EP4169827B1 - Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau - Google Patents

Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4169827B1
EP4169827B1 EP21735741.7A EP21735741A EP4169827B1 EP 4169827 B1 EP4169827 B1 EP 4169827B1 EP 21735741 A EP21735741 A EP 21735741A EP 4169827 B1 EP4169827 B1 EP 4169827B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chain
locking plate
connector body
housing
locking
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.)
Active
Application number
EP21735741.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP4169827C0 (fr
EP4169827A1 (fr
Inventor
Jonathan FERNANDEZ IBAÑEZ
Jorge ALTUZARRA MAESTRE
Alexander MENA CORMENZANA
Xabier GARCIA AYUELA
Nagore Abrisketa Lozano
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.)
Vicinay Marine Innovation AIE
Vicinay Marine SL
Original Assignee
Vicinay Marine Innovation AIE
Vicinay Marine SL
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 Vicinay Marine Innovation AIE, Vicinay Marine SL filed Critical Vicinay Marine Innovation AIE
Publication of EP4169827A1 publication Critical patent/EP4169827A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4169827C0 publication Critical patent/EP4169827C0/fr
Publication of EP4169827B1 publication Critical patent/EP4169827B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B63B21/04—Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like
    • 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
    • B63B21/20—Adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof
    • 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
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems comprising chains and underwater connectors for the mooring lines of floating structures and methods for connecting mooring lines.
  • Offshore platforms or drilling rigs are floating structures which must be secured to the seabed in a specific fixed area so as to not be subjected to movements that may be caused by sea currents or atmospheric conditions.
  • anchoring devices which are secured to mooring lines attached to said floating structures are used.
  • the anchoring devices can be anchors or piles which are driven into the seabed, commonly incorporating a chain segment, one of the ends of said chain segment being attached to the anchoring device, and the other end of the chain segment having to be attached to another chain segment which is launched from the surface of the water and attached to the floating structure to be secured.
  • To attach the chain segments under water the use of underwater connectors which are arranged in the anchoring devices is known.
  • Document EP2809969A1 shows an underwater connector for connecting a chain under water comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchoring point and a second end for the anchoring of an end of the chain, the second end comprising an inlet opening.
  • the anchoring point of the first end of the connector body is used for the anchoring of an end of another chain.
  • a male element which is launched together with the chain from the surface of the water, submerging the male element together with the chain until the male element is introduced into the connector body, is arranged at the end of the chain.
  • Both the male element and the connector body have cavities for the passage of a locking pin, such that when the male element is inserted into the connector body, with the cavities of both elements being aligned with one another, the locking pin is introduced through the cavities by means of a remotely operated vehicle for locking the male element in the connector body.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a system comprising a chain and an underwater connector for connecting the chain under water, and a method for connecting the chain with said system, as defined in the claims.
  • An aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a chain and an underwater connector for connecting the chain under water, the underwater connector comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchoring point and a second end for the anchoring of the chain, the second end comprising an inlet opening.
  • the connector body additionally comprises a housing communicated with the inlet opening in which at least the last link of an end of the chain is housed, and a locking plate which locks by contact one of the links of the end of the chain housed in said housing.
  • the locking plate has a through groove for receiving another one of the links of the end of the chain and thrusting means for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate being movable from a first position, in which the locking plate is arranged outside the housing allowing the passage of the end of the chain into the housing, to a second position, in which the locking plate is arranged in the housing locking the link of the end of the chain housed in said housing by contact.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a chain under water.
  • the method comprises:
  • the underwater connectors of prior art document EP2809969A1 , or EP2858888A1 use a male element that must be attached out of the water to an end of the chain, and then under water, when the male element is arranged such that it is housed in the connector body, a locking pin must be used to attach the male element to the connector body.
  • the underwater connector of the invention does not require using a male element to connect the chain, or to attach the male element with the end of the chain out of the water, thereby resulting in a simpler and more cost-efficient solution for connecting a chain under water.
  • the figures show first and second embodiments of an underwater connector 100, 200 according to the invention for connecting a chain 300 under water.
  • the underwater connector comprises a connector body 110, 210 having a first end 111, 211 with an anchoring point 112, 212 and a second end 113, 213 for the anchoring of the chain 300, the second end 113, 213 comprising an inlet opening 114, 214.
  • the connector body 110, 210 additionally comprises a housing 115, 215 communicated with the inlet opening 114, 214 in which at least the last link 301 of an end of the chain 300 is housed, and a locking plate 116, 216 which locks by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the chain 300 housed in said housing 115, 215.
