Patent Publication Number: US-2022227600-A1

Title: Modular spool storage device, modular support structure and combination thereof

Description:
The invention relates to a spool storage device for storing a length of line, e.g. cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like as a spool, a support structure for such a spool storage device and combinations thereof, wherein in particular, the spool storage device is configured to be supported horizontally to rotate about a substantially vertical rotation axis. The invention further relates to a method for using such spool storage device, support structure and/or combinations thereof. 
     When a certain length of line, e.g. a cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, is needed at an offshore location, it is common practice to spool the length of line on a reel at an onshore location and to transport the reel including the length of line to the offshore location. After using the length of line, the empty reel needs to be transported back to be filled again at the onshore location. 
     A disadvantage of this practice is that special—and thus expensive—transport is needed for both the filled and empty reel between the onshore and offshore locations. 
     A further disadvantage may be that during transport it has to be ensured that the length of line is maintained on the reel, which is usually done by spooling the length of line on the reel with back tension, which back tension also has to be maintained during unwinding thereby complicating the entire winding and unwinding process. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved reel and method of use. 
     The object of the invention is achieved by providing a modular spool storage device configured to store a length of line, e.g. cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, having a capacity of at least 10 mt, preferably at least 25 mt, more preferably at least 50 mt, and most preferably at least 100 mt, which is configurable between an assembled operational configuration and a disassembled transport configuration, wherein in the assembled operational configuration the device includes a ring with a U-shaped cross-section such that an opening of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards a centre of the ring to receive the length of line, wherein the ring comprises multiple ring sections, each ring section comprising an outer side wall and a top wall and a bottom wall extending inwardly from the outer side wall, wherein each ring section has two end faces with the outer side wall, the top wall and the bottom wall extending in between the two end faces, each end face being provided with at least one ring connector allowing the assembly of the ring by interconnection of the ring connectors of the multiple ring sections in circumferential direction from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operational configuration, and wherein the dimensions of a ring section fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container so as to be transportable as or by an ISO shipping container. 
     An advantage of the modular spool storage device according to the invention is that the spool storage device has a disassembled transport configuration in which each ring section is transportable as or by an ISO shipping container and thus no special transport is needed when no length of line is spooled on the spool storage device. Also when the spool storage device is not used at a location, e.g. the onshore location, it can be stored in pieces which provides flexibility and/or efficient use of space. 
     A further advantage may be that in the assembled operational configuration, the U-shaped cross-section of the ring with the opening of the U-shaped cross-section facing towards the centre allows to receive the length of line at the inside of the outer side wall in between the top wall and the bottom wall so that no back tension is needed to keep the length of line in the spool storage device and thus also no back tension needs to be maintained during unwinding of the length of line. 
     Yet another advantage of the modular spool storage device may be that the spool storage device can relatively easy be adapted to different lengths of line having different minimal radii of curvature by adjusting the number of ring sections in the ring. 
     In an embodiment, each ring section is substantially rectangularly shaped, so that the ring sections in the assembled operational configuration form a regular polygon shaped ring. Alternatively, or additionally, the outer side walls of the ring sections in the assembled operational configuration are part of a regular polygon shape seen in plan view. 
     In an embodiment, each end face comprises a ring connector at or near a free end of the top wall and/or a ring connector at or near a free end of the bottom wall to be interconnected directly with the corresponding ring connectors of an adjacent ring section. 
     In an embodiment, each end face comprises one or more ring connectors at or near the outer side wall to be interconnected indirectly with the corresponding one or more ring connectors of an adjacent ring section via one or more corresponding spacers. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more spacers are moveable relative to the ring section between an operational position connecting two ring sections together and a transport position thereby allowing the ring section including spacer to have dimensions to fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, the ring includes at least five ring sections, e.g. six ring sections, preferably at least seven ring sections, e.g. eight ring sections, more preferably at least nine ring sections, e.g. ten ring sections, and most preferably at least eleven ring sections, e.g. twelve ring sections. 
