Bending reinforced connector for flexible pipe and use method of bending reinforced connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe and a use method of the bending reinforced connector. The bending reinforced connector comprises a female socket, a male plug and a bending reinforcer device, the male plug comprises a male plug main body with a ball groove, and the male plug main body is sleeved with a mandrel flange and a ball cage flange; a rubber spring is arranged between the mandrel flange and the ball cage flange, and the ball cage flange is in bolted connection with a ball isolation ring; the ball isolation ring is provided with two circles of balls for locking; the female socket comprises a female socket main body, and the balls move according to the path of ball grooves formed in the male plug main body; the bending reinforcer device comprises a bending reinforcer and a short pipe; a valve element piece is arranged in the male plug. The device has the advantages of being rapid in installation and capable of being installed in one step, complete connection can be achieved without a diver and an ROV, the requirement for diving operation is eliminated, safety is improved, dispatching risks are reduced to the maximum extent, installation time is shortened, cost is reduced, and seabed connection in the field of offshore energy is enhanced and simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The design of the present invention mainly relates to the laying of deepwater umbilical cables and the technical field of laying and installing flexible submarine pipes, and in particular to a curved reinforced connector for flexible pipes and a method of using the connector, which is mainly used for the rapid connection of flexible pipes such as umbilical cables, cables or oil flow pipes with platform control systems. Background Art

[0002] With the growth of global energy demand and the continuous advancement of marine oil and gas resource development technology, deepwater oil and gas exploration and development has become an important direction of the petroleum industry. In the process of deepwater oil and gas field development, the underwater production system is a core component, and its stability and reliability are directly related to the development efficiency and safety of the oil and gas field. The connection between the pipeline terminal and the offshore platform is usually performed by divers underwater, which has a high difficulty coefficient and a high risk coefficient. It is also affected by external environmental factors and has uncertainty and instability. The present invention relates to the field of marine engineering technology, and in particular to a bending reinforced connector for flexible pipes and a method of using the same, which aims to solve the problems of high connection difficulty, high installation equipment cost, low connection reliability, and weak axial load resistance in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the commonly used connection methods of umbilical cables, cables, pipelines and oil flowlines with offshore platforms, a curved reinforced connector for flexible pipes and a method of using the connector are provided. The connector has the characteristics of quick installation and one-step installation. It can achieve full connection without divers and ROVs, eliminates the need for diving operations, improves safety, minimizes scheduling risks and reduces installation time, thereby reducing costs, and enhances and simplifies submarine connections in the offshore energy field.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe, the bending reinforced connector comprising a female socket (1), a male plug (2) pluggable with the female socket, and a bending reinforcer device (3) bolted to the male plug; the male plug comprises a male plug body (4) with a ball groove, the male plug body is sleeved with a core shaft flange (5) and a ball cage flange (7); a circle of compressible rubber spring (6) is arranged between the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, the ball cage flange is bolted with a ball isolation ring (8) sleeved on the male plug body; the ball isolation ring is provided with two circles of balls (10) for locking; a circle of holes is also arranged on the male plug body; a compression head cone (9) is also bolted at the end of the male plug, a wave spring (12) is arranged between the end of the male plug body and the compression head cone (9), when the male plug is assembled with the female socket, the compression head cone will first contact with the female socket, and the wave spring plays a good buffering role; the female socket comprises a female socket body, the female socket body is provided with a The invention relates to an I-type pipe flange (13) connected to the receiving end container socket flange (15), wherein the I-type pipe flange and the receiving end container socket flange are connected by bolts and nuts (14); the ball moves along the route of the ball groove arranged in the male plug body, and the ball can protrude from the ball isolation ring and contact the inner surface of the female socket by moving forward or return to the ball isolation ring by moving backward, so as to achieve locking and unlocking between the male plug and the female socket; the bending reinforcement device comprises a bending reinforcement (17) connected to the end bending limiter and a short tube (16) connected to the male plug; a valve core member for connecting a flexible tube is arranged inside the male plug, and the valve core member comprises an end fitting (20) and a drag head (18), wherein the flexible tube is inserted into and covered in the end fitting and fixed in the end fitting, and the connection form between the end fitting and the drag head is a clamp type connection, and a locking pin release device for assembling and locking the end fitting is installed in the hole, and the locking pin release device comprises a locking pin (11) and a spring, and the spring abuts against the locking pin.

