WO2021071361A1

WO2021071361A1 - Simultaneous servicing a group of suction buckets.

Info

Publication number: WO2021071361A1
Application number: PCT/NL2020/050626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Engel Albert VAN BLAADEREN
Original assignee: Spt Equipment Bv
Priority date: 2019-10-09
Filing date: 2020-10-09
Publication date: 2021-04-15
Also published as: CN114746609A

Abstract

Unity of a group of at least two or three suction buckets (7) and a pump system (1) of which a central device (10) is temporary connected by convenient means, e.g. a suction pipe (5, 9), to 5 the suction space of all the suction buckets of the group simultaneously, preferably wherein the complete pump system, or at least the central device, rests on top of the top bulkhead (6) of the upward extending suction bucket. The pump system comprises pump modules, each containing a private pump and pump 10 drive to generate the required suction and connected to a relevant bucket. The central device (10), enclosed within a protective frame, and the pump modules being mutually separate and remote.

Description

Simultaneous servicing a group of suction buckets.

The simultaneous servicing is provided by a pump system (also called "system"), having a central device temporary connected by convenient means, e.g. a suction pipe, to the suction space of all the buckets of the group simultaneously. The pump system can be embodied by a suction pile pump device assembly (in here also called "assembly") or a single pump device provided with a manifold. The central device of the assembly is provided by a central unit (provided with a control panel designed for use with a ROV) and has separate from it at least two or three, mutually separate, pump modules, such that the central unit and each pump module can all be mutually remote. The manifold allows to distribute the suction generated by the central, single pump device, providing the central device, over two, three, four or more, mutually remote, suction spaces simultaneously. The expression "ROV" means Remotely Operated Vehicle, typically submerged. The expression "hydraulic fluid" also means "pressurised hydraulic fluid" or "sea water". The expression "umbilical" also means "transfer device" and/or "a flexible elongated member, e.g. hose like". The expression "hose" also means "tube" or "pipe". The expression "interface" also means "interface means". The "pump interface" is at the pump and/or pump device and/or pump system and/or central device side, the "bucket interface" is at the bucket side, these interfaces provide fluid connection between both sides, "suction bucket", "bucket", "suction pile" or "pile" are synonyms.

According to the invention, one or more of the following applies to the pump system, in particular the assembly:

- the central device or unit is the source of hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals to supply to the individual pump modules or buckets;

- the central device or unit is designed as a means to transfer hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals between the ROV and the individual pump modules or buckets;

- from the central device or unit extend two, three or more umbilicals to equal number of pump modules or buckets. Each umbilical preferably has at least three, e.g. at least five or six (in a presently preferred embodiment seven) hydraulic lines and also possibly an electricity lead;

- each pump module contains a pump means, e.g. positive displacement type, connected to the relevant umbilical from the central unit, to receive hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals from the central unit;

- the central device or unit contains an input for hydraulic fluid from the ROV, downstream from it a flow divider and downstream from it control valves and downstream from it the umbilicals to distribute the hydraulic fluid over the buckets or pump modules to drive the pump means of the pump modules;

- the central device or unit has means such that the flow of hydraulic fluid to the individual bucket or pump module can be controlled individually;

- the central unit has means to control the flow amount, controlling the pump speed, and/or the flow direction, controlling suction or pressing of the pump, preferably such that the flow amount and/or flow direction is in common for all pump modules;

- the umbilical provides the transfer of data and/or energy to the buckets or pump modules for additional functions, e.g. to control the venting valve to selectively connect the suction space with the environment, and/or the connector (e.g.pad lock eye) to temporary fasten the pump interface of a pump module or transfer device to the bucket interface of the associated bucket;

- the central device or unit is completely accommodated in a light weight, right angled protective frame and preferably contains one or more electricity accumulators.

- the central device or unit is designed to be only briefly or temporary in operation under water, reason why it is provided with e.g. electricity accumulators;

- the central device or unit is designed for re-use / frequent placing and removing / docking / coupling/uncoupling; - the central device or unit is designed as a mobile, flexible system of limited dimensions and small volume, preferably less than 5 cubic metre;

- the central device or unit is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement relative to the top bulkhead in directions parallel to the top bulkhead and/or perpendicular to the axial direction of the bucket;

- the central device or unit is free to move axially away from the top bulkhead;

- the central device or unit is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement in all directions relative to the top bulkhead;

