically towards the seabed. Therefore, the combined effects of suction of water from the suction chamber and the aforementioned forces on the cylindrical wall allow a faster depression of the suction pile.
  • the cylindrical wall sinks into the seabed and the suction of the water from the suction chamber, the sediments of said seabed rise up into the suction chamber and then come against the piston.
  • the initially blocked piston is then unlocked and then drag towards the water inlet end for a certain distance, allowing water to enter the suction chamber, then being blocked again in the vicinity. of the seabed.
  • the piston is then always subjected to the hydrostatic pressure of the seabed, and the forces it undergoes being transmitted to the cylindrical wall.
  • the piston can then be sequentially reassembled until the total depression of the cylindrical wall.
  • said water inlet end has an opening corresponding substantially to the cross section of said cylindrical wall so that the other chamber which surmounts the suction chamber is initially filled with water and therefore the piston subjected to the hydrostatic pressure.
  • said locking means preferably comprise a line, for example formed of a chain, connected to said piston and retaining means of said line for retaining said line in a direction from said water inlet end towards said suction end.
  • said water inlet end has a passage path of said line to allow the extension of said line outside said cylindrical wall.
  • said driving of the piston towards the water inlet end likely to be carried out by translating said line in a direction opposite to the seabed, for example by means of a winch installed on a surface boat.
  • said retaining means of said line are mounted on said cylindrical wall at said water inlet end, so that the piston can be driven from the suction end to the end. water inlet over the entire length of the cylindrical wall. In this way, the entire cylindrical wall can be driven into the seabed with the help of the piston on which the seabed hydrostatic pressure is applied.
  • said retaining means of said line comprise controllable locking means which alternately allow to unlock and re-lock said line as the piston is raised towards the water inlet end.
  • said pumping means are adapted to extract the water in said one of said chambers through said piston to reject it in said other chamber and create a depression in said one of said chambers.
  • they are for example installed on the piston.
  • the pumping means are deactivated and they allow water to enter the suction chamber.
  • said piston is advantageously equipped with a circular seal to seal between said two opposite chambers.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a suction pile according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction cell illustrated in FIG. 1 in a first phase of implementation
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction cell illustrated in FIG. 1 at the end of the first implementation phase illustrated in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction pile illustrated in FIG. 1 in a second phase of implementation.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the suction cell shown in Figure 1 ending said second phase of implementation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a suction stack 10 according to the invention and intended to be driven into a seabed.
  • the suction cell 10 has a cylindrical wall 12 which extends longitudinally along an axis of symmetry A and in which is mounted a piston 14 movable in translation along said axis of symmetry A.
  • the cylindrical wall 12 has for example a length between 18 and 25 meters and a diameter between 7 and 12 meters.
  • the piston 14 delimits sealingly, thanks to a seal 16 which surrounds it and which is pressed against an inner surface 18 of the cylindrical wall 12, two chambers each of them is sealed to each other, a lower suction chamber 20 and an opposite upper chamber 22.
  • the seal 16 is for example an expandable seal, the expansion of which is controllable by means of a pressurized fluid, for example with pressurized oil.
  • the cylindrical wall 12 has a lower suction end 24 which is open and an upper end of the water inlet 26 also open.
  • the upper end of the water inlet 26 here has two crossed structure members 28, 30 which respectively extend along a diameter of the cylindrical wall 12 and which make it possible, if necessary, to suspend the cylindrical wall 12. , the implementation of more than two structural members may then be necessary, to support precisely the cylindrical wall 12.
  • the piston 14 is retained by a line 32 formed of a chain that extends from a loop of hooking 34 of the piston 14 substantially along the axis of symmetry A out to the outside of the cylindrical wall 12 through a passageway 36 formed at the intersection of the structural members 28, 30.
  • means retaining means formed of four rods 38, 40, 42, 44, mounted facing each other in pairs and pivoted on the two structural members 28, 30 and which are adapted to grip at a point located on the axis of symmetry A, the c hain 32, allow to lock it in translation towards the lower suction end 24. In this way, the piston 14 is then kept suspended inside the cylindrical wall 12.
  • the four links 38, 40, 42, 44 are adapted to release said chain 32 to allow the rise of the piston 14 to the upper end of the water inlet 26.
  • the rods 38, 40, 42, 44 can be controlled by own means not shown or by means of an underwater robot.
  • the piston 14 has a bore 46 which communicates the lower suction chamber 20 and the chamber opposite upper 22, this bore forming duct 46 is surmounted by pumping means not shown in this Figure 1.
  • FIG. 2 in addition to the suction stack 10 that is found, a seabed 50 is shown diagrammatically and on the opposite side, a surface 52 corresponding to a certain height of water 54 in which the stack of water is dipped. suction 10.
  • the suction pile 10 is thus in support vertically on the seabed 50 via its lower suction end 24 which is directly in contact with the sediments of the seabed 50.
  • the piston 14 is then brought to a first height h1 which separates it from the seabed 50 by means of the chain 32 which is blocked by means of the retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44 of which only the links 38 and 40 appear in FIG. .
  • This first height h1 corresponds to a water depth H below the surface 52, at which height of water H, the hydrostatic pressure is sufficiently large.
  • the upper end of the water inlet 26 allows the water to fill the opposite upper chamber 22 in such a way that the piston 14 is subjected to the hydrostatic pressure which prevails near the seabed 50 and which corresponds to the said water height H.