[0006] As a further optimization of the above scheme, the forward and backward movement of the ball moves synchronously with the movement of the core shaft flange, the rubber spring and the ball cage flange; the hydraulic release device is connected to the reserved notches of the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, and the rubber spring is compressed by the hydraulic release device, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage ring to move backward together, and then driving the ball cage ring placed in the ball cage ring to move together with the ball.

[0007] As a further optimization of the above solution, a guide pin is also provided on the male plug body, and the guide pin is used to position the head cone on the bending reinforcement connector.

[0008] As a further optimization of the above solution, the bending reinforcer is connected to the short pipe by bolts, and the short pipe is connected to the male plug by a flange surface and flange bolts; the pipe clamp is connected to the end fitting by a clamp.

[0009] As a further optimization of the above solution, the flexible pipe is an umbilical cable, an electric cable or an oil flow pipe.

[0010] As a further optimization of the above solution, the rubber spring is a cylindrical gasket formed by vulcanization of a rubber and spring combination; the ball is a high-strength alloy steel ball, and its yield strength and hardness are respectively: not less than 725MPa and 280HBW.

[0011] A method for using a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe, the method comprising the following steps:

[0012] 1) First, pass the flexible pipe through the bend reinforcer and the short pipe with flange, and then insert the end of the flexible pipe into the end fitting. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 2);

[0013] 2) Put the male plug on it and connect the male plug and the flange on the short pipe with bolts. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 3);

[0014] 3) By tightening the fastener to the required preload value, the drag head is installed on the end fitting in the form of a clamp, and after the installation is completed, proceed to step 4);

[0015] 4) Connect the I-type pipe flange connected to the offshore platform with the J-type flange on the female socket through bolts to complete the installation of the female socket, and then proceed to step 5);

[0016] 5) Pass the wire rope through the female socket and connect it to the lifting point of the traction head with a shackle, and use the lifting equipment to pull the bend reinforcer, male plug and other components into the female socket. At this time, the ball contacts the inner wall of the female socket and locks the male plug, completing the overall installation of the bend reinforced connector of the flexible pipe;

[0017] As a further optimization of the above scheme, a disassembly step is also included, which includes: using an ROV hydraulic release tool to cover the reserved gaps of the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, driving the hydraulic release tool to compress the rubber spring, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage flange fixed to the ball cage flange by bolts to move backward together, thereby driving the ball placed at the intersection of the ball cage ring and the groove of the male plug body to move together to achieve disassembly.

[0018] As a further optimization of the above solution, after the male plug and the female socket are locked, the pulling force continues to be applied, and the locking pin is pressed down to compress the spring, thereby returning the locking pin to the hole. The valve core is detached from the male plug through the locking pin release device, thereby bringing the flexible tube out.

[0019] A bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe and a method of using the same according to the present invention have the following advantages:

[0020] Beneficial effects:

[0021] 1) The male and female sockets are easily integrated. With just one pull-in operation, the dynamic bending reinforcement connector and offshore structure can be seamlessly integrated safely and quickly.

[0022] 2) Provides a safe, strong and permanent mechanical connection between the bend stiffener and the I-tube / J-tube.

[0023] 3) The male plug design is flexible and can be connected to various risers, umbilicals and terminals.

[0024] 4) The connection between the male plug and the female socket is locked by the ball-bearing occlusion; this ball-type occlusion method can achieve quick engagement and opening; it greatly improves the convenience and efficiency of operation; it can complete the connection and separation actions in a short time, improving efficiency; at the same time, its precise engagement design ensures the firmness and stability of the connection, and can maintain a reliable connection even under external impact or vibration; compared with the traditional tooth-type occlusion, this ball-type occlusion method has obvious advantages.

[0025] 5) The design can replace the traditional diving installation and use ROV remote operation, which is safer.

[0026] 6) The reusable drag head can further improve the installation efficiency, minimize the installation time and improve practicality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Attached Figure 1 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe.

[0028] Attached Figure 2 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a male plug of a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe.

[0029] Attached Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of the structure at point A, where (a) is a schematic diagram of the compression head cone, (b) is a schematic diagram of the ball, (c) is a schematic diagram of the locking pin, and (d) is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wave spring.

[0030] Attached Figure 4 The present invention is a schematic diagram of the structure of a female socket of a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe.

[0031] Attached Figure 5 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of a bend reinforcer device of a bend reinforced connector for a flexible pipe.

[0032] Attached Figure 6 The present invention is a schematic diagram of the structure of a valve core member of a bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following is combined with Figure 1-6 A bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe and a method of using the same are described in detail below.

