巴西专利BR112012019060B1 vessel to lay a pipeline and method of laying a pipeline from a vessel

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专利摘要:
vessel for laying a pipe, method of laying a pipe from a vessel and set of external ramps for laying a pipe from a vessel. the present invention relates to a vessel for laying a pipeline that includes a plurality of work stations (12) arranged along a pipeline laying path that includes an upstream portion remote from a first end of the vessel and a plurality of ramps (21,22) in the region of the first end of the vessel. the plurality of ramps (21,22) includes a first ramp (21) which is arranged along the duct laying path, the slope of which is adjustable and which has a first end upstream and a second end downstream, and a second ramp (22) that is arranged along the downstream duct laying path of the first ramp (21), whose inclination is adjustable and that a first end upstream and a second end downstream. the downstream end of the first ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and an end upstream of the second ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel. an external ramp assembly (66) is provided, including ramps (68) and (69) that can be pivoted with respect to each other and locked in a position selected by a locking arrangement (88).
公开号:BR112012019060B1
申请号:R112012019060-1
申请日:2011-01-12
公开日:2021-03-16
发明作者:Diego Lazzarin；Gianluca Toso；Enrico Ruaro
申请人:Saipem S.P.A；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel to seat a duct in the sea and a method of laying a duct. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to ramp arrangements in a pipeline laying path along which the pipeline is oriented. Background of the invention
[0002] When laying a pipeline at sea one of the two methods is normally used: either the "S" laying method or the "J" laying method. Both methods are called according to the general form adopted by the pipeline during the laying. In the "S" settlement, the duct leaves the vessel with little or no slope with respect to the horizontal, adopts a steep slope in the water and then returns to a generally horizontal disposition on the seabed. In the "J" settlement, the duct leaves the vessel on a steep or vertical slope and the slope gradually decreases until the duct is in a generally horizontal arrangement on the seabed. As the interest in laying deep-water pipelines increased, so too did the "J" settlement become more attractive because the pipeline naturally adopts a vertical or almost vertical orientation away from the seabed. The "J" settlement, however, is not preferred in shallow waters where the natural pipeline path only tilts at a shallow angle when it leaves the seabed and the "S" settlement is therefore advantageous.
[0003] The "S" settlement can be used in deep waters as long as the pipeline being settled can be supported by the vessel until it has reached a relatively steep slope in relation to the horizontal. This, however, requires considerable support length, because the radius of curvature to which the duct can be subjected is limited, especially in the case of large diameter ducts.
[0004] One approach to providing a vessel for "S" seating includes the provision of a semi-submersible vessel with two keels. For example, US patent 4,257,718 shows such an arrangement. Another approach to providing an "S" settlement vessel involves the provision of a single hull vessel as shown, for example, in US 5,823,712. An advantage of a two-keel semi-submersible vessel is that it can provide a relatively swing-free environment for laying the duct and also considerable amounts of space on both sides of a path for laying the central duct on the vessel (also known to those skilled in the art). in technique as "the line of fire"). The extra mouth of such a vessel and its relatively large draft are, however, disadvantages compared to a single-hull vessel.
[0005] When laying small diameter ducts it is sometimes preferable to provide a long length of prefabricated duct on a coil and to lay the duct by unwinding the coil, but especially for large diameter ducts it is usual to form the duct from one of discrete duct lengths, each typically 12m long. In that case it is desirable to weld individual duct extensions to prefabricated duct lengths (also referred to here as "joined duct sections") consisting of, say, two, three or four individual duct segments and then weld the pre duct lengths -manufactured at the end of the duct as it is laid. Such a procedure allows the speed of the settlement to be increased in relation to that which would apply if each individual length of duct was in turn welded to the end of the duct as it is settled. Thus, the vessel is required to accommodate welding stations and other facilities to prepare prefabricated duct lengths. Such work stations are desirably placed at intervals corresponding to a prefabricated duct length; it is then possible to feed the duct one prefabricated length at a time and each workstation can then be positioned in a respective union between duct lengths. The more stations that can be provided along the pipeline laying path, the less work has to be done at each station and therefore the overall pipeline laying rate can be faster.
[0006] In WO 2008/107186, a single hull vessel is described, which is capable of laying "S" ducts in a particularly advantageous and flexible manner. On this vessel, an internal ramp mounted on a pivot is provided at the end of the vessel's pipeline laying path and guides the pipeline to the water. Optionally, an external ramp or pipe guide is connected to the downstream end of the internal ramp to guide the pipeline to a steeper slope as it moves away from the vessel and towards the seabed.
[0007] When laying an S-duct it is common practice to provide a pipe guide where the duct leaves the vessel to control the duct inclination and curvature of the duct as it leaves the vessel. Such an external ramp can be pivoted so that its inclination can be adjusted according to the inclination at which the duct is to leave the ramp. A trigger of some kind is connected between the vessel and a position on the external ramp downstream of its pivot assembly, to pivot the ramp around its support. The desired slope may vary according to the depth of the water in which the duct is being seated and the flexibility of the duct which in turn can be affected by the duct material and the diameter and thickness of the duct wall. If a long external ramp is provided, then the distal end of the ramp tends to have some distance from the vessel. Thus, it is not very practical to form an external ramp from two or more ramps because of the difficulty of controlling the pivot of the ramp further downstream at some distance from the vessel.
[0008] USRe27420 describes a duct-laying vessel with a plurality of external ramps connected in series by pivots.
[0009] A helical gear is provided between each pair of adjacent ramps, which controls the relative angle between the adjacent ramps. The use of a helical gear helps the ramps to maintain their relative positions even when the power to the driver that drives the mechanism is turned off. However, there is no system for positively locking the ramps in any relative positions.
[00010] It is an object of the invention to provide a vessel for laying a pipeline and a method of laying a pipeline that offers additional advantages over the vessels and methods described above.
[00011] It is an additional object of the invention to provide an external ramp set for laying a vessel's duct, for a duct laying vessel including such a ramp set and a method of laying a duct using such a ramp set, in which one or more of the problems mentioned above are overcome.
[00012] In a more particular aspect, the invention seeks to provide certain improvements and developments of the vessel that is the subject of WO 2008/107186, the exposition of which is incorporated herein by reference, but it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to companies vessels of other projects. Summary of the invention
[00013] According to a first aspect of the invention, a vessel is provided for laying a duct, the vessel including a plurality of work stations arranged along a duct laying path that includes an upstream portion away from a first end of the vessel and a plurality of ramps in the region of the first end of the vessel, the plurality of ramps including a first ramp that is arranged along the duct laying path, the slope of which is adjustable and which has a first end upstream and a second downstream end, and a second ramp that is arranged along the downstream duct settlement path of the first ramp, whose inclination is adjustable and that has a first upstream end and a second downstream end, where the downstream end the first ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and the end upstream the second ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel.
[00014] Providing two adjustable internal ramps makes it possible to achieve greater control of the bending of the duct before it leaves the vessel. This makes it possible for the slope range of the duct laying path at the downstream end of the second ramp to be substantially greater than could be achieved with a single ramp. When settling in deep water a relatively steep slope can be obtained and when laying in shallow water a much less steep slope can be obtained. When reference is made here to an "internal ramp" it should be understood that this does not imply that the entire ramp is located within the vessel's enclosure, but only that the upstream end of the ramp is located within the vessel's enclosure. The downstream end of the ramp can always be positioned outside the enclosure or can thus be positioned in some, but not all, positions of the ramp. Preferably, the downstream end of an internal ramp (in a mode described below, a first internal ramp) is positioned on board the first end of the vessel in all working positions of the ramp. In an embodiment of the invention described below, the downstream end of the second internal ramp has an upper working position in which it is above the bottom of the vessel's hull and a lower working position in which it is below the bottom of the vessel's hull. It should also be understood that where reference is made in that specification to a position above the bottom of the hull or vessel or on board the end of the hull or vessel, it is the hull or vessel enclosure that is being referred to; in one embodiment of the invention described below the hull is advantageously provided with an elongated recess at the stern end, but this recess does not alter the hull shell and a portion of a ramp within the hull is still in the hull shell. In a case where the invention is applied to a semi-submersible vessel or some other multi-hull vessel, the vessel's shell is, of course, a shell involving all hulls.
[00015] The pipeline laying path may include, near the first end of the vessel, a downstream portion that is tilted downwards. Preferably, the portion upstream of the duct laying path is substantially horizontal. Preferably, it is also straight. Such characteristics facilitate the welding of sections of the duct and other work in the duct.
[00016] Each of the ramps can include guiding elements to guide the pipeline in use as it passes through the ramps. Such guiding elements may, for example, comprise rollers or assemblies with rails.
[00017] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, a work station is provided in the region of the first ramp. This provides a challenge, because the desired location of the workstation changes as the position of the first internal ramp changes and / or its inclination changes. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, a workstation work platform is mounted on the first ramp to move with the ramp and is also adjustable in position with respect to the first ramp. Mounting the workstation on the first ramp, its movement naturally follows the movement of the first ramp. By making its position adjustable with respect to the first ramp, it becomes possible to ensure that the position of the workstation with respect to the duct laying path is the best possible. Preferably, the inclination of the workstation with respect to the first ramp is adjustable. In such a case, when the inclination of the first ramp is increased, the inclination of the workstation with respect to the ramp can be changed in the opposite direction to reduce or eliminate any change in the absolute inclination of the workstation. In this way, the workstation's work platform can be maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation. Preferably, the inclination of the work platform should never be more than 10 degrees from the horizontal and more preferably never more than 6 degrees from the horizontal. On the other hand, the inclination of the first ramp with respect to the horizontal can be in the order of 20 degrees. Preferably, the work platform is adjustable in translation with respect to the first ramp, preferably at least in an upward and downward direction. This enables the work platform to be positioned in use in the best position with respect to the duct, regardless of the positioning of the first ramp and regardless of the diameter of the duct.
[00018] Preferably, a control system is provided to control the adjustment of the work platform depending on the adjustment of the first ramp. The control system can be partially or fully automatic. It may be arranged to reduce the change in the inclination of the work platform as the inclination of the first ramp is changed or to keep the inclination of the work platform constant, possibly with zero inclination, as the inclination of the first ramp changes. The control system can be arranged to keep the work platform in the same position with respect to the vessel's hull; another possibility is that the control system is arranged to keep the work platform in the same position with respect to the central axis of the pipeline laying path along the first ramp.
[00019] External or internal ramps are usually pivoted to a vessel's hull and / or other ramp. Such a pivot connection, however, limits the type of ramp adjustment that is possible. In the present invention, the first ramp is preferably mounted in such a way that its inclination can be changed and can also be moved in translation with at least one component of the movement in a vertical direction. The vessel preferably includes a first adjustment mechanism to effect the movement of the internal ramp with at least one component of the movement in a vertical direction and a second adjustment mechanism to effect the change of the inclination of the ramp. The ramp can be mounted on the vessel's hull using struts whose length is adjustable and / or whose connection to the ramp is adjustable along the strut. The hull assembly may be a vessel deck assembly that is connected directly or indirectly to the vessel hull. In this case, and in other cases, it may be that each of the first and second adjustment mechanisms effect both a vertical ramp movement and a change in the ramp slope. For example, a pair of struts may be provided at the upstream end of the first ramp and another pair of struts may be provided at the downstream end of the first ramp. One or more of the struts may include a piston and hydraulic cylinder arrangement to adjust the length of the struts or the position of the ramp connection to the struts.
[00020] In an embodiment of the invention described below, the upstream end of the second ramp is not connected by a pivot to the downstream end of the first ramp; in this case, the upstream end of the second ramp can be connected by a pivot to the vessel's hull. However, it must be understood that other arrangements are also possible: for example, the end upstream of the second ramp can be connected by a pivot to the downstream end of the first ramp. A control system can be provided to maintain the first and second ramps in appropriate relative positions.
[00021] Preferably, the first ramp is mounted on the vessel's body so that in use it can transmit the tension in the duct through its assembly to the vessel's deck. In the case where struts are provided, the first ramp can be mounted on a pair of struts that allow the ramp to move in one direction along the struts, but resist the movement of the ramp in a direction transverse to the struts and along the duct laying. Such a pair of struts can transfer the longitudinal forces applied by the duct to the ramp and hull (or deck) of the vessel. A clamp to secure the duct can be mounted on the first ramp. In that case the clamp may be required to transmit very substantial longitudinal forces from the duct to the ramp and these forces must then be transmitted from the ramp to the vessel's hull.
[00022] Preferably, the second ramp is adjustable between a first upper position in which a workstation is positioned on a given part of the duct laying path next to the second ramp and a second lower position in which a given part of the pipeline laying path is submerged. It is desirable to have as many workstations as possible along the pipeline laying path. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the range of motion of the second ramp considerably allows the duct laying path to be of very different shapes and allows a wide range of duct diameters to be laid over a wide variety of depths. This can result in the second ramp having an upper position in which it is useful to have a workstation in that region, but a lower position in which most of the second ramp is submerged and it is no longer possible to have a workstation in that region. In such a case, it may nevertheless be useful to provide a workstation preferably not mounted on the second ramp. The workstation can, if desired, be retracted from the duct laying path so that when not in use it does not in any way prevent the duct laying.
