WO2021260241A1 - Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water - Google Patents

Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021260241A1
WO2021260241A1 PCT/ES2021/070416 ES2021070416W WO2021260241A1 WO 2021260241 A1 WO2021260241 A1 WO 2021260241A1 ES 2021070416 W ES2021070416 W ES 2021070416W WO 2021260241 A1 WO2021260241 A1 WO 2021260241A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chain
locking plate
connector
housing
connector body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES2021/070416
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jonathan FERNANDEZ IBAÑEZ
Jorge ALTUZARRA MAESTRE
Alexander MENA CORMENZANA
Xabier GARCIA AYUELA
Nagore Abrisketa Lozano
Original Assignee
Tecnologica Leioa Aie
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tecnologica Leioa Aie filed Critical Tecnologica Leioa Aie
Priority to AU2021295737A priority Critical patent/AU2021295737A1/en
Priority to ES21735741T priority patent/ES2961659T3/en
Priority to BR112022026349A priority patent/BR112022026349A2/en
Priority to EP21735741.7A priority patent/EP4169827B1/en
Priority to CN202180044210.9A priority patent/CN116075463A/en
Publication of WO2021260241A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021260241A1/en
Priority to US18/087,179 priority patent/US20230127233A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/04—Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/20—Adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to submarine connectors for mooring lines of floating structures and methods for connecting mooring lines.
  • Drillships, or offshore platforms are floating structures that need to be moored to the seabed in a fixed area, so as not to be subjected to displacements that may be caused by sea currents or atmospheric conditions.
  • anchoring devices are used that are tied to anchoring lines that are attached to said floating structures.
  • the anchoring devices can be anchors, or piles, which are driven into the seabed, usually incorporating a section of chain, one of the ends of said section of chain being attached to the anchoring device, and the other end of the section having to be joined. from chain to another length of chain that is launched from the surface of the water, and that is attached to the floating structure that is required to be moored.
  • submarine connectors that are arranged in the anchoring devices.
  • Both the male element and the connector body have holes for the passage of a locking pin, so that when the male element is inserted into the connector body, with the holes of both elements aligned with each other, by a vehicle operated remotely the locking pin is inserted through the holes to lock the male element into the connector body.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a submarine connector for connecting a chain under water, and a method of connecting the chain with said submarine connector, as defined in the claims.
  • One aspect of the invention relates to a submarine connector for connecting an underwater chain
  • a submarine connector for connecting an underwater chain
  • the connector body additionally comprises a housing communicated with the inlet mouth in which at least the last link of one end of the chain is housed, and a locking plate that blocks by contact one of the links of the end of the chain housed. in said accommodation.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a chain under water.
  • the method comprises: either employing the submarine connector described above, or introducing at least the last link at the end of the chain into the housing of the connector body through the inlet, or employing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking plate by moving it to block the end of the chain housed in said housing, and / or pull the chain towards the inlet mouth until one of the links at the end of the chain housed in the housing contacts the plate lock.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the submarine connectors of the state of the art of EP2809969A1, or EP2858888A1 employ a male element that must be attached out of the water to one end of the chain, and subsequently, under water, when the male element is arranged housed in the body of connector, a locking pin must be used to attach the male element to the connector body.
  • the submarine connector of the invention does not require the use of a male element to establish the connection of the chain, or establish any type of connection out of the water of the male element with the end of the chain, thus resulting in a simpler and cheaper solution to connect a chain under water.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the submarine connector of the invention with a locking plate that follows a curved path to lock the end of the chain that is housed in the housing of the connector body.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show a front and rear perspective of the locking plate of the submarine connector of Figure 1.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show a top and bottom perspective of the inlet of the submarine connector of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 shows a partial view with the locking plate in the second position locking the end of the chain.
  • Figure 7 shows a rear view of the submarine connector of Figure 1.
  • Figure 8 shows the submarine connector of Figure 1 with the locking plate in the first position allowing free passage of the chain.
  • Figure 9 shows the submarine connector of Figure 1 with the locking plate in the second position locking the chain.
  • Figure 10 is a partial view of Figure 8 showing the arrangement of the last two links at the end of the chain in the housing of the connector body.
  • Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the submarine connector of the invention with a locking plate that follows a straight path to lock the end of the chain that is housed in the housing of the connector body.
  • Figures 12 and 13 show a front and rear perspective of the locking plate of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
  • Figures 14 and 15 show a top and bottom perspective of the inlet port and a portion of the connector body of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
  • Figure 16 shows a rear view of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
  • Figure 17 shows the submarine connector of Figure 11 with the locking plate in the first position allowing free passage of the chain.
  • Figure 18 shows support means for the submarine connector of Figure 11 to arrange the connector in an anchoring device that is seated on the seabed.
  • Figure 19 shows a schematic view of the submarine connector arranged in the anchoring device that is seated on the seabed.
  • the figures show a first and a second embodiment of a submarine connector 100, 200 according to the invention for connecting a chain 300 under water.
  • the submarine connector comprises a connector body 110, 210 having a first end 111, 211 with an anchor point 112, 212 and a second end 113, 213 for anchoring the chain 300, the second end 113, 213 comprising a input mouth 114, 214.
  • the connector body 110, 210 additionally comprises a housing 115, 215 communicated with the input mouth 114, 214 in which at least the last link 301 of one end of the chain 300 is housed, and a locking plate 116, 216 that locks by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the chain 300 housed in said housing 115, 215.
  • the submarine connector 100, 200 is used to connect a string 300 and another connecting element 400 underwater, for example another string 400 or a submarine cable.
  • the submarine connector 100, 200 is used to connect a first chain 300 and a second chain 400 underwater.
  • the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 form an anchor line that connects a floating structure with an anchor device 500 that is arranged on the seabed.
  • the first chain 300 is connectable to the floating structure and the second chain 400 is connectable to the anchoring device 400 (see Figure 19).
  • the first chain 300 is connectable to the anchoring device 500 and the second chain 400 is connectable to the floating structure.
  • the chains 300 or 400 can be made up of a single length of chain or of several lengths of chain.
  • the anchoring device 500 can be an anchor or a pile that is driven into the seabed (as shown in Figures 18 and 19), or another type of structure supported on the seabed.
  • the mooring line connecting the floating structure with the anchoring device 500 may have a tensioning element to tension the first chain 300 and the second chain 400.
  • the submarine connector 100, 200 connects the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 underwater, and the tensioning element tensiones the first chain 300 and the second chain 400.
  • the chains comprise a plurality of links arranged interspersed with one another, with a 90 ° rotated arrangement between two consecutive links. In the sense of the invention, the chains comprise a plurality of even links and odd links, the even links being arranged sandwiched between the odd links.
  • the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 comprises a connector body 110 having a first end 111 with an anchor point 112 for anchoring one end of the second chain 400, and a second end 113 for anchoring one end of the first chain 300, the second end 113 comprising an inlet port 114.
  • the connector body 110 additionally comprises a housing 115 communicated with the inlet port 114 and configured to house the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 116 configured to lock by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.
  • the lock plate 116 has a through slot 117 to receive another of the links 302 from the end of the first chain 300 and a push means 118 to be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the lock plate 116 being movable from a first position (see Figure 8), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged outside the housing 115 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 115, to a second position (see Figure 9), in whereby the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115 of the connector body 110 by contacting the link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • Lock plate 116 is configured to lock the end of first chain 300 following a curved path between the first and second positions.
  • the anchor point 112 of the first end 111 of the connector body 110 has two parallel protruding portions 119 that define an opening 120 to provide a link of the second chain 400. (See Figure 7). Each of the projecting portions 119 has a hole 121 to receive a pin 122 that connects the point of the anchor 112 with the link of the second chain 400 that is arranged in the opening 120.
  • the anchor point 112 represented in the figures is called commonly "double Affeye".
  • the anchor point 112 may have another shape, for example, it may have a suitable shape to connect a shackle that is connected to a chain, or another way to couple another connection element 400, such as for example a submarine cable.
  • the locking plate 116 has an upper part 123 on which a pivot axis 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged, and two projecting arms 125 that are attached to the upper part 123 , the through slot 117 being arranged between the two projecting arms 125.
  • the locking plate 116 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 125 arranged in parallel and spaced a distance similar to the thickness of one of the link links. the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient so that the through slot 117 can receive an even link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116 have notches 126 to receive a part of one of the odd links 301 of the first chain 300.
  • the notches 126 are arranged on the underside of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116, so that in the second position of the locking plate E or 116, the bottom face of the lock plate 116 faces the housing 115, and the top face of the lock plate 116 faces the inlet 114.
  • the axis of rotation 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged between ribs 127 of the inlet port 114, the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet port 114, such that, in the second position, the locking plate 116 contacts the bottom of inlet 114.
  • the rotary engagement of locking plate 116 is established at the lower end of ribs 127 that protrude with respect to the bottom of inlet 114, the ribs 127 protruding a distance similar to the width of the blocking plate 116, so that in the second position, the upper face of the blocking plate 116 rests on the lower part of the inlet mouth 114, which performs a stop to limit rotation of lock plate 116. (See Figure 6).
  • the pushing means 118 comprise protrusions 128 and cables 129, each of the projecting arms 125 having one of the protrusions 128, and wherein each of the cables 129 has one end attached to one of the protrusions 128 and another end free that is actuable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
  • the protrusions 128 are arranged on the outer side of the lower end of the projecting arms 125, on the opposite side to the axis of rotation 124, in such a way that the effort required by the ROV to rotate the plate 116 and take it off is reduced. the first to the second position.
  • the connector body 110 has an opening 131 for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position (See Figures 1 and 9).
  • Said opening 131 is shaped reciprocally to the shape of locking plate 116 to allow rotation of locking plate 116 from the first position, in which locking plate 116 is outside housing 115 of connector body 110, to the second position, where the locking plate 116 is disposed in the housing 115.
  • the connector body 110 has holes 130 for the passage of the cables 129 of the push means 118.
  • the holes 130 are arranged in the connector body 110 in a position diametrically opposite to the opening 131 that the connector body 110 has. for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first to the second position, such that the cables 129 pass through the housing 115 of the connector body 110.
  • the holes 131 are arranged in the second end 113 of the connector body 110 where they are has the inlet port 114, in a position diametrically opposite to the area in which the axis of rotation 124 of the locking plate 116 is connected to the ribs 127 of the inlet port 114, so that when the vehicle is operated at distance (ROV) pulls the cables 129 to bring the locking plate 116 to the second position, the protrusions 128 of the locking plate 116 are close to the holes 131.
  • ROV distance
  • the locking plate 116 When the locking plate 116 is in the second position locking the first chain 300, the locking plate 116 is held in said second position by the traction exerted on the first chain 300, however, in certain circumstances the first chain 300 can be slackened Therefore, provision has been made to provide means to retain the locking plate 116 in the second position.
  • the locking plate 116 has a hole 132 to receive a locking pin (not shown in Figures 1 to 10), and the connector body 110 has another hole 133 (see Figure 1) to receive the locking pin, such that with the two holes 132 and 133 aligned with each other, the locking pin retains the locking plate 116 in the connector body 110 preventing its displacement.
  • the hole 132 of the locking plate 116 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 125. Additionally, there may be another hole in the other arm 125 of the locking plate 116 and a respective hole in the connector body 110, being used in such a case a respective locking pin to pass through each pair of holes.
  • Remote operated vehicle can be used to position the locking pin (ROV).
  • the inlet port 114 of the connector body 110 has an inner wall 134 to receive the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 134 extending directly between an upper edge 135 and a lower edge. 136, the lower edge 136 having a crosshead shape, and the upper edge 135 being wider than the lower edge 134, such that the inner wall 134 defines ramp channels 137 to guide the links of the first chain 300 towards the shape.
  • crosshead of the lower edge 136 By its configuration, the crosshead shape has four ends, and each ramp channel 137 extends from one end of the crosshead shape to the upper edge 135, so that four channels are defined on ramp 137.
  • said ramp channels 137 allow the first chain 300 to rotate and orient it towards the cross ta, so that the even link 302 that has to enter the slot 117 of the plate 116 is correctly positioned.
  • the submarine connector 100 is preferably configured to establish a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 underwater, such that in use the submarine connector 100 is disposed in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the lock plate 116 is held in the first position by gravity, and the biasing means 118 is used to bring the lock plate 116 from the first to the second position.
  • the connector body 110 has support means 138 for arranging the connector body 110 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the inlet mouth 114 of the housing 115 is oriented vertically to receive the end of the first chain 300 which is launched from the surface of the water also in a vertical orientation, so that complex manipulations of the first chain 300 are not required. to insert it into the housing 115.
  • the support means 138 are configured to establish a removable connection of the submarine connector 100 with the anchoring device 500. In this way, when the connection between the first 300 and second chain 400 is established, and the submarine connector 100 is released from the device. anchor 500, there is no support element in the anchor device 500.
  • the connector body It is arranged supported by a metal support structure that is welded to the anchoring device, and which remains attached to the anchoring device when the connector is released, whereby said structure can be entangled with trawl nets that pass over anchoring devices.
