A marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of marine oil and gas pipeline connection devices, and more specifically, to a pipeline connector for an underwater marine oil and gas production system, comprising a center flange, the center flange being provided with a sealing projection, the sealing projection being provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove, a sealing assembly comprising a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a sealing sleeve, the first and second sealing rings being pressed into the first and second annular grooves, respectively, and the sealing sleeve being provided with two protrusions. The arrangement of the sealing projection and the sealing assembly restricts the flow of media in both the axial and radial directions of the pipeline via the first and second annular grooves on the sealing assembly and the sealing projection, respectively, thereby improving the sealing effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of marine oil and gas pipeline connecting devices, and in particular to a pipeline connector for a marine oil and gas underwater production system. Background Art

[0002] As onshore oil exploration and development become increasingly challenging, offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities have significantly increased. Subsea production systems for offshore oil and gas fields generally consist of three main components: the offshore platform, subsea equipment, and the marine riser connecting the two. The marine riser is typically connected using specialized pipe connectors.

[0003] Existing pipeline connectors for marine oil and gas underwater production systems generally include a plurality of flanges connected to each other and a clamping structure and a sealing structure disposed in the inner holes of the flanges. The flanges are connected to each other by bolts and nuts.

[0004] The sealing structure typically uses a sealing ring. After the pipe is installed in the pipe connector, the flange squeezes the sealing ring along the pipe's axial direction, causing it to deform. However, this arrangement only restricts the flow of media inside and outside the pipe in the axial direction, but does not restrict the flow of media in the radial direction. The sealing effect is limited and needs improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is to provide a pipeline connector for an underwater production system of marine oil and gas, comprising:

[0006] A middle flange, wherein the middle flange is connected to a first flange and a second flange via studs, the middle flange is located between the first flange and the second flange, a sealing assembly is provided on each of the first flange and the second flange, a sealing protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the middle flange, and a first annular groove and a second annular groove are provided on both sides of the sealing protrusion symmetrically about the plane where the diameter of the middle flange lies, the first annular groove and the second annular groove are concentrically arranged, and the diameter of the first annular groove is larger than the diameter of the second annular groove;

[0007] The sealing assembly includes a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring and a sealing sleeve. The first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are pressed into the first annular groove and the second annular groove respectively. The sealing sleeve is provided with two protrusions respectively pressed on the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring, and the two protrusions extend into the first annular groove and the second annular groove respectively. The first flange and the second flange are both threadedly connected with an adjusting screw. The end of the adjusting screw is provided with a pressing sleeve, and the pressing sleeve is pressed on the sealing sleeve. The adjusting screw is used to drive the sealing sleeve to squeeze the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring.

[0008] Furthermore, a positioning pin is connected to the sealing sleeve, and a positioning hole corresponding to the positioning pin is provided on the pressing sleeve. The positioning pin and the adjusting screw are both inserted into the positioning hole, and the adjusting screw is pressed on the positioning pin.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a positioning member, the middle flange is connected to two support rings corresponding to the first flange and the second flange respectively, the first flange and the second flange are relatively fixed by the positioning member and the support ring, the positioning member includes a plurality of positioning bosses and a plurality of first positioning ridges arranged on the inner wall of the support ring, the first positioning ridges and the positioning bosses are both distributed along the outer circumference of the pipe, and the first positioning ridges and the positioning bosses are spaced apart, and the positioning boss is clamped between two adjacent first positioning ridges.

[0010] Furthermore, the positioning member also includes a plurality of second positioning ridges provided on the support ring, the second positioning ridges correspond to the positioning bosses, and the positioning bosses are pressed on the corresponding second positioning ridges.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a clamping assembly located on the middle flange, the stud connected to the first flange is threadedly connected to a clamping nut, and the clamping nut is pressed on the first flange, the first flange is pressed on the clamping assembly, and the clamping nut is used to drive the first flange to push the clamping assembly to clamp the pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the height of the first positioning ridge connecting the first flange and the support ring is greater than the height of the first positioning ridge connecting the second flange and the support ring.

[0013] Furthermore, the clamping assembly includes a snap seat and a cava, the end of the first flange is pressed on the snap seat, the cava is pressed on the pressing sleeve corresponding to the first flange, the snap seat and the cava slide relative to each other, and the first flange is used to press the snap seat to push the cava to clamp the pipeline.

