JP3967945B2

JP3967945B2 - Connection method and connection factory between optical submarine cable and submarine repeater

Info

Publication number: JP3967945B2
Application number: JP2002084992A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 靖舟木; 幸成永松; 瀧男宮本
Original assignee: OCC Corp
Current assignee: OCC Corp
Priority date: 2002-03-26
Filing date: 2002-03-26
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-26
Also published as: JP2003279784A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続方法と、接続工場とに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
複数の光ファイバの周りに補強用の抗張力体や絶縁材を配置し、さらにシース加工を施して完成される光海底ケーブルは、通常、海底の状態が穏やかな水深５００m以上深い深海に無外装の状態で敷設される。一方、海底に岩盤や岩、珊瑚等があり、潮流、波浪のような自然現象によって影響を受けやすい海底、又は海岸に沿う海底では、前記無外装の光海底ケーブルを使用すると外傷を受けるおそれがあることから、無外装の光海底ケーブルに代えて、無外装の光海底ケーブルの周りに外装を施した外装光海底ケーブルが使用される。本発明は、海底に敷設される無外装の光海底ケーブル又は外装光海底ケーブルに関する。
【０００３】
完成した相当数の無外装の光海底ケーブル又は外装光海底ケーブル（以下、単に光海底ケーブルという）は、光伝送システム設計及び海洋調査結果等の要求に基づいて所定の順番に並べられ、順番において隣り合った２つの光海底ケーブル相互間に海底中継器が接続される。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
１つの光海底ケーブルの長さが数十キロメートルあることと、外径が２０−６０ミリあることから、完成した光海底ケーブルをコイル状に巻いて仮置きするタンクは、光海底ケーブルをコイル状に巻いて仮置きするのに必要な高さ、例えば５−６メートルの高さとなり、光海底ケーブルをタンクに搬入する経路及び海底中継器を接続した光海底ケーブルを出荷する経路は、光海底ケーブルの剛性に対応して光海底ケーブルをタンクに搬入し、またタンクから搬出できるように、前記タンクより高い高さ、例えば９−１０メートルとなっている。
【０００５】
従来、海底中継器の中継器仮置き場所や、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器とを接続する接続室は、タンクと同一フロアに設置されていた。そのため、接続作業をするときと、接続作業をしてから問題が生じている。概略平面の図１１に示すように、タンク５０内に仮置きされた光海底ケーブル５１の端部は、実線のように交差した状態でタンク５０から横方向へ引き出され、接続室５２において海底中継器５３と接続されていた。光海底ケーブル５１を交差した状態で引き出すのは、光海底ケーブル５１が剛性を有することと、タンク５０から接続室５２までの距離が工場の大きさなどによって制限されることから、仮想線のように光海底ケーブル５１を引き出すことができなかったことによる。その結果、光海底ケーブル５１と海底中継器５３とを接続した後、海底中継器５３を反転する必要があり、労力の浪費となっていた。また、接続した後、長さが１−１．５メートルで重量が２５０−３００キログラムある海底中継器５３の両端から光海底ケーブル５１を長く垂らした状態で反転しながら、海底中継器５３及び光海底ケーブル５１を高い位置にある出荷経路までつり上げ、出荷経路に載せる作業が難しく、危険を伴っていた。
【０００６】
本発明は前記に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的とするところは、海底中継器を接続する際の作業性を改善すると共に、海底中継器を接続した光海底ケーブルを出荷経路に載せやすくし、作業の危険性を少なくすることができる、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続方法と、接続工場とを提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するため本願発明は次の構成とした。請求項１に係る発明の要旨は、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器とを接続する方法であって、前記光海底ケーブルを仮置きする仮置き場所と、前記仮置き場所よりも高い位置に設けられた、前記海底中継器を仮置きする中継器仮置き場所と、前記光海底ケーブル及び海底中継器を搬入出荷する搬入経路及び出荷経路と、前記中継器仮置き場所と実質的に同じ高さで前記中継器仮置き場所から水平方向へ間隔をおいて設けられた、前記光海底ケーブルと前記海底中継器との接続作業をする接続室とを備え、
前記中継器仮置き場所と接続室とは、前記仮置き場所の一方側に位置し、搬入経路及び出荷経路が前記仮置き場所の他方側に位置しており、前記海底中継器と前記搬入経路から搬入された前記光海底ケーブルの接続すべき端部を前記仮置き場所から上方へ引き出して前記接続室に導き、前記接続室において前記光海底ケーブルの端部とを接続する工程と、前記光海底ケーブルが接続された前記海底中継器を前記中継器仮置き場所に移動し、仮置きする工程と、前記光海底ケーブルが接続された前記海底中継器を前記中継器仮置き場所から前記出荷経路に移動し、出荷経路から出荷する工程とを含むことを特徴とする、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続方法に存する。
請求項２に係る発明の要旨は、前記中継器仮置き場所と前記接続室とは防塵機能を有する、壁と水平方向へ一列に配置した開閉可能な複数の扉とで仕切られていることを特徴とする，請求項１に記載の光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続方法に存する。
請求項３に係る発明の要旨は、前記接続室内に、高度に清浄な雰囲気に保つ清浄室を設け、一部の接続作業を前記清浄室内で行うことを特徴とする、請求項１又は２に記載の光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続方法に存する。
