WO2018014399A1

WO2018014399A1 - Pressure-balanced underwater tapping apparatus used by unmanned vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2018014399A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/095121
Authority: WO
Inventors: 杨越
Original assignee: 杨越
Priority date: 2016-07-17
Filing date: 2016-08-14
Publication date: 2018-01-25
Also published as: CN106051304A

Abstract

A pressure-balanced underwater tapping apparatus used by an unmanned vessel, comprising: a first T-shaped connector (14), a second T-shaped connector (24), a gear box (36), a motor (38), a shaft (40), a first container (42), a first hydraulic tube (46), a second hydraulic soft tube or hydraulic tube (48), a second container (50), and a hydraulic tube (54) communicating with an internal portion of the gear box (36).The pressure-balanced underwater tapping apparatus used by the unmanned vessel does not require manual intervention, and is fully-automated to completely operate a tapping apparatus.

Description

Pressure-balanced seabed opening device for unmanned ships

Technical field

The invention relates to an unmanned marine vehicle accessory, in particular to a pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship.

Background technique

Since the 1970s, with the construction of long oil and gas pipelines, the pipeline transportation technology has been continuously developed. At present, the drilling machine can be used on the seabed and on the land. The designed working depth is 120 meters. The subsea pipeline opening machine is mainly powered by hydraulic power. System, remote control and display system, transmission system, pressure balance system, gear system and lifting and bracket. At present, a lot of work needs to be done by divers, or through the water display control panel, which has high labor costs and high risk. With the development of unmanned ship technology, it is possible to further improve the technology to combine the full pressure tapping machine with the unmanned ship, so that no offshore personnel can be involved in the offshore operation, and all the tapping machines can be automated.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned marine vessel comprising: a first T-shaped joint that is secured to the exterior of the pipe by fasteners while the pipe remains in operation and pressure, the first T-joint including a first flange, a bolted mounting joint; a second T-joint that is secured to the opposite side of the outer damaged area of the pipe by fasteners while the pipe is in operation and pressure, the first T-joint and the valve are fixed On the two T-joints, the underwater opening device is connected to the valve, the underwater opening device comprises a base part, an extended tubular outer cover, and a telescopically operated mast, the second flange is connected at the end of the tubular outer cover, through the second a flange, the tubular outer casing is removably secured to the top of the valve; a gearbox located at the upper end of the tubular outer casing; a motor coupled to the mast in the rotary opening machine; and a rod extending coaxially and telescopically over the tubular outer casing a first receiving compartment fixed to the outside of the tubular outer casing and supported by the bracket; a hydraulic pipe connecting the lower portion of the first receiving compartment to the tubular outer casing; a second hydraulic hose or hydraulic pipe connecting the upper half of the receiving compartment to the interior of the tubular casing; the second receiving compartment passing through the tubular casing External fixed bearing; hydraulic pipe, connected to the inside of the gearbox.

Preferably, the mounting joint is a sandwich type valve.

Preferably, the underwater opening device is directly connected to the valve or is mounted with an opening device joint frame, the opening device joint frame being positioned between the valve and the second flange to provide a cutter fixed to the lower end of the mast Or centering the space.

Preferably, a latching plug is provided that closes the fitting from the valve insert or receives a cut from the tubing.

Preferably, the motor is operated by using a compression hydraulic fluid, the corresponding hydraulic hose extending from the motor to a source of compressed hydraulic fluid.

Preferably, there is also a hydraulic control system with a hydraulic hose connection and a hydraulic conduit extending from the control end to the hydraulic drive motor for providing hydraulic energy for hydraulically driven motor operation to provide the desired operation of the underwater aperture device Rotational energy.

Preferably, in the lower half of the underwater opening device, the mast extends and rotates beyond the lower end of the underwater opening device, is located below the second flange, and has a drive ring at the lower end of the mast. In driving a circular hole cutting saw, a hole is cut in the pipe when the mast is rotated and axially pushed downward, and the tubular casing has a drive pipe and a feed screw system for controlling the axial pushing of the mast.

