NL2014650A

NL2014650A - Anchor.

Info

Publication number: NL2014650A
Application number: NL2014650A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Maria Wilhelm Gerard Remmers Victor
Original assignee: Stevlos Bv
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2015-04-16
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: NL2014650B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an anchor comprising a fluke, an anchor line coupling and a link assembly extending between the coupling and the fluke, wherein the fluke comprises a central reinforcement body, a left penetration body and a right penetration body that impose the penetration direction to the anchor, and an upper wing and a lower wing that extend above respectively below the penetration bodies, wherein the fluke tapers to form a front side, and a left and right outer side, wherein the link assembly comprises an elongate left and right link that are connected to outer sides of the fluke, and an elongate front link that is connected to the front side of the fluke, wherein the fluke has an outline that allows the fluke to flip from one side to the other with its front side through the fluke passage.

Description

Anchor

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an anchor comprising an anchor line coupling and a link assembly extending between the coupling and the fluke. A known anchor of this type is the Stevmanta anchor, which is employed for anchoring large marine objects, such as oil platforms, in an anchoring ground at sea. The Stevmanta anchor has a plate shaped fluke with a manta ray outline and four diverging chains that connect the upper side of the fluke with an anchor line coupling. The Stevmanta anchor is initially placed with the opposite lower face of the fluke onto the anchoring ground. It starts digging when the anchor line is pulled in the right direction only. This means that both the initial positioning and the pulling direction are critical. Especially when a spider of anchor lines to a marine object needs to be formed, this may be disadvantageous as there is no time or space to make numerous attempts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anchor with a fluke that quickly and stably comes into its initial digging or penetration position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an anchor comprising a fluke, an anchor line coupling and a link assembly extending between the coupling and the fluke, wherein the fluke comprises a central reinforcement body extending parallel to the plane of symmetry of the anchor, a left penetration body and a right penetration body that impose the penetration direction to the anchor, wherein the penetration bodies extend from the central reinforcement body and are located in the plane of symmetry of the fluke, and an upper wing and a lower wing that extend above respectively below the penetration bodies to define passages there between for the anchoring ground when penetrating in the penetration direction, wherein the fluke tapers in the penetration direction to form a front side, and at the wider side there behind a left outer side and a right outer side, wherein the link assembly comprises an elongate left link that is at one end connected to the left outer side of the fluke, an elongate right link that is at one end connected to the right outer side of the fluke, and an elongate front link that is at one end connected to the front side of the fluke, wherein the left link, the right link and the front link are at their other ends commonly connected to the anchor line coupling, wherein the anchor line coupling is located in the plane of symmetry of the anchor and the left link and the right link define a fluke passage there between, wherein the fluke has an outline that allows the fluke to flip from one side to the other with its front side through the fluke passage.

The anchor according to the invention comprises a symmetric fluke with two penetration bodies that urge the anchor to fall with its fluke flat onto its anchoring ground. In this position the lower one of the upper wing and lower wing is in contact with the anchoring ground to keep the front side towards or into the anchoring ground. From this initial position the anchor starts digging almost immediately into the anchoring ground when it is pulled with the anchor line in the direction of the plane of symmetry of the anchor, or under a slight angle thereto. If for any reason the pulling direction deviates from this, the fluke is allowed to tumble and flip over with its front side through the fluke passage that is formed by the tensioned links to land on the opposite wing. This is again the initial position to start digging almost immediately into the anchoring ground.

In an embodiment the left link and the right link each comprises a chain or cable between their ends. Chains or cables can be loaded in tensional direction only and will collapse otherwise. This allows easy handling of the anchor on the deck of a working vessel that installs the anchor.

In an embodiment the left link and the right link each comprises an end shackle with a pin that is inserted in a side eye in the respective left outer side and right outer side of the fluke. The pin acts as a pivot that allows the fluke to tumble and flip over with respect to the left link and right link.

In an embodiment the front link comprises a chain or cable between its ends. The front link can then easily follow the front side of the fluke when passing through the fluke passage.

In an embodiment the front link comprises an end shackle with a pin that is inserted in a front eye in the front side of the fluke. The pin acts as a pivot that allows the front link to follow the front side of the fluke when passing through the fluke passage.

In an embodiment the front link is connected to the central reinforcement body at the front side of the fluke. The central reinforcement body then transfers the pulling forces from the front link onto the penetration bodies .