  • This hydrostatic pressure is obviously decreasing from the seabed 50 to the surface 52.
  • the hydrostatic pressure that prevails near the seabed 50 induces E forces on the piston 14 which s' in one direction, oriented from the surface 52 towards the seabed 50, and which are transmitted to the cylindrical wall 12 via the chain 32, retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44 and structural members 28, 30..
  • means for locking the piston 14 are formed by locks movably mounted on the piston and which engage in holes made in the inner surface 18 of the wall 12. In this way, said mobile locks are adapted to lock the piston 14 in translation relative to the cylindrical wall 12.
  • the duct-forming bore 46 is here equipped with pumping means 56 which make it possible to draw the water contained in the lower suction chamber 20 to discharge it into the upper chamber 22 and to create a depression in the suction chamber. 20 to cause depression of the lower suction end 24 in the seabed 50.
  • This depression is greatly accelerated by the efforts E which are exerted on the piston 14 and therefore on the cylindrical wall 12 along the axis of symmetry A and towards the seabed 50.
  • the piston 14 can again be reassembled for a new suction operation. This can be done until the total insertion of the cylindrical wall 12 into the seabed 50. The piston 14 will then be located near the upper inlet end 26.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Placing Or Removing Of Piles Or Sheet Piles, Or Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Hooks, Suction Cups, And Attachment By Adhesive Means (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

A suction pile comprising a cylindrical wall and a piston that is movable inside the cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall has one suction end suitable for sinking into an ocean floor. The piston delimits two chambers, one being able to be filled with water. The suction pile includes a pump for extracting the water from the one chamber and for causing the sinking of the suction end. The pump comprises a device for stopping the piston while the cylindrical wall has one water intake end to allow water to enter into the other chamber. The piston is alternatively stopped and driven in movement as the suction end sinks.

Description

Pile de succion adaptée aux faibles profondeurs Suction pile adapted to shallow depths
La présente invention se rapporte à une pile de succion destinée à être enfoncée dans un fond marin, en particulier dans un fond marin de faible profondeur.The present invention relates to a suction pile intended to be driven into a seabed, in particular in a shallow seabed.
Les piles de succion permettent d'ancrer des installations ou des structures dans le fond marin afin de les maintenir en position fixe. Ces piles de succion bien connues, comportent une paroi cylindrique et à l'intérieur, une cloison qui divise la paroi cylindrique en deux chambres étanches l'une vis-à-vis de l'autre. La paroi cylindrique présente alors une extrémité de succion ouverte adaptée à venir s'appliquer contre le fond marin de manière à venir refermer l'une desdites chambres. Cette chambre est alors remplie d'eau et des moyens de pompage sont adaptés à extraire l'eau de ladite chambre pour y créer une dépression et provoquer l'enfoncement de la paroi cylindrique dans le fond marin. Ainsi, au fur et à mesure du pompage, la paroi cylindrique s'enfonce dans le fond marin et la pile de succion s'y ancre alors.Suction piers are used to anchor facilities or structures in the seabed to keep them in a fixed position. These well known suction cells comprise a cylindrical wall and inside, a partition which divides the cylindrical wall into two sealed chambers vis-à-vis the other. The cylindrical wall then has an open suction end adapted to be applied against the seabed so as to close one of said chambers. This chamber is then filled with water and pumping means are adapted to extract the water from said chamber to create a depression and cause the depression of the cylindrical wall in the seabed. Thus, as and when pumping, the cylindrical wall sinks into the seabed and the suction pile is anchored there.
On pourra notamment se référer, au document US 6 488 446, lequel décrit des piles de succion du type précité, dans lesquelles ladite cloison qui divise la paroi cylindrique en deux chambres est mobile dans le but d'accroître le volume de l'autre chambre qui est totalement étanche et qui permet d'accroître la flottabilité notamment de la pile de succion. Ces caractéristiques techniques sont destinées à faciliter le transport desdites piles de succion. Par ailleurs, l'enfoncement de la paroi cylindrique dans le fond marin est d'autant plus aisé, que la profondeur dudit fond marin est élevée. En effet, la pression hydrostatique qui augmente avec la profondeur, contribue à exercer des efforts sur la pile de succion, qui favorisent son enfoncement. Cependant, à de faibles profondeurs, par exemple inférieure à 50 mètres, les efforts qui s'exercent à l'extrémité supérieure de la pile de succion qui par exemple, présente une longueur de 15 mètres, sont relativement faibles puisqu'ils sont liés à la pression hydrostatique qui règne alors à 35 mètres de profondeur.Reference may in particular be made to document US Pat. No. 6,488,446, which describes suction cells of the aforementioned type, in which said partition which divides the cylindrical wall into two chambers is movable in order to increase the volume of the other chamber. which is completely waterproof and which increases the buoyancy including the suction pile. These technical features are intended to facilitate the transport of said suction piles. Moreover, the depression of the cylindrical wall in the seabed is all the easier, as the depth of said seabed is high. In fact, the hydrostatic pressure, which increases with depth, contributes to exerting efforts on the suction pile, which favor its penetration. However, at shallow depths, for example less than 50 meters, the forces exerted on the upper end of the suction pile which, for example, has a length of 15 meters. meters, are relatively weak since they are related to the hydrostatic pressure which prevails at 35 meters depth.