Preferably, the upper half of the underwater opening device cooperates with the gearbox, the worm gear of the motor shaft cooperates with the driven gear, the rotating structure generates rotational energy to be applied to the mast, and further includes a feed screw that axially advances the mast.

Preferably, the threaded opening is communicated between the interior and exterior of the tubular outer casing.

Preferably, the first receiving compartment comprises an upper closed inner portion and a threaded opening in the closed upper end, the joint thread is mounted in the threaded opening and provides a connection to the lower end of the hydraulic tube, the lower end of the first receiving compartment having The internal thread can be fitted with an externally threaded plug and the part connected to the externally threaded plug is the lower end of the elastomeric bladder.

Preferably, the upper end of the second receiving compartment is connected to the interior of the gearbox by a joint and a hydraulic pipe and a joint, the second receiving compartment having a bladder, the lower passage of which remains open and not blocked, thereby surrounding the perforated machine The seawater flows directly, and the seawater can flow freely through the passage so that the inside of the bladder is under the static pressure of seawater.

Through the application of the pressure balance marine opening device on the drone, the present invention achieves the following beneficial effects: all the operations of the tapping machine are completed automatically without the participation of personnel.

The above as well as other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the <

DRAWINGS

Some specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below by way of example, and not limitation. The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same or similar parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent in consideration of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a graphical view of an isometric view of a pipe at the bottom of the sea and with a damaged section that needs to be removed. Figure 1 shows the saddle fixed to the opposite sides of the damaged area outside the pipe, and the sandwich valve mounted on the saddle. structure. One of the saddles is equipped with an underwater opening machine using the present invention. The press-opening machine is only illustrative, showing the environment in which it is applied;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a subsea opening machine including a system for balancing the internal pressure of the tubular casing of the machine with the pressure inside the pipe and balancing the internal pressure of the gearbox with the static pressure of the surrounding seawater;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a containment chamber with a flexible bladder dividing the interior of the containment compartment into two portions, the volume of the two portions being variable depending on the position of the flexible bladder. The containment compartment of Figure 3 is representative of the type employed by the present invention. A containment compartment is used in the system to balance the pressure in the tubular casing of the subsea orifice machine with the internal pressure of the pipe being drilled, and the other containment compartment is used to balance the pressure external to the machine and the pressure inside the machine gearbox. That is, balancing the pressure inside the gearbox and the static pressure outside the gearbox in subsea applications;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lower half of a perforating machine showing the end portion attached to a valve structure that is thereby connected to a conduit that allows the perforating machine to be used to open a hole in the pipe wall. Figure 4 shows a mast extending from the lower end of the tubular housing of the apertured machine. Further, Figure 4 shows a channel for providing communication inside the pipe after it has been penetrated by an annular cutting tool with a flexible bladder containing container;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper half of the apertured machine showing the gearbox through which rotational motion is transmitted from a motor shaft to a feed screw that rotates and axially advances the mast. Further, Fig. 5 shows a passage for balancing the lubricating oil exchange inside the gearbox, and a receiving compartment for balancing the external static pressure inside the gearbox.

detailed description

Referring first to Figure 1, Figure 1 shows the environment in which an unmanned marine subsea opening device is applied. The pipe is indicated by reference numeral 10, which is located at a considerable depth in the ocean. For purposes of illustration, the conduit is assumed to have a damaged region 12 that can be caused by a variety of causes. For example, for example, the anchor may damage the pipe, or the damaged area 12 may be creases or bulging that occurs during the laying of the pipe. A common process in the operation of the pipe 10 is through the pipe inspection through the pipe to keep the inner wall clean. When a jagged notch, depression or bulging occurs on the pipe wall, it will affect the passage of the pipe inspection device. In any event, the damaged area 12 is just an example to explain why underwater drilling equipment is required for operation and maintenance of subsea pipelines. Another example is a pressurized opening to join a branch to the pipe.

Attached to the outside of the pipe 10 is a first T-joint 14 that is secured to the exterior of the pipe by fasteners while the pipe remains in operation and pressure. The T-joint 14 includes a flange 16 to which the joint 18 is mounted by bolting. The joint 18 is a valve 20, typically a sandwich type valve.