[0034] The bending reinforced connector includes a female socket 1, a male plug 2 which is plugged into and matched with the female socket, and a bending reinforcer device 3 which is bolted to the male plug; the male plug includes a male plug body 4 with a ball groove, on which a core shaft flange 5 and a ball cage flange 7 are sleeved; a circle of compressible rubber spring 6 is arranged between the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, and the ball cage flange is bolted with a ball isolation ring 8 sleeved on the male plug body; the ball isolation ring is provided with two circles of balls 10 for locking; a circle of holes is also arranged on the male plug body; a compression head cone 9 is also bolted to the end of the male plug, and a wave spring 12 is arranged between the end of the male plug body and the compression head cone 9. When the male plug is assembled with the female socket, the compression head cone will first contact with the female socket, and the wave spring plays a good buffering role; the female socket includes a female socket body, on which an I-type pipe flange 13 connected to the offshore platform is arranged, a receiving The end container socket flange 15, the I-type pipe flange is connected to the receiving end container socket flange by bolts and nuts 14; the ball moves along the route of the ball groove set in the male plug body, and the ball can protrude the ball isolation ring and contact the inner surface of the female socket by moving forward or retract the ball isolation ring by moving backward, so as to achieve locking and unlocking between the male plug and the female socket; the bending reinforcer device includes a bending reinforcer 17 connected to the end limit bend and a short tube 16 connected to the male plug; a valve core member for connecting a flexible tube is arranged inside the male plug, and the valve core member includes an end fitting 20 and a drag head 18, wherein the flexible tube is inserted and covered inside the end fitting and fixed inside it, and the connection form between the end fitting and the drag head is a clamp type connection, and a locking pin release device for assembling and locking the end fitting is installed in the hole, and the locking pin release device includes a locking pin 11 and a spring, and the spring abuts against the locking pin. The forward and backward movement of the ball moves synchronously with the movement of the mandrel flange, the rubber spring and the ball cage flange; the hydraulic release device is connected to the reserved notch of the mandrel flange and the ball cage flange, and the rubber spring is compressed by the hydraulic release device, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage ring to move backward together, and then driving the ball cage ring and the ball cage to move together. A guide pin is also provided on the main body of the male plug, and the guide pin is used to position the head cone on the bending reinforcement connector. The bending reinforcer is connected to the short tube by bolts, and the short tube is connected to the male plug by the flange surface and the flange bolts; the pipe clamp is connected to the end fitting by a clamp. The flexible pipe is an umbilical cable, an electric cable or an oil outlet pipe. The rubber spring is a cylindrical gasket formed by vulcanization of a combination of rubber and spring; the ball is a high-strength alloy steel ball, and its yield strength and hardness are: not less than 725MPa and 280HBW respectively.

[0035] The method for using the bending reinforced connector for a flexible pipe comprises the following steps:

[0036] 1) First, pass the flexible pipe through the bend reinforcer and the short pipe with flange, and then insert the end of the flexible pipe into the end fitting. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 2);

[0037] 2) Put the male plug on it and connect the male plug and the flange on the short pipe with bolts. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 3);

[0038] 3) By tightening the fastener to the required preload value, the drag head is installed on the end fitting in the form of a clamp, and after the installation is completed, proceed to step 4);

[0039] 4) Connect the I-type pipe flange connected to the offshore platform with the J-type flange on the female socket through bolts to complete the installation of the female socket, and then proceed to step 5);

[0040] 5) Pass the wire rope through the female socket and connect it to the lifting point of the traction head with a shackle, and use the lifting equipment to pull the bend reinforcer, male plug and other components into the female socket. At this time, the ball contacts the inner wall of the female socket and locks the male plug, completing the overall installation of the bend reinforced connector of the flexible pipe;

[0041] The above-mentioned method of use also includes a disassembly step, which includes: using an ROV hydraulic release tool to cover the reserved gaps of the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, driving the hydraulic release tool to compress the rubber spring, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage flange fixed with bolts to move backward together, thereby driving the ball placed at the intersection of the ball cage ring and the groove of the male plug body to move together to achieve disassembly.

[0042] The above-mentioned method of use also includes continuing to apply pulling force after the male plug and the female socket are locked, pressing down the locking pin so that the spring is compressed, and then the locking pin is returned to the hole, and the valve core is disengaged from the male plug through the locking pin release device, thereby bringing out the flexible tube.