[0014] Furthermore, the cava is provided with a first inclined surface on the side of the snap seat close to the center axis of the first flange compared to the snap seat close to the center axis of the first flange, and the cava is provided with a second inclined surface on the side away from the center axis of the first flange. The end of the first inclined surface close to the first flange is closer to the center axis of the first flange than the end of the first inclined surface away from the first flange, and the second inclined surface is adapted to the first inclined surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner wall of the slip is provided with a latching tooth.

[0016] Furthermore, the studs on the first flange and the second flange are staggered.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: through the provision of the sealing protrusion and the sealing assembly, when sealing the pipeline, the sealing sleeve squeezes the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring to restrict the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline along the axial direction of the pipeline. At the same time, the first annular groove and the second annular groove cooperate with the two protrusions to form a concave-convex structure along the radial direction of the pipeline, thereby extending the flow path of the medium inside and outside the pipeline along the radial direction of the pipeline, obstructing the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline along the radial direction of the pipeline, thereby restricting the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline along the radial direction of the pipeline, and ultimately restricting the flow of the medium in both the axial and radial directions of the pipeline, thereby improving the sealing effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0019] In the picture: Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of a pipeline connector for an underwater marine oil and gas production system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of a pipeline connector for an underwater marine oil and gas production system is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA section view;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of point A;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point C;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 3 A perspective cutaway view of the middle flange is shown;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the first flange and support ring is shown;

[0027] Figure 9 for Figure 3 A perspective sectional view of the first flange and the support ring after assembly is shown;

[0028] Figure 10 for Figure 3 A perspective sectional view of the first flange and the support ring after assembly is shown;

[0029] Figure 11 for Figure 3 Exploded view of the clamp assembly shown.

[0030] Description of the drawings: 10. Middle flange; 11. Sealing protrusion; 111. First annular groove; 112. Second annular groove; 12. Support ring; 13. Test hole; 20. First flange; 21. Adjusting screw; 22. Press sleeve; 221. Positioning hole; 23. Threaded hole; 24. Stud; 25. Press nut; 26. Annular groove; 30. Second flange; 31. Step; 41. First sealing ring; 42. Second sealing ring; 43. Sealing sleeve; 431. Positioning pin; 51. Positioning boss; 52. First positioning rib; 53. Second positioning rib; 60. Clamping assembly; 61. Buckle seat; 611. First inclined surface; 612. Annular protrusion; 62. Slip; 621. Second inclined surface; 622. Snap teeth; 623. Through groove; 70. Plug; 200. Pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention clearer, the present invention is now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This figure is a simplified schematic diagram, which only illustrates the basic principles of the present invention in an illustrative manner, and therefore only shows the structures related to the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The present invention provides a marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector, including a middle flange 10, which is connected to a first flange 20 and a second flange 30 through studs 24. The middle flange 10 is located between the first flange 20 and the second flange 30, and a sealing assembly is provided on the first flange 20 and the second flange 30.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7The inner wall of the middle flange 10 is provided with a sealing protrusion 11. A first annular groove 111 and a second annular groove 112 are provided on both sides of the sealing protrusion 11, symmetrically about the plane in which the diameter of the middle flange 10 lies. The first annular groove 111 and the second annular groove 112 are concentrically arranged, and the diameter of the first annular groove 111 is larger than the diameter of the second annular groove 112. The sealing assembly includes a first sealing ring 41, a second sealing ring 42, and a sealing sleeve 43. The first and second sealing rings 41, 42 are pressed into the first and second annular grooves 111, 112, respectively. The sealing sleeve 43 has two protrusions that press on the first and second sealing rings 41, 42, and the two protrusions extend into the first and second annular grooves 111, 112, respectively. The first flange 20 and the second flange 30 are both threadedly connected to an adjusting screw 21. The end of the adjusting screw 21 is provided with a pressing sleeve 22 that presses on the sealing sleeve 43. The adjusting screw 21 is used to drive the sealing sleeve 43 to squeeze the first and second sealing rings 41, 42. Specifically, the first annular groove 111 and the second annular groove 112 respectively penetrate the outer periphery and the inner wall of the sealing protrusion 11 .