In a similar manner, the second tee joint 24 is secured to the opposite side of the damaged region 12 of the conduit 10, and the joint and valve 28 are secured to the second tee. Connected to valve 28 is an underwater aperture device, generally designated by the reference numeral 30. The boring apparatus 30 includes a base part and an extended tubular outer cover 32, and further includes a telescopically operated mast having a flange 34 at the lower end of the outer casing and a tube 34 through the flange 34. The outer cover 32 is removably secured to the top of the valve 28.

The aperture device is shown as being directly connected to the valve 28, depending on the type of valve 28, but in most installations an aperture device connector frame is positioned between the valve 28 and the aperture device flange 34. The function of this position joint frame is to provide a space for the cutter or centering drill fixed to the lower end of the mast, as an example, or to install a lock plug that is inserted from the valve to close the joint 26, or to receive a cut from the pipe 10. Slice. The joint frame is not between the valve 28 and the flange 34 and is well known to those skilled in the art of pipe opening.

At the upper end of the tubular outer casing 32 is a gearbox 36 to which is attached a motor 38 that rotates the mast in the machine. Motor 38 is typically operated by employing a compression hydraulic fluid, with corresponding hydraulic hoses (not shown) generally extending from motor 38 to a source of compressed hydraulic fluid (not shown). A rod 40 extends coaxially on the tubular outer casing 32 and is telescopic.

Attached to the outside of the tubular outer casing 32 is a first containment compartment 42 supported by

brackets

44A and 44B. A first hydraulic tube 46 connects the lower portion of the containment compartment 42 to the tubular outer casing 32. A second hydraulic hose or hydraulic tube 48 connects the upper half of the containment compartment 42 to the interior of the tubular outer cover 32.

The second containment compartment 50 is secured to the interior of the gearbox 36 in a particular manner by externally securing the

supports

52A and 52B of the tubular outer casing 32.

The arrangement of Figure 1 is such that after the underwater opening machine 30 is used to open a hole in the pipe 10 through the joint 24, the valve 28 is closed, the opening machine is removed and mounted to the valve 20, and the process is repeated. Valve 20 can then be closed and the open machine removed. The plugging device is connected to

valves

20 and 28, and the conduit 10 between the T-

joints

14 and 24 is partially closed. If it is necessary to maintain fluid flow through the conduit during repair, a bypass conduit is installed between the valves 56 and 58 extending from the

joints

18 and 26 for installation of a bypass conduit (not shown). Thus the section of the conduit 10 comprising the damaged region 12 can be removed by cutting the damaged region 12 and welding a new conduit at its location. After the repair is completed, the occlusion device can be removed. The system of closing the T-

joints

14 and 24 allows the

joints

18 and 26 and the

valves

20 and 28 to be removed, thereby completing the repair of the damaged portion of the pipe 10, at many feet of the sea floor without shutting off fluid flow through the pipe.

In the example of installing a branch pipe to a pipe, a similar process will be used. After opening the machine 30 through the water through the joint 24 through the joint 24, the valve 28 can close and remove the open machine. You can then install the branch connection.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the appearance of an underwater aperture machine 30, it being understood that the actual appearance of the apertured machine incorporating the principles of the present invention can vary widely.

2 shows a hydraulic control system 60 with

hydraulic hose connections

62A and 62B, and a hydraulic conduit 64 extending from the control end 62 to the hydraulic drive motor 38, both of which are used to provide hydraulic energy for operation of the hydraulic drive motor 38. To provide the required rotational energy for the operation of the underwater opening device. During the opening process, the drive motor 38 rotates a gear to rotate the rotary and axial movement of a mast. The feed motor 39 rotates so that the mast is axially pushed without a rotating feed stud. Meter 66 is shown using a portion of the hydraulic control system to actuate the motor. It is to be understood that these systems are merely illustrative of a typical embodiment of an underwater aperture machine that may vary considerably and is not directly connected to the essential features of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 4, the internal layout of the lower half of the underwater aperture device 30 is shown. The telescoping extends and rotates beyond the lower end of the underwater aperture machine, i.e., under the lower flange 34, is a mast 68 having a drive ring 70 at its lower end. The circular hole cutting saw is driven by the drive ring 70 to cut the hole in the pipe when the mast is rotated and pushed axially downward. Inside the inner annular shroud 32 is a drive tube, and a feed screw system of the type typically used in the tapping machine for controlling the axial pushing of the mast 68.