  • the underwater connector 100, 200 is used for connecting a chain 300 and another connection element 400 under water, for example, another chain 400 or an underwater cable.
  • the underwater connector 100, 200 is used for connecting a first chain 300 and a second chain 400 under water.
  • the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 form a mooring line connecting a floating structure with an anchoring device 500 which is arranged on the seabed.
  • the first chain 300 is connectable to the floating structure and the second chain 400 is connectable to the anchoring device 400 (see Figure 19 ).
  • the first chain 300 is connectable to the anchoring device 500 and the second chain 400 is connectable to the floating structure.
  • the chains 300 or 400 can be formed by a single chain segment or by several chain segments.
  • the anchoring device 500 can be an anchor or a pile which is driven into the seabed (as shown in Figures 18 and 19 ), or another type of structure supported in the seabed.
  • the mooring line connecting the floating structure with the anchoring device 500 may have a tensioning element for tensioning the first chain 300 and the second chain 400. Therefore, the underwater connector 100, 200 connects the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 under water, and the tensioning element tensions the first chain 300 and the second chain 400.
  • the chains comprise a plurality of links arranged such that they are intercalated with one another, with a 90° rotated arrangement between two consecutive links.
  • the chains comprise a plurality of even-number links and odd-number links, the even-number links being arranged such that they are intercalated between the odd-number links.
  • the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 comprises a connector body 110 having a first end 111 with an anchoring point 112 for the anchoring of an end of the second chain 400, and a second end 113 for the anchoring of an end of the first chain 300, the second end 113 comprising an inlet opening 114.
  • the connector body 110 additionally comprises a housing 115 communicated with the inlet opening 114 and configured for housing the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 116 configured for locking by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.
  • the locking plate 116 has a through groove 117 for receiving another one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300 and thrusting means 118 for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 116 being movable from a first position (see Figure 8 ), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged outside the housing 115 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 115, to a second position (see Figure 9 ), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115 of the connector body 110 locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115 by contact.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the locking plate 116 is configured for locking the end of the first chain 300 following a curved path between the first and second positions.
  • the anchoring point 112 of the first end 111 of the connector body 110 has two parallel projecting portions 119 defining an aperture 120 for arranging a link of the second chain 400 (see Figure 7 ).
  • Each of the projecting portions 119 has a cavity 121 for receiving a pin 122 attaching the point of the anchoring 112 with the link of the second chain 400 which is arranged in the aperture 120.
  • the anchoring point 112 depicted in Figures is commonly referred to as "double pad eye".
  • the anchoring point 112 may have another shape, for example, it may have a shape suitable for connecting a shackle which is connected to a chain, or another shape for coupling another connection element 400, such as an underwater cable, for example.
  • the locking plate 116 has an upper part 123 in which a rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged, and two projecting arms 125 which are attached to the upper part 123, with the through groove 117 being arranged between the two projecting arms 125.
  • the locking plate 116 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 125 arranged parallel to one another and separated by a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient for the through groove 117 to be able to receive an even-number link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116 have notches 126 for receiving a part of one of the odd-number links 301 of the first chain 300.
  • the notches 126 are arranged on the lower face of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116, such that in the second position of the locking plate 116, the lower face of the locking plate 116 is facing the housing 115, and the upper face of the locking plate 116 is facing the inlet opening 114.
  • the rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged between ribs 127 of the inlet opening 114, the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet opening 114, such that, in the second position, the locking plate 116 contacts the lower part of the inlet opening 114.
  • the rotational coupling of the locking plate 116 is established at the lower end of the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet opening 114, the ribs 127 projecting a distance similar to the width of the locking plate 116, such that in the second position, the upper face of the locking plate 116 is supported on the lower part of the inlet opening 114, which acts as a stop to limit the rotation of the locking plate 116 (see Figure 6 ).
  • the thrusting means 118 comprise protuberances 128 and cables 129, each of the projecting arms 125 having one of the protuberances 128, and wherein each of the cables 129 has an end attached to one of the protuberances 128 and another free end which is operable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
  • the protuberances 128 are arranged in the outer lateral part of the lower end of the projecting arms 125, in the part opposite the rotating shaft 124, such that the force the ROV must exert to rotate the plate 116 and bring it from the first position to the second position is reduced.