請求項４に係る発明の要旨は、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器とを接続する工場であって、前記光海底ケーブルを仮置きする仮置き場所と、前記仮置き場所よりも高い位置に設けられた、前記海底中継器を仮置きする中継器仮置き場所と、前記光海底ケーブル及び海底中継器を搬入出荷する搬入経路及び出荷経路と、前記中継器仮置き場所と実質的に同じ高さで前記中継器仮置き場所から水平方向へ間隔をおいて設けられた、前記光海底ケーブルと前記海底中継器との接続作業をする接続室とを備え、
前記中継器仮置き場所と接続室とは、前記仮置き場所の一方側に位置しており、前記搬入経路及び出荷経路が前記仮置き場所の他方側に位置している
ことを特徴とする、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続工場に存する。
請求項５に係る発明の要旨は、前記中継器仮置き場所と前記接続室とを仕切る、壁と、水平方向へ一列に配置した開閉可能な複数の扉とを備えていることを特徴とする、請求項４に記載の光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続工場に存する。
請求項６に係る発明の要旨は、前記接続室内に、囲み部材で囲まれた、高度に清浄な雰囲気に保つ清浄室が設けられていることを特徴とする、請求項４又は５に記載の光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続工場に存する。
請求項７に係る発明の要旨は、前記接続工場は、前記中継器仮置き場所と前記接続室との間を移動可能であるホイストと、前記開閉可能な複数の扉の上方に配置され、前記ホイストの移動通路を開閉可能なホイスト用扉とを備え、前記複数の扉のうち、前記ホイスト用扉の下方に位置する少なくとも１つの扉は、下側の枢着軸線回りを回転可能であり、残りの扉は、上側の枢着軸線回りを回転可能であることを特徴とする、請求項６に記載の光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続工場に存する。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１とを接続する方法は、接続工場の正面状態を示す図１と、接続工場の平面状態を示す図２と、接続室に面している壁及び扉を示す図３と、海底中継器１１の接続前の状態を示す図４と、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１とを接続した状態を示す図５とを参照すると、基本的には、光海底ケーブル１０を仮置きする仮置き場所１２を設けること、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続作業をする接続室１３を仮置き場所１２よりも高い位置に設けること、光海底ケーブル１０の接続すべき端部１０ａを仮置き場所１２から上方へ引き出して接続室１３に導き、接続室１３において光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａと海底中継器１１とを接続することを含む。
【０００９】
光海底ケーブル１０は前述の無外装の光海底ケーブル又は外装光海底ケーブルであり、それ自体公知の構造を備える。光海底ケーブル１０は、最終的に決定した敷設順序又は出荷順序に従って仮置き場所１２にコイル状に巻かれて仮に配置される。
【００１０】
海底中継器１１は、図４及び図５に示すように、全体に筒状を呈しており、増幅器その他の必要機器を収納している。それぞれブーツを有する２つのカップリング１５を介して光海底ケーブル１０が海底中継器１１に接続される。接続室１３において、接続すべき２つの光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａと海底中継器１１とは、それ自体公知のように、水密性と電気絶縁性とを確保しながら光学的、電気的そして機械的に接続される。
【００１１】
光海底ケーブル１０の仮置き場所１２は、上方を開口とした全体に円筒状のタンクであり、フロア１７に設置されている。タンクに代えて、周方向に間隔をおいて円形に配置した複数の円柱で仮置き場所１２を作ることもできる。図示の実施形態では、タンクは約１０メートルの高さを有する。出荷経路１６と同じ高さにある搬入経路１８を経て搬入された光海底ケーブル１０は、タンクの上方からタンク内に降ろされ、コイル状に巻いて配置される。その結果、１単長の光海底ケーブル１０毎に２つの端部１０ａが接続室１３の近傍まで延ばされて仮置きされる。
【００１２】
接続室１３を仮置き場所１２より高い位置に設けることは、接続室１３を例えば、約１０メートルの高さ位置にある出荷経路１６とほぼ同じ高さ位置に設置しうることである。これによって、２つの光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａを接続した海底中継器１１をフロア１７から出荷経路１６までつり上げる必要がなくなり、作業の容易性を確保できる上、作業の危険性を少なくすることができる。
【００１３】
本発明に係る光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１とを接続する方法はまた、再び図１及び図２を参照すると、海底中継器１１を仮置きする中継器仮置き場所１９を、光海底ケーブル１０を仮置きする仮置き場所１２よりも高い位置に設けると共に、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続作業をする接続室１３を中継器仮置き場所１９と実質的に同じ高さで中継器仮置き場所１９から水平方向へ間隔をおいて設けること、中継器仮置き場所１９に仮置きした海底中継器１１を接続室１３に移動すると共に、光海底ケーブル１０の接続すべき端部１０ａを仮置き場所１２から上方へ引き出して接続室１３に導き、接続室１３において光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａと海底中継器１１とを接続することを含む。
【００１４】
この方法によれば、海底中継器１１のための中継器仮置き場所１９を設けているため、相当数の海底中継器１１を使用する場合、これら海底中継器１１を中継器仮置き場所１９に前もって仮置きすることができる。中継器仮置き場所１９への海底中継器１１の仮置きと、仮置き場所１２への光海底ケーブル１０の仮置きとは、同時的に行うことが可能である。このようにして、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続作業の能率化を図ることが可能となる。また、中継器仮置き場所１９を光海底ケーブル１０の仮置き場所１２よりも高い位置に設けると共に、接続室１３を中継器仮置き場所１９と実質的に同じ高さで中継器仮置き場所１９から水平方向へ間隔をおいて設けているため、接続した海底中継器１１及び光海底ケーブル１０をフロア１７からつり上げることによる問題点を解消する。さらに、中継器仮置き場所１９から接続室１３まで海底中継器１１を実質的に水平に移動するだけでよく、接続作業の単純化を図ることが可能となる。
【００１５】
