GB2583094A - Vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus - Google Patents

Vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2583094A
GB2583094A GB1905302.4A GB201905302A GB2583094A GB 2583094 A GB2583094 A GB 2583094A GB 201905302 A GB201905302 A GB 201905302A GB 2583094 A GB2583094 A GB 2583094A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
container
vessel
elongate
flexible
storage apparatus
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1905302.4A
Other versions
GB201905302D0 (en
Inventor
Arthur Brown Stephen
Jegathaiswaran Venu
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.)
Maats Tech Ltd
Original Assignee
Maats Tech Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Maats Tech Ltd filed Critical Maats Tech Ltd
Priority to GB1905302.4A priority Critical patent/GB2583094A/en
Publication of GB201905302D0 publication Critical patent/GB201905302D0/en
Publication of GB2583094A publication Critical patent/GB2583094A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B65H75/42—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles
    • B65H75/425—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H49/00—Unwinding or paying-out filamentary material; Supporting, storing or transporting packages from which filamentary material is to be withdrawn or paid-out
    • B65H49/18—Methods or apparatus in which packages rotate
    • B65H49/20—Package-supporting devices
    • B65H49/28—Turntables, i.e. package resting on a table
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4402—Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
    • H02G1/10—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle in or under water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/04—Cable-laying vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/20—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats, weights
    • F16L1/202—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats, weights fixed on or to vessels
    • F16L1/203—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats, weights fixed on or to vessels the pipes being wound spirally prior to laying

Abstract

A device for storing a cable 24 comprising a first reel 12 and a second reel 14. Each reel comprises an axis 16, 18 which may be rotatable with respect to a support 44. There is an off-axis aperture 20 between the first and second reel, suitable for passing the cable through for loading and unloading. Ideally, the support is a pillar in which the reels are rotatable about. The reels may be individually or co-driven. The first and second axis maybe co-axial. A guide element 34 may be used to guide the cable around the second reel. The device may be located on a vessel with a deck 52 comprising an aperture (56, figure 3). The first and second reels are ideally located either side of the deck with the cable also fed through the decking’s aperture. There is also a method claim for loading and unloading the device.

Description

Vessel-Supportable Flexible-Elongate-Element Storage Apparatus The present invention relates to a vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus. The invention further relates to a vessel and a method of storing a flexible elongate element.
Flexible elongate elements, such as power transmission cables; telecommunication cables; oil and gas flexible pipes; steel catenary risers; chains; thermoplastic composite pipes, which typically are carbon fibres in a thermoplastic matrix; or umbilicals, which for example may include a sheath with a plurality of flexible elements therein including control cables, hydraulic pipes and electrical supply cables, are required to be transported via vessels on water, typically being transported to an overboarding location at sea where the flexible elongate element is overboarded into the sea from the same vessel.
Such flexible elongate elements are conventionally stored in carousels, which are cylindrical storage containers, the flexible elongate element being spooled or coiled around the inside of the storage container.
Longer continuous lengths of flexible elongate element allow for fewer or no breaks in a flexible elongate element which connects two locations. This is preferable as breaks in the flexible elongate element are time-consuming to connect at sea. Therefore, it is desirable for flexible-elongate-element laying vessels to store longer lengths of flexible elongate element, so that fewer flexible elongate elements must be connected at sea.
To prevent or limit wider vessels being required to store the additional length of flexible elongate element, it is preferable to stack layers of flexible elongate element vertically on top of each other. However, storing additional layers of flexible elongate element on top of each other increase a weight on the lower layers of flexible elongate element. This can result in damage and/or crushing of the lower layers.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus for storing a flexible elongate element on a vessel, the storage apparatus comprising: a first container having a first-container axis for receiving at least part of the flexible elongate element laid or wound therearound; a second container having a second-container axis for receiving at least part of the flexible elongate element laid or wound therearound, the first container overlapping the second container; an off-axial aperture associated with the first container and radially spaced apart from the first-container axis for passing the flexible elongate element therethrough so that the first container and the second container can be seamlessly loaded and/or unloaded.