  • the connector body 110 has an aperture 131 for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position (see Figures 1 and 9 ).
  • Said aperture 131 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the locking plate 116 to allow the rotation of the locking plate 116 from the first position, in which the locking plate 116 is outside the housing 115 of the connector body 110, to the second position, in which the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115.
  • the connector body 110 has holes 130 for the passage of the cables 129 of the thrusting means 118.
  • the holes 130 are arranged in the connector body 110 in a position diametrically opposite to the aperture 131 which the connector body 110 has for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position, such that the cables 129 go through the housing 115 of the connector body 110.
  • the holes 131 are arranged at the second end 113 of the connector body 110 in which the inlet opening 114 is arranged, in a position diametrically opposite to the area in which the rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is attached to the ribs 127 of the inlet opening 114, such that when the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pulls the cables 129 to bring the locking plate 116 to the second position, the protuberances 128 of the locking plate 116 are close to the holes 131. Therefore, the friction of the cables 129 with the holes 130 of the connector body 110 is limited and pulling is improved.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the locking plate 116 When the locking plate 116 is in the second position locking the first chain 300, the locking plate 116 is kept in said second position by the pull exerted on the first chain 300, however, under certain circumstances, the first chain 300 may let up, so the arrangement of means for retaining the locking plate 116 in the second position has been envisaged. Therefore, as seen in detail in Figure 2 , the locking plate 116 has a cavity 132 for receiving a locking pin (not depicted in Figures 1 to 10 ), and the connector body 110 has another cavity 133 (see Figure 1 ) for receiving the locking pin, such that with the two cavities 132 and 133 being aligned with one another, the locking pin retains the locking plate 116 in the connector body 110 preventing the movement thereof.
  • the cavity 132 of the locking plate 116 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 125. Additionally, another cavity may be present in the other arm 125 of the locking plate 116 and another respective cavity in the connector body 110, a respective locking pin being used in such case to go through each pair of cavities.
  • the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to place the locking pin.
  • the inlet opening 114 of the connector body 110 has an inner wall 134 for receiving the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 134 extending directly between an upper edge 135 and a lower edge 136, the lower edge 136 having a cross shape, and the upper edge 135 being wider than the lower edge 134, such that the inner wall 134 defines inclined channels 137 to lead the links of the first chain 300 to the cross shape of the lower edge 136.
  • the cross shape has four ends due to its configuration, and each inclined channel 137 extends from one of the ends of the cross shape to the upper edge 135, such that four inclined channels 137 are defined.
  • said inclined channels 137 allow rotating the first chain 300 and orienting towards the cross, so that the even-number link 302 that must enter the groove 117 of the plate 116 is correctly positioned.
  • the underwater connector 100 is preferably configured for establishing a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 under water such that, in use, the underwater connector 100 is arranged in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. Therefore, the locking plate 116 is kept in the first position by gravity, and the thrusting means 118 are used for bringing the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position.
  • the connector body 110 has supporting means 138 for arranging the connector body 110 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the inlet opening 114 of the housing 115 is therefore oriented vertically for receiving the end of the first chain 300 which is launched from the surface of the water also in a vertical orientation, so complex handling of the first chain 300 to introduce it in the housing 115 is not required.
  • the supporting means 138 are configured for establishing a removable attachment of the underwater connector 100 with the anchoring device 500. Therefore, when connection is established between the first chain 300 and second chain 400 and the underwater connector 100 is released from the anchoring device 500, no support element remains in the anchoring device 500.
  • the connector body is arranged such that it is supported on a metal support structure that is welded to the anchoring device and remains attached to the anchoring device when the connector is released, so said structure may get tangled up with trawl fishing nets passing above the anchoring devices.
  • the connector body 110 has supporting means 138 comprising a vertical wall 139 which is attached to the connector body 110 by means of arms 140, there being defined between the vertical wall 139 and the arms 140 a groove 141 in which an upper edge of the anchoring device 500 can be arranged by means of being fitted therein.
  • the groove 141 is arranged parallel to the connector body 110, such that when the underwater connector 100 is supported in the anchoring device 500, the groove 141 establishes a support by contact with the upper edge of the anchoring device 500, the underwater connector 100 being arranged in the vertical orientation, and when chains 300 and 400 have been connected, the groove 141 is extracted from the upper edge of the anchoring device 500 by means of pulling the first chain 300.
  • the anchoring device 500 can be a pile or an anchor arranged on the seabed or a support structure for being arranged on the seabed.