- the main components of the assembly, i.e. the central unit and pump modules, are connected by individual hoisting means (also called "hoist line"), e.g. a flexible pulling member such as a rope or chain, in such a manner that, starting from their positions of use at the group of buckets, they are lifted from the relevant bucket one by one after each other in an upward moving single lift movement/operation, e.g. since the length of the individual hoist lines differ,preferably all hoist lines differ from each other at least one metre in length, and these hoist lines share the same hoist point where the lift force is introduced from the lift appliance, e.g. hoisting crane; or, alternatively, the central unit and pump modules are fastened to a common hoist line with e.g. sufficient overlength of at least one metre between the central unit and pump modules to allow lifting one by one, wherein preferably the common hoist point is moved to a location straight above the next component to be lifted, after which said next component is lifted;

- the hoist line is designed such that the components already lifted remain lifted and/or the components not yet lifted remain immovable until the time they become lifted;

- the pump modules are not fastened to a rigid, common supporting frame, due to the large tolerances of the pump module positioning onto the associated bucket interface;

- designed for a water depth of 3000 metre or deeper, e.g. 5000 metre; - the central device or unit is provided with a control panel designed to be operated by the robot arm of a ROV and to be observed by the camera of a ROV.

The invention relates to a pump system, e.g. a bucket pump device for use during installing or removing a foundation system for an offshore payload, e.g. an offshore wind energy installation or for oil or gas applications. The foundation system is provided with a group of buckets, e.g. a cluster pile type suction bucket. In case of a wind energy installation the mast preferably comprises an upright monopole and on top of it (e.g. at the so called transition piece) an upright tower, wherein the tower supports the nacelle, carrying the blades, at its top. Instead of a nacelle the payload could comprise e.g. a platform, e.g.for oil or gas application or a transformer platform for an offshore substation. Sea depth typically will be at least 10 or 20 or 50 or 60 metres and feasible is at least 500 or 1000 metres, e.g. 3000 metres. The foundation system can also provide an anchoring system, e.g.for mooring purposes, e.g. a floating offshore wind energy installation or different floating object.

Orientations, e.g. "up", "down", "top", "aside", "upright", "vertical", "above", "level" are in this document related to the situation that the pump system is in its operative position and operatively coupled with the bucket and fluid pump running, actively sucking fluid from the pressure space, while the bucket is oriented vertically upright, top bulkhead above and open underside below, longitudinal axis vertical.

A cluster pile is provided with at least two or three self contained bucketsmutually parallel and spaced,that are fastened to each other in a rigid manner, wherein preferably their mutual spacing is less than a bucket diameter. The buckets could also be part of a jacket. The suction level within the suction space of each individual bucket can be controlled independently of the other buckets of the cluster pile.

Suction buckets and how to install them are a.o. known from GB-B-2300661 and EP-B-0011894, which are enclosed in here by reference. A suction bucket is a thin walled steel or reinforced mineral cement concrete sleeve or pipe or cylinder, which is closed at its longitudinal top end by a bulkhead (also called top plate) or different sealing means of steel or reinforced mineral cement concrete and which is sealingly located on the subsea bottom with the open end opposite the bulkhead since this open end penetrates the subsea bottom due to the weight of the suction bucket. Thus the cavity, also called suction space, delimited by the cylinder and the bulkhead is sealed by the subsea floor such that vacuum or suction can be generated by removing water from within the suction space such that a resulting force tends to force the suction bucket deeper into the subsea floor. The creation of the suction is by a suction source, such as a fluid pump,being on, or close to or at a distance from the suction bucket and connected to the suction space. The fluid pump is preferably designed to pump liquid, e.g. water.

A self installing marine structure, e.g. platform applying suction buckets is known from e.g.W099/51821 or EP-A-1101872 . WO 02/088.475 discloses a tower carrying a wind turbine at the top and suction buckets as foundation.

Suction buckets are applied as (part of) a foundation of an offshore wind energy turbine. For such application, typically a single or three or more mutually spaced suction buckets are applied, providing a static balanced or overbalanced support. In operation, the suction buckets have at least almost completely penetrated the sea bed, are at equal or substantially equal level and are adjacent each other or have a mutual horizontal spacing providing a clearance of at least 5 metre, typically in the order of 20 metre or more, e.g. between 30 and 35 metres, or a clearance of at least 0.5 or 1.0 times the diameter of the suction bucket (clearance means the shortest distance between the facing side walls). This single bucket or assembly of suction buckets carries a single monopole or a space frame (i.e. jacket) of steel beams or tubes and on top of it a vertical tower supporting at its upper end the nacelle of the wind energy turbine provided with rotor blades, typically rotating around a horizontal axis and driven by the wind. The wind energy turbine converts wind energy into electrical energy. The wind turbine is typically part of a wind farm of identical wind turbines each provided with its own foundation of three or more suction buckets. A cable brings the electricity from the wind turbine generator to an electricity consumer onshore, e.g. a household.