Aussi, un problème qui se pose et que vise à résoudre la présente invention est de faciliter la pénétration des piles de succion dans les fonds marins de faible profondeur.Also, a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is to facilitate the penetration of suction piles in shallow seabed.
Dans le but de résoudre ce problème, la présente invention propose une pile de succion destinée à être enfoncée dans un fond marin, ledit fond marin étant surmonté d'eau, l'eau présentant une pression hydrostatique de fond au voisinage dudit fond, ladite pile de succion comprenant une paroi cylindrique et un piston mobile à l'intérieure de ladite paroi cylindrique, ladite paroi cylindrique présentant une extrémité de succion ouverte adaptée à venir s'enfoncer dans ledit fond marin, ledit piston délimitant de façon étanche deux chambres opposées, l'une desdites chambres qui s'étend entre ladite extrémité de succion et ledit piston étant susceptible de se remplir d'eau lorsque ladite extrémité de succion est disposée contre le fond marin, ladite- pile de succion comportant en outre des moyens de pompage pour extraire l'eau contenue dans ladite une desdites chambres et provoquer l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion ouverte dans ledit fond marin ; selon l'invention, ladite pile de succion comprend des moyens de blocage dudit piston par rapport à ladite paroi cylindrique, tandis que ladite paroi cylindrique présente une extrémité d'entrée d'eau opposée à ladite extrémité de succion par rapport audit piston pour autoriser l'arrivée d'eau à la pression hydrostatique dans l'autre chambre ; et ledit piston est alternativement bloqué et entraîné en mouvement depuis ladite extrémité de succion vers ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion ouverte, de façon que ledit piston soit soumis à la pression hydrostatique de fond et provoque l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion dans ledit fond. Ainsi, une caractéristique de l'invention réside dans la mise à la pression hydrostatique de l'autre chambre, opposée à la chambre de succion et aussi dans le mode de coopération du piston et de la paroi cylindrique, lesquels sont alternativement bloqués l'un par rapport à l'autre au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de la paroi cylindrique dans le fond marin. De la sorte, le piston est initialement entraîné vers l'extrémité de succion ouverte et il est bloqué à distance de cette dernière, de manière à ménager une chambre de succion remplie d'eau. Ainsi, la paroi cylindrique s'étend verticalement sur le fond marin, et le piston situé au voisinage du fond est alors soumis à la pression hydrostatique du fond marin, puisque l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau a permis le remplissage de la paroi cylindrique. De la sorte, le piston qui est bloqué par rapport à la paroi cylindrique lui transmet les efforts qu'il subit grâce à la pression hydrostatique, et qui s'exercent verticalement vers le fond marin. Par conséquent, les effets conjugués de l'aspiration de l'eau de la chambre de succion et des efforts précités sur la paroi cylindrique permettent un enfoncement plus rapide de la pile de succion. Bien évidemment, au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de la paroi cylindrique dans le fond marin, et de l'aspiration de l'eau de la chambre de succion, les sédiments dudit fond marins remontent dans la chambre de succion et viennent alors contre le piston. Aussi, le piston initialement bloqué est alors débloqué puis entraîner vers l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau sur une certaine distance en laissant pénétrer de l'eau à l'intérieur de la chambre de succion, pour être ensuite bloqué à nouveau au voisinage du fond marin. Puis, l'eau de la chambre de succion est à nouveau extraite pour entraîner plus encore la paroi cylindrique dans le fond marin, le piston étant alors toujours soumis à la pression hydrostatique du fond marin, et les efforts qu'il subit étant transmis à la paroi cylindrique. Le piston peut être alors séquentiellement remonté jusqu'à l'enfoncement total de la paroi cylindrique.In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a suction pile intended to be driven into a seabed, said seabed being surmounted by water, the water having a bottom hydrostatic pressure in the vicinity of said bottom, said stack suction nozzle comprising a cylindrical wall and a piston movable inside said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall having an open suction end adapted to be inserted into said seabed, said piston sealingly delimiting two opposite chambers, one of said chambers extending between said suction end and said piston being capable of filling with water when said suction end is disposed against the seabed, said suction cell further comprising pumping means for extracting the water contained in said one of said chambers and causing the depression of said suction end open in said seabed; according to the invention, said suction cell comprises means for blocking said piston with respect to said cylindrical wall, whereas said cylindrical wall has a water inlet end opposite said suction end with respect to said piston to allow arrival of water at the hydrostatic pressure in the other chamber; and said piston is alternately locked and driven in motion from said suction end to said water inlet end as said open suction end is depressed, such that said piston is subjected to pressure hydrostatic bottom and causes the depression of said suction end in said bottom. Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the hydrostatic pressure of the other chamber, opposite to the suction chamber and also in the mode of cooperation of the piston and the wall cylindrical, which are alternately blocked with respect to each other as the cylindrical wall sinks into the seabed. In this way, the piston is initially driven towards the open suction end and is blocked at a distance from the latter, so as to provide a suction chamber filled with water. Thus, the cylindrical wall extends vertically on the seabed, and the piston located near the bottom is then subjected to the hydrostatic pressure of the seabed, since the water inlet end has allowed the filling of the wall cylindrical. In this way, the piston which is blocked relative to the cylindrical wall transmits the forces it undergoes thanks to the hydrostatic pressure, and which are exerted vertically towards the seabed. Therefore, the combined effects of suction of water from the suction chamber and the aforementioned forces on the cylindrical wall allow a faster depression of the suction pile. Of course, as the cylindrical wall sinks into the seabed and the suction of the water from the suction chamber, the sediments of said seabed rise up into the suction chamber and then come against the piston. Also, the initially blocked piston is then unlocked and then drag towards the water inlet end for a certain distance, allowing water to enter the suction chamber, then being blocked again in the vicinity. of the seabed. Then, the water of the suction chamber is again extracted to further drive the cylindrical wall in the seabed, the piston is then always subjected to the hydrostatic pressure of the seabed, and the forces it undergoes being transmitted to the cylindrical wall. The piston can then be sequentially reassembled until the total depression of the cylindrical wall.
