Intelligent flexible pipe

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of cable pipelines, and aims to solve the technical problem of insufficient protection of optical fibers. In order to solve the technical problem, the utility model provides the intelligent flexible pipe. The flexible pipe comprises a flexible pipe body which comprises a framework layer, an internal pressure sealing layer, a pressure-resistant armor layer and a tensile armor layer which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside; the sensing monitoring unit is wrapped between the compression-resistant armor layer and the tensile armor layer; the sensing monitoring unit comprises an optical cable layer and a filling strip; the optical cable layer comprises an optical fiber layer, a stainless steel tube, a round steel wire armor layer and an optical cable outer sheath layer which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside, the optical fiber layer comprises a plurality of optical fibers, and the filling strip wraps the optical cable outer sheath layer. According to the utility model, the influence of the external environment on the optical fiber can be effectively isolated, so as to enhance the optical fiber protection and signal transmission performance, thereby obviously improving the accuracy and real-time performance of monitoring data. The service life of the optical fiber can be prolonged, and the monitoring capability of the flexible pipe is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of cable pipelines, in particular to an intelligent flexible pipe. Background Art

[0002] With the accelerated development of oil and gas resources on land and in deepwater, flexible pipes are widely used to transport fluids such as crude oil, natural gas, and water. Flexible pipes offer excellent compressive, tensile, and corrosion resistance, making them adaptable to complex land and marine environments. However, these harsh environments are placing increasing demands on the performance of pipelines, particularly in deepwater, high-pressure, and highly corrosive environments. Traditional flexible pipes, lacking effective monitoring between structural layers, are susceptible to various factors, including internal and external pressures and chemical corrosion, leading to fatigue damage or failure.

[0003] Existing technologies embed optical fibers into tensile armor layers or combine them with other functional layers. However, these technologies generally suffer from problems such as optical fiber fragility, unstable or even interrupted signal transmission, and insufficient mechanical resistance. This results in the inability to identify pipeline faults in a timely manner, limiting their application in deep-sea applications.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a flexible tube structure that can enhance optical fiber protection and improve monitoring accuracy. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the problems such as insufficient optical fiber protection in the prior art.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an intelligent flexible pipe, comprising:

[0007] The flexible pipe body includes a skeleton layer, an internal pressure sealing layer, a pressure-resistant armor layer, and a tensile armor layer arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside;

[0008] The sensing and monitoring unit is coated between the compressive armor layer and the tensile armor layer; the sensing and monitoring unit includes an optical cable layer and a filling strip; the optical cable layer includes an optical fiber layer, a stainless steel tube, a round steel wire armor layer and an optical cable outer sheath layer arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside, the optical fiber layer includes multiple optical fibers, and the filling strip is coated on the optical cable outer sheath layer.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing and monitoring unit is spirally wound between the compressive armor layer and the tensile armor layer, and the winding direction of the sensing and monitoring unit is consistent with the winding direction of the tensile armor layer.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of optical fibers are uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical cable layer further includes an optical cable sheath, which is wrapped between the stainless steel tube and the round steel wire armor layer.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical cable layer further includes a first auxiliary wrapping tape, and the first auxiliary wrapping tape is wrapped between the round steel wire armor layer and the outer sheath of the optical cable.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the filling strip is made of one of polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene and polyamide.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tensile armor layer includes an inner tensile armor layer and an outer tensile armor layer; the inner tensile armor layer is spirally wound on the sensing monitoring unit, and the outer tensile armor layer is spirally wound on the inner tensile armor layer, and the winding direction of the inner tensile armor layer is opposite to the winding direction of the outer tensile armor layer.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the present application further includes a second auxiliary wrapping tape wound around the sensor monitoring unit.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the present application further includes an outer sheath layer coated outside the tensile armor layer.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the internal pressure sealing layer is made of thermoplastic polymer material.

[0018] The above technical solution of the utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0019] The intelligent flexible tube described in this utility model effectively isolates optical fibers from the external environment, enhancing fiber protection and signal transmission performance, significantly improving the accuracy and real-time nature of monitoring data. This extends the service life of optical fibers and significantly enhances the flexible tube's online monitoring capabilities, meeting the requirements for real-time, precise monitoring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to make the content of the utility model easier to understand, the utility model is further described in detail below based on the specific embodiments of the utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an intelligent flexible pipe in a preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the smart flexible tube;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the sensor monitoring unit in the intelligent flexible pipe;

[0024] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: 1. Skeleton layer; 2. Internal pressure sealing layer; 3. Pressure-resistant armor layer; 4. Sensing and monitoring unit; 41. Filling strip; 42. Optical fiber layer; 421. Optical fiber; 422. Fiber paste; 43. Stainless steel tube; 44. Round steel wire armor layer; 45. Optical cable outer sheath layer; 46. Optical cable sheath; 47. First auxiliary wrapping tape; 5. Second auxiliary wrapping tape; 6. Inner tensile armor layer; 7. Outer tensile armor layer; 8. Outer sheath layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention provides an intelligent flexible pipe, comprising:

[0027] The flexible pipe body comprises a carcass layer 1, an internal pressure sealing layer 2, a compressive armor layer 3, and a tensile armor layer, arranged in order from the inside out. In some embodiments, the carcass layer 1 comprises multiple S-shaped stainless steel strips, with adjacent S-shaped strips forming a locking structure. In some possible implementations, single-phase or duplex stainless steel strips (the stainless steel strips may be made of materials such as 304, 316L, 2205, or 2507) are rolled into the S-shaped strips using multiple rollers (e.g., ten). The S-shaped strips are then formed into an interlocking structure using a forming die, thereby forming the carcass layer 1. The carcass layer 1 of this embodiment protects the internal pressure sealing layer 2 from deformation caused by pipeline decompression, external pressure, tensile armor pressure, and mechanical crushing loads. The internal pressure sealing layer 2 forms a boundary layer for the transported fluid and prevents corrosion of the carcass layer 1 by the transported medium. In some embodiments, the pressure-resistant armor layer 3 is made of special-shaped steel and forms an interlocking structure. The interlocking structure can be C-shaped, Z-shaped, or T-shaped. The pressure-resistant armor layer 3 is spirally wound around the internal-pressure sealing layer 2 at a laying angle of approximately 90°. The pressure-resistant armor layer 3 is used to resist the hoop stress caused by internal and external pressures, ensuring that the pipeline maintains its integrity even under high pressure and providing structural support for the internal-pressure sealing layer 2.

[0028] The sensing and monitoring unit 4 is encased between the compressive armor layer 3 and the tensile armor layer. It comprises an optical cable layer and filler strips 41. The optical cable layer comprises, from the inside out, an optical fiber layer 42, a stainless steel tube 43, a round steel wire armor layer 44, and an outer cable jacket 45. The optical fiber layer 42 includes multiple optical fibers 421 (e.g., 4 to 8 optical fibers 421). A fiber jelly paste 422 is filled between the optical fibers 421 and the stainless steel tube 43. The filler strips 41 are wrapped around the outer cable jacket 45. The number of wrapping layers of filler strips 41 can be adjusted to one or two, depending on actual needs, to further enhance the protection of the optical fibers 421. The outer diameter of the sensing and monitoring unit 4 can range from 2 to 16 mm. The inner diameter of the smart flexible tube can range from 2 to 16 inches.

[0029] Specifically, this embodiment provides a sensor monitoring unit 4 between the compressive armor layer 3 and the tensile armor layer, which can effectively improve the long-term reliability and monitoring accuracy of the pipeline in harsh environments. In addition, the sensor monitoring unit 4 includes a fiber optic layer 42 for monitoring, and a stainless steel tube 43, a round steel wire armor layer 44, an optical cable outer sheath layer 45, and a filler strip 41 are provided outside the fiber optic layer 42. The stainless steel tube 43, the round steel wire armor layer 44, and the optical cable outer sheath layer 45 can better protect the optical fiber 421 from damage, enabling it to provide long-term and stable sensor monitoring under harsh environmental conditions, extend the service life of the optical fiber 421, and significantly improve the online monitoring capability of the flexible pipeline. The filler strip 41 fixes and encapsulates the optical cable layer and enables the sensor monitoring unit 4 to form an integrated structure with the flexible pipe body, thereby improving the connection stability between the sensor monitoring unit 4 and the flexible pipe body.

[0030] As can be seen, this embodiment effectively isolates optical fiber 421 from the effects of the external environment, enhancing its protection and signal transmission performance, and significantly improving the accuracy and real-time nature of monitoring data. This extends the service life of optical fiber 421 and significantly enhances the online monitoring capabilities of the flexible pipe, meeting the requirements for real-time, accurate monitoring.

[0031] This intelligent flexible pipe can monitor the temperature, vibration, configuration and other information of the flexible pipe in real time, provide timely fault warnings for land and marine transportation systems, and improve the safety and operational reliability of the pipeline.

[0032] Furthermore, the sensing and monitoring unit 4 is spirally wound between the compressive armor layer 3 and the tensile armor layer, with the winding direction of the sensing and monitoring unit 4 aligning with the winding direction of the tensile armor layer. Specifically, this embodiment ensures that the sensing and monitoring unit 4 and the flexible pipe body are tightly fitted together, forming an integrated structure, thereby improving the structural stability of the intelligent flexible pipe. Furthermore, the filler strip 41 is tightly fitted with the tensile armor layer, ensuring the stability of the optical fiber 421 and the accuracy of signal transmission.

