WO2012158039A2

WO2012158039A2 - Winch device for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water, vessel provided therewith and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2012158039A2
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrik Hessels
Original assignee: U-Sea Beheer B.V.
Priority date: 2011-05-17
Filing date: 2012-05-16
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Also published as: WO2012158039A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a winch device, vessel provided therewith and method therefor. The winch device is suitable for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water, and comprises: - a drum onto which a cable can be wound; and - a spooling device connected operatively to the drum for guiding the cable, wherein the drum is provided with a single-layer wind-up zone onto which a plurality of windings of the cable can be wound. The cable length which can be placed on the wind-up zone is preferably greater than the distance to the water surface.

Description

Winch device for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water, vessel provided therewith and method therefor

The invention relates to a winch device for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water. The winch device is more particularly a so-called spooling system with which at sea loads can be lowered into and/or raised from the sea from a floating object such as a ship or pontoon.

Known in practice are systems for laying for instance cables and pipes from a vessel on open seas. For this purpose these cables are usually unwound from a large drum and carried for instance to the seabed. The seabed lies for instance at a depth of 3-5 km. A problem occurring here is caused by the weight of the load suspended from the cable. Such a load can be a separate load, although it can also be the weight of for instance the cable itself. Caused in the cable as a result of this load are stresses which can result in, among other problems, the cable on the drum as it were being pulled between an underlying layer into the space between cable windings on the drum. The unwinding of the cable from the drum will in this way not proceed as desired. In addition, damage to the cable may occur. It is known in practice to place the cable with a certain bias on the drum in order to counter this undesirable spooling behaviour as much as possible. A further problem is caused by the upward force to which the load is subjected as soon as it is in the water. When lowering of the load begins, this load is still situated in the air above the water surface, usually above the deck. This means that, as a result of the upward force, a change occurs in the load and stress on the cable as soon as it comes into contact with the water surface. This causes the cable to be compressed, squeezed and possibly to roll up poorly . The present invention has for its object to provide a winch device which obviates or at least reduces the above stated problems.

This object is achieved with the winch device according to the invention for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water, the winch device comprising:

a drum onto which a cable can be wound; and

a spooling device connected operatively to the drum for guiding the cable,

wherein the drum is provided with a single-layer wind-up zone onto which a plurality of windings of the cable can be wound. In the context of the present invention cable is also understood to mean conduits, pipes, tubes and other

components .

Providing the drum with a single-layout wind-up zone achieves that the cable in this zone is prevented from being pressed into the free space between cables in an underlying winding as a result of for instance the forces and/or stresses occurring in the cable. This single-layer wind-up zone is realized using a wind-up element which is embodied such that at the position of this element only one layer of the cable can be wound around the drum. Unwinding and/or winding up of the cable from and/or onto the drum is guided by the spooling device.

The winch device according to the invention is

preferably applied on objects suitable for arranging conduits, cables or tubes or for carrying other loads to and from the seabed in open seas. Such objects are for instance ships, pontoons and/or platforms. The cable preferably employed on the drum of the winch device according to the invention is for instance of a metal, a plastic and/or fibre-reinforced composite material. It has been found here that, particularly in the case of plastic cables, the problems occurring in practice are prevented to greater extent than is the case with metal cables. The effect of the present invention is therefore greatest on these cables.

The single-layer part of the drum is preferably provided integrally with the drum such that one entity is obtained with other parts of the drum. This results in winding and unwinding not being disrupted.

The size of the zone for single-layer winding-up of a cable is preferably such that a cable length can be arranged thereon which is preferably greater than the distance of the drum and auxiliary equipment/spooling device from the water surface .

The cable length which can be placed on the single-layer part of the drum is more preferably in the range of 10-50 metres longer than the distance to the water surface as seen from the drum. This means that, over the distance in which the greatest forces occur, i.e. before the load comes into contact with the water, the cable length is unwound and/or wound up onto the single-layer winding zone using the spooling device. In respect of realizing the most compact possible drum, the size of the wind-up zone is preferably made substantially equal to the distance to the water surface, and for instance not much greater, for instance about 250 metres longer. It is hereby possible in an advantageous preferred embodiment to provide a central part on the drum where two or more cable layers can be placed. This means for instance that the drum is provided at a first outer end with the single-layer wind-up element and is provided on the remaining part, up to the other outer end of the drum, with such a central part on which two, three, four or even more layers can be arranged.