     In an embodiment, the ring sections have dimensions that fit into or correspond to that of a 20 feet ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, each ring section includes a first portion with the top wall and a part, e.g. a top part, of the side wall and a second portion with the bottom wall and another part, e.g. a bottom part, of the side wall, wherein the first portion and the second portion have an operational configuration in which they are connected to each other to form the U-shaped cross-section, and a transport configuration in which they are connected to each other to have dimensions that fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container. 
     An advantage thereof is that the ring section can have larger dimensions in the operational configuration that do not necessarily fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container. This can then be done by putting the ring section into the transport configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second portion in the transport configuration form a rectangular or square cross-section. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second portion in the transport configuration are arranged such that the side wall parts are arranged at opposite sides of the cross-section and the top and bottom wall are arranged at opposite sides of the cross-section. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second portion in the transport configuration are arranged such that a side wall part is arranged opposite the top wall and the other side wall part is arranged opposite the bottom wall. 
     In an embodiment, the two side wall parts are hingedly connected to each other. Preferably, the two side wall parts can be locked in at least the operational configuration, but alternatively or additionally also in the transport configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the bottom wall is provided with at least one rail section to engage with a modular support structure. Said at least one rail section may be connected to the bottom wall, preferably in the middle of the ring section. 
     In an embodiment, two rail sections are provided, one rail section being arranged at a side wall side of the bottom wall, and the other rail section being arranged at a free end side of the bottom wall. 
     In an embodiment, the assembled operational configuration with the opening of the U-shaped cross-section facing towards a centre of the ring is a first assembled operational configuration, wherein the device is also configurable to a second assembled operational configuration in which the device includes a ring with the opening of the U-shaped cross-section facing away from the centre of the ring to receive the length of line. 
     The invention further relates to a modular support structure for supporting a spool storage device configured to store a length of line, e.g. a cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, having a capacity of at least 10 mt, preferably at least 25 mt, more preferably at least 50 mt and most preferably at least 100 mt, wherein the spool storage device includes a ring with a U-shaped cross-section such that an opening of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards a centre of the ring, said support structure being configurable between an assembled operational configuration to support the device in a substantially horizontal orientation and a disassembled transport configuration, wherein in the assembled operational configuration the support structure includes a ring with multiple ring sections, each ring section comprising a frame and at least two rail supports, wherein the frames of each ring section have two outer ends, each outer end being provided with at least one ring connector allowing the assembly of the ring by interconnection of the ring connectors of the multiple ring sections in circumferential direction from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operational configuration, and wherein the dimensions of a ring section fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container so as to be transportable as or by an ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, each ring section comprises a rail section having a radius of curvature corresponding to the ring, wherein the at least two rail supports are configured to support the rail section such that the rail section horizontally seen can only move in a circumferential direction, and wherein the rail sections have an upper surface to support the spool storage device. 
     Hence, the invention further relates to a modular support structure for supporting a spool storage device configured to store a length of line, e.g. a cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, having a capacity of at least 10 mt, preferably at least 25 mt, more preferably at least 50 mt and most preferably at least 100 mt, wherein the spool storage device includes a ring with a U-shaped cross-section such that an opening of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards a centre of the ring, said support structure being configurable between an assembled operational configuration to support the device in a substantially horizontal orientation and a disassembled transport configuration, wherein in the assembled operational configuration the support structure includes a ring with multiple ring sections, each ring section comprising a frame, a rail section having a radius of curvature corresponding to the ring and at least two rail supports supporting the rail section such that the rail section horizontally seen can only move in a circumferential direction, wherein the rail sections have an upper surface to support the spool storage device, wherein the frames of each ring section have two outer ends, each outer end being provided with at least one ring connector allowing the assembly of the ring by interconnection of the ring connectors of the multiple ring sections in circumferential direction from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operational configuration, and wherein the dimensions of a ring section fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container so as to be transportable as or by an ISO shipping container. 
