WO2005083312A1

WO2005083312A1 - Method and device for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body such as a rope

Info

Publication number: WO2005083312A1
Application number: PCT/NO2005/000072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per Ingeberg
Original assignee: Odim Asa
Priority date: 2004-03-01
Filing date: 2005-03-01
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Also published as: NO320592B1; NO20040892L

Abstract

A method for temporary or permanent stopping of an elongated body where a sleeve of cables is braided around the elongated body and that the cables are held so that the sleeve is tightened around the elongated body by the force pulling the elongated body. A device for carrying out the method is also described.

Description

Method and device for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body such as a rope.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method and a device for permanent or temporary locking of an elongated body, such as a rope made of synthetic fibre, a cable or a wire.

Field of technology

In many operations at sea and not least offshore, elongated bodies, such as ropes, lines, cords, cables, wires, etc., must be fastened for shorter or longer times. The means used to fasten the elongated bodies is dependent on what type of elongated body is referred to and what physical loads it can withstand. Shackles and chains can be fastened in a shark jaw, other elongated bodies can be fastened with the help of other known locking devices. However, such locking devices often have the disadvantage that they subject the elongated bodies to local strains or presuppose bending of the body, something which can often damage the elongated bodies.

To braid straps manually around an elongated body for temporary locking of the body is known from before. However, this manual braiding has the disadvantage that it surrounds the body unevenly, something which leads to local strains on the body that can damage it. Furthermore, this requires a manual operation around an elongated body that is being stretched and where the weather, wind and movements can lead to unacceptably dangerous working conditions. Lastly, the method is labour intensive.

A device for slowing down unreeling of an elongated body is known from WO 8605566, where one or more braking bodies in the form of, for example, cables, the ends of which are secured to carrier bodies and which are wound around the elongated body. By moving the carrier bodies away from each other mainly in parallel with the elongated body, the braking bodies will be tightened around the elongated body and slow it down. However, the braking bodies lie against the surface of the elongated body all the time and can easily get stuck in thickened areas of the elongated body and thus prevent free movement of the body when this is necessary. Devices for slowing down and or locking of elongated bodies are known from US 3,975,919 and DE 1,958,967, where a round-braided sleeve of straps is tightened around the body to slow it down. How such a sleeve that is strapped between two holding plates can be tightened and slackened to lock and release, respectively, the locking is shown in US 3,975,919, while it is described in DE 1,958,967 that the sleeve is tightened by the pull of the elongated body in the sleeve. How the sleeve is wrapped around the elongated body is not given in either US 3,975,919 or DE 1,958,967. From the description it seems that the elongated body must be led in through the round-braided sleeve so that the sleeve lies around the body all the time. This can lead to thickened areas of the body getting stuck in the sleeve. Besides, these braking bodies cannot be wrapped around the elongated body, or be removed from this without either destroying the sleeve or pulling the elongated body out through the sleeve.

One aim of the present invention is to provide a method and also a device for temporary, or more long-term, locking of an elongated body that makes possible an automatic process or remote control process so that it is not necessary with personnel in dangerous zones onboard. It is important that the locking device is not a hindrance to the movement of the elongated body apart from when it is to be locked. Furthermore, it is an aim to provide a method and a device that makes possible locking of an elongated body in a safe and gentle way that prevents unwanted strain and damage on the body. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to arrange the locking device around the elongated body and also to be able to remove this in a simple way. Other aims will appear from reading the present invention

Short description of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method is provided for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body, where the elongated body is held securely with the help of a round-braided sleeve of straps that surrounds, and which is tightened around, a part of the elongated body, where straps, which initially are arranged along the elongated body so that they do not cross each other, are round-braided to form a sleeve around the elongated body and where the straps are held securely in at least the one end so that the sleeve is tightened around the elongated body by the force that pulls the body. In that the sleeve of braided straps can be braided around the elongated body according to need, one can avoid problems in that the straps or a braided sleeve of straps hinder or make difficult the work with the elongated body when locking is no longer necessary / required.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body where the elongated body is held securely with the help of a round-braided sleeve of straps which surrounds and which is tightened round a part of the elongated body, where the device comprises a holding plate with an opening, a braiding part comprising a braiding frame with an opening, through which openings the elongated body can run, that the straps are fastened at their one end around the opening in the holding plate and at the other end are fastened around the opening in the braiding frame, and that the braiding part comprises means for braiding of the straps around the elongated body so that a braided sleeve is formed around the elongated body.