  • the underwater connector also allows establishing a connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 other than vertical connection, because the thrusting means 118 of the locking plate 116 allow the remotely operated vehicle to be able to actuate the plate 116, moving it between the first and second positions regardless of the orientation of the underwater connector 100 such that, in use, the underwater connector can be arranged in a arrangement other than vertical arrangement.
  • the housing 115 of the connector body 110 is sized for receiving the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that, in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is arranged in the through groove 117 of the locking plate 116.
  • the last link 301 is an odd-number link and the penultimate link 302 is an even-number link.
  • the housing 115 of the connector body 110 extends vertically between the first end 111 in which the anchoring point 112 is arranged and the second end 113 in which the inlet opening 114 is arranged, the housing 115 having a vertical dimension coinciding with the vertical dimension of two consecutive links of the first chain 300.
  • the end of the first chain 300 can be seen introduced in the housing 115 when the locking plate 116 is in the first position leaving the housing 115 free, the vertical dimension of the housing 115 being seen to coincide with the vertical dimension of the last link 301 and the penultimate link 302 of the first chain 300 that are attached to one another.
  • the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the underwater connector 100 comprises:
  • the locking plate 116 moves from the first position to the second position following a curved path.
  • the last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the cross of the inlet opening 114 in an arrangement in which the last link 301 is arranged parallel to the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 is arranged perpendicular to the locking plate 116, such that when the end of the first chain 300 is housed in the housing 115, the penultimate link 302 is facing the through groove 117, thereby allowing the locking plate 116 to be able to rotate transitioning from the first position to the second position.
  • the first chain 300 is then pulled towards the inlet opening 114 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 116, the upper part of the last link 301 being partially housed in the notches 126 of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116. In said situation, and to ensure the immobility of the locking plate 116, the locking pin is introduced through the cavity 133 of the connector body 110 and the cavity 132 of the locking plate 116.
  • the anchoring device 500 Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to one another, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and the underwater connector 100 is arranged in the anchoring device 500 in a vertical orientation by means of the supporting means 138. To that end, the groove 141 of the supporting means 138 is introduced in the upper edge of the anchoring device 500.
  • an additional pulling of the first chain 300 is performed to extract the groove 141 from the upper edge of the anchoring device 500.
  • the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment of Figures 11 to 19 comprises a connector body 210 having a first end 211 with an anchoring point 212 for the anchoring of an end of the second chain 400, and a second end 213 for the anchoring of an end of the first chain 300, the second end 213 comprising an inlet opening 214.
  • the connector body 210 additionally comprises a housing 215 communicated with the inlet opening 214 and configured for housing the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 216 configured for locking one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215 by contact.
  • the locking plate 216 has a through groove 217 for receiving another one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300 and thrusting means 218 for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 216 being movable from a first position (see Figure 17 ), in which the locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215, to a second position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215 of the connector body 210 locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215 by contact.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the locking plate 216 is configured for locking the end of the first chain 300 following a straight path between the first position and the second position.
  • the anchoring point 212 of the first end 211 of the connector body 210 has two parallel projecting portions 219 defining an aperture 220 for arranging a link of the second chain 400.
  • Each of the projecting portions 219 has a cavity 221 for receiving a pin 222 attaching the anchoring point 212 with the link of the second chain 400 which is arranged in the aperture 220.
  • Said anchoring point 212 may have a different shape, as described above in the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment.
  • the locking plate 216 has an upper part 223 in which the thrusting means 218 are arranged, and two projecting arms 225 which are attached to the upper part 223, the through groove 217 being arranged between the two projecting arms 225.
  • the locking plate 216 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 225 arranged parallel to one another and separated by a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient for the through groove 217 to be able to receive an even-number link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 have notches 226 for receiving a part of one of the odd-number links 301 of the first chain 300.
  • the notches 226 are arranged on the lower face of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216, such that in the second position of the locking plate 216, the lower face of the locking plate 216 is facing the housing 215, and the upper face of the locking plate 216 is facing the inlet opening 214.
  • the connector body 210 has an aperture 231 for the passage of the locking plate 216 from the first position to the second position (see Figure 15 ).