     Similar to the spool storage device according to the invention, the fact that the support structure has an assembled operational configuration in which each ring section is transportable as or by an ISO shipping container provides the advantage that no special transport is needed for the support structure. 
     In an embodiment, each ring section is substantially rectangularly shaped, so that the ring sections in the assembled operational configuration form a regular polygon shaped ring. 
     In an embodiment, each outer end comprises a ring connector at or near a centre side of the ring section to be interconnected directly with a corresponding ring connector of an adjacent ring section. 
     In an embodiment, each outer end comprises a ring connector at or near an outer side of the ring section to be interconnected indirectly with a corresponding ring connector of an adjacent ring section via a spacer. 
     In an embodiment, the spacer is moveable relative to the ring section between an operational position connecting two ring sections together and a transport position thereby allowing the ring section including spacer to have dimensions to fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, the ring includes at least four ring sections, e.g. five ring sections, preferably at least six ring sections, e.g. seven ring sections, more preferably at least eight ring sections, e.g. nine ring sections, and most preferably at least ten ring sections, e.g. eleven ring sections. 
     In an embodiment, the ring sections have dimensions that fit into or correspond to that of a 40 feet ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, the support structure is provided with a drive to drive rotation of the rail sections in the assembled operational configuration about the centre of the ring. 
     In an embodiment, the drive is integral with one or more of the rail supports. 
     In an embodiment, the support structure includes a guide to guide a line from inside the ring to outside the ring in the assembled operational configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the guide is arranged between the frame and rail section of a ring section. 
     In an embodiment, the ring sections have dimensions that fit into or correspond to that of a 20 feet ISO shipping container. 
     In an embodiment, one ring connector is provided at each outer end of the frame of a ring section, said one ring connector being arranged at one side of the outer end, said side being an outer side of the ring section in the assembled operational configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the assembled operational configuration with the ring connector being arranged at an outer side of the ring section is a first assembled operational configuration, and wherein the support structure has a second assembled operational configuration with the ring connector being arranged at an inner side of the ring section resulting in a larger diameter of the ring than in the first assembled operational configuration. 
     In an embodiment, one of the at least two rail supports is arranged in a centre of the frame at an inner side thereof, and wherein another one of the at least two rail supports is arranged in a centre of the frame at an outer side thereof. 
     The invention also relates to a combination of a modular spool storage device according to the invention, a modular support structure according to the invention, and a plurality of rail sections in between the modular spool storage device and modular support structure, said rail sections having a radius of curvature corresponding to the ring of the modular support structure, wherein the at least two rail supports of the ring sections of the modular support structure are configured to support the rail sections such that the rail sections horizontally seen can only move in a circumferential direction, and wherein the rail sections have an upper surface to support the modular spool storage device. 
     In an embodiment, a radius of curvature of the rail sections is in between a minimal radius of curvature of the ring of the spool storage device and a maximum radius of curvature of the ring of the spool storage device. 
     In an embodiment, the modular spool storage device has a first and second assembled operational configuration as described above, and the modular support structure has a first and second assembled operational configuration as described above, and wherein both the modular spool storage device and modular support structure are in their respective first assembled operational configurations. 
     In an embodiment, the modular spool storage device has a first and second assembled operational configuration as described above, and the modular support structure has a first and second assembled operational configuration as described above, and wherein both the modular spool storage device and modular support structure are in their respective second assembled operational configurations. 
     In an embodiment, the combination further includes one or more spooling devices to unwound a length of line from the modular spool storage device. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more spooling device include a guide member that can be set at different height levels to guide a line portion. 
     In an embodiment, when both the modular spool storage device and modular support structure are in their respective first assembled operational configurations, the one or more spooling devices are arranged inside the rings of the modular spool storage device and the modular support structure. 
     In an embodiment, when both the modular spool storage device and modular support structure are in their respective second assembled operational configurations, the one or more spooling devices are arranged outside rings of the modular spool storage device and the modular support structure. 