中継器仮置き場所１９を備えることによって次のような接続方法が可能となる。例えば、光伝送システム設計に基づいて、ある海底中継器１１と接続すべき２つの光海底ケーブル１０が特定され、別の海底中継器１１と接続すべき２つの光海底ケーブル１０が特定されるというように、２つの光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続関係が定められている場合、海底中継器１１を順番に中継器仮置き場所１９に積み上げる。一方、各海底中継器１１に対応する２つの光海底ケーブル１０それぞれの端部１０ａを海底中継器１１と並べて中継器仮置き場所１９に仮に配置する。このようにして、間違いのない接続を能率的に行うことができる。
【００１６】
中継器仮置き場所１９を設ける場合、光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａと接続した海底中継器１１を中継器仮置き場所１９に戻して仮置きすることができる。相当数の海底中継器１１とこれよりも１つ多い数量の光海底ケーブル１０とを接続する場合、接続室１３における接続作業は、一般に、１つの海底中継器１１と２つの光海底ケーブル１０との接続であるから、既に接続し終わった海底中継器１１は出荷まで中継器仮置き場所１９に仮置きして保管する。
【００１７】
中継器仮置き場所１９と接続室１３とを、図３に示すように、防塵機能を有する、壁２２と、水平方向へ一列に配置した複数の扉２３，２４と、図示しない天井とで仕切る。仮置き場所１２や中継器仮置き場所１９は、通常、建屋内に配置するが、石灰、埃その他の微小粒子が浮遊している環境でもある。一方、接続室１３における光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続は、海底中継器１１がいわば精密機器であることから、微小粒子が少ない雰囲気で行うことが必要である。そこで、壁２２と複数の扉２３，２４とによって、微小粒子が仮置き場所１２や中継器仮置き場所１９から接続室１３へ進入するのを抑える。
【００１８】
さらに、接続室１３内に、テントのような囲み部材１４で囲んで清浄室１３ａを設け、この清浄室１３ａを高度に清浄な雰囲気に保ち、光ファイバの接続や絶縁体モールドのような一部の接続作業を清浄室１３ａ内で行うことが好ましい。ここで、高度に清浄な雰囲気とは、例えば、クリーン度１０万クラスを保つことである。このように、壁２２や複数の扉２３，２４によって微小粒子が接続室１３へ進入するのを防ぎ、さらに、接続室１３内に囲み部材１４で囲んで、高度に清浄な雰囲気に保つ清浄室１３ａを設けることは、大掛かりな設備とすることなく、光ファイバの精度の高い接続を確保するのに有用である。
【００１９】
本発明に係る光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１とを接続する工場は基本的には、再び図１及び図２を参照すると、光海底ケーブル１０を仮置きする仮置き場所１２と、仮置き場所１２よりも高い位置に設けられた、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１との接続作業をする接続室１３とを備える。そして、好ましい態様ではさらに、海底中継器１１を仮置きする中継器仮置き場所１９を備える。この好ましい態様では、接続室１３は、中継器仮置き場所１９と実質的に同じ高さで中継器仮置き場所１９から水平方向へ間隔をおいて設けられる。
【００２０】
光海底ケーブル１０の仮置き場所１２は、全体に円筒状のタンクである。このタンクを建屋の一階のフロア１７に設置し、タンクよりも高くなるが、タンクの上方でタンクと重ならないような建屋の上階２０に中継器仮置き場所１９を設け、さらに中継器仮置き場所１９と同じ上階２０に接続室１３を設ける。接続室１３は、中継器仮置き場所１９から水平方向に間隔をおいていればよく、図２において、中継器仮置き場所１９に対して接近、離反する方向となる部位、その他の部位に設けることができる。
【００２１】
図示の実施形態では、中継器仮置き場所１９と接続室１３とは、仮置き場所１２の一方側に位置しており、搬入経路１８及び出荷経路１６が仮置き場所１２の他方側で仮置き場所１２の上方に位置している。そして、搬入経路１８及び出荷経路１６は上階２０の床面よりも高い位置にある。これは上階２０における作業性を考慮した結果であり、例えば、搬入経路１８及び出荷経路１６を上階２０の床面から０．８m程度高い位置に定めることができる。
【００２２】
接続工場は、正面状態の図６ないし図８及び図１０と、平面状態の図９とに示すように、中継器仮置き場所１９と接続室１３（図９参照）とを仕切り、防塵機能を有する、フロア２１から立ち上がった壁２２と、開閉可能な複数の扉２３，２４，２５とを備える。光海底ケーブル１０や海底中継器１１を接続室１３に搬入し、また搬出する際には、扉２３，２４，２５を開くが、接続作業中は扉２３，２４，２５を閉じることによって微小粒子が接続室１３内に進入するのを抑える。さらに、接続室１３内に囲み部材１４で囲んだ清浄室１３ａを設けることが好ましい。図６ないし図８及び図１０において、中継器仮置き場所は紙面の手前側、接続室は紙面の向こう側に位置する。
【００２３】
図示の実施形態では、壁２２は、水平方向へ一列に配列された複数の扉２３，２４，２５用の開口３１を有し、複数の扉２３，２４，２５が開口３１を開閉可能に取り付けられている。中継器仮置き場所１９と接続室１３との間を移動可能であるホイスト２６が壁２２を貫通して移動できるように配置されている。そして、ホイスト２６の移動通路を開閉可能なホイスト用扉２７が設けられている。
【００２４】
扉２３，２４は実質的に同じ大きさであるが、ホイスト用扉２７の下方に位置する扉２３は、下側の枢着軸線２８の回りを回転可能に支持されている。これに対して、扉２３の側方にある２つの扉２４は、上側の枢着軸線２９の回りを回転可能に支持されている。残りの複数の扉２５は、実質的に同じ大きさであり、上側の枢着軸線２９の回りを回転可能に支持されている。ホイスト用扉２７は、いわゆる観音開きの扉であり、垂直軸線の回りを回転可能である。図示の実施形態では、扉２４と扉２５とは大きさが異なっているが、これは同じ大きさとすることもできる。
【００２５】
扉２３，２４，２５とホイスト用扉２７とを前述の形態にしたのは、光海底ケーブル１０が接続された海底中継器１１を接続室１３から中継器仮置き場所１９に戻す際の便宜に基づく。図７及び図１０に示すように、扉２３，２４，２５とホイスト用扉２７とを開いた状態にしたとき、すなわち扉２３を下方へ回転して固定し、扉２４，２５を上方へ回転して固定してすべての扉２３，２４，２５を開き、ホイスト用扉２７を開いたとき、扉２３の上方にホイスト２６から垂下するチェーン３０が位置するが、扉２３が下方へ回転しているため、チェーン３０と干渉するのを防ぐことができる。扉２４，２５を扉２３とは異なる取付けとしたのは、光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａを中継器仮置き場所１９から接続室１３へ搬送する際の便宜に基づく。このとき、壁２２の開口３１の下端にあるゴム３４が光海底ケーブル１０に損傷を及ぼすのを防ぐ。
