Patent Publication Number: US-2022220945-A1

Title: Remote conduit de-coupling device

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/159,390, filed Oct. 12, 2018, which claims the benefit of co-pending, prior-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/572,198, filed Oct. 13, 2017, and co-pending, prior-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/592,139, filed Nov. 29, 2017, the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for remotely de-coupling or disconnecting conduit, such as fluid conduit, from another device, such as a fluid jack. 
     SUMMARY 
     Fluid jacks, such as hydraulic jacks, receive a pressurized fluid to provide a hydraulic or mechanical force to lift and/or support a load. The load can be an off-shore structure, such as an off-shore wind turbine for generating electricity. In such applications, at least some of the fluid jacks can be submerged to support the structure underwater. 
     In one independent aspect, a jack assembly includes a fluid jack and a valve housing. The fluid jack includes a cylinder and a ram. The cylinder has at least one fluid chamber configured to receive a pressurized fluid to move the ram. The valve housing is removably coupled to the fluid jack for providing fluid communication between the fluid jack and at least one fluid conduit. The valve housing includes a link movable between a first position and a second position. The valve housing is secured to the jack while the link is in the first position, and the valve assembly is disconnectable from the jack while the link is in the second position. 
     In another independent aspect, a conduit de-coupling device includes a supply port, a coupler for selectively engaging a connected device, a link positioned adjacent the coupler, and a disconnect port. The link is moveable between a first position in which the coupler is secured in engagement with the connected device, and a second position in which the coupler is permitted to disengage the connected device. The link is biased toward the first position. The disconnect port is in fluid communication with a fluid source to receive pressurized fluid to move the link from the first position to the second position. 
     In yet another independent aspect, a system for supporting a partially submerged structure includes a fluid jack, a first supply line for providing pressurized fluid to the fluid jack, and a device for removably coupling the first supply line to the fluid jack. The fluid jack includes a cylinder and a ram. The cylinder has at least one fluid chamber configured to receive a pressurized fluid to move the ram, and the ram is configured to engage a submerged portion of the structure. The device includes a coupler and a link. The coupler is configured to selectively engage a fitting of the fluid jack to facilitate fluid communication between the first supply line and the fluid jack. The link is movable between a first position and a second position. The link permits the coupler to be secured to the fluid jack while the link is in the first position, and the link permits disconnection of the coupler from the fluid jack while the link is in the second position. The system further includes a second supply line for providing pressurized fluid to the device to actuate the link. 
     Other independent aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wind turbine supported on an off-shore platform. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section side view of a platform. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-section view of a portion of the platform of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is another side cross-section view of the portion of the platform of  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic of a fluid jack system with a fixation jack in a retracted state. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic of the fluid jack system of  FIG. 5A , with the fixation jack in an extended state. 
         FIG. 5C  is a schematic of the fluid jack system of  FIG. 5B  activating a de-coupling device. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of a fluid cylinder and a de-coupling device. 
         FIG. 7A-7D  are cross-sectional views of the de-coupling device in communication with a supply line and a disconnect line. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fixation cylinder engaging a portion of a monopile. 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the fixation cylinder of  FIG. 8  with a de-coupling device in a connected position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the fixation cylinder and de-coupling device of  FIG. 9  with the de-coupling device in a disconnected position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any independent embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted”, “connected”, “supported”, and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     The disclosure generally relates to a de-coupling device for remotely disconnecting conduit, such as fluid hoses. The de-coupling device is described below with respect to a fluid jack system for supporting an off-shore support structure (e.g., for a wind turbine). However, it is understood that the de-coupling device can be readily adapted for other applications and is not limited to the embodiments described below. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a support structure  10 , e.g. for supporting an off-shore wind turbine  4 . In some embodiments, the support structure  10  is at least partially submerged in a body of water. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  10  includes a foundation  18  and a transition structure  22 . The foundation  18  is coupled to and supports the transition structure  22 , which in turn is coupled to the wind turbine  4 . The foundation  18  may be supported on a seabed (not shown), either directly or by an intermediate support structure (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the foundation is a monopile  18 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the transition structure  22  is mounted on an upper end of the monopile  18 . The monopile  18  can have a tapered or frustoconical upper portion that mates with a similarly tapered or frustoconical portion of the transition structure  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the transition structure  22  may include platforms  12  at predetermined levels, including a service platform  12  adjacent an upper end. Also, an opening or passage  16  can extends through the center of the monopile  18  and the transition structure  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the transition structure  22  is supported on the monopile  18  by a jack system. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the jack system includes fluid jacks, including fixation cylinders  26  and leveling cylinders  32  ( FIG. 3 ). The fixation cylinders  26  are positioned adjacent a lower end of the transition structure  22 . Each fixation cylinder  26  includes a ram  86  ( FIG. 8 ) extending radially inwardly to engage an outer surface of the monopile  18 . Stated another way, the fixation cylinders  26  secure or clamp the transition structure  22  relative to the monopile  18 . The leveling cylinders  32  are coupled to the transition piece  22  and engage the upper edge of the monopile  18 . In some embodiments, each leveling cylinder  32  includes a ram (not shown) engaging the upper edge of the monopile  18 . The individual fixation cylinders  26  can be actuated independently or synchronously in order to secure the transition structure  22  in a desired position. Similarly, the individual leveling cylinders  32  can be actuated independently or synchronously in order to secure the transition structure  22  in a desired position. Each of the fluid jacks  26 ,  32  may be in fluid communication with a fluid source (e.g., a pump) through a de-coupling device  34  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some embodiments a tube or hose  40  extends along at least a portion of the transition structure  22  and is in fluid communication with a space between the monopile  18  and transition structure  22 . Once the transition structure  22  is in a desired position, the hose  40  delivers a securing medium  38  (e.g., grout) to the space between the monopile  18  and the transition structure  22 . The securing medium is then permitted to cure or set, thereby securing the transition structure  22  to the monopile  18 . In some embodiments, the fixation cylinders  26  and leveling cylinders  32  support the transition structure  22  in a desired positioned while the securing medium  38  is introduced and cured. Once the connection is set, the de-coupling device  34  facilitates disconnection of the fixation cylinders from the fluid source in an environmentally sustainable manner. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate an exemplary hydraulic circuit for the fixation cylinders  26 . For simplicity, one fixation cylinder  26  is shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the fixation cylinder  26  is initially in a retracted state (i.e., a plunger or ram is in a retracted position). The fixation cylinder  26  is connected to the de-coupling device  34  to receive pressurized fluid  48  from a first conduit or supply line  42  at a first pressure or supply pressure. The supply line  42  is in fluid communication with one or more supply pumps  52   a . In the illustrated embodiment, the pumps  52   a  draw fluid, e.g. hydraulic oil, from a supply tank  43  and are driven by a motor  56 . Flow from the pump(s)  52   a  to the de-coupling device  34  and cylinder  26  is controlled by a control valve  64   a.    
     The flow from the pump(s)  52   a  drives the ram of each fixation cylinder  26  to extend and engage the monopile  18  ( FIG. 4 ), and the coordinated actuation of the fixation cylinders  26  maintains or secures the transition structure  22  in a desired position relative to the monopile  18 . In addition, a load holding valve  94  remains closed to prevent reverse flow from the cylinder  26 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the system may include a manifold having multiple load holding valves  94 , with each valve  94  being associated with a respective fixation cylinder  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , in the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder  26  is disconnected from the supply pump(s)  52   a , and the load holding valve  94  remains closed to secure the rod of the fixation cylinder  26  in the extended position. The cylinder  26  remains in this state while the securing medium  38  ( FIG. 4 ) is introduced between the monopile  18  and transition structure  22 , until the grout has sufficiently cured to provide a stable connection. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5C , after the medium is cured and the connection between the monopile  18  and transition structure  22  is secure, the system is operated to provide fluid to the de-coupling device  34  by a second supply conduit or “disconnect” line  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid in the disconnect line  44  is at a lower pressure than fluid in the supply line  42 . In addition, the load holding valve  94  is opened to place the supply line  42  in communication with a drain tank or reservoir  43 . The fixation cylinder  26  is therefore depressurized and the ram  86  ( FIG. 4 ) is retracted. The disconnect line  44  provides fluid communication between the pumps  52   b  and the de-coupling device  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pumps  52   b  draw fluid (e.g., hydraulic oil) from a tank, and flow from the pumps  52   b  is controlled by a control valve  64   b . In some embodiments, the pump  52   b  may be a hand pump. Also, in some embodiments, the disconnect line  44  may be in fluid communication with one or more pumps  52   b  during retraction of the cylinder  26 . Activation of the de-coupling device  34  disconnects the fixation cylinder  26  from the fluid lines and the fluid source, as discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the fixation cylinder  26  is directly coupled to the de-coupling device  34 . For example, the fixation cylinder  26  includes a supply port  76  that is mechanically connected to the de-coupling device  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fixation cylinder  26  is a single-acting cylinder and the ram  86  ( FIG. 4 ) is movable when pressurized fluid  48  enters the cylinder. The ram  86  may be biased by a spring (not shown) to retract when the pressure of the fluid  48  in the cylinder is below a predetermined level. As the ram retracts, pressurized fluid  48  moves out of the fixation cylinder  26  and into the supply line  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D , the de-coupling device  34  includes a first port  72  adapted to engage the supply port  76  of the cylinder  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first port  72  includes a female sleeve member  72  and the supply port  76  includes a male input member  76 . The de-coupling device  34  further includes a sliding member or link or plunger  80  positioned adjacent the first port  72 . The sliding member  80  is moveable between a first position ( FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  8 , and  9 ) in which the first port  72  is permitted to engage the supply port  76 , and a second position ( FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 10 ) in which the first port  72  is disengaged from the supply port  76  of the cylinder  26 . The sliding member  80  is biased towards the first position via a biasing member or spring  84 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding member  80  includes a flange or protrusion  82  engaging the first port  72 , and a piston portion  90  in fluid communication with the disconnect line  44 . When pressurized fluid  48  is supplied via the disconnect line  44  to move the piston portion  90  against the spring  84 , the protrusion  82  of the sliding member  80  moves to the second position, engaging and moving the connecting portion of the first port  72  (e.g., the female sleeve member  72 ) and thereby disengaging the de-coupling device  34  from the cylinder  26 . 