     The invention yet also relates to a method for using a modular spool storage device according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps:
         a) providing the spool storage device in the assembled operational configuration;   b) spooling a length of line in the spool storage device;   c) transporting the spool storage device including length of line to another location;   d) unwinding the length of line from the spool storage device;   e) disassembling the spool storage device from the assembled operational configuration to the disassembled transport configuration; and   f) transporting the ring sections as and/or by ISO shipping container.       

     The invention also relates to a method for using a modular spool storage device according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps:
         a) transporting the ring sections of the spool storage device in the disassembled transport configuration as and/or by ISO shipping container to a location;   b) assembling the spool storage device from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operational configuration;   c) spooling a length of line in the spool storage device; and   d) transporting the spool storage device including length of line to another location.       

     The invention further relates to a method for using a modular support structure according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps:
         a) transporting the ring sections as and/or by ISO shipping container to a location;   b) assembling the support structure from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operational configuration;   c) supporting a spool storage device with the support structure;   d) disassembling the support structure from the assembled operational configuration to the disassembled transport configuration; and   e) transporting the ring sections as and/or by ISO shipping container from the location.       

    
    
     
       The invention will now be described in a non-limiting way by reference to the accompanying drawings in which like parts are indicated using like reference symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts a combination of a modular spool storage device according to an embodiment of the invention supported by a modular support structure according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts the modular support structure of  FIG. 1  in isolation; 
         FIG. 3  schematically depicts the modular spool storage device of  FIG. 1  suspended from support lines; 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts a ring section of the modular support structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  schematically depicts a ring section of the modular spool storage device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  schematically depicts a rail support of the ring section of the modular support structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  schematically depicts a ring section of a modular spool storage device according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the ring section is in an operational configuration; 
         FIG. 8  schematically depicts the ring section of  FIG. 7  in a transport configuration; 
         FIG. 9  schematically depicts a modular spool storage device according to an embodiment of the invention formed by a plurality of ring sections according to  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  schematically depicts a modular support structure according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  schematically depicts a ring section of the modular support structure of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  schematically depicts a combination of the modular spool storage device of  FIG. 9  and the modular support structure of  FIG. 10  according to a first assembled configuration; and 
         FIG. 13  schematically depicts the combination of  FIG. 12  according to a second assembled configuration. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  schematically depicts a spool system  1  which is a combination of a modular spool storage device  10  according to an embodiment of the invention and a modular support structure  50  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  schematically depicts the modular support structure  50  of  FIG. 1  in isolation.  FIG. 3  schematically depicts the modular spool storage device of  FIG. 1  in isolation while being suspended from a plurality of support lines  60  that for instance are connected to a load connector of a hoisting system of a crane to position the spool storage device  10  on or remove said spool storage device  10  from the support structure  50 . 
     The modular support structure  50  is configurable between an assembled operational configuration as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a disassembled transport configuration. In the assembled operational configuration, the support structure includes a ring  51  with multiple, in this case five, ring sections  52 . Although not necessary per se, the ring sections  52  are all substantially identical, so that when assembling the ring  51  it doesn&#39;t matter which ring section is where in the ring  51 . 
       FIG. 4  schematically depicts one of the ring sections  52  in more detail. The ring section  52  includes a frame  54 , a rail section  55 , and at least two, in this embodiment four, supports  56  to moveably support the rail section  55  from the frame  54 . 
     The frame  54  in this embodiment is substantially rectangular in shape, seen in plan view, comprising two frame members  54   a  extending in a longitudinal direction of the frame, and six frame members  54   b ,  54   c  between the two frame members  54   a . All six frame members  54   b ,  54   c  provide rigidity to the frame  54 , but the frame members  54   b  are arranged at the two outer ends of the frame and the frame members  54   c  are arranged in between the two outer ends and each carry a support  56 . Preferably, the frame members  54   c  have an orientation towards a centre  53  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the ring  51 . 
