FR2853618A1 - Submarine station for use in e.g. industrial field to drill, has embedded control station in upper deck and ballasts in intermediate deck, where loads of ballasts are balanced by pumps and compressors that are managed by station - Google Patents

Abstract

The station has metallic structures (S) with a set of decks (P1-P4) configured according to operational equipment. The upper deck (P3) has an embedded control station (K) connected to all the decks and the equipment, and to surface buoy by a cable. An intermediate deck (P2) supports four ballasts (A) whose loads are balanced by pumps and compressors. The pumps and compressors are managed by the station (K).

Description

- 1

  1 The present invention relates to a device designed as an autonomous underwater station capable of stabilizing and working under the surface of the oceans and at the desired depth, for various works depending on the equipment and automatisms installed, allowing relay operation with the operators of surface.

  Its usefulness is due to the fact that many operations at sea, industrial or scientific, are disturbed on the surface by swell or bad weather.

  In depth, interventions are limited both in technical means and in duration.

  Its principle aims to remedy these drawbacks with intermediate solutions.

  In general, these works are carried out from mobile or fixed, floating or grounded surface buildings, or by the in-depth intervention of robots.

  The first situation meets the aforementioned bad weather difficulties, the second is very limited by the extreme conditions of the great depth (pressure, physical distance) and only allows very specific tasks.

  The device according to the invention relates to an autonomous and automated underwater station, characterized in that it allows a stable underwater working position as well as autonomy of action and therefore a relay of work between the seabed and surface buildings without continuous human intervention.

  In particular, it is able to perform a task continuously whatever the weather conditions. It represents a compromise between conventional surface platforms 25 for drilling at sea and the principle of the submersible, and can be equipped, on several levels of bridges, with different systems and tools depending on the work to be carried out.

  The device according to the invention comprises two categories of equipment: equipment specific to the station - operational equipment interchangeable with each operation and designed to respond to very different missions.

  Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 35 1 Own structure and equipment The device consists of a metallic structure (S) sized according to the loads taken into account and the surfaces required according to the version chosen, so as to ensure the rigidity of the assembly.

  This structure has several horizontal levels or bridges (P1, P2, P3, P4) configured according to the operational equipment provided. These bridges, designed to evolve in the liquid element, are made up of metallic trellis which can support high loads and assembled on transverse beams. They are modular.

  The lower deck (P1) is equipped with propulsion means (Ml, M2, M3, M4), possible anchoring systems, measurement and analysis instruments chosen according to the mission, technical tools specific to the tasks provided, such as video equipment, coring unit 15 and samples, sonar or magnetic exploration instruments, lighting, the list is not exhaustive.

  The intermediate bridge (P2) supports four ballasts (A1, A2, A3, A4) positioned at the four angles and whose capacity is calculated to compensate for large variations in 20 loads, depending on the work carried out.

  Two watertight compartments contain their ancillary equipment (pumps, compressors ...).

  Managed simultaneously by computer, they keep the attitude of the station and correct the vertical position according to any unscheduled variation. 25 The intermediate bridge (P2) also supports two battery banks (B1, B2) in watertight compartments, allowing the station to operate independently.

  The upper deck (P3) comprises the control-command station (K) connected to all the bridges 30 and to their equipment, as well as to a surface buoy (Y) by cable.

  This bridge, with modular floors depending on the uses, includes a secure area (P4) intended for divers with access to the control station (K).

  The longitudinal supporting structures of the station comprise, fixed to the outer face, large metal boxes (C) and integral with said structure.

  These boxes are calculated to allow the station, in all its planned configurations, to reach a density substantially equal to that of water (equal to 1).

  During each new operation at sea and depending on the equipment installed on the station, 1 of the specific compartments (C ') of these caissons will be more or less ballasted in order to keep the assembly constituted with neutral buoyancy.