4 is primarily shown providing an inner seal 72 that isolates the exterior of the mast 68 from the interior of the tubular housing 32 to prevent fluid flow along the exterior of the mast into the interior of the tubular housing. Another important feature shown in Figure 4 is the provision of a passage 74 that communicates with the end 76 below the tubular outer casing. When an opening is formed in the wall of the pipe, the passage 74 communicates with the inside of the pipe. That is, the pressure from the inside of the pipe, whether gas or liquid, flows along the passage 74 to form a threaded opening 77 in the outer wall surface of the tubular outer casing 32. A second circular opening 78 enclosed by a plug 80 is also shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passage 74 communicates with the hydraulic tube 46 through a threaded opening 76. The joint 82 is screwed into the threaded opening 76 and is connected to the hydraulic tube 46. Attaching the upper end of the hydraulic tube 46 to the joint 84 The lower end of the compartment 42 is accommodated. The passage 74 then provides an exchange of internal pressure with the conduit in which the tank 42 is infiltrated.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the upper half of the underwater aperture machine, particularly showing the gearbox 36. The mechanism in the gearbox functions as a worm gear and slave with the motor shaft 86 of the worm gear 88. The gear 90 cooperates and the rotating structure produces a feed screw that applies rotational energy to the mast and axially advances the mast.

Figure 5 shows a threaded opening 92 that communicates between the interior and exterior of the tubular outer casing 32. 2 shows the joint 94 screwed into the threaded opening 92 to communicate the upper end of the hydraulic tube 48 with the interior of the tubular outer casing 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interior of the tubular outer casing 32 is isolated from the interior of the gearbox 36 by the seals represented by 96A, 96B, and 96C. These seals are typical seal arrangements that divide the internal seals of the two main parts of the underwater aperture machine, and the actual seal arrangement can vary.

As shown in Figure 5, formed in the gearbox 36 is a threaded opening 98 that communicates with the interior of the gearbox. The joint 100 is mounted on the threaded opening 98. As shown in Fig. 2, the joint 100 connects the upper end of the hydraulic tube 54 to the threaded opening, thereby connecting the hydraulic tube 54 to the interior of the gear box 36. At the lower end of the hydraulic tube 54, the joint 102 provides a connection to the interior of the second containment compartment 50.

Referring now to Figure 3, a cross-sectional view of the first containment compartment 42 is shown. The containment compartment 42 has an interior 104 that is closed at its upper end 106 and has a threaded opening 108 in the closed end. A joint 110 is threaded into the opening 108 and provides a means of attachment to the lower end of the hydraulic tube 48, as shown in FIG. The lower end of the receiving compartment 42 has an internal thread 112 to which the externally threaded plug 114 can be mounted. A portion of the attachment to the plug 114 is the lower end of a resilient bladder 116.

The plug 114 has an opening 118 therethrough, the lower end portion of the opening having an internal thread 120, and the joint 84 can be mounted as shown in FIG. Thus, comparing Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the interior 122 of the bladder 116 is closed in communication with the hydraulic tube 46, as shown in reference to Figure 4, after the conduit has been penetrated by a circular saw, with the conduit The interior is closed for communication and the passage 74 provides communication with the conduit. The interior region of the containment chamber 42 outside of the bladder 116 is indicated by numeral 124, as shown in FIG. 2, in closed communication with the upper interior of the tubular outer casing 32, through the hydraulic tube 48 and the joint and through the threaded opening 92, as shown in FIG. Shown.

