TWI686026B - Repair joint and method of repairing underwater cable - Google Patents

Abstract

Provide a repair joint with a novel structure that can be used for well-implemented sinking steps.

The repair joint includes a repair joint body for connecting the ends of the underwater cable, and the outer circumference of the repair joint body is movable in the circumferential direction relative to the repair joint body and is used to repair the repair The movable engaging part for engaging the hanging rope of the joint body part.

Description

Repair joint and underwater cable repair method

The invention relates to a repair method for repairing joints and underwater cables.

For repairing an underwater cable in an accident, a repair joint connecting the ends of the cable is used (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The underwater cable where the accident occurred was cut near the accident point. By cutting the cable on one side and one end of the reserve cable with the first repair connector, the first repair connector is sunk, and the cable on the other side and the other end of the reserve cable are repaired with the second repair connector Connect and sink the second repair connector to repair the underwater cable. As mentioned above, during the repair of the underwater cable, the insertion of the preliminary cable is performed.

The extra length caused by the insertion of the reserve cable caused the second repair connector to be sunk at a later time while being sunk in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

【Prior Technical Literature】 【Patent Literature】

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-345623

An object of the present invention is to provide a repair joint of a novel structure that can be used for a well-implemented transverse sinking step and a repair method of an underwater cable using the repair joint.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a repair joint having a repair joint body for connecting between end portions of underwater cables, and an outer circumference of the repair joint body relative to the repair joint body A movable engaging portion movable in the circumferential direction and used for engaging the sling suspended from the main body portion of the repair joint.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for repairing an underwater cable, comprising: a step of cutting an abnormal underwater cable, a cable end on one side of the cut underwater cable and preparation The step of connecting the first end of the cable through the first repair connector, the step of sinking the aforementioned first repair connector, Connect the second end of the preparatory cable opposite to the first end and the cable end of the other side of the cut underwater cable through the second repair connector to repair the second repair In the step of sinking the connector, the second repair connector has a repair connector body for connecting the second end of the prepared cable to the cable end of the other side of the cut underwater cable, The outer periphery of the repair joint body portion is a movable engaging portion that is movable in the circumferential direction with respect to the repair joint body portion and used to engage a sling suspended from the repair joint body portion.

Since the repair joint has a movable engaging portion that is movable in the circumferential direction with respect to the repair joint body, it is possible to implement the horizontal sinking step well. For example, it is possible to suppress cable damage caused by falling down.

100‧‧‧Repair joint

110‧‧‧Repair joint body

111‧‧‧Housing

112‧‧‧E

120‧‧‧movable snap part

121‧‧‧Joint Department

200‧‧‧Underwater cable

210‧‧‧A cable

220‧‧‧B cable

230‧‧‧ accident

240‧‧‧prepared cable

250‧‧‧First repair connector

260‧‧‧Second repair joint

270‧‧‧Bend

300‧‧‧Underwater

400‧‧‧operating ship

401‧‧‧Hanging Libra

402‧‧‧Sling

1(a) is a schematic front view showing the whole of the repair joint according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 1(c) are the outlines of the movable engaging portions of the repair joint according to the embodiment, respectively. Front view and side view.

2(a) to 2(d) are schematic diagrams showing the overall steps of the underwater cable repair method according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) are schematic diagrams showing the sinking procedure of the repair joint according to the embodiment.

1(a) to 1(c), a repair joint (a joint for underwater cables) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1(a) is a schematic front view showing the entire repair joint 100 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 1(c) are a schematic front view and side view of the movable engaging portion 120 of the repair joint 100, respectively. Figure.

The repair joint 100 includes a repair joint body portion 110 and a movable engagement portion 120. The repair joint body portion 110 is used to connect the ends of the underwater cable. As a device structure for repairing the joint body 110 to connect the ends of the cable, a known person can appropriately select and use it as necessary. The outer casing (outer casing) 111 of the repair joint body portion 110 is configured to be attachable to the movable engaging portion 120.