It is preferred that the straps, in a first position, when the device does not lock the elongated body, run between the holding plate and the braiding frame so that the straps do not cross each other. The risk for the straps not getting stuck in expansion or the like of the elongated body is reduced in that the straps run between holding plate and braiding frame so that they do not cross each other. In the main, the straps preferably run parallel with the elongated body, but the anchorage points for the straps on the holding frame can be nearer the elongated body than the anchorage points on the braiding frame, or vice versa.

It is preferred that the holding plate comprises two holding plate parts that can be rotated in relation to each other with the help of a hydraulic cylinder or the like so that the elongated body can be placed in the device such that it runs through the opening and is taken out of the device, respectively, or that thickened areas of the elongated body can pass through the device. In that the holding plate is divided into two holding plate parts that can be rotated in relation to each other, the elongated body can be placed in the central opening of the holding plate parts, the holding plate parts can again be rotated so that the opening is closed and the elongated body is placed in the central opening of the holding plate. This makes it possible to place the holding plate around the elongated body without the body having to be threaded from one end through this plate.

The braiding part is preferably located so that it can be displaced in relation to the holding part along an axis which is in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. This makes it possible to hold the straps with a predetermined required tension.

The braiding device preferably comprises a number of braiding pegs to which the straps are fastened, where the braiding pegs are fitted so that they can be displaced in grooves that go in zigzag around the opening, and where means to guide some of the braiding pegs clockwise in the one zigzag groove and anti-clockwise in the other zigzag groove are on the braiding device, so that the straps are braided into a sleeve.

The braiding device comprises two braiding device parts that can be rotated in relation to each other with the help of a hydraulic cylinder or the like such that the elongated body can be placed in the device so that it runs through the opening and is taken out of the device, respectively, or that thickened areas of the elongated body can pass through it. This divided braiding device has the same reasoning as the division of the holding plate into two holding plate parts. In that both the holding plate and the braiding device can be opened, the whole of the present device, if required, fastened with straps to both the holding plate and the braiding device, can be opened such that the elongated body can be placed in the device.

Short description of the figures

Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a device according to the present invention with a locked cable,

Figure 2 is a perspective diagram of same device as in figure 1 with a cable that can freely run through the device,

Figures 3 a and b show a holding part of the present device in open position, viewed from two different sides, Figures 4 a and b show the holding part in closed position, viewed from two different sides,

Figures 5 a and b show a spinning part of the present invention in open position, viewed from two different sides, and

Figures 6 a and b show the spinning part in closed position, viewed from two different sides.

Detailed description of the invention

The figures show a preferred embodiment of the present stopping device 1. The device 1 is placed on a foundation 2, such as the deck of a ship or the like. Even if the device first and foremost has applications on boats and offshore platforms, it can also find applications in other places where it is desirable to lock an elongated body in a gentle way.

The figures 1 and 2 show a stopping device 1 fitted on a foundation 2, such as, for example, a deck of a ship, where an elongated body 3 runs through the device and out into the sea over a deflection body 4. The stopping device comprises a holding part 23 and a braiding device 24 which are connected with a number of straps 8. The holding part 23 is arranged in the upstream end of the device, i.e. the end that turns towards the vessel and is nearest winches, reels, etc., onboard the ship, while the braiding device is at the downstream end of the device, i.e. nearest the sea. The designations upstream and downstream are in relation to gravity and other forces which pull the elongated body out from the vessel.

