RU2384857C1 - Method of searching for and raising objects from sea bottom to sea surface - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, navigation.

SUBSTANCE: method is realised as follows. At the bottom of the sea there is an object whose three sides, in the simplest case, are joined in series to identical anchor-chains, anchors, ropes, main loads, strong halyards, additional loads and corresponding radiosonic buoys. When the vessel approaches a design point, a hydroacoustic coded signal is emitted. The first radiosonic buoy (RSB) receives the control hydroacoustic coded signal, after which the radiosonic buoy rises to the sea surface. After technical or visual detection of the radiosonic buoy on the sea surface, the vessel approaches the given point and raises the object.

EFFECT: provision for fast detection on a large surface, rapid preparation for raising, including in bad weather conditions: wind, fog etc, and bad hydrophysical conditions: high sea waves, strong undercurrent etc, and raising an object from the bottom of the sea to the surface at minimal time and financial costs.

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Description

The invention relates to the field of acoustics, in particular to the emission of hydroacoustic encoded control signals.

The problem that is solved by the invention is the rapid detection over a large area, operational preparation for the rise, including in adverse weather and climate: wind, fog, etc., and hydrophysical: developed sea waves, strong undercurrents, etc., conditions , and the rise to the sea surface of an object previously installed on the seabed, with minimal financial and time costs.

There is a method of searching and lifting to the sea surface of an object previously installed on the seabed, which consists in lowering a diver from the vessel under the water, visually detecting the diver at the bottom of the sea, sequentially connecting the diver with metal cables lowered from the ship to each of the anchors the object, the successive lifting on board the vessel of each of the cables and anchors of the object, and then the object itself by simultaneously lifting on board the vessel all its anchor chains [1, 2, 3 and 4].

The disadvantages of this method include:

1. Poor search performance.

2. The inability to implement the method at large (more than 120 m) depths.

3. The inability to implement the method with developed (more than 4-5 points or with a wind speed of more than 20 m / s) sea waves.

4. The inability to implement the method with strong (more than 4-5 knots or 7-8 km / h) underwater currents.

5. The duration of the process of attaching the cables to the anchors when they are silted (applying silt and sand).

6. High cost.

7. Potential danger to life, health of a diver, etc.

There is a method of searching and lifting on board a vessel of an object previously installed on the seabed, which consists in lowering an uninhabited underwater vehicle (NPA) from the vessel under water, visual or technical detection of the object at the bottom of the sea, sequentially connecting the cables of the NPA manipulator, sequentially lowered under water with the side of the vessel, to each of the anchors of the object, the successive lifting on board the vessel of each of the cables and anchors of the object, and then the object itself by simultaneously lifting aboard the vessel all its anchor chains [1, 2, 3 and 5].

The disadvantages of this method include:

1. Limited search performance.

2. The limited possibility of implementing the method with developed (more than 4-5 points or with a wind speed of more than 20 m / s) sea waves.

4. The limited ability to implement the method with strong (more than 4-5 knots or 7-8 km / h) underwater currents.

5. The duration of the process of joining the cables to the anchors when they are silted (sand application).

6. High cost, etc.

The problem that is solved by the invention is to develop a method that is free from the above disadvantages.

The technical result of the proposed method consists in a significant - several tens of times, increased search performance, in significant - several times, reduced preparation time for the object to rise, as well as in expanding the scope of application - use in adverse weather and climate: wind, fog, etc. ., and hydrophysical: developed sea waves, strong undercurrents, etc., conditions.