The movable engagement portion 120 is configured to be movable in the circumferential direction with respect to the repair joint body portion 110 on the outer periphery of the repair joint body portion 110, and is used to engage a sling suspended from the repair joint body portion 110.

It is desirable that the movable engaging portion 120 is provided with one or more sets in a position symmetrical with respect to the center of the repair joint body portion 110 in the longitudinal direction of the repair joint body portion 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1(a), two sets (four) of movable engaging portions 120 are provided. The installation position or number of the movable engaging part 120 It can be appropriately selected according to the hanging conditions of the repair joint body 110 and the like.

In addition, the circumferential direction of repairing the joint main body portion 110 (or the housing 111) is sometimes referred to as "circumferential direction". In addition, the longitudinal direction of the repair joint body portion 110 (or the housing 111) may only be referred to as the "longitudinal direction".

Hereinafter, a more specific structure will be exemplarily described. The housing 111 has a roughly cylindrical shape. A movable engagement portion 120 is attached to the outer periphery of the housing 111. The movable engaging portion 120 has a ring shape surrounding the outer periphery of the housing 111 (that is, the repair joint body portion 110).

A pair of flange portions 112 are provided on the outer periphery of the housing 111 on which the movable engaging portions 120 are mounted so as to sandwich the movable engaging portions 120 from both sides in the longitudinal direction. The movable engagement portion 120 is clamped from both sides by the flange portion 112 to restrict movement in the longitudinal direction, and can be positioned in one of the longitudinal directions and moved in the circumferential direction.

The movable engagement portion 120 has, for example, a hanging wheel-shaped engagement portion 121 on the outer periphery. Since the engaging portion 121 is engaged with the sling, the repair joint body portion 110 can be suspended. In addition, in this example, although the engaging portion 121 is formed into a hanging wheel shape, as long as the sling can be engaged, the structure of the engaging portion 121 is not particularly limited. In addition, the type or structure of the sling is not particularly limited as long as it can hang the repair joint body 110 through the movable engaging portion 120.

The movable engaging portion 120 is composed of, for example, a pair of semi-circular arc members 122 and 123, and the engaging portion 121 It is provided on one of the semicircular arc-shaped members 122 and 123, for example, on the outer circumference of the semicircular arc-shaped member 122. Since the concave portion defined between the pair of flange portions 112, the semi-circular arc-shaped members 122 and 123 are arranged so as to sandwich the housing 111 from above and below, and the ends of the semi-circular arc-shaped members 122 and 123 are separated by For example, the bolts are locked and combined, and the movable engaging portion 120 may be provided on the outer circumference of the housing 111 and in a ring shape movable in the circumferential direction.

The material of the movable engaging portion 120 or the size of each portion can be appropriately selected according to the weight of the repair joint body portion 110 suspended through the movable engaging portion 120.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d) and FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), as an example of a method of using the repair connector 100 according to the embodiment, for an underwater cable using the repair connector 100 Description of the repair method. 2(a) to 2(d) are schematic diagrams showing the overall steps of the underwater cable 200 repair method. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams showing the steps of setting the second repair joint 260 (the repair joint 100 according to the embodiment).

The xy surface of the xyz coordinate system shown in Fig. 2(a)~Fig. 2(d), Fig. 3(a), Fig. 3(b) represents the horizontal plane, and the x direction represents the underwater cable 200 before the accident (before repair) The extending direction, the y direction represents a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the underwater cable 200, and the z direction represents a vertical direction. In addition, the extension direction (x direction) of the underwater cable 200 before the accident may only be referred to as the "cable extension direction".

Figure 2 (a) ~ Figure 2 (c) is from the horizontal direction orthogonal to the cable extension direction (from the y direction) Observe the schematic diagram of the underwater cable 200. Refer to Figure 2(a). For example, an underwater cable 200 is provided along the bottom 300 of the seabed, etc., and a position 230 indicated by "X mark" indicates that there is an accident point at which the underwater cable 200 has an abnormality. FIG. 2(a) shows a situation where the underwater cable 200 within a predetermined range including the accident point 230 is dug out of the underwater bottom 300 for repair.