  • the connector body 110 has support means 138 comprising a vertical wall 139 that is connected to the connector body 110 by means of arms 140, a slot 141 being defined between the vertical wall 139 and the arms 140 in which it is available. by engaging an upper edge of the anchoring device 500.
  • the groove 141 is arranged parallel to the body of the connector 110, so that when the submarine connector 100 is supported on the anchoring device 500, the groove 141 establishes a bearing by contact with the upper edge of the anchoring device 500, the submarine connector 100 remaining in the vertical orientation, and when the connection of the chains 300 and 400 has been established, by pulling the first chain 300 the slot 141 is extracted from the upper edge of the device anchor 500.
  • the anchoring device 500 can be a pile, or an anchor arranged on the seabed, or a support structure to be arranged on the seabed.
  • the submarine connector also allows to establish a connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 different from the vertical connection, this is due to the fact that the pushing means 118 of the locking plate 116 allow the remotely operated vehicle to actuate the plate. 116 by moving it between the first and second positions regardless of the orientation of the submarine connector 100, so that in use the submarine connector may be arranged in a different than vertical arrangement.
  • the housing 115 of the connector body 110 is dimensioned to receive the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that, in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the lock plate 116 and the second to last link 302 at the end of the first chain 300 are disposed in the through slot 117 of the lock plate 116.
  • the last link 301 being an odd link and the second to last link 302 being an even link.
  • Accommodation 115 of the connector body 110 extends vertically between the first end 111 where the anchor point 112 is arranged and the second end 113 where the inlet mouth 114 is arranged, the housing 115 having a vertical dimension that coincides with the dimension vertical of two consecutive links of the first chain 300.
  • the method of connecting the first chain 300 using the submarine connector 100 comprises: o introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 115 of the connector body 110 through the inlet port 114;
  • Locking plate 116 moves from the first position to the second position following a curved path.
  • the last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the crosshead of the inlet port 114 in an arrangement in which the last link 301 is arranged in parallel to the lock plate 116 and the second to last link 302 is arranged perpendicular to the lock plate 116, so that when the end of the first chain 300 is housed in the housing 115, the second to last link 302 faces the slot through 117, thus allowing lock plate 116 to rotate from the first to the second position.
  • the first chain 300 is pulled in the direction of the inlet 114 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 116, leaving the upper part of the last link 301 partially housed in the notches 126 of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116. In such a situation, and to ensure immobility of the locking plate 116, the locking pin is inserted through the hole 133 of the connector body 110 and the hole 132 of the locking plate 116.
  • the anchoring device 500 Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to each other, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and by means of the support means 138 the submarine connector 100 is arranged on the anchoring device 500 in vertical orientation. To do this, the slot 141 of the support means 138 is inserted in the upper edge of the anchoring device 500.
  • the connection has been established between the chains 300 and 400, and the locking plate 116 is in the second position, blocking the first chain 300, additional pulling of the first chain 300 is made to extract the groove 141 from the upper edge of the anchor device 500.
  • the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment of Figures 11 to 19 comprises a connector body 210 having a first end 211 with an anchor point 212 for anchoring one end of the second chain 400, and a second end 213 for anchoring one end of the first chain 300, the second end 213 comprising an inlet 214.
  • the connector body 210 additionally comprises a housing 215 communicated with the inlet 214 and configured to house the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 216 configured to lock by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215.
  • the locking plate 216 has a through slot 217 to receive another of the links 302 from the end of the first chain 300 and a push means 218 to be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 216 being movable from a first position (see Figure 17), in which the locking plate 216 remains arranged outside the housing 215 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215, to a second position in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215 of the connector body 210 by contact locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • Lock plate 216 is configured to lock the end of first chain 300 following a straight path between the first position and the second position.
  • the anchor point 212 of the first end 211 of the connector body 210 has two parallel protruding portions 219 that define an opening 220 for arranging a second chain link 400.
  • Each of the protruding portions 219 has a hole 221 for receiving a pin. 222 that joins the point of the anchor 212 with the link of the second chain 400 that is arranged in the opening 220.
  • Said anchor point 212 can have a different shape, as described above in the submarine connector 100 of the first example of realization.
  • the locking plate 216 has an upper part 223 in which the pushing means 218 are arranged, and two projecting arms 225 which are attached to the upper part 223, the through slot 217 being disposed between the two projecting arms 225.
  • the locking plate 216 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 225 arranged in parallel and spaced a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, being said distance sufficient so that the through slot 217 can receive an even link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 have notches 226 to receive a part of one of the odd links 301 of the first chain 300.
  • the notches 226 are arranged on the underside of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216, so that in the second position of the locking plate 216, the face i The bottom of the locking plate 216 faces the housing 215, and the upper face of the locking plate 216 faces the inlet 214.
  • the connector body 210 has an opening 231 for passage of the locking plate 216 from the first position to the second position (See Figure 15).
  • Said opening 231 has a reciprocal shape to the shape of the locking plate 216 to allow a displacement following the straight path of the locking plate 216 from the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is outside the housing 215 of the connector body 210, to the second position, in which the locking plate 216 is disposed in the housing 215.
  • the two projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 are configured to move through slots 224 of the connector body 210 between the first position and the second position following the straight path.
  • the grooves 224 are made in the interior walls of the connector body 210 and are reciprocally shaped to the exterior of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216.
  • the exterior of each projecting arm 225 has a straight section arranged after an inclined section that ensures the arrangement and movement of the locking plate 216, grooves 224 of the connector body 210.
  • the locking plate 116 of the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 may also have the projecting arms 125 with an outer part having a straight section arranged next to an inclined section.
  • Each of the projecting arms 225 has a channel 227 for receiving a pin 229 that guides the locking plate 216 along the straight path between the first position and the second position.
  • the connector body 210 has holes 230 that are located in the slots 224, and the pins 229 pass through said holes 230 to protrude into the slots 224 and thus be able to enter the channels 227 of the locking plate 216 to guide it in the trajectory. straight between the first position and the second position.
  • the locking plate 216 has a hole 232 to receive a locking pin 228 (see Figure 16), and the connector body 210 has another hole 233 (see Figure 15) to receive the locking pin 228, such that with the two holes 232 and 233 aligned with each other, locking pin 228 retains locking plate 216 in connector body 210 preventing its movement.
  • the hole 232 of the locking plate 216 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 225. Additionally, there may be another hole in the other arm 225 of the locking plate 216 and another respective hole in the connector body 210, being used in such a case a respective locking pin to pass through each pair of holes.
  • the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to position the locking pin.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • the inlet 214 of the connector body 210 has an inner wall 234 to receive the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 234 extending directly between an upper edge 235 and a lower edge. 236, which has a crosshead shape to allow the passage of the end links of the first chain 300.
  • the inner wall 234 of the inlet mouth 214 of the submarine connector of the second embodiment can have ramp channels like the wall interior 134 of the inlet 114 of the submarine connector of the first embodiment.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 has two pairs of vertical plates 237 facing each other to guide the last link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215.
  • the connector body 210 has two facing walls between which the housing 215 is defined, and each of the vertical pairs 237 is arranged on one of the walls of the body of the connector 210.
  • the housing 115 of the connector body 110 of the first embodiment can also have the two pairs of vertical plates 237 that allow guiding the last link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 when it is inserted into the housing 115.
  • the connector body 110 has a circular shape that defines the housing 115, such that the two pairs of vertical plates 237 would be arranged in diametrically opposite positions of the housing 115 of the connector body 110.
  • the submarine connector 200 is preferably configured to establish a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 underwater, such that in use the submarine connector 200 is disposed in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the connector body 210 has support means 238 for joining the anchoring device 500 and arranging the connector body 210 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
  • the support means 238 comprise a bar 239 that is arranged between two lugs 240 having the connector body 210, the bar 239 being available in an anchoring structure 241 that is attached to the anchoring device 500.
  • the anchoring structure 241 comprises a lower part 242 connectable to the anchoring device 500 and an upper part 243 having an end which is pivotally connected to the lower part 242 and another end having a locking catch 244 to lock the upper part 243 to the lower part 242, and where between the upper part 243 and the lower part 242 arms 245 are arranged which are configured to receive the bar 239 from the support means 238 and lock it.
  • the bar 239 of the support means 238 is represented, without representing the rest of the elements of the submarine connector 200.
  • the upper part 243 separates from the lower part 242 to receive the bar 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242, and when the bar 239 is supported on the lower part 242, the upper part 243 is disposed on the lower part 242 the bar 239 being retained between the arms 245 of the anchoring structure 241.
  • the locking closure 244 which is composed of a locking pin, ensures the connection of the upper part 243 with respect to the lower part 242 preventing its separation.
  • the anchoring structure 241 has three arms 245, two of the arms 245 are arranged in the lower part 242 and the other arm 245 is arranged in the upper part 243.
  • the arms 245 have a reciprocal circular shape to the bar 239 to ensure their retention and prevent its movement.
  • the submarine connector 200 is brought to the anchoring device 500, the anchoring structure 241 is opened, separating the upper part 243 from the lower part 242, the submarine connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring structure 241 supporting the bar 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242 of the anchoring structure 241, and then the anchoring structure 241 is closed by bringing the upper part 243 closer to the lower part 242 so that bar 239 is retained. Finally the lock 244 is inserted to lock the upper part 243 with the lower part 242.
  • the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment may have support means 138 as described above for the first embodiment.
  • the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment can have support means 238 like those of the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 is dimensioned to receive the two last links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 216 and the second to last link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is disposed in through slot 217 of lock plate 216.
  • the last link 301 being an odd link and the second to last link 302 being an even link.
  • the housing 215 of the connector body 210 extends vertically between the first end 211 where the anchor point 212 is arranged and the second end 213 where the inlet mouth 214 is arranged, the housing 215 having a vertical dimension that coincides with the dimension vertical of the last link 301 and part of the last link 302 of the first chain 300.
  • Submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment has a locking plate
  • the connector body 210 of the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment has a smaller vertical dimension than the connector body 110 of the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment.
  • the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the submarine connector 200 comprises: o introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 215 of the connector body 210 through the inlet port 214;
  • the locking plate 216 moves from the first position to the second position following a straight path.
  • the last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the crosshead of the inlet mouth 214 in an arrangement in which during insertion the last link 301 faces the lateral arms 225 of the locking plate 116 and the The second to last link 302 faces the slot 217 of the locking plate 116.
  • the first chain 300 is pulled in the direction of the inlet 214 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 216, leaving the upper part of the last link 301 partially housed in the notches 226 of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216.
  • the locking pin 228 is inserted through the hole 233 connector body 210 and hole 232 in lock plate 216.
  • the locking plate 216 in the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is disposed outside the housing 215, the locking plate 216 may be partially inserted into the slots 224 of the connector body 210, so This allows the last link 301 to pass through the housing 215, while part of the second to last link 302 passes through the slot 217 of the plate 216.
  • the anchoring device 500 Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to each other, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and by means of the support means 238 the submarine connector 200 is arranged on the anchoring device 500 in vertical orientation, as shown. described above.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Non-Disconnectible Joints And Screw-Threaded Joints (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an underwater connector for connecting a chain (300) under water, the connector (100, 200) comprising a connector body (110, 210) having a first end (111, 211) with an anchoring point (112, 212) and a second end (113, 213) for the anchoring of the chain (300) comprising an inlet opening (114, 214), and wherein the connector body (110, 210) additionally comprises a housing (115, 215) communicating with the inlet opening (114, 214), in which at least the last link (301) of an end of the chain (300) is housed, and a locking plate (116, 216) which locks by contact one of the links (301) of the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115, 215). The invention also relates to a method for connecting a chain (300) under water.

Description

DESCRIPCIÓN DESCRIPTION
“Conector submarino y método para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua” "Submarine connector and method for connecting a chain under water"
SECTOR DE LA TÉCNICA TECHNICAL SECTOR
La presente invención se relaciona con conectores submarinos de líneas de fondeo de estructuras flotantes y métodos de conexión de líneas de fondeo. The present invention relates to submarine connectors for mooring lines of floating structures and methods for connecting mooring lines.
ESTADO ANTERIOR DE LA TÉCNICA PRIOR STATE OF THE ART
Los buques de perforación, o las plataformas marinas, son estructuras flotantes que necesitan estar amarradas al fondo marino en un área fija determinada, para no estar sometidas a los desplazamientos que puedan producirles las corrientes marinas, o las condiciones atmosféricas. Para ello se emplean dispositivos de anclaje que se amarran a unas líneas de fondeo que están unidas a dichas estructuras flotantes. Los dispositivos de anclaje pueden ser anclas, o pilotes, que se hincan en el fondo marino, incorporando habitualmente un tramo de cadena, estando uno de los extremos de dicho tramo de cadena unido al dispositivo de anclaje, y debiendo unirse el otro extremo del tramo de cadena a otro tramo de cadena que es lanzado desde la superficie del agua, y que está unido a la estructura flotante que se requiere amarrar. Para realizar la unión de los tramos de cadenas bajo el agua se conoce el empleo de conectores submarinos que se disponen en los dispositivos de anclaje. Drillships, or offshore platforms, are floating structures that need to be moored to the seabed in a fixed area, so as not to be subjected to displacements that may be caused by sea currents or atmospheric conditions. For this, anchoring devices are used that are tied to anchoring lines that are attached to said floating structures. The anchoring devices can be anchors, or piles, which are driven into the seabed, usually incorporating a section of chain, one of the ends of said section of chain being attached to the anchoring device, and the other end of the section having to be joined. from chain to another length of chain that is launched from the surface of the water, and that is attached to the floating structure that is required to be moored. In order to connect the sections of chains under water, it is known to use submarine connectors that are arranged in the anchoring devices.