The flexible elongate element may be defined as or include power transmission cables; telecommunication cables; oil and gas flexible pipes; steel catenary risers; chains; thermoplastic composite pipes, which typically are carbon fibres in a thermoplastic matrix; and/or umbilicals, which for example may include a sheath with a plurality of flexible elements therein including control cables, hydraulic pipes and electrical supply cables, are required to be transported via vessels on water.
Storing the flexible elongate element in two overlapping containers reduces the weight on the lowermost layers of flexible elongate element given that the upper container supports the weight of part of the flexible elongate element. An off-axial aperture allows for the flexible elongate element to be passed directly from the first container to the second container. This is particularly in the instance that an axially central portion of the first and second containers is occupied by a barrier or a non-flexible-elongate-element receiving volume of the container. The radially inner barrier is typically used for winding flexible elongate element therearound. The inner barrier is typically present due to the flexile elongate element having a minimum bend radius such that it may be unable to be coiled in the very centre of the container. Being able to pass the flexible elongate element directly from the first container to the second container has the effect that the first and second containers can be seamlessly or uninterruptedly filled. For example, the feeding of the flexible elongate element is not required to be stopped when transitioning from filling the second container to the first container. If the first container and the second container were not directly linked via the off-axial aperture, the feeding of the flexible elongate element would have to be required to be redirected between filling the first and second containers. The opening of the off-axial aperture is preferably at the base of the first container. The off-axial aperture may otherwise be considered to be an off-centre aperture.
Preferably, the apparatus may further comprise a container support arranged to support the first container. A container support enables the first container to be supported in the instance that a main deck provides inadequate support.
Preferably, the container support comprises a pillar.
Additionally, the container support may be arranged to support the second container. This provides additional support to the second container Beneficially, the first and second containers may be co-axial. Co-axial containers enable the flexible elongate element to be more easily loaded and unloaded as any axial off-set may result in a lack of overlap between the off-axial aperture and the second container.
Advantageously, the container support may be a pillar and is axially aligned with the first and second axes. The container support being axially central allows for the container support to be positioned radially inside an inner barrier, and therefore not occupy part of the receiving volume of the containers.
Optionally, the first container may include a radially inner barrier, the off-axial aperture 15 being radially outward of the radially inner barrier. This ensures that the off-axial aperture is directly communicative or at the receiving volume of the first container.
In a preferable embodiment, a base of the first container may be between the first container and the second container, the off-axial aperture being in the base for allowing the flexible elongate element to pass from the first container to the second container via 20 the base.
Preferably, the first and/or second containers are rotatable. The containers being rotatable allows for the flexible elongate element to be fed from a single direction and yet be directed to different circumferential positions on the first container.
Advantageously, the first and/or second containers rotate relative to the container support 25 and the container support includes a bearing to allow relative rotation therebetween. Therefore, the container support itself is not required to be rotated itself.
Optionally, the bearing may comprise a plain bearing. Plain bearings are simple and are able to withstand high loads.
Alternatively, the bearing may comprise a spherical bearing. Spherical bearings offer rotation about more than one axis.
Beneficially, the second container may be rotatable independently of the first container. Therefore, the off-axial aperture may be kept at a constant position whilst the second 5 container is loaded, allowing for the flexible elongate element to be fed to a single point.
Advantageously, the first and second containers are co-driven. This allows for the first and second containers to be rotated in synchrony. Synchronised rotation is important so that the first container can be filled via rotation, without causing a portion of the flexible elongate element which extends between the first and second container to become damaged. The first and second containers can be co-driven and rotatable independently via each having gearing means or similar to selectably connect or disconnect from a common drive shaft.
In a preferable embodiment, the off-axial aperture may be a slot. Preferably, the slot may be elongate in a circumferentially direction of the first container. A slot allows for the flexible elongate clement to be more gradually transitioncd between the first containcr and the second container. As such, a minimum bend radius can be maintained and damage to the flexible elongate element is prevented or limited.
In a preferable embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a guide element for guiding the flexible elongate element from the off-axial aperture around the second-20 container axis. The guide element allows for the flexible elongate element to be supported and appropriately directed as it descends to the second container.