Avantageusement, ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau présente une ouverture correspondant sensiblement à la section droite de ladite paroi cylindrique de sorte que l'autre chambre qui surmonte la chambre de succion est initialement remplie d'eau et par conséquent le piston soumis à la pression hydrostatique. En outre, lesdits moyens de blocage comprennent préférentiellement, une ligne, par exemple formée d'une chaîne, reliée audit piston et des moyens de retenue de ladite ligne pour retenir ladite ligne dans un sens orienté de ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau vers ladite extrémité de succion. Ainsi, ladite ligne qui s'étend au-dessus dudit piston vers l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau est-elle susceptible d'être engagée dans les moyens de retenue qui eux sont solidaires de la paroi cylindrique, de sorte que les efforts qui s'exercent sur le piston puissent être transmis à ladite paroi cylindrique par l'intermédiaire de ladite ligne et des moyens de retenue.Advantageously, said water inlet end has an opening corresponding substantially to the cross section of said cylindrical wall so that the other chamber which surmounts the suction chamber is initially filled with water and therefore the piston subjected to the hydrostatic pressure. In addition, said locking means preferably comprise a line, for example formed of a chain, connected to said piston and retaining means of said line for retaining said line in a direction from said water inlet end towards said suction end. Thus, said line extending above said piston towards the water inlet end is likely to be engaged in the retaining means which are integral with the cylindrical wall, so that the forces which are exerted on the piston can be transmitted to said cylindrical wall via said line and retaining means.
De plus, ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau présente un chemin de passage de ladite ligne pour autoriser l'extension de ladite ligne en dehors de ladite paroi cylindrique. De la sorte, l'entraînement du piston vers l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau est-il susceptible d'être réalisé en entraînant en translation ladite ligne dans un sens opposé au fond marin, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un treuil installé sur un bateau de surface.In addition, said water inlet end has a passage path of said line to allow the extension of said line outside said cylindrical wall. In this way, is the driving of the piston towards the water inlet end likely to be carried out by translating said line in a direction opposite to the seabed, for example by means of a winch installed on a surface boat.
De manière préférentielle, lesdits moyens de retenue de ladite ligne sont montés sur ladite paroi cylindrique au niveau de ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau, de telle sorte que le piston peut être entraîné depuis l'extrémité de succion jusqu'à l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau sur toute la longueur de la paroi cylindrique. De la sorte, la totalité de la paroi cylindrique peut être enfoncée dans le fond marin avec l'aide du piston sur laquelle la pression hydrostatique de fond marin s'applique.Preferably, said retaining means of said line are mounted on said cylindrical wall at said water inlet end, so that the piston can be driven from the suction end to the end. water inlet over the entire length of the cylindrical wall. In this way, the entire cylindrical wall can be driven into the seabed with the help of the piston on which the seabed hydrostatic pressure is applied.
En outre, lesdits moyens de retenue de ladite ligne comportent des moyens de verrouillage commandables qui permettent alternativement de déverrouiller et verrouiller à nouveau ladite ligne au fur et à mesure que le piston est remonté vers l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau.In addition, said retaining means of said line comprise controllable locking means which alternately allow to unlock and re-lock said line as the piston is raised towards the water inlet end.
Avantageusement, lesdits moyens de pompage sont adaptés à extraire l'eau dans ladite une desdites chambres à travers ledit .piston pour la rejeter dans ladite autre chambre et créer une dépression dans ladite une desdites chambres. Pour ce faire, ils sont par exemple installés sur le piston. En outre, lorsque le piston est remonté vers l'extrémité d'entrée d'eau, les moyens de pompage sont désactivés et ils laissent entrer de l'eau dans la chambre de succion.Advantageously, said pumping means are adapted to extract the water in said one of said chambers through said piston to reject it in said other chamber and create a depression in said one of said chambers. To do this, they are for example installed on the piston. In addition, when the piston is raised towards the end water inlet, the pumping means are deactivated and they allow water to enter the suction chamber.
En outre, ledit piston est avantageusement équipé d'un joint circulaire pour assurer l'étanchéité entre lesdites deux chambres opposées.In addition, said piston is advantageously equipped with a circular seal to seal between said two opposite chambers.
D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention ressortiront à la lecture de la description faite ci-après d'un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, donné à titre indicatif mais non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels : - la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une pile de succion conforme à l'invention ;Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a suction pile according to the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale de la pile de succion illustrée sur la figure 1 dans une première phase de mise en oeuvre ; - la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale de la pile de succion illustrée sur la figure 1 à l'issue de la première phase de mise en oeuvre illustrée sur la figure 2 ;FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction cell illustrated in FIG. 1 in a first phase of implementation; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction cell illustrated in FIG. 1 at the end of the first implementation phase illustrated in FIG. 2;
- la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale de la pile de succions illustrées sur la figure 1 dans une deuxième phase de mise en oeuvre ; et,FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the suction pile illustrated in FIG. 1 in a second phase of implementation; and,
- la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale de la pile de succion illustrée sur la figure 1 terminant ladite deuxième phase de mise en oeuvre.- Figure 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the suction cell shown in Figure 1 ending said second phase of implementation.