[0043] The above description of the embodiments is to facilitate the understanding and application of the present invention by those skilled in the art. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications to these embodiments and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without creative work. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments herein, and improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe, characterized in that The bending reinforced connector comprises a female socket (1), a male plug (2) pluggable with the female socket, and a bending reinforcer device (3) bolted to the male plug; the male plug comprises a male plug body (4) with a ball groove, the male plug body is sleeved with a core shaft flange (5) and a ball cage flange (7); a circle of compressible rubber spring (6) is arranged between the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, the ball cage flange is bolted with a ball isolation ring (8) sleeved on the male plug body; the ball isolation ring is provided with two circles of balls (10) for locking; a circle of holes is also arranged on the male plug body; a compression head cone (9) is also bolted at the end of the male plug, and a wave spring (12) is arranged between the end of the male plug body and the compression head cone (9), when the male plug is assembled with the female socket, the compression head cone will first contact with the female socket, and the wave spring plays a good buffering role; the female socket comprises a female socket body, and the female socket body is provided with an I-type pipe flange ( 13) a receiving end container socket flange (15), wherein the I-type pipe flange is connected to the receiving end container socket flange by bolts and nuts (14); the ball moves along the route of the ball groove arranged in the male plug body, and the ball can protrude from the ball isolation ring and contact the inner surface of the female socket by moving forward or retract the ball isolation ring by moving backward, thereby achieving locking and unlocking between the male plug and the female socket; the bending reinforcement device comprises a bending reinforcement (17) connected to the end bending limiter and a short tube (16) connected to the male plug; a valve core member for connecting a flexible tube is arranged inside the male plug, and the valve core member comprises an end fitting (20) and a drag head (18), wherein the flexible tube is inserted and covered inside the end fitting and fixed inside the end fitting, and the connection form between the end fitting and the drag head is a clamp type connection, and a locking pin release device for assembling and locking the end fitting is installed in the hole, and the locking pin release device comprises a locking pin (11) and a spring, and the spring abuts against the locking pin.

2. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that : The forward and backward movement of the ball moves synchronously with the movement of the core shaft flange, the rubber spring and the ball cage flange; the hydraulic release device is connected to the reserved notches of the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, and the rubber spring is compressed by the hydraulic release device, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage ring to move backward together, and then driving the ball cage ring to move together with the ball.

3. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The male plug body is also provided with a guide pin, which is used to position the head cone on the bending reinforcement connector.

4. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending reinforcer is connected to the short pipe through bolts, and the short pipe is connected to the male plug through a flange surface and flange bolts; the pipe clamp is connected to the end fitting through a clamp.

5. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible pipe is an umbilical cable, an electric cable or an oil flow pipe.

6. A bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rubber spring is a cylindrical gasket formed by vulcanization of a combination of rubber and spring; the ball is a high-strength alloy steel ball, and its yield strength and hardness are respectively not less than 725MPa and 280HBW.

7. A method for using a bend-reinforced connector for a flexible pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method of use includes the following steps: 1) First, pass the flexible pipe through the bend reinforcer and the short pipe with flange, and then insert the end of the flexible pipe into the end fitting. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 2); 2) Put the male plug on it and connect the male plug and the flange on the short pipe with bolts. After the installation is completed, proceed to step 3); 3) By tightening the fastener to the required preload value, the drag head is installed on the end fitting in the form of a clamp, and after the installation is completed, proceed to step 4); 4) Connect the I-type pipe flange connected to the offshore platform with the J-type flange on the female socket through bolts to complete the installation of the female socket, and then proceed to step 5); 5) Pass the wire rope through the female socket and connect it to the lifting point of the traction head with a shackle, and use the lifting equipment to pull the bend reinforcer, male plug and other components into the female socket. At this time, the ball contacts the inner wall of the female socket and locks the male plug, completing the overall installation of the bend reinforced connector of the flexible pipe.

8. The method of use according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method also includes a disassembly step, which includes: using an ROV hydraulic release tool to cover the reserved gaps of the core shaft flange and the ball cage flange, driving the hydraulic release tool to compress the rubber spring, thereby driving the ball cage flange and the ball cage flange fixed to the ball cage flange by bolts to move backward together, thereby driving the ball placed at the intersection of the ball cage ring and the groove of the male plug body to move together to achieve disassembly.

9. The method of use according to claim 8, characterized in that: After the male plug and the female socket are locked, continue to apply pulling force, press down the locking pin, so that the spring is compressed, and then the locking pin is returned to the hole. The valve core is separated from the male plug through the locking pin release device, thereby bringing out the flexible tube.

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