The complete offshore structure is typically at least substantially made from metal, typically steel.

Preferably each suction bucket has one or more of:a diameter of at least 5 metres, typically between 7 or 10 and 15 metre or even more; a height of at least 5 metres, typically between 10 and 15 metre or even more and/or less than 20 or 30 metre, subject to the soil conditions; a wall thickness of at least

1 centimetre, typically at least 3 or 5 centimetre and/or below 10 or 15 or 20 centimetre; the longitudinal axis of the suction bucket and the relevant supporting leg (of the upper structure to be supported by the suction bucket) are substantially in line or eccentric.

The object of the invention is versatile.By way of example, the object is one or more of: improved control during installation of the group of buckets; low costs; improved reliability; ease of handling is facilitated. The object can also be learned from the information disclosed in the application documents.

For offshore installations, particularly for wind energy turbines, there are stringent requirements on many topics. Examples of these topics are: low production costs; fast and efficient installation in a matter of 1-8 hours; environmental friendly.

The object is obtained by a pump system designed to be temporary connected to the internal space (also called suction space) of the bucket to generate an over pressure or under pressure within the suction space, preferably wherein the pressure difference generated relative to the surrounding water pressure (e.g. approximately 10 bar at 100 meter water depth or 100 bar at 1000 meter water depth) is at least 0.5 or 1 or

2 or 3 or 5 bar. Preferably the pump system is designed to generate within the suction space an over or under pressure between 5 and 10 bar. It will be appreciated that for the under pressure (i.e. the suction), lowering of the pressure within the suction space is limited by the vacuum level (0 bar) such that at a pressure of e.g. 3 bar of the surrounding water (at a water depth of approximately 20 meter), a pump system rated for 5 bar pressure difference shall be unable to lower the pressure for more then 3 bar within the suction space (in practise the maximum attainable under pressure level will be a fraction of 1 bar above vacuum, e.g. 0.1 or 0.05 bar).

A prior art pump system is disclosed in EP17166678.7.

One or more of the following preferably applies to the pump system (any one of the mentioned parts preferably permanently mounted or belonging to the pump system): designed to stably bear onto the bucket top bulkhead, e.g.by comprising at least three mutually spaced supporting feet; a main frame, to carry all or a number of parts of the pump system; a three dimensional enclosure, e.g. a space frame of, preferably straight, beams, as an external protecting shell or envelope (also called "protective frame") for the fluid pumps and/or other components of the system, e.g. of rectangular and/or elongate shape, wherein the one or more fluid pumps and/or other components are enclosed within the space delimited by the protective frame; at least one or two, electrically or hydraulically driven, fluid pumps, e.g. one or more of centrifugal type, fixed displacement type (e.g. "lobe pump", positive displacement type (e.g. membrane or piston type); at least two fluid pumps of different or identical type; a fluid pump of high flow low pressure type, e.g. centrifugal fluid pump; a fluid pump of low flow high pressure type, e.g.membrane pump or piston pump or positive displacement pump; an interface, e.g. provided by or comprising a from the lower side of the pump system downward projecting tube stud, providing the pump interface to connect the fluid pump to the suction space for fluid communication, which interface preferably is provided with a seat, e.g. a flange, at its end remote from the pump system, against which the corresponding interface at the bucket, e.g. provided by or comprising an upward directed pipe stud, becomes seated, e.g. a corresponding seat, e.g. a flange; the interface provided with a seal for sealing engagement to the bucket interface; the interface designed such that, if the interface of the pump system and the bucket are fluidly connected, the pump is fluidly connected to the suction space through a fluid line connected to both the pump and to the pump interface; the pump system, preferably at or adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the interface, provided with a connector member for releasable locking engagement with a corresponding connector member at the bucket, e.g. provided at the bucket top bulkhead, e.g. at the corresponding interface of the bucket or adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the bucket interface; the connector member comprising a quick connector with preferably padlock eye system for engagement with a corresponding quick connector at the bucket; the pump interface designed for spring loaded seated connection to the bucket interface; a measurement probe, e.g. echo sounder probe, designed for measurement through top bulkhead tube stud of bucket; docking cone designed to penetrate top bulkhead tube stud to align the pump system or part of it, e.g. pump module, for sufficient sealing; piping provided with one or more, e.g. two, 3way valves for changing the water flow direction provided by a fluid pump, e.g.centrifugal pump, from suction to pressing without the need to reverse the fluid pump; pin override system on latching pins; valve arrangement for reversing pump flow; vent valve arrangement in pump system (e.g. straight above or integrated in or associated with the interfaces); system to temporarily increase venting capacity; convenient position of its centre of gravity, preferably approximately in the centre of the pump system or part of it, e.g. pump module, e.g. one or more of lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise; lift and/or upend appliance; a control panel, e.g. having a width and/or height at least 25 or 50 centimetre, connected and designed to be operated by a ROV such that the ROV can operate and monitor the pump system and provided with input and output means adapted for the ROV, e.g. input means such as one or more actuators, e.g. one or two or more mechanical switches and/or mechanical levers, e.g. to open or close a valve or different operating means of the pump system,designed to be operated by an actuating means, e.g. robot arm, of the ROV and/or output means such as one or two or more display devices, e.g.gauges or an electronic display screen, designed to be monitored by a camera of the ROV to e.g. capture a pressure or temperature or different data of the pump system; the control panel being fastened to and/or carried by the protective frame and/or the first area.

