KR102642253B1 - Flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention can be applied to protect submarine cables used in wind power generation. In one embodiment, in a flexible protective tube in the form of a pipe including a tube wall and a tube hollow formed inside the tube wall, the tube wall is formed on a central portion formed with a uniform thickness and on both sides of the central portion. It includes an end portion through which the tube hollow passes, wherein the end portion includes a flange formed at an end of the flexible protection tube and formed at a thickness greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall at the central portion; a bending reinforcement portion formed between the flange and the central portion and formed to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall of the central portion; and a fastening groove formed between the flange and the bending reinforcement, and formed less than a thickness of the flange and the bending reinforcement, forming a step between the flange and the bending reinforcement. It is possible to provide a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables, which includes and has a structure in which two or more can be connected continuously.

Description

Flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables {FLEXIBLE PROTECTION TUBE FOR PROTECTING SUBMARINE CABLE}

The present invention relates to a flexible protection tube, and particularly to a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables into which submarine cables are introduced.

Wind power provides a relatively inexpensive renewable energy source and is attracting attention as an eco-friendly power generation that can produce electricity with almost no carbon emissions. For effective wind power generation, wind power generation facilities are installed taking into account various conditions such as wind frequency, uniformity, turbulence, and maintaining distance between power generation facilities. Accordingly, offshore wind power generation is attracting attention as it can increase the size of the facility compared to onshore wind power, has large wind speeds and little change because it is far from land, and can solve the location problem required for power generation facilities.

Recently, as offshore wind power generation complexes have become larger and more diverse, the scope of installation of offshore wind power generation facilities is expanding. As the installation range of offshore wind power generation facilities expands, various types of cables are connected to considerable lengths to stably transmit power obtained from offshore wind power generation facilities to land, and the cables are connected to offshore wind power generation facilities, seabed and It passes through various points including the coast. Accordingly, in order to prevent damage to the cable, various protective tubes are used to surround the cable.

Generally, the protective tube surrounds and protects the cable by connecting two or more protective tubes in series. In this case, the protective tube is also made of a flexible material to flexibly respond to the bending of the cable.

Accordingly, in the conventional flexible protection tube, a metal connector was inserted into the joint connecting the flexible protection tube to ensure stable coupling between the flexible protection tubes and to prevent the joint from being damaged by external force, but the metal connector was used to prevent the joint from being damaged by external force. As it is inserted into the flexible protection tube, the wall of the flexible protection tube inevitably becomes thinner in the area where the metal connector is located, and this has the disadvantage of becoming excessively thick in order to reinforce the rigidity of the area where the metal connector is located. .

In addition, since the metal connector and the flexible protection tube are made of different materials, there is a problem in that the metal connector and the flexible protection tube separate from each other due to poor adhesion and aging. In order for the metal connector and the flexible protection tube to be strongly fixed to each other, complicated structures are required. As the structure is formed, there is a disadvantage in that the work method is complicated and cumbersome, such as having to be fastened in the correct position in order to couple it to each other using the metal connector inserted inside the flexible protective tube.

The present invention is intended to solve the problem, and provides a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables that is easy to connect between flexible protection tubes and has a stable structure when bending occurs due to external force.

The present invention relates to a flexible protective tube in the form of a pipe including a tube wall and a tube hollow formed inside the tube wall, wherein the tube wall is formed at a central portion with a uniform thickness and on both sides of the central portion, where the tube hollow is It includes a penetrating end portion, wherein the end portion includes a flange formed at an end of the flexible protection tube and formed at a thickness greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall at the central portion; a bending reinforcement portion formed between the flange and the central portion and formed to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall of the central portion; and a fastening groove formed between the flange and the bending reinforcement, and formed less than a thickness of the flange and the bending reinforcement, forming a step between the flange and the bending reinforcement. It provides a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables, which includes a structure in which two or more can be connected in series.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a flexible protection tube for protecting a submarine cable can be easily connected using a first coupling member and a second coupling member.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the stability of the connection between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables can be increased, and when damage occurs to the coupling member, only the coupling member can be easily replaced, which can be advantageous for maintenance.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, stability against external force applied to the connection between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables can be improved.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the cable protected inside the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables from being contaminated and damaged by seawater and fluid.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2 and 3 show the connection between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the distal end of a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables viewed from direction a in Figure 4.
Figure 6 shows the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables and the reinforcing fibers included in the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to each embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 7 to 9 show cross-sections of connection portions between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables according to each embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to convey the content of the present invention to those skilled in the art. It is provided for more complete information.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, terms are defined in consideration of functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the flexible protective tube 100 may include a central portion 110 and an end portion 120.