  Buoyancy The device, whose structure is initially calculated for a density equal to that of the liquid element in which it operates, imposes variations in mass, either according to its equipment, or according to the work carried out.

  To achieve the exact density, two systems are cumulated: 10 the buoyancy is adjusted when the boat is filled, depending on the equipment installed, by filling compartments (C '), called "primary weights" provided for this purpose and located in the caissons of the structure.

  The station obtains its neutral buoyancy.

  - when it reaches the desired depth, the station automatically maintains position and attitude thanks to the four ballasts (A), the loads of which are automatically balanced by pumps and compressors in two watertight installations (E)) and managed from the on-board control station (K ).

  They operate, computer assisted, in the same way as on board a conventional submersible and come into action according to constraints, such as sea currents and load distributions.

  Their capacity must be calculated according to the variations in mass induced by the projected tasks.

  Motorization The device is equipped with propulsion means (Ml, M2, M3, M4) limited in capacity to positioning maneuvers Towed or transported to the place of its intervention, it is not designed for clean navigation, but only as a factory capable of changing its position.

  At least four hydro-drillers or other types of submarine propellants powered by electric energy, orientable (or fixed and equipped with orientable nozzles), are arranged on the lower deck (Pi) so as to allow all horizontal and vertical maneuvers. powered by battery, is connected to the control station (K) and is managed by computer assistance applying pre-established positioning data (coordinates X and Y), after comparison with the data transmitted before and during operation by GPS readings.

  Energy The device obtains its energy autonomy thanks to two series of batteries (31, B2) housed on the intermediate bridge (P2) and protected by a compartment and watertight connections.

  These batteries can be replaced from the surface, so that you do not have to interrupt the station during an extended task. For this purpose two separate benches are provided, only one of which is in operation. In the event of exhaustion of the first, the control-command station (K) makes it possible to pass over the second bench, and thus leaves the possibility of replacing or recharging the first.

  Switching from one bench to another is done automatically and triggers a light alarm signal on the on-board control station (K), light, sound and radio from the buoy (Y).

  Control-command The device is equipped with a console (K) comprising a screen and a waterproof console allowing manual management of all the station's functions by a diver. 25 These functions are exactly reproduced on board a surface buoy (Y), connected to the control station (K) of the station by a cable. This cable is fitted with a tension system capable of compensating for significant differences in level caused by swell.

  It consists of a redundant length in the form of loops fixed on an extendable axis. 30 These two stations allow you to intervene on all the parameters of the station, its equipment and the action in progress, to control the state of its resources, to modify its programming, both from the surface and on the station herself.

  According to the state of the art, it can be envisaged to carry out these operations by immaterial transmissions.

  1 Two fields of application are concerned: - The parameters concerning the management of the station itself, that is to say its positioning by the propulsion elements and by the ballast system, as well as its GPS tracking system, its energy autonomy and the safety and tightness control system.

  - the parameters specific to the on-board operational installation, two versions of which are mentioned in the fields of recovery of hydrocarbons and underwater excavations.

  These parameters relate to the management of the tools used, such as the filling of storage tanks, the operation of pumps and solenoid valves, the locking control of the pipes, the chemical treatment of hydrocarbons, the lighting and treatment means. the image, the tension of cables supporting diving tools, the management of the nacelle and its own equipment. This list is not exhaustive.

  Surface connections Communications with the surface are made either by divers on the on-board control station (K), or on the surface by the technical buoy (Y) designed as a double control station.

  A radio remote control system can also be installed to operate with a surface vessel, either by reception from the buoy, or in direct transmission with the station.

  A system for automatically triggering a radio alarm emitted by the technical buoy (Y) relates to security posts, such as the state of the batteries, position limit data, blocking of a process in progress.

  Positioning A GPS reading is automatically carried out regularly from the control station (K), making it possible to correct the position of the station if the coordinates differ from those pre-established, and this, whatever the weather conditions. The 1 station is designed to maintain a stable position set on the control station (K).

