INTERNAL JACKET LEVELING TOOL

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment used in the construction of offshore installations such as a platform used to support a drilling rig or a wind turbine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an internal jacket leveling tool.

BACKGROUND

Generally, for an offshore installation such as a platform used to support a drilling rig or wind turbine, the arrangement of piles, underwater structures, and/or the platform type varies based on the depth of the installation. Shallow depth installations, such as those in less than about 50 meters, are typically fixed to the seafloor by a rigid structure anchored by hollow piles driven into the sea floor.

In this type of installation, each pile is typically connected to a jacket leg that extends upward to contact and support the platform or other installation located at or near the surface. It is important that all jacket legs be substantially level with each other. If they are not substantially level, the platform or other installation supported by the jacket legs may be tilted from horizontal, which can negatively impact the performance of any equipment mounted thereon.

Historically, leveling of jackets has often been performed using external hydraulic cylinders attached to the outside of the jacket. One example of such a device is disclosed in US Publication No. 2022/0333328, entitled “System and method for levelling and gripping a jacket leg into a hollow foundation pile” and filed by Mccarthy, et al. Another commercial example is the jacket leveling tool manufactured by IQIP® of The Netherlands, as disclosed at https://iqip.com/products/handling-equipment/levelling-tool. As explained in paragraph 0021 of McCarthy, et al., one advantage of such a tool is that, after construction of a particular installation, the tool can be removed and reused in other projects.

One drawback of external jacket leveling tools is that they can only be used if the difference in diameter between the pile and the jacket is large enough for the tool, including its hydraulic cylinder(s), to be inserted into the annular space between the pile and the jacket. In addition, it is often difficult to use these tools because there is limited space available to grip the exterior of the jacket due to other structures that comprise the foundation of the installation.

One possible solution to the aforementioned drawbacks of external jacket leveling tools would be an internal structure that is inserted into the hollow space within the pile and therefore does not require a large difference in diameter between the pile and the jacket.

One example of an internal jacket leveling structure is disclosed in Chinese Patent Application 115125989, entitled “Jacket leveling device for offshore wind power generation units” and filed by Luo Jianying, et al. The internal structure disclosed by Jianying, et al., however, is permanently disposed within the offshore installation and thus, unlike more traditional external jacket leveling tools, may not be removed and reused for the construction of other installations unless and until the installation is entirely disassembled. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of Jianying, et al., the anti-tilt support component, adjustment connector, and hydraulic rod are installed within adjustment pipe fitting 3, upon which jacket body 2 is mounted.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a jacket leveling tool that is compact and has the flexibility to be used when access to the exterior of the jacket is limited and/or there is only a small annular space between the pile and the jacket, but which is also easily removeable during construction of a particular installation, allowing it to be used on other projects. The present invention addresses this unresolved need, as well as one or more other issues that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the jacket leveling tool may comprise a substantially cylindrical central body comprising a central longitudinal axis; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap.

In one embodiment, the radial skirt may further comprise a plurality of radially extending fins.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders may further comprise an extension member connected to one of the plurality of radially extending fins.

In one embodiment, the jacket leveling tool may further comprise pins configured to engage the first and second links.

In another embodiment, a system for leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure may comprise a pile comprising a hollow interior space with a central longitudinal axis; and a jacket leveling tool comprising a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap; and a substantially cylindrical jacket disposed around the pile and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface.

In one embodiment, the jacket may further comprise first and second connection points attached to the outer surface.

In one embodiment, the pins may be configured to connect the first link to the first connection point and the second link to the second connection point.

In one embodiment, a method of leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure may comprise placing a substantially cylindrical jacket around a pile comprising a hollow interior space; placing within the hollow interior space of the pile a jacket leveling tool comprising a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap; connecting the first and second links to an outer surface of the jacket; and injecting hydraulic fluid into one or more of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

In one embodiment, the step of connecting the first and second links to an outer surface of the jacket may comprise the insertion of pins.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of removing the jacket leveling tool from the jacket and the pile.

In one embodiment, the step of removing the jacket leveling tool may comprise withdrawing a pin from the first and second links.

In one embodiment, the step of removing the jacket leveling tool may further comprise lifting the cap away from the pile.

In one embodiment, an inner surface of the jacket may substantially abut an outer surface of the pile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the jacket leveling tool.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cut-away side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A, in an initial unretracted position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cut-away side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A, in a fully retracted position.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the jacket leveling tool 100 in relation to pile 10. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, pile 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a hollow interior space 15. As shown in FIG. 2B, hollow interior space 15 comprises a central longitudinal axis X.