  • Said aperture 231 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the locking plate 216 to allow a movement following the straight path of the locking plate 216 from the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is outside the housing 215 of the connector body 210, to the second position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215.
  • the two projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 are configured for being moved through grooves 224 of the connector body 210 between the first position and the second position following the straight path.
  • the grooves 224 are made in the inner walls of the connector body 210 and have a shape that is complementary to the outer part of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216.
  • the outer part of each projecting arm 225 has a straight segment arranged after a tilted segment which ensures the arrangement and movement of the locking plate 216 grooves 224 of the connector body 210.
  • the locking plate 116 of the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment which is depicted in Figures 2 and 3 may also have projecting arms 125 with an outer part having a straight segment arranged after a tilted segment.
  • Each of the projecting arms 225 has a channel 227 for receiving a pin 229 guiding the locking plate 216 according to the straight path between the first position and the second position.
  • the connector body 210 has cavities 230 which are located in the grooves 224, and the pins 229 go through said cavities 230 to project into the grooves 224 and to thereby enter the channels 227 of the locking plate 216 for guiding it in the straight path between the first position and the second position.
  • the locking plate 216 has a cavity 232 for receiving a locking pin 228 (see Figure 16 ), and the connector body 210 has another cavity 233 (see Figure 15 ) for receiving the locking pin 228, such that with the two cavities 232 and 233 being aligned with one another, the locking pin 228 retains the locking plate 216 in the connector body 210 preventing the movement thereof.
  • the cavity 232 of the locking plate 216 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 225. Additionally, another cavity may be present in the other arm 225 of the locking plate 216 and another respective cavity in the connector body 210, a respective locking pin being used in such case to go through each pair of cavities.
  • the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to place the locking pin.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the inlet opening 214 of the connector body 210 has an inner wall 234 for receiving the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 234 extending directly between an upper edge 235 and a lower edge 236 having a cross shape to allow the passage of the links of the end of the first chain 300.
  • the inner wall 234 of the inlet opening 214 of the underwater connector of the second embodiment may have inclined channels like the inner wall 134 of the inlet opening 114 of the underwater connector of the first embodiment.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 has two pairs of vertical plates 237 facing one another for guiding the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 215.
  • the connector body 210 has two facing walls between which the housing 215 is defined, and each of the vertical plates 237 is arranged in one of the walls of the connector body 210.
  • the housing 115 of the connector body 110 of the first embodiment may also have the two pairs of vertical plates 237 which allow guiding the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 when it is introduced in the housing 115.
  • the connector body 110 has a circular shape defining the housing 115, such that the two pairs of vertical plates 237 would be arranged in diametrically opposite positions of the housing 115 of the connector body 110.
  • the underwater connector 200 is preferably configured for establishing a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 under water such that, in use, the underwater connector 200 is arranged in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the connector body 210 has supporting means 238 for being attached to the anchoring device 500 and for arranging the connector body 210 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the supporting means 238 comprise a rod 239 which is arranged between two lugs 240 of the connector body 210, the rod 239 being able to be arranged in an anchoring structure 241 which is attached to the anchoring device 500.
  • the anchoring structure 241 comprises a lower part 242 connectable to the anchoring device 500 and an upper part 243 having an end which is rotatably attached with the lower part 242 and another end having a locking closure 244 for locking the upper part 243 with the lower part 242, and wherein arms 245 which are configured for receiving the rod 239 of the supporting means 238 and locking same are arranged between the upper part 243 and the lower part 242.
  • arms 245 which are configured for receiving the rod 239 of the supporting means 238 and locking same are arranged between the upper part 243 and the lower part 242.
  • the upper part 243 is separated from the lower part 242 for receiving the rod 239 in the arms 245 of the lower part 242, and when the rod 239 is supported in the lower part 242, the upper part 243 is arranged on the lower part 242, the rod 239 being retained between the arms 245 of the anchoring structure 241.
  • the locking closure 244 which is made up of a locking pin, assures the attachment of the upper part 243 with respect to the lower part 242 preventing their separation.
  • the anchoring structure 241 has three arms 245, two of the arms 245 are arranged in the lower part 242 and the other arm 245 is arranged in the upper part 243.
  • the arms 245 have a circular shape that is complementary to the rod 239 to assure its retention and prevent its movement.
  • the underwater connector 200 is first brought to the anchoring device 500, the anchoring structure 241 is opened by separating the upper part 243 from the lower part 242, the underwater connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring structure 241 by supporting the rod 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242 of the anchoring structure 241, and then the anchoring structure 241 is closed by moving the upper part 243 closer to the lower part 242, such that the rod 239 is retained. Finally, the locking closure 244 is introduced for locking the upper part 243 with the lower part 242.