The professional diving technician cuts the underwater cable 200 near the accident point 230. The underwater cable 200 on one side (the right side of the paper) with respect to the cutting position is called "A cable 210", and the underwater cable 200 on the other side (the left side of the paper) is called " B cable 220".

Refer to Figure 2(b). Pull the cut end of the A cable 210 to the work ship (desk boat) 400, remove the abnormal part near the cut end, and apply a temporary termination to the end 211 of the A cable 210 after the abnormal part is removed After the treatment, the A cable 210 is dropped into the water 301. In some cases, the end 211 of the A cable 210 is attached with a buoy 212 as a mark.

Pull up the cut end of the B cable 220 to the work boat 400, remove the abnormal part near the cut end, and remove the end 221 of the B cable 220 and the stowage on the work ship 400 after the abnormal part is removed The end 241 of the preliminary cable 240 is connected through the first repair connector 250.

As the first repair joint 250, a normal repair joint (not the repair joint 100 having the movable engaging portion 120 according to the embodiment) can be used, or the repair joint 100 having the movable engaging portion 120 according to the embodiment can also be used.

Refer to Figure 2(c). While pulling out the reserve cable 240, the work boat 400 is advanced toward the A cable 210 side, and the first repair joint 250 is sunk on the water bottom 300.

Pull the end 211 of the A cable 210 to the work boat 400, and pass the end 211 of the A cable 210 and the end 242 of the reserve cable 240 on the side opposite to the connecting end 241 of the B cable 220 The second repair joint 260 is connected.

As the second repair joint 260, the repair joint 100 having the movable engaging portion 120 according to the embodiment is used.

Since the reserve cable 240 is inserted between the first repair connector 250 and the second repair connector 260, the underwater cable 200 after the connection of the reserve cable 240 has a reserve cable compared with the underwater cable 200 before the accident The excess length of the length of the line 240 is generated.

Therefore, the underwater cable 200 at the time of connection of the second repair connector 260 is formed with a bent portion 270 (including the reserve cable 240 and The second repair joint 260 and the A cable 210 constitute a bent portion 270).

Refer to Figure 2(d). FIG. 2(d) is a schematic view of the underwater cable 200 viewed from the vertical direction (z direction). After the connection of the second repair joint 260, the bending portion 270 is pushed down in the horizontal direction (toward the y direction) orthogonal to the cable extending direction, and the second repair joint 260 is sunk on the water bottom 300. In addition, the horizontal direction (y direction) orthogonal to the cable extending direction is sometimes referred to as the "lateral direction". In addition, there are cases where the vertical direction (z direction) is called "vertical direction".

Since the bent portion 270 including the second repair joint 260 protrudes in the longitudinal direction when the second repair joint 260 is connected, it cannot be the same as the sinking of the first repair joint 250, that is, along the underwater cable 200 before the accident Set in the extension direction. In response to the above problem, the bending portion 270 is sunk by pushing down the bending portion 270 in the lateral direction. In some cases, the sinking step of the second repair joint 260 is referred to as a "horizontal sinking step".

The horizontal sinking step is performed by moving the work boat 400 in the lateral direction while suspending the second repair joint 260, and moving the second repair joint 260 to the desired position in the lateral direction.

With further reference to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the steps of the horizontal sinking will be described in more detail. FIG. 3(a) shows the state before the horizontal sinking, that is, the state where the bent portion 270 protrudes in the vertical direction, and FIG. 3(b) shows the state after the horizontal sinking, that is, the curved part 270 in the transverse direction A schematic diagram of the state of pushing down the sink 300.

Refer to Figure 3(a). With the crane mounted on the work boat 400 (not shown in FIG. 3, refer to FIG. 2 ), the second repair joint 260 (that is, the repair joint 100 according to the embodiment) is suspended by, for example, hanging the scale 401. More specifically, the second repair joint 260 (repair joint 100) is suspended by engaging, for example, the lower end of the sling 402 hung on the hanging balance 401 with the engagement portion 121 of the movable engagement portion 120.