[00023] Preferably, the vessel has a first mode of operation in which the pipeline laying path along the boat has a relatively small degree of curvature and leaves the vessel at a relatively shallow angle and in which the plurality of stations The workstation includes a downstream workstation that in the first operating mode is arranged in the region where the pipeline leaves the vessel, and the vessel has a second operating mode in which the pipeline laying path along the boat has a relatively large degree of curvature and leaves the vessel at a relatively sharp angle without passing through the region where the downstream workstation is arranged. Where reference is made to a "relatively small degree" of curvature, it should be understood that this is simply a reference to an amount of curvature that is small compared to the "relatively large degree of curvature" referred to subsequently. Similarly, where reference is made to a "relatively shallow angle", it should be understood that this is simply a reference to an angle that is of a slight slope compared to the "relatively accentuated angle" referred to subsequently. It should also be understood that in each mode the vessel may be able to operate over a wide range of curvatures and angles of inclination and that the ranges of the first mode of operation may overlap with the ranges of the second mode of operation.
[00024] With the preferred characteristics referred to in the two paragraphs above, it is possible when only a relatively small degree of curvature is introduced into the duct (with a correspondingly large radius of curvature that can be greater than 300m, it is preferably greater than 400m and in an embodiment described below is approximately 460m), to fully use most of the downstream workstation. Such an arrangement is suitable for laying in relatively shallow water. On the other hand, when a relatively large degree of curvature is introduced in the duct (with a correspondingly small radius of curvature that can be less than 200m, it is preferably less than 150m and in a modality described below it is approximately 110m), which most of the downstream workstation may not be used with a consequent reduction in the speed at which the duct can be laid. Such an arrangement is suitable for settlement in relatively deep waters. In one embodiment of the invention described below, most of the downstream workstation is a seventh workstation so that the vessel operates in a mode with six workstations and in another mode with seven workstations.
[00025] Preferably, the vessel has a hull and an end downstream of the first ramp and an end upstream of the second ramp is positioned on board the first end of the hull and above the bottom of the hull. Preferably, the vessel is a single-hull vessel, but it should be understood that another possibility is that the vessel is a semi-submersible vessel or some other form of vessel with more than one hull. Preferably, the hull of the vessel includes, in the waterline and in the region of its first end, separate portions on opposite sides of the pipeline laying path. By providing portions of the hull on each side of the duct as it passes into the water and through the surface of the water, the duct is provided with particularly good protection.
[00026] The separate portions may define a closed hull window, but preferably they define between them a recess that is opened at the first end of the vessel's hull; this improves the accessibility of the pipeline in the region where it leaves the vessel. The separate portions also preferably define between them a recess that is opened at the bottom; this enables the duct to pass below the bottom of the vessel's hull before it reaches the first end of the vessel's hull. The separate portions can be joined to each other above the waterline.
[00027] When a vessel is used to seat the pipeline by the "S" settlement, the pipeline normally leaves the vessel at the stern so that the vessel moves forward during pipeline laying. Consequently, the first end of the vessel's hull is preferably at the stern end.
[00028] The pipeline laying path preferably begins to curve downstream of some or all of the tensioners. By introducing the curvature to the duct, it becomes possible to have the duct tilted downwards in an anticipated stage on its path close to the first end of the vessel's hull, thus enabling the duct inclination at the first end of the vessel's hull to be able to be increased. Thus, it is preferred that at least one tensioner is disposed along the portion of the duct laying path that is sloped downwards with respect to the upstream portion of the duct laying path, and it is more preferable that all tensioners are arranged along portions of the duct laying path that are inclined downwards with respect to the upstream portion of the duct laying path.
[00029] The position of one or more of the tensioners can be adjustable along the duct laying path. This further increases the vessel's ability to adapt to a wide variety of pipeline laying conditions.
[00030] The present invention is particularly applicable to duct laying arrangements in which duct segments are in turn welded to the end of the duct as it is laid, instead of duct settlements on coils. Consequently, the vessel preferably additionally includes welding stations arranged along the duct laying path to weld additional sections of duct to a duct being laid along the duct laying path. The vessel preferably also includes prefabrication stations on the vessel to weld individual duct sections together to form duct sections, each comprising a plurality of individual duct lengths. Prefabrication stations can be arranged to weld two, three or four individual duct lengths by welding.
[00031] An advantage of the vessel, according to the present invention, is that it can be used for laying pipelines in both deep and shallow waters. When laying the duct in shallow water, the amount of curvature introduced into the duct before it leaves the vessel may be deliberately less than the maximum allowed by the vessel's design, but when laying the duct in deep water it is usually preferred to introduce as much curvature as possible. In a configuration to introduce as much curvature as possible, it is preferred that the pipeline laying path enters the water at an inclined angle to the horizontal greater than 20 degrees. The maximum slope that can be obtained will depend on the curvature that the duct can tolerate and will generally be greater for a small diameter duct than for a large diameter duct.
[00032] For some applications, the first and second ramps will be all that is needed to guide the pipeline. For example, the vessel is capable of operating in shallow water (less than 150m in depth and even less than 50m in depth). Especially for laying in deep water (deep water being defined as having a depth greater than 1000m) it may be desirable to connect one or more external ramps to a first and a second ramp to allow the duct to be supported until reaching a steeper slope. Thus, the vessel can additionally include an external ramp that defines a part of the duct laying path and which is connected to an end upstream to the end downstream of the second ramp. For operation in even deeper waters, the vessel may additionally include an additional external ramp that defines a part of the pipeline settlement path and which is connected by a pivot to an ex-tremity upstream to the downstream end of the ramp initially mentioned. One or more actuators, for example, piston arrangements and hydraulic cylinders can be provided to control the pivot movement of one or more external ramps. A locking arrangement can be provided to lock one or more external ramps in a plurality of orientations.
[00033] The duct laying path preferably includes a curved portion extending from the straight and substantially horizontal upstream portion of the duct laying path to the downstream portion of the duct laying path. The invention can be applied to the laying of a duct of a wide variety of diameters.
[00034] In conventional vessels for "S" settlement, the curvature is initially introduced in the duct near the stern of the vessel with much of the curvature of the duct occurring in the stern of the vessel. Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow this initial curvature to occur long before and close to the center of the vessel.
[00035] According to the first aspect of the invention there is also provided a method of laying a vessel's duct, in which the duct is guided towards the first end of the vessel along a path along which a plurality of stations work are arranged, the duct being guided by a plurality of ramps in the region of the first end of the vessel, the plurality of ramps including a first ramp that is arranged along the pipeline laying path, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end, and a second ramp that is arranged along the duct-to-downstream path of the first ramp, the slope of which is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end, where the downstream end of the first ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and one end upstream of the the second ramp is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel.
[00036] The vessel can be in any of the ways defined above.
[00037] Preferably, a work platform of a work station is mounted in an adjustable way on the first ramp and is moved with respect to the first ramp when the inclination of the first ramp is changed to reduce the change in the inclination of the work platform.
[00038] In the description of the vessel and the method above, a preferred form of vessel has been described. This vessel incorporates several characteristics that are not only inventive and advantageous when combined, but also inventive and advantageous when used alone or in other combinations. For example, the feature that there is an external ramp set including first and second ramps that can be adjusted in relation to each other and that can be locked in a chosen position is a feature that can be usefully employed in a different form of duct-laying vessel. Thus, according to a second aspect of the invention, an external ramp set is provided to seat a vessel's duct, an external ramp set including a first ramp, a second ramp downstream of the first ramp, the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp being adjustable, a trigger connected between the first ramp and the second ramp to adjust the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp, and a locking arrangement to lock the ramps in a plurality of orientations relative.
[00039] Providing a locking arrangement to lock the ramps in a plurality of relative orientations, it becomes possible to provide an external ramp set whose configuration can be changed and still be locked in each of the selected configurations, enabling them to behave as a non-adjustable external ramp set.
[00040] While it is within the scope of the invention that the ramps are capable of being locked in any relative orientation within a given continuous range, it is preferred that the ramps are capable of being locked in any number of discrete relative orientations. Usually, it will be preferred that the ramps can be locked in four or more discrete relative orientations. Providing such discrete locking positions becomes more economical to provide a system for reliable locking.
[00041] Where reference is made in this specification to an "external" ramp set, it should be understood that the ramp set is "external" in the sense that in normal use it is positioned predominantly or entirely outside the hull shell of the vessel. It is within the scope of the invention for a part, preferably a smaller part, that the first ramp is located within the vessel's casing.
[00042] Preferably, the second ramp is connected by a pivot to the first ramp, but it should be understood that other arrangements can be adopted to allow the angle of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp to be adjusted.
[00043] The angle of the ramp assembly with respect to the vessel is also preferably adjustable. This can be achieved by pivoting the end upstream of the ramp on the vessel or on a ramp extending from the vessel. One or more struts can then be joined to the first or second ramp to raise or lower the ramp assembly.
[00044] The first and second ramps are preferably connected by an adjustable length joint. The driver is preferably arranged to act directly on the joint and to change the length of the joint, but it is also possible that the driver is not directly connected to any part of the joint, so that the actuation function to change the relative orientation of the ramps and the locking function are completely separate. The locking arrangement can be arranged to fix the length of the joint at a length selected from a plurality. Preferably, there are both a pair of connections located symmetrically on opposite sides of the duct laying path and operated in unison, or more preferably a single joint arranged vertically above or below, preferably below the duct laying path.
[00045] The actuator preferably includes at least one hydraulically actionable assembly. This assembly is preferably arranged to adjust the length of the joint, but, as indicated above, it can be completely separated from the joint. The hydraulic drive is simple and powerful, and the provision of the locking arrangement is especially advantageous in the case of the hydraulic drive because, since the ramps are locked in position with respect to each other, the hydraulic pressure can be released.
[00046] The ramp assembly is preferably connected to the in-boat at a proximal end. The vessel preferably provides the only support for a ramp set; preferably, the distal end of the ramp assembly, which may be the distal end of the second ramp, is a free end.
[00047] The joint preferably comprises members that deform with respect to each other to adjust the length of the joint. The members preferably engage in a telescopic manner. In one embodiment of the invention described below, a male member is telescopically engaged with a female member. The locking arrangement is preferably arranged to lock the members against such sliding movement; in the modality described below the formations that are connected to the members are made to engage with each other to lock the members against the relative movement. Thus, the locking arrangement can include interlockable formations that are movable between the intermediate engagement positions to lock the ramps in a given orientation and disengaged positions to allow the relative orientation of the ramps to be changed. In the modality described below, the formations are made to engage by the relative movement in a direction transversal to the direction of the telescopic movement of the limbs. Interlocking formations can generally be in the form of toothed formations. The formations preferably include contiguous surfaces that are inclined by more than 45 degrees and preferably more than 70 degrees with respect to the direction of the relative sliding movement of the members of the joint. The relative movement of the formations can be driven hydraulically. Preferably, a pair of locking arrangements are provided on opposite sides of the telescopic coupling members.
[00048] If desired, an additional external ramp can be provided, downstream of the second ramp, the orientation of the additional external ramp with respect to the second ramp being adjustable. One or more additional ramps can also be provided sometimes.
[00049] The first and second ramps preferably include guide members to guide the duct on the ramps. Guide members can include guide rollers. If desired, the positions of the guide members can be adjusted to adjust the path of the duct with respect to the ramps.
[00050] The adjustment range of the ramp set preferably allows the approximate bending radius of the duct path, as it passes through the ramps, to be less than 200 m, and more preferably approximately 150 m or less than 150 m. In an embodiment of the invention described below, the bending radius can be adjusted to a minimum of approximately 100 m. Also, the adjustment range of the ramp assembly preferably allows the approximate radius of curvature of the duct path as it passes through the ramps to be greater than 250 m, more preferably approximately 300 m or more and more preferably even greater than 350 m. In an embodiment of the invention described below, the bending radius can be adjusted to a maximum of approximately 400 m. Thus, the ability to adjust the ramps can allow the pipeline to be guided by a wide range of curvatures as it leaves the vessel.
[00051] According to the invention, there is also provided a duct laying vessel including an external ramp set as defined above.
[00052] The vessel is preferably capable of laying an S-duct. An external ramp set of the invention is of particular value when laying in S because the duct often leaves the vessel at a relatively shallow inclination angle (with respect to the horizontal). ) and, especially in deep waters, bending at a steep slope angle may be required. The vessel may also be able to seat a J.
[00053] The vessel may include an additional ramp immediately upstream of an external ramp set. The inclination of the additional ramp can be adjustable. The upstream end of the first ramp can be connected by a pivot to the downstream end of the additional ramp.
[00054] According to the invention there is also provided a method of laying a vessel's duct, the method including the following steps: the provision of an external ramp set including a first ramp, a second ramp downstream of the first ramp , the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp being adjustable, a trigger connected between the first ramp and the second ramp to adjust the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp, and a locking arrangement to lock the ramps in a plurality relative guidelines; the laying of a duct from the vessel with the duct passing and being guided by an external ramp set with a first and a second ramp locked in a first relative orientation; the unlocking of the locking arrangement; adjusting the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp of the first orientation relative to a second relative orientation by operating the actuator; locking the first and second ramps in the second orientation; and the laying of the duct from the vessel with the duct passing over and being guided by an external ramp set with the first and second ramps locked in the second relative orientation.
[00055] An especially preferred feature of the invention is that the vessel can continue to settle with the duct passing over and being guided by an external ramp set while the first and second ramps are adjusted from the first orientation relative to the second relative orientation . Usually, it would be necessary to abandon a duct before an external ramp set is adjusted because of the heavy loads imposed on a ramp set by the tension in the duct while it is being laid. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the second ramp can be pivoted with respect to the first ramp with the duct still in position on a ramp set and imposing large loads on it.
[00056] In the method of the invention, it is preferred that the orientation of the second ramp with respect to the first ramp is adjusted by one or more hydraulic jacks and, when the first and second ramps are locked in the second orientation, the hydraulic pressure in one or more hydraulic jacks is released. It is of considerable practical advantage to be able to take the step of releasing hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic jacks and not having to depend on the hydraulic fluid to keep the ramps in the desired relative orientation.
[00057] It will be estimated that the ramp set, vessel and method of the invention as described herein are closely related and that therefore the essential or preferred characteristics of one can be incorporated into the other, unless otherwise indicated or clearly inappropriate. Any aspect of the invention method can use any form of the apparatus of the invention. More particularly, the method of laying a duct according to the invention can use any form of ramp set described above. Similarly, an apparatus of the invention can be configured in such a way that it can be suitable for use in a method according to any form of the invention. Thus, features described above with respect to the ramp set or the vessel of the invention can be incorporated into the method of the invention and vice versa. Brief description of the drawings
[00058] As an example, the modalities of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached schematic drawings, of which:
[00059] Figure 1 is a side view partially in section of a single-hull vessel to seat a duct, the vessel including a single set of adjustable internal ramp and not expressing the invention
[00060] Figure 2 is a side view partially in section of the vessel of figure 1 modified according to a modality of the invention by providing an additional set of internal ramps upstream of another set of internal ramps, the modified vessel also having a ramp external (tube guide),
[00061] Figure 3A is a side view of the additional internal ramp assembly in a first position suitable for operation with six workstations,
[00062] Figure 3B is a side view of the additional internal ramp assembly in a second position suitable for operation with seven workstations,
[00063] Figure 4A is a side view of the additional internal ramp assembly with a working platform in a first position, elevated from the ramp assembly,
[00064] Figure 4B is a side view of the additional internal ramp assembly with a work platform in a second lower position with respect to the ramp assembly, and
[00065] Figure 5 is an isometric view of the additional set of internal ramp with some additional parts shown and some parts omitted.
[00066] Figure 6 is a side view of an external ramp assembly supported by a duct laying vessel,
[00067] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of an external ramp set shown in Figure 1,
[00068] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a joint between the first and second ramps of an external ramp set, the union being shown in an extended condition,
[00069] Figure 9A is a side view of the joint in a retracted condition,
[00070] Figure 9B is a side view of the joint in an extended condition, and
[00071] Figure 9C is a diagrammatic sectional view of a locking arrangement for the joint. Detailed description of the modalities
[00072] Figure 1 is the same drawing as shown in WO 2008/107186 and reference can be made to that publication for further details of that vessel. However, since the modalities of the invention described below comprise modifications of the vessel shown in the drawings of WO 2008/107186, it is convenient to briefly describe the vessel shown in that publication.
[00073] The vessel generally comprises a vessel hull 1, within which a plurality of prefabricated decks are defined for the prefabrication of joined duct sections of individual duct segments and in which cranes and other facilities are provided. The bow 5 of hull 1 is shown on the right side and the stern 6 of hull 1 is shown on the left, as seen in the figure. 1.
[00074] The hull of vessel 1 has an unconventional design at the stern end, having portions of the starboard and port side between which an elongated recess is defined. The recess is open at the stern end of hull 1 and is also open downwards (to the sea), but can be closed from the top by a deck. In figure 1, an internal ramp 9 is shown connected by a pivot to the hull of the vessel and is arranged in the protected area of the stern defined by the recess elongated by the stern end of the hull.
[00075] The vessel's barycenter B (center of gravity) is marked in figure 1, which also shows the waterline W (the sea level when the vessel is in its working draft). The bearing axis R (the axis around which the vessel naturally spins) coincides with the waterline W.
[00076] Along the length of the middle of the vessel, a pipeline laying path (line of fire) is defined. Ramps are provided along the path: at the upstream end (on the right side as seen in figure 1) of the path, there is a fixed straight and horizontal ramp 10; then there is a fixed and curved ramp 11 that extends between the fixed ramp 10 and an internal ramp 9. Thus, the duct laying path has a horizontal section upstream along the ramp 10 and leading to a curved section 11 that it has fixed and constant curvature and that in turn leads to the downstream section along the internal ramp 9. The inclination of the ramp 9 with respect to the hull of the vessel 1 can be adjusted and a ramp 9 is also provided with rollers that can move in a plane transversal to the duct laying path to change the curvature of the ramp 9. Thus, at one end (suitable for laying in relatively shallow water), the portion of the duct laying path along the internal ramp 9 can only have a small amount of curvature and the downward slope of the path may be only slightly greater at one end downstream of the internal ramp 9 than at one end downstream of the curved ramp 11; at the other end (suitable for laying in relatively deep water) the duct laying path along the internal ramp 9 may have a greater amount of curvature so that the downward slope of the duct laying path at one end downstream of the internal ramp 9 is substantially greater than the downward slope of the path at one end downstream of the curved ramp 11. In figure 1, ramp 9 is shown pivoted to a suitable position to substantially increase the downward slope of the duct laying path. .
[00077] Workstations in the form of welding stations 12 are provided along the fixed ramp 10 to weld new sections joined from the duct to the end of the duct being laid. The active length of the straight and horizontal portion of the duct laying path extends a distance corresponding to a joined section of the duct upstream of the soldering station further upstream 12 (one of the most to the right in figure 1) to the upstream end of the curved ramp 11. The extended length of the straight and horizontal portion leads to a location below the helicopter 30 shown in figure 1. The tensioners 13, of which three are shown in figure 1, are provided along the curved ramp 11 for tensioning the duct the ebb of the tensioners. The precise shape of the welding stations and tensioners is not relevant to the present invention and can therefore assume any known shape. It can be noted that in figure 1 the tensioners 13 are shown as track-track tensioners, but it should be understood that they can take other forms.
[00078] At the ebb of tensioners 13, the tension in the duct will cause it to follow the curvature of ramps 11 and 9 so that only rollers below the duct are required. Upstream of one or more of the tensioners 13, however, where the duct laying path bends first, this tension is scarcely present and therefore it may be desirable to provide pressure rollers (not shown) above the duct to apply downward pressure on the duct and make it follow the path defined by the curved ramp 11. Such pressure rollers can also assist in making the duct follow the path defined by the curved ramp 11 during abandonment / recovery operations.