【００２６】
図７に示すように、扉２３，２４，２５とホイスト用扉２７とを開いた状態にし、図８及び図９に示すように、壁２２の開口３１を経て光海底ケーブル１０を接続室１３に導く。それに先だって、又はその後、ホイスト２６によって海底中継器１１を図１０のようにつり上げ（図１０では、光海底ケーブル１０と海底中継器１１とを接続した状態で示してあるが、海底中継器１１そのもののつり上げは同じである。）、海底中継器１１をその軸線が図８の紙面に直交するように旋回し、接続室１３に搬入する。海底中継器１１が接続室１３内の所定位置に到着した後、海底中継器１１をその軸線が図８の紙面にほぼ平行するように旋回して接続室１３に置く。
【００２７】
接続室１３内で光海底ケーブル１０の端部１０ａを海底中継器１１にカップリング１５を介して接続し、海底中継器１１にカップリング１５を嵌合する。接続が完了した後、図１０に示すように、ホイスト２６によって海底中継器１１をつり上げると、接続された光海底ケーブル１０が海底中継器１１と一緒に運び出される。運び出された海底中継器１１と光海底ケーブル１０とは、図２に示した中継器仮置き場所１９に仮に保管する。すべての海底中継器１１とすべての光海底ケーブル１０との接続が完了した後、中継器仮置き場所１９において光学的及び電気的にシステム試験を行う。その後、出荷経路１６に載せて出荷する。出荷の際、光海底ケーブル１０が開口３１の下端に当るが、ゴム３４を貼り付けてあるため、損傷を防止できる。
【００２８】
前記実施形態では、壁２２の扉２３が下方へ開き、扉２４，２５が上方へ開いている。これに代えて、すべての扉２３，２４，２５が下方へ開くように形成することもできる。また、複数の扉２３，２４，２５のうち、ホイスト用扉２７の下方に位置する扉２３が下方へ開いている。これに代えて、扉２３，２４が下方へ開くように形成することもできる。要するに、少なくとも１つの扉２３が下方へ開けばよい。
【００２９】
図１に示した実施形態では、出荷経路１６は上階２０のフロアよりも約０．８m高い位置にある。このように設定すれば、海底中継器１１を出荷経路１６に載せる作業を容易かつ安全に行うことができるが、これに代えて、上階２０のフロア２１にロールコンベヤ等を直置きすることもできる。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続作業をする接続室を、光海底ケーブルを仮置きする場所よりも高い位置に設けているため、海底中継器を接続した光海底ケーブルを出荷経路に載せやすく、作業の際の危険性を少なくすることができる。
【００３１】
接続室が仮置き場所の上方にあるため、光海底ケーブルの接続すべき２つの端部が交差するように２つの端部を引き出す必要がなく、したがって、海底中継器を接続した後、反転しながら出荷経路に載せる必要がない。これによって、作業性を改善できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る光海底ケーブルと海底中継器との接続工場の概略を示す正面図である。
【図２】図１に示した接続工場の平面図である。
【図３】中継器仮置き場所と接続室との間にある壁と扉を示す正面図である。
【図４】海底中継器とカップリングとを分解した状態を示す正面図である。
【図５】海底中継器とカップリングと接続した状態を示す正面図である。
【図６】中継器仮置き場所と接続室とを仕切る、壁と複数の扉とを示す正面図で、扉が閉じた状態を示している。
【図７】中継器仮置き場所と接続室とを仕切る、壁と複数の扉とをを示す正面図で、扉が開いた状態を示している。
【図８】中継器仮置き場所と接続室とを仕切る、壁と複数の扉とを示す正面図で、扉が開き、海底中継器を接続室に搬入している状態を示している。
【図９】接続室と中継器仮置き場所とを示す平面図である。
【図１０】中継器仮置き場所と接続室とを仕切る、壁と複数の扉とを示す正面図で、扉が開き、接続した光海底ケーブルと海底中継器とを接続室から搬出している状態を示している。
【図１１】従来の仮置き場所から光海底ケーブルを引き出し、海底中継器と接続する状態を模式的に示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０光海底ケーブル
１０ａ端部
１１海底中継器
１２仮置き場所
１３接続室
１３ａ清浄室
１４囲み部材
１５カップリング
１６出荷経路
１７，２１フロア
１８搬入経路
１９中継器仮置き場所
２０上階
２２壁
２３，２４，２５扉
２６ホイスト
２７ホイスト用扉
２８下側の枢着軸線
２９上側の枢着軸線
３０チェーン
３１開口
３４ゴム
５０タンク
５１光海底ケーブル
５２接続室
５３海底中継器[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, and a connection factory.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Optical submarine cables, which are completed by placing reinforcing strength members and insulating materials around multiple optical fibers and then applying sheath processing, are usually unexposed in the deep sea where the seabed is at a depth of 500 m or more. Laid in state. On the other hand, there are rocks, rocks, corals, etc. on the bottom of the sea, and there is a risk of injury if the unsealed optical submarine cable is used on the sea bottom that is susceptible to natural phenomena such as tidal currents and waves, or on the sea bottom along the coast. For this reason, an exterior optical submarine cable in which an exterior is provided around an unexposed optical submarine cable is used instead of the unexposed optical submarine cable. The present invention relates to an unsealed optical submarine cable or an external optical submarine cable laid on the seabed.