It has also been found that the use of a single-layer part on the drum is particularly advantageous when the winch device according to the invention is used for deck handling, such as the displacement of goods on deck.

The drum is preferably provided with a diameter in a range of 2-4 metres, and preferably about 3 metres. The drum is preferably also provided with a width in the range of 3- 10 metres, and preferably about 6 metres. At the stated preferred dimensions the winch device can for instance be placed in a container of standard dimensions. This makes a modular device possible and simplifies placing and/or removal of such a device on and/or from for instance a ship using cranes already present on quayside or on board. This simplifies the use of the device according to the present invention and also enables more flexible deployment thereof.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the drum is further provided with a transition element which is located between the wind-up zone and the central part and on which at least one winding can be placed.

Such a transition element achieves that the transition between the single-layer zone and the central zone, where for instance three layers are provided, takes place

gradually. In the case of for instance three layers, the middle layer on the outer or first winding is supported to some extent by the transition element. The consistency of the overall winding of the cable around the drum is in this way retained and no additional undesirable stresses occur therein. This achieves that unwinding and winding up of the cable from and onto the drum can take place correctly in substantially all conditions.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the spooling device is provided with a collapsible and/or telescopic arm. By providing the spooling device, which effects guiding of the cable, with an (inward) collapsible and/or telescopic arm, a spooling device is realized which is functional when in use and can be safely stowed away when not in use, and can preferably be erected and deployed in flexible manner. This increases the safety and other aspects of these devices on open seas. A further additional advantage hereof lies in the fact that a more compact device is hereby obtained such that less space is necessary on the vessel. This results in a cost-effective application of the device according to the present invention. A further additional advantage is that, by giving the arm a collapsible and/or telescopic form for the purpose of guiding the cable, a modular device can also be obtained during use, with the above stated advantages as a result.

Owing to the modular character the spooling device can also be exchanged in efficient manner by a device for another cable or conduit without for instance the vessel on which the device is placed having to be wholly converted.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device is provided with a housing .

A modular unit is obtained by providing a housing in which preferably all components of the invention can be placed, including at least the drum and preferably also the spooling device. This housing is preferably embodied as a standard container such that this results in a robust device which can be placed or removed in modular manner as

according to requirements. A robust and flexible system is hereby obtained.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the device is provided with a frame for guiding the cable from the drum to a water surface. Providing an additional frame achieves, among other advantages, a greater flexibility in respect of the

positioning of the container.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the drum comprises a flange arranged on a side thereof, wherein the flange is provided with guides such that the cable, during winding thereof onto the drum, is guided during reversal of the winding

direction .

During winding of the cable or pipe the cable or pipe is wound onto the drum in the direction of rotation of the cylinder. The separate windings are here laid adjacently of each other, and the number of windings on the drum increases from left to right and from right to left. A change in the winding direction, i.e. arranging a new winding to the left or right-hand side of a winding that has just been arranged, takes place at the side edge of the drum, therefore at the flange provided on this side edge. Following the change in direction a new layer of windings is started on the drum.

It has been found that particularly the combination of guides on the central part of the drum, optionally

alternatively or additionally on the transition part, with the single-layer part of the drum results in a controllable and effective winding and unwinding of cable onto and from the drum.

The changes in the direction of arrangement of new windings become controllable by providing guides on the flange. It has been found that this reduces the number of malfunctions. This enhances the effectiveness of the overall process. It has also been found that, due to the improved control of the winding process, the lifespan of the cable increases significantly. Surprisingly, it has been found here that an increase in lifespan of the cable is possible to a factor of 2-5. A cost-saving is hereby realized. In addition, this reduces the required maintenance and

installation time. This further enhances the effectiveness of the overall process.

The guides are preferably provided on a side edge of the flange. Providing a flange preferably on both side edges of the drum/cylinder prevents the possibility, among others, of cables or pipes running off the drum. The change in the above discussed winding direction is guided by preferably providing both flanges with a number of guides, with the above stated advantages.

A precise dimensioning of cable or pipe and drum

achieves that it is possible to determine very precisely where a change in the winding direction will occur. This makes it possible to provide the guides at these specific positions, for instance over a part of the periphery. This enhances the control of the winding process. In addition, the amount of material required for the guides remains limited.

