SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING REELS FOR LAYING ELONGATED MEMBERS ON THE BED OF A BODY OF WATER, AUXILIARY STRUCTURE, AND LAYING VESSEL

Abstract

A system configured to handle reels for laying elongated members on the bed of a body of water, and in particular for transferring reels between an auxiliary structure and a laying vessel, has a bridge configured to connect the auxiliary structure and the laying vessel; and actuators configured to move a reel along and resting on the bridge.

Claims

1. A laying vessel configured to lay an elongated member unwound off of a reel, the laying vessel comprising: a main deck; an unreeling station along the main deck, said unreeling station including an unreeling device configured to support the reel for rotation; a pit defined by the main deck, said pit being beneath the unreeling station; and an elevator housed in the pit and configured to lift and lower the reel.

2. The laying vessel of claim 1, which includes a support assembly configured to support a bridge configured to transfer the reel and position the reel at the unreeling device, wherein the elevator is configured to lift the reel onto the bridge and release the reel off of the bridge.

3. The laying vessel of claim 2, wherein the support assembly includes at least one heave compensating device.

4. The laying vessel of claim 2, wherein the support assembly includes two supports each including a supporting point for the bridge, the supporting point being located along a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the laying vessel.

5. A floating auxiliary structure configured to handle a reel for laying an elongated member on a bed of a body of water, the auxiliary structure comprising: a bridge configured to: connect the auxiliary structure and a laying vessel, and guide the reel along a path extending between the floating auxiliary structure and the laying vessel.

6. The floating auxiliary structure of claim 5, wherein the bridge includes two guides slideably mounted on the floating auxiliary structure.

7. The floating auxiliary structure of claim 6, wherein the two guides are movable between: a work position in which the two guides are parallel to each other, with a designated gauge, to define the bridge, and a rest position, in which the gauge of the guides is variable between a first position in which the two guides define a support for the reel, and a second position in which the two guides do not interfere with the reel.

8. The floating auxiliary structure of claim 6, wherein the bridge includes a plurality of runners configured to run along the two guides and support the reel, each runner having an actuator configured to lift a top of the runner and the reel.

9. The floating auxiliary structure of claim 5, which includes: an assembly line configured to assemble a string, and a reeling station, aligned with the assembly line, configured to wind the string onto the reel.

10. The floating auxiliary structure of claim 9, which includes: a transfer station configured to load the reel onto the bridge and unload the reel off of the bridge, and a trolley movable between the reeling station and the transfer station, wherein the trolley is configured to be located underneath the bridge to enable the reel to be loaded onto the bridge at the transfer station.

11. A method of handling a reel for laying an elongated member on a bed of a body of water, the method comprising: winding the reel at a reeling station of an auxiliary structure; transferring the wound reel from the auxiliary structure to a laying vessel via a bridge; unwinding the reel at an unreeling station of the laying vessel; and transferring the empty reel from the laying vessel to the auxiliary structure.

12. The method of claim 11, which includes assembling a string on an assembly line of the auxiliary structure.

13. The method of claim 11, which includes moving the reel between a transfer station and the reeling station via loading the reel onto the bridge and unloading the reel off of the bridge.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary structure includes a floating auxiliary structure.

15. The method of claim 11, which includes lifting the reel and lowering the reel via one selected from the group consisting of: a trolley beneath the reel, a plurality of runners beneath the reel, and an elevator beneath the reel.

16. A system configured to handling a reel for laying an elongated member on a bed of a body of water, the system comprising: an auxiliary structure including a reeling station configured to wind the reel; a laying vessel including an unreeling station configured to unwind the reel; and a bridge configured to: transfer the wound reel from the auxiliary structure to the laying vessel, and transfer the unwound reel from the laying vessel to the auxiliary structure.

17. The system of claim 16, which includes an assembly line on the auxiliary structure, said assembly line configured to assemble a string.

18. The system of claim 16, which includes a runner configured to move the reel along the auxiliary structure between a transfer station, load the reel onto the bridge and unload the reel off of the bridge.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary structure includes a floating auxiliary structure.

20. The system of claim 16, which includes a trolley arranged beneath the reel and configured to lift and lower the reel.

21. The system of claim 16, which includes an elevator arranged beneath the reel and figured to lift and lower the reel.

22. A reel including an axis of rotation and configured to unwind a continuous elongated member on a bed of a body of water, the reel comprising: two grip points along the axis of rotation; and two facing retaining shoulders which are configured to support the reel.