       FIG. 6  schematically depicts a support  56  in more detail. The support  56  includes three rollers, namely a first roller  56   a , a second roller  56   c  and a third roller  56   e . The first roller  56   a  is rotatable about a substantially horizontal rotation axis  56   b  and configured to engage with an underside of the lower flange  55   a  of the rail section  55 . The second roller  56   c  is rotatable about a substantially vertical rotation axis  56   d  and configured to engage with an inside wall of the lower flange  55   a  of the rail section  55 . The third roller  56   e  is rotatable about a substantially vertical rotation axis  56   f  and configured to engage with an outside wall of the lower flange  55   a  of the rail section  55 . As a result thereof, the support  56  supports and limits the movement of the rail section  55  such that horizontally seen, the rail section  55  can only move in a circumferential direction of the ring  51 . 
     As can be clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , in the assembled operational configuration, the rail sections  55  of the ring sections  52  together form a circular rail  51   a , while the frames  54  form a regular polygon. Due to the ring  51  being formed by five ring sections  52 , each rail section  55  spans an angle α=72 degrees of the circular rail  51   a  as shown in  FIG. 2  and has a radius of curvature R 1  over its entire length. 
     In an embodiment, all rollers  56   a ,  56   c ,  56   e  of the supports  56  are passive elements that are rotatable due to frictional engagement with the rail sections  55 , and a separate drive (not shown) is provided to engage with the rail  51   a  to rotate the rail about the centre  53  thereby also rotating the spool storage device  10  when supported on an upper surface of the upper flange  55   b  of the rail sections  55  of the support structure  50 . However, alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the supports  56  may include a drive to rotate one or more of the rollers  56   a ,  56   c ,  56   e  thereby rotating the rail  51  due to frictional engagement between the rail sections  55  and the one or more rollers  56   a ,  56   c ,  56   e . Preferably, the drive, whether provided separately or integrated in one or more of the supports, stays on the ring section  52  in the disassembled transport configuration and provides sufficient resistance when turned off to hold the rail section still relative to the frame  54  for transport purposes. 
     At the two outer ends of the frame  54 , the frame  54  is provided with an inner ring connector  54   d  and an outer ring connector  54   e . When assembling the ring  51 , each inner ring connector  54   d  of a ring section  52  is interconnected to the inner ring connector  54   d  of an adjacent ring section  52 , and each outer ring connector  54   e  of a ring section  52  is interconnected to the outer ring connector  54   e  of an adjacent ring section  52  using a spacer  54   f  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The modular spool storage device  10  is configured to store a length of line, e.g. cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, as a spool  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The spool storage device  10  is configurable between an assembled operational configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and a disassembled transport configuration. 
     In the assembled operational configuration, the spool storage device  10  includes a ring  11  with multiple, in this case nine, ring sections  12 . Although not necessary per se, the ring sections  12  are all substantially identical, so that when assembling the ring  11  it doesn&#39;t matter which ring section is where in the ring  11 . 
       FIG. 5  schematically depicts one or the ring sections  12  in more detail. The ring section  12  has a U-shaped cross-section formed by an outer side wall  14 , a top wall  15  and a bottom wall  16 , wherein the top wall  15  and the bottom wall  16  extend inwards from the outer side wall  14  such that an opening  17  of the U-shaped cross-section faces towards a centre  13  of the ring  11  in the assembled operational configuration to receive the length of line  20 . 
     The ring section  12  further defines two end faces  18 ,  19  with the outer side wall  14 , the top wall  15  and the bottom wall  16  extending between the two end faces  18 ,  19 . 