According to the proposed invention, the method of searching and lifting to the sea surface of an object previously installed on the seabed consists in generating, amplifying and omnidirectionally emitting from the vessel a first hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency F ₁ , receiving, amplifying and decrypting the first hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency F ₁ in the first radio-acoustic buoy (RSAB), which has its own positive buoyancy, mechanical disconnection of the first RSAB from the first additional cargo, the ascent of the first RSLA to the sea surface, while the required supply of the first strong halyard, pre-stitched with a loop on the seabed and connected by its central part to the first additional cargo, is fixed on one side with successively mechanically connected: the first cable, the first anchor, the first anchor the chain and the first corner (or first side) of the object, and the other side with the hull of the first RSLA, visually, as well as using the navigation radar and direction finder, search the ship for and the sea surface of the surfaced first RSLA, and also carry out technical measurement of the distance between the first RSLA floating as well as the vessel, after lifting the first RSLA and the first strong halyard with the first additional cargo, the first main cargo, the first cable, the first anchor, the first anchor the chain and the first angle of the object itself, installed earlier on the seabed, in the formation, amplification and non-directional radiation from the vessel of the second hydroacoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₂ , reception, amplified and deciphering the second hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₂ in the second RSGB, which has its own positive buoyancy, mechanically disconnecting the second RSAB from the second additional load, the second RSAB floating up to the sea surface, while the required reserve of the second strong halyard, previously laid out by a loop on the sea bottom and connected by its central part to a second additional load, fixed on one side with mechanically connected in series: second cable, second anchor m, the second anchor chain and the second angle of the object, and the other side with the hull of the second RSLA, on the vessel visually, as well as using the navigation radar and direction finder, search on the sea surface for the emerging second RSLAB, and also carry out technical measurement of the distance between the emerging second RSLA and the vessel, after lifting the second RSLA and the second strong halyard with a second additional load, the second main cargo, the second cable, the second anchor, the second chain anchor and the second angle The object itself, previously installed on the seabed, in the generation, amplification and non-directional radiation from the vessel of the third hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₃ , the reception, amplification and decryption of the third hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₃ in the third RSAB, which has its own positive buoyancy, mechanical disconnection of the third RSLA from the third additional load, the ascent of the third RSLA to the sea surface, while the required supply of the third strong halyard, before looped on the seabed and connected with its central part to the third additional load, fixed by one side with successively mechanically connected: the third cable, the third anchor, the third anchor chain and the third corner of the object, and the other side with the hull of the third RSL, on the vessel visually as well as using a navigation radar station and a direction finder, they search on the sea surface for the surfaced third RSLA, and also carry out technical measurement of the distance between the surfaced tr after the third RSLA and the vessel, after lifting the third RSLA and the third strong halyard with a third additional cargo, the third main cargo, the third cable, the third anchor, the third chain anchor and the third corner of the object itself, previously installed on the seabed, are successively lifted onto the vessel lifting on board a vessel of all three, based on the minimum number of anchor chain attachment points for uniform lifting of the object, anchor chains and the three corners of the object itself, is carried out simultaneously.

Significant - several dozen times, an increase in search performance is achieved due to the fact that:

- to search for the desired RSAU under water, they carry out non-directional radiation from the vessel of a hydro-acoustic coded control signal to a distance of at least 15 km (direct radar visibility distance to the sea), in 3 minutes: 1 minute - three times the radiation of the hydro-acoustic coded control signal and 2 min - the time of the RSLA ascending to the sea surface from a depth of ~ 1000 m (the maximum depths in the continental shelf areas in which oil is currently being extracted), where an area of ~ 2826 km ^{2 is} examined under water (S = 4πR ² = 4 × 3.14 × 15 ² );

- for the technical search of the needed RSAF that has surfaced on the sea surface, they use a navigation radar station - to reflect radio signals from the metal body of the RSAU, as well as a direction finder - to detect and determine the direction of a working radio transmitter of the RSAU and, if necessary, a spacecraft, in 5 minutes - time of technical inspection of the sea surface with the help of a ship radar station and a direction finder, with a range of the radio transmitter RGB 15 km (direct radar distance visibility at sea), an area of ~ 2826 km ^{2 is} examined (S = 4πR ² = 4 × 3.14 × 15 ² );

- to improve the visual search for the right RSAH that has surfaced on the sea surface, its body is painted in bright color and glued with a special reflective coating. In addition, each RSGB instrument is equipped with a flashing beacon and several (at least two) flares.

Significant - several times, reducing the time of preparation of the object for lifting on a ship is achieved due to the fact that:

- within just a few minutes, due to the positive buoyancy of radio-acoustic buoys, strong halyards (ropes) are lifted to the sea surface - original conductors for the corresponding cables, anchors and anchor chains of the object;

- after lifting the corresponding RSLA and its strong halyard aboard the vessel, within several minutes, the ship’s hauling machine lifts the corresponding cable to the vessel;

- after lifting the cable on board the vessel for several minutes, the ship crane lifts the corresponding anchor;

- after lifting all the anchors on board the vessel, the object is ready to rise to the surface of the sea with the help of several - at least three anchor chains.

