• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    SUBMARINE ANCHOR. The present invention is related to a submarine anchor (1), having a hollow cylinder body (3), which extends downwardly from a top part (13). The anchor has an upper opening (15) and a top hatch (17), which is adapted to close and open the upper opening (15). The cylindrical body (3) is adapted to penetrate the seabed. The area of said opening (15) is at least 30% of the corresponding cross-sectional area involved by the cylindrical body (3).
    公开号:BR112013011510B1
    申请号:R112013011510-6
    申请日:2011-11-07
    公开日:2020-11-17
    发明作者:Mogedal Knut；Kristiansen Bard
    申请人:Aker Solutions As；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [001] The present invention relates to an underwater anchor for attaching underwater equipment to the seabed. Background of the Invention
    [002] To fix floating installations or subsea equipment on the seabed, the procedure of penetrating the seabed with cylinder-shaped skirts is known. Some of these are known as suction anchors, which are arranged to penetrate the seabed, by providing a lower pressure inside the cylinder, unlike applying pressure outside the cylinder. Other types of these devices are simply forced under the sea by gravity. These anchors are based on the frictional forces existing between the cylindrical-shaped skirt and the seabed.
    [003] U.S. Patent No. 6,910,831 describes an anchor that is arranged to penetrate the seabed, by providing negative pressure within it.
    [004] In order to provide this negative pressure, the cylindrical shape of the anchor must be closed in the top section. Thus, the main shape of the anchor consists of a cylindrical side wall and a top plate. In addition, it is known to have a hatch on the top plate. By opening the hatch, it is possible to penetrate the anchor a certain distance into the seabed by means of gravity. In addition, when lowering the surface anchor, it is advantageous to open the hatch, in order to reduce the resistance that appears in the water and in the added mass, when the speed of the anchor in the water is modified. Thus, for example, if the anchor is lowered from a floating installation by means of a hoisting crane, the traction on the crane cable may vary, when large waves change the vertical position or the orientation of the installation. This is particularly critical when lowering the anchor from the sea surface. Specifically, it is necessary to avoid loosening the cable, which, disadvantageously, may affect the crane unit.
    [005] As mentioned, it is known to open a top hatch in order to reduce the added mass. Through an open hatch, water can circulate through the cylindrical shape of an anchor, as well as air, when the anchor is lowered from the sea surface. However, these top hatches cited by the state of the art are disadvantageously small, contributing only in small proportion to the reduction of added mass. Some solutions cited by the state of the art try to solve this difficulty by adding more hatches. Thus, some top plates of some anchors have two or three opening hatches, when the anchor is lowered towards the bottom of the sea.
    [006] By increasing the number of top hatches, the added mass is reduced. However, having a circular top plate featuring two or three top hatches, only a small part of the total area of the top anchor plate opens. Thus, a greater amount of added mass remains resulting in the top plate. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem. Description of the Invention
    [007] According to the present invention, a submarine anchor is provided, having a hollow cylindrical body extending downwardly from a top part. The top part has an upper opening that can be closed with a top hatch. The top hatch is adapted to close and open the top opening. The cylindrical body is adapted to penetrate the seabed. According to the invention, the area of said upper opening is at least equivalent to 30% of the corresponding cross-sectional area that is surrounded by the cylindrical body.
    [008] With such an upper opening and with the top hatch in an open position, the water resistance force when lowering or raising the anchor through the water is reduced to below half the corresponding resistance with a water hatch. closed top, or an anchor without a top hatch. It should also be noted that the added mass resulting from the accelerated water masses when the anchor accelerates, is reduced to approximately 10% of the comparable added mass, with the top hatch closed. This is due to the water inside the cylindrical body being able to circulate almost freely through the open opening of such a relative size. This is particularly advantageous when lowering the anchor in a zone of large waves, with a cable crane in a floating installation, since the added mass increases the risk of the cable loosening or loosening.
    [009] In a preferred embodiment, the opening area is equivalent to at least 50% of the corresponding cross-sectional area involved by the cylindrical body. This percentage appears, for example, when an anchor has a cylindrical body, with a diameter of approximately 8 meters, and an upper opening having a diameter of about 6 meters, or even smaller values. With an opening area of approximately 50%, the added mass is reduced to approximately zero.