[0003]
A considerable number of completed unsealed optical submarine cables or exterior optical submarine cables (hereinafter simply referred to as optical submarine cables) are arranged in a predetermined order based on the requirements of the optical transmission system design and marine survey results, etc. A submarine repeater is connected between two adjacent optical submarine cables.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the length of one optical submarine cable is several tens of kilometers and the outer diameter is 20-60 mm, the tank that winds the completed optical submarine cable in a coil and temporarily places it is coiled. The height required to wrap around and temporarily place, for example, 5-6 meters high, the route to carry the optical submarine cable into the tank and the route to ship the optical submarine cable connected to the submarine repeater are The height of the optical submarine cable is higher than that of the tank, for example, 9 to 10 meters so that the optical submarine cable can be carried into and out of the tank corresponding to the rigidity of the cable.
[0005]
Conventionally, a temporary storage place for a submarine repeater and a connection room for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater have been installed on the same floor as the tank. For this reason, problems have arisen when connecting and after connecting. As shown in FIG. 11, which is a schematic plan view, the end of the optical submarine cable 51 temporarily placed in the tank 50 is pulled out from the tank 50 in a crossing manner as shown by a solid line, and is connected to the seabed in the connection chamber 52. Connected to the device 53. The optical submarine cable 51 is drawn out in a crossed state because the optical submarine cable 51 has rigidity and the distance from the tank 50 to the connection chamber 52 is limited by the size of the factory, etc. This is because the optical submarine cable 51 could not be pulled out. As a result, after connecting the optical submarine cable 51 and the submarine repeater 53, it is necessary to reverse the submarine repeater 53, which is a waste of labor. In addition, after the connection, the submarine repeater 53 and the optical submarine 53 are turned while being reversed with the optical submarine cable 51 hanging from the both ends of the submarine repeater 53 having a length of 1 to 1.5 meters and a weight of 250 to 300 kilograms. The work of lifting the submarine cable 51 to the shipping route at a high position and placing it on the shipping route is difficult and dangerous.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to improve workability when connecting a submarine repeater and to easily place an optical submarine cable connected to the submarine repeater on a shipping route. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection method between an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, and a connection factory, which can reduce the risk of work.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. The gist of the invention according to claim 1 is a method of connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, wherein the optical submarine cable is temporarily placed, and provided at a position higher than the temporary placement place. Further, the repeater temporary place for temporarily placing the submarine repeater, the carry-in route and the shipment route for carrying in and shipping the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater, and substantially the same height as the repeater temporary place. A connection chamber for connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater, provided in a horizontal direction from the temporary placement place of the repeater;
The repeater temporary placement location and the connection chamber are located on one side of the temporary placement location, and a carry-in route and a shipment route are located on the other side of the temporary placement location, the submarine repeater and the carry-in route A step of connecting an end portion of the optical submarine cable carried in from the temporary placement place to the connection chamber and connecting the end portion of the optical submarine cable in the connection chamber; The step of moving the submarine repeater to which the submarine cable is connected to the temporary placement location of the repeater, and temporarily placing the submarine repeater to which the optical submarine cable is connected from the temporary placement location of the repeater to the shipping route. And a method of connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater.
The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that the temporary storage place for the repeater and the connection chamber are partitioned by a wall and a plurality of doors that can be opened and closed arranged in a row in a horizontal direction. The present invention resides in a method for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater according to claim 1.
The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a clean room that maintains a highly clean atmosphere is provided in the connection chamber, and a part of connection work is performed in the clean chamber. It exists in the connection method of the optical submarine cable of description and a submarine repeater.
The gist of the invention according to claim 4 is a factory for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, and is provided at a temporary place where the optical submarine cable is temporarily placed and at a position higher than the temporary place. Further, the repeater temporary place for temporarily placing the submarine repeater, the carry-in route and the shipment route for carrying in and shipping the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater, and substantially the same height as the repeater temporary place. A connection chamber for connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater, provided in a horizontal direction from the temporary placement place of the repeater;
The repeater temporary placement location and the connection chamber are located on one side of the temporary placement location, and the carry-in route and the shipping route are located on the other side of the temporary placement location, It exists in a connection factory for optical submarine cables and submarine repeaters.
The gist of the invention according to claim 5 is characterized by comprising a wall that partitions the repeater temporary storage place and the connection chamber, and a plurality of doors that can be opened and closed arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. In the connection factory of the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater according to claim 4.
The gist of the invention according to claim 6 is that, in the connection chamber, a clean room that is surrounded by a surrounding member and that maintains a highly clean atmosphere is provided. It exists in a connection factory for optical submarine cables and submarine repeaters.
The gist of the invention according to claim 7 is that the connection factory is arranged above the hoist that can move between the temporary storage place of the repeater and the connection chamber, and the plurality of doors that can be opened and closed. A hoist door capable of opening and closing a hoist moving path, and among the plurality of doors, at least one door positioned below the hoist door is rotatable around a lower pivot axis, The remaining door exists in the connection factory of the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater according to claim 6, wherein the remaining door is rotatable around the upper pivot axis.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method of connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 shows the front state of the connection factory, FIG. 2 showing the plan view of the connection factory, and the walls and doors facing the connection room. Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 showing a state before connection of the submarine repeater 11, and FIG. 5 showing a state of connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11, basically, an optical submarine cable is used. 10 is temporarily placed, a connection chamber 13 for connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 is provided at a position higher than the temporary placement location 12, and the optical submarine cable 10 is connected. This includes drawing the end portion 10a to be drawn upward from the temporary placement place 12 to the connection chamber 13, and connecting the end portion 10a of the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 in the connection chamber 13.