The holding part 23 comprises a holding frame 5 and a holding plate 6 on which a number of anchorage points 7 for the straps are arranged around a central opening 22. The holding plate 6 is preferably divided into two parts, 6, 6', where each part is arranged on the holding frame 5 so that it can rotate around the axis of rotation 20, 20' with the help of a hydraulic cylinder 21 or the like.

The braiding part comprises a braiding device 24 which comprises a braiding frame 10 that is fitted on a frame 9. The frame 9 can be displaced in parallel with the longitudinal body 3 along wires 11 or the like, that run between anchorage point 16 on the holding frame 5 and anchorage points 17 on a foundation 15, in that the wire goes through wire guides 19, 19' on the frame 9. The braiding frame 10 can preferably be divided into two in the same way as the holding plate 6, in that it comprises two braiding frame parts 10, 10' that can be rotated around the shafts 26, 26' with the help of a hydraulic cylinder 27 or the like.

The preferred starting position for the present device is a position where the holding frame 5 and the braiding device 10 are as far from each other as possible so that the straps 8 are tight, and where both the holding plate 6 and the braiding device 10 are in open position, i.e. that the parts 6, 6' and the braiding frame parts 10, 10' are rotated away from each other as shown in the figures 5 and 3, respectively. When the device is in this position, an elongated body 3 can be put down in and taken out of, respectively, the device and also that any thickened areas of the cable such as splices with chain sling and any shackles or the like can pass through the device.

The holding part 23 and the braiding part 24 are, as mentioned above, connected by a number of straps 8 that are fastened to the anchorage points 7 for the straps on the holding plate and to braiding pegs 14 on the braiding frame 10. The anchorage points 7 for the straps are securely fitted to the holding plate 6 while the braiding pegs 14 are fitted so that they can be displaced in grooves 29, 29' on the braiding frame 10.

The elongated body 3, as shown in figures 1 and 2, goes through an opening 28 in the braiding frame 10. Guiding devices 13 with rollers 18 are fitted on the braiding frame 10 around the opening 28 and lie against the elongated body 3 to support the braiding frame 10.

According to a preferred embodiment the braiding device is moved forwards and backwards with the help of being driven on rollers, (not shown) in the wire guides 19. However, it is also possible to realise the present device with the use of other means of propulsion, for example, in that the wires 11 are replaced by screw rods or the like. Choice of means for moving the braiding device is, however, not critical for the present invention.

When the present stopping device is to be activated, the elongated body is held back temporarily with the help of a winch or the like. The braiding device and the holding plate are closed in that the cylinders 21, 27 are activated. The device is then in a position where the braiding device 10 is pulled back as far from the holding frame 5 as possible, so that the straps 8 are taut, as shown in figure 2. Thereafter, the braiding device is started in that a number of horn gears 30 on the braiding device are set in rotation with the help of motors 12.

The horn gears 30, which have cut-outs 31 that are adjusted for engagement with a braiding peg 14, move by their rotation the braiding pegs 14 in the grooves 29, 29'. The grooves 29, 29' go in zigzag between the horn gears, where groove 29 goes on the outside of a first horn gear and on the inside of the next horn gear, and further in the same way, while the groove 29' goes on the inside of the same first horn gear, and on the outside of the next, i.e. opposite of groove 29, both parts in a direction radially to the braiding plate 10.

The braiding pegs are moved in the grooves 29, 29' in that every other horn gear rotates clockwise, while the remaining rotate anticlockwise. If one starts at one braiding peg, it will be transferred from a horn gear that rotates clockwise to one that rotates anticlockwise in a zigzag path that goes round the central opening 28 through which the elongated body runs. Every other braiding peg will run clockwise in such a zigzag path in groove 29, while every other braiding peg will run in the opposite direction. The result is that the straps that connect the holding platform 6 and the braiding plate 10 are braided around the elongated body to form a sleeve around it. Figure 5a shows the braiding pegs in a starting position before the braiding is started. At the start of the braiding, the position of the pegs is adjusted in that all the pegs are rotated about 90 ° clockwise so that the pegs lie ready to engage with two neighbouring horn gears. After the pegs are placed in this position, the braiding can start in that every other horn gear is rotated clockwise and every other in the opposite way. The braiding process continues until a sleeve is made to a predetermined length. The temporary secure holding of the elongated body is thereafter cancelled. The elongated body will then be held back by the straps that are fastened to the holding plate 6. The friction between the straps 8 and the elongated body leads to the braided sleeve being tightened and the friction between sleeve and the elongated body thereby increases with increasing pulling force in the elongated body. At the same time, the sleeve ensures that no large local strains arise on the elongated body even at high holding force, such that the elongated body will not be damaged.

