WO2016111408A1

WO2016111408A1 - Submersible mooring apparatus and submersible mooring system having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016111408A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/000649
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jang Ik Park; Jeong Yun Moon; Dae Seong Kim; Byeong Gwon Lim
Original assignee: Ocean Us Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-01-05
Filing date: 2015-01-21
Publication date: 2016-07-14
Also published as: KR20160084243A

Abstract

A submersible mooring apparatus may include a buoyancy body configured to generate buoyancy; a variable buoyancy body configured to be coupled to the buoyancy body and injected with ballast water or air therein to control buoyancy; a compressed air tank configured to store compressed air therein and inject air into the variable buoyancy body; a communication unit configured to communicate with an external equipment; a controller configured to receive a control signal from the exteranal equipment via the communication unit and control the compressed air tank to regulate the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body according to the received control signal; and a mooring line configured to connect one of the buoyancy body and the variable buoyancy body to a seabed.

Description

SUBMERSIBLE MOORING APPARATUS AND SUBMERSIBLE MOORING SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a submersible mooring apparatus and submersible mooring system having the same, and more specifically, to a submersible mooring apparatus and submersible mooring system having the same, capable of controlling buoyancy to be descended in water and ascended to the surface of the sea.

Generally, all sorts of marine constructions such as a ship, that float on sea to work need a mooring apparatus to keep their positions against external forces such as wind, wave and sea current. In this case, turret is used as the mooring apparatus. In a mooring scheme using the turret, a marine construction adapts itself to the direction to which external force is applied to wheel on sea and the marine construction may rotate with the turret connected to the mooring line as a pivot axis. Accordingly, the marine construction may be moored at a predetermined position and perform works despite influences caused by the external force. Such a turret may be integrated in the marine construction or formed independently.

Meanwhile, in case that the turret and marine construction are formed independently, the turret may float at a predetermined position by a mooring line connected to seabed, and may be connected to neighboring marine constructions to moor the marine construction. However, since the turret always floats on the surface of the sea, there are problems in that the turret may collide with other floating marine constructions or floating ice and it is difficult to support the marine construction in harsher weather conditions such as typhoon. Further, in cast that there are strong external forces such as wind, wave and sea current, the tension acting to the mooring line becomes increased so that the mooring line may be broken.

[Prior Art Documents]

[Patent Documents]

Korean Laid Open Patent No.10-2010-0118109 (Nov. 04, 2010)

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a submersible mooring apparatus capable of controlling buoyancy to descend in water and ascend to the surface of the sea.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a submersible mooring system including a submersible mooring apparatus capable of controlling buoyancy to descend in water and ascend to the surface of the sea.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the following descriptions.

In some embodiments, a submersible mooring apparatus includes a buoyancy body configured to generate buoyancy; a variable buoyancy body configured to be coupled to the buoyancy body and injected with ballast water or air therein to control buoyancy; a compressed air tank configured to store compressed air therein and inject air into the variable buoyancy body; a communication unit configured to communicate with an external equipment; a controller configured to receive a control signal from the external equipment via the communication unit and control the compressed air tank to regulate the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body according to the received control signal; and a mooring line configured to connect one of the buoyancy body and the variable buoyancy body to a seabed.

In one embodiment, the buoyancy body may be sealed with a hatch to form a space that serves to maintain buoyancy, the space receiving the compressed air tank therein.

In one embodiment, the compressed air tank may further include an inlet pipe used to fill the tank with compressed air, and the inlet pipe may be connected to the externally through the hatch.

In one embodiment, the buoyancy body may be positioned on the variable buoyancy body, and the buoyancy body and variable buoyancy body may form a cone shape.

In one embodiment, the submersible mooring apparatus may further include at least one connection pipe that perpendicularly passes through the variable buoyancy body to be inserted into the variable buoyancy body, the connection pipe having one end positioned in the space and the other end positioned in the water.