The in this application cited documents are inserted in here by reference and each provide technical background for a better understanding of this invention.

Preferably one or more of the following applies: the suction required to penetrate the suction bucket into the subsea bottom during installation is generated above the top bulkhead of the suction bucket, preferably since the suction side of a suction pump means or the pressure side of a pressure pump means is connected to the suction bucket at a location above the top bulkhead, e.g.the top bulkhead is provided with a nozzle or different sealable port for fluid connection of the suction space with a separate suction or pressure pump means; the diameter of the suction bucket is constant over its height (the height is the direction from the top bulkhead towards the opposite open end); from the top bulkhead the cylinder walls of the suction bucket extend parallel; the open end of the suction bucket, designed to be located on the sea floor first is completely open, in other words, its aperture is merely bordered by the cylinder walls; the water depth is such that the suction bucket is completely below the water surface when its lower end contacts the sea floor, in other words when its lower end has not penetrated the sea floor yet; the foundation comprises three, four or more mutually spaced suction buckets; the by releasable sealing means, e.g. a valve, selectively closable port in the top bulkhead to allow water entering and/or exiting the suction bucket is provided with a coupling means designed for temporary engagement of a suction and/or pressure pump at the time of installing, settlement correction and removing, respectively, of the suction bucket into and from, respectively, the seafloor soil, which port is associated with the fluid flow channel.

Preferably, the design of the suction bucket is such that fluid from a source, e.g. pressure pump, flows from the source through a sealed channel, terminating below the top bulkhead and within the suction space of the bucket. During sucking in the pressure is typically at least 0.1 or 0.25 or 0.5 or 1 bars below the local water pressure external from the suction bucket. During pressing out (correction operation or decommissioning) the pressure is typically at least 0.25 or 0.5 or 1 or 2 bars above the local water pressure external from the suction bucket.

The suction bucket is also preferably provided with known as such valves and/or hatches adjacent or at its top bulkhead for selectively allowing water and air to enter or exit the suction space through the top side of the suction bucket.

The pump interface and the bucket interface preferably have, in the operational position during suction or pressing, a longitudinal axis parallel to the one of the bucket.

The top bulkhead of the bucket is provided with an interface, e.g. upward projecting tube stud, providing the bucket interface to connect the fluid pump to the suction space. Preferably this interface is provided with one or more of: a valve to selectively seal the suction space; a seat, e.g. a flange, at its end remote from the top bulkhead, onto which the corresponding interface at the pump system, e.g. downward directed pipe stud, becomes seated, e.g. a corresponding seat, e.g. a flange; a coupling member for releasable and/or temporary engagement with the corresponding member at the pump interface, e.g. a padlock eye system, preferably oriented for penetration in a direction perpendicular to the bucket longitudinal axis. The padlock eye system preferably comprises a retractable pin, preferably provided with a drive means to extend and retract, and/or at least one plate or structural element,mutually spaced and/or parallel, each having a hole, aligned mutually and with the pin. Preferably the plate or element extends parallel to the interface longitudinal axis and/or the hole is oriented for inserting a pin perpendicular to the bucket longitudinal axis. The coupling member could also be provided at another location at the bucket, e.g. adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the interface.

The invention is directed to a pump system to be operatively connected temporary to a bucket as a marine structure or part of it, the bucket preferably provided by an open bottom and closed top, advantageously cylindrical, elongate shell providing a suction compartment or suction space, said closed top having an externally facing upper face and an opposite, toward the suction space facing lower face and preferably provided with one or more valves selectively allowing fluid communication between the suction space and the environment.