In other words, the processes of search, identification and preparation of an object to rise to the surface of the sea are combined in time, i.e. performed almost simultaneously.

The expansion of the scope is achieved due to the fact that:

- it is possible to implement the method in adverse weather and climate conditions: wind, fog, etc .;

- there is the possibility of implementing the method in adverse hydrophysical conditions: developed sea waves, strong undercurrents, etc .;

- there is the possibility of selective (for example, first distant from the vessel RSA, etc.) ascent to the surface of the sea of a RSA, etc.

Reducing financial costs is achieved by eliminating the use of divers and legal regulations for searching and identifying an object, as well as for preparing it for lifting to the sea surface, etc.

Distinctive features of the proposed method are:

1. From the vessel, hydro-acoustic coded control signals are sequentially generated, amplified and non-directionally emitted.

2. Underwater in the corresponding RSAH sequentially receive, amplify and decrypt the sonar encoded control signals.

3. Using mechanical locks, the corresponding RSHAs are sequentially disconnected from the corresponding additional anchors.

4. Provide, due to the positive buoyancy of the RSLA and the presence of the necessary reserves of a strong halyard, a consistent rise to the sea surface of the corresponding RSLRs.

5. On board the vessel, the corresponding RSHA and the corresponding reserves of strong halyard with corresponding additional cargoes are boarded on board.

6. On board the vessel, the corresponding additional loads, cables and anchors are boarded in sequence.

7. On the vessel at the same time, using the appropriate anchor chains, lift the object itself to the sea surface.

The presence of distinctive features allows us to conclude that the proposed method meets the criterion of "novelty."

An analysis of the known technical solutions in order to detect the indicated distinctive features in them showed the following.

Signs 1-3 and 4 are new, and their use for searching and lifting aboard an object previously installed on the seabed is unknown. At the same time, these signs are known in sonar.

Signs 5 and 6 are new, and their use for lifting to the surface of the sea an object previously installed on the seabed is unknown.

Sign 7 is well known.

Thus, the presence of new significant features in combination with the known ones provides the appearance of the proposed solution with a new property that does not coincide with the properties of the known technical solutions - quickly detect over a large area, quickly (in a short time) prepare for the rise, including in adverse weather climatic: wind, fog, etc., and hydrophysical: developed sea waves, strong undercurrents, etc., conditions, and to raise objects previously installed on the seabed to the surface of the sea, with mini cial financial and time costs.

In this case, we have a new set of features and their new relationship, moreover, it’s not a simple combination of new features and already known ones, but the execution of operations in the proposed sequence leads to a qualitatively new effect.

This circumstance allows us to conclude that the developed method meets the criterion of "significant differences".

Figure 1 and figure 2 presents the functional diagrams of a device that implements the developed method. Figure 3 presents the structural diagram of the RSLA. Figure 4 illustrates the appearance of some devices used to implement the developed method.

The device comprises: a vessel (1) and an object (2), previously installed on the seabed. On the vessel (1) there are: a unit for generating (3), amplifying (4) and radiation (5) hydro-acoustic coded control signals, in the simplest case, at frequencies F ₁ , F ₂ and F ₃ ; navigation radar station (6), direction finder (7) of radio signals, in the simplest case, at frequencies ω ₁ , ω ₂ and ω ₃ from the corresponding RSLB, the first lifting device (8) in the form of a ship’s winch, and also the second lifting device (9) in the form of a ship crane.

To the object (2), in the simplest case, on three sides, identical to each other anchor chains (10), identical to each other anchors (11), identical to each other cables (12) made of metal, identical to each other main loads (13), strong halyards, identical to each other (14), made of vegetable threads, additional weights, identical to each other (16), and the corresponding RSLA: the first RSLA (16), the second RSLR (17), and the third RSLR (18). At the same time, each of the RSAHs (16, 17, and 18) is in circular metal cases (19) identical to each other, painted brightly and coated externally with a reflective coating - to facilitate visual detection in the light and dark time of the day, respectively.