As shown in FIG. 1, jacket leveling tool 100 comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130 disposed about a substantially cylindrical central body 115. Central body 115 is configured to be disposed within hollow interior space 15 of pile 10, and substantially coaxial about central longitudinal axis X. Central body 115 is sized such that hydraulic cylinders 130 are also disposed within hollow interior space 15 of pile 10.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the diameter of central body 115 and the size of hydraulic cylinders 130 may be adjusted based on the diameter of hollow interior space 15 for a particular pile 10. In addition, the size of hydraulic cylinders 130 will vary depending on the amount of force required to adjust a particular jacket, as discussed in more detail below.

Attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of central body 115 is skirt 140. Skirt 140 may comprise radially extending fins 145. As shown in FIG. 2A, fins 145 may be configured to connect to a portion of hydraulic cylinders 130, as discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2B, each hydraulic cylinder 130 may comprise chamber 135, within which is disposed piston 136. Piston 136 may also comprise extension member 138. As shown in FIG. 2A, extension member 138 may connect to one of the fins 145 extending radially outward from skirt 140. In the position shown in FIG. 2B, piston 136 is disposed at the bottom end of chamber 135. This is the initial or unretracted position in which jacket leveling tool 100 has not yet been actuated to adjust the vertical position of jacket 20 in relation to pile 10.

Disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of central body 115 is collar 125. As shown in FIG. 2B, collar 125 may comprise connection points 126 configured to connect to an upper portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. Collar 125 may further comprise annular surface 127, which is substantially horizontal and configured to abut an upper end of pile 10. Because jacket leveling tool is in the unretracted position, vertical distance DI separates collar 125 from the upper end of jacket 20.

Attached to an upper end of central body 115 is cap 110. As shown in FIG. 2B, cap 110 may be generally annular with an outer periphery 112 that extends radially outward beyond pile 10, in relation to central longitudinal axis X.

Attached to cap 110 at points 122 proximate to outer periphery 112 are first and second links 120. Although more than two links may be used consistent with the present disclosure, the preferred embodiment comprises two links on opposite sides of cap 110, i.e., spaced 180 degrees apart from each other.

The lower end of each of first and second links 120 may attached at point 124 to connection point 105. Connection point 105 may be a pad-eye welded or otherwise attached to an outer surface of jacket 20. Point 124 may comprise a pin used to connect the lower end of link 120 to pad-eye 105. Because the preferred embodiment includes only two links 120, only two connection points 105 are required on jacket 20. As noted above, this configuration is substantially easier to use and install than existing external jacket leveling tools, which require more connection points and/or greater access to the exterior of jacket 20.

As shown in FIG. 2B, jacket leveling tool 100 may be installed without any particular difference in diameter between jacket 20 and pile 10. Indeed, the outer surface of pile 10 may essentially abut the inner surface of jacket 20, provided there is no interfering engagement that would prevent relative axial movement of the two components. This is so because, unlike existing external jacket leveling tools, no portion of jacket leveling tool 100 is required to be disposed within an annular space between jacket 20 and pile 10.

In operation, hydraulic fluid is injected into the lower portion of chamber 135 of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the injection of hydraulic fluid causes piston 136 to move upward within chamber 135. Due to the connection between extension member 138 and radially extending fin 145, the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid results in a corresponding upward force exerted on the outer surface of central body 115. Due to the connection between cap 110 and central body 115, as well as the connection between first and second links 120 and connection points 105 (which are attached to the outer surface of jacket 20), the upward force exerted on the outer surface of central body 115 results in a corresponding upward force on the outer surface of jacket 20.

This upward force results in the vertical movement of jacket 20 in relation to pile 10. As shown in FIG. 3B, when piston 136 has been moved to the upper end of chamber 135, the vertical distance between collar 125 and the upper end of jacket 20 has decreased from D1 to D2. This relative movement may be used to adjust the vertical position of jacket 20, to ensure that each individual jacket is at a location such that the platform or other installation is substantially horizontal.

Although FIG. 3A-3B shows jacket leveling tool 100 in a fully retracted position, such that piston 136 is at the extreme upper end of chamber 135, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this is not necessarily the case. The amount of hydraulic fluid injected into each hydraulic cylinder 130 may be varied such that the vertical movement of jacket 20 is controlled to allow for the precise leveling of jacket 20.

Once jacket leveling tool 100 has been retracted to the point that jacket 20 is at the desired location, the tool may be easily removed prior to construction of the remaining portions of the installation. In particular, jacket leveling tool 100 may be removed by removing the pins at points 124, separating first and second links 120 from connection points 105 on jacket 20, and lifting cap 110 away from pile 10.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above. Similarly, references to the general shape of certain components, such as for example, “planar” or “cylindrical,” are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific configuration of the structure described above.

In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.