In one embodiment, the submersible mooring apparatus may further include a first valve configured to open and close a first flow line that connects the compressed air tank and variable buoyancy body to each other to inject the air stored in the compressed air tank into the variable buoyancy body, the first valve being controlled by the controller; and a second valve configured to a second flow line that discharges the air received in the variable buoyancy body, the second valve being controlled by the controller.

In one embodiment, the submersible mooring apparatus may further include a plurality of notch units formed by indenting one end of the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body, wherein the plurality of notch units may be symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body.

In one embodiment, the notch unit may be polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body is cut to pass through the notch unit.

In some embodiments, a submersible mooring system comprised of a submersible mooring apparatus and a marine construction moored on the surface of the sea by the submersible mooring apparatus, wherein the submersible mooring apparatus includes a buoyancy body configured to generate buoyancy; a variable buoyancy body configured to be coupled to the buoyancy body and injected with ballast water or air therein to control buoyancy; a compressed air tank configured to store compressed air therein and inject the compressed air into the variable buoyancy body; a mooring line configured to connect one of the buoyancy body and the variable buoyancy body to a seabed; and a plurality of notch units formed by indenting one end of the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body, the notch units being symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body, and wherein the marine construction comprises: a bearing unit arranged outside the submersible mooring apparatus; a retaining ring seated on the bearing unit and rotating along the bearing unit around the submersible mooring apparatus; and a plurality of stoppers seated on the retaining ring and slidingly movable toward the submersible mooring apparatus to be fixedly inserted into each of the plurality of notch unit.

In one embodiment, the submersible mooring system may further include an actuator fixed to the retaining ring to slidingly move the stopper, wherein the actuator being operated by oil pressure, pneumatic pressure or electricity.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of notch units may be polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body is cut to pass through the notch unit.

In one embodiment, the submersible mooring system may further include a plurality of guide wheels installed in the marine construction and rotating in contact with an outer circumference of the submersible mooring apparatus.

According to the present invention, a mooring apparatus may be submerged below the surface of the sea. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mooring apparatus from colliding with other navigating marine constructions or floating ice. Further, the submersible mooring apparatus may be easily separated from the marine construction in harsher weather conditions such as typhoon. Accordingly, the marine construction may easily flee to a place where the weather condition is well, and the submersible mooring apparatus may rapidly submerge in water where effects caused by external forces such as wind and wave are not severe.

When the submersible mooring apparatus submerged in water, it is possible to remarkably reduce tension acting to the mooring line so as to prevent the mooring line from being broken.

FIG. 1 is a perspective bottom view illustrating a submersible mooring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinally sectional view illustrating a submersible mooring apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a submersible mooring system.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinally sectional view illustrating a submersible mooring system in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating that a stopper inserts into a notch unit.

FIG. 6 is an operational view illustrating operation of the submersible mooring apparatus.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are views illustrating a submersible mooring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and properties of the present invention and methods to accomplish them will be clear with reference to exemplary embodiments described in detail together with attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed below but embodied in a variety of different forms. The exemplary embodiments are merely provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to inform those skilled in the art of scopes of the present invention and the present invention is merely defined by scopes of the claims. The same reference number denotes the same element throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description will be given for a submersible mooring apparatus and a submersible mooring system including the same with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

A submersible mooring apparatus and a submersible mooring system including the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are used to moor a variety of marine constructions such as a ship at a predetermined position in the sea, which play a role to connect to various types of equipment to ship submarine resources or to manipulate submarine facility. That is, the submersible mooring apparatus and submersible mooring system including the same moor the marine construction within a predetermined scope so that the marine construction may work using the submarine facility. Here, the marine construction has a concept to commonly call various type of constructions floating in the sea, including constructions towed by barge since they do not have propulsion as well as construction having propulsion such as a ship.