It is further possible to provide guides on existing drums by arranging them, optionally integrated with the flange, on the drums. This is the case for instance with guides which are provided over only a part of the

circumference .

Providing a profile which in a possible embodiment increases in thickness achieves that the cable or pipe is as it were pushed off the flange. The thickness of the profile increases in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the cylinder of the drum. The change or variation in the thickness of the profile increases in circumferential direction of the cylinder, and in particular in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the cylinder during winding up of the cable or pipe. The invention further relates to a vessel provided with a winch device as described above.

The same effects and advantages apply for such a vessel as those described and/or shown in respect of the winch device .

The invention further also relates to a method for lowering and/or raising a load into and/or out of the water, comprising of providing a winch device as described above.

The same effects and advantages apply for such a method as those described and/or shown in respect of the winch device and/or the vessel. The method is preferably applied on open seas in relatively deep waters with a depth of up to 3-5 km. It has been found that the method making use of the winch device according to the invention is applied here to maximum advantage.

Further advantages, features and details of the

invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred

embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and B show views of a vessel according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a view of the device according to the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 show views of a modular embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figures 5A and B show views of the drum of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a view of a cable path on a side of the drum;

Figure 7 shows a view of a side of the drum provided with a flange; and

Figure 8 shows a side view of the flange of figure 7. A vessel 2 (figure 1A) is suitable for navigation at sea 4 with a waterline or water surface 6. Situated at an outer end of vessel 2 is a frame 8 which serves to guide cable 10 to which a load 12 is attached. Frame 8 is provided for this purpose with a pulley or guide wheel 14 for carrying cable 10 substantially in vertical direction into water 4. In the shown embodiment cable 10 runs from frame 8 to a guide wheel 16 and from there via arm 18 to a container 20.

In an alternative embodiment vessel 2 (figure IB) is once again provided with container 20 with arm 18. In this embodiment load 12 is carried directly from arm 18 into the water, i.e. without making use of frame 8.

Frame 8 (figure 2) is provided in the shown embodiment with two uprights 22 mutually connected using a connecting bar 24. The guide wheel 14 over which cable 10 can run is arranged on connecting bar 24. Provided on the underside of uprights 22 are hinges 26 which ensure that frame 8 is tiltable. During use frame 8 is held in position using ropes or supports 28. A drum 30 is provided in container 20.

Container 20 is placed on deck 32 of vessel 2. In the shown embodiment container 20 is embodied as a standard container.

Arm 18 (figure 3) serves to guide cable 10 and is provided for this purpose with a front guide wheel 34. Arm 18 is further provided in the shown embodiment with two auxiliary wheels 36, 38 which, together with wheel 39 and guide 40, provide for a good unwinding and winding up of cable 10 from and onto drum 30. Present on drum 30 during use are cable windings 41 which are unwound or wound up.

Drum 30 (figure 4) is suspended rotatably in container 20 such that cable 10 can be wound around it. In the shown embodiment drum 30 is located in a standard container 20 in order to make a modular system possible. When not in use, arm 18 is preferably stowed away in the interior of container 20 in order to thereby enable further simplified transport .

Drum 30 (figures 5A and B) is provided with a single- layer winding zone 42, a transition zone 44 and a central zone 46. Windings 41 are present on drum 30 over all these zones 42, 44, 46. Drum 30 is provided here with a first outer 48 and a second outer end 50. Provided in the shown embodiment at first outer end 4 is a single-layer annular element 52 which is provided at outer end 48 with an edge 54. Element 52 defines the single-layer zone 42 and, adjacently thereof, the transition zone 44 embodied in the shown embodiment as step. Situated adjacently of element 52 is the central zone 46 which continues as far as the second outer end 50 of drum 30.

