EP4067580A1 - Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée - Google Patents

Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4067580A1
EP4067580A1 EP21166704.3A EP21166704A EP4067580A1 EP 4067580 A1 EP4067580 A1 EP 4067580A1 EP 21166704 A EP21166704 A EP 21166704A EP 4067580 A1 EP4067580 A1 EP 4067580A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
trench
water
gas
directing
conduit
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21166704.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ross Naylor
Roger Paul White
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.)
Offshore Projects Alliance Ltd
Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd
Original Assignee
Offshore Projects Alliance Ltd
Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd
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 Offshore Projects Alliance Ltd, Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd filed Critical Offshore Projects Alliance Ltd
Priority to EP21166704.3A priority Critical patent/EP4067580A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2022/058279 priority patent/WO2022207644A1/fr
Publication of EP4067580A1 publication Critical patent/EP4067580A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
    • E02F5/10—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables
    • E02F5/104—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water
    • E02F5/107—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water using blowing-effect devices, e.g. jets
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/90—Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
    • E02F3/92—Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
    • E02F3/9243—Passive suction heads with no mechanical cutting means
    • E02F3/925—Passive suction heads with no mechanical cutting means with jets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench in floor of a body of water, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for burying power cables in the seabed in shallow water.
  • Apparatus for burying power cables in the seabed in shallow water close to beaches are known in which location of the cable at the bottom of a trench formed by the apparatus is assisted by water pumps which displace water into the trench, to fluidise debris or slurry in the trench to facilitate movement of the cable to the bottom of the trench.
  • water pumps use considerable amounts of energy, and it is not possible to operate the water pumps when the water has depth insufficient depth to fully submerge the pumps.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages.
  • an apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench in a floor of a body of water comprising:-
  • this provides the advantage that debris can be displaced from the trench in shallower water than is the case with known apparatus, and less energy is consumed than in the case of known apparatus.
  • the gas directing means may be adapted to introduce at least one gas into water in a lower portion of the trench.
  • This provides the advantage of maximising the effect of lift generated by the gas on debris or slurry in the trench.
  • the gas directing means may comprise at least one first conduit having at least one aperture for directing gas therethrough into water in the trench.
  • At least one said first conduit may have a plurality of apertures for directing gas therethrough into water in the trench.
  • the gas directing means may comprise at least one second conduit having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and at least one said first conduit may be adapted to introduce at least one gas into water in said second conduit.
  • This provides the advantage of enabling the gas introduced into water in the second conduit to reduce the density of water in the second conduit, thereby causing more dense water in the trench surrounding the second conduit, together with debris, to enter at least one inlet and to displace water and debris out of at least one said outlet.
  • At least one said outlet may be adapted to output material out of the trench.
  • the gas directing means may be movable between a storage condition and a working condition.
  • the apparatus may further comprise gas supply means for supplying at least one gas to the gas directing means.
  • the gas supply means may comprise air compressor means.
  • This provides the advantage of enabling ambient air to be used to displace the debris or slurry in the trench.
  • the gas supply means may comprise at least one container of compressed gas.
  • the apparatus may further comprise object engaging means for engaging an object for urging the object into the trench.
  • the gas directing means may be mounted to the object engaging means.
  • an apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench in a floor of a body of water comprising:-
  • the apparatus may further comprise gas supply means adapted to be mounted to at least one said second support member.
  • the gas supply means may comprise air compressor means.
  • the apparatus may further comprise control means for controlling the apparatus, wherein the control means is adapted to be mounted to at least one said second support member.
  • This provides the advantage of enabling operation of the apparatus from the surface, especially in the case of failure of the apparatus.
  • the control means may be adapted to operate hydraulically.
  • the trench forming means may comprise at least one chain cutter.
  • the trench forming means may be pivotable relative to the body.
  • This provides the advantage of enabling the depth of the trench to be adjusted.
  • the moving means may comprise at least one track.
  • an apparatus 2 for burying a power cable 4 in the seabed 6 in shallow water, for example near to a beach has a body 8 for supporting the cable 4 and trench cutting means in the form of a chain cutter 10 pivotably mounted to the body 8 for forming a trench 12 in the seabed 6.
  • Moving means in the form of a pair of tracks 14 enables the apparatus 2 to move relative to the seabed 6 to enable the chain cutter 10 to form the trench 12 in the seabed 6.
  • a cable engaging means in the form of a depressor arm 16 is pivotably mounted to a rear part 18 of the body 8 and is adapted to engage the cable 4 to urge the cable 4 to the bottom of the trench 12.
  • Gas directing means in the form of an air eduction system 20 is mounted to the depressor arm 16 and comprises a pair of eductor units 22, shown in greater detail in Figures 7 to 9 .
  • Each eductor unit 22 is pivotably mounted to a respective side of the depressor arm 16, so that the depressor arm 16 and eductor units 22 can be pivoted between a storage condition and a working condition.
  • each eductor unit 22 has a pair of elongate first conduits 24 which extend from an air inlet 26 at the upper part of the eductor unit 22 to apertures 28 at a lower part of the eductor unit 22, and a second conduit 30 having an inlet 32 at its lower end and an outlet 34 at its upper end.
  • the outlet 34 is arranged to direct material out of the trench 12.
  • Each first conduit 24 also has apertures 36 arranged along its length which act as air jet nozzles to enable fluidisation of debris or slurry in the trench 12 to assist in location of the cable 4 at the bottom of the trench 12 by the depressor arm 16.
  • the density of water in the second conduit 30 is reduced, as a result of which more dense water surrounding the second conduit 30 enters the second conduit 30 via inlet 32 to draw debris in the trench 12 into the inlet 32 of the second conduit 30 and displace it out of the trench 12 via the outlet 34 of the second conduit 30.
  • a first support member in the form of a lightweight tower 38 extends upwards from the body 8, and a second support member in the form of a floating pontoon 40 is slidably mounted to the tower 38.
  • the floating pontoon 40 is provided with buoyancy blocks 42 to ensure that it floats on the surface of the water and slides along the tower 38 as the position of the surface of the water changes relative to the tower 38.
  • Gas supply means in the form of one or more electrically or hydraulically operable air compressors 44 is mounted to the floating pontoon 40 and receives and compresses ambient air above the surface of the water, and feeds the compressed air via a conduit (not shown) to the air eduction system 20.
  • the floating pontoon 40 can freely move up and down the tower 38 so that it floats on the surface of the water.
  • a remote hydraulic intervention panel is also supported on the floating pontoon 40 to allow functions of the apparatus 2 to be performed from the surface, for example in the event of a failure of the apparatus 2.
  • a tank of compressed air (not shown) can also be mounted directly on the apparatus 2, to enable operation of the apparatus 2 in deeper water.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
EP21166704.3A 2021-04-01 2021-04-01 Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée Pending EP4067580A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21166704.3A EP4067580A1 (fr) 2021-04-01 2021-04-01 Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée
PCT/EP2022/058279 WO2022207644A1 (fr) 2021-04-01 2022-03-29 Appareil d'insertion d'un objet allongé dans une tranchée