La Figure 1 illustre une pile de succion 10 conforme à l'invention et destinée à être enfoncée dans un fond marin. La pile de succion 10 comporte une paroi cylindrique 12 qui s'étend longitudinalement selon un axe de symétrie A et dans laquelle est monté un piston 14 mobile en translation selon ledit axe de symétrie A. La paroi cylindrique 12 présente par exemple une longueur comprise entre 18 et 25 mètres et un diamètre compris entre 7 et 12 mètres. Le piston 14 délimite de manière étanche, grâce à un joint d'étanchéité 16 qui l'entoure et qui vient s'appliquer contre une surface interne 18 de la paroi cylindrique 12, deux chambres étanches l'une de l'autre, une chambre de succion 20 inférieure et une chambre supérieure opposée 22. Le joint d'étanchéité 16 est par exemple un joint expansible, dont l'expansion est commandable au moyen d'un fluide sous pression, par exemple avec de l'huile sous pression. Par ailleurs, la paroi cylindrique 12 présente une extrémité inférieure de succion 24 qui est ouverte et une extrémité supérieure d'entrée d'eau 26 ouverte également. L'extrémité supérieure d'entrée d'eau 26 présente ici deux organes de structure 28, 30 croisés qui s'étendent respectivement selon un diamètre de la paroi cylindrique 12 et qui permettent, le cas échéant, de suspendre la paroi cylindrique 12. Toutefois, la mise en œuvre de plus de deux organes de structure peut alors être nécessaire, pour supporter précisément la paroi cylindrique 12. De plus, le piston 14 est retenu par une ligne 32 formée d'une chaîne qui s'étend depuis une boucle d'accrochage 34 du piston 14 sensiblement selon l'axe de symétrie A pour sortir à l'extérieur de la paroi cylindrique 12 à travers un chemin de passage 36 ménagé à l'intersection des organes de structure 28, 30. Au surplus, des moyens de retenue formés de quatre biellettes 38, 40, 42, 44, montées en regard l'une de l'autre deux à deux et à pivotement sur les deux organes de structure 28, 30 et qui sont adaptées à venir enserrer en un point situé sur l'axe de symétrie A, la chaîne 32, permettent de la bloquer en translation vers l'extrémité inférieure de succion 24. De la sorte, le piston 14 est alors maintenu suspendu à l'intérieur de la paroi cylindrique 12. En outre, lorsque la chaîne 32 est entraînée en dehors de la paroi cylindrique 12 dans une direction opposée à l'extrémité inférieure de succion 24 et au-dessus de l'extrémité supérieure d'entrée d'eau 26, les quatre biellettes 38, 40, 42, 44, sont adaptées à libérer ladite chaîne 32 pour autoriser la remontée du piston 14 vers l'extrémité supérieure d'entrée d'eau 26. Avantageusement, les biellettes 38, 40, 42, 44 sont susceptibles d'être commandées par des moyens propres non représentés ou au moyen d'un robot sous-marin.Figure 1 illustrates a suction stack 10 according to the invention and intended to be driven into a seabed. The suction cell 10 has a cylindrical wall 12 which extends longitudinally along an axis of symmetry A and in which is mounted a piston 14 movable in translation along said axis of symmetry A. The cylindrical wall 12 has for example a length between 18 and 25 meters and a diameter between 7 and 12 meters. The piston 14 delimits sealingly, thanks to a seal 16 which surrounds it and which is pressed against an inner surface 18 of the cylindrical wall 12, two chambers each of them is sealed to each other, a lower suction chamber 20 and an opposite upper chamber 22. The seal 16 is for example an expandable seal, the expansion of which is controllable by means of a pressurized fluid, for example with pressurized oil. Furthermore, the cylindrical wall 12 has a lower suction end 24 which is open and an upper end of the water inlet 26 also open. The upper end of the water inlet 26 here has two crossed structure members 28, 30 which respectively extend along a diameter of the cylindrical wall 12 and which make it possible, if necessary, to suspend the cylindrical wall 12. , the implementation of more than two structural members may then be necessary, to support precisely the cylindrical wall 12. In addition, the piston 14 is retained by a line 32 formed of a chain that extends from a loop of hooking 34 of the piston 14 substantially along the axis of symmetry A out to the outside of the cylindrical wall 12 through a passageway 36 formed at the intersection of the structural members 28, 30. In addition, means retaining means formed of four rods 38, 40, 42, 44, mounted facing each other in pairs and pivoted on the two structural members 28, 30 and which are adapted to grip at a point located on the axis of symmetry A, the c hain 32, allow to lock it in translation towards the lower suction end 24. In this way, the piston 14 is then kept suspended inside the cylindrical wall 12. In addition, when the chain 32 is driven out of the cylindrical wall 12 in a direction opposite to the lower suction end 24 and above the upper water inlet end 26, the four links 38, 40, 42, 44 are adapted to release said chain 32 to allow the rise of the piston 14 to the upper end of the water inlet 26. Advantageously, the rods 38, 40, 42, 44 can be controlled by own means not shown or by means of an underwater robot.
