Collapse-preventing device for a bonded bimetallic composite pipe liner

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of sticking type bimetallic composite pipe lining anti-collapse device, flange male end is fixed in liquid tank port by internal hex bolt, the male end joint of liquid tank connecting end is covered into the interface female end of hose connecting end, liquid tank is communicated with hose, the end of liquid tank unit is connected with external water source, pressure sensor and flow sensor are arranged in liquid tank, and control unit is connected outside liquid tank unit.The present application is in the process of sticking type composite pipe winding pipe laying, the glue-free area of sticking type composite pipe is supported by the way that liquid tank is filled with water and expands, to ensure that the lining of pipe does not separate and collapse due to cyclic bending effect in the process of winding pipe;Liquid tank and hose are assembled on land, then put into the inside of pipe by intelligent pig, without additional design on winding pipe equipment, the efficiency of pressure test and pressure charging and discharging process is higher, improve the efficiency of winding pipe laying, while effectively reducing the additional load of pipe in the process of winding pipe laying, improve operation safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of submarine pipeline laying technology, specifically relating to an anti-collapse device for an adhesive bimetallic composite pipe lining. Background Technology

[0002] Pipe-rolling is currently the most efficient method for laying subsea pipelines. It involves rolling pre-welded pipes onto rollers at the dock, then transporting them by specialized pipelaying vessels to the designated sea area for laying. During the laying process, the pipe is subjected to axial tensile force, forward and reverse bending loads, and comes into contact with the rollers, causing plastic strain and elliptic deformation. For bimetallic composite pipes, this process can also lead to the collapse and buckling of the pipe lining, affecting the pipe's load-bearing capacity. For bonded bimetallic composite pipes, the use of adhesive between the inner and outer pipes can mitigate the problem of lining collapse. However, because the pipe ends need to be connected by welding, there will always be a 1-2 cm un-adhesive area at the pipe ends. This area is the weakest point where the lining is most prone to wrinkling and collapse.

[0003] To address this issue, the internationally accepted approach is to increase the wall thickness of the inner lining to improve the pipe's buckling resistance, but this significantly increases material costs. Another method is the synchronous hydraulic pressure method, which involves using a pair of movable "intelligent pipe cleaners" to isolate the curved sections of the composite pipe segment by segment during the pipe mounting or unmounting process, and applying water pressure. Once the pipe has stabilized in contact with the drum, pressure is applied to the next pipe end until the entire pipeline is completed. However, while this method improves buckling resistance, it also requires specialized equipment, resulting in a complex structure that significantly impacts laying efficiency and increases laying costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an anti-collapse device for adhesive bimetallic composite pipe linings. The anti-collapse structure can be used during the winding, unwinding and straightening processes, which can effectively solve the problems of weak bearing capacity in the non-adhesive area and easy collapse of the lining, reduce construction costs and improve laying efficiency.

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A bonding-type bimetallic composite pipe lining anti-collapse device includes several liquid bladder units disposed within the bimetallic composite pipe. Each liquid bladder unit includes a liquid bladder and a hose connected to flanges at both ends of the liquid bladder. The male end of the flange is fixed to the port of the liquid bladder by hexagonal bolts. The male end connector of the liquid bladder connection end is fitted into the female end connector of the hose connection end. The liquid bladder and the hose are in communication. The end of the liquid bladder unit is connected to an external water source. A pressure sensor and a flow sensor are disposed inside the liquid bladder. A control unit is externally connected to the liquid bladder unit. The control unit includes a control console, a hydraulic pump, an air compressor, and a pressure control valve. The pressure sensor is connected to the control console through the pressure control valve and the air compressor. The flow sensor is connected to the control console through the hydraulic pump. The control console controls the hydraulic pump to fill the liquid bladder unit with water from the external source, causing the liquid bladder to expand and completely adhere to the inner wall of the bimetallic composite pipe.

[0007] Moreover, the liquid bladder unit is positioned to cover the glue-free area of ​​the bimetallic composite tube.

[0008] Moreover, the length of the liquid bladder unit that fits with the bimetallic composite tube after expansion is 20cm.

[0009] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the expansion volume V of the liquid bladder unit is:

[0010]

[0011] Where: D is the diameter of the pipe, h is the required pipe fitting length, and R is the radius of the selected airbag after inflation.

[0012] The positive effects that this invention can produce are:

[0013] 1. In the process of laying adhesive composite pipe rolls, the present invention supports the non-adhesive area of ​​the adhesive composite pipe by expanding the liquid bladder with water, thereby ensuring that the inner lining of the pipe will not separate or collapse due to cyclic bending during the rolling process.

