OSVS & CABLE INSTALLATIONS
welded onto the mainframe to accommodate the largest end and to fully close to pull through the initiation rope. The design allowed for the lowering or raising of the bottom tracks fixed position via hydraulic cylinders or lifting slings.
Additional grip cylinders were added to the outside of the tensioner tracks to cater for the lower co-efficient of friction value to be used for setting the grip load.
Due to the orientation of the spooling tower, the tensioner had to be installed to maintain at least 7.5Te of tension to the carousel. The current configuration of tensioner allowed for 10Te outboard (towards the
VLS) and 5Te towards the carousel, because of the orientation of the tensioner design. To prevent bunching of the chain under tension, an innovative approach was devised to avoid slippage of the track chain over the drive sprocket.
The Siemens control system was modified to allow the carousel and tensioner to work in tandem.
A further feature involved the tensioner interfacing with the spooling tower frame, aligning with the entry and exit chutes. To achieve this, Sparrows removed the tensioner’s base frame so it could be mounted directly from its load cells onto the spooling tower.
Benefits
As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the tensioner, we could assess the feasibility of modifying the tensioner to suit the project quickly, saving time and cost.
The installed lay system enabled the client to cut vessel downtime by spooling the product and large end fitting on and off their carousel without the need for more complex lifting and handling.
Savings were also made through modifying the tensioner, as opposed to building a new machine, in an extremely short timescale.
Conclusion
Projects in challenging environments have different requirements in the size and capabilities of the tensioners or RDS involved in the installation activities. As operators move from working in shallower areas to greater depths, the issue for OEMs is ensuring the equipment is adaptable to these different environments.
Tailoring existing systems, rather than manufacturing new equipment, can provide several advantages to the customer through a faster turnaround, improved handling ability, cost savings and peace of mind that the equipment will perform correctly and reliably without any downtime.
Left: Tensioner after modifications - front view. Below: Tensioner after modifications - rear view.
July 2017 |
www.sosmagazine.biz | p35
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