23. The reel of claim 22, wherein an outer edge of each retaining shoulder has two first supporting recesses.

24. The reel of claim 23, wherein the outer edge of each retaining shoulder has two second supporting recesses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] A non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a reel handling system in accordance with the present disclosure and in a work configuration;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a reel with parts removed for clarity;

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a partly sectioned elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of the FIG. 2 reel;

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the FIG. 1 handling system in a further work configuration;

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a partly sectioned elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a reel transfer stage using the handling system according to the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a partly sectioned elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of another stage in transferring the FIG. 5 reel;

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a larger-scale elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the FIG. 4 system;

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of the FIG. 1 system in a rest configuration;

[0064] FIG. 9 shows an elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail in FIG. 1;

[0065] FIG. 10 shows a section, with parts removed for clarity, of the FIG. 9 detail along line X-X;

[0066] FIG. 11 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the FIG. 1 handling system;

[0067] FIG. 12 shows a plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the system according to the present disclosure and with an alternative layout to that in FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 13 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a further layout of the system according to the present disclosure;

[0069] FIG. 14 shows a partly sectioned elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of an alternative embodiment of the handling system according to the present disclosure;

[0070] FIG. 15 shows a partly sectioned elevation, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the alternative embodiment in FIG. 14;

[0071] FIG. 16 shows a cross section, with parts removed for clarity, of a variation of the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section, with parts removed for clarity, of the FIG. 16 variation;

[0073] FIG. 18 shows a plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a further variation of the present disclosure; and

[0074] FIG. 19 shows a plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a reel handling system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Referring now to the example embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 19, FIG. 1 shows as a whole a system configured to handle reels 1, and in particular configured to transfer reels 1 between an auxiliary structure 2 and a laying vessel 3. More specifically, the system according to the disclosure is configured to transfer reels 1, wound with strings 4 configured to form an underwater pipeline (not shown in the drawings), from auxiliary structure 2 to laying vessel 3, and to transfer unwound reels 1 from laying vessel 3 to auxiliary structure 2. Reference number 1 indicates both wound and fully or partly unwound reels.

[0076] In the FIG. 1 layout, auxiliary structure 2 is a floating auxiliary structure, such as a barge equipped with bumpers, and drawn up alongside a quay 5 on one side, and alongside laying vessel 3 on the other.

[0077] Auxiliary structure 2 has a platform 6 supporting a reeling station 7 configured to wind strings 4 onto reels 1; an assembly line 8 configured to assemble strings 4 or portions of strings 4; and a transfer station 9 configured to load and unload reels 1. Auxiliary structure 2 also comprises paths extending along platform 6 to connect reeling station 7, transfer station 9 and storage areas.

[0078] Laying vessel 3 has a main deck 10; an unreeling station 11 where strings 4 are unwound off reels 1; and a pit 12 located at unreeling station 11. Pit 12 is in the form of a recess (i.e., a hold), formed in main deck 10.

[0079] The system comprises a bridge 13 configured to connect auxiliary structure 2 and laying vessel 3; and actuators 14 configured to move reel 1 along bridge 13.

[0080] Bridge 13 and reels 1 are configured so that one reel 1 at a time can be supported stably on bridge 13.

[0081] In the work position, bridge 13 extends partly over platform 6 and partly over main deck 10 of laying vessel 3.

[0082] More specifically, in the work position, bridge 13 extends from transfer station 9 to unreeling station 11, which are also the stations where reels 1 are loaded/unloaded onto/off bridge 13.

[0083] Each reel 1 has an axis of rotation A, and is configured to be moved along bridge 13 in a direction D1 parallel to axis of rotation A.

[0084] In a variation (not shown), the reel and bridge are configured to position the reel on the bridge with its axis of rotation crosswise to the guides, and to move the reel along the guides in a direction parallel to the guides and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reel.

[0085] It should be appreciated that in the handling system according to the present disclosure, each reel 1 is transferred without having to be suspended from a crane. That is, reel 1 is supported at all times.

[0086] It should be further appreciated that reel 1 is part of the handling system, and is configured to cooperate with various component parts of the system to rest on various types of supports with which the system is equipped.

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each reel 1 comprises a drum 15; and two facing retaining shoulders 16 on opposite sides of drum 15.

[0088] Each reel 1 is substantially defined by a cylindrical body extending about axis of rotation A. Strings 4 (FIG. 1) are wound onto drum 15, and are retained by retaining shoulders 16. In the present disclosure, retaining shoulders 16 also serve to support the entire reel 1 and relative string (FIG. 1) when the reel is positioned resting on a support by the retaining shoulders. Consequently, retaining shoulders 16 are configured for this function.