On the outside of the body of each of the RSLBs there are identical mechanical locks (20) with a metal connecting ring (21), a radar antenna (22), attached in the underwater position to the RSLU case using the corresponding lock (23), and a depth sensor (24) , flares (25), flashing beacon (26) and hydrophone (27). Inside the housing of each RSLB there are identical band-pass filters (28) and amplifiers (29) corresponding to their RSLR decoders: (30A) for the first RSLB, (16V) for the second RSLB (17) and (16C) for the third RSLR (eighteen); electromagnets identical to each other (31), radio transmitters (32) and high-capacity power supplies (33).

The method is implemented as follows (figure 1 - figure 3).

At the bottom of the sea is an object (for example, a technological platform for servicing an offshore oil platform), which was installed there earlier. An object (2), in the simplest case on three sides, is connected in series with each other identical anchor chains (10), anchors (11), cables (12), main loads (13), strong halyards (14), additional loads ( 16) and the corresponding RSLB: the first RSLB (16), the second RSLB (17), the third RSLB (18).

The vessel (1) approaches the calculated point of being at the bottom of the sea of the object (2) and stops the course (falls into the drift), and from its side to a depth of 50-100 m, using the appropriate cable, lower the block (5). Depending on the weather and climate (for example, the strength and direction of the wind) and hydrophysical (for example, the direction and speed of the underwater current) conditions, a call is made through the sonar control channel of one or another RSA. For example, for the first RSAB (16), in the units of formation (3) and amplification (4), the hydroacoustic encoded control signal is generated and amplified to the required level at the frequency F ₁ , which is then omnidirectionally using the block (5), including side of the first RSAB (16), emit in a radius of at least 15 km from the vessel (1).

In the first RSAH (16), using a hydrophone (27), an acoustic (excess) pressure sensor, a hydroacoustic encoded control signal is received at a frequency of F ₁ . To reduce the influence of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) interference outside the operating frequency range (lower and higher than the frequency F ₁ ), this signal is fed to a band-pass filter (28). Next, the signal at a frequency of F _{1 is} fed to the input of the amplifier, in which it is amplified to the required level. From the output of the amplifier, this signal is input to the first (indicated by “A” index in FIG. 3) decoder (30A), where it is compared with a reference signal at a frequency of F ₁ , which is wired during manufacture. If the code matches from the output of the encoder (30A), the corresponding control signal is supplied to the electromagnet (31), and the electromagnet (31) opens the mechanical lock (20), which was previously under water in the closed state. After the mechanical lock (20) is actuated (opened), the metal connecting ring (21) falls out of it, due to the positive buoyancy of the RSLA (16). Owing to its own positive buoyancy and the presence of a reserve of strong halyard (14), the RSA (16) begins to float to the surface of the sea. Moreover, due to the round shape of the housing (19), the shifted center of gravity - due to the corresponding location of the radio transmitter (32) and the high-capacity power supply unit (33) inside the housing (19) and the method of fastening the strong halyard (14) to the housing (19) of the RSHA ( 16) in the water immediately turns over (rotates 180 degrees).

After surfacing to the surface of the sea, due to a decrease in the external pressure of the water, the depth sensor (24), which transmits the corresponding command to the latch (23), flashing light (26) and signal flares (25), is triggered. As a result, the latch (23) opens and the radar antenna (22), attached in an underwater position to the housing of the RSLB using the corresponding latch (23), is straightened. In this case, the radio transmitter (32) starts to work, radiating in all directions, including towards the ship (1), the corresponding signal at a frequency of ω ₁ . At the same time, the flashing beacon (26) starts to work (blink) and flares (25) shoot back (go into the sky).

On board the vessel visually: through a bright hull (19), a flashing beacon (26) and firing flares (25), and technically: using a navigation radar (6) - by reflecting its electromagnetic sounding signals from a metal hull (19), and a direction finder (7) - from the radiated signals radiated by the radar antenna (22) of the RSAB (16) at a frequency of ω ₁ , the floating RSAA (16) is detected on the sea surface, and the direction to it (direction finding) and the distance to it are determined.