The submersible mooring apparatus and submersible mooring system including the same may be submerged below the surface of the sea. Accordingly, the mooring apparatus may be prevented from colliding with other navigating constructions or floating ice. Further, the submersible mooring apparatus may be easily separated from the marine constructions in harsher weather conditions such as typhoon. Accordingly, the marine construction may flee to a place where weather condition is well, and the submersible mooring apparatus may rapidly submerge in water where effects caused by external forces such as wind and wave are not severe. When the submersible mooring apparatus is submerged in water, it is possible to remarkably reduce tension acting to the mooring line so as to prevent the mooring line from being broken.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given to a submersible mooring apparatus 1 and a submersible mooring system 100 including the same with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a perspective bottom view illustrating a submersible mooring apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinally sectional view illustrating a submersible mooring apparatus in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a submersible mooring system, FIG. 4 is a longitudinally sectional view illustrating a submersible mooring system in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating that a stopper inserts into a notch unit.

The submersible mooring apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a buoyancy body 10, a variable buoyancy body 20, a compressed air tank 30, a communication unit 60, a controller 50, and a mooring line 40. The submersible mooring system 100 according to the present invention includes the submersible mooring apparatus 1 and a marine construction (referring to 200 in FIG. 8) moored in the sea by the submersible mooring apparatus 1. The submersible mooring apparatus 1 includes the buoyancy body 10, the variable buoyancy body 20, the compressed air tank 30, the mooring line 40 and a notch unit 80, and the marine construction 200 includes a bearing unit 110, a retaining ring 120 and a stopper 130.

The buoyancy body 10 generates buoyancy, which may be formed of material having buoyancy itself or of vacuous buoyancy tank shape. Concretely, the buoyancy body 10 may have a receiving space 10a therein as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the receiving space 10a may be sealed with a hatch 11 to keep buoyancy. The hatch 11 was hingedly coupled on the top of the buoyancy body 10 as illustrated in the drawing, but not limited thereto. Positions and coupling methods of the hatch 11 may be variously changed. A variable buoyancy body 20 is coupled with one end of the buoyancy body 10.

The variable buoyancy body 20, which may be formed of a ballast tank shape, controls buoyancy with a buoyancy control material that may comprise a first buoyancy control material such as ballast water or a second buoyancy control material such as air that is selectively injected into the variable buoyancy body 20. That is, when the ballast water is injected into the variable buoyancy body 20, the buoyancy decreases so that the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may submerge below the surface of the sea. On the contrary, when air is injected into the variable buoyancy body 20, the buoyancy increases so that the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may float on the surface of the sea.

The variable buoyancy body 20 may be fixedly coupled with the bottom of the buoyancy body 10. In other words, the buoyancy body 10 is positioned on the variable buoyancy body 20, and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may form a cone shape. The variable buoyancy body 20 is fixedly coupled with the bottom of the buoyancy body 10, so that the ballast water or air may easily flow in and out. That is, the ballast water may easily flow in or out through a through hole 20a that is formed through the bottom of the variable buoyancy body 20, and the air may easily flow in from a compressed air tank 30 to be described below. Further, the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 form a cone shape, so that internal space area of the variable buoyancy body 20 can be larger than that of the buoyancy body 10. Accordingly, much more ballast water or air may be received in the variable buoyancy body 20, and accordingly buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body 20 may be easily controlled. However, the variable buoyancy body 20 is fixedly coupled with the bottom of the buoyancy body 10, but not limited thereto and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 form a cone shape together, but not limited thereto. Further, the position with which the variable buoyancy body 20 is coupled and the shape of the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may be variously modified. The variable buoyancy body 20 is injected with air from the compressed air tank 30.