The flexible protection tube 100 may be formed in the form of a pipe including a tube wall 102 and a tube hollow 101 formed inside the tube wall 102. For example, it may be in the form of a cylindrical pipe.

The flexible protective tube 100 may include a central portion 110 through which the tube wall 102 is formed to have a uniform thickness, and an end portion 120 formed on both sides of the central portion 110 and through which the tube hollow 101 penetrates. .

The distal end 120 of the flexible protection tube 100 may include a flange 121 formed at the end of the flexible protection tube 100 and formed at a thickness greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall 102 in the central portion.

It may include a bending reinforcement portion 123 that is formed between the flange 121 and the central portion 110 of the flexible protection tube 100 and is formed to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall 102 of the central portion 110.

It is formed between the flange 121 and the bending reinforcement part 123 of the flexible protection tube 100, but is formed less than the thickness of the flange 121 and the bending reinforcement part 123, and the flange 121 and the bending reinforcement part ( A fastening groove 122 forming a step may be formed between the 123).

The flexible protection tube 100 has a length of 0.5 m to 10 m, for example, 1 to 5 m, for example, 1 to 3 m, and has an inner diameter of the tube hollow 101, the tube hollow 101, and the tube wall. The outer diameter including (102) may vary depending on the size and shape of the cable that the flexible protection tube (100) is to protect.

The flexible protection tube 100 has elasticity and flexibility, has excellent shock resistance and seawater resistance, and can be made of a material that is stable even in a deep-sea environment. For example, it may include, but is not limited to, polyurethane material. For example, when polyurethane material is applied, the mechanical properties are density 1.1~1.2 g/cm3, hardness (Shore A) 80~90, tensile strength 17~18MPa, elongation 650~670%, phosphorus The heat strength can be 85~95MPa.

The tube hollow 101 of the flexible protection tube 100 may be formed according to the size of the cable to be protected, and may provide friction to the surface in contact with the cable or allow the cable to adhere closely to the exterior of the cable. At least one of a protruding member and an adhesive member that can be inserted and guided can be formed to ensure that the cable is well mounted within the flexible protection tube 100.

Figures 2 and 3 show the connection between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 2, the flexible protection tube 100a and the flexible protection tube 100b can be connected to each other using the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300.

After placing the flange 121a of the flexible protection tube 100a and the flange 121b of the flexible protection tube 100b in contact with each other, the flanges 121a, 121b and the fastening grooves 122a, 122b are connected to the first coupling member 200. ) and the second coupling member 300 to surround the flexible protection tube (100a) and the flexible protection tube (100b) by fixing the first coupling member (200) and the second coupling member (300) to each other. You can.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible protection tube 100a and the flexible protection tube 100b can be easily connected to each other using the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300.

At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the outer diameter formed by combining the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300, and the bending reinforcement portion in contact with the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 ( The outer diameters of 123a and 123b) may be the same. Accordingly, the bending reinforcement parts 123a and 123b in contact with the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 can be coupled so that no step is formed.

As shown in Figure 3, when the flexible protection tube 100a and the flexible protection tube 100b are connected to each other using the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300, the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 The portion joined by the coupling member 300 and the bending reinforcement portions 123a and 123b may have a stable structure when bending occurs due to an external force. For example, the flexible protection tube 100 may have resistance to external force due to the bending reinforcement portions 123a and 123b formed at a thickness greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall at the center of the flexible protection tube 100.