Then the vessel (1) approaches the RSAH (16) that has surfaced on the sea surface and, with a sea cat, or a hook, lift this RSAA aboard. Subsequently, using the first lifting device (8) in the form of a ship’s winch, they are subsequently lifted aboard the vessel: the first strong halyard (14) with the first additional load (15), the first main load (13), the first cable (12) and the first anchor (11).

Similarly, search and rise of the second RSAH (17) and the third RSAA (18). In the same way, the second and third strong halyards (14) are lifted with the second and third additional loads (15), the second and third main loads (13), the second and third cables (12), as well as the second and third anchors (11).

After that, the second lifting device (9) is used in the form of a ship crane, and with it, the first, second and third anchor chains (10), previously attached to the first, second and third corners (sides), are simultaneously lifted on board the vessel minimum number of attachment points, object (2). Then, excluding turning over, thanks to three attachment points, the object itself (2), previously installed on the seabed, is evenly raised to the sea surface.

Subsequently, depending on the nature of the work performed with the object (2), all anchor chains (10), all anchors (11), all cables (12) and all main cargoes (13) can either be stored on board the vessel (1), either with the help of the RSLA (16, 17 and 18) and the corresponding strong halyards (14) with additional cargoes (15) put on the seabed and secretly stored there. The use of high-capacity power supplies (33) in the RSLA (16, 17, and 18) makes it possible to ensure their operability for two years without recharging. In addition, in the presence of force majeure circumstances (weather conditions, prevention of an emergency situation, etc.), in the process of lifting one or another anchor, one or another anchor chain, or the object itself (2), it is possible to use the same RGAB, after a platoon of the corresponding mechanical lock (20) and fixing the corresponding metal connecting ring (21) in it, for their quick reverse placement on the seabed.

Significant - several dozen times, increased search performance due to the fact that:

- to search for the desired object on the seabed, based on the method of lifting the object (2) to the sea surface under specific conditions, the anchors (when implementing the developed method, the necessary RSAB first) were examined for an area of ~ 2826 km ² (S = 4πR ² = 4 × 3.14 × 15 ² ), which is several orders of magnitude higher than when using a diver or NPA;

- for the technical search of the desired RSLA that surfaced on the sea surface, a navigation radar station and a direction finder were used; while in 5 minutes examined the area of ~ 2826 km ² ;

- to visually search for the desired RSLA that surfaced on the sea surface, its hull was previously painted bright and glued with a special reflective coating. In addition, each RSGB instrument was equipped with a flashing beacon and several signal flares, etc.

Significant - several times, a decrease in the time of preparation of the object for lifting is achieved due to the fact that the stages of detection and preparation for lifting are almost completely combined in time. At the same time, tens of minutes are carried out on board the ship of the sea strong halyards with additional cargoes, basic cargoes, cables and anchors. After lifting all the anchors on board the vessel, the object is ready to rise to the surface of the sea with the help of several, at least three, anchor chains, etc.

The expansion of the scope was achieved due to the fact that:

- the developed method was used in adverse weather, climate and hydrophysical conditions;

- selectively made a call through the hydro-acoustic control channel of one or another RSLA (or several RSLAs at once), and later, in the desired sequence, they lifted the object itself;

- in the process of lifting the object, they always had the opportunity to quickly stop the rise and return it back to the bottom of the sea - to its original position, etc.

The reduction in financial costs was achieved due to the non-use of divers (their insurance by other divers, subsequent medical rehabilitation, etc.) and legal acts to search for and identify the object, as well as to prepare it for lifting to the sea surface.

Sea tests of the method were carried out in 2008 on the offshore shelf of the Republic of Vietnam with sea waves up to 5 ... 6 points and underwater flow up to 7-8 knots. The following main results were obtained:

- the range was up to 20 km, which is several orders of magnitude greater than when using divers or NPA;

- the time of visual and technical detection of the RSLA that surfaced on the sea surface, as well as the determination of its spatial coordinates, averaged 7-8 minutes;

- the time to prepare the facility for lifting when using 8 anchors averaged 16 hours, which is several times less than when using divers or NPA.

Figure 5 illustrates the actual diagram of the search and rise to the sea surface of an object previously installed on the seabed with eight anchors (using 8 RSA).