     The end face  18  and the end face  19  each include an upper inner ring connector  21 , a lower inner ring connector  22  and an outer ring connector  23 . When assembling the ring  11 , each upper inner ring connector  21  of a ring section  12  is interconnected to the upper inner ring connector  21  of an adjacent ring section  12 , each lower inner ring  22  of a ring section  12  is interconnected to the lower inner ring connector  22  of an adjacent ring section  12 , and each outer ring connector  23  of a ring section  12  is interconnected to the outer ring connector  23  of an adjacent ring section  12  using a spacer  24  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As can be clearly seen in  FIG. 3 , in the assembled operational configuration, the frames  12  form a regular polygon. Due to the ring  11  being formed by nine sections  12 , each ring section  12  spans an angle β=40 degrees of the ring  11 . The ring  11  can be supported by the rail  51   a  of the support structure  50  of  FIG. 2  as long as distance R 2  between centre  13  and the lower inner ring connectors  22  is equal to or smaller than the radius R 1  of the rail  51  and as long as the radius R 1  is equal to or smaller than a distance R 3  between the centre  13  and the outer side wall  14 . This means that although in the shown examples, the support structure  50  is used in combination with a spool storage device  10  having nine ring sections  12 , it is well possible that a ring  11  made of a different number of ring sections, e.g. eight or ten ring sections  12 , possibly even seven or eleven ring sections also can be used with the support structure. In that case, it may be that different spacers  24  need to be used to adjust to the new number of ring sections used to assemble the ring  11 , but would provide the advantage that the same ring sections can be used to form different sized rings which may be useful when different lines are to be spooled in the ring  11  having different minimal radius of curvatures. 
     Shown in  FIG. 5  is that the top wall  15  includes an attachment eye  25  allowing the lines  60  to be connected to a ring section  12  to lift the ring  11 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fact that the spool  20  is arranged on the inside of the outer side wall  14  between the top wall  15  and the bottom wall  16  has the advantage that no back tension is required to keep the spool  20  in the spool storage device  10 . However, this means that the length of line can only be unwound via the openings  17  at the inner side of the ring  11 . To guide the unwinding of the length of line, a guide  30  may be provided to guide the line from the inside of the ring  11  to the outside of ring  11 . As an example in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the guide  30  is embodied as a tube having a fixed part  30   a  that is connected to one of the frames  54  of a ring section of the support structure below the rail, and a moveable part  30   b  that is connected to the fixed part  30   a  and able to rotate relative to the fixed part  30   a  about a longitudinal axis of the fixed part  30   a  to adjust its position to the location where the line leaves the ring  11  during unwinding. Instead of a tube, it is also envisaged that the guide is embodied as a plurality of rollers, a gutter, a chute or a plurality of guiding rings. 
     All ring sections  12 ,  52  have dimensions that fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container so as to be transportable as or by an ISO shipping container. Hence, when for instance a length of line is needed at an offshore location, it is possible to transport the ring sections  52  as and/or by ISO shipping container to the offshore location and assemble the support structure there from the disassembled transport configuration to the assembled operation configuration as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     A filled spool storage device may be prepared at another location, e.g. an onshore location by providing the spool storage device in the assembled operational configuration and spooling a length of line in the spool storage device. The spool storage device can then be transported to the offshore location, e.g. using the lines  60  when hoisting the spool storage device, to be supported by the support structure. After unwinding the length of line from the spool storage device, the spool storage device can be disassembled from the assembled operational configuration to the disassembled transport configuration after which the ring sections  12  can be transported back to the onshore location as and/or by ISO shipping container. 
     The spacers  24  of the spool storage device may be disconnected and transported separately, but may also be rotated to be parallel to the corresponding end face as shown in  FIG. 5  to be arranged within the contours of the ring section  12 . The same may apply to the spacers  54   f  of the support structure. 
       FIG. 7  schematically depicts a ring section  12  of a modular spool storage device according to another embodiment of the invention. In an operational configuration of the ring section  12 , the ring section  12  has a U-shaped cross-section formed by an outer wall  14 , a top wall  15  and a bottom wall  16 , wherein the top wall  15  and the bottom wall  16  extend in the same direction from the outer side wall  14  such that an opening  17  is formed to receive a length of line, e.g. cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, or umbilicals or the like. 