Additionally, the guide element may be rotatable around the second-container axis. The guide element being rotatable around the second-container axis, for example with the first and second containers, allows for the first container to be rotated such that there is no relative rotation between the guide element and the first container. Therefore, disruption to or tension on the portion of the flexible elongate element passing through the off-axial aperture is prevented or limited.
Optionally, the second container may be rotatable independently of the guide element. Therefore, the guide element may be stationary whilst the second container rotates, which allows for the position of the guide element relative to the off-axial aperture to be constant.
Preferably, the guide element may include rollers. Rollers reduce frictional engagement between the flexible elongate element and the guide element.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel having a vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention mounted thereto.
Preferably, the first container may be above a main deck of the vessel and the second container is below the main deck, the main deck having a deck aperture therein, the deck aperture sized to accommodate a path of movement of the off-axial aperture around the first-container axis. Having the apparatus above and below the main deck utilises more of the space of the vessel. Additionally, the first container may be supported at least in part by the main deck to improve weight distribution of the apparatus. The aperture or hole in the deck being sized as described allows for the flexible elongate element to pass through the deck regardless of the off-axial aperture's angular position about the first-container axis.
Preferably, where the apparatus includes the container support, the first container may be supported from below the main deck by the container support. This provides additional support to the first container in the instance that the hole in the main deck prevents or 20 limits the ability for the main deck to support the first container.
Additionally, the container support may be mounted to vessel structure.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of seamlessly storing a flexible elongate element into a flexible elongate element storage apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of': a) guiding the flexible elongate element into the second container via the first container and the off-axial aperture; b) winding the flexible elongate element around the second-container axis; and c) winding the flexible elongate element around the first-container axis.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric representation of a vessel-supportable flexibleelongate-element storage apparatus, according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus of Figure 1 with one half of the apparatus removed for clarity; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of an off-axial aperture of the vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an isometric view similar to that of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows a further isometric view similar to that of Figures 3 and 4.
Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus 10 comprising a first container 12 and a second container 14. The first container 12 overlaps, overlies and/or is above the second container 14. Referring in addition to Figures 2 and 3, the first container 12 has a first-container axis 16 and the second container 14 has a second-container axis 18. The first-container axis 16 and the second container-axis 18 are each central or centrally positioned relative to the first container 12 and second container 14 respectively and/or may be respective or joint axes of rotation. Here the first and second axes 16, 18 are linearly aligned such that the first and second containers 12, 14 are coaxial, although it will be appreciated that the first and second axes may be offset from each other.
An off-axial aperture 20 is associated with the first container 12, for example the off-axial aperture 20 is in a base 22a or a floor of the first container 12. The off-axial aperture 20 is off axial given that it is radially spaced apart from the first axis 16 and/or the second axes 18. The off-axial aperture 20 is for passing or receiving a flexible elongate element 24 therethrough so that the first container 12 and the second container 14 can be seamlessly, uninterruptedly or continuously filled.
The first and second containers 12, 14 are preferably cylindrical and may be considered to be drums. The first container 12 preferably has a greater diameter than that of the second container 14; however, the first and second containers 12, 14 may be the same size or the second container 14 may be bigger than the first container 12. Here each of the first and second containers 12, 14 has a radially outer wall 26a, 26b or barrier, a radially inner wall 28a, 28b or barrier and a base 22a, 22b or floor. The space inside the first container 12 defines a first flexible-elongate-element receiving volume 30. The space inside the second container 14 defines a second flexible-elongate-element receiving volume 32. The first container 12 is above the second container 14 and therefore the base 22a of the first container 12 is between the first flexible-elongate-element receiving volume 30 and the second flexible-elongate-element receiving volume 32. The radially outer and inner walls 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b are preferably cylindrical. However, the first and second containers 12, 14 may not be cylindrical and they may be any other shape, for example having a rectangular or elliptical cross-section. The bases 22a, 22b and walls are continuous, although they may in fact be discontinuous and/or may comprise framework. Given that first and second containers 12, 14 are cylindrical, the first and second container axes 16, 18 extends along an axial direction of the containers 12, 14.