In an embodiment the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a penetration tooth pointing in the penetration direction, wherein the penetration teeth are located spaced apart from the central reinforcement body. The penetration bodies can initialize the penetration, especially in harder anchoring grounds.

In an embodiment the front link is connected to the central reinforcement body between the penetration teeth.

In an embodiment the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a penetration plate that extends in the plane of symmetry of the fluke. Plates penetrate relatively easily and provide a large holding capacity after installation of the anchor.

In an embodiment thereof the upper wing and the lower wing each comprise a first wing plate extending from the central reinforcement body over the left penetration body or right penetration body towards the left outer side or right outer side of the fluke.

The first wing plate preferably has a main plane that is under an angle with the plane of symmetry of the fluke, wherein the notional extension of the main plane of the first wing plate crosses the plane of symmetry of the fluke between the front side and the outer sides of the fluke. In this manner the fluke will rest on the back edge of the first wing plate that is furthest behind the front side of the fluke.

In an embodiment the fluke comprises a left mounting assembly at the left outer side to which the end of the left link is connected and a right mounting assembly at the right outer side to which the end of the right link is connected, wherein the upper wing and the lower wing are each connected to the left mounting assembly and the right mounting assembly, wherein the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a protrusion that is inserted with clearance in an aperture in the left mounting assembly and the right mounting assembly.

When the anchor is installed into the anchoring ground, the pulling forces are exerted at the left outer side and the right outer side of the fluke, allowing the center part of the fluke between the wings to be elastically bended downwards by the passing anchoring ground. The wings will follow the center part, whereby they impose a bending momentum onto the mounting assemblies. These momentum urge the mounting assemblies to be wrenched counter to the bending direction of the adjacent part of the penetration bodies. These opposite wrenching movements are free due to the clearance around the protrusions. Thereby there are no additional bending moments transferred between the mounting assemblies and the adjacent parts of the penetration bodies. This ensures the integrity of the connection between the wings and the penetration bodies.

In an embodiment thereof the protrusion is inserted with clearance in its radial direction or transverse to its insertion direction.

In an embodiment the protrusion is inserted with clearance in its axial direction or insertion direction.

In an embodiment the upper wing and the lower wing each comprise a second wing plate that extends under an angle with the first plate, and that connects the first plate with the left mounting assembly or right mounting assembly.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides an anchor comprising a fluke, an anchor line coupling and a link assembly extending between the coupling and the fluke, wherein the fluke comprises a central reinforcement body that extends parallel to the plane of symmetry of the anchor, a left penetration body and a right penetration body that impose the penetration direction to the anchor, wherein the penetration bodies extend from the central reinforcement body and are located in the plane of symmetry of the fluke, and an upper wing and a lower wing that extend above respectively below the penetration bodies to define passages there between for the anchoring ground when penetrating in the penetration direction, wherein the fluke tapers in the penetration direction to form a front side, and at the wider side there behind a left outer side and a right outer side, wherein the link assembly comprises an elongate left link that is at one end connected to the left outer side of the fluke, an elongate right link that is at one end connected to the right outer side of the fluke, and an elongate front link that is at one end connected to the front side of the fluke, wherein the left link, the right link and the front link are at their other ends commonly connected to the anchor line coupling, wherein the fluke comprises a left mounting assembly at the left outer side to which the end of the left link is connected and a right mounting assembly at the right outer side to which the end of the right link is connected, wherein the upper wing and the lower wing are each connected to the left mounting assembly and the right mounting assembly, wherein the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a protrusion that is inserted with clearance in an aperture in the left mounting assembly and the right mounting assembly.

When the anchor is installed into the anchoring ground, the pulling forces are exerted at the left outer side and the right outer side of the fluke, allowing the center part of the fluke between the wings to be elastically bended downwards by the passing anchoring ground. The wings will follow the center part, whereby they impose a bending momentum onto the mounting assemblies. These momentum urge the mounting assemblies to be wrenched counter to the bending direction of the adjacent part of the penetration bodies. These oppositely directed wrenching movements are free due to the clearance around the protrusions. Thereby there are no additional bending moments transferred between the mounting assemblies and the adjacent parts of the penetration bodies. This ensures the integrity of the connection between the wings and the penetration bodies.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is an isometric back view of an anchor according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure IB is the view of figure 1A, in which one part has been cut out for illustration;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are a top view, a side view and a front view of the anchor of figure 1A;

Figures 5A is a back view of the anchor of figure 1A; and

Figure 5B is the back view of the anchor of figure 5A, showing the deformation in the anchor due during penetration of an anchoring ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1A-5A show an anchor 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The anchor 1 is used in the offshore industry, and has a deadweight of at least 200 kilos, preferably one thousand kilos or more. The anchor 1 is adapted for in a dig-in direction or penetration direction P penetrating and digging into an anchoring ground, in order to anchor a vessel or an offshore object to be anchored, such as an oil platform or wind turbine, attached to the anchor 1 in the anchoring ground.