  Connections with the seabed Connections with the seabed concern the tasks undertaken, apart from possible anchorages, and are made via on-board tools, such as the nacelle or the flexible recovery column.

  In addition, depending on the mission, the lower deck (Pi) or the nacelle (N) can be equipped with all the measuring and exploration instruments deemed necessary.

  Anchorages Anchorages, when deemed necessary, are made using tools working on the seabed. These can be connected to guide cables between two anchors dropped from surface buildings.

  The station, by its equipment, is maintained by its own means on a programmed positioning. 20 Operational equipment The device according to the invention has, on several levels, large load-bearing surfaces (or 25 bridges).

  These areas are sized according to the needs for the installation of equipment specific to the station, described above and so-called "operational" equipment necessary for the work undertaken.

  These operational equipment are: J) Operational equipment intended for the collection of hydrocarbons escaped from a wreck sunk by deep sea.

  The device according to the invention is equipped with a hydrocarbon processing module (H) capable of working in immersion.

  1 Two recovery methods must be distinguished, and thus two separate modules: Recovery (Rl) by pumping by means of pumps (Q) installed either on the lower deck (P1l), in the event of recovery towards the depths, or on the upper deck (P3) 5 in the event of surface recovery, and reaching the source by means of all flexible pipes or other conduits. This configuration consists in connecting, directly or through the processing module (H), the pumping (Q) to the storage installation (U) of the station.

  Recovery (R2) by spontaneous ascent from the source.

  This configuration consists in channeling the hydrocarbons via a flexible riser or column, connected to the treatment module (H).

  This recovery method requires three phases materialized by three devices 15 gathered within the same tank (H).

  - the water / hydrocarbon separator (Z) occupying the base of the hydrocarbon processing module (H) located on the intermediate deck (P2) communicating with the recovery installation, and compartmentalized so that as and the level 20 of recovered hydrocarbons increases, the sea water is evacuated from below by means of valves (Z1, Z2) provided with non-return valves and slaved to a low level control (Z3) of the hydrocarbons triggering the shutdown of these valves. Unless there is a shutdown, they operate continuously, thus contributing to the upward dynamic of the hydrocarbons.

  - the chemical treatment of hydrocarbons, carried out in the upper part (h) of the module (H), can, inter alia, consist of a liquefaction operation by injection of rapeseed ethers, in order to facilitate pumping upstream and downstream , storage at station level.

  - Pumping is carried out by a pump (Q) installed in the last top compartment of the hydrocarbon processing module (H), which sends the liquefied hydrocarbons by pipes to one or more storage tanks (U). This pump (Q) is provided with a stop system measuring, according to prior adjustment, the viscosity or the density of the pumped product, so as to prevent the pumping of water. 35 Storage is done in one or more tanks (U), located on the upper deck (P3).

  1 The structure of the station is designed to leave all of the maneuvering space above the storage area free from the top.

  Depending on the quantities envisaged, the nature of the products, the technical requirements, the capacity of the ballasts, one or more tanks may be installed, connected to the pump of the treatment module (H) by pipes fitted with solenoid valves.

  The storage tanks (U) are equipped with filling control systems.

  The solenoid valves, the filling control devices, the opening and closing systems of the tank / pipe valves, the pumps (Q) are controlled by the on-board control station (K) of the submarine station, which ensures their management by its centralized IT system.

  The submarine storage capacity is designed to allow subsequent recovery by pumping from the surface when the weather permits and faster than the time required for actual recovery, carried out at depth or at the surface by the station.

  This final recovery operation is carried out according to the circumstances either by the ascent of the station to the surface, or by pumping from a surface ship, without the station ceasing to work.

  For this, it is equipped with: - a pumping access (Wl) on the upper part of the treatment module (H), - a pumping access (W2) on the storage tank (s) (U), These accesses are provided with valves designed to be opened after connection of the pipes, themselves equipped with this valve, in order to avoid leaks at sea, on one side as on the other.