To the quick connector to the top bulkhead tube stud, preferably one or more of the following applies: with means for releasable locking to the bucket interface; with preferably a hole and/or pin, the pin preferably operated by actuator means of the pump system to move between a releasing retracted and locking extended position, preferably by lengthwise movement and/or movement perpendicular to the interface longitudinal axis; a padlock eye system; a spring loaded seated connection, e.g. a longitudinally resilient tube stud,preferably providing the tube free end. The padlock eye system preferably comprises one or two spaced parallel plates or structural elements each having a mutually registered hole, the plates or elements preferably projecting from the pump interface and the coupling with the bucket is made by locating a hole in a plate or structural element of the bucket interface in register with the pump interface and inserting a tightly fitting pin into these two or three holes. The plates or elements e.g. extend parallel to the interface longitudinal axis.

To the docking cone preferably one or more of the following applies: designed to penetrate the bucket interface, e.g. top bulkhead tube stud to align the pump system, or part of it, for sufficient sealing coupling of both interfaces; projects downwards and/or below the pump system; is provided by a spatial arrangement of plate like members to provide maximum flow through passage, e.g. at right angle crossing plates oriented parallel to and the cross axis co axial with the interface longitudinal axis (viz. e.g. fig. 4); co axial with pump system interface.

MANIFOLD

The following further applies to the manifold pump device.

- The manifold (also called "manifold device")provides that a single bucket pump device (in here also called "pump device") can simultaneously serve a group of suction buckets, for the supply or withdrawal of seawater to or from, or for venting of, the suction space. The pump device is preferably provided with a control panel designed for use with a ROV.

- The pump device is provided with one or more pumps that generate a flow of seawater (also called "flow") through a flow pipe of the pump device. The pump/pumps are driven by hydraulic fluid from a, preferably external, source, e.g. the ROV. The flow pipe ends at the outer circumference of the pump device, where it is connected in fluid communication with a flow channel of the manifold. The flow passes through a branching flow channel inside the manifold such that the flow is split in at least two or three, mutually separate, flow parts that flow from the flow channel branches through separate hoses that are temporarily connected to the manifold. The separate hoses are each part of an individual transfer device to provide transfer of the relevant flow between the suction space of the bucket and the manifold.

- The manifold is preferably temporarily fixed to the pump interface and/or the two or more, e.g. 4, transfer devices by individual coupling means, e.g. provided with a padlock-eye system.

- Each of the to the manifold fixed transfer devices comprises a hose that extends to the relevant bucket and is coupled to the bucket interface and has fluid communication with the suction space of said bucket. The opposite hose longitudinal ends are provided with a hose port for fluid connection with the flow channel interface and the bucket interface, respectively. - The manifold is provided with a flow channel interface to provide individual fluid connection between the flow channel branches and the transfer devices. The flow channel interface comprises flow channel ports in a fixed flow channel port pattern and in fixed fluid communication with the flow channel branches and preferably provided at the corners of an imaginary rectangle or square or triangle or polygon.

- Preferably, in operation, initially, the individual hoses of the transfer devices are fluidly fixed with their relevant hose port to the bucket interfaces and the manifold adjacent hose ports are provided in a fixed hose port pattern according to the fixed flow channel port pattern at the manifold. This mounting operation can be completed on shore. Subsequently, e.g. at the offshore installation site, the assembly of the manifold and the pump device is lowered onto the fixed pattern of hose ports such that the flow channel port pattern and hose port pattern are mutually centred. In this manner the flow channel ports and hose ports are brought into fluid connection and the manifold is temporarily fixed in position by the coupling means. Subsequently, pump operation is started and the seawater flow is distributed among the buckets.

- The manifold also preferably has a means, e.g. a docking cone projecting downwards from the bottom for guiding the registered engagement procedure between the manifold and the transfer device, and/or a means, e.g. bulges of elastic resilient material (e.g. rubber), preferably just above each flow channel port, to provide some freedom of movement (radially and/or axially) of the flow channel ports to adapt to dimensional deviations of the hose port pattern while both patterns become engaged.

- The seawater flow is e.g. as follows: from the pump into the flow pipe and then into the flow channel of the manifold, then into the branching flow channel inside the manifold such that the flow is split in at least two or three, mutually separate, flow parts that flow from the flow channel branches via the flow channel ports and the hose ports into the hoses and then from the hose ports at the opposite hose ends into the suction space of the buckets. The seawater flow is also possible in the opposite order, starting from the suction space of the buckets. If seawater is vented from the suction space, the pump is typically bypassed by opening a vent valve in the flow pipe between de manifold and the pump.

- By the time the pump operation is completed, the manifold is uncoupled relative to the hose ports and the flow channel ports are released from the hose ports and the assembly of pump device and manifold is lifted and the individual interfaces, each comprising a hose, stay behind.