El documento EP2809969A1, o EP2858888A1, muestra un conector submarino para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua que comprende un cuerpo de conector que tiene un primer extremo con un punto de anclaje y un segundo extremo para el anclaje de un extremo de la cadena, comprendiendo el segundo extremo una boca de entrada. El punto de anclaje del primer extremo del cuerpo de conector se emplea para el anclaje de un extremo de otra cadena. Document EP2809969A1, or EP2858888A1, shows a submarine connector for connection of an underwater chain comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchor point and a second end for anchoring one end of the chain, comprising the second end an inlet. The anchor point at the first end of the connector body is used for anchoring one end of another chain.
En el extremo de la cadena se dispone un elemento macho que es lanzado junto con la cadena desde la superficie del agua, sumergiendo el elemento macho junto con la cadena hasta que el elemento macho se introduce en el cuerpo de conector. Tanto el elemento macho como el cuerpo de conector tienen unos orificios para el paso de un pasador de bloqueo, de forma que cuando el elemento macho está insertado en el cuerpo de conector, con los orificios de ambos elementos alineados entre sí, mediante un vehículo operado a distancia se introduce el pasador de bloqueo a través de los orificios para bloquear el elemento macho en el cuerpo de conector. At the end of the chain there is a male element that is thrown together with the chain from the surface of the water, submerging the male element together with the chain until the male element is inserted into the connector body. Both the male element and the connector body have holes for the passage of a locking pin, so that when the male element is inserted into the connector body, with the holes of both elements aligned with each other, by a vehicle operated remotely the locking pin is inserted through the holes to lock the male element into the connector body.
El documento US2014026796A1 muestra un conector y tensor de amarre en línea que se emplea para conectar y tensar una cadena bajo el agua. Document US2014026796A1 shows an in-line lashing connector and tensioner that is used to connect and tension a chain underwater.
EXPOSICIÓN DE LA INVENCIÓN EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION
El objeto de la invención es el de proporcionar un conector submarino para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua, y un método de conexión de la cadena con dicho conector submarino, según se define en las reivindicaciones. The object of the invention is to provide a submarine connector for connecting a chain under water, and a method of connecting the chain with said submarine connector, as defined in the claims.
Un aspecto de la invención se refiere a un conector submarino para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua que comprende un cuerpo de conector que tiene un primer extremo con un punto de anclaje y un segundo extremo para el anclaje de la cadena, comprendiendo el segundo extremo una boca de entrada. El cuerpo de conector adicionalmente comprende un alojamiento comunicado con la boca de entrada en el que se aloja al menos el último eslabón de un extremo de la cadena, y una placa de bloqueo que bloquea por contacto uno de los eslabones del extremo de la cadena alojado en dicho alojamiento. One aspect of the invention relates to a submarine connector for connecting an underwater chain comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchor point and a second end for anchoring the chain, the second end comprising an inlet. The connector body additionally comprises a housing communicated with the inlet mouth in which at least the last link of one end of the chain is housed, and a locking plate that blocks by contact one of the links of the end of the chain housed. in said accommodation.
Otro aspecto de la invención se refiere a un método para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua. El método comprende: o emplear el conector submarino descrito anteriormente, o introducir al menos el último eslabón del extremo de la cadena en el alojamiento del cuerpo de conector a través de la boca de entrada, o emplear un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV) para actuar la placa de bloqueo desplazándola para bloquear el extremo de la cadena alojado en dicho alojamiento, y o traccionar la cadena en dirección hacia la boca de entrada hasta que uno de los eslabones del extremo de la cadena que está alojado en el alojamiento contacta con la placa de bloqueo. El alojamiento del cuerpo de conector en el que se aloja al menos el último eslabón del extremo de la cadena, y la placa de bloqueo que bloquea uno de los eslabones de dicha cadena, permiten que se pueda bloquear directamente el extremo de la cadena en el cuerpo de conector sin la necesidad de emplear elementos adicionales. Los conectores submarinos del estado de la técnica de EP2809969A1, o EP2858888A1, emplean un elemento macho que se debe unir fuera del agua a un extremo de la cadena, y posteriormente, bajo el agua, cuando el elemento macho está dispuesto alojado en el cuerpo de conector, se debe emplear un pasador de bloqueo para unir el elemento macho al cuerpo de conector. El conector submarino de la invención no requiere emplear un elemento macho para establecer la conexión de la cadena, ni establecer ningún tipo de unión fuera del agua del elemento macho con el extremo de la cadena, resultando así en una solución más sencilla y económica para conectar una cadena bajo el agua. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a chain under water. The method comprises: either employing the submarine connector described above, or introducing at least the last link at the end of the chain into the housing of the connector body through the inlet, or employing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking plate by moving it to block the end of the chain housed in said housing, and / or pull the chain towards the inlet mouth until one of the links at the end of the chain housed in the housing contacts the plate lock. The housing of the connector body in which at least the last link of the end of the chain is housed, and the locking plate that locks one of the links of said chain, allow the end of the chain to be locked directly in the connector body without the need for additional elements. The submarine connectors of the state of the art of EP2809969A1, or EP2858888A1, employ a male element that must be attached out of the water to one end of the chain, and subsequently, under water, when the male element is arranged housed in the body of connector, a locking pin must be used to attach the male element to the connector body. The submarine connector of the invention does not require the use of a male element to establish the connection of the chain, or establish any type of connection out of the water of the male element with the end of the chain, thus resulting in a simpler and cheaper solution to connect a chain under water.
Estas y otras ventajas y características de la invención se harán evidentes a la vista de las figuras y de la descripción detallada de la invención. These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.
DESCRIPCIÓN DE LOS DIBUJOS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
La Figura 1 muestra una vista en perspectiva de un primer ejemplo de realización del conector submarino de la invención con una placa de bloqueo que sigue una trayectoria curva para bloquear el extremo de la cadena que se aloja en el alojamiento del cuerpo de conector. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the submarine connector of the invention with a locking plate that follows a curved path to lock the end of the chain that is housed in the housing of the connector body.
Las Figuras 2 y 3 muestran una perspectiva frontal y trasera de la placa de bloqueo del conector submarino de la Figura 1. Figures 2 and 3 show a front and rear perspective of the locking plate of the submarine connector of Figure 1.
Las Figuras 4 y 5 muestran una perspectiva superior e inferior de la boca de entrada del conector submarino de la Figura 1. Figures 4 and 5 show a top and bottom perspective of the inlet of the submarine connector of Figure 1.
La Figura 6 muestra una vista parcial con la placa de bloqueo en la segunda posición bloqueando el extremo de la cadena. Figure 6 shows a partial view with the locking plate in the second position locking the end of the chain.
La Figura 7 muestra una vista trasera del conector submarino de la Figura 1. La Figura 8 muestra el conector submarino de la Figura 1 con la placa de bloqueo en la primera posición permitiendo el paso libre de la cadena. Figure 7 shows a rear view of the submarine connector of Figure 1. Figure 8 shows the submarine connector of Figure 1 with the locking plate in the first position allowing free passage of the chain.
La Figura 9 muestra el conector submarino de la Figura 1 con la placa de bloqueo en la segunda posición bloqueando la cadena. Figure 9 shows the submarine connector of Figure 1 with the locking plate in the second position locking the chain.
La Figura 10 es una vista parcial de la Figura 8 mostrando la disposición de los dos últimos eslabones del extremo de la cadena en el alojamiento del cuerpo de conector. Figure 10 is a partial view of Figure 8 showing the arrangement of the last two links at the end of the chain in the housing of the connector body.
La Figura 11 muestra una vista en perspectiva de un segundo ejemplo de realización del conector submarino de la invención con una placa de bloqueo que sigue una trayectoria recta para bloquear el extremo de la cadena que se aloja en el alojamiento del cuerpo de conector. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the submarine connector of the invention with a locking plate that follows a straight path to lock the end of the chain that is housed in the housing of the connector body.
Las Figuras 12 y 13 muestran una perspectiva frontal y trasera de la placa de bloqueo del conector submarino de la Figura 11. Figures 12 and 13 show a front and rear perspective of the locking plate of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
Las Figuras 14 y 15 muestran una perspectiva superior e inferior de la boca de entrada y de una parte del cuerpo de conector del conector submarino de la Figura 11. Figures 14 and 15 show a top and bottom perspective of the inlet port and a portion of the connector body of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
La Figura 16 muestra una vista trasera del conector submarino de la Figura 11. Figure 16 shows a rear view of the submarine connector of Figure 11.
La Figura 17 muestra el conector submarino de la Figura 11 con la placa de bloqueo en la primera posición permitiendo el paso libre de la cadena. Figure 17 shows the submarine connector of Figure 11 with the locking plate in the first position allowing free passage of the chain.
La Figura 18 muestra unos medios de apoyo del conector submarino de la Figura 11 para disponer el conector en un dispositivo de anclaje que está asentado en el fondo marino. Figure 18 shows support means for the submarine connector of Figure 11 to arrange the connector in an anchoring device that is seated on the seabed.
La Figura 19 muestra una vista esquemática del conector submarino dispuesto en el dispositivo de anclaje que está asentado en el fondo marino. EXPOSICIÓN DETALLADA DE LA INVENCIÓN Figure 19 shows a schematic view of the submarine connector arranged in the anchoring device that is seated on the seabed. DETAILED EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION
En las figuras se muestran un primer y un segundo ejemplo de realización de un conector submarino 100, 200 según la invención para la conexión de una cadena 300 bajo el agua. The figures show a first and a second embodiment of a submarine connector 100, 200 according to the invention for connecting a chain 300 under water.
El conector submarino comprende un cuerpo de conector 110, 210 que tiene un primer extremo 111, 211 con un punto de anclaje 112, 212 y un segundo extremo 113, 213 para el anclaje de la cadena 300, comprendiendo el segundo extremo 113, 213 una boca de entrada 114, 214. El cuerpo de conector 110, 210 adicionalmente comprende un alojamiento 115, 215 comunicado con la boca de entrada 114, 214 en el que se aloja al menos el último eslabón 301 de un extremo de la cadena 300, y una placa de bloqueo 116, 216 que bloquea por contacto uno de los eslabones 301 del extremo de la cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 115, 215. The submarine connector comprises a connector body 110, 210 having a first end 111, 211 with an anchor point 112, 212 and a second end 113, 213 for anchoring the chain 300, the second end 113, 213 comprising a input mouth 114, 214. The connector body 110, 210 additionally comprises a housing 115, 215 communicated with the input mouth 114, 214 in which at least the last link 301 of one end of the chain 300 is housed, and a locking plate 116, 216 that locks by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the chain 300 housed in said housing 115, 215.
El conector submarino 100, 200 se emplea para conectar una cadena 300 y otro elemento de conexión 400 bajo el agua, por ejemplo, otra cadena 400 o un cable submarino. The submarine connector 100, 200 is used to connect a string 300 and another connecting element 400 underwater, for example another string 400 or a submarine cable.
Preferentemente el conector submarino 100, 200 se emplea para conectar una primera cadena 300 y una segunda cadena 400 bajo el agua. La primera cadena 300 y la segunda cadena 400 forman una línea de fondeo que conecta una estructura flotante con un dispositivo de anclaje 500 que está dispuesto en el fondo marino. Preferably the submarine connector 100, 200 is used to connect a first chain 300 and a second chain 400 underwater. The first chain 300 and the second chain 400 form an anchor line that connects a floating structure with an anchor device 500 that is arranged on the seabed.
La primera cadena 300 es conectable a la estructura flotante y la segunda cadena 400 es conectable al dispositivo de anclaje 400 (ver Figura 19). Alternativamente la primera cadena 300 es conectable al dispositivo de anclaje 500 y la segunda cadena 400 es conectable a la estructura flotante. Las cadenas 300 o 400 pueden estar formadas por un único tramo de cadena o por varios tramos de cadena. El dispositivo de anclaje 500 puede ser un ancla o un pilote que está hincado en el fondo marino (como se muestra en las Figuras 18 y 19), u otro tipo de estructura apoyada en el fondo marino. The first chain 300 is connectable to the floating structure and the second chain 400 is connectable to the anchoring device 400 (see Figure 19). Alternatively the first chain 300 is connectable to the anchoring device 500 and the second chain 400 is connectable to the floating structure. The chains 300 or 400 can be made up of a single length of chain or of several lengths of chain. The anchoring device 500 can be an anchor or a pile that is driven into the seabed (as shown in Figures 18 and 19), or another type of structure supported on the seabed.