[0034] Through the arrangement of the sealing protrusion 11 and the sealing assembly, when sealing the pipeline 200, the sealing sleeve 43 squeezes the first sealing ring 41 and the second sealing ring 42 to restrict the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline 200 along the axial direction of the pipeline 200. Simultaneously, the first annular groove 111 and the second annular groove 112 cooperate with the two protrusions to form a concave-convex structure along the radial direction of the pipeline 200, extending the flow path of the medium inside and outside the pipeline 200 along the radial direction of the pipeline 200 and obstructing the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline 200 along the radial direction of the pipeline 200. This restricts the flow of the medium inside and outside the pipeline 200 along the radial direction of the pipeline 200, ultimately restricting the flow of the medium in the pipeline 200 in both the axial and radial directions, thereby improving the sealing effect. Furthermore, the presence of two sets of sealing assemblies further enhances the sealing effect.

[0035] To prevent relative rotation between the sealing sleeve 43 and the adjusting screw 21, a locating pin 431 is fixedly connected to the sealing sleeve 43. The pressing sleeve 22 is provided with a locating hole 221 corresponding to the locating pin 431. The locating pin 431 and the adjusting screw 21 are both inserted into the locating hole 221, and the adjusting screw 21 is pressed against the locating pin 431. In this embodiment, multiple locating pins 431 are provided, and the multiple locating pins 431 are distributed circumferentially about the central axis of the sealing sleeve 43.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1Since the pipeline 200 requires connecting two marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connectors, to facilitate the connection of the second flanges 30 of the two marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connectors, the number of threaded holes 23 on the second flange 30 for inserting the studs 24 is greater than the number of studs 24 used to connect the second flange 30 to the middle flange 10. Furthermore, to prevent interference between the multiple studs 24 when the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 are connected to the middle flange 10, the studs 24 on the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 are staggered.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 Since the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 need to be aligned with the corresponding threaded holes 23 when connected to the middle flange 10 respectively to facilitate the insertion of the studs 24, the ends of the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 need to be positioned in the circumferential direction when inserted into the middle flange 10. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector also includes a positioning member. The middle flange 10 is connected to two support rings 12 corresponding to the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 respectively. The first flange 20 and the second flange 30 are relatively fixed by the positioning member and the support ring 12. The positioning member includes a plurality of positioning bosses 51 and a plurality of first positioning ribs 52 provided on the inner wall of the support ring 12. The first positioning ribs 52 and the positioning bosses 51 are both distributed circumferentially along the outer circumference of the pipe 200, and the first positioning ribs 52 and the positioning bosses 51 are spaced apart. The positioning boss 51 is clamped between two adjacent first positioning ribs 52.

[0038] By means of the first positioning ribs 52 and the positioning bosses 51 arranged at intervals, when the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 are respectively connected to the middle flange 10, the positioning bosses 51 are clamped between two adjacent first positioning ribs 52, and the first positioning ribs 52 perform circumferential positioning on the positioning bosses 51, thereby performing circumferential positioning on the first flange 20 and the second flange 30, respectively.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 The positioning member also includes a plurality of second positioning ridges 53 provided on the support ring 12 . The second positioning ridges 53 correspond to the positioning bosses 51 . The cross section of the positioning bosses 51 is an L-shaped structure. The positioning bosses 51 are pressed on the corresponding second positioning ridges 53 .

[0040] By disposing the second positioning ribs 53 , the positioning boss 51 is inserted between two adjacent first positioning ribs 52 to limit the positioning boss 51 axially, thereby limiting the first flange 20 and the second flange 30 axially.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 11 The offshore oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector also includes a clamping assembly 60 located on the middle flange 10. A compression nut 25 is threadedly connected to the stud 24 connected to the first flange 20, and the compression nut 25 presses against the first flange 20. The clamping assembly 60 includes a snap seat 61 and a slip 62. The slip 62 presses against the corresponding compression sleeve 22 of the first flange 20. The inner wall of the slip 62 is provided with latches 622, and the sidewall of the slip 62 is provided with a plurality of through grooves 623. The slots 623 enable the slip 62 to tighten toward the central axis of the pipeline 200. When clamping the pipeline 200, the latches 622 and the outer periphery of the pipeline 200 form an interference fit. The snap seat 61 and slip 62 slide relative to each other, and the end of the first flange 20 presses against the snap seat 61. The compression nut 25 drives the first flange 20 to push the snap seat 61, which in turn pushes the slip 62 to clamp the pipeline 200.