[0009]
The optical submarine cable 10 is the above-described non-exterior optical submarine cable or external optical submarine cable, and has a structure known per se. The optical submarine cable 10 is temporarily placed in a coil place around the temporary placement place 12 according to the finally determined laying order or shipping order.
[0010]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the submarine repeater 11 has a tubular shape as a whole, and houses amplifiers and other necessary equipment. The optical submarine cable 10 is connected to the submarine repeater 11 through two couplings 15 each having a boot. In the connection chamber 13, the end 10 a of the two optical submarine cables 10 to be connected and the submarine repeater 11 are optically, electrically and electrically while ensuring watertightness and electrical insulation as known per se. Mechanically connected.
[0011]
A temporary storage place 12 for the optical submarine cable 10 is an overall cylindrical tank having an upper opening, and is installed on the floor 17. Instead of the tank, the temporary storage place 12 can be made of a plurality of cylinders arranged in a circle at intervals in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank has a height of about 10 meters. The optical submarine cable 10 carried in via the carry-in route 18 at the same height as the shipping route 16 is lowered into the tank from above the tank, and is wound and arranged in a coil shape. As a result, two end portions 10a are extended to the vicinity of the connection chamber 13 for each single-length optical submarine cable 10 and temporarily placed.
[0012]
Providing the connection chamber 13 at a position higher than the temporary storage place 12 means that the connection chamber 13 can be installed at substantially the same height as the shipping path 16 at a height of about 10 meters, for example. Accordingly, it is not necessary to lift the submarine repeater 11 connecting the end portions 10a of the two optical submarine cables 10 from the floor 17 to the shipping route 16, and the ease of work can be ensured and the risk of work can be reduced. Can do.
[0013]
The method for connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 again. 10 is provided at a position higher than the temporary storage place 12 where the optical submarine cable 10 is temporarily placed, and the connection chamber 13 for connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 is substantially the same height as the temporary placement place 19 of the repeater. Provide a horizontal distance from the repeater temporary placement location 19, move the submarine repeater 11 temporarily placed in the repeater temporary placement location 19 to the connection chamber 13, and connect the end of the optical submarine cable 10 to be connected 10a is drawn upward from the temporary placement place 12 and guided to the connection chamber 13, and the end 10a of the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 are connected in the connection chamber 13.
[0014]
According to this method, the repeater temporary storage place 19 for the submarine repeater 11 is provided. Therefore, when a considerable number of the submarine repeaters 11 are used, the submarine repeater 11 is set to the temporary repeater storage place 19. Temporary placement can be done in advance. Temporary placement of the submarine repeater 11 at the repeater temporary placement location 19 and temporary placement of the optical submarine cable 10 at the temporary placement location 12 can be performed simultaneously. In this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the connection work between the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11. Further, the repeater temporary placement location 19 is provided at a position higher than the temporary placement location 12 of the optical submarine cable 10, and the connection chamber 13 is substantially the same height as the repeater temporary placement location 19. Therefore, the problem caused by lifting the connected submarine repeater 11 and the optical submarine cable 10 from the floor 17 is eliminated. Furthermore, it is only necessary to move the submarine repeater 11 substantially horizontally from the repeater temporary storage place 19 to the connection chamber 13, and the connection work can be simplified.
[0015]
By providing the repeater temporary storage place 19, the following connection method becomes possible. For example, based on the optical transmission system design, two optical submarine cables 10 to be connected to a certain submarine repeater 11 are specified, and two optical submarine cables 10 to be connected to another submarine repeater 11 are specified. As described above, when the connection relationship between the two optical submarine cables 10 and the submarine repeater 11 is determined, the submarine repeaters 11 are stacked in the repeater temporary storage place 19 in order. On the other hand, the end portions 10a of the two optical submarine cables 10 corresponding to the respective submarine repeaters 11 are arranged side by side with the submarine repeater 11 and temporarily arranged in the repeater temporary storage place 19. In this way, a connection without mistake can be efficiently performed.
[0016]
When the repeater temporary placement place 19 is provided, the submarine repeater 11 connected to the end 10 a of the optical submarine cable 10 can be returned to the repeater temporary placement place 19 and temporarily placed. When connecting a considerable number of submarine repeaters 11 and one more optical submarine cable 10, the connection operation in the connection chamber 13 is generally performed by one submarine repeater 11 and two optical submarine cables 10. Therefore, the submarine repeater 11 that has already been connected is temporarily placed in the repeater temporary placement place 19 and stored until shipment.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the repeater temporary storage place 19 and the connection chamber 13 are partitioned by a wall 22 having a dustproof function, a plurality of doors 23 and 24 arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and a ceiling (not shown). . The temporary storage place 12 and the repeater temporary storage place 19 are usually arranged in a building, but are also an environment where lime, dust and other fine particles are floating. On the other hand, the connection between the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 in the connection chamber 13 is required to be performed in an atmosphere with few fine particles because the submarine repeater 11 is a so-called precision instrument. Therefore, the wall 22 and the plurality of doors 23 and 24 prevent the fine particles from entering the connection chamber 13 from the temporary storage location 12 or the repeater temporary storage location 19.