La línea de fondeo que conecta la estructura flotante con el dispositivo de anclaje 500 puede tener un elemento tensor para tensar la primera cadena 300 y la segunda cadena 400. Así, el conector submarino 100, 200 conecta la primera cadena 300 y la segunda cadena 400 bajo el agua, y el elemento tensor tensa la primera cadena 300 y la segunda cadena 400. Las cadenas comprenden una pluralidad de eslabones dispuestos intercalados entre sí, con una disposición girada de 90° entre dos eslabones consecutivos. En el sentido de la invención, las cadenas comprenden una pluralidad de eslabones pares y eslabones impares, estando los eslabones pares dispuestos intercalados entre los eslabones impares. The mooring line connecting the floating structure with the anchoring device 500 may have a tensioning element to tension the first chain 300 and the second chain 400. Thus, the submarine connector 100, 200 connects the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 underwater, and the tensioning element tensiones the first chain 300 and the second chain 400. The chains comprise a plurality of links arranged interspersed with one another, with a 90 ° rotated arrangement between two consecutive links. In the sense of the invention, the chains comprise a plurality of even links and odd links, the even links being arranged sandwiched between the odd links.
El conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización de las Figuras 1 a 10 comprende un cuerpo de conector 110 que tiene un primer extremo 111 con un punto de anclaje 112 para el anclaje de un extremo de la segunda cadena 400, y un segundo extremo 113 para el anclaje de un extremo de la primera cadena 300, comprendiendo el segundo extremo 113 una boca de entrada 114. El cuerpo de conector 110 adicionalmente comprende un alojamiento 115 comunicado con la boca de entrada 114 y configurado para alojar el extremo de la primera cadena 300, y una placa de bloqueo 116 configurada para bloquear por contacto uno de los eslabones 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 115. The submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 comprises a connector body 110 having a first end 111 with an anchor point 112 for anchoring one end of the second chain 400, and a second end 113 for anchoring one end of the first chain 300, the second end 113 comprising an inlet port 114. The connector body 110 additionally comprises a housing 115 communicated with the inlet port 114 and configured to house the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 116 configured to lock by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.
La placa de bloqueo 116 tiene una ranura pasante 117 para recibir otro de los eslabones 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 y unos medios de empuje 118 para ser actuados por un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV), siendo la placa de bloqueo 116 desplazable desde una primera posición (ver Figura 8), en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento 115 permitiendo el paso del extremo de la primera cadena 300 en el alojamiento 115, hasta una segunda posición (ver Figura 9), en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110 bloqueando por contacto el eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 115. The lock plate 116 has a through slot 117 to receive another of the links 302 from the end of the first chain 300 and a push means 118 to be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the lock plate 116 being movable from a first position (see Figure 8), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged outside the housing 115 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 115, to a second position (see Figure 9), in whereby the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115 of the connector body 110 by contacting the link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.
La placa de bloqueo 116 está configurada para bloquear el extremo de la primera cadena 300 siguiendo una trayectoria curva entre la primera y la segunda posición. Lock plate 116 is configured to lock the end of first chain 300 following a curved path between the first and second positions.
El punto de anclaje 112 del primer extremo 111 del cuerpo de conector 110 tiene dos porciones paralelas salientes 119 que definen una abertura 120 para disponer un eslabón de la segunda cadena 400. (Ver Figura 7). Cada una de las porciones salientes 119 tiene un orificio 121 para recibir un pasador 122 que une el punto del anclaje 112 con el eslabón de la segunda cadena 400 que se dispone en la abertura 120. El punto de anclaje 112 representado en las figuras se denomina comúnmente “double padeye”. Alternativamente, el punto de anclaje 112 puede tener otra forma, por ejemplo, puede tener una forma adecuada para conectar un grillete que se conecta a una cadena, u otra forma para acoplar otro elemento de conexión 400, tal como por ejemplo un cable submarino. The anchor point 112 of the first end 111 of the connector body 110 has two parallel protruding portions 119 that define an opening 120 to provide a link of the second chain 400. (See Figure 7). Each of the projecting portions 119 has a hole 121 to receive a pin 122 that connects the point of the anchor 112 with the link of the second chain 400 that is arranged in the opening 120. The anchor point 112 represented in the figures is called commonly "double Affeye". Alternatively, the anchor point 112 may have another shape, for example, it may have a suitable shape to connect a shackle that is connected to a chain, or another way to couple another connection element 400, such as for example a submarine cable.
Como se muestra en las Figuras 2 y 3, la placa de bloqueo 116 tiene una parte superior 123 en la que se dispone un eje de giro 124 de la placa de bloqueo 116, y dos brazos salientes 125 que están unidos a la parte superior 123, estando la ranura pasante 117 dispuesta entre los dos brazos salientes 125. Preferentemente, la placa de bloqueo 116 tiene una forma en “U” con los dos brazos salientes 125 dispuestos en paralelo y separados una distancia similar al grosor de uno de los eslabones de la primera cadena 300, siendo dicha distancia suficiente para que la ranura pasante 117 pueda recibir un eslabón par 302 de la primera cadena 300. Como se observa en la Figura 2, los brazos salientes 125 de la placa de bloqueo 116 tienen unas muescas 126 para recibir una parte de uno de los eslabones impares 301 de la primera cadena 300. Las muescas 126 están dispuestas en la cara inferior de los brazos salientes 125 de la placa de bloqueo 116, de forma que en la segunda posición de la placa de bloqueo 116, la cara inferior de la placa de bloqueo 116 queda enfrentada con el alojamiento 115, y la cara superior de la placa de bloqueo 116 queda enfrentada con la boca de entrada 114. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the locking plate 116 has an upper part 123 on which a pivot axis 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged, and two projecting arms 125 that are attached to the upper part 123 , the through slot 117 being arranged between the two projecting arms 125. Preferably, the locking plate 116 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 125 arranged in parallel and spaced a distance similar to the thickness of one of the link links. the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient so that the through slot 117 can receive an even link 302 of the first chain 300. As seen in Figure 2, the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116 have notches 126 to receive a part of one of the odd links 301 of the first chain 300. The notches 126 are arranged on the underside of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116, so that in the second position of the locking plate E or 116, the bottom face of the lock plate 116 faces the housing 115, and the top face of the lock plate 116 faces the inlet 114.
El eje de giro 124 de la placa de bloqueo 116 está dispuesto entre unos nervios 127 de la boca de entrada 114, sobresaliendo los nervios 127 con respecto a la parte inferior de la boca de entrada 114, tal que, en la segunda posición, la placa de bloqueo 116 contacta la parte inferior de la boca de entrada 114. El acoplamiento en giro de la placa de bloqueo 116 se establece en el extremo inferior de los nervios 127 que sobresalen con respecto a la parte inferior de la boca de entrada 114, sobresaliendo los nervios 127 una distancia similar a la anchura de la placa de bloqueo 116, de manera que en la segunda posición, la cara superior de la placa de bloqueo 116 apoya en la parte inferior de la boca de entrada 114, que hace una función de tope para limitar el giro de la placa de bloqueo 116. (Ver Figura 6). The axis of rotation 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged between ribs 127 of the inlet port 114, the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet port 114, such that, in the second position, the locking plate 116 contacts the bottom of inlet 114. The rotary engagement of locking plate 116 is established at the lower end of ribs 127 that protrude with respect to the bottom of inlet 114, the ribs 127 protruding a distance similar to the width of the blocking plate 116, so that in the second position, the upper face of the blocking plate 116 rests on the lower part of the inlet mouth 114, which performs a stop to limit rotation of lock plate 116. (See Figure 6).
Los medios de empuje 118 comprenden unas protuberancias 128 y unos cables 129, teniendo cada uno de los brazos salientes 125 una de las protuberancias 128, y en donde cada uno de los cables 129 tiene un extremo unido a una de las protuberancias 128 y otro extremo libre que es actuable por al vehículo operado a distancia (ROV). Las protuberancias 128 están dispuestas en la parte lateral exterior del extremo inferior de los brazos salientes 125, en la parte opuesta al eje de giro 124, de forma que se reduce el esfuerzo necesario a realizar por el ROV para girar la placa 116 y llevarla de la primera a la segunda posición. El cuerpo de conector 110 tiene una abertura 131 para el paso de la placa de bloqueo 116 desde la primera posición hacia la segunda posición (Ver Figuras 1 y 9). Dicha abertura 131 tiene una forma reciproca a la forma de la placa de bloqueo 116 para permitir el giro de la placa de bloqueo 116 desde la primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 está fuera del alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110, hasta la segunda posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 115. The pushing means 118 comprise protrusions 128 and cables 129, each of the projecting arms 125 having one of the protrusions 128, and wherein each of the cables 129 has one end attached to one of the protrusions 128 and another end free that is actuable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The protrusions 128 are arranged on the outer side of the lower end of the projecting arms 125, on the opposite side to the axis of rotation 124, in such a way that the effort required by the ROV to rotate the plate 116 and take it off is reduced. the first to the second position. The connector body 110 has an opening 131 for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position (See Figures 1 and 9). Said opening 131 is shaped reciprocally to the shape of locking plate 116 to allow rotation of locking plate 116 from the first position, in which locking plate 116 is outside housing 115 of connector body 110, to the second position, where the locking plate 116 is disposed in the housing 115.
El cuerpo de conector 110 tiene unos agujeros 130 para el paso de los cables 129 de los medios de empuje 118. Los agujeros 130 están dispuestos en el cuerpo de conector 110 en una posición diametralmente opuesta a la abertura 131 que tiene el cuerpo de conector 110 para el paso de la placa de bloqueo 116 desde la primera hasta la segunda posición, tal que los cables 129 atraviesan el alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110. Los agujeros 131 están dispuestos en el segundo extremo 113 del cuerpo de conector 110 en donde se dispone la boca de entrada 114, en una posición diametralmente opuesta a la zona en la que el eje de giro 124 de la placa de bloqueo 116 está unido a los nervios 127 de la boca de entrada 114, de forma que cuando el vehículo operado a distancia (ROV) tracciona los cables 129 para llevar a la placa de bloqueo 116 a la segunda posición, las protuberancias 128 de la placa de bloqueo 116 quedan próximas a los agujeros 131. Así, se limita el rozamiento de los cables 129 con los agujeros 130 del cuerpo de conector 110 y se mejora la tracción. The connector body 110 has holes 130 for the passage of the cables 129 of the push means 118. The holes 130 are arranged in the connector body 110 in a position diametrically opposite to the opening 131 that the connector body 110 has. for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first to the second position, such that the cables 129 pass through the housing 115 of the connector body 110. The holes 131 are arranged in the second end 113 of the connector body 110 where they are has the inlet port 114, in a position diametrically opposite to the area in which the axis of rotation 124 of the locking plate 116 is connected to the ribs 127 of the inlet port 114, so that when the vehicle is operated at distance (ROV) pulls the cables 129 to bring the locking plate 116 to the second position, the protrusions 128 of the locking plate 116 are close to the holes 131. Thus, the friction of the cables 129 is limited with the holes 130 of the connector body 110 and the traction is improved.
Cuando la placa de bloqueo 116 está en la segunda posición bloqueando la primera cadena 300, la placa de bloqueo 116 se mantiene en dicha segunda posición por la tracción ejercida sobre la primera cadena 300, sin embargo, en determinadas circunstancias la primera cadena 300 puede destensarse, por ello se ha previsto disponer unos medios para retener la placa de bloqueo 116 en la segunda posición. Así, como se observa en detalle en la Figura 2, la placa de bloqueo 116 tiene un orificio 132 para recibir un pin de bloqueo (no representado en las figuras 1 a 10), y el cuerpo de conector 110 tiene otro orificio 133 (ver Figura 1) para recibir el pin de bloqueo, tal que estando los dos orificios 132 y 133 alineados entre sí, el pin de bloqueo retiene la placa de bloqueo 116 en el cuerpo de conector 110 impidiendo su desplazamiento. El orificio 132 de la placa de bloqueo 116 está dispuesto en uno de los brazos salientes 125. Adicionalmente puede haber otro orificio en el otro brazo 125 de la placa de bloqueo 116 y otro respectivo orificio en el cuerpo de conector 110, empleándose en tal caso un respectivo pin de bloqueo para atravesar cada pareja de orificios. Para colocar el pin de bloqueo se puede emplear el vehículo operado a distancia (ROV). When the locking plate 116 is in the second position locking the first chain 300, the locking plate 116 is held in said second position by the traction exerted on the first chain 300, however, in certain circumstances the first chain 300 can be slackened Therefore, provision has been made to provide means to retain the locking plate 116 in the second position. Thus, as seen in detail in Figure 2, the locking plate 116 has a hole 132 to receive a locking pin (not shown in Figures 1 to 10), and the connector body 110 has another hole 133 (see Figure 1) to receive the locking pin, such that with the two holes 132 and 133 aligned with each other, the locking pin retains the locking plate 116 in the connector body 110 preventing its displacement. The hole 132 of the locking plate 116 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 125. Additionally, there may be another hole in the other arm 125 of the locking plate 116 and a respective hole in the connector body 110, being used in such a case a respective locking pin to pass through each pair of holes. Remote operated vehicle can be used to position the locking pin (ROV).