Par ailleurs, le piston 14 présente un perçage 46 qui met en communication la chambre de succion 20 inférieure et la chambre supérieure opposée 22, ce perçage 46 formant conduit est surmonté par des moyens de pompage non représentés sur cette figure 1.Furthermore, the piston 14 has a bore 46 which communicates the lower suction chamber 20 and the chamber opposite upper 22, this bore forming duct 46 is surmounted by pumping means not shown in this Figure 1.
On décrira maintenant en référence aux figures 2 à 5, le mode de mise en oeuvre de la pile de succion 10 décrite ci-dessus. Sur la Figure 2, outre la pile de succion 10 que l'on retrouve, on a représenté schématiquement un fond marin 50 et à l'opposé, une surface 52 correspondant à une certaine hauteur d'eau 54 dans laquelle est plongée la pile de succion 10. La pile de succion 10 est ainsi en appui verticalement sur le fond marin 50 par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité inférieure de succion 24 qui est directement en contact avec les sédiments du fond marin 50. Par ailleurs, le piston 14 est alors amené à une première hauteur h1 qui le sépare du fond marin 50 par l'intermédiaire de la chaîne 32 qui est bloquée par l'intermédiaire des moyens de retenue 38, 40, 42, 44 dont seules les biellettes 38 et 40 apparaissent sur la figure. Cette première hauteur h1 correspond à une hauteur d'eau H sous la surface 52, à laquelle hauteur d'eau H, la pression hydrostatique est suffisamment importante. En outre l'extrémité supérieure d'entrée d'eau 26 permet à l'eau de remplir la chambre supérieure opposée 22 de telle manière que le piston 14 soit soumis à la pression hydrostatique qui règne près du fond marin 50 et qui correspond à ladite hauteur d'eau H. Cette pression hydrostatique étant bien évidemment décroissante en partant du fond marin 50, vers la surface 52. Ainsi, la pression hydrostatique qui règne près du fond marin 50 induit-elle des efforts E sur le piston 14 qui s'exercent selon un sens, orienté de la surface 52 vers le fond marin 50, et qui se transmettent à la paroi cylindrique 12 par l'intermédiaire de la chaîne 32, des moyens de retenue 38, 40, 42, 44 et des organes de structure 28, 30. . Selon un autre mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention non représenté, des moyens de blocage du piston 14 sont formés par des verrous montés mobiles sur le piston et qui viennent s'engager dans des orifices pratiqués dans la surface interne 18 de la paroi cylindrique 12. De la sorte, lesdits verrous mobiles sont adaptés à bloquer le piston 14 en translation par rapport à la paroi cylindrique 12.The embodiment of the suction cell 10 described above will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. In FIG. 2, in addition to the suction stack 10 that is found, a seabed 50 is shown diagrammatically and on the opposite side, a surface 52 corresponding to a certain height of water 54 in which the stack of water is dipped. suction 10. The suction pile 10 is thus in support vertically on the seabed 50 via its lower suction end 24 which is directly in contact with the sediments of the seabed 50. Moreover, the piston 14 is then brought to a first height h1 which separates it from the seabed 50 by means of the chain 32 which is blocked by means of the retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44 of which only the links 38 and 40 appear in FIG. . This first height h1 corresponds to a water depth H below the surface 52, at which height of water H, the hydrostatic pressure is sufficiently large. In addition, the upper end of the water inlet 26 allows the water to fill the opposite upper chamber 22 in such a way that the piston 14 is subjected to the hydrostatic pressure which prevails near the seabed 50 and which corresponds to the said water height H. This hydrostatic pressure is obviously decreasing from the seabed 50 to the surface 52. Thus, the hydrostatic pressure that prevails near the seabed 50 induces E forces on the piston 14 which s' in one direction, oriented from the surface 52 towards the seabed 50, and which are transmitted to the cylindrical wall 12 via the chain 32, retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44 and structural members 28, 30.. According to another embodiment of the invention not shown, means for locking the piston 14 are formed by locks movably mounted on the piston and which engage in holes made in the inner surface 18 of the wall 12. In this way, said mobile locks are adapted to lock the piston 14 in translation relative to the cylindrical wall 12.
En outre, le perçage formant conduit 46, est ici équipé de moyens de pompage 56 qui permettent d'aspirer l'eau contenue dans la chambre de succion inférieure 20 pour la refouler dans la chambre supérieure 22 et créer une dépression dans la chambre de succion 20 pour provoquer l'enfoncement de l'extrémité inférieure de succion 24 dans le fond marin 50. Cet enfoncement est lui grandement accéléré grâce aux efforts E qui s'exercent sur le piston 14 et par conséquent sur la paroi cylindrique 12 selon l'axe de symétrie A et vers le fond marin 50.In addition, the duct-forming bore 46 is here equipped with pumping means 56 which make it possible to draw the water contained in the lower suction chamber 20 to discharge it into the upper chamber 22 and to create a depression in the suction chamber. 20 to cause depression of the lower suction end 24 in the seabed 50. This depression is greatly accelerated by the efforts E which are exerted on the piston 14 and therefore on the cylindrical wall 12 along the axis of symmetry A and towards the seabed 50.