[0018]
Further, a clean chamber 13a is provided in the connection chamber 13 by being surrounded by a surrounding member 14 such as a tent, and this clean chamber 13a is maintained in a highly clean atmosphere, and a part such as an optical fiber connection or an insulator mold is provided. It is preferable to perform the connecting operation in the clean chamber 13a. Here, the highly clean atmosphere means, for example, maintaining a clean degree of 100,000 classes. In this way, the fine chamber prevents the fine particles from entering the connection chamber 13 by the wall 22 and the plurality of doors 23 and 24, and is further surrounded by the surrounding member 14 in the connection chamber 13 to keep a highly clean atmosphere. Providing 13a is useful for ensuring a highly accurate connection of the optical fiber without using large-scale equipment.
[0019]
The factory for connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 according to the present invention basically refers to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, and temporarily places the optical submarine cable 10 and the temporary storage place. And a connection chamber 13 for connecting the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 provided at a position higher than the location 12. And in a preferable aspect, the repeater temporary placement place 19 which temporarily places the submarine repeater 11 is provided. In this preferred embodiment, the connection chamber 13 is provided at the same height as the repeater temporary placement place 19 and spaced horizontally from the repeater temporary place 19.
[0020]
The temporary storage place 12 for the optical submarine cable 10 is a cylindrical tank as a whole. This tank is installed on the floor 17 on the first floor of the building, and a repeater temporary storage place 19 is provided on the upper floor 20 of the building that is higher than the tank but does not overlap the tank above the tank. The connection room 13 is provided on the same upper floor 20 as the place 19. The connection chamber 13 only needs to be spaced horizontally from the repeater temporary storage location 19, and in FIG. 2, the connection chamber 13 is provided in a portion that is in the direction of approaching or moving away from the repeater temporary storage location 19. be able to.
[0021]
In the illustrated embodiment, the repeater temporary storage location 19 and the connection chamber 13 are located on one side of the temporary storage location 12, and the carry-in route 18 and the shipping route 16 are on the other side of the temporary storage location 12. It is located above the point 12. The carry-in route 18 and the shipping route 16 are at a position higher than the floor surface of the upper floor 20. This is a result of considering workability in the upper floor 20, and for example, the carry-in route 18 and the shipping route 16 can be set at a position about 0.8 m higher than the floor surface of the upper floor 20.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 in the front state and FIG. 9 in the planar state, the connection factory partitions the repeater temporary storage place 19 and the connection chamber 13 (see FIG. 9) to provide a dustproof function. And a wall 22 rising from the floor 21 and a plurality of doors 23, 24, and 25 that can be opened and closed. When the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 are carried into and out of the connection chamber 13, the doors 23, 24, and 25 are opened. During the connection work, the doors 23, 24, and 25 are closed to close the fine particles. Is prevented from entering the connection chamber 13. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a clean chamber 13 a surrounded by a surrounding member 14 in the connection chamber 13. 6 to 8 and 10, the repeater temporary place is located on the front side of the page, and the connection chamber is located on the other side of the page.
[0023]
In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 22 has openings 31 for a plurality of doors 23, 24, and 25 arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of doors 23, 24, and 25 are attached so that the openings 31 can be opened and closed. It has been. A hoist 26, which can move between the repeater temporary storage place 19 and the connection chamber 13, is arranged so as to move through the wall 22. A hoist door 27 that can open and close the movement path of the hoist 26 is provided.
[0024]
The doors 23 and 24 have substantially the same size, but the door 23 positioned below the hoist door 27 is supported so as to be rotatable around the lower pivot axis 28. On the other hand, the two doors 24 on the side of the door 23 are supported so as to be rotatable around the upper pivot axis 29. The remaining plurality of doors 25 are substantially the same size, and are supported so as to be rotatable around the upper pivot axis 29. The hoist door 27 is a so-called double door and can rotate around a vertical axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 24 and the door 25 are different in size, but they may be the same size.
[0025]
The reason why the doors 23, 24, 25 and the hoist door 27 are in the above-described form is to facilitate the return of the submarine repeater 11 to which the optical submarine cable 10 is connected from the connection chamber 13 to the repeater temporary storage place 19. Based. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, when the doors 23, 24, 25 and the hoist door 27 are opened, that is, the door 23 is rotated downward and fixed, and the doors 24, 25 are rotated upward. Then, when all the doors 23, 24, 25 are fixed and the hoist door 27 is opened, the chain 30 hanging from the hoist 26 is located above the door 23, but the door 23 rotates downward. Therefore, interference with the chain 30 can be prevented. The reason why the doors 24 and 25 are attached differently from the door 23 is based on the convenience when the end 10a of the optical submarine cable 10 is transported from the repeater temporary storage place 19 to the connection chamber 13. At this time, the rubber 34 at the lower end of the opening 31 of the wall 22 is prevented from damaging the optical submarine cable 10.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7, the doors 23, 24, 25 and the hoist door 27 are opened, and the optical submarine cable 10 is connected to the connection chamber 13 through the opening 31 of the wall 22 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Lead to. Prior to or after that, the submarine repeater 11 is lifted by a hoist 26 as shown in FIG. 10 (in FIG. 10, the optical submarine cable 10 and the submarine repeater 11 are connected, but the submarine repeater 11 itself is shown. The submarine repeater 11 is swung so that its axis is orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 8 and is carried into the connection chamber 13. After the submarine repeater 11 arrives at a predetermined position in the connection chamber 13, the submarine repeater 11 is turned and placed in the connection chamber 13 so that its axis is substantially parallel to the paper surface of FIG.
[0027]
The end 10 a of the optical submarine cable 10 is connected to the submarine repeater 11 through the coupling 15 in the connection chamber 13, and the coupling 15 is fitted to the submarine repeater 11. After the connection is completed, as shown in FIG. 10, when the submarine repeater 11 is lifted by the hoist 26, the connected optical submarine cable 10 is carried out together with the submarine repeater 11. The submarine repeater 11 and the optical submarine cable 10 carried out are temporarily stored in the repeater temporary storage place 19 shown in FIG. After the connection between all the submarine repeaters 11 and all the optical submarine cables 10 is completed, the system test is performed optically and electrically at the repeater temporary storage place 19. Thereafter, the product is shipped on the shipping route 16. At the time of shipment, the optical submarine cable 10 hits the lower end of the opening 31, but since the rubber 34 is attached, damage can be prevented.
