Aker Subsea As

Aker Solutions As

Finn Peter Gjerull

Arild Figenschou

An SZ laying machine for umbilical/power umbilical is described. Starting from an input end the machine includes: a first die receiving and collecting a first set of elongate elements substantially rectilinear from respective supplies of elongate elements, a second static die which receives and collects a second set of elongate elements substantially rectilinear from respective supplies of elongate elements and this second set is closed together with the first set into an assembled bundle, at least one supporting means which keeps the assembled bundle radially in place; a revolving device able to torsional rotate the bundle back and forth in an oscillating SZ manner, and a tape or band winding apparatus which in immediate proximity to the revolving device applies band or tape circumferentially onto the SZ laid bundle of elongate elements.

SZ winding machine

An umbilical includes a number of fluid pipes, electric wires and/or optical conductors, filler material located at least partially around and between the fluid pipes and the wires/conductors, and they are collectively gathered in a twisted bundle by a laying operation. The umbilical further includes a protective jacket that encompasses the fluid pipes, the wires/conductors and the filler material, and at least one load carrying element located in the cross section of the umbilical. Optionally, one or more fluid pipes constitute load carrying elements. The fluid pipes, the wires/conductors, the filler material and the at least one load carrying element, are alternately laid, i.e. by continuously alternating direction, in the entire or part of the longitudinal extension of the umbilical.

Umbilical

A power umbilical is shown that comprises a number of power cables () to transfer large amounts of electric power, optionally electric wires and/or optical conductors (), filler material () in the form of rigid elongated plastic elements that are located at least partially around and between the power cables () and the optional wires/conductors (), and they are collectively gathered in a twisted bundle by means of a laying operation. A protective jacket () encompasses the power cables (), the optional wires/conductors (), the filler material (), and at least one load carrying element () predetermined located in the cross section of the power umbilical. The power cables (), the optional wires/conductors (), the filler material () and the at least one load carrying element (), are alternately laid, i.e. by continuously alternating direction, in the entire or part of the longitudinal extension of the power umbilical. This is combined with that the laid bundle is retained or maintained substantially rotationally rigid by the protective jacket (), possibly by the addition of a strength band, or tape, which is helically wound around the bundle adjacent to the protective jacket ().

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Høvik, Norway

Finn Peter Gjerull