    [010] In an additional embodiment, the anchor comprises a support structure that is arranged at the top. The support structure has an open central portion, surrounded by the structure. The open central portion provides space for moving the top hatch between the open and closed positions of the support structure.
    [O1l] In one embodiment, the support structure comprises a model containing a plurality of well slots (rectangular openings).
    [012] The support structure can advantageously comprise two leveling screws and a ball joint, in order to facilitate the leveling of the support structure, that is, to change its orientation in relation to the parts of the anchor that penetrate the bottom of the sea. In addition, the support structure can comprise two adjustable support screws, which can be moved in contact with the top plate, from the support structure or vice versa. The support screws, in this case, are not used for leveling, but to provide additional support points between the support structure and the top anchor plate.
    [013] Preferably, the cylindrical body of the anchor has a substantially circular shape, with an external diameter size in the range of 3 to 12 meters. More preferably, the diameter may have a size in the range of 6 to 10 meters.
    [014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the underwater anchor is arranged with a top structure comprising a well model containing a plurality of well slots. This modality is particularly suitable for use at great depths of the sea, such as, for example, 1000 meters or more. The advantages of this modality will become evident from the following detailed description. Example of Modality
    [015] While some main features of the invention have been described above in general aspects, a more detailed non-limiting description of an example of a modality will be presented below, making reference to the attached drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchor according to the invention, with a top hatch in the open position; figure 2 is a perspective view of the anchor shown in figure 1, with a top hatch in the closed position; figure 3 is a top view of the anchor, with the top hatch in the closed position; figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the top section of the anchor; figure 5 is a segmented view in cross section of the top hatch and a sealing device; figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device between the top hatch and a top plate; and - figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, comprising an installation consisting of an anchor according to the invention and a well model.
    [016] Figure 1 shows an anchor (1) according to the present invention. The anchor (1) has a cylindrical body (3) that has a cylindrical wall with a small thickness, compared to its internal diameter. Typical wall thicknesses can range from 1 to 4 cm. The internal diameter of the cylindrical body (3) can be, for example, 8 meters. However, it can be smaller, such as 3 or 6 meters, or in some cases, larger, such as 10 or 12 meters.
    [017] On the upper part of the cylindrical body (3) a support structure (5) is arranged, adapted to receive subsea equipment, such as a manifold (not shown), when the anchor is installed on the seabed. The support structure (5) has four support surfaces (7), on which the subsea equipment will be adapted to be available.
    [018] The interface between the support structure (5) and the cylindrical body (3) comprises two leveling screws (9) and a ball joint (11). When the anchor has penetrated the seabed, the support structure (5) is leveled by adjusting the two leveling screws (9) with an ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). During this process, the support structure (5) will articulate on the spherical joint (11).
    [019] The support structure (5) has a substantially rectangular or square shape, being constructed mainly of "I" shaped beams, which are welded together. In addition, the structure has a projecting part (5b), which extends slightly out of the rectangular shape, in which part the spherical joint (11) is arranged. It should be noted that the support structure (5) has a large central portion without any parts. The leveling screws (9) and the ball joint (11) are advantageously arranged directly above the wall of the cylindrical body (3), in order to transfer the forces vertically, directly to the cylindrical body (3).
    [020] At the top of the cylindrical body (3) a top plate (13) is provided, which has an upper opening (15). The upper opening (15) can be opened and closed by a top hatch (17), which is attached to the top plate (13) by means of hinges (18). In addition, the top hatch (17) has a hatch closing device (19), which can be operated by an ROV, when the hatch (17) is in the closed position, as shown in figure 2.
    [021] When the hatch (17) is in the closed position, as shown in figure 2, the anchor is only opened in the downward direction, when the cylindrical body (3) is opened at the base. The hatch (17) can be closed in this position by means of an ROV, by rotating an ROV interface (21), arranged at the top of the hatch (17). In this case, the ROV interface (21) is an ROV torque bucket, arranged to be rotated by said ROV. When rotated, a plurality of closing elements (19a) are pushed into receiving closing loops (19b). The receiving closing loops (19b) are arranged on the top plate (13), along the perimeter of the upper opening (15). Preferably, the closing elements (19a) have an inclined top face, which results in a downwardly directed force on the top hatch (17), when the inclined faces of the closing elements (19a) are moved against the closing handles (19b ).