     The de-coupling device  34  provides a releasable connection between the supply line  42  and the cylinder  26 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the cylinder  26  is actuated by supplying pressurized fluid  48  through a first inlet  50  of the de-coupling device  34  from the supply line  42 . While the sliding member  80  is in the first position ( FIG. 7A ), the pressurized fluid  48  is delivered to the fixation cylinder  26 , pressurizing the cylinder  26  and extending the ram  86  to engage the monopile  18  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). When it is no longer necessary to provide fluid to the cylinder  26 , the pump  52   a  is stopped and disconnected, with the load holding valves  94  closed in order to lock the pressure in the fixation cylinder  26  ( FIG. 5B ). The system is connected to secondary pump (not shown) and the load holding valves  94  are opened to release pressure in the lines  42 , causing the plunger of each fixation cylinder  26  to retract. Pressurized fluid  48  is supplied through the disconnect line  44 , moving the sliding member  80  to the second position ( FIG. 7C ). In this position, the de-coupling device  34  can be removed from the fixation cylinder  26  ( FIGS. 7D and 10 ). 
     During installation, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the transition structure  22  is positioned on the monopile  18 . Each of the fixation cylinders  26  is activated via fluid  48  delivered by the supply line  42 . Each of the fixation cylinders  26  may be pressurized to a predetermined level. As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the system is disconnected from the secondary pump (not shown). A securing medium  38 , e.g. grout, is then introduced into a space between the monopile  18  and the transition structure  22  via the hose  40 . Once the securing medium  38  has set or cured, yet another pump (not shown) is connected to the system ( FIG. 5C ) and one or more load holding valves  94  may be opened, causing the pressurized fluid  48  to be drained through the line  42  and into the tank  43 . The control valve  64   b  ( FIG. 5C ) is then activated to deliver fluid to the second inlet  54  ( FIG. 7C ) of the de-coupling device  34  through the disconnect line  44 , disengaging the de-coupling device  34  from the fixation cylinder  26 . 
     Also, in the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A , the de-coupling device  34  includes a sequence valve or main valve  88  and a check valve  92 . The main valve  88  is moveable to an open position to permit fluid flow when the pressure of fluid from the supply line  42  exceeds a threshold pressure. This configuration avoids a situation in which the ram  86  of the fixation cylinder  26  might extend due to a head pressure of the fluid column in the conduit  42 . During retraction, the fluid can flow freely back through the check valve  92 . In other embodiments, the pressure regulator may include other types and/or configurations of valves. The check valve  92  releases the pressurized fluid from the fixation cylinder  26  when the line  42  is depressurized. 
     The de-coupling device  34  permits an operator to remotely disconnect the conduit or lines, particularly from cylinders  26  that may be submerged. The de-coupling device  34  avoids the need to manually disconnect or cut the supply lines, thereby simplifying the installation process and also reducing pollution by avoiding spilling residual fluid in the lines into the sea. Once the de-coupling device  34  disengages the fixation cylinder  26 , an internal valve (not shown) will prevent leakage of fluid in the lines or de-coupling device. In addition, the de-coupling device  34  is re-usable in that is can be easily connected to another cylinder and used in a similar manner. Although the de-coupling device  34  has been described above with respect to the fixation cylinders  26 , it is understood that a similar de-coupling device could be connected to a cylinder in another application, and to cylinders used for other functions, such as supporting a load. 
     The independent embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described.