The off-axial aperture 20 preferably extends through the base 22a of the first container 12 and is positioned between the inner and the outer walls. Therefore, the off-axial aperture 20 is at, adjacent to or is directly communicative with the receiving volume 30 of the first container 12. More preferably the off-axial aperture 20 is at a radially innermost position of the receiving volume 30 of the first container 12. This has the result that the off-axial aperture 20 is at or adjacent to the inner wall 28a. As shown in Figure 1 the off-axial aperture 20 is circular in cross-section, although it will be appreciated that preferably the off-axial aperture may be an elongate slot, for example being elongate in a circumferential direction of the first container. In the instance of a slot, the off-axial aperture 20 may have sloped or ramped side walls to allow for easier passage of the flexible elongate element 24. The off-axial aperture 20 may be at, adjacent to and/or directly communicative with the receiving volume 32 of the second container 14.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the storage apparatus 10 further comprises a guide element 34 or spooling arm for guiding the flexible elongate element 24 from the off-axial aperture 20 to the second container 14 and/or around the second-container axis 18. The guide element 34 preferably includes a first part 36 and a second part 38. The first part 36 comprises a plurality of rotatable guide members 40, for example rollers, which define a first part path for guiding the flexible elongate element 24. Preferably the first part path is curvate and extends at least in part around the second-container axis 18, thus the first part 36 path is circumferentially extending. The second part 38 may extend downwardly towards the base 22b of the second container 14 and/or circumferentially around the second-container axis 18 and may, for example, comprise a ramp for guiding the flexible elongate element downwards. The ramp may be pivotable via a piston 42 to allow access to different axial positions or for differing angles of incline of the ramp. The second part 38 may further comprise a ram, roller or finger roller for directing or manipulating the flexible elongate element at or adjacent to the bottom of the container 14. At least part of the second part 38 may be pivotable or rotatable. Preferably, the second part 38 is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the first part 36 so that the second part 38 can be directed towards the opposite direction, for example. This may be useful when a direction of rotation of the second container is reversed, for example for unloading as compared to loading.
The storage apparatus 10 preferably further comprises a container support 44 arranged to at least in part support the first container 12. The container support 44 may additionally support the second container 14, although it will be appreciated that this may not be necessary. The container support 44 is a column or a pillar and is preferably axially aligned or substantially aligned with the first and second axes 16, 18, although it may be slightly off-set therefrom.
The first and/or second containers 12, 14 are preferably rotatable with respect to one another and/or the first and/or second container axes 16, 18. For example, the first container 12 is rotatably mounted to the container support 44 via a bearing 46. Such a bearing 46 may, for example, comprise a plain or sliding bearing. Alternatively, the bearing 46 may be a spherical bearing. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing 46 comprise a thrust bearing, given the relatively high loads on the bearing. In particular, the bearing may be a cylindrical thrust roller bearing or a spherical roller thrust bearing. The second container 14 may similarly be rotatably mounted to the container support 44. The first and second containers 12, 14 may have a driving means, such as a motor, to drive the rotation of each of the containers. The first and second containers 12, 14 may have separate driving means or a single or joint driving means. The first and second containers 12, 14 are preferably selectably drivable so that the second container 14 can be rotated independently of the first container 12 and vice versa. Additionally, the first and second containers 12, 14 are drivable such that they are rotatable together and/or in synchronisation.
The first and second container 12, 14 preferably have separate driving means. For 5 example, the first container includes a first chain around a circumference thereof and a first sprocket, driven by a first motor, drives the first chain. Similarly, the second container includes a second chain around a circumference thereof and a second sprocket, driven by a second motor, drives the second chain. The first and second motors may be electronically or electrically linked so that they are operable synchronously, as well as 10 being independently operable.
Alternatively, the first and second containers may be mechanically linked, for example being drivable by a common driver. In this instance the storage apparatus may include a common drive shaft. The first and second containers may be selectably couplable and decouplable with the drive shaft to allow independent rotation of the containers.