[0014] 2. The liquid bladders of the present invention are connected by a flexible tube. The size of the flexible tube and the liquid bladder can be adjusted according to the geometry of the pipeline. Water is filled and drained through a pressurization control system. This system structure can be used for pipelines of different sizes and can be recycled after water is drained.

[0015] 3. The liquid bladder and hose in this invention are assembled on land and then placed inside the pipeline by an intelligent pipeline pig. No additional design is required on the pipe rolling equipment. Compared with the existing synchronous water pressure method of pipeline pig sealing scheme, the pressure testing and pressure charging and depressurization process is more efficient, which improves the efficiency of pipe rolling and laying.

[0016] 4. This invention uses a water flow control unit to fill the liquid bladder with water. Since the diameter of the hose is much smaller than that of the pipe, the main weight comes only from the water in the bladder. Compared with the existing synchronous water pressure method for the entire length of the pipe, the required filling length of this invention is only about 20cm, reducing the weight of the additional water by more than 90%. This effectively reduces the additional load on the pipe during the pipe laying process and improves operational safety. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the control unit operation of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a signal transmission path diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments. The following embodiments are merely descriptive and not limiting, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, an anti-collapse device for an adhesive bimetallic composite pipe lining is innovative in that it includes several liquid-filled bladder units disposed within the bimetallic composite pipe. Each liquid-filled bladder unit comprises a liquid bladder and a flexible hose connected to flanges at both ends of the liquid bladder. The male end of the flange is fixed to the port of the liquid bladder by hexagonal bolts. The male end connector of the liquid bladder connection end is fitted into the female end interface of the flexible hose connection end. The liquid bladder and the flexible hose are in communication. The end of each liquid-filled bladder unit is connected to an external water source. A pressure sensor and a flow sensor are installed inside the liquid bladder. A control unit is externally connected to each liquid-filled bladder unit. The control unit includes a control console, a hydraulic pump, an air compressor, and a pressure control valve. The pressure sensor is connected to the control console through the pressure control valve and the air compressor. The flow sensor is connected to the control console through the hydraulic pump. The control console controls the hydraulic pump to fill the liquid-filled bladder unit with water from the external source, causing the liquid bladder to expand and completely adhere to the inner wall of the bimetallic composite pipe.

[0022] Moreover, the liquid bladder unit is positioned to cover the glue-free area of ​​the bimetallic composite tube.

[0023] Moreover, the length of the liquid bladder unit that fits with the bimetallic composite tube after expansion is 20cm.

[0024] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the expansion volume V of the liquid bladder unit is:

[0025]

[0026] Where: D is the diameter of the pipe, h is the required pipe fitting length, and R is the radius of the selected airbag after inflation.

[0027] The device of this invention is assembled on land. Then, an intelligent pipeline cleaning tool is used to pull the front end of the device to the initial end of the adhesive composite pipe to be laid. The device is inserted into the bimetallic composite pipe, the position of the liquid bladder is adjusted, and after the position of the liquid bladder is fixed, the pressurization control unit is activated to fill the tail pipe with water, causing the liquid bladder to expand. Water is continuously filled until the real-time monitored water pressure reaches the preset water pressure. This water pressure is maintained to ensure that all liquid bladders expand evenly and effectively adhere to the pipe. After a section of pipe is laid, the valve of the pressurization control unit is opened to discharge water at the end of the device. The liquid bladder contracts back to its pre-expansion state. The entire device is then retrieved at the end of the pipe and placed into the next section of pipe to repeat the above operation.

[0028] During the pipe winding process, the liquid bladder needs to expand by filling with water to achieve a state of full adhesion with the inner lining, thereby providing sufficient support for the lining and preventing collapse. Therefore, a high-strength, wear-resistant material must be selected as the liquid bladder material. The liquid bladder placement must cover the glue-free area of ​​the bonded bimetallic composite pipe, and the liquid bladder size must be designed according to the size of the glue-free area of ​​different types of pipes to ensure the support effect. The liquid bladders are connected by flexible hoses, the length of which must be determined according to the distance between the glue-free areas, thus determining the spacing between the two liquid bladders. During the initial design and assembly process, the specific position of the liquid bladders must be determined in advance, and the intelligent pig's traction end must be ensured to reach the designed position. After the position is locked and fixed, a small tension is applied to the rear end to prevent the liquid bladder position inside the pipe from shifting, which would result in ineffective support for the glue-free lining. This design ensures that the liquid bladder remains stable during the pipe winding process, playing a role in preventing the lining from collapsing.