[00079] When using the vessel to seat a duct, the vessel is propelled in a forward direction by its propulsion system and, as is conventional for the "S" laying of a duct, one maintains a considerable forward thrust, even when the vessel is not moving forward to balance the backward force exerted on the vessel by the tension in the duct. The vessel is preferably equipped with a dynamic positioning system to maintain its desired position at all times. The duct is driven backwards over the vessel along the duct laying path with the tensioners 13 controlling the passage of the duct. As the end of the duct moves along the fixed horizontal ramp 10, new joined sections of the duct are welded to the end of the duct. As the duct reaches the curved ramp 11, the pressure rollers above the duct cause the duct to curve downward following the path of the curved ramp 11 and passing through the tensioners 13. The tension in the duct increases as it it passes through the tensioners 13 reaching full tension after the last tensioner. The duct moves away from the hull of vessel 1 as it passes from the curved ramp 11 to the internal ramp 9 and, after passing the internal ramp 9, enters the water. As can be seen from figure 1, the point of entry of the duct into the water inside the stern protected area defined by the elongated recess in that area. The duct then passes to the end of the internal ramp 9, leaves the internal ramp 9 and goes down to the seabed. Usually, the forward momentum maintained by the vessel will be such that the duct is substantially straight and tangent to the end of the curved path defined by the ramp 9 in the region immediately downstream of the internal ramp 9 before then reducing in inclination as it approaches the seabed. sea. In this way, any sharp curvature at the end of the internal ramp 9 is avoided.
[00080] If the vessel is required to operate in deep water, then it may be desirable to add an additional ramp and / or pipe guides to the outflow of the internal ramp 9 in order to provide additional controlled bend to the duct. In this specification, there is no particular distinction made between the use of the terms "ramp" and "pipe guide" and so no particular construction of any additional ramp is implied by the choice to call it a "ramp" instead of a "guide" of tubes ".
[00081] Figure 2 shows the stern end of the vessel already described with reference to figure 1, but modified according to the invention. The main modification is the provision of another adjustable internal ramp upstream of the ramp 9 of the vessel of figure 1, resulting in a vessel that has a first adjustable internal ramp 21 and a second adjustable internal ramp 22.
[00082] In figure 2, a tube guide 23 is shown connected to the downstream end of the second ramp 22. The upstream end of the tube guide 23 is connected by a pivot at 24 to the downstream end of the second ramp 22 which by it is in turn connected by a pivot at 29 to the hull of the vessel. A pair of hydraulic rams 25 are connected by a pivot to a ramp 22 towards its downstream end to enable the second ramp 22 to be pivoted with respect to the vessel's hull 1. Similarly, a pair of hydraulic rams 26 are connected by a pivot to the tube guide 23 in an intermediate part along its length to allow the tube guide to be pivoted around its pivoted connection to the second ramp 22.
[00083] The tube guide 23 shown in figure 2 is made up of two portions 23A and 23B that are connected together by a pivot at their tops in a connection 27 and connected at their bottoms by a pair of fixed links 28. In this mode, the tube guide operates as a single external ramp. However, it is possible to replace the links 28 with a pair of hydraulic rams and, by activating these rams, pivot the outflow portion 23B of the pipe guide with respect to the upstream portion 23A.
[00084] The ramps 21 and 22 and the tube guide 23 are provided with guiding elements in the form of sets of rollers and / or sets with rails that guide a pipeline being seated from the vessel. The guiding elements are mounted in an adjustable way on the ramps 21, 22 and optionally also on the pipe guide 23, with suitable hydraulic actuators (not shown) in order to define the desired curvature for the path of the duct as it passes through the guiding elements .
[00085] Referring now to figures 3A to figure 5, some additional details of the ramp 21 and the set of which it forms a part can be seen. The ramp 21 has a main structure 31 that is suspended at its downstream end by a pair of sturdy extensible struts 32, and at its upstream end by a pair of less sturdy struts 33 (one of the struts 32 being omitted from figure 5 ). The struts 33 comprise screw jacks that are connected by a pivot at a lower end to the structure 31 and connected by a pivot at the upper end to the vessel's hull. The purpose of the struts 33 is to adjust the vertical position of an end upstream of the first ramp 21. They do not resist the movement of the ramp 21 along the duct laying path. The struts 32 on the other hand allow the movement of the structure 31 along them but are rigidly connected to the vessel at its upper ends. The position of the structure 31 along these struts is adjustable by the operation of a pair of hydraulic rams 35 and is lockable in a given selected position. Such jacketing systems are known to you. The pair of struts 32 not only support the vertical load imposed by the weight of the ramp 21 and the transverse load imposed by the tension in the duct as it passes through the ramp in a curved path, but they are also capable, if necessary, of accommodating the imposed loads by the fixed clamp 34 that can be mounted on the ramp 21 and is shown only in figure 5.
[00086] In normal operation the fixed clamp 34 is not operated and no longitudinal load is transmitted from the clamp 34 to the ramp 21, but in some circumstances it will be desirable to maintain the tension in the duct by a fixed clamp 34 (for example to allow the duct to clamp amount 34 is cut). In this case, the clamp 34 is attached to the duct and the longitudinal load then exerted on the clamp 34 (whose load is probably greater than 100 tons and can be greater than 500 tons) transmitted to the structure 31 of the ramp 21 through a pair of hydraulic rams. 38, one of which is referred to in figure 5. The load of the ram 38 is transmitted to the respective of the struts 32 which then transmit the longitudinal load through the struts to the structure 31. As will be understood, the fixed clamp moves with the end downstream of ramp 21 and, as a result, can move in a vertical plane perpendicular to the pipeline laying path at a distance of 4 m or more.
[00087] The structure of the internal clamp may be of a type known to you. A suitable form of cuff is described in our British Patent Application No. 0909425.1, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[00088] The ramp assembly incorporating the ramp 21 is also provided with a work platform 41 that is mounted in an adjustable way on a ramp. A pair of hydraulically operated connections 42 and a pair of hydraulic rams 43 on the side of connections 42 are provided to make the adjustment. By adjusting the connections 42 and the rams 43, it will be seen that the height of the platform 41 and also its inclination with respect to the ramp 21 can be adjusted as desired. In figures 4A and 4B the platform is shown in the upper and lower horizontal positions respectively. As will be understood, the terms "upper" and "lower" in the previous sentence refer to the position of the platform in relation to the ramp 21. In the drawings, the platform 41 is shown with a pair of load manipulator arms 47, but will remain understood that one can provide a wide variety of equipment on the platform.
[00089] The vessel is provided with a control system that is able to control the operation of connections 42 and rams 43, automatically or semi-automatically, to keep the work platform 41 in its desired position when the ramp 21 is moved . The control system is integrated with the system to control the movement of the ramp 21 and in a preferred embodiment of the invention the same control system controls the movement of the ramp 22 and the pipe guide 23 as well as any sets of guiding elements on the ramps and tube guides that are adjustable to control the curvature of the duct. In this regard it can be noted that in figure 5 rails 46 are provided at opposite ends of the ramp 21 to guide the duct.
[00090] Referring again to figure 1, reference has already been made to the three welding stations referred to as 12. Also shown in figure 1 are three additional work stations referred to as 12A, 12B and 12C. It can be seen that the pivot connection 29 is in the region of workstation 12C, which is the sixth workstation. In the embodiment of the described invention, there is yet another soldering station 12D, the ebb from station 12C. As shown in figure 1, the workstation is moved vertically above ramp 9 and is apparently useless, but figure 1 shows ramp 9 at a relatively steep slope. At a shallower slope of ramp 9, workstation 12D is positioned in the region of ramp 9 and can be used to perform additional work on the duct. The provision of this seventh workstation, when it can be used, is useful to allow work on the duct to be distributed between one or more stations and therefore the time for which the duct has to be stationary at the work stations can be reduced. In figure 2, the position of the seventh workstation 12D is again highlighted.
[00091] In the description above, the dimensions of the vessel and the pipeline laying path are not mentioned. The particular arrangement chosen for any particular vessel will depend on many circumstances, including the intended use of the vessel. For a vessel incorporating the invention and especially well suited for laying triple lengths of duct, each 36 m long (12 m per individual duct length), a particularly advantageous set of parameter ranges is as follows:

[00092] As will now be understood, the vessel has two modes of operation. In one mode (referred to elsewhere in the specification as the second mode), illustrated in figure 3A, but not in figure 3B, a relatively large degree of curvature is introduced into the duct, as required when laying the duct in relatively deep water. In this mode, the final (seventh) 12D workstation is not used. In another mode, (referred to elsewhere in the specification as the first mode), shown in figure 3B, but not in figure 3A, a relatively small degree of curvature is introduced into the duct, as required when laying the duct in relatively shallow water . In this mode, the final (seventh) workstation is used.
[00093] The different positions of the ramp 21 in the two modes can be readily evaluated by comparing figures 3A and 3B. It can be seen that the ramp 21 is higher, in relation to the hull of the vessel 1, in figure 3B than in figure 3A and that the inclination of the ramp 21 is less in figure 3B than in figure 3A. In each case, however, the work platform 41 is adjusted to an approximately horizontal position.
[00094] In figure 3A, the curved solid lines L1 and L2 show approximately the ends of the path from the bottom of the P pipeline to the first mode with six work stations. In the case of line L1 the radius of curvature of the duct as it passes through the ramp 21 is 110 m (the smallest radius of curvature corresponding to the highest degree of curvature) and in the case of line L2 the radius of curvature of the duct as it passes through ramp 21 is 300 m. Similarly, in figure 3B, the curved solid lines L3 and L4 show approximately the ends of the path from the bottom of the P pipeline to the seating in the seven workstation mode. In the case of line L3, the radius of curvature of the duct, as it passes through ramp 21 is 130 m, and in the case of line L4, the radius of curvature is 460 m (the largest radius of curvature corresponding to the smallest degree curvature).
[00095] Figure 6 shows in a dotted outline the aft portion of a hull 61 of the duct laying vessel already described with reference to figure 1.
[00096] A ramp 62 is provided at the stern of the vessel to guide a pipeline as it leaves the vessel. In the example shown, a ramp 62 is mounted on a pivot at its upstream end 63 and the inclination of the ramp 62 can be adjusted by raising or lowering, with respect to the hull of the vessel 61, a pair of connecting struts 64 (one of which is visible in figure 6) to cause the pivot movement of the ramp 62.
[00097] Referring now also to figure 7, an external ramp assembly 66 is connected by a pivot to the downstream end 67 of ramp 62 and extends to a free end. An external ramp set includes a first ramp 68 and a second ramp 69. Each of the first and second ramps has a truss structure, the truss structure including a pair of upper longitudinal members 70 (one of which is visible in figure 6) on opposite sides of the ramp, a lower longitudinal member 71 along the bottom of each ramp and structural members 75 extending between members 70 and 71 to provide a strong truss structure. The upper longitudinal members 70 of the ramps 68 and 69 are connected by a pivot together at the connections 72 and their lower longitudinal members 71 are connected together by a joint 74 of adjustable length. As can be readily seen from figure 6, adjusting the length of the joint 74 causes the ramps 68 and 69 to pivot with respect to each other.
[00098] The inclination of the ramp 68 can be adjusted by raising or lowering, with respect to the hull of the vessel 61, a pair of connecting struts 76 (one of which is visible in figure 6) to cause the ramp to pivot 68 with respect to ramp 62.
[00099] The ramps are each provided with sets of guide rollers 78 on which the duct is guided when the vessel in use is laying a duct. The guide rollers can be in fixed positions on the ramps or their positions can be adjustable to provide an additional facility to adjust the path along which the duct walks as it is being seated. In figure 6 a dotted line 80 shows the path along which the duct passes.
[000100] The purpose of ramps 68 and 69 is to guide the duct to a chosen slope as it leaves the downstream end of ramp 69. In different conditions this slope is often different. In that embodiment described in the present invention, the provision of joint 74 enables the relative orientation of ramps 68 and 69 to be adjusted with respect to each other by adjusting the length of that joint to cause the ramps to pivot with respect to each other. around your 72 pivot connections.
[000101] In figure 6, the ramp set is shown in a position to introduce only a small degree of curvature in the duct as it is laid, which may be appropriate when laying the duct in relatively shallow water; in figure 7, a set of ramps is shown in a position to introduce a great degree of curvature in the duct as it is laid, which may be suitable when laying the duct in relatively deep water.
[000102] Referring now to figures 8, and from 9A to 9C, the joint 74 is a telescopic joint and generally comprises a male beam 82, a female beam 84 into which an end of male beam 82 is received, a pair of hydraulic jacks 86 and a pair of locking arrangements 88. Each of the male and female beams has a pair of eyes 90 at opposite ends of the joint. The union is connected by a pivot through those eyes to the lower longitudinal members 71 of the ramps 68 and 69.
[000103] The ends of the hydraulic jacks 86 are connected to lateral supports that project 89 into the male beam 82 in the female beam 84. Thus, as will be readily understood, when the jacks 86 are operated in unison, the male beam 82 slides into the female beam 84 and the length of the joint 74 and the separation of the supports 89 is adjusted, causing the ramp 69 to pivot with respect to the ramp 68 around the pivot connections 72. The jacks 86 have a path range between a contraction condition total shown in figure 9A where the joint is fully engaged and a condition shown in figure 9B where the joint is fully extended.
[000104] Locking arrangements 88 are of the same shape and are provided on the upper and lower sides of beams 84 and 86. While both arrangements can be seen in outline in figures 9A and 9B, only the top arrangement is visible in the figure 8 and 9C and will now be described. The upper surface of the male beam 82 which is received within the female beam 84 is provided with a series of transverse teeth 92. Within the female beam 84 at its top, inside a housing 94, a hydraulically driven locking pad 95 is provided with corresponding transverse teeth 96 (figure 9C). Locking pad 95 is hydraulically operated to move between a retracted position, not shown in figure 9C, in which the locking pad teeth are disengaged from the teeth 92 of the male beam 82 so that they do not affect the freedom of the male beam 82 in sliding inside the female beam 84, and an extended condition, shown in figure 9C, in which the teeth 96 of the locking pad 95 interlock with the teeth 92 of the male beam 82 so that they lock the male beam 82 in one particular position within the female beam 84. As will now be understood, since a plurality of interlocking transverse teeth are provided, the beams can be locked in a plurality of discrete different positions between the positions of the fully extended and fully retracted beams, by the cushion locking device 95 which has just been described and the locking pad is similar to the underside of the male beam. Preferably one or more sensors (not shown) are provided to detect the position of the male beam 82 within the female beam 84; the feedback from the sensor (s) can be used to control the operation of the jacks 86 to extend the joint to the required length.
[000105] In operation, ramp 62 can be pivoted with respect to the hull of the vessel 61 by raising or lowering the struts 64. Ramp 68 can also be pivoted with respect to ramp 62 by raising or lowering the struts 76 The ramp 69 can be pivoted with respect to the ramp 68 by retracting the locking pad 95 and then operating the hydraulic jacks 86 to change the length of the joint 74 and make the ramp 69 pivot around the pivot connections 72 with in relation to the ramp 68. Once the joint 74 has been adjusted to the desired length, the locking pads 95 are extended to lock the joint through the interlocking teeth 92 and 96 at the top and bottom of the male beam 82 and the female beam 84 It is then possible to release the hydraulic pressure on the jacks 86.
[000106] How the pivot movement of all the ramps will be understood is around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the duct laying path.
[000107] In the above description, a particular example has been described, but it should be understood that many other variations and modifications are also possible. For example, an external ramp set can be increased in length by adding another ramp that can be connected to a ramp 69 in the same way that ramp 69 is connected to a ramp 68. More ramps can be added similarly if desired. Likewise, while in the described mode the struts 76 are connected to a ramp 68, it is alternatively possible that they are connected to the ramp 69.
[000108] A vessel of the type described above with reference to the drawings is capable of conducting effective duct laying operations with a wide variety of duct sizes and in both shallow and deep water, with deep-sea settlement being especially possible with smaller diameter ducts. Furthermore, the vessel is capable of operating in very shallow waters. The location of the internal ramp within the protected aft area also makes the vessel suitable for operation in the sub-arctic and arctic areas.
[000109] Where, in the description above, integers or elements that have known, obvious or predicted equivalents are mentioned, then such equivalents are incorporated here as if they had been individually presented. Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the present invention, which must be interpreted to encompass any of these equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that the features or characteristics of the invention that are described as preferred, advantageous, convenient or similar are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