[0028]
In the embodiment, the door 23 of the wall 22 opens downward, and the doors 24 and 25 open upward. Alternatively, all the doors 23, 24, 25 can be formed to open downward. Of the plurality of doors 23, 24, 25, the door 23 located below the hoist door 27 is open downward. Alternatively, the doors 23 and 24 can be formed to open downward. In short, it is sufficient that at least one door 23 is opened downward.
[0029]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the shipping path 16 is at a position approximately 0.8 m higher than the upper floor 20. With this setting, the work of placing the submarine repeater 11 on the shipping route 16 can be easily and safely performed. Alternatively, a roll conveyor or the like may be placed directly on the floor 21 of the upper floor 20. it can.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the connection chamber for connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater is provided at a position higher than the place where the optical submarine cable is temporarily placed, the optical submarine cable connected to the submarine repeater is provided. Can be easily placed on the shipping route, and the risk during work can be reduced.
[0031]
Since the connection room is located above the temporary storage location, there is no need to pull out the two ends so that the two ends to which the optical submarine cable should be connected. Therefore, after connecting the submarine repeater, it is inverted. However, it is not necessary to put on the shipping route. Thereby, workability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a connection factory between an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater according to the present invention.
2 is a plan view of the connection factory shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a wall and a door between a temporary place for a repeater and a connection room.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the submarine repeater and the coupling are disassembled.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where the submarine repeater and the coupling are connected.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a wall and a plurality of doors that partition the repeater temporary storage place and the connection chamber, and shows a state in which the doors are closed.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a wall and a plurality of doors that partition the repeater temporary storage place and the connection chamber, and shows a state in which the doors are opened.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a wall and a plurality of doors that partition the repeater temporary storage place and the connection chamber, and shows a state where the door is opened and the submarine repeater is carried into the connection chamber.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a connection room and a temporary placement place for a repeater.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a wall and a plurality of doors separating the temporary installation place of the repeater from the connection room. The door is opened, and the connected optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater are carried out of the connection room. Indicates the state.
FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which an optical submarine cable is pulled out from a conventional temporary placement place and connected to a submarine repeater.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical submarine cable 10a End part 11 Submarine repeater 12 Temporary placement place 13 Connection room 13a Clean room 14 Enclosure member 15 Coupling member 16 Shipping path 17, 21 Floor 18 Carry-in path 19 Repeater temporary place 20 Upper floor 22 Wall 23 24, 25 Door 26 Hoist 27 Hoist door 28 Lower pivot axis 29 Upper pivot axis 30 Chain 31 Opening 34 Rubber 50 Tank 51 Optical submarine cable 52 Connection chamber 53 Submarine repeater

Claims

A method for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, wherein the optical submarine cable is temporarily placed, and the submarine repeater provided at a position higher than the temporary placement location is temporarily placed. A repeater temporary placement location, a carry-in route and a delivery route for carrying in and shipping the optical submarine cable and submarine repeater, and a horizontal direction from the repeater temporary placement location at substantially the same height as the repeater temporary placement location A connection chamber for connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater provided at intervals;
The repeater temporary placement location and the connection chamber are located on one side of the temporary placement location, and a carry-in route and a shipping route are located on the other side of the temporary placement location,
The end portion to be connected of the optical submarine cable carried from the submarine repeater and the carry-in route is drawn upward from the temporary placement location to the connection chamber, and the end portion of the optical submarine cable is connected to the connection chamber. Connecting the
Moving the submarine repeater to which the optical submarine cable is connected to the temporary placement location of the repeater, and temporarily placing;
A step of moving the submarine repeater to which the optical submarine cable is connected from the temporary placement location to the shipping route and shipping from the shipping route, and an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, Connection method.

The said repeater temporary storage place and the said connection room are partitioned off by the wall which has a dust-proof function, and several doors which can be opened and closed arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. Connection method between optical submarine cable and submarine repeater.

The optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater according to claim 1, wherein a clean room that maintains a highly clean atmosphere is provided in the connection chamber, and a part of connection work is performed in the clean chamber. How to connect with.

A factory for connecting an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater, temporarily placing the optical submarine cable, and temporarily placing the submarine repeater provided at a position higher than the temporary placement location. A repeater temporary placement location, a carry-in route and a delivery route for carrying in and shipping the optical submarine cable and submarine repeater, and a horizontal direction from the repeater temporary placement location at substantially the same height as the repeater temporary placement location A connection chamber for connecting the optical submarine cable and the submarine repeater provided at intervals;
The repeater temporary placement location and the connection chamber are located on one side of the temporary placement location, and the carry-in route and the shipping route are located on the other side of the temporary placement location, Connection factory for optical submarine cables and submarine repeaters.

5. The optical submarine cable according to claim 4, comprising a wall that partitions the repeater temporary storage place and the connection chamber, and a plurality of doors that can be opened and closed arranged in a row in a horizontal direction. And connection factory with submarine repeaters.

6. The connection between an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a clean room surrounded by a surrounding member and maintained in a highly clean atmosphere is provided in the connection chamber. factory.

The connection factory includes a hoist that can move between the temporary storage place of the repeater and the connection chamber, and a hoist that is disposed above the plurality of openable and closable doors and that can open and close the movement path of the hoist. And at least one of the plurality of doors positioned below the hoist door is rotatable about a lower pivot axis, and the remaining doors are upper pivot axes. The connection factory for an optical submarine cable and a submarine repeater according to claim 6, characterized in that it can rotate around.