Como se observa en las Figuras 4 y 5, la boca de entrada 114 del cuerpo de conector 110 tiene una pared interior 134 para recibir el extremo de la primera cadena 300, extendiéndose la pared interior 134 directamente entre un borde superior 135 y un borde inferior 136, teniendo el borde inferior 136 una forma de cruceta, y siendo el borde superior 135 más ancho que el borde inferior 134, tal que la pared interior 134 define unos canales en rampa 137 para conducir los eslabones de la primera cadena 300 hacia la forma de cruceta del borde inferior 136. Por su configuración, la forma de cruceta tiene cuatro extremos, y cada canal en rampa 137 se extiende desde uno de los extremos de la forma de cruceta hasta el borde superior 135, de forma que se definen cuatro canales en rampa 137. Así, si el extremo de la primera cadena 300 no está correctamente orientado para introducirse a través de la cruceta, dichos canales en rampa 137 permiten girar la primera cadena 300 y orientarla hacia la cruceta, para que el eslabón par 302 que tiene que entrar en la ranura 117 de la placa 116 quede correctamente posicionado. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the inlet port 114 of the connector body 110 has an inner wall 134 to receive the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 134 extending directly between an upper edge 135 and a lower edge. 136, the lower edge 136 having a crosshead shape, and the upper edge 135 being wider than the lower edge 134, such that the inner wall 134 defines ramp channels 137 to guide the links of the first chain 300 towards the shape. crosshead of the lower edge 136. By its configuration, the crosshead shape has four ends, and each ramp channel 137 extends from one end of the crosshead shape to the upper edge 135, so that four channels are defined on ramp 137. Thus, if the end of the first chain 300 is not correctly oriented to enter through the crosshead, said ramp channels 137 allow the first chain 300 to rotate and orient it towards the cross ta, so that the even link 302 that has to enter the slot 117 of the plate 116 is correctly positioned.
El conector submarino 100 está preferentemente configurado para establecer una conexión vertical de la primera cadena 300 y la segunda cadena 400 bajo el agua, de manera que en uso el conector submarino 100 queda dispuesto en una orientación vertical con respecto al fondo marino. Así, la placa de bloqueo 116 se mantiene en la primera posición por gravedad, y los medios de empuje 118 se emplean para llevar la placa de bloqueo 116 desde la primera hasta la segunda posición. The submarine connector 100 is preferably configured to establish a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 underwater, such that in use the submarine connector 100 is disposed in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. Thus, the lock plate 116 is held in the first position by gravity, and the biasing means 118 is used to bring the lock plate 116 from the first to the second position.
Para ello, el cuerpo de conector 110 tiene unos medios de apoyo 138 para disponer el cuerpo de conector 110 en una orientación vertical con respecto al fondo marino. De esta manera, la boca entrada 114 del alojamiento 115 queda orientada verticalmente para recibir el extremo de la primera cadena 300 que es lanzada desde la superficie del agua también en una orientación vertical, con lo que no se requieren complejas manipulaciones de la primera cadena 300 para introducirla en el alojamiento 115. To do this, the connector body 110 has support means 138 for arranging the connector body 110 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. In this way, the inlet mouth 114 of the housing 115 is oriented vertically to receive the end of the first chain 300 which is launched from the surface of the water also in a vertical orientation, so that complex manipulations of the first chain 300 are not required. to insert it into the housing 115.
Los medios de apoyo 138 están configurados para establecer una unión removible del conector submarino 100 con el dispositivo de anclaje 500. De esta manera, cuando se establece la conexión entre la primera 300 y segunda cadena 400, y el conector submarino 100 queda liberado del dispositivo de anclaje 500, no queda ningún elemento de apoyo en el dispositivo de anclaje 500. En los conectores del estado de la técnica, el cuerpo de conector está dispuesto apoyado en una estructura metálica de apoyo que está soldada al dispositivo de anclaje, y que se mantiene unida al dispositivo de anclaje cuando se libera el conector, con lo que dicha estructura puede enredarse con redes de pesca de arrastre que pasen por encima de los dispositivos de anclajes. El empleo de los medios de apoyo 138 que van dispuestos directamente en el cuerpo del conector 110, y que por tanto se trasladan junto con el cuerpo de conector 110, cuando el conector submarino 100 se libera del dispositivo de anclaje 500, garantizan que no se produzcan dichos enredos. The support means 138 are configured to establish a removable connection of the submarine connector 100 with the anchoring device 500. In this way, when the connection between the first 300 and second chain 400 is established, and the submarine connector 100 is released from the device. anchor 500, there is no support element in the anchor device 500. In the connectors of the state of the art, the connector body It is arranged supported by a metal support structure that is welded to the anchoring device, and which remains attached to the anchoring device when the connector is released, whereby said structure can be entangled with trawl nets that pass over anchoring devices. The use of the support means 138 that are arranged directly on the body of the connector 110, and therefore move together with the body of connector 110, when the submarine connector 100 is released from the anchoring device 500, guarantee that it is not produce such tangles.
Preferentemente, el cuerpo de conector 110 tiene unos medios de apoyo 138 que comprenden una pared vertical 139 que está unida al cuerpo de conector 110 mediante unos brazos 140, definiéndose entre la pared vertical 139 y los brazos 140 una ranura 141 en la que es disponible mediante encaje un borde superior del dispositivo de anclaje 500. La ranura 141 queda dispuesta paralela al cuerpo de conector 110, de forma que cuando el conector submarino 100 está apoyado en el dispositivo de anclaje 500, la ranura 141 establece un apoyo por contacto con el borde superior del dispositivo de anclaje 500, quedando el conector submarino 100 en la orientación vertical, y cuando se ha establecido la conexión de las cadenas 300 y 400, mediante una tracción de la primera cadena 300 se extrae la ranura 141 del borde superior del dispositivo de anclaje 500. Preferably, the connector body 110 has support means 138 comprising a vertical wall 139 that is connected to the connector body 110 by means of arms 140, a slot 141 being defined between the vertical wall 139 and the arms 140 in which it is available. by engaging an upper edge of the anchoring device 500. The groove 141 is arranged parallel to the body of the connector 110, so that when the submarine connector 100 is supported on the anchoring device 500, the groove 141 establishes a bearing by contact with the upper edge of the anchoring device 500, the submarine connector 100 remaining in the vertical orientation, and when the connection of the chains 300 and 400 has been established, by pulling the first chain 300 the slot 141 is extracted from the upper edge of the device anchor 500.
El dispositivo de anclaje 500 puede ser un pilote, o un ancla dispuesta en el fondo marino, o una estructura de apoyo para disponerse en el fondo marino. The anchoring device 500 can be a pile, or an anchor arranged on the seabed, or a support structure to be arranged on the seabed.
El conector submarino también permite establecer una conexión de la primera cadena 300 y segunda cadena 400 diferente a la conexión vertical, esto es debido a que los medios de empuje 118 de la placa de bloqueo 116 permiten que el vehículo operado a distancia pueda actuar la placa 116 desplazándola entre la primera y la segunda posición con independencia de la orientación del conector submarino 100, de forma que en uso el conector submarino puede estar dispuesto en una disposición diferente a la vertical. The submarine connector also allows to establish a connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 different from the vertical connection, this is due to the fact that the pushing means 118 of the locking plate 116 allow the remotely operated vehicle to actuate the plate. 116 by moving it between the first and second positions regardless of the orientation of the submarine connector 100, so that in use the submarine connector may be arranged in a different than vertical arrangement.
El alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110 está dimensionado para recibir los dos últimos eslabones 301 y 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300, tal que, en la segunda posición, el último eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 queda en contacto con la placa de bloqueo 116 y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 queda dispuesto en la ranura pasante 117 de la placa de bloqueo 116. El último eslabón 301 siendo un eslabón impar y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 siendo un eslabón par. El alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110 se extiende verticalmente entre el primer extremo 111 en donde está dispuesto el punto de anclaje 112 y el segundo extremo 113 en donde está dispuesta la boca de entrada 114, teniendo el alojamiento 115 una dimensión vertical que coincide con la dimensión vertical de dos eslabones consecutivos de la primera cadena 300. En la vista en sección parcial de la Figura 10 se puede observar el extremo de la primera cadena 300 introducido en el alojamiento 115 cuando la placa de bloqueo 116 está en la primera posición dejando libre el alojamiento 115, observándose que la dimensión vertical del alojamiento 115 coincide con la dimensión vertical del ultimo 301 y anteúltimo 302 eslabones de la primera cadena 300 unidos entre sí. The housing 115 of the connector body 110 is dimensioned to receive the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that, in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the lock plate 116 and the second to last link 302 at the end of the first chain 300 are disposed in the through slot 117 of the lock plate 116. The last link 301 being an odd link and the second to last link 302 being an even link. Accommodation 115 of the connector body 110 extends vertically between the first end 111 where the anchor point 112 is arranged and the second end 113 where the inlet mouth 114 is arranged, the housing 115 having a vertical dimension that coincides with the dimension vertical of two consecutive links of the first chain 300. In the partial sectional view of Figure 10 it can be seen the end of the first chain 300 inserted in the housing 115 when the locking plate 116 is in the first position, leaving free the housing 115, noting that the vertical dimension of housing 115 coincides with the vertical dimension of the last 301 and the last 302 links of the first chain 300 joined together.
De acuerdo con todo ello, el método para conectar la primera cadena 300 empleando el conector submarino 100 comprende: o introducir el extremo de la primera cadena 300 en el alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110 a través de la boca de entrada 114; Accordingly, the method of connecting the first chain 300 using the submarine connector 100 comprises: o introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 115 of the connector body 110 through the inlet port 114;
■ alineando uno de los eslabones 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 con la ranura pasante 117 de la placa de bloqueo 116, estando la placa bloqueo 116 en la primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento 115; o emplear un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV) para actuar la placa de bloqueo 116 desplazándola para bloquear el extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 115; ■ aligning one of the links 302 at the end of the first chain 300 with the through slot 117 of the locking plate 116, the locking plate 116 being in the first position, in which the locking plate 116 is disposed outside the housing 115 ; or employing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the lock plate 116 by moving it to lock the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115;
■ desplazando la placa de bloqueo 116 desde la primera posición, hasta la segunda posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 115, y o traccionar la primera cadena 300 en dirección hacia la boca de entrada 114 hasta que uno de los eslabones 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 que está alojado en el alojamiento 115 contacta con la placa de bloqueo 116; ■ moving the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position, in which the locking plate 116 is disposed in the housing 115, and / or pulling the first chain 300 in the direction of the inlet 114 until one of the the links 301 at the end of the first chain 300 that is housed in the housing 115 contact the lock plate 116;
■ quedando uno de los eslabones 302 de la primera cadena 300 en la ranura pasante 117 de la placa de bloqueo 116, y quedando otro de los eslabones 301 de la primera cadena 300 bloqueado por contacto con la placa de bloqueo 116. ■ one of the links 302 of the first chain 300 remaining in the through slot 117 of the blocking plate 116, and another of the links 301 of the first chain 300 being blocked by contact with the blocking plate 116.
La placa de bloqueo 116 se desplaza de la primera posición a la segunda posición siguiendo una trayectoria curva. Locking plate 116 moves from the first position to the second position following a curved path.
El último eslabón 301 de la primera cadena 300 se introduce a través de la cruceta de la boca de entrada 114 en una disposición en la que el último eslabón 301 está dispuesto en paralelo a la placa de bloqueo 116 y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 está dispuesto en perpendicular a la placa de bloqueo 116, de forma que cuando el extremo de la primera cadena 300 está alojado en el alojamiento 115, el anteúltimo eslabón 302 queda enfrentado a la ranura pasante 117, permitiendo así que la placa de bloqueo 116 pueda girar pasando de la primera a la segunda posición. Seguidamente se tracciona la primera cadena 300 en dirección hacia la boca de entrada 114 hasta que el último eslabón 301 contacta con la placa de bloqueo 116, quedando la parte superior del último eslabón 301 parcialmente alojada en las muescas 126 de los brazos salientes 125 de la placa de bloqueo 116. En dicha situación, y para garantizar la inmovilidad de la placa de bloqueo 116, se introduce el pin de bloqueo a través del orificio 133 del cuerpo de conector 110 y del orificio 132 de la placa de bloqueo 116. The last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the crosshead of the inlet port 114 in an arrangement in which the last link 301 is arranged in parallel to the lock plate 116 and the second to last link 302 is arranged perpendicular to the lock plate 116, so that when the end of the first chain 300 is housed in the housing 115, the second to last link 302 faces the slot through 117, thus allowing lock plate 116 to rotate from the first to the second position. Next, the first chain 300 is pulled in the direction of the inlet 114 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 116, leaving the upper part of the last link 301 partially housed in the notches 126 of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116. In such a situation, and to ensure immobility of the locking plate 116, the locking pin is inserted through the hole 133 of the connector body 110 and the hole 132 of the locking plate 116.