  The device is equipped on the lower deck (Pi) with a cable tension system (L) capable of working in immersion, designed to support the various recovery systems at great depths.

  This system consists of one or more winder winches, the motorization of which is supplied by the station batteries, is housed on each winding axis, in a sealed compartment inside each winder. The rotary part of this motor drives the reel, the fixed part being integral with the axis.

  1 II) Operational equipment intended for re-exploration, study and exploitation of the morning funds by nacelle.

  The device according to the invention is intended to allow, from underwater station 5 stabilized a few tens of meters below the surface, intervention in great depths of tools and instruments controlled from the control station accessible to divers on said station.

  The device, installed on the lower deck (Pi) of the station consists of a platform 10 called "nacelle" (N).

  Its floor, in wire mesh, is doubled to accommodate in the space thus protected (Ni), or "technical platform", all the instruments of measurement and exploration, lighting, image processing and analysis .

  On the upper part of the double floor of the nacelle more particularly intended for work, are installed the tools, such as an articulated arm (N2) a battery bank (N3) for the energy autonomy of the nacelle, an installation of suction or any other equipment as required.

  The device according to the invention comprises on the intermediate bridge (P2) of the station, located on either side of the nacelle, four winches (N4) cable winders. The motorization of these winches placed on the reel axis in a sealed box is powered by the station's batteries. These winches are intended to lower and raise the nacelle and are managed by a trim and tension calculator installed on the station. The device according to the invention comprises a station-nacelle connecting cable (N5), used to control the equipment of the nacelle and to collect information from its instruments.

  A motorized winch (N5), located on the intermediate bridge (P2) of the station, synchronized with the 30 suspension winches of said nacelle, deploys this bidirectional data transmission cable "nacellestation". The purpose of this link is to control all of the parameters of said nacelle as well as the operations it performs.

  The articulated arm (N2) according to the invention is designed to be equipped, as required, by a bucket or a gripper, a coring or drilling instrument. Like all the nacelle's equipment, it is supplied with electrical energy by the nacelle's batteries and controlled from the station's on-board control station. -

  1 Designed to descend below the station to very great depths, the nacelle and all its installations are designed to withstand high pressures.

  The device according to the invention can also serve as a "tipper-lift" under the basket for a diving machine having no storage capacity.

  The present invention relates to various fields of application: Industrial field - Exploitation of underwater riches 10 - Drilling, coring - Interventions on wrecks, drilling.

  Scientific field - Underwater geological analyzes 15 - Fauna, flora and current studies - Underwater archeology - Pale subglacier exploration.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal view of the station without operational equipment.

  - Figure 2 shows a plan view of the station without operational equipment.

  - Figure 3 shows a side view of the station without operational equipment.

  - Figure 4 shows a longitudinal view of the station equipped with the oil treatment module - Figure 5 shows a plan view of the station equipped with the oil treatment module - Figure 6 shows a side view of the station equipped with the hydrocarbon processing module 30 - Figure 7 shows a longitudinal view of the station equipped with the so-called "pod" module - Figure 8 shows a plan view of the station equipped with the so-called "pod" module - Figure 9 shows a view side of the station equipped with the so-called "nacelle" module - Figure 10 shows a vertical section view of the oil treatment module - Figure 1 1 shows a side view of the nacelle - Figure 12 shows a view of the tension principle of flexible column cables - 11 1 The drawings, plans, elevations and sections give dimensions and basic construction methods of the autonomous submarine station without specific equipment. ues of work, and with different versions of specific work equipment. Depending on requirements, the station can be built in different configurations and other dimensions.