  • the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment may have supporting means 138 like those described above for the first embodiment.
  • the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment may have supporting means 238 like those of the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 is sized for receiving the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 216 and the penultimate link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is arranged in the through groove 217 of the locking plate 216.
  • the last link 301 is an odd-number link and the penultimate link 302 is an even-number link.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 extends vertically between the first end 211 in which the anchoring point 212 is arranged and the second end 213 in which the inlet opening 214 is arranged, the housing 215 having a vertical dimension coinciding with the vertical dimension of the last link 301 and part of the penultimate link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment has a locking plate 216 which moves between the first and second positions according to a straight path
  • the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment has a locking plate 116 which moves between the first and second positions according to a curved path, to that end
  • the connector body 210 of the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment has a vertical dimension smaller than that of the connector body 110 of the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment.
  • the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the underwater connector 200 comprises:
  • the locking plate 216 moves from the first position to the second position following a straight path.
  • the last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the cross of the inlet opening 214 in an arrangement in which, during the introduction, the last link 301 is facing the side arms 225 of the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 is facing the groove 217 of the locking plate 116.
  • the first chain 300 is then pulled towards the inlet opening 214 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 216, the upper part of the last link 301 being partially housed in the notches 226 of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216.
  • the locking pin 228 is introduced through the cavity 233 of the connector body 210 and the cavity 232 of the locking plate 216.
  • the locking plate 216 in the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215, the locking plate 216 can be partially introduced in the grooves 224 of the connector body 210, such that passage of the last link 301 into the housing 215 is allowed, while part of the penultimate link 302 passes through the groove 217 of the plate 216.
  • the anchoring device 500 Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to one another, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and the underwater connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring device 500 in a vertical orientation by means of the supporting means 238, as described above.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Non-Disconnectible Joints And Screw-Threaded Joints (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Système comprenant une chaîne et un connecteur sous-marin pour connecter la chaîne (300) sous l'eau, le connecteur sous-marin comprenant un corps de connecteur (110, 210) ayant une première extrémité (111, 211) avec un point d'ancrage (112, 212) et une deuxième extrémité (113, 213) pour l'ancrage de la chaîne (300), la deuxième extrémité (113, 213) comprenant une ouverture d'entrée (114, 214), le corps de connecteur (110, 210) comprend en outre un logement (115, 215) communiqué avec l'ouverture d'entrée (114, 214) dans lequel est logé au moins le dernier maillon (301) d'une extrémité de la chaîne (300), et une plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) qui verrouille par contact un des maillons (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) logé dans ledit logement (115, 215), caractérisé en ce que la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) a une rainure traversante (117, 217) pour recevoir un autre des maillons (302) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) et des moyens de poussée (118, 218) pour être actionnés par un véhicule commandé à distance (ROV), la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) étant mobile depuis une première position, dans laquelle la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) est disposée à l'extérieur du logement (115, 215) permettant le passage de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) dans le logement (115, 215), à une deuxième position, dans laquelle la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) est disposée dans le logement (115, 215) verrouillant le maillon (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) logée dans ledit logement (115, 215) par contact.
  2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque de verrouillage (116) a une partie supérieure (123) dans laquelle est disposé un arbre rotatif (124) de la plaque de verrouillage (116), et deux bras saillants (125) qui sont attachés à la partie supérieure (123), la rainure traversante (117) étant disposée entre les deux bras saillants (125).
  3. Système selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel les moyens de poussée (118) comprennent des protubérances (128) et des câbles (129), chacun des bras saillants (125) ayant une des protubérances (128), et dans lequel chacun des câbles (129) a une extrémité attachée à l'une des protubérances (128) et une autre extrémité libre qui est actionnable par le véhicule commandé à distance (ROV).
  4. Système selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans lequel l'arbre rotatif (124) de la plaque de verrouillage (116) est disposé entre des nervures (127) de l'ouverture d'entrée (114), les nervures (127) faisant saillie par rapport à la partie inférieure de l'ouverture d'entrée (114), de telle sorte que, dans la deuxième position, la plaque de verrouillage (116) est en contact avec la face inférieure de l'ouverture d'entrée (114).