During placing of a load 12 from a vessel 2 on open seas

4 a cable 10 is unwound from a drum 30 which is preferably placed in a housing or container 20 on vessel 2. Using arm 18 cable 10 is guided to frame 8 such that load 12 can descend from the level of deck 32 to the water surface 6. This distance substantially corresponds to the cable length which can be arranged on the single-layer zone 42 provided using element 52 on drum 30. As soon as load 12 comes into contact with water 6, the forces occurring in cable 10 will decrease relatively as a result of the upward force which occurs. From drum 30 a transition is then preferably made to windings 41 situated in the central part 46 of drum 30. Load 12 is in this way carried to for instance the seabed. When a load 12 is brought up these operations take place in reverse direction. Arm 18 is preferably provided here in collapsible form, or otherwise provided such that it can preferably also be placed in the interior of container 20 in a transport mode. If vessel 2 is intended for placing loads 12 into water 4 on open seas, a container 20 with all the required components therein is placed from quayside onto vessel 2, preferably directly at the desired position on vessel deck 32. When vessel 2 returns to harbour, container 20 can if desired be removed again for use on other vessels and/or for the purpose of realizing more space on vessel 2 which at that moment does not require the device according to the invention .

A drum 130 (figure 6) is provided in an embodiment with a profile 142 in a so-called Lebus form. The guides are provided in the shown embodiment on the side wall of the central part 46 of drum 30, 130, and optionally on the side edge of transition part 44.

In a plane projection 144 (figure 8) of drum 138 a groove 146a and 146b is provided with parallel parts 147 and spiral or helical parts 148. Projection 144 has a groove

146a running from right to left over the drum surface and a groove 146b running from left to right over the drum surface. The minimum distance between parallel parts 47 amounts to a pitch P.

Drum 130 (figure 6) is provided on side edge 148 with a flange 150. Flange 150 is provided with a number of guides 152 for guiding cables or pipes C on drum 130. During winding onto drum 130 winding direction X reverses at flange 150, after which new windings are laid onto a previously arranged layer of cables C in a "growth" direction in the other direction (in the figure in opposite direction to direction X) . A plurality of layers 154 of cables C are in this way carried onto a drum.

Flange 150 (figure 7) is provided in the shown

embodiment with a guide 152 over a part of the

circumferential direction of drum 130. As seen in cross- section, guide 52 is provided with a thickness D. Thickness D preferably increases along the length of guide 152 in the direction of rotation of drum 130 as it is winding up.

During winding up drum 130 is driven in a rotation direction. Cable or pipe C is wound up here in a winding direction X. A plurality of layers 154 are usually arranged on drum 130. As soon as a new winding of cable C reaches flange 150, it is as it were pushed using guides 152 so as to thereby preferably follow the route along projection 144, wherein the winding direction is reversed for the following layer of cables or pipes C. Preferably also present on the other side of drum 130 is a flange 150 with guides 152 for changing the winding direction for a further layer if necessary. Stresses occurring as a result of winding are hereby limited. During unwinding of cable or pipes C from drum 130 guides 152 will for instance prevent undesirable displacements. A better controllable movement is therefore also realized during lowering of a load 12.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. It is thus possible to use the drum and winch device for a wide range of applications in which cables or pipes are provided on a drum. A possible example hereof is the laying of underground cables.

Claims

1. Winch device for lowering and/or raising loads into and/or out of water, comprising:

a drum onto which a cable can be wound; and

a spooling device connected operatively to the drum for guiding the cable,

wherein the drum is provided with a single-layer wind-up zone onto which a plurality of windings of the cable can be wound .

2. Winch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single-layer wind-up zone is formed integrally with other winding zones of the drum.

3. Winch device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable length which can be placed on the wind-up zone is greater than the distance to the water surface.

4. Winch device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cable length which can be placed on the wind-up zone is in the range of 10-50 metres greater than the distance to the water surface .

5. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the drum is provided with a central part on which two or more cable layers can be placed .

6. Winch device as claimed in claim 5, the drum further comprising a transition element which is located between the wind-up zone and the central part and on which at least one winding can be placed.

7. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the drum has a diameter in a range of 2-4 metres, and preferably about 3 metres, and a width in the range of 3-10 metres, and preferably about 6 metres.

8. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the spooling device is provided with a collapsible and/or telescopic arm.

9. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, further comprising a housing.

10. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, further comprising a frame for guiding the cable from the drum to a water surface.

11. Winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, further comprising a flange arranged on a side of the drum, wherein the flange is provided with guides such that the cable, during winding thereof onto the drum, is guided during reversal of the winding direction.

12. Vessel provided with a winch device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.

13. Method for lowering and/or raising a load into and/or out of the water, comprising of providing a winch device as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-11.