Preferably, one or more of the following further applies to the manifold pump device:

- the pump device contains an input for hydraulic fluid from the ROV;

- the pump device is the source of seawater and/or electricity and/or electronic signals to supply to the individual buckets;

- from the manifold extend two, three or more hoses to equal number of buckets.

- the pump device contains a pump means, e.g. positive displacement type, preferably connected to an input means, e.g. supply tube, to which the ROV can be temporarily connected, to receive hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals from the ROV;

- the manifold has means such that the flow of seawater to and from the individual buckets can be controlled individually;

- the manifold has means to control the flow amount of seawater, controlling the speed with which the relevant buckets penetrates or exits the seabottom, preferably such that the flow amount is controlled individually for each bucket and/or the flow direction of seawater is in common for all pump modules;

- the hose provides the transfer of data and/or energy to the buckets for additional functions, e.g. to control the venting valve to selectively connect the suction space with the environment, and/or the connector (e.g. pad lock eye) to temporary fasten the pump interface of a hose to the bucket interface of the associated bucket; - the pump device is completely accommodated in a light weight, right angled protective frame and preferably contains one or more electricity accumulators.

- the pump device is designed to be only briefly or temporary in operation under water, reason why it is provided with e.g. electricity accumulators;

- the pump device is designed for re-use / frequent placing and removing / docking / coupling/uncoupling;

- the pump device is designed as a mobile, flexible system of limited dimensions and small volume, preferably less than 5 cubic metre;

- the pump device is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement relative to the top bulkhead in directions parallel to the top bulkhead and/or perpendicular to the axial direction of the bucket;

- the pump device is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement in all directions relative to the top bulkhead;

- designed for a water depth of 3000 metre ore deeper, e.g. 5000 metre;

- the pump device is provided with a control panel designed to be operated by the robot arm of a ROV and to be observed by the camera of a ROV;

- the manifold device is designed to temporarily be added to a pump device.

The invention is further illustrated by way of non-limiting, presently preferred embodiments providing the best way of carrying out the invention and shown in the drawings, showing: Fig. 1 a top view of a bucket;

Fig. 2 a sectional side view according to the fig. 1 line A-A of the bucket and a pump system on top of it;

Fig. 3 a pump device in perspective view;

Fig. 4 a side view of the fig. 3 device;

Fig. 5 an exploded side view of a pin locked flange coupling; Fig. 6 a perspective view of an alternative to the Fig. 5 embodiment; Fig. 7 a perspective of an inventive pump system;

Fig. 8 a top view of the fig. 7 system;

Fig. 9-11 detail views of the fig. 7 system;

Fig. 12 a perspective view of another inventive system;

Fig. 13 a top view of the manifold of the fig. 12 system;

Fig. 14 a side view of the fig. 13 manifold;

Fig. 15 a schematic view of a hoist configuration;

Fig. 16 a perspective of a top bulkhead of the bucket; and

Fig. 17 a perspective of the bucket interface.

Fig. 1-6 show known as such components of an example pump system. The pump system is shown in its operative position if the bucket is vertically upright positioned.

Fig. 1-2 show the bucket interface 5, the cylindrical wall 7, the pump system 1, the pump interface 9, the seafloor 11, the soil plug 12 within the suction space, the top bulkhead 6, the longitudinal axis 14, the open lower side 8.

Fig. 3-5 show particulars of a pump device, particularly the above discussed features: a quick connector to mutually lock the pump device and bucket interface releasably; measurement probe design; docking cone design (cone 27);piping for changing the water flow direction without reversing the pump; pin override system on latching pins; vent valve arrangement in pump device.

Fig. 3 illustrates the protective external space frame 24 and the four supporting feet 25. At the top, the frame 24 is provided with attachments 28 (e.g. eyes) for a hoisting device to hoist the pump system 1 and also the bucket suspending from the pump system when the interfaces 5, 9 are mutually coupled. The pump 3, its drive at opposite sides of the interfaces 5, 9, and piping 26 connecting pump 3 and pump interface 9, are visible.

Fig. 5 shows to the right hand side the locked state. This embodiment can be designed such that the complete bucket can suspend from the mutually locked interfaces 5, 9, in different words the bucket can suspend from the protective frame. The arrow illustrates the displacement of the pump interface 9 towards the bucket interface 5.