  5. Système selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel le corps de connecteur (110) a des trous (130) pour le passage des câbles (129) des moyens de poussée (118).
  6. Système selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel les trous (130) pour le passage des câbles (129) des moyens de poussée (118) sont disposés dans le corps de connecteur (110) dans une position diamétralement opposée à une ouverture (131) que le corps de connecteur (110) a pour le passage de la plaque de verrouillage (116) depuis la première position à la deuxième position, de telle sorte que les câbles (129) traversent le logement (115) du corps de connecteur (110).
  7. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ouverture d'entrée (114) a une paroi intérieure (134) pour recevoir l'extrémité de la chaîne (300), la paroi intérieure (134) s'étendant directement entre un bord supérieur (135) et un bord inférieur (136), le bord inférieur (136) ayant une forme de croix, et le bord supérieur (135) étant plus large que le bord inférieur (134), de telle sorte que la paroi intérieure (134) définit des canaux inclinés (137) pour guider les maillons (301, 302) de la chaîne (300) vers la forme de croix du bord inférieur (136).
  8. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque de verrouillage (216) a une partie supérieure (223) dans laquelle sont disposés les moyens de poussée (218), et deux bras saillants (225) qui sont attachés à la partie supérieure (223), la rainure traversante (217) étant disposée entre les deux bras saillants (225), et dans lequel les deux bras saillants (225) sont configurés pour être déplacés à travers des rainures (224) du corps de connecteur (210) entre la première position et la deuxième position suivant un parcours droit, préférablement chacun des bras saillants (225) a un canal (227) pour recevoir une goupille (229) guidant la plaque de verrouillage (216) entre la première et la deuxième position.
  9. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) a une cavité (132, 232) pour recevoir une goupille de verrouillage (228), et le corps de connecteur (110, 210) a une autre cavité (133, 233) pour recevoir la goupille de verrouillage (228), de telle sorte qu'avec les deux cavités (132, 133) étant alignées l'une avec l'autre, la goupille de verrouillage retient la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) dans le corps de connecteur (110, 210), empêchant le déplacement de celle-ci.
  10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le logement (115, 215) du corps de connecteur (110, 210) a deux paires de plaques verticales (237) se faisant face l'une et l'autre pour guider le dernier maillon (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) dans le logement (115, 215).
  11. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le corps de connecteur (110) a des moyens de support (138) comprenant une paroi verticale (139) qui est attachée au corps de connecteur (110) au moyen de bras (140), y étant définie entre la paroi verticale (139) et les bras (140) une rainure (141) dans laquelle un bord supérieur d'un dispositif d'ancrage (500) peut être disposé par le biais d'être ajusté dans celle-ci.
  12. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel le corps de connecteur (210) a des moyens de support (238) comprenant une tige (239) disposée entre deux ergots (240) du corps de connecteur (210), la tige (239) pouvant être disposée dans une structure d'ancrage (241) qui est attachée à un dispositif d'ancrage (500).
  13. Système selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel la structure d'ancrage (241) comprend une partie inférieure (242) pouvant être connecté au dispositif d'ancrage (500) et une partie supérieure (243) ayant une extrémité qui est rotativement attachée à la partie inférieure (242) et une autre extrémité ayant une fermeture de verrouillage (244) pour verrouiller la partie supérieure (243) avec la partie inférieure (242), et dans lequel des bras (245) qui sont configurés pour recevoir la tige (239) des moyens de support (238) et la verrouiller sont disposés entre la partie supérieure (243) et la partie inférieure (242).
  14. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le logement (115, 215) du corps de connecteur (110, 210) est dimensionné pour recevoir les deux derniers maillons (301, 302) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300), de telle sorte que, dans la deuxième position, le dernier maillon (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) est en contact avec la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216), et l'avant-dernier maillon (302) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) est disposé dans la rainure traversante (117) de la plaque de verrouillage (116).
  15. Procédé de connexion d'une chaîne (300) sous l'eau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend:
    • utiliser un système défini selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    • introduire au moins le dernier maillon (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) dans le logement (115, 215) du corps du connecteur (110, 210) à travers l'ouverture d'entrée (114, 214),
    • utiliser un véhicule commandé à distance (ROV) pour actionner la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216) en la déplaçant de manière à verrouiller l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) logée dans ledit logement (115, 215), et
    • tirer de la chaîne (300) vers l'ouverture d'entrée (114, 214) jusqu'à ce qu'un des maillons (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) qui est logé dans le logement (115, 215) entre en contact avec la plaque de verrouillage (116, 216).
EP21735741.7A 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau Active EP4169827B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20382548 2020-06-23
PCT/ES2021/070416 WO2021260241A1 (fr) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4169827A1 EP4169827A1 (fr) 2023-04-26
EP4169827C0 EP4169827C0 (fr) 2023-09-27
EP4169827B1 true EP4169827B1 (fr) 2023-09-27