[0089] With reference to FIG. 3, each reel 1 comprises two grip points 17 aligned along axis of rotation A. Each grip point 17 comprises an axial hole engaged by a gripper 18 comprising a shaft. When grip points 17 are engaged by both grippers 18, reel 1 can be rotated about axis of rotation A by the shafts, or by at least one of the shafts, of grippers 18.

[0090] With reference to FIG. 2, each reel 1 has four supporting points 19, only two of which are shown in FIG. 2. The outer edge of each retaining shoulder 16 has two supporting points 19. Each supporting point 19 is substantially defined by a recess formed along the outer edge of retaining shoulder 16. The four supporting points 19 have respective coplanar supporting faces 20; and respective retaining faces 21 coplanar in pairs.

[0091] Each reel 1 has four supporting points 22, only two of which are shown in FIG. 2. The outer edge of each retaining shoulder 16 has two supporting points 22 located between the two supporting points 19. Each supporting point 22 is substantially defined by a recess formed in the outer edge of retaining shoulder 16. The four supporting points 22 have respective coplanar supporting faces 23; and respective retaining faces 24 coplanar in pairs.

[0092] At reeling station 7 and unreeling station 11 (FIG. 1), reel 1 is supported at grip points 17.

[0093] On bridge 13 (FIG. 1), each reel 1 is positioned resting on supporting points 19.

[0094] Each reel 1 is positioned resting on supporting points 22 as reel is transferred from reeling station 7 to transfer station 9, and as reel is transferred to unreeling station 11 on board laying vessel 3.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows bridge 13 in the work position, and an empty reel 1 resting on bridge 13 at transfer station 9.

[0096] More specifically, bridge 13 comprises two guides 25 which, in the work position, are parallel to each other, with a designated or given gauge, and substantially horizontal. Each guide 25 is hinged to platform 6 about an axis A1 perpendicular to guide 25, and can be rotated selectively about axis A1.

[0097] More specifically, each guide 25 is movable independently of the other.

[0098] Laying vessel 3 comprises a support assembly 26 configured to support bridge 13. More specifically, support assembly 26 is movable with respect to main deck 10 to compensate for wave motion and reduce any oscillation of bridge 13 induced by laying vessel 3. In the example shown, support assembly 26 comprises four controlled-yield compensating devices 27 located partly inside pit 12 and comprising plates 28 projecting above main deck 10. Each guide 25 rests on two plates 28.

[0099] Unreeling station 11 has an unreeling device 29 configured to grip reel 1 at grip points 17. An elevator 30 is housed inside pit 12, substantially at unreeling station 11, to unload reel 1 off bridge 13, load real 1 onto bridge 13, and position reel 1 at unreeling device 29.

[0100] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, unreeling device 29 comprises two slides 31 mounted to slide with respect to main deck 10 in a direction D1, and two grippers 18 mounted on slides 31. In the present document, the term direction is used in the sense of path, regardless of the actual direction. A direction indicated in the drawings is intended purely by way of example, and does not exclude the possibility of movement in the opposite direction to the one shown in the drawings.

[0101] Unreeling device 29 comprises actuators (not shown in the attached drawings), configured to move slides 31 and respective grippers 18 towards and away from each other in two-way direction D1, and to rotate at least one of grippers 18. To transfer reel 1 from bridge 13 to unreeling device 29, bridge 13 extends over pit 12, in which elevator 30 is housed, and over unreeling device 29.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 5, elevator 30 comprises two uprights 32 fitted in sliding manner to the lateral walls of pit 12; and a frame 33 connected to uprights 32 and configured to engage a reel 1 resting on bridge 13 at unreeling station 11. In other words, when raising elevator 30, frame 33 engages reel 1 at supporting points 22, and raises reel 1 with respect to bridge 13.

[0103] At this point, bridge 13 is withdrawn, and elevator 30 is lowered inside pit 12 to align the axis of rotation A of reel 1 with grippers 18, which are activated to engage grip points 17 of reel 1, as shown in FIG. 6. Once reel 1 is engaged by grippers 18, elevator 30 is lowered further to release frame 33 from supporting points 22 of reel 1 and permit rotation of reel 1.

[0104] With reference to FIG. 7, reels 1 are transported along platform 6 of auxiliary structure 2 using trolleys 34. Each trolley 34 is configured to transport one reel 1 and to travel along paths laid out on platform 6. In the example shown, the paths are defined by a grid of rails 35 (FIG. 1). And each trolley 34 is configured to engage and travel along two rails 35.

[0105] Each trolley 34 comprises a frame 36 configured to support reel 1 at supporting points 22.