Furthermore, the guide element 34 is preferably rotatable. The guide element 34 may be selectably rotatable such that it may be stationary when the second container 14 rotates and it may be rotatable when the first and second containers 12, 14 rotate. To achieve this, the guide element 34 may be selectably couplable and decouplable with the second container 14, for example by actuatable linking pins. The guide element 34 may be supported by or from the container support 44.
The storage apparatus 10 is preferably positioned or installed in a vessel. Preferably, the first container 12 is positioned such that it is at least in part above a main deck 52 of the vessel and the second container 14 is positioned such that it is at least in part below the main deck 52. The main deck 52 may be defined as the uppermost complete deck of the vessel such that it extends from a bow to a stem of the vessel. The main deck 52 is a structural and loadbearing 46 component of the vessel. Whilst the storage apparatus 10 is positioned with reference to the main deck 52, it will be appreciated that the storage apparatus 10 may be positioned with respect to any other deck or the storage apparatus 10 may be entirely above or below the main deck 52.
The first container 12 is preferably at least in part supported and/or positioned on the main deck 52. To allow rotation of the first container 12 with respect to the main deck 52, the storage apparatus 10 has rotatable elements 54, for example rollers or wheels, between the main deck 52 and the first container 12. To allow the flexible elongate element 24 to pass through the main deck 52, the main deck 52 has a hole 56 or aperture therein. The hole 56 and the first-container axis 16 are preferably aligned. The hole 56 may preferably be circular and the radius of the hole 56 is more preferably at least equal to the radial extent between the off-axial aperture 20 and the first-container axis 16. To provide the first container 12 with additional support, the container support 44 supports the first container 12 from below the main deck 52. For example, this may be via the container support 44 being mounted to hull structure 58 of the vessel, for example the vessel may comprise a double bottom and the container support may be mounted to the double bottom.
The apparatus 10 preferably further comprises water-ingress prevention or limitation means at or adjacent to the hole 56. For example, the hole 56 may be made to be watertight to prevent or limit water entering below deck via the hole 56 in the main deck 52. The water-ingress prevention means may comprise an upstanding lip around the edge of the hole 56 and may further comprise a continuous depending lip at a bottom of the first container 12. The upstanding lip and the depending lip are positioned to have a vertical overlap. Here, the depending lip is radially outside of the upstanding lip. A bearing interengages between the overlap of the upstanding and depending lip to allow relative rotation therebetween. In this way, the hole 56 is made to be watertight or substantially watertight. Whilst the upstanding lip and depending lip are described, it will be appreciated that the hole may alternatively be made to be watertight by a bearing interengaging between the bottom of the first container and the main deck.
In use, the flexible elongate element 24 is loaded into the storage apparatus 10. An end of the flexible elongate element 24 is directed into the first container 12 and towards the off-axial aperture 20. The end of the flexible elongate element 24 is then directed or passed through the off-axial aperture 20, down the guide element 34 and into the second container 14. In a second-container loading phase, the second container 14 is rotated and the flexible elongate element 24 is fed or drawn into the second container 14. The rotation of the second container 14 may draw the further flexible elongate element 24 into the container, or a flexible elongate element driving means such as a tensioner may be used to drive or feed the flexible elongate element 24. The first container 12 remains stationary during the second-container loading phase, and therefore the second container 14 rotates relatively to the first container 12. The rotation of the second container 14 causes the flexible elongate element 24 to be spooled therein and laid or wound around the first-container axis 16, which here takes the form of being laid around the radially inner barrier or wall 26a.
In the second-container loading phase, the guide element 34 does not rotate and therefore the second container 14 rotates relatively to the guide element 34. The guide element 34 may guide the flexible elongate element 24 to different radial and/or axial positions of the second container 14. In this way the guide element 34, or the second part 38 of the guide element 34, may be radially and axially moveably mounted to or relative to the container 14 or container support 44. For example, at least part of the guide element may be mounted to axially and/or radially extending rails. However, it will be appreciated that the guide element 34 may not be required to move and the flexible elongate element 24 may be manually manipulated. In some instances, the guide element 34 may not be present, the flexible elongate element 24 extending directly from the off-axial aperture 20 to the second container 14 and being manually manipulated to the desired position.