[0029] The control unit of this invention can precisely control the flow of liquid within the hose, thereby regulating the expansion state of the liquid bladder. After the pipe winding or unwinding operation is completed, the water pressure can be released to gradually shrink the liquid bladder, facilitating the recovery and reuse of the device. This not only ensures that the liquid bladder provides continuous and stable support during pipe laying but also ensures operational convenience and the reusability of the device, improving the efficiency and economy of the entire device. Specifically, the hydraulic power of the control unit comes from a hydraulic pump, which provides the pressure required to inflate the liquid bladder. The hydraulic control valve controls the operation of the hydraulic actuator. The valve is connected to the hydraulic pump to control the operation of the hydraulic cylinder and motor.

[0030] like Figures 2-3As shown, pressure and flow sensors are installed on each liquid bladder to ensure its proper functioning. These sensors monitor the strain and pressure of the liquid bladder in real time and feed the data back to the control unit. This allows the control unit to promptly identify and address uneven expansion of the liquid bladder or abnormal water flow. The sensors in this system include flow and pressure sensors, which monitor the flow rate and pressure of the water within the system in real time and feed the data back to the control console via fiber optic cable. Through this real-time monitoring and feedback mechanism, the control unit can quickly adjust when problems are detected, ensuring stable operation of the entire water filling and expansion process. This prevents weak load-bearing capacity in the non-adhesive area due to insufficient support from the liquid bladder, thereby ensuring the overall stability of the pipe lining. The control system uses the collected sensor data to determine the pressure of the liquid bladder and controls the system's operating status on a computer.

[0031] Although embodiments and drawings of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various substitutions, variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents disclosed in the embodiments and drawings.

Claims

1. A bonding-type bimetallic composite pipe liner anti-collapse device, characterized in that: The system includes several liquid bladder units disposed within the bimetallic composite tube. Each liquid bladder unit comprises a liquid bladder and a hose connected to flanges at both ends of the liquid bladder. The male end of the flange is fixed to the port of the liquid bladder by hexagonal bolts. The male end connector of the liquid bladder connection end is fitted into the female end of the hose connection end. The liquid bladder and the hose are in communication. The end of the liquid bladder unit is connected to an external water source. A pressure sensor and a flow sensor are disposed inside the liquid bladder. A control unit is externally connected to the liquid bladder unit. The control unit includes a control console, a hydraulic pump, an air compressor, and a pressure control valve. The pressure sensor is connected to the control console through the pressure control valve and the air compressor. The flow sensor is connected to the control console through the hydraulic pump. The control console controls the hydraulic pump to fill the liquid bladder unit with water from the external source, causing the liquid bladder to expand and completely adhere to the inner wall of the bimetallic composite tube. The liquid bladder unit is positioned to cover the glue-free area of ​​the bimetallic composite tube; The length of the liquid bladder unit that fits with the bimetallic composite tube after expansion is 20cm. The formula for calculating the expansion volume V of the liquid bladder unit is as follows: ； in: D It is the diameter of the pipe. h This is the required pipe fitting length. R It is the radius of the selected airbag after inflation; The device is assembled on land. Then, an intelligent pipeline cleaning tool is used to pull the front end of the device to the initial end of the adhesive composite pipe to be laid. The device is inserted into the bimetallic composite pipe, and the position of the liquid bladder is adjusted. After the position of the liquid bladder is fixed, the pressurization control unit is activated to fill the tail pipe with water, causing the liquid bladder to expand. Water is continuously filled until the real-time water pressure value reaches the preset water pressure. This water pressure is maintained to ensure that all liquid bladders expand evenly and effectively adhere to the pipe. After a section of pipe is laid, the valve of the pressurization control unit is opened to discharge water at the end of the device. The liquid bladders shrink back to their pre-expansion state. The entire device is then retrieved at the end of the pipe and placed into the next section of pipe to repeat the above operation. The liquid bladders are connected by a hose. The length of the hose needs to be determined based on the distance between the glue-free areas, which determines the spacing between the two liquid bladders. During the early design and assembly process, the specific position of the liquid bladder is determined in advance, and it is ensured that the intelligent pig pulls the front end to the designed position. After the position is locked and fixed, a small amount of tension is applied to the rear end. Pressure and flow sensors are installed on each liquid bladder to ensure its proper functioning. These sensors monitor the strain and pressure of the bladder in real time and feed the data back to the control unit. This allows the control unit to promptly identify and address uneven expansion of the bladder or abnormal water flow. The system's sensors, including flow and pressure sensors, monitor the flow rate and pressure of the water within the system in real time and transmit the data to the control console via fiber optic cable for real-time control. Through this real-time monitoring and feedback mechanism, the control unit can quickly adjust when problems are detected, ensuring stable operation of the entire water filling and expansion process. This prevents weak load-bearing capacity in the non-adhesive area due to insufficient bladder support, thereby ensuring the overall stability of the pipe lining. The control system uses the collected sensor data to determine the bladder's inflation status and controls the system's operation on a computer.

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