The anchor 1 comprises a fluke 30, an anchor line coupling 80 and a link assembly 90 extending between the coupling 80 and the fluke 30. The fluke 30 has a plane of symmetry M that is located in the main plane of the fluke 30. The entire anchor 1 has a plane of symmetry N perpendicular to the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30. The plane of symmetry N of the entire anchor 1 extends through the middle of the fluke 30, and the coupling 80 is located therein. The fluke 30 has or imposes the forward penetration direction P in an anchoring ground when a pulling force F is exerted in direction F by an anchor line 83. Both the penetration direction P and the direction of the pulling force F extend substantially in the plane of symmetry N of the entire anchor 1.

The fluke 30 is made of steel and comprises a central reinforcement body 31, a left penetration body 51 and a right penetration body 52 that are welded to the opposite sides of the central reinforcement body 31, and an upper wing 70 and a lower wing 78 that extend symmetrically above and below the penetration bodies 51, 52 to define passages 71 there between for the anchoring ground when the fluke 30 is penetration in the penetration direction P.

The central reinforcement body 31 is formed out of a flat steel plate with a constant thickness. The central reinforcement body 31 comprises an elongate, slightly wedge shaped section 32 that tapers in the penetration direction P. The central reinforcement body 31 has a front end 37 with a front eye 4 0 for the fluke 30 that projects freely from and between the penetration bodies 51, and a back end 38 with a back eye 39 for the fluke 30 that extends backwards from the penetration bodies 51. At the back side the central reinforcement body 31 comprises a raised support section 33 for the wings 60. The central reinforcement body 31 comprises on both sides of the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30 a straight first edge 34 that is under a slight angle to the first plane of symmetry M, a straight second edge 35 that is under a larger oblique angle to the plane of symmetry M, and a straight third edge 36 that is about parallel to the second edge 35.

The penetration bodies 51, 52 are each formed out of a flat steel plate with a constant thickness. The penetration bodies 51, 52 are symmetric with respect to the plane of symmetry M of the entire anchor 1. The main planes of the penetration bodies 51, 52 extend in the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30. The penetration bodies 51, 52 each comprise a straight inner edge 53 at the front facing the front end 37 of the central reinforcement body 31. The inner edges extend oblique and forwards from the central reinforcement body 31. The penetration bodies 51, 52 each comprise a longer straight outer edge 54 that extends oblique to the central reinforcement body 31 to define a pointed front end 55 of the penetration bodies 51, 52. In the front end 55 a slot 59 is provided in which a penetration tooth 62 of hardened steel is welded that extends in its elongate direction parallel to the planes of symmetry Μ, N and that point in the penetration direction P.

The penetration bodies 51, 52 furthermore comprise a straight back edge 56 that extends oblique to the central reinforcement body 31 under an angle that is larger than the angle under which the outer edge 54 extends to the central reinforcement body 31. The outer edge 54 and the back edge 56 together define an outer mounting end 61 of the penetration bodies 51, 52. In the mounting end 61 an aperture 57 is provided in which a cylindrical mounting axis 58 is welded. The distal end of the mounting axis 58 projects from the notional meeting outer edges 54, 56.

The wings 70 each comprise a first wing plate 72 that is formed out of a flat steel plate with a constant thickness. The first wing plate 72 is at one side welded to the support section 33 of the central reinforcement body 31. The first wing plate 72 is as from the support section 33 slightly directed towards the penetration direction P. The main plane is directed oblique to the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30, wherein its notional extension crosses this plane of symmetry M within the outlines of the penetration bodies 51, 52. The wings 7 0 each comprise a second wing plate 73 that is formed out of a flat steel plate with the same constant thickness as the first wing plate 72. The second wing plate 73 is at one side welded to the end of the first wing plate 72, and from there it is directed obliquely towards the distal end of the mounting axis 58.