     The ring section  12  further defines two end faces  18 ,  19  with the outer side wall  14 , the top wall  15  and the bottom wall  16  extending between the two end faces  18 ,  19 . 
     The end face  18  and the end face  19  each include a plurality of ring connectors  23  allowing assembly of a ring by interconnection of the respective ring connectors  23  of a plurality of ring sections in circumferential direction. Hence, each ring connector  23  of a ring section  12  is connected to a respective ring connector  23  of an adjacent ring section  12 . 
     The ring section  12  of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  has two portions that are connectable to each other. A first portion includes the top wall  15  and an upper portion  14   t  of the side wall  14 . The second portion includes a lower portion  14   b  of the side wall  14  and the bottom wall  16 . Both the first and second portions thus have an L-shaped cross-section. When the lower portion  14   b  and the upper portion  14   t  are connected to each other as shown in  FIG. 7  they form an U-shaped cross-section that can be used to receive a length of line. This configuration will be referred to as the operational configuration of the ring section  12 . The first and second portion can also be arranged such that they form a rectangular or square shaped cross-section. This is shown in  FIG. 8 . The configuration in  FIG. 8  will be referred to as the transport configuration. 
     An advantage of having an operational and transport configuration of the ring section  12  is that the dimensions can be different. In the transport configuration, the dimensions of the ring section fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container so as to be transportable as or by an ISO shipping container. In the operational configuration, these dimensions do not necessarily need to fit into or correspond to that of an ISO shipping container, so that the dimensions may be increased, e.g. as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8  where the height of the ring section  12  in the operational configuration is substantially twice that of the height of the ring section  12  in the transport configuration allowing to receive substantially twice as much length of line while keeping the advantage of the transportability and modularity. 
     In this embodiment, a ring section  12  includes at least one rail section  55 , in this embodiment two rail sections  55 . The two rail sections  55  are both connected to the bottom side  16  and are configured to engage with a modular support structure to guide motion of the ring section  12 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a modular spool storage device  10  according to an embodiment of the invention that is configured to store a length of line, e.g. cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like, having a capacity of at least 10 mt, which is configurable between an assembled operational configuration as shown in  FIG. 9  and a disassembled transport configuration. 
     In the assembled operational configuration, the device  1  includes a ring  11  formed by multiple ring sections  12 , in this embodiment ring sections  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the ring  11  includes 16 ring sections  12 , but due to the fact that a length of the free ends of the top and bottom walls  15 ,  16  is smaller than a length of the sidewall  14 , different rings  11  having a different number of ring sections  12  can be formed. 
     The ring sections  12  in top view form a regular polygon with each ring section  12  spanning an angle β=22.5 degrees of the ring  11  about a centre  13  and defining an inscribed circle having radius R 2  and defining an circumscribed circle having radius R 3 . 
     The rail sections  55  form an inner rail ring  51   a  and an outer rail ring  51   b . Preferably, the rail sections  55  engage each other in the assembled operational configuration aiding in maintaining a circular shape of the ring  11  during use. 
       FIG. 10  schematically depicts a modular support structure  50  according to another embodiment of the invention. The modular support structure  50  is configurable between an assembled operational configuration as depicted in  FIG. 10  and a disassembled transport configuration. In the assembled operational configuration, the support structure includes a ring  51  with multiple, in this case  16 , ring sections  52 . 
       FIG. 11  schematically depicts one of the ring sections  52  in more detail. The ring section  52  includes a frame  54  and at least two, in this embodiment exactly two supports  56  to moveably support a rail section  55  of a modular spool storage device e.g. the modular spool storage device  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     The frame  54  is substantially rectangular in sheep, seen in plan view, comprising two frame members  54   a  extending in a longitudinal direction of the frame  54 , and three frame members  54   b ,  54   c , between the two frame members  54   a . All three frame members  54   b ,  54   c  provide rigidity to the frame  54 , but the frame members  54   b  are arranged at the two outer ends of the frame  54  and the frame member  54   c  is arranged in between the two outer ends. 