Literature

1. Bulatov A.I., Proselkov Yu.M. Offshore oil and gas facilities. Technique and technology for the development and operation of offshore oil and gas fields. - Krasnodar: Enlightenment-South, 2006, 412 p.

2. Movsumzade E.M., Mastobaev B.N., Mastobaev Yu.B. and other offshore oil. Development of technical means and technologies. - Ufa: Monograph, 2005, 236 p.

3. Methods of preparation and lifting to the sea surface of technological platforms of oil platforms. - Vietnam, Hanoi: Institute of Oil and Gas, 2000, 371 p.

4. Korobov A.A., Levin B.C., Lukochikov A.V. and other underwater technology. - L .: Shipbuilding, 1980, 232 p.

5. Autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicles. / Under the general editorship of Acad. M.D. Ageeva. - Vladivostok: Science, 2000, 272 p.

Claims (1)

The method of searching and lifting to the sea surface of an object previously installed on the seabed, which consists in generating, amplifying and omnidirectionally emitting from the ship the first hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₁ , receiving, amplifying and decrypting the first hydro-acoustic encoded control signal at a frequency of F ₁ in the first radio-acoustic buoy with its own positive buoyancy, mechanical disconnection of the first radio-acoustic buoy from the first main load, the ascent of the first about a radio-acoustic buoy to the sea surface, while the first necessary supply of a strong halyard, pre-stitched with a loop on the seabed and connected with its central part with the first additional load, is fixed on one side with the first main load, the first cable, the first anchor, the first anchor - the chain and the first corner of the object, and the other side - with the hull of the first radio-acoustic buoy on the ship visually, as well as using the navigation radar and radio the gator perform a search on the sea surface for the surfaced first radio-acoustic buoy, and also carry out technical measurement of the distance between the surfaced first radio-acoustic buoy and the ship, after lifting the first radio-acoustic buoy and the first strong halyard with the first additional load, the first main load, the first cable, the first anchor, the first chain anchor and the first corner (or first side) of the object itself, previously installed on the seabed, in the formation, strengthening and not The direction of the radiation from the vessel second sonar coded control signal at a frequency F _2, a reception gain, and decoding the second sonar coded control signal at a frequency F ₂ during the second radiogidroakusticheskom buoy having its own buoyancy, mechanical disconnecting the second sonobuoy of the second main load emersion second a sonar buoy to the surface of the sea, with the second necessary reserve of a strong halyard, previously laid in a loop d on the seabed and connected by its central part to the second additional cargo, is fixed on one side with the second main cargo, the second cable, the second anchor, the second anchor chain and the second corner of the object, sequentially mechanically connected, and the other side - with the body of the second radio-acoustic buoy on the vessel visually, as well as using a navigation radar station and a direction finder, search for the surfaced second radio-acoustic buoy on the sea surface, as well as carry out technical and Measurement of the distance between the second floating sonar buoy and the ship, after raising the second sonar buoy and the second strong halyard with the second additional load, the second main load, the second cable, the second anchor, the second anchor chain and the second corner of the object installed earlier on the seabed, in shaping, amplification and omnidirectional radiation of the ship sonar third coded control signal at a frequency F _3, reception, amplification and decoding the third rod roakusticheskogo coded control signal at a frequency F ₃ in the third radiogidroakusticheskom buoy having its own buoyancy, mechanical disconnecting third sonobuoy third main load emersion third sonobuoy to the sea surface, wherein the third required margin strong tether previously laid loop seafloor and connected by its central part to the third additional load, is fixed on one side with successively mechanically connected by a third main load, a third cable, a third anchor, a third anchor chain and a third angle of the object, and the other side - with the hull of the third radio-acoustic buoy on the vessel visually, as well as using the navigation radar and direction finder, they search on the sea surface for the pop-up third radio-acoustic buoy, as well as carry out technical measurement of the distance between the surfaced third sonar buoy and the vessel, after lifting the third sonar buoy and a third strong halyard with a third additional cargo on board the vessel, the third main cargo, the third cable, the third anchor, the third anchor chain and the third angle of the object itself, previously installed on the seabed, are successively lifted, while lifting all three on board the ship the number of attachment points of the anchor chains for uniform lifting of the object, anchor chains and the three corners of the object itself are carried out simultaneously.

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