The mounting axis 58 forms part of a mounting provision that furthermore comprises a front mounting plate 74 with a side eye 75 for the fluke 30 and a back mounting plate 7 6 with a passage 77 in which the projecting end of the mounting axis 58 is accommodated with ample clearance in its radial direction R, which is transverse to its axial direction S or insertion direction. The axial direction S extends in the plane of symmetry of the fluke 30. The front mounting plate 74 and the back mounting plate 76 may be one unity or an assembly of welded plates. The second wing plate 72 is welded to the front mounting plate 74 and the back mounting plate 76.

The anchor line coupling 80 comprises a steel anchor line shackle 81 that is closed by an inserted coupling pin 82 to connect to the anchor line 83. The link assembly 90 comprises a left steel pulling chain 91 and a right steel pulling chain 93 that are at one end together connected to the anchor line shackle 81 and that are at the opposite end connected to a mounting shackle 92. Alternatively, pulling cables, such as steel cables, may be used instead of chains. The mounting shackles 92 are closed by a mounting pin 94 that passes through the side eyes 75 of the fluke 30. The mounting shackles 92 allow the tensioned or stretched out chains 91, 93 and the anchor line coupling 80 to pivot or flip in direction A from one side of the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30 to the opposite side. The smaller triangular outline of the fluke 30 allows the free or unhampered passage of the pulling chains 91, 93 and the anchor line coupling 80 alongside of it.

The outermost angle of the pivoting movement in direction A is limited by a central pulling cable 100 that is at one side fixed to an eye 101 that is connected to the anchor line coupling 80, and that is at the opposite side fixed to an eye 102 that is connected to a shackle 103 having its mounting pin 104 inserted in the front eye 40. In this embodiment the central pulling cable 100 is a steel cable. Alternatively a chain like the left chain 91 or right chain 93 can be used. The length of the central pulling cable 100 determines the outermost angle in direction A. This angle may be adapted to the kind of anchoring ground, such as clay or sand, to allow optimal penetration of the fluke 30.

When the anchor 1 is installed in the anchoring ground, the anchor 1 is initially dropped or lowered onto the top surface thereof. Due to its flat shape, the fluke 30 will automatically cantle down into the flat position as shown in the figures. In this initial position the penetration teeth 62 and the lower wing 60 are in contact with the anchoring ground, directing the penetration teeth 62 and the penetration bodies 51, 52 to the anchoring ground. Due to the symmetry of the fluke 30 it does not matter to which side the fluke 30 flips after landing on the top surface of the anchoring ground. After landing, the plane of symmetry M of the fluke 30 is under an angle with the top surface of the anchoring ground, wherein the penetration teeth 62 initially penetrate the anchoring ground. By pulling onto the anchor line 83 in direction F, the fluke 30 automatically starts digging into the anchoring ground. The fluke 30 stably follows the anchor line 83 even when the direction of the pulling force F comes under an angle with the plane of symmetry N of the anchor 1.

Figure 5B shows the deformation of the fluke 30 during its installation when it makes its penetration trajectory in the full anchoring ground. The pulling force that is exerted by the anchoring line 83 in direction F causes the penetration bodies 51 to be flexed downwards with respect to the mounting shackles 92 in direction Q at the back end 38 of the central reinforcement body 31. The first wing plates 72 are flexed downward in the same direction Q as they are interconnected by the support sections 33 of the central reinforcement body 31. The front mounting plate 74 and the back mounting plate 7 6, that form one unity, are allowed to follow the second wing plates 73 in direction R, whereby they can come under a slight angle with respect to the mounting axis 58. Due to the ample clearance of the mounting axis 58 in the passage 77 in their radial direction R there is no bending torque transfer between the bending penetration bodies 51, 52 at one side and the front mounting plate 74 and a back mounting plate 7 6 at the other side to which the second wing plates 73 are welded. The mounting axis 58 can also slide in their axial direction R through the passage 77. In this manner it is ensured that all welds in the fluke 30 remain intact even when large pulling forces are exerted by the anchor line 83.