Due to the flexibility of the bladder 116, the opposing volume region 122 between the interior of the bladder and the volume region 124 outside the bladder can be varied, and the outer region 124 remains filled with lubricating fluid (oil) at all times, at all The interior of the time tubular compartment 32 provides the lubricating fluid required for the operation of the mast mechanism. When the circular saw on the lower end of the mast 48 penetrates a pipe, the pressure communicates with the interior of the bladder 116, and due to the flexibility of the bladder, equal pressure is applied to the hydraulic fluid in the volume region 124 for application to The inside of the tubular outer casing 32 is such that the pressure inside the outer casing is equal to the pressure inside the pipe. Since the pressures on opposite sides of the seal 72 are equal, as shown in Figure 4, the possibility of leakage of fluid from the conduit into the interior of the tubular casing 32 is substantially eliminated, and further, by the pressure balance applied in the mast, the application limits The hydraulic pressure of the axial movement of the mast 68 is also balanced, making the operation of the mast structure substantially less laborious.

The second containment compartment 50 has a cross-sectional area that is the same or substantially the same as that of Figure 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but that the containment compartment 50 is applied differently. The upper end of the second receiving compartment 50 is coupled to the interior of the gearbox 36 by a joint 102 (see FIG. 2) and a hydraulic tube 54 and a joint 100. The containment compartment 50 has a bladder like the bladder 116 of FIG. The only difference between the containment compartment 42 and the containment compartment 50 is that the containment compartment 50 does not require a joint to be connected to the threaded opening of the lower end. Alternatively, the lower passage remains open and is not blocked, thereby allowing direct flow of seawater around the perforated machine. The seawater can flow freely through the passage 118 such that the interior 122 of the bladder 116 is at a static pressure of seawater. If desired, a filter element can be placed over the opening 118 to filter the incoming and outgoing water without impairing the flow of seawater required to balance the exterior of the containment chamber and the internal pressure of the bladder. The lubricating fluid outside the containment chamber and the bladder enters the interior of the gearbox 36 through the hydraulic tube 54 (Fig. 2). This means that the static pressure inside the gearbox 36 is equal to the static pressure of the water surrounding the opening machine. This makes the gearbox not collapsed by the high pressure of the surrounding seawater, further eliminating the possibility of seal leakage in the gear unit.

The bladder with the bladder 116 as in Fig. 3 is one that can be applied to the pressure balancer of the present invention, but other types of pressure balancers, such as pistons that are movable within the cylinder, can also be used. The terms "pressure balancer" and "fluid isolation balancer" include any device that transfers pressure from one to another without transporting liquid or gas.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a unique subsea perforating apparatus that provides pressure in a pipe penetrated by a circular saw operated by a tapping machine, balances pressure in a tubular casing of the perforated machine, and an open machine gear The internal pressure of the tank is also balanced with the static pressure of the ambient seawater where the opening machine is applied. Further, these benefits are achieved by the absence of an actuating mechanism and without any electrical or mechanical energy, and any control valve and operator's operation of the machine results in a complete balance of critical pressure within the underwater opening machine.

As previously mentioned, the actual appearance of the underwater aperture machine employing the principles of the present invention can vary widely as illustrated, and the particular configuration of the containment compartment and the configuration of the inner bladder can be changed while maintaining the principles of the invention. . Generally, the containment compartment 42 has a size that is much larger than the containment compartment 50. The containment compartment 42 is sized to accommodate 5-10 gallons of lubricating fluid in the outer region 124 of the bladder when the mast is advanced to its lowermost position, while the containment chamber 50 requires minimal volume change, typically only in the Compression of the air enclosed within the gearbox 36 results in the containment compartment 50 being of a size of about one gallon. If the diameter of the tubular outer casing 32 changes or the stroke length of the mast changes, a larger or smaller size of the containment compartment 42 will be required.

The specific mechanism by which the containment compartments 42 and 50 are mounted to the exterior of the tubular outer cover 32 can vary. Belt means are generally used to hold the containment chamber externally, but other methods may be used to secure the containment compartment to the tubular outer cover.