    [022] Figure 3 shows the anchor (1), when seen from above, and with the hatch (17) in a closed position. In this view, the central portion of the support structure (5) without any parts can be seen in a particularly evident way. This central portion is larger than the extension of the top hatch (17), thereby providing space for opening and closing the hatch (17) in the central portion.
    [023] Figure 4 is a side view in cross section, of section AA shown in figure 3. This figure shows the top hatch (17) in the closed position and the closing elements (19a) inserted inside the closing handles ( 19b), thus, being in the closed position.
    [024] A more detailed cross-sectional view is shown in figure 5. A gasket (23) is arranged on the top hatch (17) to provide a seal against the top plate (13) of the anchor (1). It accompanies the perimeter of the top hatch (17), to ensure a complete seal against the top plate (13) of the anchor. In this way, the operator is able to provide positive or negative pressure inside the anchor (1), when the bottom of the anchor has sufficiently penetrated the seabed, to provide a closed space within the anchor. A liquid inlet (not shown) is arranged on the anchor, so that a desired pressure can be released inside the anchor (1).
    [025] The gasket (23) is illustrated in greater detail in figure 6, showing the gasket (23) in an enlarged cross-sectional view. The gasket (23) is connected to the top hatch (17) at its top. This provides freedom of movement for an inner lip (23a) and an outer lip (23b) when they are pressed against an opposite sealing surface of the top plate (13). In addition, the two lips (23a, 23b) extending in opposite radial directions guarantee the functioning of the seal, with a pressure drop on the gasket (23) in both directions. Therefore, the gasket (23) will show the functioning of the seal when a positive pressure or a negative pressure is provided inside the anchor (1). Thus, for example, with a positive pressure inside the anchor (1), the inner lip (23a) will be pressed against the opposite sealing surface by said pressure.
    [026] When lowering the anchor (1) towards the seabed from a floating installation, the top hatch can be secured in its open position, as shown in figure 1, for example, with a rope that is cut when the anchor (1) has been placed. When the top hatch (17) is released from its position, it will simply fall to its closed position by gravity. Due to the great resistance of the water, this falling motion will be sufficiently smooth, in order to avoid damage to the gasket (23) or damage to other parts.
    [027] Figure 7 shows an additional modality of the underwater anchor (1 '), according to the present invention. In this modality, the cylindrical body (3) has an external diameter of 10 m, while the opening (15) closed by the hatch (17) has a diameter of 7.5 cm.
    [028] The support structure (5 ') of this modality is a well model with four well slots (25). In addition to the two leveling screws (9 ') and the ball joint (11) (not shown), as described above, the support structure (5') also comprises two adjustable support screws (9a), of which only one is visible in figure 7. After installing the cylindrical body (3) on the seabed, the support structure (5 ') is leveled as described above by means of the leveling screws (9') on the ball joint (11 '). Once the structure is level, the two support screws are screwed downwards in contact with the top plate (13) of the anchor (1 '). Therefore, in the embodiment shown in figure 7, the support structure (5 ') comprises five support points (of which only three are visible in figure 7) against the upper part of the underwater anchor (1'). The support screws (9a) were arranged, in addition to the leveling screws (9 ') and the ball joint (11'), due to the great weight that was exerted on the slots of the well (25), when installing a conductive coating, that can weigh several tens of tons.
    [029] When installing traditional well models, it is common to arrange the model on a plurality of, normally, four, skirt type anchors. In order to level the model, the depth of penetration of each anchor on the seabed is adjusted, so that the model will be leveled when being supported by the anchors. With suction-type anchors, which have a top that can be sealed, the wall thickness of the cylindrical body must then be dimensioned thickly, in order to withstand the possible pressure necessary, to sufficiently penetrate the seabed during leveling. This, therefore, is desirable to avoid.
    [030] At greater depths of the sea, the conditions of the seabed tend to be worse, because the upper section is considered to be loose or not dense, and if it needs to penetrate a great distance into the seabed before more conditions are reached solid. In addition, conditions are difficult to predict.