The compressed air tank 30 stores the compressed air therein to inject air into the variable buoyancy body 20, which may be received in the receiving space 10a. That is, the compressed air tank 30 is positioned in the receiving space 10a of the buoyancy body 10, and injects air into the variable buoyancy body 20 through the first flow line 31. The first flow line 31 is a hollow pipe connecting the compressed air tank 30 and variable buoyancy body 20 to each other, which injects the air stored in the compressed air tank 30 into the variable buoyancy body 20. The first flow line 31 connects the compressed air tank 30 and variable buoyancy body 20 each other through the buoyancy body 10, and may be opened and closed by at least one first valve 31a. At this time, the first flow line 31 may inject air into the variable buoyancy body 20 directly or indirectly. In case that the first flow line 31 injects air into the variable buoyancy body 20 indirectly, the first flow line 31 may be coupled with an air tube of a flexible material (not shown) at the end of it. The air tube may be positioned in the variable buoyancy body 20, and expanded by the air injected through the first flow line 31 to provide the variable buoyancy body 20 with buoyancy. One end of the compressed air tank 30 is connected to an inlet pipe 33.

The inlet pipe 33 is a hollow pipe to fill the compressed air tank 30 with compressed air, which may be connected externally through the hatch 11. In other word, one end of the inlet pipe 33 is connected to the compressed air tank 30 and the other end of it is detachably connected to a supply unit (not shown) of the marine construction 200, so that the compressed air supplied from the supply unit may be injected into the compressed air tank 30. The inlet pipe 33 is connected to one end of the compressed air tank 30, so that the compressed air tank 30 and variable buoyancy body 20 is continuously injected with air and accordingly the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body 20 may be smoothly controlled. At least one control valve 33a may be installed on the inlet pipe 33 to control flow of the compressed air.

The air received in the variable buoyancy body 20 is discharged to the outside through the second flow line 32. The second flow line 32 is a hollow pipe connecting the internal space of the variable buoyancy body 20 and the outside each other, which may be opened and closed by at least one second valve 32a. It is illustrated in the drawing that the second flow line 32 is vertically bent, one end of it passes through the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 to communicate with the internal space of the variable buoyancy body 20 and the other end of it passes through the buoyancy body 10 to communicate with the outside, but not limited thereto, and shape and arrangement structure of the second flow line 32 may be variously modified. For example, the second flow line 32 may be formed in a straight structure, and passes through the variable buoyancy body 20 so that one end of it may communicate with the internal space of the variable buoyancy body 20 and the other end of it may communicate with the outside.

The first valve 31a of the first flow line 31 and the second valve 32a of the second flow line 32 may be electrically connected to the controller 50, respectively. The controller 50 controls the compressed air tank 30, that is, operations of the first valve 31a and second valve 32a to regulate the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body 20, which may be positioned in a receiving space 10a. Concretely, the controller 50 receives a control signal from the communication unit 60 communicating with the outside to control the first valve 31a or second valve 32a, and the communication unit 60 may communicate with the outside using sound wave or ultrasonic wave.

For example, when obstacles such as a floating ice or the like (referring to I in FIG. 7), the communication unit 60 may apply a first control signal to the controller 50 and the controller 50 may close the first valve 31a according to the first control signal and open the second valve 32a. Accordingly, the air received in the variable buoyancy body 20 may be discharged to the outside through the second flow line 32 and at the same time the ballast water may be flowed into the variable buoyancy body 20 through the through hole 20a. Accordingly, the variable buoyancy body 20 may have decreased buoyancy and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may submerge below the surface of the sea to be prevented from colliding with obstacles.

On the contrary, when marine construction 200 to be moored in the submersible mooring apparatus 1, the communication unit 60 may apply a second control signal to the controller 50, and the controller 50 may open the first valve 31a and close the second valve 32a according to the second signal. Accordingly, air may be flowed into the variable buoyancy body 20 through the first flow line 31 and at the same time the ballast water received in the variable buoyancy body 20 may be discharged to the outside through the through hole 20a. Accordingly, the variable buoyancy body 20 may have increased buoyancy, and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may float on the surface of the sea to be connected to the marine construction 200.