Claims (5)

1 CLAIMS   1) Autonomous submarine station, characterized in that it works in total immersion at the desired depth while maintaining a stable position, horizontally and vertically, by computer management, automatisms, and energy autonomy, and that it is equipped on several decks of all the submarine tools necessary for its missions.   2) Station according to claim 1 Characterized in that it simultaneously uses the following principles: - a partially hollow structure giving it a general density equal to the liquid element in which it operates, - ballasts as a stabilizer means trim and load variation compensator, - directional submarine thrusters powered by batteries, - watertight compartments for all equipment requiring it, - interchangeable operational equipment.   3) Station according to the preceding claims   Characterized in that four ballasts managed in real time by on-board computer are simultaneously used to automatically compensate for load variations and stabilize the attitude of the station.   4) Station according to claim 1 Characterized in that it comprises, intended for divers, an underwater control station (K) managing all the parameters of the station and its automated tools.   5) Station according to claim 1 Characterized in that it comprises a double-command station in the form of a technical buoy (Y), connected by cable to the station, and allowing total management on the surface of its parameters and its actions.   6) Station according to claim 1 Characterized in that its layout is modular and particularly its bridges, the surfaces of which can be load-bearing or free of floors - 13   1 7) Station according to claims 1 and 2   Characterized in that certain boxes (C) of the structure include compartments used for adjusting the overall density, only at the start of an operation, by filling or discharging ballast water. This device provides great flexibility in equipment for the station.   8) Station according to claims 1 and 2   Characterized in that this non-habitable underwater unit is capable of maintaining and modifying its position as a function of the regularly recorded GPS data and of the pre-established position, thanks to autonomous and automated equipment.   9) Station according to claims 1 and 6   Characterized in that it is equipped with operational equipment, such as an oil recovery and processing unit, a nacelle or any other equipment 1 5 adaptable.   10) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that the operational hydrocarbon recovery module can operate either by pumping or by capturing spontaneous ascent of gaseous, liquid, viscous or solid fumes.   11) Station according to the preceding claims   Characterized in that a motorized cable tensioning device, assisted by data processing, enables it to send equipment such as a nacelle or other means of recovery in deep water.   12) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that the operational hydrocarbon processing module comprises, in its device by spontaneous ascent capture, a separator making it possible to control this capture and consequently the successive phases of the process, a chemical treatment chamber, a pumping chamber and an automated storage area.   13) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that a direct pumping device accessible from surface buildings is arranged on the upper part of the pumping chamber of the oil treatment module (H).   1 14) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that a direct pumping device accessible from surface buildings is fitted on the storage tank or tanks (U) of hydrocarbons.   15) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that a filling control system connected to the control station (K) and triggering alerts is fitted in the oil storage tank (s) (U) allowing the planning of surface interventions.   16) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that the direct pumping accesses located on the storage tank (s) (U) and on the upper part of the hydrocarbon processing module are designed so that the opening and closing cannot be done once the pumping pipe has been connected, itself fitted with the same system, preventing any polluting leak at sea. 15   17) Station according to claims 1 and 9   Characterized in that an operational module designed as a platform suspended from cables from the lower deck (PI) and called "nacelle" (N) allows the station to remain at moderate depths and within reach of divers, while working in deep water through said nacelle.   18) Station according to claims 1 and 17   Characterized in that the nacelle (N) includes a technical platform (N1) carrying an autonomous battery bank (N3) and all the equipment and instruments useful for its 25 missions.   19) Station according to claims 1 and 17   Characterized in that the nacelle comprises a robot configured in the form of an articulated arm (N2) controlled from the station, capable of using interchangeable excavation, coring and drilling tools, prehensile pliers, and other instruments useful for its missions.   20) Station according to claims 1 and 17   Characterized in that the nacelle (N) has a surface designed to serve as a "skip / hoist" for other underwater robots. 35   21) Station according to claims 1 and 17   Characterized in that the nacelle (N), supplying its automated equipment with its own batteries (N3), and connected by diving by data transmission cable to the control station 1 of the carrier station remaining above, can be handled in very large depths from said station. 15 20 25 30