权利要求:
Claims (18)
[0001]
1. Vessel for laying a pipeline, the vessel including a plurality of work stations (12) arranged along a pipeline laying path that includes an upstream portion away from a first end of the vessel and a plurality of ramps (21, 22) in the region of the first end of the vessel, the plurality of ramps including a first ramp (21) which is arranged along the duct laying path, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first end upstream and a second downstream end, and a second ramp (22) which is arranged along the downstream duct laying path of the first ramp (21), the inclination of which is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end , the vessel also including welding stations (12) arranged along the pipeline laying path to weld other lengths of pipeline to a pipeline being placed along the path of a pipeline installation, characterized by the fact that the end downstream of the first ramp (21) is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and an end upstream of the second ramp (22) is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel.
[0002]
2. Vessel according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the work platform of a work station is mounted on the first ramp (21) to move with the ramp and is also adjustable in position with relation to the first ramp (21).
[0003]
3. Vessel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the first ramp (21) is mounted in such a way that its inclination can be changed and that it can also be moved in translation with at least one component of the movement in a vertical direction.
[0004]
4. Vessel according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it additionally includes a first adjustment mechanism to effect movement of the first ramp (21) with at least one component of the movement in a vertical direction and a second adjustment mechanism for make a change in the inclination of the first ramp (21).
[0005]
5. Vessel according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the first ramp (21) is mounted on the vessel's body so that in use it can transmit the tension of the duct through its assembly to the deck of the vessel. vessel.
[0006]
6. Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that a clamp for securing the duct is mounted on the first ramp (21).
[0007]
7. Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the second ramp (22) is adjustable between a first upper position in which the workstation (12) is positioned in a given part of the duct laying path next to the second ramp (22) and a second lower position in which the given part of the duct laying path is submerged.
[0008]
8. Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the vessel has a first mode of operation in which the pipeline laying path along the vessel has a relatively small degree of curvature and leaves the vessel at a relatively shallow angle and in which the plurality of workstations (12) includes a downstream workstation that in the first mode of operation is arranged in the region where the duct leaves the vessel, and the vessel has a second mode of operation in which the pipeline laying path along the vessel has a relatively large degree of curvature and leaves the vessel at a relatively sharp angle without passing through the region where the downstream workstation (12) is arranged.
[0009]
9. Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the vessel has a hull (1) and an end downstream of the first ramp (21) and an end upstream of the second ramp (22 ) are positioned on board the first hull end (1) and above the bottom of the hull (1).
[0010]
10. Vessel according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the vessel is a single hull vessel.
[0011]
11. Vessel according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the hull (1) of the vessel includes, in the water line and in the region of its first end, separate portions on opposite sides of the settlement path. duct.
[0012]
12. Vessel according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the separate portions define between themselves in the water line a recess that is opened at the first end of the vessel's hull (1).
[0013]
13. Vessel according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the fact that at least one tensioner (13) is arranged along a portion of the duct-laying path upstream of the first internal ramp (21).
[0014]
14. Vessel according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized by the fact that, using at least one configuration of the vessel, the pipeline laying path enters the sea at an inclined angle with respect to the horizontal of more than 20 degrees.
[0015]
15. Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by the fact that it additionally includes at least one external ramp (66) which defines a part of the duct laying path and which is connected to an upstream end to the downstream end of the second internal ramp.
[0016]
16. Method of laying a vessel's pipeline, characterized by the fact that the pipeline is guided towards the first end of the vessel along a path along which a plurality of workstations (12) are arranged, the duct being guided by a plurality of ramps (21, 22) in the region of the first ex-tremity of the vessel, the plurality of ramps (21, 22) including a first ramp (21) which is arranged along the path of duct seating, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first end upstream and a second end downstream, and a second ramp (22) that is arranged along the path of duct seating downstream of the first ramp (21), whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first end upstream and a second end downstream, where the downstream end of the first ramp (21) is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and an upstream end the second ramp (22) is positioned on board the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel, the embankment also including the welding stations (12) arranged along the pipeline laying path to weld other lengths from a tuto to a duct being placed along the duct seating path.
[0017]
17. Method of laying a vessel duct, characterized by the fact that the vessel is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15.
[0018]
18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by the fact that the work platform of a workstation is mounted in an adjustable way on the first ramp (21) and is displaced with respect to the first ramp ( 21) when the inclination of the first ramp (21) is changed to reduce the change in the inclination of the work platform.

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GB201010305D0|2010-08-04|

US20170253303A1|2017-09-07|

CN102762446A|2012-10-31|

US9862465B2|2018-01-09|

CA2786500C|2018-09-04|

EP2523848B1|2015-01-07|

WO2011086101A3|2011-10-27|

RU2548201C2|2015-04-20|

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法律状态:
2019-01-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2020-06-23| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2021-02-02| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-03-16| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 10 (DEZ) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 16/03/2021, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

GBGB1000556.9A|GB201000556D0|2010-01-13|2010-01-13|Undersea pipe-laying|

GB1000556.9|2010-01-13|

GBGB1010305.9A|GB201010305D0|2010-01-13|2010-06-18|Ramp assembly for laying a pipe|

GB1010305.9|2010-06-18|

PCT/EP2011/050352|WO2011086100A2|2010-01-13|2011-01-12|Undersea pipe-laying|

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