Fig. 6 shows of the padlock eye system the two parallel plates 16 associated with the pump interface, and the pin 17 to mutually lock the registered holes of the three plates 15, 16. The plate 15 being part of the padlock eye system and sandwiched between the plates 16 of the pump interface 9 if the interfaces 5, 9 are mutually locked. Also shown is the hydraulic jack 18 as the actuator to retract and extend the pin 17.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment for rigid coupling of the pump system 1 to the top bulkhead 6 while simultaneously it is allowed that the pipes 5 and 9 are selectively mutually spaced (e.g. for purposes of venting fluid from inside the bucket to the environment) or mutually connected. A connector frame 23 is provided with the plates 16 of the padlock eye system. The connector frame 23 is attached to the protective frame 24 by four hydraulic jacks 22 (three visible in fig. 6) regularly spaced around the interface 9. At the time the plates 15 and 16 are mutually fixed by the pins 17, the distance between the pipes 5 and 9 can be adapted by operating the hydraulic jacks to extend or retract.

The fig. 5 and 6 embodiments allow to suspend the bucket from the protective frame 24.

Fig. 7-8 show the general lay out of the pump system and fig. 9-11 show details. A ROV 30 temporarily connects to the control panel of the central device 10, embodied as central unit, and supplies to the central unit pressurized hydraulic fluid and electricity and electronic signals and the central unit distributes these through the umbilicals 13 to operate the pumps of the pump modules 29 for pumping sea water in or out the buckets, to vent the buckets, etc.

Fig. 9 and 10 clearly show the control panel 31 at the front face of the central device 10, facing the ROV 30. Fig. 11 shows a view of the central device 10 from the opposite side relative to fig. 10.

The embodiment shown in fig. 7-8 can be adapted by providing the central device 10 as a single pump device, at its lower side provided with a manifold device 32 (viz. fig. 12) and removing the pump modules 29.From the manifold 32 three separate hydraulic hoses extend (similar to the umbilicals 13 in fig. 7-11) to a relevant suction bucket. At each suction bucket, the relevant hydraulic hose is, through its pump interface, fluidly connected to the bucket interface such that the single pump device can supply or extract liquid from the suction space of the relevant suction bucket. The single pump device could be embodied as fig.3-4 show, additionally provided with a control panel 31 in the manner fig. 9-10 show.

The thus adapted embodiment would show in a view like fig. 8 a ROV 30 temporarily connected to the control panel 31 of the pump device and supplies to the pump device pressurized hydraulic fluid and electricity and electronic signals to operate the pump of the pump device to supply or extract liquid from or to vent the suction space of the relevant suction bucket.

Fig. 12 shows the manifold device 32 at the lower side of the pump device.Visible is the flow channel interface which has four flow channel ports 33 in a fixed flow channel port pattern wherein these ports are provided at the corners of an imaginary rectangle (or a square or triangle or polygon).

Fig. 13-14 show the padlock eye system at the top and the bottom (to temporarily fixate the manifold 32 to the pump device and the transfer device (not shown), respectively) and also the docking cone 27 (viz. fig. 14) projecting downwards from the bottom, and also the bulges 34 of elastic resilient material (e.g. rubber) just above each flow channel port 33 to provide some freedom of movement of the flow channel ports 33 to adapt to dimensional deviations of the hose port pattern while both patterns become engaged. The docking cone 27 at the pump device (viz. fig. 4) projects into the flow port 35 at the top of the manifold 32 if both objects are united (viz. fig. 12).

Fig. 15 shows an example of a hoist configuration to lift in a single operation and with a single, common lift point 36 the four main components of the fig. 7 pump system, namely the three pump modules 29 and the central device 10 carrying the control panel 31, mutually connected by individual umbilicals 13, the one after the other by individual cables 37, at least one meter differing in length, wherein the components already lifted remain lifted and the components not yet lifted remain immovable until the time they become lifted.

Fig. 16 shows of the padlock eye system the plates 15 permanently fixed to the top bulkhead 6 of the bucket, and the pump interface 9 in between plates 15.

Fig. 17 shows an alternative to fig.16, wherein the plates 15 of the padlock eye system are permanently fixed to the, permanently to the top bulkhead 6 fixed, pump interface 9 (e.g. a tube). Fig. 5 and 6 show a design similar to fig. 17.

The invention is not limited to the above described and in the drawings illustrated embodiments. The drawing, the specification and claims contain many features in combination. The skilled person will consider these also individually and combine them to further embodiments. Features of different in here disclosed embodiments can in different manners be combined and different aspects of some features are regarded mutually exchangeable. All described or in the drawing disclosed features provide as such or in arbitrary combination the subject matter of the invention, also independent from their arrangement in the claims or their referral.