    [031] Thus, a solution comprising a plurality of skirt-type anchors, which are based on the friction between the anchor skirt and the seabed to support the weight on top of them, causes a large vertical dimension of the cylindrical bodies (skirts ). Specifically, when installing a well model in deep water, for example, at a depth of 1000 meters or more, this implies an inconvenient and inappropriate solution.
    [032] Therefore, installing the model only on a large underwater anchor (1 '), as illustrated in the modality shown in figure 7, is a more appropriate solution. Since the entire model rests on only one anchor (1 '), the depth of penetration of the anchor (1') in the seabed does not need to be adjusted in relation to the adjacent anchors. After penetrating the seabed, the entire model of the well can be leveled by the leveling screws (9 ') operated by means of ROV, requiring only an anchor to be lowered.
    [033] Thus, the modality described with reference to figure 7 is particularly well suited for great depths of the sea, such as, for example, 1000 meters or more.
    [034] In addition to the four well slots (25) shown in figure 7, the support structure (5 ') shows four projections (27), which extend the main rectangular shape of the support structure (5'). The purpose of these projections (27) is to connect with the well model hatches (not shown), which can be arranged to protect the model and make it possible for an excessive drag condition. These protective hatches are described in International Patent Application Publication WO 2010/103002.
    [035] A manifold (not shown) can be arranged between two pairs of well slots (25).
    [036] The support structure (5 ') of the embodiment shown in figure 7 also differs from the support structure (5) described with reference to figure 1, comprising beams with a box-shaped rectangular cross section. Box-shaped beams will withstand significantly greater torsional forces than the "I" beams shown in figure 1. The projecting part (5b) shown in figure 1, therefore, can be avoided in the drawing shown in figure 7 .
    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [0001]
    1. Submarine anchor (1), having a hollow cylindrical body (3), which extends downwards from an upper part (13), presenting an upper opening (15) and a top hatch (17), which is adapted to close and open the top opening (15), said top hatch (17) being fixed to the top plate (13) with hinges (18), said cylindrical body (3) being adapted to penetrate the seabed, characterized due to the fact that: - the area of said upper opening (15) is at least 30% of the corresponding cross-sectional area involved by the cylindrical body (3); and - the underwater anchor comprises a support structure (5, 5 ') arranged at the top (13), whose support structure (5, 5') has an open central portion, surrounded by the support structure (5, 5 ' ), providing space for moving the top hatch (17) between the open and closed positions in relation to the support structure (5, 5 '), whose support structure is adapted to receive subsea equipment, when the subsea anchor (1) is installed on the seabed.
    [0002]
    2. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the area of the upper opening (15) is at least 50% of the corresponding cross-sectional area involved by the cylindrical body (3).
    [0003]
    3. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the support structure (5 ') comprises a well model with a plurality of well slots (25).
    [0004]
    4. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the support structure (5, 5 ') comprises two leveling screws (9, 9') and two adjustable support screws (9a).
    [0005]
    5. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical body (3) has a circular shape, having an external diameter greater than 3 meters and less than 12 meters.
    [0006]
    6. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical body (3) has a circular shape, having an external diameter greater than 6 meters and less than 10 meters.
    [0007]
    7. Submarine anchor (1), according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it has penetrated the seabed to a depth greater than 1000 meters.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    MX2013005134A|2013-08-01|
    AU2011328226A1|2013-05-23|
    BR112013011510A2|2016-08-09|
    CN103282271B|2016-05-11|
    NO332121B1|2012-07-02|
    RU2013125002A|2014-12-20|
    NO20101581A1|2012-05-10|
    US8833287B2|2014-09-16|
    WO2012062693A1|2012-05-18|
    AU2011328226B2|2016-02-25|
    US20130220206A1|2013-08-29|
    AP2013006914A0|2013-06-30|
    RU2568828C2|2015-11-20|
    CN103282271A|2013-09-04|
    AP3917A|2016-11-30|
    MY164057A|2017-11-15|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2019-07-16| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: AKER SOLUTIONS AS (NO) |
    2019-12-03| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2020-07-21| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2020-11-17| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 07/11/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    NO20101581A|NO332121B1|2010-11-09|2010-11-09|seabed Anker|
    NO20101581|2010-11-09|
    PCT/EP2011/069521|WO2012062693A1|2010-11-09|2011-11-07|Subsea anchor|
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