     At the two outer ends of the frame  54 , here as an extension of one of the frame members  54   a , ring connectors  54   d  are provided to interconnect ring sections  52  to form a ring  51  by connecting a ring connector  54   d  to a corresponding ring connector  54   d  of an adjacent ring section  52 . As the ring  51  is formed by sixteen ring sections, each ring section  52  spans an angle α=22.5 degrees of the ring  51  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In this embodiment, the supports  56  are arranged in the middle of frame members  54   a  and each include two rollers  56   a ,  56   b  and two guide elements  57 . The two rollers  56   a ,  56   b  are configured to moveably support the inner rail ring  51   a  or the outer rail ring  51   b  to allow the rail rings  51   a ,  51   b  to rotate about a centre  53  of the ring  51 . The guide elements  57  are provided to receive a rail ring  51   a ,  51   b  in between to limit radial movement of the rail ring  51   a  and  51   b  which will aid in maintaining a circular shape of the modular spool storage device  10 . 
     The position of the supports  56  in the middle of the frame members  54   a  may provide the advantage that the supports  56  are always in the right position independent of the number of ring sections  52  used to form ring  51 . 
     When the diameter of the ring  11  of the modular spool storage device  10  and the ring  51  of the modular support structure are matched to each other, in this case by using the same number of ring sections, because the ring sections have a similar length, the spool storage device  10  can rotatably be supported by the support structure as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The spool storage device  10  in  FIG. 12  is depicted while storing a spool  20 , which may be a length of line, e.g. a cable, rigid or flexible pipeline, umbilicals or the like.  FIG. 12  depicts the spool storage device  10  in a first assembled operational configuration in which the openings  17  of the ring sections  12  face towards a centre  13  of the ring  11  thereby arranging the spool  20  on the inside of the outer side wall  14  and no back tension is required to keep the spool  20  in the spool storage device  10 . However, this means that the length of line  20  can only be unwound via the openings  17  at the inner side of the ring  11 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts five spooling devices  60  arranged on an inside of the spool storage device  10 . Each spooling device  60  has a guide member  61 , e.g. including rollers, that can be set at different height levels to guide a line portion. Together, the spooling devices  60  define a spooling trajectory that may be adjustable to the spool  20 . Having a plurality of spooling devices has the advantage that one of the spooling device may be opened, e.g. to allow an end connector to pass the spooling device while the line may be guided by one or more other spooling devices and may be closed after passing of the end connector to engage with the line again. In this embodiment, the line is guided away over the spool storage device  10 . 
     An advantage of the spool storage device  10  and the support structure  50  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12  is that it is also possible to have a second assembled operational configuration as shown in  FIG. 13  in which the openings  17  of the ring sections  12  face away from a centre  13  of the ring  11 . Hence, the ring sections  12  are connected to each other with the openings  17  facing outwards. The same applies to the ring sections  52  of the ring  51  of the support structure  50 . In  FIG. 10 , the ring connectors  54   d  are arranged on the outside of the ring  51 , while in the configuration of  FIG. 13 , the ring connectors  54   d  are arranged on the inside of the support structure  50 . As the openings  17  face outwards, the spool  20  can be unwound at the outside, so that the spooling device  60  can now be arranged next to the spool storage device  10 . 
     A difference between the first and second assembled operational configurations is the diameter of the rings. In the second assembled operational configuration, this diameter is larger. Further, the number of ring sections may be varied to form a respective ring also resulting in different diameters of the rings. The rail sections, whether they are provided as part of the support structure or as part of the spool storage reel, will usually have a fixed radius of curvature, so that they may only be usable for a limited range of diameters of the ring. Hence, rail sections having different radii of curvature may be provided or chosen to match different diameters of the ring. In an embodiment, it may be possible that an outer rail ring in the first assembled operational configuration may be used as inner rail ring in the second assembled operational configuration of either the spool storage device or the support structure.