The first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 have excellent impact resistance and seawater resistance, and can be manufactured from materials that are stable even in a deep-sea environment. For example, it may be made of stainless steel, but is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, the stability of the connection between the flexible protective tubes can be increased, and when damage occurs, only the coupling member can be easily replaced, which can be advantageous for maintenance.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the distal end of a flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 shows the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables viewed from direction a of Figure 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the distal end 120 of the flexible protective tube 100 may include a bending reinforcement reinforcement 500 and a flange reinforcement 600.

The distal end 120 of the flexible protection tube 100 includes a flange 121 and a fastening groove 122 that engage the first coupling member (Figure 2, 200) and the second coupling member (Figure 2, 300). Accordingly, the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122 must be able to withstand the external force applied through the flexible protection tube 100, and the first coupling member (Figure 2, 200) and the second coupling member (Figure 2, It must be able to withstand external forces applied through 300). Accordingly, the flange reinforcement 600 may be included in the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122.

The flange reinforcement 600 may be inserted into the tube wall 102 where the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122 are located. For example, as shown in Figure 5 (a), the flange reinforcement 600 is continuously connected along the circumference of the flange 121 in the form of a ring, and the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122 are located on the tube wall ( 102). In addition, for example, as shown in Figure 5 (b), the flange reinforcement 600 is a tube in which the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122 are located in the form of discontinuous pins along the circumference of the flange 121. It may be inserted into the wall 102. Accordingly, the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122 may have resistance so as not to be easily deformed by external force applied to the flange 121 and the fastening groove 122.

The flange reinforcement material 600 may be made of synthetic resin, fiber-reinforced plastic, and metal, but is not limited thereto.

The bending reinforcement portion 123 of the distal end 120 may be formed to be thicker than the tube wall 102 of the central portion 110 of the flexible protection tube 100 and may have bending resistance. In addition, the bending reinforcement part reinforcement 500 may be further included in the tube wall 102 located in the bending reinforcement part 123. At this time, the bending reinforcement part reinforcement 500 may be inserted into the tube wall 102 where the bending reinforcement part 123 is located in the form of a ring continuously connected along the circumference of the bending reinforcement part 123. In addition, for example, the bending reinforcement part reinforcement 500 may be inserted into the tube wall 102 where the bending reinforcement part 123 is located in the form of a discontinuous pin along the circumference of the bending reinforcement part 123. there is. Accordingly, the bending reinforcement portion 123 may have resistance so as not to be easily deformed by an external force applied to the bending reinforcement portion 123.

The bending reinforcement portion reinforcement material 500 may be made of synthetic resin, fiber-reinforced plastic, and metal, but is not limited thereto.

Figure 6 shows the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables and the reinforcing fibers included in the flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables according to each embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 (a), the flexible protection tube 100 may further include reinforcing fibers 700 to enhance physical properties. At this time, the reinforcing fiber 700 may be at least one of carbon fiber, glass fiber, Kevlar, and nylon, but is not limited thereto.

The reinforcing fiber 700 may be applied to at least one of the inner surface, outer surface, and interior of the tube wall of the flexible protective tube 100, and may be applied at a uniform density to the central portion 110 and the distal portion 120.

In addition, referring to FIG. 6 (b), the reinforcing fiber 700 may be applied at a low density to the central portion 110 and may be applied to the distal portion 120 at a high density compared to the central portion 110.

Accordingly, flexibility can be secured in the central portion 110, which requires flexibility, and rigidity can be secured in the distal portion 120, which requires strong support due to concentrated stress.

Figures 7 to 9 show cross-sections of connection portions between flexible protection tubes for protecting submarine cables according to each embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the flexible protection tube 100a and the flexible protection tube 100b can be connected to each other using the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300.