Meanwhile, any one of the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may be connected to a mooring line 40. The mooring line 40 connects any one of the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 to the seabed (referring to S in FIG. 7), which may be a chain formed of serially connected metal rings. However, the mooring line is not limited to a chain structure. For example, the mooring line may be formed of hawser having a predetermined thickness. One end of the mooring line 40 is fixed to an anchor member (referring to 41 in FIG. 7) that is fixed to the seabed (referring to S in FIG. 7), and the other end of it is connected to any one of the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20. Hereinafter, a structure that the mooring line 40 is connected to the variable buoyancy body 20 is described in more detail.

The external surface of the variable buoyancy body 20 is coupled with a support unit 21 and a plurality of the support units 21 are separated one another with a predetermined gap. It is illustrated in the drawing that the external surface of the variable buoyancy body 20 is coupled with 4 support units 21, but not limited thereto, and the number of the support unit 21 may be increased or decreased according to the need. Each support unit 21 is hingedly coupled with a chain guild unit 22. The chain guide unit 22 may fix and support one end of the mooring line 40, and be hingedly coupled with the support 21 so as to be rotated around the hinge axis. Accordingly, when the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 rise or fall, the chain guide unit 22 may rotate around the hinge axis to minimize deformation and damage of the mooring line 40.

The variable buoyancy body 20 has at least one connection pipe 70 that passes through it. The connection pipe 70 is a hollow pipe that connects a riser (referring to R in FIG. 4) extending to the seabed and the flow line 210 connected to the marine construction 200 each other, which passes through the variable buoyancy body 20 to be inserted thereto. In other word, one end of the connection pipe 70 may be positioned in the receiving space 10a and the other end of it may pass through the variable buoyancy body 20 to be positioned in water. At this time, an auxiliary connection pipe 220 and a swivel tube 230 may be interposed between the connection pipe 70 and flow line 210. The auxiliary connection pipe 220 is a hollow pipe, which is detachably coupled with the connection pipe 70. The auxiliary connection pipe 220 is vertically extended from the connection pipe 70, and may be omitted when it is needed. One end of the swivel tube 230 is detachably coupled with the auxiliary connection pipe 220 and the other end of it is rotatably coupled with the flow line 210. The swivel tube 230 is coupled between the auxiliary connection pipe 220 or connection pipe 70 and the flow line 210, so that the riser R is prevented from being twisted and mining of natural gas and crude oil may be performed smoothly.

Meanwhile, a notch unit 80 is formed in one end of the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20. The notch unit 80 is formed by indenting one end of the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20. A plurality of notch units may be symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20. At this time, the notch unit 80 may be polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20 is cut to pass through the notch unit 80. By forming the notch unit 80 in one end of the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20, a stopper 130 to be described may be insertedly fixed to the notch unit 80 and accordingly the submersible mooring apparatus 1 and marine construction 200 may be connected each other. Hereinafter, a structure that the notch unit 80 is formed in one end of the buoyancy body 10 will be described in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the notch unit 80 is formed by indenting the external surface of the buoyancy body 10 to the inside, and a plurality of notch units may be symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body 10. At this time, the notch unit 80 is polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body 10 is cut to pass through the notch unit 80. Since the notch unit 80 is polygonal, the stopper 130 may be easily inserted and detached and the stopper 130 comes close to the notch unit 80 so that the submersible mooring apparatus 1 and marine construction 200 may be tightly connected each other. It is illustrated in the drawing that 6 notch units 80 are formed on the external circumference of the buoyancy body 10, but not limited thereto, and the number of the notch unit 80 may be increased or decreased according to the need. Further, it is illustrated in the drawing that the notch unit 80 is trapezoidal, but not limited thereto, and the notch unit 80 may be variously modified.