The second container 14 is rotated until the second container 14 has been filled with concentrically laid and axially extending or piled layers of flexible elongate element 24. In a first-container loading phase, the first container 12 is then rotated with and at the same rate as the second container 14 to draw flexible elongate element 24 into the first container 12. To enable this, each container may be independently driven at the same rate and in the same direction such that there is no relative rotation between the first and second containers 12, 14. The guide element 34 preferably similarly rotates with second container 14 such that there is no relative rotation therebetween, for example locking pins lock the guide element 34 to the second container 14. However, it will be appreciated that the guide element 34 may be independently driven. The switching between the second container 14 and the first-container loading phases is seamless and/or without interruption to the loading process and/or the driving of the flexible elongate element 24.
The first container 12 is then filled in this manner, with the rotation causing the flexible elongate element 24 to be laid around the first-container axis 16. A further guide element or spooling arm may be used to direct the flexible elongate element 24 into the first container 12, for example to different axial or radial positions, although it will be appreciated that this may not be necessary and the flexible elongate element 24 may instead be manually manipulated to different axial positions.
In this way the first and second containers 12, 14 are filled with flexible elongate element 24 being layered, spooled, spiralled or concentrically and axially fed into the containers.
Whilst here it is described that the first and second containers are filled or partially filled, 10 it will be appreciated that only the first container or only the second container may be filled or partially filled with flexible elongate element.
Having filled the first and second containers 12, 14, the vessel may then be manoeuvred to an unloading location where the flexible elongate element 24 is to be unloaded. Unloading may, for example, include overboarding the flexible elongate element 24 into the water or unloading the flexible elongate element 24 onto a dock-side, another vessel or a deep-sea or off-shore structure. The flexible elongate element 24 can then be drawn out or unspooled from the first container 12 initially in a first-container unloading phase. This can be achieved via rotating the first container 12, the second container 14 and the guide element 34 together and in an opposing direction to that of the first-or second-container loading phase.
Once the first container 12 is unloaded, the rotation of the first container 12 is stopped. Preferably, the first container 12 is stopped so that the off-axial aperture 20 is aligned with a desirable overboarding guide path. The second container 14 and the guide element 34 are continued to be rotated in the second-container unloading phase so that flexible elongate element 24 is unspooled. In the second-container unloading phase the second part 38 of the guide element 34 may be rotated 180 degrees as compared to the second-container loading phase. The flexible elongate element 24 may be drawn out from the first and second containers 12, 14 via the use of a tensioner, such as a track or wheel tensioner.
Whilst the first and second containers 12, 14 are described as being rotatable, it will be appreciated that the first and second containers may not rotate, and a rotatable spooling arm may instead be used, the rotatable spooling arm directing the flexible elongate element around the first and second containers.
Although the first and second containers 12, 14 are installed such that they are above each other and their axes are aligned with a vertical direction, it will be appreciated that they may, for example have horizontally aligned axes. In this way the containers may be considered to be reels.
Whilst the storage apparatus 10 is used on a vessel for maritime applications. It will be appreciated that the storage apparatus 10 may be used in non-maritime applications on land. For example, the storage apparatus 10 may be used to store flexible elongate element 24 at or adjacent to a factory where the flexible elongate element 24 is manufactured. Alternatively, the storage apparatus 10 may be used for road transport.
Whilst overboarding of the flexible elongate element stored in the storage apparatus is 15 described, it will be appreciated that the storage apparatus may be used for storing flexible elongate element which has been retrieved or onboarded from the water.
It is therefore possible to provide an apparatus for storing flexible elongate element so that a total weight or force on the lower layers of flexible elongate element is reduced. The base of the first container reduces the load on the lower layers of flexible elongate element. An off-axial aperture allows for the flexible elongate element to be directly moved between the receiving volumes of the first and second containers so that seamless loading and unloading is possible. In the instance that a hole in the main deck to accommodate the off-axial aperture results in the first container being provided with insufficient support by the main deck, a container support supports the first container from below the main deck.