Family

ID=71661799

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21735741.7A Active EP4169827B1 (fr) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20230127233A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4169827B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN116075463A (fr)
AU (1) AU2021295737A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112022026349A2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2961659T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021260241A1 (fr)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140224163A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2014-08-14 Ihc Holland Ie B.V. Device for and method of tensioning chains, in particular mooring legs

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101088854A (zh) * 2007-07-10 2007-12-19 李存扣 一种单片定位索具的锁芯
GB2496700B (en) 2012-01-30 2013-10-16 Balltec Ltd A connector
WO2013186553A1 (fr) 2012-06-11 2013-12-19 Ftl Subsea Ltd. Connecteur sous-marin
EP2877394B1 (fr) 2012-07-25 2019-05-08 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Raccord et tendeur d'amarrage en ligne
FR3026085B1 (fr) * 2014-09-19 2018-01-12 Nov-Blm Chaumard destine a cooperer avec une chaine d'ancrage, pour un systeme d'ancrage au sol d'une installation flottante

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140224163A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2014-08-14 Ihc Holland Ie B.V. Device for and method of tensioning chains, in particular mooring legs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4169827C0 (fr) 2023-09-27
ES2961659T3 (es) 2024-03-13
AU2021295737A1 (en) 2023-02-02
CN116075463A (zh) 2023-05-05
US20230127233A1 (en) 2023-04-27
BR112022026349A2 (pt) 2023-01-17
EP4169827A1 (fr) 2023-04-26
WO2021260241A1 (fr) 2021-12-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9511823B2 (en) In-line mechanical disconnect device
EP3831707B1 (fr) Connecteur
EP2809969B1 (fr) Connecteur
AU2015202772B2 (en) Assembly for mooring a pile with a mooring line and method implemented with said assembly
KR101419782B1 (ko) 해양용 강제 회수장치
NO330665B1 (no) Fremgangsmate og apparat for fremstilling av plateankere
EP3126212B1 (fr) Dispositif d'amarrage permettant de raccorder une chaîne à une structure en mer ou à un bâtiment de mer
KR101310725B1 (ko) 경화된 퍼스 링
EP1283158A1 (fr) Procédé d'installation de ligne d'ancrage et connecteur associé
US9233737B2 (en) Offshore marine anchor
EP4169827B1 (fr) Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau
BR112020007331A2 (pt) sistema de conexão para conectar uma linha de amarração a um corpo, e, método para conectar uma linha de amarração a um corpo.
US20240067308A1 (en) Improved mooring connector
EP2148807B1 (fr) Procedes et appareils pour ancrer et pour relier des lignes a des articles sur le fond marin
US11198488B2 (en) Mooring apparatus
EP3725664A1 (fr) Ensemble de connexion-déconnexion rapide d'une première chaîne et d'une seconde chaîne verticalement sous l'eau
GB2193737A (en) Underwater guide base
GB2585985A (en) Mooring line tensioning tool
GB2343667A (en) Arrangements for recovering an anchor mooring line with or without its associated anchor
EP1861309B1 (fr) Systeme d enclenchement d'amarrage
US20190359291A1 (en) Improved underwater connector
GB2368329A (en) Removable suction anchor
KR20240081946A (ko) 분리형 체인 휠을 갖는 페어리드 체인 스토퍼
CN115175852A (zh) 系泊系统和方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

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: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230123

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

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

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

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230428

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602021005488

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

U01 Request for unitary effect filed

Effective date: 20231023

U07 Unitary effect registered

Designated state(s): AT BE BG DE DK EE FI FR IT LT LU LV MT NL PT SE SI

Effective date: 20231030

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NO

Ref legal event code: T2

Effective date: 20230927

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2961659

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20240313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240127

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240127

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230927

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602021005488

Country of ref document: DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Payment date: 20240627

Year of fee payment: 4

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

U20 Renewal fee paid [unitary effect]

Year of fee payment: 4

Effective date: 20240701

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20240628