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21166704.3A EP4067580A1 (fr) 2021-04-01 2021-04-01 Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4067580A1 true EP4067580A1 (fr) 2022-10-05

Family

ID=75377649

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21166704.3A Pending EP4067580A1 (fr) 2021-04-01 2021-04-01 Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4067580A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022207644A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4037422A (en) * 1975-09-04 1977-07-26 J. Ray Mcdermott & Co. Inc. Articulated jet sled
US4787777A (en) * 1985-05-17 1988-11-29 Rudolf Harmstorf Method and device for progressively producing an underwater laying-out channel
US5639185A (en) * 1994-01-13 1997-06-17 Saxon; Saint Elmo Underwater trenching system
WO1999054556A1 (fr) * 1998-04-21 1999-10-28 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Procede et engin de formation de tranchees sous-marines

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4037422A (en) * 1975-09-04 1977-07-26 J. Ray Mcdermott & Co. Inc. Articulated jet sled
US4787777A (en) * 1985-05-17 1988-11-29 Rudolf Harmstorf Method and device for progressively producing an underwater laying-out channel
US5639185A (en) * 1994-01-13 1997-06-17 Saxon; Saint Elmo Underwater trenching system
WO1999054556A1 (fr) * 1998-04-21 1999-10-28 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Procede et engin de formation de tranchees sous-marines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2022207644A1 (fr) 2022-10-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6868625B2 (en) Method and device for subsea dredging
AU2001250680A1 (en) Method and device for subsea dredging
KR101858057B1 (ko) 벌크 해저 채광을 위한 방법 및 장치
EP1068404A1 (fr) Appareil de dragage
US20200080283A1 (en) Underwater trencher having submarine cable burying apparatus
WO2015032730A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé pour déployer un objet sur un fond marin
CA3165483A1 (fr) Vehicule minier de fond marin
EP4067580A1 (fr) Appareil permettant d'insérer un objet allongé dans une tranchée
CN110219651B (zh) 组合式海底集矿机
CN110242303A (zh) 分布式全天候深海采矿系统
EP0214683B1 (fr) Dispositif mobile destiné à être utilisé sur et sous l'eau
US3722448A (en) Device for raising sunken ships and other objects
GB1588573A (en) Vehicle for excaviting ore from a submarine bed
JP4778743B2 (ja) 水底の堆積土砂に対する浚渫システム
KR20220141874A (ko) 심해 채굴 차량
CN211447064U (zh) 一种内河小型泵吸式疏浚船
KR100381624B1 (ko) 심해저 광물의 무삭 연속채굴 방법
GB2348448A (en) Forming an underwater trench using separate rov and trenching apparatus
US7188440B2 (en) Device and method for bringing ashore or refloating a floating body
KR20170124772A (ko) 해양구조물 및 이의 설치방법
JP4347016B2 (ja) 水中掘削機
JPS5830863Y2 (ja) ドラグサクシヨン浚渫船の自動浚渫装置
WO1983000060A1 (fr) Procede et machine de pose de tuyaux et cables sous-marins
EA008069B1 (ru) Землесосный снаряд
CN118640016A (zh) 一种绿色新型深海集矿系统

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230404

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR