EP4157710A1 - System and method for passing the cable through the shell of a floating unit and installation of portable cofferdam without diver intervention - Google Patents

System and method for passing the cable through the shell of a floating unit and installation of portable cofferdam without diver intervention

Info

Publication number
EP4157710A1
EP4157710A1 EP21814494.7A EP21814494A EP4157710A1 EP 4157710 A1 EP4157710 A1 EP 4157710A1 EP 21814494 A EP21814494 A EP 21814494A EP 4157710 A1 EP4157710 A1 EP 4157710A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
floating unit
cable
positioning
cofferdam
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
EP21814494.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4157710A4 (en
Inventor
Nelson Szilard GALGOUL
Aidin Rezvani SARABI
Victor Dobrochinski BARBOSA
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.)
NSG Engenharia Projetos e Representacao Comercial Ltda
Original Assignee
NSG Engenharia Projetos e Representacao Comercial Ltda
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 NSG Engenharia Projetos e Representacao Comercial Ltda filed Critical NSG Engenharia Projetos e Representacao Comercial Ltda
Publication of EP4157710A1 publication Critical patent/EP4157710A1/en
Publication of EP4157710A4 publication Critical patent/EP4157710A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
    • B63B17/0018—Arrangements or devices specially adapted for facilitating access to underwater elements, e.g. to propellers ; Externally attached cofferdams or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B81/00—Repairing or maintaining vessels

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the repair and maintenance of the shell or hull of floating units, such as any floating platform or vessel with floatation tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged.
  • the technique is achieved by passing cables or ropes through the hull of the floating unit.
  • the present method provides a dry working area for offshore floating units, using portable cofferdam, without the need of divers for placement of portable cofferdam into its position.
  • Floating units such as any floating platform or vessel with floatation tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged require specific methods and technology for repair and maintenance of their hull as going to the dry dock is not practical.
  • Portable cofferdams are widely used to provide a dry working area, due to their size, portability, and reusability, making it safe to perform a repair and maintenance of the hull of a floating unit.
  • the portable cofferdam is a portable enclosure composed by the water barrier (portable cofferdam itself), water discharge pump, vent connections, dewatering hoses, lifting connections and lifting lines.
  • the water discharge pump dewaters the portable cofferdam, pumping water out through the discharge hoses, providing a dry and safe working area for repair and maintenance.
  • Lifting lines are used for lowering of portable cofferdam, by hanging it down from any lifting appliance.
  • the portable cofferdam is lowered to the proximity of the repair area with a lifting appliance, such as a crane, and finally positioned to the target repair area with divers who control the portable cofferdam movements due to ocean waves and currents.
  • a lifting appliance such as a crane
  • This procedure is unsafe for the divers, costly and takes a long time because it is very dependent upon the environmental and weather conditions.
  • US10435860 present a portable cofferdam designed for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert.
  • the device provides the dewatering of the desired working area, allowing the cutting of the floating hull or any other necessary work on the area. Due to its portability and durability, it can be fished back to the deck, prepared again, and relaunched for the repairing of a new area.
  • US10011145 and W02015/002742 present an apparatus for inspecting and small repairing of flooded cavities in a floating offshore installation, on the wall of a pipe, sea chest or other flooded cavity within the hull of a ship or floating offshore installation.
  • This technology is only used for inspection purposes, or small repairing, such as replacement of damaged pipe sections, US6241424, and removing blockages in subsea pipelines, US6200068.
  • This invention presents new apparatuses and methods for passing a rope or cable through the hull and guiding a portable cofferdam to the desired repair or maintenance area without diver intervention.
  • the presented invention uses a sealed cutting apparatus to make a hole directly on the hull of a floating unit.
  • another sealed apparatus is used to pass the cable or rope through the hull of a floating unit.
  • This rope or cable may be fished from the floating unit deck, to be used as a positioning cable for a portable cofferdam.
  • the positioning cables may be tensioned from inside the floating unit hull, to achieve proper sealing and provide a dry working area for the repair or maintenance of the floating unit hull itself.
  • This invention makes it possible to install the portable cofferdam without diver intervention. Traditionally, always the diver intervention is required for portable cofferdam installation.
  • a system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit which comprises:
  • the positioning cable can has attached a buoy, the positioning cable can be connected to a fishing line, the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure can be a hot tapping tool, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads can be a winch and the shell of a floating unit can be a hull of a floating unit.
  • a system for conceiving a dry working area on the shell of a floating unit without diver intervention comprises:
  • the portable cofferdam can be a guided cofferdam and the shell of the floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit.
  • the guided cofferdam comprises:
  • the hot tapping comprising:
  • each positioning cable comprises:
  • the cable deployment tool comprises:
  • the pushing launching arm comprises:
  • the method related to the system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit comprises: a.cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure; b.closing the isolation valve and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; c.connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; d.passing one rope or cable connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads through the mechanical seals; e.connecting the end termination to set up the positioning cable; f.connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; g.opening the isolation valve and passing positioning cable throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm or the threaded launching arm; h.repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables is reached; and i.catching the positioning cables on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit.
  • the method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; passing one rope or cable connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads through the mechanical seals; connecting the end termination to set up the positioning cable; connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; opening the isolation valve and passing positioning cable throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm or the hot; repeat steps to pass the cable until the desired number of positioning cables is reached; catching the positioning cables on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit; pulling the positioning cables up to the deck of a floating unit, where the portable cofferdam is seated on deck; connecting the positioning cables to the guiding connections
  • the shell of the floating unit is ready to be repaired or get maintenance as both sides of the shell are dry and the shell may be cut with no water ingress to the floating unit. It is important to notice that the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure can be a hot tapping, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads can be a winch and the shell of the floating unit can be a hull of a floating unit.
  • the method wherein before to cut a hole on the shell of the floating unit with the hot tapping tool comprises these additional steps: a.welding the pipe stub to the dry side of the shell of the floating unit; b.connecting the isolation valve to the pipe stub; and c.connecting the hot tapping tool to the isolation valve .
  • this invention is applied to any offshore installation comprising a floating unit with floating tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged.
  • the fed cables end can be connected to a buoy for facilitating fishing of said cables, specially on hard environment conditions, such as windy weather and rough sea.
  • this method provides a diverless technic of repair of a shell of a submersible structure.
  • FIG. 1 shows the pipe stub (6) welded from the inside to the floating unit hull (9).
  • FIG. 2 shows the installation of an isolation valve (7) to the pipe stub (6).
  • FIG. 3 contains an example of the hot tapping device for use in this invention, comprising a valve chamber, a pressurized chamber, a tap cutter (21), a pilot drill (22), and tapping machine (23).
  • FIG.4 shows the installation of the hot tapping device to the isolation valve (7).
  • FIG.4 shows the hot tapping device drilling from the inside to the floating unit hull (9).
  • FIG. 5a contains the cable deployment tool (5) parts of the flange (51), pushing launching arm (52), mechanical seals (53), and chamber (54) before the cable passing process.
  • FIG. 5b contains the cable deployment tool (5) parts of the flange (51), pushing launching arm (52), mechanical seals (53), and chamber (54) after the cable passing process.
  • FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c contains a schematic description of the cables (3) feeding through the cable deployment tool (5) throughout the holes on the floating unit hull (9).
  • FIG. 6d, FIG. 6e and FIG. 6f contains a schematic description of the cables (3) feeding through the cable deployment tool (5) with optional attached floats (33) being available to be fished on the outside of the floating unit hull (9).
  • FIG. 7 contains a schematic description of the portable cofferdam (1) being guided by the positioning cables (3), while being lowered by a lifting appliance.
  • FIG. 8 contains a schematic description of the vessel hull (7) with the cables (3) passed through the holes on the vessel hull (7). At this moment the portable cofferdam can be pulled against the shell to achieve proper sealing.
  • FIG. 9 contains a schematic description of the guided cofferdam (1) with cofferdam body (11), lifting connections (12), guiding connections (13), sealing (14), dewatering connection (15) and the cables (3).
  • the positioning cable can has attached a buoy (33), the positioning cable can be connected to a fishing line (10), the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2) can be a hot tapping tool, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) can be a winch and the shell of a floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit (9).
  • the portable cofferdam (1) can be a guided cofferdam (2) and the shell of the floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit (9).
  • this structure comprises:
  • this structure comprises:
  • this structure comprises:
  • this structure comprises:
  • this structure comprises:
  • the first system is related to a method for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit.
  • the method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve(7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable(3); connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (23); opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm (52) or the threaded launching arm; repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; taking into account that those positioning cables can float with the help of a buoy (33) in your extremity; catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or
  • the hot tapping device is sealed, what makes it possible to open the isolation valve (7) without flooding the floating unit tank.
  • the pilot drill (22) and tap cutter (21) is able to access the hull and make the hole.
  • the second system is related to a method for conceiving a dry working area on the hull of a floating unit without diver intervention.
  • the method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve (7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable (3); connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (23); opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm(52) or the threaded launching arm; repeat steps to pass the cable until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit(9); pulling the positioning cables(3)

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to the repair and maintenance of the shell of floating offshore units such as ships, floating platforms, floating drilling platforms and offshore wind towers. In particularly exemplary embodiments, the present apparatuses and method for passing a cable or rope through the hull of a floating unit and installatiid50000117065202 Pub Copy null Filing No.:25on without diver intervention of portable cofferdam which provides a dry working area for offshore floating units.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PASSING THE CABLE THROUGH THE SHELL OF A FLOATING UNIT AND INSTALLATION OF PORTABLE COFFERDAM
WITHOUT DIVER INTERVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] This invention relates to the repair and maintenance of the shell or hull of floating units, such as any floating platform or vessel with floatation tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged. The technique is achieved by passing cables or ropes through the hull of the floating unit. In particularly exemplary embodiments, the present method provides a dry working area for offshore floating units, using portable cofferdam, without the need of divers for placement of portable cofferdam into its position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Floating units, such as any floating platform or vessel with floatation tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged require specific methods and technology for repair and maintenance of their hull as going to the dry dock is not practical. Portable cofferdams are widely used to provide a dry working area, due to their size, portability, and reusability, making it safe to perform a repair and maintenance of the hull of a floating unit. The portable cofferdam is a portable enclosure composed by the water barrier (portable cofferdam itself), water discharge pump, vent connections, dewatering hoses, lifting connections and lifting lines. Once the portable cofferdam is placed on the repair area on the hull, the water discharge pump dewaters the portable cofferdam, pumping water out through the discharge hoses, providing a dry and safe working area for repair and maintenance. Lifting lines are used for lowering of portable cofferdam, by hanging it down from any lifting appliance.
[003] Conventionally, the portable cofferdam is lowered to the proximity of the repair area with a lifting appliance, such as a crane, and finally positioned to the target repair area with divers who control the portable cofferdam movements due to ocean waves and currents. This procedure is unsafe for the divers, costly and takes a long time because it is very dependent upon the environmental and weather conditions. For example, US10435860 present a portable cofferdam designed for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The device provides the dewatering of the desired working area, allowing the cutting of the floating hull or any other necessary work on the area. Due to its portability and durability, it can be fished back to the deck, prepared again, and relaunched for the repairing of a new area. There is no mention in this patent of the method for placing it on the desired area or pulling it back to the deck.
[004] If the intention is inspecting flooded cavities in a floating offshore installation, it is possible to do that with a sealed cutting apparatus on the wall of a pipe, sea chest or other flooded cavity within the hull of a ship or floating offshore installation. For example, US10011145 and W02015/002742 present an apparatus for inspecting and small repairing of flooded cavities in a floating offshore installation, on the wall of a pipe, sea chest or other flooded cavity within the hull of a ship or floating offshore installation. This technology is only used for inspection purposes, or small repairing, such as replacement of damaged pipe sections, US6241424, and removing blockages in subsea pipelines, US6200068. It is important to note that repair or maintenance of the hull or shell of a ship or floating unit is not being discussed in the above mentioned patents. It is also worth mentioning that making a hole in the above mentioned methods is being done on the wall of a pipe or a cavity of a ship, and not directly on the hull of the ship or floating unit.
[005] This invention presents new apparatuses and methods for passing a rope or cable through the hull and guiding a portable cofferdam to the desired repair or maintenance area without diver intervention. The presented invention uses a sealed cutting apparatus to make a hole directly on the hull of a floating unit. On a second stage, another sealed apparatus is used to pass the cable or rope through the hull of a floating unit. This rope or cable may be fished from the floating unit deck, to be used as a positioning cable for a portable cofferdam. In addition, the positioning cables may be tensioned from inside the floating unit hull, to achieve proper sealing and provide a dry working area for the repair or maintenance of the floating unit hull itself. This invention makes it possible to install the portable cofferdam without diver intervention. Traditionally, always the diver intervention is required for portable cofferdam installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] According to the first embodiment of this invention, a system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit, which comprises:
- equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure;
- positioning cable;
- equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads;
- cable deployment tool;
- pipe stub; and
- isolation valve.
[007] Besides that, the positioning cable can has attached a buoy, the positioning cable can be connected to a fishing line, the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure can be a hot tapping tool, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads can be a winch and the shell of a floating unit can be a hull of a floating unit.
[008] According to the second embodiment of this invention, a system for conceiving a dry working area on the shell of a floating unit without diver intervention is presented and comprises:
- portable cofferdam; and
- dewatering hose. [009] Besides that, the portable cofferdam can be a guided cofferdam and the shell of the floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit.
[010] It is also important to notice, that the guided cofferdam comprises:
- cofferdam body;
- lifting connections;
- guiding connections;
- sealing; and
- dewatering connection.
[Oil] In addition, the hot tapping comprising:
- tap cutter;
- pilot drill; and
- tapping machine.
[012] Furthermore, each positioning cable comprises:
- rope or cable; and
- end termination.
[013] Besides that, the cable deployment tool comprises:
- flange;
- pushing launching arm;
- mechanical seals; and chamber. [014] Besides that, the pushing launching arm comprises:
- threaded launching arm;
[015] It is important to notice the method related to the system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit, that comprises: a.cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure; b.closing the isolation valve and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; c.connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; d.passing one rope or cable connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads through the mechanical seals; e.connecting the end termination to set up the positioning cable; f.connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; g.opening the isolation valve and passing positioning cable throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm or the threaded launching arm; h.repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables is reached; and i.catching the positioning cables on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit. [016] Related to the system described, there is a method for conceiving a dry working area on the hull of a floating unit without diver intervention is provided. The method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; passing one rope or cable connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads through the mechanical seals; connecting the end termination to set up the positioning cable; connecting the cable deployment tool to the isolation valve; opening the isolation valve and passing positioning cable throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm or the hot; repeat steps to pass the cable until the desired number of positioning cables is reached; catching the positioning cables on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit; pulling the positioning cables up to the deck of a floating unit, where the portable cofferdam is seated on deck; connecting the positioning cables to the guiding connections located inside the portable cofferdam; lowering of the portable cofferdam, which is hanging from a crane or any other lifting appliance, while the positioning cables are being pulled in by their corresponding equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads inside the hull, until the cofferdam reaches its target position, where it will be pulled against the hull in order to produce the proper sealing; dewatering of the portable cofferdam using the dewatering hose to generate the differential pressure and thus compress the sealing even more, in order to provide a dry working area inside the portable cofferdam. The shell of the floating unit is ready to be repaired or get maintenance as both sides of the shell are dry and the shell may be cut with no water ingress to the floating unit. It is important to notice that the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure can be a hot tapping, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads can be a winch and the shell of the floating unit can be a hull of a floating unit.
[017] The method wherein before to cut a hole on the shell of the floating unit with the hot tapping tool comprises these additional steps: a.welding the pipe stub to the dry side of the shell of the floating unit; b.connecting the isolation valve to the pipe stub; and c.connecting the hot tapping tool to the isolation valve .
[018] Additionally, this invention is applied to any offshore installation comprising a floating unit with floating tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged.
[019] In another embodiment, the fed cables end can be connected to a buoy for facilitating fishing of said cables, specially on hard environment conditions, such as windy weather and rough sea.
[020] In another embodiment, this method provides a diverless technic of repair of a shell of a submersible structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[021] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments given below, explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:
[022] FIG. 1 shows the pipe stub (6) welded from the inside to the floating unit hull (9).
[023] FIG. 2 shows the installation of an isolation valve (7) to the pipe stub (6).
[024] FIG. 3 contains an example of the hot tapping device for use in this invention, comprising a valve chamber, a pressurized chamber, a tap cutter (21), a pilot drill (22), and tapping machine (23).
[025] FIG.4 shows the installation of the hot tapping device to the isolation valve (7).
[026] FIG.4 shows the hot tapping device drilling from the inside to the floating unit hull (9).
[027] FIG. 5a contains the cable deployment tool (5) parts of the flange (51), pushing launching arm (52), mechanical seals (53), and chamber (54) before the cable passing process.
[028] FIG. 5b contains the cable deployment tool (5) parts of the flange (51), pushing launching arm (52), mechanical seals (53), and chamber (54) after the cable passing process.
[029] FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c contains a schematic description of the cables (3) feeding through the cable deployment tool (5) throughout the holes on the floating unit hull (9).
[030] FIG. 6d, FIG. 6e and FIG. 6f contains a schematic description of the cables (3) feeding through the cable deployment tool (5) with optional attached floats (33) being available to be fished on the outside of the floating unit hull (9).
[031] FIG. 7 contains a schematic description of the portable cofferdam (1) being guided by the positioning cables (3), while being lowered by a lifting appliance.
[032] FIG. 8 contains a schematic description of the vessel hull (7) with the cables (3) passed through the holes on the vessel hull (7). At this moment the portable cofferdam can be pulled against the shell to achieve proper sealing.
[033] FIG. 9 contains a schematic description of the guided cofferdam (1) with cofferdam body (11), lifting connections (12), guiding connections (13), sealing (14), dewatering connection (15) and the cables (3).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[034] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of the invention. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not necessarily limited to the specific details, representative materials and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods.
[035] There is a first system comprised by:
- equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2);
- positioning cable (3);
- equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4);
- cable deployment tool (5);
- pipe stub (6); and
- isolation valve (7).
[036] There is a second system comprised by the equipment of the first system and additionally:
- portable cofferdam (1); and dewatering hose (8).
[037] Also, it is important to notice that the positioning cable can has attached a buoy (33), the positioning cable can be connected to a fishing line (10), the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2) can be a hot tapping tool, the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) can be a winch and the shell of a floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit (9).
[038] Besides that, the portable cofferdam (1) can be a guided cofferdam (2) and the shell of the floating unit can be the hull of a floating unit (9).
[039] Concerning the guided cofferdam (1), this structure comprises:
- cofferdam body (11);
- lifting connections (12);
- guiding connections (13);
- sealing (14); and
- dewatering connection (15).
[040] Concerning the hot tapping tool, this structure comprises:
- tap cutter (21);
- pilot drill (22); and
- tapping machine (23).
[041] Concerning the positioning cable (3), this structure comprises:
- rope or cable (31); and
- end termination (32).
[042] Concerning the cable deployment tool (5), this structure comprises:
- flange (51);
- pushing launching arm (52);
- mechanical seals (53); and
- chamber (54).
[043] Concerning the pushing launching arm (52), this structure comprises:
- threaded launching arm.
[044] Thus, the first system is related to a method for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit. The method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve(7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable(3); connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (23); opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm (52) or the threaded launching arm; repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; taking into account that those positioning cables can float with the help of a buoy (33) in your extremity; catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit(9) by a fishing line (10), for example.
[045] The hot tapping device is sealed, what makes it possible to open the isolation valve (7) without flooding the floating unit tank. When the isolation valve (7) is open, the pilot drill (22) and tap cutter (21) is able to access the hull and make the hole.
[046] Thus, the second system is related to a method for conceiving a dry working area on the hull of a floating unit without diver intervention. The method is composed by the following steps: cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; closing the isolation valve (7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable (3); connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (23); opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm(52) or the threaded launching arm; repeat steps to pass the cable until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit(9); pulling the positioning cables(3) up to the deck of a floating unit, where the portable cofferdam (1) is seated on deck; connecting the positioning cables (3) to the guiding connections (13) located inside the portable cofferdam (1); lowering of the portable cofferdam (1), which is hanging from a crane or any other lifting appliance, while the positioning cables (3) are being pulled in by their corresponding equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) inside the hull, until the cofferdam reaches its target position, where it will be pulled against the hull in order to produce the proper sealing; dewatering of the portable cofferdam (1) using the dewatering hose(8) to generate the differential pressure and thus compress the sealing (12) even more, in order to provide a dry working area inside the portable cofferdam (1). The shell of the floating unit is ready to be repaired or get maintenance as both sides of the shell are dry and the shell may be cut with no water ingress to the floating unit.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit, which comprises: equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2); positioning cable (3); equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4); cable deployment tool (5); pipe stub (6); and isolation valve (7).
2. The system of claim 1, wherein a buoy (33) can be connected to the positioning cable (3).
3. The system of claim 1, wherein a fishing line (10) can be connected to the positioning cable (3).
4.The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2) is a hot tapping tool.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) is a winch.
6.The system of claim 1, wherein the shell of a floating unit is the hull of a floating unit (9).
7.A system for conceiving a dry working area on the shell of a floating unit without diver intervention, which comprises :
- portable cofferdam (1); and
- dewatering hose (8).
8.The system of claim 7, wherein the shell of a floating unit is the hull of a floating unit (9).
9.The system of claim 7, wherein the portable cofferdam is a guided cofferdam.
10.The system of claims 7 and 9 wherein the guided cofferdam (1) comprises:
- cofferdam body (11)
- lifting connections (12)
- guiding connections (13);
- sealing (14); and
- dewatering connection (15).
11.The system of claims 1 or 7 wherein the hot tapping tool (2) comprises:
- tap cutter (21);
- pilot drill (22); and
- tapping machine (23).
12.The system of claim 1 or 7, wherein each positioning cable (3) comprises:
- rope or cable (31); and
- end termination (32).
13.The system of claim 1 or 7, wherein the cable deployment tool (5) comprises:
- flange (51);
- pushing launching arm (52);
- mechanical seals (53); and
- chamber (54).
14.The system of claim 13, wherein the pushing launching arm (52) comprises:
- threaded launching arm (521).
15.A method for conceiving system for passing a cable through the shell of a floating unit without diver intervention, comprising the steps of: a. cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; b. closing the isolation valve(7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; c. connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); d. passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); e. connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable(3); f. connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (7); g. opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm(52) or the threaded launching arm (521); h. repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; and i. catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit (9).
16.The method of claim 15, wherein the process to catch the positioning cables (3) can be executed using the fishing line(10).
17.The method of claim 15, wherein the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2) is a hot tapping.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) is a winch.
19.The method of claim 15, wherein the shell of a floating unit is the hull of a floating unit (9).
20.A method for conceiving a dry working area on the shell of floating unit without diver intervention, comprising the steps of: a. cutting or drilling a hole on the shell of a floating unit with an equipment for cutting or drilling a hole (2) in the shell of a structure; b. closing the isolation valve(7) and removing the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a floating unit; c. connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve(7); d. passing one rope or cable (31) connected to the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) through the mechanical seals(53); e. connecting the end termination (32) to set up the positioning cable(3); f. connecting the cable deployment tool(5) to the isolation valve (23); g. opening the isolation valve (23) and passing positioning cable (3) throughout the hole on the shell using the pushing launching arm (52) or the threaded launching arm (521); h. repeat steps (a) to (g) until the desired number of positioning cables(3) is reached; i. catching the positioning cables(3) on the seaside or wet side of the shell floating unit (9); j. pulling the positioning cables(3) up to the deck of a floating unit, where the portable cofferdam (1) is seated on deck; k. connecting the positioning cables (3) to the guiding connections (13) located inside the portable cofferdam (1); l. lowering of the portable cofferdam (1), which is hanging from a crane or any other lifting appliance, while the positioning cables (3) are being pulled in by their corresponding equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) inside the hull, until the cofferdam reaches its target position, where it will be pulled against the hull in order to produce the proper sealing; m. dewatering of the portable cofferdam (1) using the dewatering hose(8) to generate the differential pressure and thus compress the sealing (12) even more, in order to provide a dry working area inside the portable cofferdam (1); and n. The shell of the floating unit is ready to be repaired or get maintenance as both sides of the shell are dry and the shell may be cut with no water ingress to the floating unit.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the process to catch the positioning cables (3) can be executed using the fishing line (10).
22.The method of claim 20, wherein the equipment for cutting or drilling a hole in the shell of a structure (2) is a hot tapping.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4) is a winch.
24.The method of claim 20, wherein the shell of a floating unit is the hull of a floating unit (9).
25.The method of claim 15 and/or 20, wherein before to cut a hole on the shell of the floating unit with the hot tapping tool(2) comprises these additional steps: a. welding the pipe stub (6) to the dry side of the shell of the floating unit; b. connecting the isolation valve(7) to the pipe stub (6); and c. connecting the hot tapping tool (2) to the isolation valve(7).
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the shell of a floating unit is the hull of a floating unit (9).
27.The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the said floating unit comprises any floating platform or vessel with floatation tanks, where said tanks are fully or partially submerged.
28.The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein each of the positioning cables (3) is connected to an equipment used to lift, tow or sustain loads (4), installed inside the floating unit.
29.The method of claims any one of the previous claims, wherein said guiding cables(3) are used to bring the cofferdam(l) into the target area on the hull(9) and to compress the sealing (12), by tightening the guiding cables(3) connected to the guiding padeyes(13) welded inside of the cofferdam(l). This is done by further pulling the cofferdam(l) against the hull(9) of the floating unit, especially in case of harsh environmental conditions, such as an open or a rough sea.
30.The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the positioning cables (3) have a buoy (33) connected to their extremity in order to ease their fishing.
31.The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein said method is used as a diverless repair technic of the hull of a floating unit (9).
EP21814494.7A 2020-05-28 2021-02-17 System and method for passing the cable through the shell of a floating unit and installation of portable cofferdam without diver intervention Pending EP4157710A4 (en)

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US202063031414P 2020-05-28 2020-05-28
PCT/BR2021/050073 WO2021237323A1 (en) 2020-05-28 2021-02-17 System and method for passing the cable through the shell of a floating unit and installation of portable cofferdam without diver intervention

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