[0042] By adjusting the setting of the screw 21, the pipe 200 clamping and the pipe 200 sealing are independent of each other and do not affect each other, thereby reducing the leakage of the pipe 200 after repair due to the unified control of the two processes, thereby reducing the repair effect of the pipe 200.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 Because the first flange 20 needs to push the clamping assembly 60 to clamp the pipe 200 after it is connected to the middle flange 10 via the studs 24, there is still some distance between the positioning boss 51 and the second positioning rib 53 corresponding to the first flange 20. Accordingly, there is also some distance between the adjustment screw 21 corresponding to the first flange 20 and the positioning pin 431. Furthermore, the height of the first positioning rib 52 connecting the first flange 20 and the support ring 12 is greater than the height of the first positioning rib 52 connecting the second flange 30 and the support ring 12. This allows the first flange 20 to be positioned circumferentially without interfering with the first flange 20 pushing the clamping assembly 60 along the axial direction of the pipe 200.

[0044] The distance between the second positioning rib 53 and the positioning boss 51 limits the axial movement of the first flange 20 along the pipe 200, thereby limiting the degree to which the clamping assembly 60 can clamp the pipe 200, preventing damage to the outer periphery of the pipe 200 caused by excessive clamping. Furthermore, when the first flange 20 pushes the clamping assembly 60 to clamp the pipe 200, the second positioning rib 53 can absorb some of the force applied by the first flange 20 on the clamping assembly 60, thereby reducing the possibility of excessive pressure from the first flange 20 on the clamping assembly 60, which could lead to over-clamping.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 4 Compared with the snap seat 61, the cava 62 is closer to the central axis of the first flange 20. A first inclined surface 611 is provided on the side of the snap seat 61 close to the central axis of the first flange 20, and a second inclined surface 621 is provided on the side of the cava 62 away from the central axis of the first flange 20. The end of the first inclined surface 611 close to the first flange 20 is closer to the central axis of the first flange 20 than the end of the first inclined surface 611 away from the first flange 20, and the second inclined surface 621 is adapted to the first inclined surface 611.

[0046] When the pipe 200 is clamped, the first inclined surface 611 and the second inclined surface 621 cooperate with each other to push the snap seat 61 to move, so that the cava 62 can be displaced along the radial direction of the middle flange 10, and the snap seat 61 is farther away from the center axis of the middle flange 10 than the cava 62, so that when the snap seat 61 moves away from the first flange 20, the cava 62 moves toward the center axis of the middle flange 10, thereby achieving the clamping of the pipe 200.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 4 To facilitate the upper flange pushing the snap seat 61, an annular protrusion 612 is provided at the top of the snap seat 61. The end of the first flange 20 is provided with an annular groove 26 corresponding to the annular protrusion 612, and the annular groove 612 is locked in the annular groove 26. The annular groove 26 and the annular protrusion 612 cooperate with each other to ensure that the first flange 20 and the snap seat 61 are aligned with each other.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 A step 31 is provided in the inner hole of the second flange 30, so that the aperture of the end of the second flange 30 away from the middle flange 10 becomes smaller and the aperture of the end of the second flange 30 away from the middle flange 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe 200, so that when the pipe 200 is inserted into the inner hole of the lower flange along the inner holes of the first flange 20 and the middle flange 10 in sequence, the end of the pipe 200 is located on the step 31, and the step 31 supports the pipe 200.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 3 A test hole 13 is provided in the middle flange 10. The inner diameter of the sealing projection 11 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 200. A cavity is formed between the sealing projection 11 and the pipe 200, and the two second annular grooves 112 are interconnected through the cavity. The test hole 13 penetrates the sealing projection 11 and communicates with the cavity. The test hole 13 is sealed by a plug 70. After the pipe 200 is connected, the sealing performance of the sealing assembly can be tested through the test hole 13.

[0050] When connecting two pipes 200 , first connect the two pipes 200 to two marine oil and gas underwater production system pipe connectors respectively, and then connect the second flanges 30 of the two marine oil and gas underwater production system pipe connectors through the studs 24 .

[0051] When connecting pipeline 200 to a marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector, the end of pipeline 200 is inserted through the inner holes of the first flange 20, the middle flange 10, and the second flange 30. The first flange 20 is then pressed downward by tightening the compression nut 25, pushing the slips 62 radially around the pipeline 200. Adjusting screws 21 on the first and second flanges 20, 30, are then rotated to apply pressure to the compression sleeve 22. The compression sleeve 22 transmits the pressure to the sealing sleeve 43. The two protrusions on the sealing sleeve 43 move along the first and second annular grooves 111, 112, respectively. These protrusions compress the first and second sealing rings 41, 42, respectively, causing them to deform and seal the pipeline 200. Finally, a backpressure test is performed on the sealing assembly through the first test hole 13. If the test passes, the test hole 13 is sealed with a plug 70.