Refer to Figure 3(b). In a state where the second repair joint 260 (repair joint 100) is suspended, the bending portion 270 is pushed down in the lateral direction while moving the work boat 400 (not shown in FIG. 3, refer to FIG. 2) in the lateral direction. The preparation cable 240 and the A cable 210 of the portion erected from the water bottom 300 toward the second repair joint 260 (the repair joint 100) before the overturning operation are arranged in the original vertical orientation toward the horizontal direction, along with the overturning operation And twisted.

The repair connector body portion 110 is intended to fall laterally as the preparation cables 240 and the A cable 210 connected to both sides thereof are twisted. That is, the repair joint main body 110 is intended to rotate in the circumferential direction (based on the posture before the lateral work) as the lateral work is performed.

On the other hand, the sling 402 while the second repair joint 260 (repair joint 100) is suspended is held in a certain direction (vertically downward) during the overturning operation, and is engaged with the second repair joint 260 (repair joint) 100). That is, the engaging portion 121 engaged with the sling 402 intends to maintain a posture toward a certain direction (vertically upward) during the tilting operation.

The present embodiment is constituted by the engaging portion 121 as the movable engaging portion 120 which is movable in the circumferential direction, that is, by repairing the joint body portion 110 relative to the movable engaging portion 120 in the circumferential direction, being movable in the horizontal direction In the middle, while the engaging portion 121 maintains a vertically upward posture, the joint main body portion 110 is rotatable in the circumferential direction.

Therefore, the hanged repair joint body part 110 is intended to fall in the lateral direction (rotate in the circumferential direction) in such a way as to naturally follow the twist of the reserve cable 240 and the A cable 210, and the second repair joint can be performed 260 (repair joint 100) is laid horizontally.

Here, as a comparative form, consider the case where the repair joint does not have a movable engaging portion, such as the example shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), when the engaging portion is fixed in the circumferential direction, the horizontal sinking is considered step.

In the comparative mode, in the horizontal tilting operation, the engaging portion wants to maintain the vertical upward posture, which hinders the movement of the repair joint body portion to reverse in the lateral direction (to rotate in the circumferential direction). Therefore, unnatural twists are concentrated on repairing the cable connection portions at both ends of the connector, so there is a fear of cable damage.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, compared with the comparative mode, the operation of the repair joint body 110 to be tilted in the lateral direction (to be rotated in the circumferential direction) is not hindered in the horizontal tilting operation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the problem that unnatural twisting is concentrated on repairing the cable connection portions at both ends of the joint, and it is possible to suppress cable damage.

As described above, by using the repair joint 100 according to the embodiment, it is possible to carry out the sinking and sinking step well. For example, it is possible to suppress the damage of the cable caused by falling down.

The invention of the present application applies a repair joint according to the embodiment to the connection of an optical composite submarine power cable to produce a trial product, and implements a simulation test of the sinking step. The movable engaging portion moves smoothly as the traverse angle of the cable becomes larger. Regarding the transmission loss of the optical fiber in the optical composite cable, according to the measurement result of the power measuring device under test, there is no abnormal increase. In addition, yes In addition, the electrical test of the repaired joints and cables after the mechanical resume is also qualified, which can guarantee the quality.

In addition, although the optical composite submarine power cable is exemplified as the cable applicable to the repair connector of the embodiment, the type of the cable applicable to the repair connector of the embodiment is not particularly limited.

In addition, the heavier the repair joint, the easier the cable damage due to twisting in the case where the engaging portion is not movable (in the case of a comparative form). The repair joint applicable to the movable engagement portion of the embodiment is not particularly limited, but from this point of view, the larger and heavier the repair joint, the more effective the movable engagement portion of the embodiment is.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 2(d) or FIG. 3(b) is an example for explanation, and the horizontal direction (whose side of the horizontal direction is viewed from the longitudinal direction) It can be appropriately selected as necessary.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the bending shape of the cable shown in the bending part of FIG. 2(c), FIG. 2(d), FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b) is an example for explanation. The curved shape of the line can be appropriately selected as necessary.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the ring-shaped structure is exemplified as the movable engagement portion, the structure of the movable engagement portion is not particularly limited as long as it is movable in the circumferential direction.