Such a submersible mooring apparatus 1 is connected to the marine construction 200 to moor the marine construction 200 on the surface of the sea, and the submersible mooring system 100 includes the marine construction 200 having a submersible mooring apparatus 1, a bearing unit 110, a retaining ring 120 and a stopper 130.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bearing unit 110 is a ring-shaped member having a predetermined thickness, which is installed in the marine construction 200. In other word, the bearing unit 110 is rotatably installed in a turret room 200a of the marine construction 200 in which the submersible mooring apparatus 1 is received, and arranged in the external of the submersible mooring apparatus 1 to surround the submersible mooring apparatus 1. It is illustrated in the drawing that the turret room 200a is positioned between stem and stern of a ship, but not limited thereto, and the turret room 200a may be positioned at the stem or stern of a ship. The bearing unit 110 has a retaining ring 120 seated thereon.

The retaining ring 120 is a ring-shaped member having a predetermined thickness, which may be seated on the bearing unit 110 to rotate around the submersible mooring apparatus 1 along the bearing unit 110. That is, the bearing unit 110 and retaining ring 120 have the submersible mooring apparatus 1 passed through and inserted in the center of its internal circumference, and may rotate around the submersible mooring apparatus 1. At this time, the retaining ring 120 has an internal circumference smaller than that of the bearing unit 110, so that it comes close to the buoyancy body 10 formed in a cone shape to the maximum. The retaining ring 120 has a plurality of stoppers 130 seated thereon.

The stopper 130 is a block-shaped member corresponding to an internal shape of the notch unit 80, which slidingly moves toward the submersible mooring apparatus 1 to be fixed to the notch unit 80. That is, when each of the plurality of stoppers 130 slidingly moves toward the submersible mooring apparatus 1 to be insertedly fixed to the notch unit 80, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 and marine construction 200 may be connected each other. Each of the stoppers 130 slidingly moves by at least one actuator 140.

The actuator 140 is seated on the retaining ring 120 to be fixed thereto, and one end of it is connected to the stopper 130 to slidingly move the stopper 130. The actuator 140 is formed of hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder so that it may operate by fluid pressure or air pressure, or by electricity. However, it is not limited that the stopper 130 is slidingly moved by the actuator 140. Rather, the stopper 130 may be slidingly moved in various structures. For example, the stopper 130 may slidingly move along a guide rail or slidingly move by a motor.

As described above, the bearing unit 110 and retaining ring 120 may rotate around the submersible mooring apparatus 1. Accordingly, when the submersible mooring apparatus 1 rotates by the swivel tube 230, the actuator 140 and stopper 130 seated on the retaining ring 120 may also rotate and accordingly the stopper 130 may be kept in the state that it is inserted into the notch unit 80. Further, since the internal circumference of the retaining ring 120 is tightly pressed to the external of the buoyancy body 10 to the maximum, it may stably support the actuator 140 and stopper 130 and accordingly the actuator 140 and stopper 130 may operate smoothly.

Meanwhile, a plurality of guide wheels 150 are installed in the marine construction 200. Each guide wheel 150 may be slidingly coupled with the rotation axis 150a coupled with the internal of the turret room 200a, and rotate in contact with the external circumference of the submersible mooring apparatus 1. That is, when the submersible mooring apparatus 1 rotates by the swivel tube 230, the guide wheel 150 rotates in contact with the external circumference of the buoyancy body 10 or variable buoyancy body 20 to support rotation of the submersible mooring apparatus 1. A plurality of guide wheels 150 are separated one another at a predetermined gap, and may rotate independently.

Further, the marine construction 200 may have a water tight member 160 installed therein. The water tight member 160 seals between the turret room 200a and submersible mooring apparatus 1, which may be formed of a ring-shaped member. The water tight member 160 may reduce a gap between the turret room 200a and submersible mooring apparatus 1, especially, the variable buoyancy body 20 to block sea water from flowing into the turret room 200a. However, the water tight member 160 is installed in the internal of the turret room 200a, but not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the water tight member 160 may be variously modified.