The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (25)

  1. Claims 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus for storing a flexible elongate element on a vessel, the storage apparatus comprising: a first container having a first-container axis for receiving at least part of the flexible elongate element laid therearound; a second container having a second-container axis for receiving at least part of the flexible elongate element laid therearound, the first container overlapping the second container; an off-axial aperture associated with the first container and radially spaced apart from the first-container axis for passing the flexible elongate element therethrough so that the first container and the second container can be seamlessly loaded and/or unloaded.
  2. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a container support arranged to support the first container.
  3. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container support comprises a pillar.
  4. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the container support is arranged to support the second container.
  5. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second containers are coaxial.
  6. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on any one of claims2 to 4, wherein the container support is a pillar and is axially aligned with the first and second axes.
  7. 7. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container includes a radially inner barrier, the off-axial aperture being radially outward of the radially inner barrier.
  8. 8 A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a base of the first container is between the first container and the second container, the off-axial aperture being in the base for allowing the flexible elongate element to pass from the first container to the second container via the base.
  9. 9. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second containers are rotatable.
  10. 10. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 9 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the first and/or second containers rotate relative to the container support and the container support includes a bearing to allow relative rotation therebetween.
  11. 11. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bearing comprises a plain bearing.
  12. 12. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bearing comprises a spherical bearing.
  13. 13. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second container is rotatable independently of the first container.
  14. 14. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the first and second containers are co-driven.
  15. 15. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the off-axial aperture is a slot.
  16. 16. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the slot is elongate in a circumferential direction of the first container.
  17. 17. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide element for guiding the flexible elongate element from the off-axial aperture around the second-container axis.
  18. 18. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the guide element is rotatable around the second-container axis.
  19. 19. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second container is rotatable independently of the guide element.
  20. 20. A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims claim 17 to 19, wherein the guide element includes rollers.
  21. 21. A vessel having a vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims mounted thereto.
  22. 22 A vessel as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first container is above a main deck of the vessel and the second container is below the main deck, the main deck having a deck aperture therein, the deck aperture sized to accommodate a path of movement of the off-axial aperture around the first-container axis.
  23. 23. A vessel as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the first container is supported from below the main deck by the container support.
  24. 24. A vessel as claimed in claim 23, wherein the container support is mounted to vessel structure
  25. 25. A method of seamlessly storing a flexible elongate element into a flexible elongate element storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 the method comprising the steps of: a) guiding the flexible elongate element into the second container via the first container and the off-axial aperture; b) winding the flexible elongate element around the second-container axis; and c) winding the flexible elongate element around the first-container axis.
GB1905302.4A 2019-04-15 2019-04-15 Vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element storage apparatus Withdrawn GB2583094A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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GB2583094A true GB2583094A (en) 2020-10-21

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2512287A1 (en) * 1981-08-27 1983-03-04 Siemens Ag DEVICE FOR ENSURING THE WINDING AND UNWINDING OF ELECTRICAL CABLES IN OPERATION
US4901939A (en) * 1986-08-07 1990-02-20 Siecor Corporation Reel
US20130306781A1 (en) * 2012-05-21 2013-11-21 Kun Yuan Tong Dual electric cord reels with an open-slotted mutual middle wheel or a fenestrated mutual middle wheel
US20170313544A1 (en) * 2016-04-28 2017-11-02 Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina Cable blowing apparatus and method
CN207121311U (en) * 2017-11-08 2018-03-20 广州发展集团股份有限公司 A kind of cable reel installation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2512287A1 (en) * 1981-08-27 1983-03-04 Siemens Ag DEVICE FOR ENSURING THE WINDING AND UNWINDING OF ELECTRICAL CABLES IN OPERATION
US4901939A (en) * 1986-08-07 1990-02-20 Siecor Corporation Reel
US20130306781A1 (en) * 2012-05-21 2013-11-21 Kun Yuan Tong Dual electric cord reels with an open-slotted mutual middle wheel or a fenestrated mutual middle wheel
US20170313544A1 (en) * 2016-04-28 2017-11-02 Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina Cable blowing apparatus and method
CN207121311U (en) * 2017-11-08 2018-03-20 广州发展集团股份有限公司 A kind of cable reel installation

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