[0106] Trolley 34 comprises runners 37 fitted to rails 35, and cooperates with actuators 38 (FIG. 11) configured to move along rails 35 and to engage and draw along trolley 34. In certain embodiments, actuators 38 comprise hydraulic jacks.

[0107] Trolley 34 is sized to fit between guides 25 and to transfer reel 1 from trolley 34 to bridge 13 and vice versa.

[0108] Trolley 34 is capable of slight lifting movements utilizing actuators 39.

[0109] Bridge 13 also comprises runners 40 fitted to and which run along guides 25. In certain embodiments, runners 40 are known types, such as a Hilman rolling platform. In addition, each runner 40 comprises an actuator 41 configured to raise the top of runner 40 with respect to guide 25. In other words, reel 1 resting on bridge 13 is positioned resting on four runners 40 configured to run along guides 25. On entering transfer station 9 with reel 1, trolley 34 positions supporting points 19 on runners 40. By slightly raising runners 40, reel 1 can be lifted off trolley 34 and transferred from trolley 34 to bridge 13. At this point, trolley 34 can be withdrawn from transfer station 9, and reel 1 lowered.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 4, actuators 14 are configured to draw or push runners 40 and therefore reel 1 along bridge 13. In certain embodiments, actuators 14 also comprise hydraulic jacks engaging guides 25, and may also serve as a parking brake to hold runners 40 and reel 1 in a designated or given position.

[0111] FIG. 8 shows bridge 13 in a rest configuration, in which guides 25 are perpendicular to platform 6. More specifically, bridge 13 comprises actuators, (not shown), configured to rotate guides 25 about axes A1 from the FIG. 4 work configuration to the rest configuration, and vice versa. Moving from the work to the rest configuration by simply rotating guides 25 about axes A1, however, is only possible when unreeling station 11 is free of reel 1. That is, each reel 1 is larger in diameter than the gauge of guides 25, which is necessarily reduced to provide adequate support for reel 1 resting on guides 25. As shown in FIG. 8, each guide 25 is mounted on a slide 42, which is fitted to platform 6 to slide in a direction perpendicular to guide 25. This way, the gauge of guides 25 can be adjusted utilizing an actuator 43.

[0112] With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, each guide 25 is defined by a trellis structure 44 with a rail 45 on top. Trellis structure 44 is hinged at one end to slide 42 about axis A1, and has wheels 46 by which to roll along platform 6. Wheels 46 serve to reduce friction when altering the gauge of guides 25 resting on platform 6.

[0113] With reference to FIG. 11, at reeling station 7, auxiliary structure 2 comprises a reeling device 47, which in turn comprises two uprights 48 fixed to platform 6, two slides 49 fitted to the top of and movable in direction D1 with respect to respective uprights 48, and two grippers 18 fitted to slides 49. To transfer a reel 1 from a trolley 34 to reeling device 47, trolley 34 is inserted between uprights 48; reel 1 is gripped by grippers 18; and trolley 34 is lowered to permit rotation of reel 1. Trolley 34 remains underneath reel 1 the whole time reel is being wound. When winding of the reel is completed, trolley 34 is raised to support the weight of reel 1, and grippers 18 and respective slides 49 are parted to release grippers 18 from reel 1. Trolley 34 and reel 1 are now free to be removed from winding station 7 and drawn by actuators 38 along rails 35 to a holding/storage area.

[0114] With reference to FIG. 1, to load a wound reel 1 into a vacant unreeling station 11 on laying vessel 3, laying vessel 3 is drawn up alongside auxiliary structure 2, and bridge 13 is laid between auxiliary structure 2 and laying vessel 3. At this point, trolley 34 and the wound reel 1 are moved into transfer station 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the wound reel 1 is transferred from trolley 34 to bridge 13 by raising runners 40.

[0115] Once transferred to bridge 13, the wound reel 1 is moved in direction D1 into a position over pit 12 at unreeling station 11.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 5, elevator 30 lifts reel 1 off bridge 13.

[0117] Guides 25 are parted to increase the gauge, and are rotated into a vertical position as shown in FIG. 8.

[0118] Next, elevator 30 lowers reel 1 to set reel, at least partly, into a position in which reel can be gripped by grippers 18. Once reel 1 is gripped by unreeling device 29, elevator 30 is lowered further to clear reel 1 as reel is being unreeled.

[0119] In the FIG. 12 variation, the handling system comprises two bridges 13, one connecting auxiliary structure 2 to laying vessel 3, and the other connecting auxiliary structure 2 to quay 5.