After placing the flange 121a of the flexible protection tube 100a and the flange 121b of the flexible protection tube 100b in contact with each other, the flanges 121a, 121b and the fastening grooves 122a, 122b are connected to the first coupling member 200. ) and the second coupling member 300 to surround the flexible protection tube (100a) and the flexible protection tube (100b) by fixing the first coupling member (200) and the second coupling member (300) to each other. You can.

At this time, as shown in Figure 8, the portion where the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 and the flanges 121a and 121b come into contact with each other, the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300, and A sealing material 400 may be disposed between portions where the bending reinforcement parts 123a and 123b come into contact. Accordingly, the flexible protection tube (100a) and the flexible protection tube (100b) are connected to the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300, and fluid such as seawater penetrates into the flexible protection tube (100a, 100b). ) It can prevent contamination or damage to the cable protected inside.

In addition, as shown in Figure 9, the portion where the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 and the flanges 121a and 121b come into contact, and the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 A sealing material 400 may be disposed between the portion where the fastening grooves 122a and 122b come into contact with each other and the portion where the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300 come into contact with the bending reinforcement portions 123a and 123b. . Accordingly, the flexible protection tube (100a) and the flexible protection tube (100b) are connected to the first coupling member 200 and the second coupling member 300, and fluid such as seawater penetrates into the flexible protection tube (100a, 100b). ) The sealing agent 400 can prevent contamination or damage to the cable protected inside.

The sealing material 400 may be a polymer material or a water-swellable sealing agent. For example, rubber, PVC, soft plastics (PE, PP,), urethane and urethane-based mixtures, silicone and silicone-based mixtures, EPDM, styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic rubber such as chloroprene rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber, or acrylates or sulfones. A water-absorptive resin containing an acid-based monomer mixed with natural rubber, a composite of bentonite and a polymer resin, etc. may be applied, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the specific description of the present invention has been made based on examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, but since the above-described embodiments are only explained by referring to preferred examples of the present invention, the present invention is limited to the above embodiments. It should not be understood, and the scope of rights of the present invention should be understood in terms of the claims and equivalent concepts described later.

For example, to aid understanding, drawings schematically show each component as the main component, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual drawing during the drawing process. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are only examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes are possible without substantially departing from the effect of the present invention.

100, 100a, 100b: Flexible protection tube
101: hollow tube
102: Tube wall
110: central part
120: distal end
121: flange
122: fastening groove
123: bending reinforcement part
200: first coupling member
300: second coupling member
400: Sealing material
500: Bending reinforcement reinforcement material
600: Flange reinforcement
700: Reinforcement fiber

Claims (5)

In the pipe-shaped flexible protective tube including a tube wall and a tube hollow formed inside the tube wall,
The tube wall is formed on both sides of the central portion and includes a central portion formed of a uniform thickness, and an end portion through which the tube hollow penetrates,
The distal end,
A flange formed at an end of the flexible protection tube and formed at a thickness greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall at the central portion;
a bending reinforcement portion formed between the flange and the central portion and formed to be greater than or equal to the thickness of the tube wall of the central portion; and
a fastening groove formed between the flange and the bending reinforcement, and formed less than a thickness of the flange and the bending reinforcement, forming a step between the flange and the bending reinforcement;
Including,
Has a structure in which 2 or more can be connected continuously,
It further includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member arranged to surround the flange and the fastening groove, so that two or more of the flexible protection tubes are connected in succession by fixing the first coupling member and the second coupling member to each other. It is possible to connect,
The first coupling member and the second coupling member are provided with a sealing material at a portion in contact with the flange and the fastening groove,
The tube wall is a flexible protective tube for protecting submarine cables, including reinforcing fibers therein.
delete delete In claim 1,
The bending reinforcement part,
Comprising a bending reinforcement reinforcement material inside,
Flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables.
In claim 4,
The flange is,
Comprising a flange reinforcement internally,
Flexible protection tube for protecting submarine cables.