In addition, even if the step of laying the cable bending part including the repair connector If the cable is not repaired, the repair connector (connector for underwater cables) of the embodiment can also be used well.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is obvious to those of ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention belongs that various changes, improved combinations, etc. are possible.

<Ideal aspect of the invention>

The following is a note regarding the ideal aspect of the present invention.

(Supplementary note 1)

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a repair joint having a repair joint body for connecting between end portions of underwater cables, and an outer circumference of the repair joint body relative to the repair joint body A movable engaging portion movable in the circumferential direction and used for engaging the sling suspended from the main body portion of the repair joint.

(Supplementary note 2)

In a repair joint described in Appendix 1, it is preferable that the movable engagement portion has a ring shape surrounding the outer periphery of the repair joint body.

(Supplementary note 3)

A repair joint described in Appendix 2 is more ideal for The repair joint body portion has a pair of flange portions sandwiching the movable engaging portion from both sides on the outer periphery.

(Supplementary note 4)

A repair joint described in Supplementary Note 3 is preferably such that the movable engaging portion is composed of a pair of semi-circular arc-shaped members.

(Supplementary note 5)

A repair joint described in any one of appendices 1 to 3, it is preferable that the movable engaging portion has a hanging wheel-shaped engaging portion on the outer periphery.

(Supplementary note 6)

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for repairing an underwater cable, comprising: a step of cutting an abnormal underwater cable, a cable end on one side of the cut underwater cable and preparation The step of connecting the first end of the cable through the first repair connector, the step of sinking the first repair connector, the second end of the prepared cable opposite to the first end and the cut The step of connecting the end of the cable on the other side of the underwater cable through the second repair connector and the step of sinking the second repair connector, the second repair connector includes: the second end for the preparation of the cable Part and the other part of the cut underwater cable The repair joint body connected to the end of the cable on one side is a sling for suspending the repair joint body on the outer circumference of the repair joint body relative to the repair joint body in the circumferential direction The movable engaging part is engaged.

(Supplementary note 7)

A method for repairing an underwater cable described in Appendix 3, it is preferable that the step of sinking the second repair joint is to include the aforementioned preparation while hanging the main body part of the repair joint with a sling through the movable engaging portion. The bending portion formed by the cable and the second repair connector and the cable on the other side of the cut underwater cable is pushed down in the lateral direction.

100‧‧‧Repair joint

110‧‧‧Repair joint body

111‧‧‧Housing

112‧‧‧E

120‧‧‧movable snap part

121‧‧‧Joint Department

122‧‧‧Semicircular arc-shaped member

123‧‧‧Semicircular arc-shaped member

Claims (3)

A repair joint includes: a repair joint body part for connecting end portions of underwater cables; an outer periphery of the repair joint body part is movable relative to the repair joint body part in a circumferential direction and is used for Repair the movable engaging part where the hanging sling of the joint body is engaged. A method for repairing an underwater cable, comprising: a step of cutting an abnormal underwater cable, the end of the cable on one side of the cut underwater cable and the first end of the reserve cable passing through the first The steps of repairing the connector connection, the step of sinking the first repair connector, the second end of the prepared cable opposite to the first end, and the cable on the other side of the cut underwater cable The step of connecting the ends through the second repair connector and the step of sinking the second repair connector, the second repair connector has: a method for connecting the second end of the prepared cable and the cut underwater cable The repair connector body part connected to the cable end on the other side is set to be movable in the circumferential direction relative to the repair connector body part on the outer periphery of the repair connector body part and used to hang the repair connector body part The movable engaging part of the sling is engaged. The method for repairing an underwater cable as described in item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the step of sinking the second repair joint is to hang the main body part of the repair joint by a sling through the movable engaging part, On one side, the bent portion formed by the cable including the preparatory cable, the second repair connector, and the cable on the other side of the cut underwater cable is turned horizontally Push down.

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