CLAUSES

1. The central device (10) of the pump system is a pump device containing a pump, pump drive and manifold device (32), from the manifold device extend individual transfer devices (13), each connecting to a relevant suction space; preferably the pump device generates hydraulic suction such that sea water flows simultaneously from all the suction spaces of all of the buckets of the group, through the connected transfer devices, into the manifold device and subsequently into the pump of the pump device; preferably the pump drive within the pump device is fed with hydraulic pressurised fluid as drive energy by the connected ROV.

Claims

1. Unity of a group of at least two or three suction buckets (7) and a pump system (1) of which a central device (10) is temporary connected by convenient interface means, e.g. a suction pipe (5, 9), to the suction space of all the suction buckets of the group simultaneously, preferably wherein the complete pump system, or at least the central device, rests on top of the top bulkhead (6) of the upward extending bucket.

2. Unity according to claim 1, wherein the pump system comprises at least two or three pump modules (29), each containing a private pump and pump drive to generate the required suction and connected to a relevant bucket (7); the central device (10), preferably enclosed within a protective frame (24), and the pump modules (29) being mutually separate and remote.

3. Unity according to claim 2, designed such that the pump drive within each pump module (29) is fed with energy, e.g. hydraulic pressurised fluid, as drive energy by the connected central device (10), such that the central device acts as a distributor of said energy, e.g. fluid, for the connected pump modules (29).

4. Unity according to claim 3, the central device (10) receives said energy, e.g. fluid, from the connected ROV (30).

5. Unity according to any of claims 1-4, from the central device (10) extend two, three or more transfer devices (13), e.g. umbilicals, to and are connected to equal number of pump modules (29) or suction spaces, to mutually transfer energy, e.g. hydraulic fluid, and/or signals.

6. Unity according to claim 5, each transfer device (13), e.g. umbilical, has at least three hydraulic lines and also possibly an electricity lead, all which lines and leads are connected to the same pump module (29) or suction bucket (7).

7. Unity according to any of claims 1-6, the central device (10) contains an input for hydraulic fluid from the ROV (30), downstream from it a flow divider and downstream from it control valves and downstream from it the transfer devices (13), e.g. umbilicals, are connected to the central device to distribute the hydraulic fluid, fed by the ROV, over the buckets (7) or pump modules (29) to create suction within all suction spaces of the group.

8. Unity according to any of claims 3-7, each transfer device

(13), e.g. umbilical, provides the transfer of data and/or energy, e.g. electric and/or hydraulic, to the buckets (7) or pump modules (29) for additional functions, e.g. to control the venting valve to selectively connect the suction space with the environment, and/or the connector (15-17) (e.g. pad lock eye) to temporary fasten the pump interface (9) of a pump module (29) or transfer device (13) to the bucket interface (5) of the associated bucket (7).

9. Unity according to any of claims 3-8, each transfer device (13), e.g.umbilical, is a flexible, elongate, hose like object and/or each has an over length of at least 20% in view of the individual distance between the central device (10) and the relevant pump module (29) or bucket interface (5).

10. Unity according to any of claims 1-9, between suction bucket (7) and associated pump module (29) or transfer device (13) a, preferably remotely controlled, quick connector is operative, preferably comprising a pin (17) operated by actuator means (18) of the pump system to move between a releasing retracted and locking extended position.

11. Unity according to any of claims 1-10, the bucket interface (5) projects upward from the top plate (6) of bucket (7) and is connected to the internal suction space of the bucket (7).

12. Unity according to any of claims 1-11, each pump module (29) comprising a docking means, e.g. cone (27) designed to engage, e.g.penetrate, the bucket interface (5) and preferably it projects downwards and/or below the pump module and/or is co axial with pump module interface (9).

13. Unity according to any of claims 1-12, the central device (10) is enveloped by a protective rigid, e.g. space frame type, frame (24, 25), preferably right angled and/or brick shaped.

14. Unity according to any of claims 1-13, the central device (10) carrying a, preferably vertically oriented, control panel (31), designed to be operated by a remotely operated submersed vehicle (ROV, 30) to control and monitor the pump system.

15. Unity according to claim 14, the panel (31) provided at its outward from the central device (10) facing main face with input and output means and/or a grip for the ROV (30).

16. Pump system for the unity according to any of claims 1-15.

17. Pump system according to claim 16, comprising at least two or three pump modules (29), each containing a private pump and pump drive to generate the required suction and connected to a relevant bucket (7); the central device (10), preferably enclosed within a protective frame (24), and the pump modules (29) being mutually separate and remote.

18. Method of installing a group of at least two or three suction buckets (7), using a pump system according to claim 16 or 17 by convenient means temporarily connected to the suction space of each bucket (7) of the group.