It is notified that in the above description the terms 'left', 'right', 'upper' and 'lower' are relative terms to describe the features of the anchor 1 without any limitation to the actual position at manufacturing or employment of the anchor 1.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

An anchor comprising a flow, an anchor line coupling and a connection assembly extending between the coupling and the flow, the flow comprising a central reinforcement body extending parallel to the plane of symmetry of the anchor, a left penetration body and a right penetration body which impose a penetration direction on the anchor, wherein the penetration bodies extend from the central reinforcement body and are located in the plane of symmetry of the flow, and an upper wing and an under wing extending above and below the penetration bodies respectively to define passages between them for the anchor ground when in the penetration direction is penetrated, the flow in the penetration direction tapering to form a front side, and behind it on the wider side, a left outside and a right outside, wherein the connection assembly is provided with an elongated left connection connected to a end d is connected to the left outer side of the paper, an elongated right connection connected at one end to the right outer side of the paper, and an elongated front connection connected at one end to the front of the paper, the left connection being , the right connection and the front connection are jointly connected at their other ends to the anchor line coupling, the anchor line coupling being located in the plane of symmetry of the anchor, and the left connection and the right connection between them define a flow passage, the flow having a circumference which allows the rolling paper with its front side to fold through the flow passage from one side to the other.

Anchor according to claim 1, wherein the left connection and the right connection each contain a chain or cable between their ends.

An anchor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the left connection and the right connection each comprise an end bracket with a pin inserted into a side eye in the respective left outside and right outside of the flow.

Anchor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pre-connection comprises a chain or cable between its ends.

Anchor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the front connection comprises an end bracket with a pin inserted in a front eye in the front of the rolling paper.

Anchor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the front connection is connected to the central reinforcing body at the front of the rolling paper.

An anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a penetration tooth pointing in the penetration direction, the penetration teeth being spaced apart from the central reinforcing body.

The anchor according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the pre-connection between the penetration teeth is connected to the central reinforcement body.

An anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left penetration body and the right penetration body each comprise a penetration plate extending in the plane of symmetry of the flow.

The anchor of claim 9, wherein the upper wing and the lower wing each comprise a first wing post extending from the central reinforcement body over the left penetration body or the right penetration body to the left outside or the right outside of the flow.

An anchor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first wing plate has a major surface that is at an angle to the plane of symmetry of the flow, wherein the imaginary continuation of the major plane of the first wing plate has the plane of symmetry of the flow between the front and the outer sides of the flow. cuts.

An anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow on the left outer side comprises a left-hand mounting assembly to which the end of the left connection is connected and on the right outer side a right-hand mounting assembly to which the end of the right-hand connection is connected, the upper wing and the under wing are each connected to the left-hand mounting assembly and the right-hand mounting assembly, the left-hand penetration body and the right-hand penetration body each including a protrusion inserted into an opening in the left-hand mounting assembly and the right-hand mounting assembly.

The anchor of claim 12, wherein the protrusion is inserted with play in its radial direction or transversely of its insertion direction.

Anchor as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the protrusion is inserted with play in its axial direction or in its insertion direction.

An anchor according to any of claims 12-14 in combination with claims 10 or 11, wherein the upper wing and the lower wing each comprise a second wing plate which is at an angle with the first plate and which the first plate with the left-hand mounting assembly or right-hand side connecting assembly.

An anchor comprising a flow, an anchor line coupling and a connection assembly extending between the coupling and the flow, the flow comprising a central reinforcement body extending parallel to the plane of symmetry of the anchor, a left penetration body and a right penetration body that impose a penetration direction on the anchor, wherein the penetration bodies extend from the central reinforcement body and are located in the plane of symmetry of the flow, and an upper wing and an under wing extending above and below the penetration bodies respectively to define passages between them for the anchor ground when in the penetration direction is penetrated, the flow in the penetration direction tapering to form a front side, and behind it on the wider side a left outside and a right outside, wherein the connecting assembly is provided with an elongated left connection attached to an egg nd is connected to the left outer side of the paper, an elongated right connection connected at one end to the right outer side of the paper, and an elongated front connection connected at one end to the front of the paper, the left connection being , the right connection and the front connection are jointly connected at their other ends to the anchor line coupling, the flow on the left outside comprising a left attachment assembly to which the end of the left connection is connected and on the right outside a right attachment assembly to which the end of the right joint is connected, the upper wing and the under wing each being connected to the left-hand mounting assembly and the right-hand mounting assembly, the left-hand penetration body and the right-hand penetration body each including a protrusion with play in an opening in the left-hand mounting assembly and the right-hand mounting assembly count has been stuck.

The anchor of claim 16, wherein the protrusion is inserted with play in its radial direction or transversely of its insertion direction.

An anchor according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the protrusion is inserted with play in its axial direction or in its insertion direction. -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-