When the fastening with the help of the present device is to be cancelled, the elongated body is again held securely as in the braiding-on of the sleeve of straps. The braiding device is again activated the opposite way in that the horn gears rotate in the direction opposite to that used in the braiding so that the sleeve is unbraided again. The device can then be opened with the help of the cylinders 7% 27 again.

The possible length of the braided sleeve depends on the length of the straps and the diameter of the elongated body. How long the braided sleeve must be to be able to give the intended effect depends on the strap material and the material of the surface of the elongated body. The number of straps can also vary in that the number of pegs, horn gears and circumference of the braiding device are increased or decreased. This is decided according to given directives for how long the surrounding part of the braiding must be to provide the necessary friction force and holding force. Information about this is found, to a great extent, in manuals published by producers of fibre-ropes and wires.

This is described as a function of the actual load transfer and diameter of the body, which in turn indicate dimension and length of the straps. An example of this can be described as follows with reference to norms given by rope producers: if one uses, for example, 12 straps, the length of the surrounded (braided) length will be equal to about 21 times the diameter of the body. If the body is, for example, 120 mm, the surrounding length will be 21 times 120 = 2520 mm. The dimensions of the straps will be decided according to current load and each strap will then have to hold 1/12 of the total load. The straps 8 can be flat straps or round rope and can be manufactured in different materials. If the elongated body is a steel wire, the straps are preferably steel wires. If the elongated body is a line of synthetic fibres, a cable or the like, the straps are preferably a band or rope of a synthetic material.

Application areas

The present device can have several possible application areas. The following examples are given to exemplify the application areas, but a person skilled in the arts will be able to identify other applications of the device according to the present invention.

Permanent locking of synthetic anchoring line to drilling rigs. The present invention can here be combined with a winch, pull winch or possibly a multi-sheaved pull winch according to NO 1999,0628, also called CTCU. One can here have a CTCU which is used at setting out of the anchoring line over each platform leg. After the first line is set out, it is locked with the help of a stopper according to the present invention. Thereafter, the CTCU can be used for the setting out of one or more lines, for example, three lines.

Temporary stopping of anchoring line from Anchor Handling boat (AHTS). When AHTS sets out pre-installed anchoring lines for floaters, it is today carried out by joining together line segments. When the segments are to be joined together, one must stop the line either in that one shackle/chain is made secure in a shark jaw or by manual securing in that straps are braided as well as possible around the body over a given length. The last mentioned solution can lead to damage of the body because of surrounding the body too poorly and resulting local strains, while the first mentioned solution is dependent on the coupling sitting well in the shark jaw. The coupling to the next segment must then also be carried out relatively far back on the vessel, where the shark jaw is mounted. Besides, any twist in the line can lead to the coupling jumping out.

Hoisting compensator. The braiding process continues until a sleeve is made to a predetermined length. The temporary secure holding of the elongated body is thereafter cancelled. The elongated body will then be held back by the straps that are fastened to the holding plate 6. The friction between the straps 8 and the elongated body leads to the braided sleeve being tightened and the friction between sleeve and the elongated body thereby increases with increasing pulling force in the elongated body. At the same time, the sleeve ensures that no large local strains arise on the elongated body even at high holding force, such that the elongated body will not be damaged.

When the fastening with the help of the present device is to be cancelled, the elongated body is again held securely as in the braiding-on of the sleeve of straps. The braiding device is again activated the opposite way in that the horn gears rotate in the direction opposite to that used in the braiding so that the sleeve is unbraided again. The device can then be opened with the help of the cylinders 21, 27 again.