Claims

1. A pipeline connector for an underwater production system of marine oil and gas, comprising a middle flange (10), wherein the middle flange (10) is connected to a first flange (20) and a second flange (30) via studs (24), wherein the middle flange (10) is located between the first flange (20) and the second flange (30), and wherein the first flange (20) and the second flange (30) are both provided with a sealing assembly, characterized in that: The inner wall of the middle flange (10) is provided with a sealing protrusion (11), and the sealing protrusion (11) is provided with a first annular groove (111) and a second annular groove (112) on both sides symmetrically with respect to the plane where the diameter of the middle flange (10) is located, the first annular groove (111) and the second annular groove (112) are concentrically arranged, and the diameter of the first annular groove (111) is larger than the diameter of the second annular groove (112); The sealing assembly includes a first sealing ring (41), a second sealing ring (42) and a sealing sleeve (43), wherein the first sealing ring (41) and the second sealing ring (42) are pressed into the first annular groove (111) and the second annular groove (112) respectively, and the sealing sleeve (43) is provided with two protrusions respectively pressed on the first sealing ring (41) and the second sealing ring (42), and the two protrusions extend into the first annular groove (111) and the second annular groove (112) respectively, and the first flange (20) and the second flange (30) are both threadedly connected with an adjusting screw (21), and the end of the adjusting screw (21) is provided with a pressing sleeve (22), and the pressing sleeve (22) is pressed on the sealing sleeve (43), and the adjusting screw (21) is used to drive the sealing sleeve (43) to squeeze the first sealing ring (41) and the second sealing ring (42); The invention also includes a positioning member, wherein the middle flange (10) is connected to two support rings (12) corresponding to the first flange (20) and the second flange (30), respectively. The first flange (20) and the second flange (30) are relatively fixed by the positioning member and the support ring (12). The positioning member includes a plurality of positioning bosses (51) and a plurality of first positioning ribs (52) arranged on the inner wall of the support ring (12). The first positioning ribs (52) and the positioning bosses (51) are both distributed along the outer circumference of the pipe (200), and the first positioning ribs (52) and the positioning bosses (51) are arranged at intervals. The positioning boss (51) is clamped between two adjacent first positioning ribs (52). The positioning member further comprises a plurality of second positioning ridges (53) arranged on the support ring (12), the second positioning ridges (53) corresponding to the positioning bosses (51), and the positioning bosses (51) press on the corresponding second positioning ridges (53).

2. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing sleeve (43) is connected to a positioning pin (431), and the pressing sleeve (22) is provided with a positioning hole (221) corresponding to the positioning pin (431). The positioning pin (431) and the adjusting screw (21) are both inserted into the positioning hole (221), and the adjusting screw (21) is pressed on the positioning pin (431).

3. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a clamping assembly (60) located on the middle flange (10), the stud (24) connected to the first flange (20) is threadedly connected to a clamping nut (25), and the clamping nut (25) is pressed on the first flange (20), and the first flange (20) is pressed on the clamping assembly (60), and the clamping nut (25) is used to drive the first flange (20) to push the clamping assembly (60) to clamp the pipe (200).

4. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The height of the first positioning ridge (52) connecting the first flange (20) and the support ring (12) is greater than the height of the first positioning ridge (52) connecting the second flange (30) and the support ring (12).

5. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (60) includes a snap seat (61) and a slip (62), the end of the first flange (20) is pressed on the snap seat (61), and the slip (62) is pressed on the pressing sleeve (22) corresponding to the first flange (20), the snap seat (61) and the slip (62) slide relative to each other, and the first flange (20) is used to press the snap seat (61) to push the slip (62) to clamp the pipeline (200).

6. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cava (62) is closer to the central axis of the first flange (20) than the snap seat (61), and a first inclined surface (611) is provided on the side of the snap seat (61) closer to the central axis of the first flange (20). A second inclined surface (621) is provided on the side of the cava (62) away from the central axis of the first flange (20). An end of the first inclined surface (611) closer to the first flange (20) is closer to the central axis of the first flange (20) than an end of the first inclined surface (611) away from the first flange (20), and the second inclined surface (621) is adapted to the first inclined surface (611).

7. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner wall of the slip (62) is provided with a latching tooth (622).

8. The marine oil and gas underwater production system pipeline connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The studs (24) on the first flange (20) and the second flange (30) are staggered.

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