Hereinafter, the operation of the submersible mooring apparatus 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

The submersible mooring apparatus 1 and a submersible mooring system 100 including the same according to the present invention may submersible mooring apparatus below the surface of the sea. Accordingly, other navigating marine construction or floating ice I and the mooring apparatus may be prevented from colliding each other. Further, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may be easily separated from the marine construction 200 in harsher weather conditions such as typhoon. Accordingly, the marine construction 200 may easily flee to a place where weather condition is well, and the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may rapidly submerge in water where effects caused by external forces such as wind and wave are not server. When the submersible mooring apparatus 1 submerges in water, the tension acting to the mooring line 40 may be remarkably reduced so that the mooring line 40 may be prevented from being damaged.

FIG. 6a is a view illustrating that a submersible mooring apparatus descends to be positioned below the surface of the sea, and FIG. 6b is a view illustrating that the submersible mooring apparatus ascends to be positioned on the surface of the sea.

First, referring to FIG. 6a, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may be positioned below the surface of the sea.

The buoyancy body 10 has a receiving space 10a formed therein, and the receiving space 10a is sealed with a hatch 11 to keep buoyancy. The buoyancy body 10 is coupled with a variable buoyancy body 20 therebelow. The variable buoyancy body 20 makes ballast water flowed in or out through the through hole 20a or air flowed in or out through the first and

second flow lines

31 and 32. The first flow line 31 opened and closed by the first valve 31a has one end connected to the compressed air tank 30, and the compressed air tank 30 is positioned inside the receiving space 10a. The compressed air tank 30 is provided with air through an inlet pipe 33 connected to the one end, and the inlet pipe 33 is opened and closed by the control valve 33a. One end of the second flow line 32 passes through the bottom of the buoyancy body 10 and the top of the variable buoyancy 20, and the other end of it is bent to pass through the side of the buoyancy body 10. The second flow line 32 is opened and closed by the second valve 32a. The first and

second valves

31a and 32a are electrically connected to a controller 50, and the controller 50 receives a control signal from a communication unit 60 positioned outside the buoyancy body 10 to control the first and

second valves

31a and 32a. One end of the variable buoyancy body 20 is connected to a mooring line 40 connected to the seabed S.

When the communication unit 60 does not sense sound wave or ultrasonic wave transmitted from the marine construction 200, or senses obstacles such as a flowing ice I or the like, the communication unit 60 applies a first control signal to the controller 50. The controller 50 closes the first valve 31a and opens the second valve 32a according to the first control signal. At this time, the control valve 33a may be kept in the closed state. When the second valve 32a is opened, air received in the variable buoyancy body 20 may be discharged to the outside through the second flow line 32. At the same time, ballast water may be flowed into the variable buoyancy body 20 through the through hole 20a. Accordingly, buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body 20 may be gradually reduced, and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 may be descended below the surface of the sea. As the submersible mooring apparatus 1 descends below the surface of the sea, it may be prevented from being collided with obstacles and the tension acting to the mooring line 40 reduces to prevent the mooring line 40 being damaged.

Referring to FIG. 6b, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may float on the surface of the sea.

When the communication unit 60 senses sound wave or ultrasonic wave transmitted from the marine construction 200, the communication unit 60 applies a second control signal to the controller 50. The controller 50 opens the first valve 31a and closes the second valve 32a according to the received second control signal. At this time, the control valve 33a may be kept in the closed state. With the first valve 31a opened, the air stored in the compressed air tank 30 may be flowed into the variable buoyancy body 20 through the first flow line 31. At the same time, the ballast water received in the variable buoyancy body 20 may be discharged to the outside through the through hole 20a. Accordingly, the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body 20 gradually increases, and the buoyancy body 10 and variable buoyancy body 20 increases to be floated on the surface of the sea. As the submersible mooring apparatus 1 floats on the surface of the sea, it may be easily connected to the marine construction 200 to be moored.