[0120] In the FIG. 13 variation, auxiliary structure 2 is positioned endwise with respect to quay 5, and has two bridges 13 projecting from opposite edges of auxiliary structure 2 to serve two laying vessels 3 at the same time.

[0121] In the FIG. 14 embodiment, bridge 13 is simplified with respect to the embodiment in the preceding drawings. In this embodiment, runners 40 (FIGS. 4 and 7) are omitted, and reel 1 slides along guides 25 of bridge 13. To reduce friction between reel 1 and guides 25, guides 25 are greased, or Teflon panels are interposed between reel 1 and guides 25.

[0122] In the FIG. 14 embodiment, actuators 14 (FIG. 4) are also replaced with an actuator 50 on auxiliary structure 2, and an actuator 51 on laying vessel 3. In the example shown, actuators 50 and 51 are two winches comprising respective cables 52 and 53 connectable to reel 1. And reel 1 has two eyelets 54 fitted to the outer faces of respective retaining shoulders 16.

[0123] To supply a wound reel 1 to unreeling station 11, actuator 51 hauls reel 1 along guides 25 utilizing cable 53.

[0124] Conversely, to remove an unwound reel 1 from unreeling station 11, reel 1 is connected to cable 52.

[0125] In FIG. 14, reel 1 is connected to both cables 52 and 53, to illustrate both supply and removal of reel 1 in one drawing.

[0126] Eliminating runners 40 (FIGS. 4 and 7), which in the preceding embodiment also served to lift reel 1, makes it necessary to alter the way in which reels 1 are transferred between bridge 13 and trolley 34.

[0127] In FIG. 15, reel 1 rests on a trolley 34 comprising actuators 55 configured to selectively lift and lower reel 1. Trolley 34 engages reel 1 at supporting points 22, and is configured to lift reel 1 to position supporting points 19 over guides 25, and to lower faces 20 of supporting points 19 below the top surface of guides 25 when the trolley disengages guides 25.

[0128] More specifically, trolley 34 has four actuators 55 configured to engage supporting points 22.

[0129] When a reel 1 resting on a trolley 34 is positioned facing bridge 13, reel 1 is raised to enable trolley 34 to move between guides 25 into the transfer station, with supporting points 19 positioned over guides 25. Next, reel 1 is lowered onto guides 25. And trolley 34 at this point can be withdrawn from transfer station 9.

[0130] In the FIGS. 16 and 17 variation, the compensating device is omitted, and bridge 13 is supported by a support assembly 26 comprising two supports 56. Each guide 25 of bridge 13 is supported on a supporting point 57 of a respective support 56. Supporting point 57 is located along the longitudinal plane of symmetry P of laying vessel 3. In other words, each guide 25 simply rests on a respective support 56, and is free to oscillate and/or slide with respect to supporting point 57. The location of supporting point 57 along longitudinal plane of symmetry P reduces listing of laying vessel 3 induced by bridge 13 and reel 1.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 17, supports 56 are, in certain embodiments, located inside pit 12, and are movable between a work position (shown by the continuous line), and a rest position (shown by the dash line), in which supports 56 enable reel 1 to be inserted freely inside pit 12.

[0132] In the FIG. 18 variation, bridge 13 is movable in direction D1 between a work position and a rest position, the latter (not shown in FIG. 18). Each guide 25 is mounted on a block 58 fitted slidably to auxiliary structure 2, and which has an actuator configured to move guide 25 both ways in direction D1. In other words, each block 58 is connected slidably to a respective guide 25 on platform 6.

[0133] In the FIG. 19 embodiment, auxiliary structure 2 houses two reeling stations 7 and two assembly lines 8 parallel to each other.

[0134] Transfer station 9 is also, in certain embodiments, double, and provides for loading/unloading two reels 1 onto/off bridge 13 even simultaneously.

[0135] In the FIG. 19 embodiment, laying vessel 3 comprises two unreeling stations 11. More specifically, unreeling stations 11 are aligned in direction D1, so they can be served by one bridge 13.

[0136] Bridge 13 in FIG. 19 is longer than the ones described previously, since bridge has to define a double transfer station 9 along platform 6 and cater to two unreeling stations 11.

[0137] Clearly, other changes, not described herein, can be made to the present disclosure without, however, departing from the protective scope of the accompanying Claims. For example, auxiliary structure 2 may comprise one reeling station and two transfer stations, or two reeling stations and one transfer station. Similarly, the auxiliary structure may cater to a laying vessel with one or a number or quantity of unreeling stations. A single transfer station may be supplied in rapid succession with two reels fed along the bridge. Accordingly, various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.