Antes de conectar las cadenas 300 y 400 entre sí, el dispositivo de anclaje 500 está dispuesto en el fondo marino, y mediante los medios de apoyo 138 se dispone el conector submarino 100 en el dispositivo de anclaje 500 en orientación vertical. Para ello, se introduce la ranura 141 de los medios de apoyo 138 en el borde superior del dispositivo de anclaje 500. Cuando se ha establecido la conexión entra las cadenas 300 y 400, y la placa de bloqueo 116 está en la segunda posición bloqueando la primera cadena 300, se realiza una tracción adicional de la primera cadena 300 para extraer la ranura 141 del borde superior del dispositivo de anclaje 500. Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to each other, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and by means of the support means 138 the submarine connector 100 is arranged on the anchoring device 500 in vertical orientation. To do this, the slot 141 of the support means 138 is inserted in the upper edge of the anchoring device 500. When the connection has been established between the chains 300 and 400, and the locking plate 116 is in the second position, blocking the first chain 300, additional pulling of the first chain 300 is made to extract the groove 141 from the upper edge of the anchor device 500.
El conector submarino 200 del segundo ejemplo de realización de las Figuras 11 a 19 comprende un cuerpo de conector 210 que tiene un primer extremo 211 con un punto de anclaje 212 para el anclaje de un extremo de la segunda cadena 400, y un segundo extremo 213 para el anclaje de un extremo de la primera cadena 300, comprendiendo el segundo extremo 213 una boca de entrada 214. El cuerpo de conector 210 adicionalmente comprende un alojamiento 215 comunicado con la boca de entrada 214 y configurado para alojar el extremo de la primera cadena 300, y una placa de bloqueo 216 configurada para bloquear por contacto uno de los eslabones 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 215. The submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment of Figures 11 to 19 comprises a connector body 210 having a first end 211 with an anchor point 212 for anchoring one end of the second chain 400, and a second end 213 for anchoring one end of the first chain 300, the second end 213 comprising an inlet 214. The connector body 210 additionally comprises a housing 215 communicated with the inlet 214 and configured to house the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 216 configured to lock by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215.
La placa de bloqueo 216 tiene una ranura pasante 217 para recibir otro de los eslabones 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 y unos medios de empuje 218 para ser actuados por un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV), siendo la placa de bloqueo 216 desplazable desde una primera posición (ver Figura 17), en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento 215 permitiendo el paso del extremo de la primera cadena 300 en el alojamiento 215, hasta una segunda posición en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 215 del cuerpo de conector 210 bloqueando por contacto el eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 215. The locking plate 216 has a through slot 217 to receive another of the links 302 from the end of the first chain 300 and a push means 218 to be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 216 being movable from a first position (see Figure 17), in which the locking plate 216 remains arranged outside the housing 215 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215, to a second position in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215 of the connector body 210 by contact locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215.
La placa de bloqueo 216 está configurada para bloquear el extremo de la primera cadena 300 siguiendo una trayectoria recta entre la primera posición y la segunda posición. Lock plate 216 is configured to lock the end of first chain 300 following a straight path between the first position and the second position.
El punto de anclaje 212 del primer extremo 211 del cuerpo de conector 210 tiene dos porciones paralelas salientes 219 que definen una abertura 220 para disponer un eslabón de la segunda cadena 400. Cada una de las porciones salientes 219 tiene un orificio 221 para recibir un pasador 222 que une el punto del anclaje 212 con el eslabón de la segunda cadena 400 que se dispone en la abertura 220. Dicho punto de anclaje 212 puede tener una forma diferente, tal y como se ha descrito anteriormente en el conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización. The anchor point 212 of the first end 211 of the connector body 210 has two parallel protruding portions 219 that define an opening 220 for arranging a second chain link 400. Each of the protruding portions 219 has a hole 221 for receiving a pin. 222 that joins the point of the anchor 212 with the link of the second chain 400 that is arranged in the opening 220. Said anchor point 212 can have a different shape, as described above in the submarine connector 100 of the first example of realization.
Como se muestra en las Figuras 12 y 13, la placa de bloqueo 216 tiene una parte superior 223 en la que se disponen los medios de empuje 218, y dos brazos salientes 225 que están unidos a la parte superior 223, estando la ranura pasante 217 dispuesta entre los dos brazos salientes 225. Preferentemente, la placa de bloqueo 216 tiene una forma en “U” con los dos brazos salientes 225 dispuestos en paralelo y separados una distancia similar al grosor de uno de los eslabones de la primera cadena 300, siendo dicha distancia suficiente para que la ranura pasante 217 pueda recibir un eslabón par 302 de la primera cadena 300. Como se observa en la Figura 12, los brazos salientes 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216 tienen unas muescas 226 para recibir una parte de uno de los eslabones impares 301 de la primera cadena 300. Las muescas 226 están dispuestas en la cara inferior de los brazos salientes 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216, de forma que en la segunda posición de la placa de bloqueo 216, la cara inferior de la placa de bloqueo 216 queda enfrentada con el alojamiento 215, y la cara superior de la placa de bloqueo 216 queda enfrentada con la boca de entrada 214. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the locking plate 216 has an upper part 223 in which the pushing means 218 are arranged, and two projecting arms 225 which are attached to the upper part 223, the through slot 217 being disposed between the two projecting arms 225. Preferably, the locking plate 216 has a "U" shape with the two projecting arms 225 arranged in parallel and spaced a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, being said distance sufficient so that the through slot 217 can receive an even link 302 of the first chain 300. As seen in Figure 12, the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 have notches 226 to receive a part of one of the odd links 301 of the first chain 300. The notches 226 are arranged on the underside of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216, so that in the second position of the locking plate 216, the face i The bottom of the locking plate 216 faces the housing 215, and the upper face of the locking plate 216 faces the inlet 214.
El cuerpo de conector 210 tiene una abertura 231 para el paso de la placa de bloqueo 216 desde la primera posición hacia la segunda posición (Ver Figura 15). Dicha abertura 231 tiene una forma reciproca a la forma de la placa de bloqueo 216 para permitir un desplazamiento siguiendo la trayectoria recta de la placa de bloqueo 216 desde la primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 está fuera del alojamiento 215 del cuerpo de conector 210, hasta la segunda posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 215. The connector body 210 has an opening 231 for passage of the locking plate 216 from the first position to the second position (See Figure 15). Said opening 231 has a reciprocal shape to the shape of the locking plate 216 to allow a displacement following the straight path of the locking plate 216 from the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is outside the housing 215 of the connector body 210, to the second position, in which the locking plate 216 is disposed in the housing 215.
Los dos brazos salientes 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216 están configurados para desplazarse por unas ranuras 224 del cuerpo de conector 210 entre la primera posición y la segunda posición siguiendo la trayectoria recta. Como se observa en la Figura 15, las ranuras 224 están realizadas en las paredes interiores del cuerpo de conector 210 y tienen una forma reciproca a la parte exterior de los brazos salientes 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216. La parte exterior de cada brazo saliente 225 tiene un tramo recto dispuesto a continuación de un tramo inclinado que asegurar la disposición y el desplazamiento de la placa de bloqueo 216 ranuras 224 del cuerpo de conector 210. The two projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 are configured to move through slots 224 of the connector body 210 between the first position and the second position following the straight path. As seen in Figure 15, the grooves 224 are made in the interior walls of the connector body 210 and are reciprocally shaped to the exterior of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216. The exterior of each projecting arm 225 has a straight section arranged after an inclined section that ensures the arrangement and movement of the locking plate 216, grooves 224 of the connector body 210.
La placa de bloqueo 116 del conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización que se representa en las Figuras 2 y 3 también puede tener los brazos salientes 125 con una parte exterior que tiene un tramo recto dispuesto a continuación de un tramo inclinado. The locking plate 116 of the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 may also have the projecting arms 125 with an outer part having a straight section arranged next to an inclined section.
Cada uno de los brazos salientes 225 tiene un canal 227 para recibir un pasador 229 que guía la placa de bloqueo 216 según la trayectoria recta entre la primera posición y la segunda posición. El cuerpo de conector 210 tiene unos orificios 230 que están situados en las ranuras 224, y los pasadores 229 atraviesan dichos orificios 230 para sobresalir en las ranuras 224 y así poder entrar en los canales 227 de la placa de bloqueo 216 para guiarla en la trayectoria recta entre la primera posición y la segunda posición. Each of the projecting arms 225 has a channel 227 for receiving a pin 229 that guides the locking plate 216 along the straight path between the first position and the second position. The connector body 210 has holes 230 that are located in the slots 224, and the pins 229 pass through said holes 230 to protrude into the slots 224 and thus be able to enter the channels 227 of the locking plate 216 to guide it in the trajectory. straight between the first position and the second position.
Como se observa en detalle en la Figura 13, la placa de bloqueo 216 tiene un orificio 232 para recibir un pin de bloqueo 228 (ver Figura 16), y el cuerpo de conector 210 tiene otro orificio 233 (ver Figura 15) para recibir el pin de bloqueo 228, tal que estando los dos orificios 232 y 233 alineados entre sí, el pin de bloqueo 228 retiene la placa de bloqueo 216 en el cuerpo de conector 210 impidiendo su desplazamiento. El orificio 232 de la placa de bloqueo 216 está dispuesto en uno de los brazos salientes 225. Adicionalmente puede haber otro orificio en el otro brazo 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216 y otro respectivo orificio en el cuerpo de conector 210, empleándose en tal caso un respectivo pin de bloqueo para atravesar cada pareja de orificios. Para colocar el pin de bloqueo se puede emplear el vehículo operado a distancia (ROV). Como se observa en las Figuras 14 y 15, la boca de entrada 214 del cuerpo de conector 210 tiene una pared interior 234 para recibir el extremo de la primera cadena 300, extendiéndose la pared interior 234 directamente entre un borde superior 235 y un borde inferior 236, que tiene una forma de cruceta para permitir el paso de los eslabones del extremo de la primera cadena 300. La pared interior 234 de la boca de entrada 214 del conector submarino del segundo ejemplo de realización puede tener unos canales en rampa como la pared interior 134 de la boca de entrada 114 del conector submarino del primer ejemplo de realización. As seen in detail in Figure 13, the locking plate 216 has a hole 232 to receive a locking pin 228 (see Figure 16), and the connector body 210 has another hole 233 (see Figure 15) to receive the locking pin 228, such that with the two holes 232 and 233 aligned with each other, locking pin 228 retains locking plate 216 in connector body 210 preventing its movement. The hole 232 of the locking plate 216 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 225. Additionally, there may be another hole in the other arm 225 of the locking plate 216 and another respective hole in the connector body 210, being used in such a case a respective locking pin to pass through each pair of holes. The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to position the locking pin. As seen in Figures 14 and 15, the inlet 214 of the connector body 210 has an inner wall 234 to receive the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 234 extending directly between an upper edge 235 and a lower edge. 236, which has a crosshead shape to allow the passage of the end links of the first chain 300. The inner wall 234 of the inlet mouth 214 of the submarine connector of the second embodiment can have ramp channels like the wall interior 134 of the inlet 114 of the submarine connector of the first embodiment.
El alojamiento 215 del cuerpo de conector 210 tiene dos parejas de placas verticales 237 enfrentadas entre sí para guiar el último eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 en el alojamiento 215. En el segundo ejemplo de realización, el cuerpo de conector 210 tiene dos paredes enfrentadas entre las que se define el alojamiento 215, y cada una de las parejas verticales 237 está dispuesta en una de las paredes del cuerpo del conector 210. The housing 215 of the connector body 210 has two pairs of vertical plates 237 facing each other to guide the last link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215. In the second embodiment, the connector body 210 has two facing walls between which the housing 215 is defined, and each of the vertical pairs 237 is arranged on one of the walls of the body of the connector 210.
El alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110 del primer ejemplo de realización también puede tener las dos parejas de placas verticales 237 que permiten guiar el último eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 cuando se introduce en el alojamiento 115. En el primer ejemplo de realización, el cuerpo de conector 110 tiene una forma circular que define el alojamiento 115, de forma que las dos parejas de placas verticales 237 estarían dispuestas en posiciones diametralmente opuestas del alojamiento 115 del cuerpo de conector 110. The housing 115 of the connector body 110 of the first embodiment can also have the two pairs of vertical plates 237 that allow guiding the last link 301 at the end of the first chain 300 when it is inserted into the housing 115. In the first example of In one embodiment, the connector body 110 has a circular shape that defines the housing 115, such that the two pairs of vertical plates 237 would be arranged in diametrically opposite positions of the housing 115 of the connector body 110.