Application areas

Hoisting compensator. 10

Hoisting compensators are used today in different applications, for example, in setting out/installation of ocean bottom modules. Such hoisting compensators are normally disk arrangements and cylinder arrangements where a line runs over a number of disks under high tension. This can lead to fatigue of sjrnthetic fibre ropes. For synthetic fibre ropes, this can lead to fatigue if the line must go over disks under high tension. The present stop device can be used for hoisting compensation in that the stopping frame is fitted so that it can be displaced and after the braiding of the sleeve is completed it can be displaced forwards and backwards in the longitudinal direction of the elongated body with the help of one or more cylinders.

Dampening mechanism.

This is a variant of the hoisting compensator mentioned above. The stopping frame is then, as above, connected to cylinders that function as attenuators to dampen jerks in the hawser, for example, in connection with offshore towing operations from tugboats that use synthetic fibre lines.

If the present device is to be used to make a permanent locking of an elongated body, one can, after a sleeve with the desired length is braided, loosen the straps from the braiding pegs or possibly cut the straps. Thereafter, the straps can be fastened with desirable means together around the elongated body so that one avoids the sleeve braid coming undone. The holding plate 6 can then possibly be removed from the holding frame and be transferred to another suitable holding device. The present device can thereafter be reused to produce a sleeve around another elongated body for the locking of this.

Claims

11

C l a i m s 1.

Method for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body, where the elongated body is held securely with the help of a round-braided sleeve of straps that surrounds and which is tightened around a part of the elongated body, wherein straps, which initially are arranged alongside the elongated body so that the do not cross over each other, are round-braided to form a sleeve around the elongated body and where the straps are held securely in at least at the one end so that the sleeve is tightened around the elongated body by the force which pulls in the body.

2.

Method according to claim 1, wherein the locking can be undone in that the sleeve is unbraided.

3.

Device for temporary or permanent locking of an elongated body (3) where the elongated body is held securely with the help of a round-braided sleeve of straps (8) which surrounds and which is tightened around a part of the elongated body (3), wherein the device comprises a holding plate (6) with an opening (22), a braiding part (24) comprising a braiding frame (9) with an opening (28), through which openings (22,28) the elongated body (3) can run, that the straps (8) are fastened at one end around the opening (22) in the holding plate (6) and at the other end are fastened around the opening (28) in the braiding frame (9), and that the braiding part (24) comprises means for braiding the straps around the elongated body (3) so that a braided sleeve is formed around the elongated body (3).

4.

Device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the straps (8) in a first position when the device does not lock the elongated body (3) run between the holding plate and the braiding frame so that the straps (8) do not cross over each other. 12

5.

Device according to claims 3 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the holding plate (6) comprises two holding plate parts (6, 6') that can be rotated in relation to each other with the help of a hydraulic cylinder (21) or the like so that the elongated body can be arranged in the device such that it runs through the opening (22) and is taken out of the device, respectively or that thickened areas on the elongated body can pass through the device.

6.

Device according to one or more of the claims 3 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the braiding part (24) is fitted so that it can be displaced in relation to the holding part along an axis that is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

7.

Device according to one or more of the claims 3 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the braiding device (10) comprises a number of braiding pegs (14) fastened to which are straps and that the braiding pegs are fitted so that they can be displaced in grooves (29,29') that run in zigzag around the opening (28), and where there are means on the braiding device to lead some of the braiding pegs (14) clockwise in the one zigzag groove (29) and anticlockwise in the other zigzag groove (29') so that the straps are braided into a sleeve.

8.

Device according to one of more of the claims 3 to 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the braiding device comprises two braiding device parts (10, 10') that can be rotated in relation to each other with the help of a hydraulic cylinder or the like so that the elongated body can be placed in the device such that it runs through the opening (28) and is taken out of the device, respectively, or that thickened areas on the elongated body can pass through it.