Lorsque la paroi cylindrique 12 a été enfoncée dans le fond marin 50 d'une hauteur correspondant sensiblement à la hauteur initiale h1, les sédiments remplissent sensiblement la chambre de succion inférieure 20 pour venir à l'extrême en contact avec la paroi inférieure du piston 14. On comprend alors, que les efforts E exercés sur le piston 14 par le biais de la pression hydrostatique du fond marin 50 vont être réduits pour être annulés lorsque la chambre de succion inférieure 20 sera totalement pleine de sédiments. Aussi, et tel que l'illustre la figure 4, on vient déverrouiller les moyens de retenue 38, 40, 42, 44. Puis, après avoir désactivé le joint d'étanchéité expansible 16, on vient tirer sur la chaîne 32 vers la surface 52 pour faire remonter le piston 14 à l'intérieur de la paroi cylindrique 12 d'une hauteur h2 correspondant sensiblement à la hauteur d'eau H précitée ; la paroi cylindrique 12 restant en position fixe puisqu'elle est en prise au moins partiellement dans le fond marin 50. Durant la remontée du piston 14, on libère le perçage 46 formant conduit de manière à laisser entrer l'eau dans la chambre de succion 20. Ensuite, lorsque la hauteur du piston 14 est sensiblement égale à deux fois h1, on vient verrouiller à nouveau les moyens de retenue 38, 40, 42, 44 pour bloquer la chaîne 32 en translation, comme illustré sur la figure 5. Le piston 14 est alors de nouveau bloqué en translation vers le fond marin 50 par rapport au corps cylindrique 12. Et l'opération d'aspiration d'eau contenue dans la chambre de succion inférieure 20 par l'intermédiaire des moyens de pompage 56 va pouvoir redémarrer pour produire les mêmes effets que précités et pour enfoncer plus encore l'extrémité inférieure de succion 24 dans le fond marin. Là encore, le piston 14 étant soumis à des efforts liés à la pression hydrostatique qui règne près du fond marin 50, efforts qui sont repris par la chaîne 32 notamment et transmis à la paroi cylindrique 12, l'enfoncement en sera d'autant plus facilité.When the cylindrical wall 12 has been driven into the seabed 50 from a height substantially corresponding to the initial height h1, the sediments substantially fill the lower suction chamber 20 to come to the extreme in contact with the lower wall of the piston 14 It is then understood that the forces E exerted on the piston 14 through the hydrostatic pressure of the seabed 50 will be reduced to be canceled when the lower suction chamber 20 is completely filled with sediment. Also, and as shown in Figure 4, it comes to unlock the retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44. Then, after deactivating the expandable seal 16, we just draw the chain 32 to the surface 52 to raise the piston 14 inside the cylindrical wall 12 with a height h2 substantially corresponding to the water height H above; the cylindrical wall 12 remaining in a fixed position since it is at least partially engaged in the seabed 50. During the ascent of the piston 14, the bore 46 forming the conduit is released so as to allow water to enter the suction chamber 20. Then, when the height of the piston 14 is substantially equal to twice h1, the retaining means 38, 40, 42, 44 are locked again to lock the chain 32 in translation, as illustrated in FIG. piston 14 is then locked again in translation towards the seabed 50 with respect to the cylindrical body 12. And the suction operation of water contained in the lower suction chamber 20 via the pumping means 56 will be able to restart to produce the same effects as above and to further push the lower suction end 24 in the seabed. Here again, the piston 14 being subjected to forces related to the hydrostatic pressure that prevails near the seabed 50, which forces are taken up by the chain 32 in particular and transmitted to the cylindrical wall 12, the depression will be all the more ease.
Ainsi, lorsque la chambre de succion inférieure 20 sera à nouveau pleine de sédiments et que l'extrémité inférieure de succion 24 sera enfoncée plus encore dans le fond marin 50, le piston 14 pourra à nouveau être remonté pour une nouvelle opération d'aspiration. Il pourra être procédé ainsi jusqu'à l'enfoncement total de la paroi cylindrique 12 dans le fond marin 50. Le piston 14 sera alors lui, situé près de l'extrémité supérieure d'entrée 26. Thus, when the lower suction chamber 20 is again full of sediment and the lower suction end 24 will be pressed further into the seabed 50, the piston 14 can again be reassembled for a new suction operation. This can be done until the total insertion of the cylindrical wall 12 into the seabed 50. The piston 14 will then be located near the upper inlet end 26.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Pile de succion (10) destinée à être enfoncée dans un fond marin (50), ledit fond marin étant surmonté d'eau (54), l'eau présentant une pression hydrostatique de fond au voisinage dudit fond marin (50), ladite pile de succion (10) comprenant une paroi cylindrique (12) et un piston mobile (14) à l'intérieure de ladite paroi cylindrique (12), ladite paroi cylindrique présentant une extrémité de succion (24) ouverte adaptée à venir s'enfoncer dans ledit fond marin (50), ledit piston (14) délimitant de façon étanche deux chambres opposées, l'une desdites chambres (20) qui s'étend entre ladite extrémité de succion (24) et ledit piston (14) étant susceptible de se remplir d'eau lorsque ladite extrémité de succion (24) est disposée contre le fond marin (50), ladite pile de succion (10) comportant en outre des moyens de pompage (56) pour extraire l'eau contenue dans ladite une desdites chambres (20) et provoquer l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion (24) dans ledit fond marin ; caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des moyens de blocage (28,Suction cell (10) intended to be driven into a seabed (50), said seabed being surmounted by water (54), the water having a bottom hydrostatic pressure in the vicinity of said seabed (50), said suction cell (10) comprising a cylindrical wall (12) and a movable piston (14) within said cylindrical wall (12), said cylindrical wall having an open suction end (24) adapted to engage driving into said seabed (50), said piston (14) sealingly defining two opposed chambers, one of said chambers (20) extending between said suction end (24) and said piston (14) being capable of filling with water when said suction end (24) is disposed against the seabed (50), said suction stack (10) further comprising pumping means (56) for extracting the water contained in said one said chambers (20) and causing the depression of said suction end (24) ns said seabed; characterized in that it comprises locking means (28,