El conector submarino 200 está preferentemente configurado para establecer una conexión vertical de la primera cadena 300 y segunda cadena 400 bajo el agua, de manera que en uso el conector submarino 200 queda dispuesto en una orientación vertical con respecto al fondo marino. Para ello, el cuerpo de conector 210 tiene unos medios de apoyo 238 para unirse al dispositivo de anclaje 500 y disponer el cuerpo de conector 210 en una orientación vertical con respecto al fondo marino. The submarine connector 200 is preferably configured to establish a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 underwater, such that in use the submarine connector 200 is disposed in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. To do this, the connector body 210 has support means 238 for joining the anchoring device 500 and arranging the connector body 210 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.
Los medios de apoyo 238 comprenden una barra 239 que está dispuesta entre dos orejetas 240 que tiene el cuerpo de conector 210, siendo la barra 239 disponible en una estructura de anclaje 241 que está unida al dispositivo de anclaje 500. The support means 238 comprise a bar 239 that is arranged between two lugs 240 having the connector body 210, the bar 239 being available in an anchoring structure 241 that is attached to the anchoring device 500.
Como se observa en la Figura 18, la estructura de anclaje 241 comprende una parte inferior 242 conectable al dispositivo de anclaje 500 y una parte superior 243 que tiene un extremo que está unido en giro con la parte inferior 242 y otro extremo que tiene un cierre de bloqueo 244 para bloquear la parte superior 243 con la parte inferior 242, y en donde entre la parte superior 243 y la parte inferior 242 se disponen unos brazos 245 que están configurados para recibir la barra 239 de los medios de apoyo 238 y bloquearla. Por motivos de claridad, en la Figura 18, únicamente se representa la barra 239 de los medos de apoyo 238, sin representar el resto de los elementos del conector submarino 200. As seen in Figure 18, the anchoring structure 241 comprises a lower part 242 connectable to the anchoring device 500 and an upper part 243 having an end which is pivotally connected to the lower part 242 and another end having a locking catch 244 to lock the upper part 243 to the lower part 242, and where between the upper part 243 and the lower part 242 arms 245 are arranged which are configured to receive the bar 239 from the support means 238 and lock it. For the sake of clarity, in Figure 18, only the bar 239 of the support means 238 is represented, without representing the rest of the elements of the submarine connector 200.
La parte superior 243 se separa de la parte inferior 242 para recibir la barra 239 en los brazos 245 de la parte inferior 242, y cuando la barra 239 está apoyada en la parte inferior 242, la parte superior 243 se dispone sobre la parte inferior 242 quedando la barra 239 retenida entre los brazos 245 de la estructura de anclaje 241. Cuando la barra 239 está retenida, el cierre de bloqueo 244, que está compuesto por un pin de bloqueo, asegura la unión de la parte superior 243 con respecto a la parte inferior 242 impidiendo su separación. The upper part 243 separates from the lower part 242 to receive the bar 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242, and when the bar 239 is supported on the lower part 242, the upper part 243 is disposed on the lower part 242 the bar 239 being retained between the arms 245 of the anchoring structure 241. When the bar 239 is retained, the locking closure 244, which is composed of a locking pin, ensures the connection of the upper part 243 with respect to the lower part 242 preventing its separation.
La estructura de anclaje 241 tiene tres brazos 245, dos de los brazos 245 están dispuestos en la parte inferior 242 y el otro brazo 245 está dispuesto en la parte superior 243. Los brazos 245 tienen una forma circular reciproca a la barra 239 para asegurar su retención e impedir su movimiento. The anchoring structure 241 has three arms 245, two of the arms 245 are arranged in the lower part 242 and the other arm 245 is arranged in the upper part 243. The arms 245 have a reciprocal circular shape to the bar 239 to ensure their retention and prevent its movement.
Para establecer la unión del conector submarino 200 con el dispositivo de anclaje 500, en un primer momento se lleva el conector submarino 200 hasta el dispositivo de anclaje 500, se abre la estructura de anclaje 241 separando la parte superior 243 de la parte inferior 242, se dispone el conector submarino 200 en la estructura de anclaje 241 apoyando la barra 239 en los brazos 245 de la parte inferior 242 de la estructura de anclaje 241 , y después se cierra la estructura de anclaje 241 acercando la parte superior 243 a la parte inferior 242, de forma que la barra 239 queda retenida. Finalmente se introduce el cierre de bloqueo 244 para bloquear la parte superior 243 con la parte inferior 242. To establish the union of the submarine connector 200 with the anchoring device 500, at first the submarine connector 200 is brought to the anchoring device 500, the anchoring structure 241 is opened, separating the upper part 243 from the lower part 242, the submarine connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring structure 241 supporting the bar 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242 of the anchoring structure 241, and then the anchoring structure 241 is closed by bringing the upper part 243 closer to the lower part 242 so that bar 239 is retained. Finally the lock 244 is inserted to lock the upper part 243 with the lower part 242.
El conector submarino 200 del segundo ejemplo de realización puede tener unos medios de apoyo 138 como los que se han descrito anteriormente para el primer ejemplo de realización. Asimismo, el conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización puede tener unos medios de apoyo 238 como los que tiene el conector submarino 200 del segundo ejemplo de realización. The submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment may have support means 138 as described above for the first embodiment. Likewise, the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment can have support means 238 like those of the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment.
El alojamiento 215 del cuerpo de conector 210 está dimensionado para recibir los dos últimos eslabones 301 y 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300, tal que en la segunda posición, el último eslabón 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 queda en contacto con la placa de bloqueo 216 y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 queda dispuesto en la ranura pasante 217 de la placa de bloqueo 216. El último eslabón 301 siendo un eslabón impar y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 siendo un eslabón par. El alojamientoThe housing 215 of the connector body 210 is dimensioned to receive the two last links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 216 and the second to last link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is disposed in through slot 217 of lock plate 216. The last link 301 being an odd link and the second to last link 302 being an even link. Accommodation
215 del cuerpo de conector 210 se extiende verticalmente entre el primer extremo 211 en donde está dispuesto el punto de anclaje 212 y el segundo extremo 213 en donde está dispuesta la boca de entrada 214, teniendo el alojamiento 215 una dimensión vertical que coincide con la dimensión vertical del último eslabón 301 y parte del anteúltimo eslabón 302 de la primera cadena 300. 215 of the connector body 210 extends vertically between the first end 211 where the anchor point 212 is arranged and the second end 213 where the inlet mouth 214 is arranged, the housing 215 having a vertical dimension that coincides with the dimension vertical of the last link 301 and part of the last link 302 of the first chain 300.
El conector submarino 200 del segundo ejemplo de realización tiene una placa de bloqueoSubmarine connector 200 of the second embodiment has a locking plate
216 que se desplaza entre la primera y la segunda posición según una trayectoria recta, mientras que el conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización tiene una placa de bloqueo 116 que se desplaza entre la primera y la segunda posición según una trayectoria curva, por ello, el cuerpo de conector 210 del conector submarino 200 del segundo ejemplo de realización tiene una dimensión vertical menor que el cuerpo de conector 110 del conector submarino 100 del primer ejemplo de realización. 216 that moves between the first and second positions along a straight path, while the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment has a locking plate 116 that moves between the first and second positions along a curved path, therefore , the connector body 210 of the submarine connector 200 of the second embodiment has a smaller vertical dimension than the connector body 110 of the submarine connector 100 of the first embodiment.
De acuerdo con todo ello, el método para conectar la primera cadena 300 empleando el conector submarino 200 comprende: o introducir el extremo de la primera cadena 300 en el alojamiento 215 del cuerpo de conector 210 a través de la boca de entrada 214; Accordingly, the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the submarine connector 200 comprises: o introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 215 of the connector body 210 through the inlet port 214;
■ alineando uno de los eslabones 302 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 con la ranura pasante 217 de la placa de bloqueo 216, estando la placa bloqueo 216 en la primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento 215; o emplear un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV) para actuar la placa de bloqueo 216 desplazándola para bloquear el extremo de la primera cadena 300 alojado en dicho alojamiento 215; ■ aligning one of the links 302 at the end of the first chain 300 with the through slot 217 of the locking plate 216, the locking plate 216 being in the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215 ; or employing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking plate 216 by moving it to lock the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215;
■ desplazando la placa de bloqueo 216 desde la primera posición, hasta la segunda posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 116 queda dispuesta en el alojamiento 215, y o traccionar la primera cadena 300 en dirección hacia la boca de entrada 214 hasta que uno de los eslabones 301 del extremo de la primera cadena 300 que está alojado en el alojamiento 215 contacta con la placa de bloqueo 216; ■ quedando uno de los eslabones 302 de la primera cadena 300 en la ranura pasante 217 de la placa de bloqueo 216, y quedando otro de los eslabones 301 de la primera cadena 300 bloqueado por contacto con la placa de bloqueo 216. ■ moving the locking plate 216 from the first position to the second position, in which the locking plate 116 is disposed in the housing 215, and / or pulling the first chain 300 in the direction of the inlet port 214 until one of the the links 301 at the end of the first chain 300 that is housed in the housing 215 contact the locking plate 216; ■ one of the links 302 of the first chain 300 remaining in the through slot 217 of the locking plate 216, and another of the links 301 of the first chain 300 being locked by contact with the locking plate 216.
La placa de bloqueo 216 se desplaza de la primera posición a la segunda posición siguiendo una trayectoria recta. The locking plate 216 moves from the first position to the second position following a straight path.
El último eslabón 301 de la primera cadena 300 se introduce a través de la cruceta de la boca de entrada 214 en una disposición en la que durante la introducción el último eslabón 301 queda enfrentado a los brazos laterales 225 de la placa de bloqueo 116 y el anteúltimo eslabón 302 queda enfrentado a la ranura 217 de la placa de bloqueo 116. Seguidamente, se tracciona la primera cadena 300 en dirección hacia la boca de entrada 214 hasta que el último eslabón 301 contacta con la placa de bloqueo 216, quedando la parte superior del último eslabón 301 parcialmente alojada en las muescas 226 de los brazos salientes 225 de la placa de bloqueo 216. En dicha situación, y para garantizar la inmovilidad de la placa de bloqueo 216, se introduce el pin de bloqueo 228 a través del orificio 233 del cuerpo de conector 210 y del orificio 232 de la placa de bloqueo 216. The last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the crosshead of the inlet mouth 214 in an arrangement in which during insertion the last link 301 faces the lateral arms 225 of the locking plate 116 and the The second to last link 302 faces the slot 217 of the locking plate 116. Next, the first chain 300 is pulled in the direction of the inlet 214 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 216, leaving the upper part of the last link 301 partially housed in the notches 226 of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216. In this situation, and to ensure the immobility of the locking plate 216, the locking pin 228 is inserted through the hole 233 connector body 210 and hole 232 in lock plate 216.
Tal y como se observa en la Figura 17, en la primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo 216 queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento 215, la placa de bloqueo 216 puede estar parcialmente introducida en las ranuras 224 del cuerpo de conector 210, de forma que se permite el paso del último eslabón 301 en el alojamiento 215, mientras que parte del anteúltimo eslabón 302 pasa a través de la ranura 217 de la placa 216. As seen in Figure 17, in the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is disposed outside the housing 215, the locking plate 216 may be partially inserted into the slots 224 of the connector body 210, so This allows the last link 301 to pass through the housing 215, while part of the second to last link 302 passes through the slot 217 of the plate 216.
Antes de conectar las cadenas 300 y 400 entre sí, el dispositivo de anclaje 500 está dispuesto en el fondo marino, y mediante los medios de apoyo 238 se dispone el conector submarino 200 en el dispositivo de anclaje 500 en orientación vertical, tal y como se ha descrito anteriormente. Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to each other, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and by means of the support means 238 the submarine connector 200 is arranged on the anchoring device 500 in vertical orientation, as shown. described above.
Todas las características descritas en relación con los conectores submarinos 100 y 200 se dan por descritas también para el método de conexión en la medida en que tenga que ver con ellos. All the characteristics described in relation to the submarine connectors 100 and 200 are taken for granted also for the connection method insofar as it has to do with them.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1. Conector submarino para conexión de una cadena (300) bajo el agua que comprende un cuerpo de conector (110,210) que tiene un primer extremo (111,211) con un punto de anclaje (112,212) y un segundo extremo (113,213) para el anclaje de la cadena (300), comprendiendo el segundo extremo (113,213) una boca de entrada (114,214), caracterizado porque el cuerpo de conector (110,210) adicionalmente comprende un alojamiento (115,215) comunicado con la boca de entrada (114,214) en el que se aloja al menos el último eslabón (301) de un extremo de la cadena (300), y una placa de bloqueo (116,216) que bloquea por contacto uno de los eslabones (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) alojado en dicho alojamiento (115,215). 1. Submarine connector for connection of a chain (300) under water comprising a connector body (110,210) having a first end (111,211) with an anchor point (112,212) and a second end (113,213) for anchoring of the chain (300), the second end (113,213) comprising an inlet port (114,214), characterized in that the connector body (110,210) additionally comprises a housing (115,215) communicated with the inlet port (114,214) in which at least the last link (301) of one end of the chain (300) is housed, and a locking plate (116,216) that blocks by contact one of the links (301) of the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115,215).
2. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde la placa de bloqueo (116,216) tiene una ranura pasante (117,217) para recibir otro de los eslabones (302) del extremo de la cadena (300) y unos medios de empuje (118,218) para ser actuados por un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV), siendo la placa de bloqueo (116,216) desplazable desde una primera posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo (116,216) queda dispuesta fuera del alojamiento (115,215) permitiendo el paso del extremo de la cadena (300) en el alojamiento (115,215), hasta una segunda posición, en la que la placa de bloqueo (116,216) queda dispuesta en el alojamiento (115,215) bloqueando por contacto el eslabón (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) alojado en dicho alojamiento (115,215). Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking plate (116,216) has a through slot (117,217) to receive another of the links (302) of the end of the chain (300) and a push means (118,218) to be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate (116,216) being movable from a first position, in which the locking plate (116,216) is arranged outside the housing (115,215) allowing passage of the end of the the chain (300) in the housing (115,215), to a second position, in which the locking plate (116,216) is arranged in the housing (115,215), blocking by contact the link (301) of the end of the chain (300 ) housed in said housing (115,215).
3. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde la placa de bloqueo (116) tiene una parte superior (123) en la que se dispone un eje de giro (124) de la placa de bloqueo (116), y dos brazos salientes (125) que están unidos a la parte superior (123), estando la ranura pasante (117) dispuesta entre los dos brazos salientes (125). Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking plate (116) has an upper part (123) in which a rotation axis (124) of the locking plate (116) is arranged, and two projecting arms ( 125) that are attached to the upper part (123), the through slot (117) being arranged between the two projecting arms (125).
4. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde los medios de empuje (118) comprenden unas protuberancias (128) y unos cables (129), teniendo cada uno de los brazos salientes (125) una de las protuberancias (128), y en donde cada uno de los cables (129) tiene un extremo unido a una de las protuberancias (128) y otro extremo libre que es actuable por el vehículo operado a distancia (ROV). Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the pushing means (118) comprise protrusions (128) and cables (129), each of the protruding arms (125) having one of the protrusions (128), and in where each of the cables (129) has one end attached to one of the protrusions (128) and another free end that is operable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
5. Conector según la reivindicación 3 o 4, en donde el eje de giro (124) de la placa de bloqueo (116) está dispuesto entre unos nervios (127) de la boca de entrada (114), sobresaliendo los nervios (127) con respecto a la parte inferior de la boca de entradaConnector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotation axis (124) of the locking plate (116) is arranged between ribs (127) of the inlet (114), the ribs (127) projecting with respect to the bottom of the inlet
(114), tal que en la segunda posición, la placa de bloqueo (116) contacta la cara inferior de la boca de entrada (114). (114), such that in the second position, the locking plate (116) contacts the lower face of the inlet port (114).
6. Conector según la reivindicación 4 o 5, en donde el cuerpo de conector (110) tiene unos agujeros (130) para el paso de los cables (129) de los medios de empuje (118). Connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the connector body (110) has holes (130) for the passage of the cables (129) of the pushing means (118).
7. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde los agujeros (130) para el paso de los cables (129) de los medios de empuje (118) están dispuestos en el cuerpo de conector (110) en una posición diametralmente opuesta a una abertura (131) que tiene el cuerpo de conector (110) para el paso de la placa de bloqueo (116) de la primera a la segunda posición, tal que los cables (129) atraviesan el alojamientoConnector according to the preceding claim, wherein the holes (130) for the passage of the cables (129) of the pushing means (118) are arranged in the connector body (110) in a position diametrically opposite to an opening (131) having the connector body (110) for the passage of the locking plate (116) from the first to the second position, such that the cables (129) pass through the housing
(115) del cuerpo de conector (110). (115) of the connector body (110).
8. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la boca de entrada (114) tiene una pared interior (134) para recibir el extremo de la cadena (300), extendiéndose la pared interior (134) directamente entre un borde superior (135) y un borde inferior (136), teniendo el borde inferior (136) una forma de cruceta, y siendo el borde superior (135) más ancho que el borde inferior (134), tal que la pared interior (134) define unos canales en rampa (137) para conducir los eslabones (301,302) de la cadena (300) hacia la forma de cruceta del borde inferior (136). Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (114) has an inner wall (134) to receive the end of the chain (300), the inner wall (134) extending directly between an upper edge ( 135) and a lower edge (136), the lower edge (136) having a crosshead shape, and the upper edge (135) being wider than the lower edge (134), such that the inner wall (134) defines some Ramped channels (137) to guide the links (301,302) of the chain (300) towards the crosshead shape of the lower edge (136).
9. Conector según la reivindicación 2, en donde la placa de bloqueo (216) tiene una parte superior (223) en la que se disponen los medios de empuje (218), y dos brazos salientes (225) que están unidos a la parte superior (223), estando la ranura pasante (217) dispuesta entre los dos brazos salientes (225), y en donde los dos brazos salientes (225) están configurados para desplazarse por unas ranuras (224) del cuerpo de conector (210) entre la primera posición y la segunda posición siguiendo una trayectoria recta. Connector according to claim 2, wherein the locking plate (216) has an upper part (223) in which the pushing means (218) are arranged, and two projecting arms (225) that are attached to the part upper (223), the through slot (217) being arranged between the two projecting arms (225), and wherein the two projecting arms (225) are configured to move through slots (224) of the connector body (210) between the first position and the second position following a straight path.
10. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde cada uno de los brazos salientes (225) tiene un canal (227) para recibir un pasador (229) que guía la placa de bloqueo (216) entre la primera y la segunda posición. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein each of the projecting arms (225) has a channel (227) to receive a pin (229) that guides the locking plate (216) between the first and second positions.
11. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la placa de bloqueo (116,216) tiene un orificio (132,232) para recibir un pin de bloqueo (228), y el cuerpo de conector (110,210) tiene otro orificio (133,233) para recibir el pin de bloqueo (228), tal que estando los dos orificios (132,133) alineados entre sí, el pin de bloqueo retiene la placa de bloqueo (116,216) en el cuerpo de conector (110,210) impidiendo su desplazamiento. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plate (116,216) has a hole (132,232) to receive a locking pin (228), and the connector body (110,210) has another hole (133,233) to receiving the locking pin (228), such that with the two holes (132,133) aligned with each other, the locking pin retains the locking plate (116,216) in the connector body (110,210) preventing its displacement.
12. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde el alojamiento (115,215) del cuerpo de conector (110, 210) tiene dos parejas de placas verticales (237) enfrentadas entre sí para guiar el último eslabón (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) en el alojamiento (115,215). Connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (115,215) of the connector body (110, 210) has two pairs of vertical plates (237) facing each other to guide the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) in housing (115,215).
13. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde el cuerpo de conector (110) tiene unos medios de apoyo (138) que comprenden una pared vertical (139) que está unida al cuerpo de conector (110) mediante unos brazos (140), definiéndose entre la pared vertical (139) y los brazos (140) una ranura (141) en la que es disponible mediante encaje un borde superior de un dispositivo de anclaje (500). Connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector body (110) has support means (138) comprising a vertical wall (139) that is connected to the connector body (110) by means of arms (140 ), defining between the vertical wall (139) and the arms (140) a slot (141) in which an upper edge of an anchoring device (500) is available by fitting.
14. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 12, en donde el cuerpo de conector (210) tiene unos medios de apoyo (238) que comprenden una barra (239) dispuesta entre dos orejetas (240) que tiene el cuerpo de conector (210), siendo la barra (239) disponible en una estructura de anclaje (241) que está unida a un dispositivo de anclaje (500). Connector according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the connector body (210) has support means (238) comprising a bar (239) arranged between two lugs (240) having the connector body ( 210), the bar (239) being available in an anchoring structure (241) that is attached to an anchoring device (500).
15. Conector según la reivindicación anterior, en donde la estructura de anclaje (241) comprende una parte inferior (242) conectable al dispositivo de anclaje (500) y una parte superior (243) que tiene un extremo que está unido en giro con la parte inferior (242) y otro extremo que tiene un cierre de bloqueo (244) para bloquear la parte superior (243) con la parte inferior (242), y en donde entre la parte superior (243) y la parte inferior (242) se disponen unos brazos (245) que están configurados para recibir la barra (239) de los medios de apoyo (238) y bloquearla. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the anchoring structure (241) comprises a lower part (242) connectable to the anchoring device (500) and an upper part (243) having an end that is connected in rotation with the bottom (242) and another end that has a locking latch (244) to lock the top (243) with the bottom (242), and where between the top (243) and the bottom (242) There are arms (245) that are configured to receive the bar (239) from the support means (238) and to block it.
16. Conector según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 2 a 15, en donde el alojamiento (115,215) del cuerpo de conector (110,210) está dimensionado para recibir los dos últimos eslabones (301, 302) del extremo de la cadena (300), tal que en la segunda posición, el último eslabón (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) queda en contacto con la placa de bloqueo (116,216), y el anteúltimo eslabón (302) del extremo de la cadena (300) queda dispuesto en la ranura pasante (117) de la placa de bloqueo (116). Connector according to any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the housing (115,215) of the connector body (110,210) is dimensioned to receive the last two links (301, 302) of the end of the chain (300), such that in the second position, the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) is in contact with the locking plate (116,216), and the second to last link (302) of the end of the chain (300) is arranged in the through slot ( 117) from the lock plate (116).
17. Método para conexión de una cadena (300) bajo el agua, caracterizado porque comprende: 17. Method for connecting a chain (300) under water, characterized in that it comprises:
• emplear un conector submarino (100,200) definido según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, · introducir al menos el último eslabón (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) en el alojamiento (115,215) del cuerpo de conector (110,210) a través de la boca de entrada (114,214), • use a submarine connector (100,200) defined according to any of the preceding claims, • insert at least the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) into the housing (115,215) of the connector body (110,210) through the inlet mouth (114,214),
• emplear un vehículo operado a distancia (ROV) para actuar la placa de bloqueo (116,216) desplazándola para bloquear el extremo de la cadena (300) alojado en dicho alojamiento (115,215), y • use a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking plate (116,216) by moving it to lock the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115,215), and
• traccionar la cadena (300) en dirección hacia la boca de entrada (114,214) hasta que uno de los eslabones (301) del extremo de la cadena (300) que está alojado en el alojamiento (115,215) contacta con la placa de bloqueo (116,216). • pull the chain (300) towards the inlet (114,214) until one of the links (301) at the end of the chain (300) that is housed in the housing (115,215) contacts the locking plate ( 116,216).
PCT/ES2021/070416 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water WO2021260241A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2021295737A AU2021295737A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water
ES21735741T ES2961659T3 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Submarine connector and method for connecting a chain under water
BR112022026349A BR112022026349A2 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 SUBMARINE CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AN UNDERWATER CHAIN
EP21735741.7A EP4169827B1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water
CN202180044210.9A CN116075463A (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Underwater connector and method for connecting underwater chain
US18/087,179 US20230127233A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2022-12-22 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20382548.4 2020-06-23
EP20382548 2020-06-23

Related Child Applications (1)

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US18/087,179 Continuation US20230127233A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2022-12-22 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water

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WO2021260241A1 true WO2021260241A1 (en) 2021-12-30

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US (1) US20230127233A1 (en)
EP (1) EP4169827B1 (en)
CN (1) CN116075463A (en)
AU (1) AU2021295737A1 (en)
BR (1) BR112022026349A2 (en)
ES (1) ES2961659T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2021260241A1 (en)

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101088854A (en) * 2007-07-10 2007-12-19 李存扣 Locking core for single sheet located rig
US20140026796A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Seahorse Equipment Corp In-Line Mooring Connector and Tensioner
EP2809969A1 (en) 2012-01-30 2014-12-10 Balltec Limited A connector
EP2858888A1 (en) 2012-06-11 2015-04-15 FTL Subsea Ltd. Subsea connector
KR20170057272A (en) * 2014-09-19 2017-05-24 노브-비엘엠 Fairlead intended to engage with an anchor chain, for a system for anchoring a floating installation to the ground

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2007463C2 (en) * 2011-09-23 2013-03-26 Ihc Holland Ie Bv Device for and method of tensioning chains, in particular mooring legs.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101088854A (en) * 2007-07-10 2007-12-19 李存扣 Locking core for single sheet located rig
EP2809969A1 (en) 2012-01-30 2014-12-10 Balltec Limited A connector
EP2858888A1 (en) 2012-06-11 2015-04-15 FTL Subsea Ltd. Subsea connector
US20140026796A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Seahorse Equipment Corp In-Line Mooring Connector and Tensioner
KR20170057272A (en) * 2014-09-19 2017-05-24 노브-비엘엠 Fairlead intended to engage with an anchor chain, for a system for anchoring a floating installation to the ground

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ES2961659T3 (en) 2024-03-13
BR112022026349A2 (en) 2023-01-17
CN116075463A (en) 2023-05-05
US20230127233A1 (en) 2023-04-27
EP4169827A1 (en) 2023-04-26
AU2021295737A1 (en) 2023-02-02
EP4169827B1 (en) 2023-09-27
EP4169827C0 (en) 2023-09-27

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