WO2021260241A1 - Connecteur sous-marin et procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau - Google Patents

Connecteur sous-marin et procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau 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
English (en)
Spanish (es)
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 CN202180044210.9A priority Critical patent/CN116075463A/zh
Priority to ES21735741T priority patent/ES2961659T3/es
Priority to AU2021295737A priority patent/AU2021295737A1/en
Priority to EP21735741.7A priority patent/EP4169827B1/fr
Priority to BR112022026349A priority patent/BR112022026349A2/pt
Publication of WO2021260241A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021260241A1/fr
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)
  • Non-Disconnectible Joints And Screw-Threaded Joints (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un connecteur sous-marin pour la connexion d'une chaîne (300) sous l'eau, le connecteur (100, 200) comprenant un corps de connecteur (110, 210) qui possède une première extrémité (111, 211) avec un point d'ancrage (112, 212) et une seconde extrémité (113, 213) pour l'ancrage de la chaîne (300) qui comprend un orifice d'entrée (114, 214), et le corps de connecteur (110, 210) comprenant en outre un logement (115, 215) en communication avec l'orifice d'entrée (114, 214) dans lequel est logé au moins le dernier maillon (301) d'une extrémité de la chaîne (300), et une plaque de blocage (116, 216) qui bloque par contact un des maillons (301) de l'extrémité de la chaîne (300) logé dans ce logement (115, 215). L'invention concerne également un procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne (300) sous l'eau.
PCT/ES2021/070416 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau WO2021260241A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202180044210.9A CN116075463A (zh) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 水下连接器和用于连接水下链条的方法
ES21735741T ES2961659T3 (es) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Conector submarino y método para conexión de una cadena bajo el agua
AU2021295737A AU2021295737A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water
EP21735741.7A EP4169827B1 (fr) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé de connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau
BR112022026349A BR112022026349A2 (pt) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Conector submarino e método para conexão de uma corrente debaixo d'água
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 2020-06-23
EP20382548.4 2020-06-23

Related Child Applications (1)

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

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021260241A1 true WO2021260241A1 (fr) 2021-12-30

Family

ID=71661799

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ES2021/070416 WO2021260241A1 (fr) 2020-06-23 2021-06-07 Connecteur sous-marin et procédé pour la connexion d'une chaîne sous l'eau

Country Status (7)

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

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101088854A (zh) * 2007-07-10 2007-12-19 李存扣 一种单片定位索具的锁芯
US20140026796A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Seahorse Equipment Corp In-Line Mooring Connector and Tensioner
EP2809969A1 (fr) 2012-01-30 2014-12-10 Balltec Limited Connecteur
EP2858888A1 (fr) 2012-06-11 2015-04-15 FTL Subsea Ltd. Connecteur sous-marin
KR20170057272A (ko) * 2014-09-19 2017-05-24 노브-비엘엠 부유식 설비를 지반에 고정하는 시스템을 위한, 앵커 체인 체결용 도삭기

Family Cites Families (1)

* 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 (zh) * 2007-07-10 2007-12-19 李存扣 一种单片定位索具的锁芯
EP2809969A1 (fr) 2012-01-30 2014-12-10 Balltec Limited Connecteur
EP2858888A1 (fr) 2012-06-11 2015-04-15 FTL Subsea Ltd. Connecteur sous-marin
US20140026796A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Seahorse Equipment Corp In-Line Mooring Connector and Tensioner
KR20170057272A (ko) * 2014-09-19 2017-05-24 노브-비엘엠 부유식 설비를 지반에 고정하는 시스템을 위한, 앵커 체인 체결용 도삭기

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112022026349A2 (pt) 2023-01-17
EP4169827B1 (fr) 2023-09-27
EP4169827A1 (fr) 2023-04-26
US20230127233A1 (en) 2023-04-27
ES2961659T3 (es) 2024-03-13
CN116075463A (zh) 2023-05-05
AU2021295737A1 (en) 2023-02-02
EP4169827C0 (fr) 2023-09-27

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