초록 ▼

The present invention relates to protector apparatus (30) for protecting at least one cable (24) during operation of a diverter (28). The protector apparatus (30) comprises at least one protector assembly substantially formed of a plastics material. The protector assembly defines a plurality of bore

The present invention relates to protector apparatus (30) for protecting at least one cable (24) during operation of a diverter (28). The protector apparatus (30) comprises at least one protector assembly substantially formed of a plastics material. The protector assembly defines a plurality of bores, a first of the plurality of bores being configured to receive a string (23) and a second of the plurality of bores being configured to receive a cable (24). The protector assembly is further configured to define an external surface with which an operating diverter engages when the protector apparatus is in use and a string is received in the first bore.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Protector apparatus for protecting at least one cable during operation of a diverter, the protector apparatus comprising: a plurality of protector assemblies substantially formed of a plastics material, each protector assembly defining a plurality of bores, a first of the plurality of bores being

1. Protector apparatus for protecting at least one cable during operation of a diverter, the protector apparatus comprising: a plurality of protector assemblies substantially formed of a plastics material, each protector assembly defining a plurality of bores, a first of the plurality of bores being configured to receive a string and a second of the plurality of bores being configured to receive a cable, each protector assembly being further configured to define an external surface with which an operating diverter can sealingly engage when the protector apparatus is in use and the string is received in the first bore, the plurality of protector assemblies being configured to be brought into engagement with each other along a direction of the first bore to form the protector apparatus, andwherein the plurality of protector assemblies comprise first and second end protector assemblies, the end protector assembly being configured to interlock at only a first of two opposing ends of the end protector assembly with another protector assembly,wherein the first end of the end protector assembly comprises one of a male portion and a female portion, configured to interlock with a corresponding one of a female portion and a male portion provided on the other protector assembly, in which the male portion comprises an annular member extending from an end of a protector assembly and the female portion comprises an annular groove formed towards an end of a protector assembly, the annular member and the annular groove have corresponding profiles such that the annular member can be received in the annular groove; andwherein the plurality of protector assemblies comprise at least one centre protector assembly, the at least one centre protector assembly being configured to engage at a first end with the first end protector assembly and to engage at a second, opposing end with at least one of another centre protector assembly and the second end protector assembly. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the end protector assembly is configured to engage with another protector assembly by means of respective interlocking profiles such that rotation of the end protector assembly and the other protector assembly in relation to each other is resisted. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which a first bore of the end protector assembly has a profile shaped to be a snug fit around a portion of a string of varying diameter. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plurality of protector assemblies is configured to extend, when in use, above and below the diverter located at or near a rig floor. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the external surface defined by the protector assembly is curved. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each of the plurality of protector assemblies comprises a first protector component and a second protector component, which are movable between a first disposition, in which a string can be moved into the first bore, and a second disposition, in which removal of the string from the first bore is resisted, and wherein each of the plurality of protector assemblies comprises a first seal, provided at an edge of one of the abutting faces of the first and second protector component, and a second seal, provided towards an edge of a face at one end of the centre protector assembly. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which each protector assembly is configured such that a cable can be moved into the second bore in the first disposition and removal of the cable from the second bore is resisted in the second disposition. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the first and second protector components are movable bodily in relation to each other. 9. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which each of the first and second protector components define in part each of the first and second bores. 10. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which at least one further bore other than the first bore is defined at a location spaced apart from opposing surfaces of the first and second protector components. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the first protector component comprises a protector part, the first protector component and the protector part defining the first bore between them. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the protector part and the second protector component define the at least one further bore between them. 13. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the first protector component and the protector part are movable in relation to each other between the first disposition, in which the string can be received in the first bore, and the second disposition, in which removal of the string from the first bore is resisted. 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the protector assembly is formed at least in part of a sacrificial plastics material. 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plastics material comprises a buoyancy material, which is operative to make the protector assembly positively buoyant in sea water.