The present invention has been described with reference to the specific illustrative embodiments, and is not limited by the scope of the appended claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention can be modified and modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

A pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship, characterized by comprising:

The first tee (14) is secured to the exterior of the conduit (10) by fasteners while the conduit (10) remains in operation and pressure, the first tee (14) including the first flange (16) ), a bolted mounting joint (18);

A second T-joint (24) is secured to the opposite side of the outer damaged region (12) of the conduit (10) by fasteners while the conduit (10) remains in operation and pressure, the first T-joint (14) And the valve (28) is fixed to the second T-joint, the underwater perforating device (30) is connected to the valve (28), the underwater perforating device (30) comprising the base part, the extended tubular housing (32) And a telescopically operated mast attached to the second flange (34) at the end of the tubular outer casing (32) and removably secured to the valve (28) by a second flange (34) tubular outer casing (32) the top of;

a gearbox (36) located at an upper end of the tubular outer casing (32);

a motor (38) coupled to the mast in the rotary opening machine;

a rod (40) extending coaxially and telescopically on the tubular outer casing (32);

a first receiving compartment (42) fixed to the outside of the tubular outer casing (32) and supported by the brackets (44A, 44B);

a first hydraulic pipe (46) connecting the lower portion of the first receiving compartment (42) with the tubular outer casing (32);

a second hydraulic hose or hydraulic tube (48) connecting the upper portion of the containment chamber (42) to the interior of the tubular outer casing (32);

a second receiving compartment (50), through the outer fixing bracket (52A, 52B) of the tubular outer casing (32);

A hydraulic pipe (54) is in communication with the interior of the gearbox (36).
The pressure-balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting joint (18) is a sandwich type valve (20).
A pressure balanced seabed opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 1, wherein: The underwater opening device (30) is directly connected to the valve (28) or to an opening device joint frame, the opening device joint frame being positioned between the valve (28) and the second flange (34) To provide space for the cutter or centering drill that is fixed to the lower end of the mast.
A pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 3, wherein a locking plug for closing the joint (26) from the valve insert is mounted, or a cut from the pipe (10) is received. slice.
A pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned marine vessel according to claim 1, wherein said motor (38) is operated by using a compression hydraulic machine fluid, and a corresponding hydraulic hose extends from said motor (38) to Compress the source of the hydraulic fluid.
A pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned marine vessel according to claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic control system (60) with a hydraulic hose connection (62A, 62B) and a slave control terminal (62) A hydraulic conduit (64) extending to the hydraulic drive motor (38) is used to provide hydraulic energy for operation of the hydraulic drive motor (38) to provide the required rotational energy for operation of the underwater aperture device (30).
A pressure-balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 1, wherein in the lower half of the underwater opening device (30), the mast (68) telescopically extends and rotates over water. The lower end of the lower opening device (30) is located below the second flange (34), and the lower end of the mast (68) has a drive ring (70) for driving the circular hole cutting saw. When the mast is rotated and axially pushed down, a hole is cut into the pipe, and the tubular casing (32) has a drive tube and a feed screw system for controlling the axial pushing of the mast (68).
The pressure-balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 1, wherein the upper half of the underwater opening device (30) is coupled with a gear box (36), and the motor shaft (86) The worm gear (88) cooperates with the driven gear (90), the rotating structure generates rotational energy to be applied to the mast (68), and includes a feed screw that axially advances the mast (68).
A pressure balanced subsea opening device for an unmanned marine vessel according to claim 8, wherein a threaded opening (92) is communicated between the inside and the outside of said tubular casing (32).
A pressure balanced seabed opening device for an unmanned ship according to claim 1, wherein: The first containment compartment (42) includes an inner (104) closed upper end (106) and a threaded opening (108) in the closed upper end (106), the joint (110) being threadedly mounted to the threaded opening (108) And providing a connection to the lower end of the hydraulic tube (48), the lower end of the first receiving compartment (42) having an internal thread (112) to which an externally threaded plug (114) can be attached, to which the externally threaded plug is attached A portion of (114) is the lower end of the elastomeric bladder (116).