The submersible mooring apparatus 1 moors various marine constructions 200 at a position on the surface of the sea, it may be moored at a predetermined position by the mooring line 40 connected to an anchor member 41 fixed to the seabed S. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may be positioned below the surface of the sea to prevent it from colliding with the floating ice I each other and it is not exposed to external forces such as wave and wind so that life time of the apparatus may be increased.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 may communicate with the outside in the state that it is positioned below the surface of the sea, and the marine construction 200 may move while communicating position information with the communication unit 60 so that it may be positioned above the submersible mooring apparatus 1. At this time, the marine construction 200 may operate a dynamic positioning system (DPS) that controls position of the marine construction 200 using a satellite to keep a state that the marine construction 200 is positioned above the submersible mooring apparatus 1.

When the marine construction 200 is positioned above the submersible mooring apparatus 1, the submersible mooring apparatus 1 increases buoyancy to ascend as illustrated in FIG. 9. When the submersible mooring apparatus 1 ascends to be received into the turret room 200a, the submersible mooring system 100 operates to connect the submersible mooring apparatus 1 and marine construction 200 each other.

Although this document provides descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it would be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified or changed in various ways without departing from the technical principles and scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A submersible mooring apparatus, comprising:

a buoyancy body configured to generate buoyancy;

a variable buoyancy body configured to be coupled to the buoyancy body and injected with ballast water or air therein to control buoyancy;

a compressed air tank configured to store compressed air therein and inject air into the variable buoyancy body;

a communication unit configured to communicate with an external equipment;

a controller configured to receive a control signal from the external equipment via the communication unit and control the compressed air tank to regulate the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy body according to the received control signal; and

a mooring line configured to connect one of the buoyancy body and the variable buoyancy body to a seabed.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy body is sealed with a hatch to form a space that serves to maintain buoyancy, the space receiving the compressed air tank therein.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the compressed air tank further comprises an inlet pipe used to fill the tank with compressed air, and the inlet pipe is connected externally through the hatch.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the buoyancy body is positioned on the variable buoyancy body, and the buoyancy body and variable buoyancy body form a cone shape.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one connection pipe that perpendicularly passes through the variable buoyancy body to be inserted into the variable buoyancy body, the connection pipe having one end positioned in the space and the other end positioned in the water.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first valve configured to open and close a first flow line that connects the compressed air tank and variable buoyancy body to each other to inject the air stored in the compressed air tank into the variable buoyancy body, the first valve being controlled by the controller; and

a second valve configured to a second flow line that discharges the air received in the variable buoyancy body, the second valve being controlled by the controller.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of notch units formed by indenting one end of the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body,

wherein the plurality of notch units are symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body.
The submersible mooring apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of notch units is polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body or variable buoyany body is cut to pass through the notch unit.
A submersible mooring system comprised of a submersible mooring apparatus and a marine construction moored on the surface of the sea by the submersible mooring apparatus, wherein the submersible mooring apparatus comprises:

a buoyancy body configured to generate buoyancy;

a variable buoyancy body configured to be coupled to the buoyancy body and injected with ballast water or air therein to control buoyancy;

a compressed air tank configured to store compressed air therein and inject the compressed air into the variable buoyancy body;

a mooring line configured to connect one of the buoyancy body and the variable buoyancy body to a seabed; and

a plurality of notch units formed by indenting one end of the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body, the plurality of notch units being symmetrically arranged around the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body, and

wherein the marine construction comprises:

a bearing unit arranged outside the submersible mooring apparatus;

a retaining ring seated on the bearing unit and rotating along the bearing unit around the submersible mooring apparatus; and

a plurality of stoppers seated on the retaining ring and slidingly movable toward the submersible mooring apparatus to be fixedly inserted into each of the plurality of notch units.
The submersible mooring system of claim 9, further comprising:

an actuator fixed to the retaining ring to slidingly move the stopper, wherein the actuator is operated by oil pressure, pneumatic pressure or electricity.
The submersible mooring system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of notch units is polygonal in cross-sectional shape when the buoyancy body or variable buoyancy body is cut to pass through the notch unit.
The submersible mooring system of claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of guide wheels installed in the marine construction and rotating in contact with an outer circumference of the submersible mooring apparatus.