30, 32, 38, 40, 42, 44) dudit piston (14) par rapport à ladite paroi cylindrique (12), tandis que ladite paroi cylindrique (12) présente une extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26) opposée à ladite extrémité de succion (24) par rapport audit piston (14) pour autoriser l'arrivée d'eau à la pression hydrostatique dans l'autre chambre (22) ; et en ce que ledit piston (14) est alternativement bloqué et entraîné en mouvement depuis ladite extrémité de succion (24) vers ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26) au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion (24), de façon que ledit piston (14) soit soumis à la pression hydrostatique de fond et provoque l'enfoncement de ladite extrémité de succion (24) dans ledit fond marin (50).30, 32, 38, 40, 42, 44) of said piston (14) relative to said cylindrical wall (12), whereas said cylindrical wall (12) has a water inlet end (26) opposite said sucking end (24) with respect to said piston (14) for allowing hydrostatic pressure to be supplied to the other chamber (22); and in that said piston (14) is alternately locked and driven in motion from said suction end (24) to said water inlet end (26) as said suction end is depressed (24), so that said piston (14) is subjected to the hydrostatic bottom pressure and causes the depression of said suction end (24) in said seabed (50).
2. Pile de succion selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26) présente une ouverture correspondant sensiblement à la section droite de ladite paroi cylindrique (12). 2. Suction cell according to claim 1, characterized in that said water inlet end (26) has an opening corresponding substantially to the cross section of said cylindrical wall (12).
3. Pile de succion selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de blocage comprennent une ligne (32) reliée audit piston (14) et des moyens de retenue (38, 40, 42, 44) de ladite ligne (32) pour retenir ladite ligne dans un sens orienté de ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26) vers ladite extrémité de succion (24).3. Suction cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said locking means comprise a line (32) connected to said piston (14) and retaining means (38, 40, 42, 44) of said line ( 32) for retaining said line in a direction from said water inlet end (26) to said suction end (24).
4. Pile de succion selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26) présente un chemin de passage (36) de ladite ligne (32) pour autoriser l'extension de ladite ligne en dehors de ladite paroi cylindrique (12). 4. suction cell according to claim 3, characterized in that said water inlet end (26) has a passage path (36) of said line (32) to allow the extension of said line outside of said cylindrical wall (12).
5. Pile de succion selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de retenue (38, 40, 42, 44) de ladite ligne (32) sont montés sur ladite paroi cylindrique (12) au niveau de ladite extrémité d'entrée d'eau (26).5. suction cell according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said retaining means (38, 40, 42, 44) of said line (32) are mounted on said cylindrical wall (12) at said end of said water inlet (26).
6. Pile de succion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de retenue (38, 40, 42, 44) de ladite ligne (32) comportent des moyens de verrouillage commandables.6. Suction cell according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said retaining means (38, 40, 42, 44) of said line (32) comprise controllable locking means.
7. Pile de succion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à7. Suction cell according to any one of claims 1 to
6, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de pompage (56) sont adaptés à extraire l'eau dans ladite une desdites chambres (20) à travers ledit piston (14) pour la rejeter dans ladite autre chambre (22) et créer une dépression dans ladite une desdites chambres (20).6, characterized in that said pumping means (56) is adapted to extract the water in said one of said chambers (20) through said piston (14) to reject it in said other chamber (22) and create a vacuum in said one of said chambers (20).
8. Pile de succion selon Tune quelconque des revendications 1 à8. Suction cell according to any one of claims 1 to
7, caractérisée en ce que ledit piston (14) est équipé d'un joint circulaire (16) pour assurer l'étanchéité entre lesdites deux chambres opposées (20, 22). 7, characterized in that said piston (14) is equipped with a circular seal (16) for sealing between said two opposite chambers (20, 22).
EP07803873A 2006-07-27 2007-07-16 Suction pile suitable for shallow depths Not-in-force EP2049388B1 (en)

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FR0606882A FR2904336B1 (en) 2006-07-27 2006-07-27 SUCCIONED BATTERY WITH LOW DEPTHS
PCT/FR2007/001213 WO2008012414A2 (en) 2006-07-27 2007-07-16 Suction pile suitable for shallow depths

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AU2007279162A1 (en) 2008-01-31
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EA014442B1 (en) 2010-12-30
US8021082B2 (en) 2011-09-20
FR2904336B1 (en) 2008-09-26
ES2359177T3 (en) 2011-05-19
BRPI0715476A2 (en) 2013-03-19
US20100021241A1 (en) 2010-01-28
EA200900231A1 (en) 2009-08-28
DE602007012112D1 (en) 2011-03-03
EP2049388B1 (en) 2011-01-19
WO2008012414A3 (en) 2008-04-03
ATE495969T1 (en) 2011-02-15
WO2008012414A2 (en) 2008-01-31

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