[0033] Furthermore, multiple optical fibers 421 are evenly distributed along the circumference. Because this intelligent flexible tube is a circular tube, this uniform distribution of multiple optical fibers 421 enables more uniform and accurate acquisition of relevant parameters, ensuring efficient and stable signal transmission. Furthermore, it maximizes coverage of stress concentration areas, ensuring comprehensive and accurate monitoring data.

[0034] Furthermore, the optical cable layer further includes an optical cable sheath 46, which is coated between the stainless steel tube 43 and the round steel wire armor layer 44. Specifically, the optical cable sheath 46 securely encapsulates the stainless steel tube 43 and the optical fiber layer 42, and further protects the optical fiber 421.

[0035] Furthermore, the optical cable layer further includes a first auxiliary wrapping tape 47, which is wrapped between the round steel wire armor layer 44 and the optical cable outer sheath. Specifically, the first auxiliary wrapping tape 47 can improve the stability of the connection between the round steel wire armor layer 44 and the optical cable outer sheath.

[0036] Furthermore, the filling strip 41 is made of one of polyethylene (PE), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and polyamide (PA). Specifically, this embodiment can use polyethylene (PE), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or polyamide (PA) to adapt to different ambient temperatures.

[0037] In some embodiments, the thickness of the filling strip 41 is 2 mm, the width of the filling strip 41 is 5-10 mm, and the length of the filling strip 41 is determined according to the actual length of the flexible tube.

[0038] Furthermore, the present application includes a second auxiliary wrapping tape 5 wrapped around the sensor monitoring unit 4. Specifically, the second auxiliary wrapping tape 5 can better protect the optical fiber 421 from damage and prevent contact wear between metal layers. The second auxiliary wrapping tape 5 is spirally wrapped around the sensor monitoring unit 4. The second auxiliary wrapping tape 5 is made of polyester tape, polypropylene tape, or fiberglass tape.

[0039] Furthermore, the tensile armor layer includes an inner tensile armor layer 6 and an outer tensile armor layer 7; the inner tensile armor layer 6 is spirally wound on the sensing and monitoring unit 4, and the outer tensile armor layer 7 is spirally wound on the inner tensile armor layer 6, and the winding direction of the inner tensile armor layer 6 is opposite to the winding direction of the outer tensile armor layer 7. In some possible embodiments, the tensile armor layer and the outer tensile armor layer 7 are respectively composed of high-strength stainless steel flat steel with a thickness of 6 mm. The outer tensile armor layer 7 is spirally wound at 20°~55°. The inner tensile armor layer 6 is spirally wound at 20°~55°. Specifically, the inner tensile armor layer 6 and the outer tensile armor layer 7 of this embodiment can resist axial stress and torsional stress, ensuring that the pipeline still has high tensile resistance in a complex dynamic environment.

[0040] Furthermore, the present application also includes an outer sheath layer 8 coated outside the tensile armor layer. Specifically, the outer sheath layer 8 of this embodiment is used to protect the pipeline from erosion and mechanical damage by seawater and the external environment, ensuring the protective performance of the overall structure.

[0041] In some embodiments, the thickness of the outer sheath layer 8 is not less than 3 mm. The outer sheath layer 8 is made of a polymer material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide (PA 11 / 12) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

[0042] Furthermore, the internal pressure sealing layer 2 is made of a thermoplastic polymer material. For example, the internal pressure sealing layer 2 can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide (PA 11 / 12), polyester fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin (PERT), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Specifically, the use of a thermoplastic polymer material in this embodiment can improve chemical corrosion resistance. In some possible implementations, the internal pressure sealing layer 2 can be attached to the skeleton layer 1 through an extrusion process.

[0043] This application can effectively improve the safety and reliability of deepwater pipelines. Real-time monitoring of the pipeline is achieved through optical fiber layer 42, and information is transmitted to the ground monitoring system via optical fiber 421, enabling online monitoring and fault warnings. This allows for the timely detection of potential problems and avoids catastrophic failures. Furthermore, this application takes into account the complex stress conditions of the pipeline in the deep-sea environment, significantly improving its compressive, tensile, and torsional resistance, thereby extending the pipeline's service life. This application effectively avoids signal attenuation of optical fiber 421 due to external forces, improving transmission performance and protection.

[0044] In practical applications, the smart flexible pipe can be used in both land and marine transportation systems. During installation, the flexible pipe is laid on land and on the seabed using a pre-designed installation plan. The optical fiber 421 sensing unit monitors the pipeline's operating status in real time. Data collected by the sensing monitoring unit is transmitted via optical fiber 421 to a ground monitoring system. The ground monitoring system analyzes the data in real time and uses an inversion algorithm to determine the flexible pipe's operating status. If any abnormalities in temperature, vibration, or configuration are detected, the monitoring system will automatically issue an alarm, facilitating timely maintenance measures and ensuring safe pipeline operation.

[0045] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications based on the above descriptions are possible. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent flexible pipe, characterized by: include: The flexible pipe body includes a skeleton layer, an internal pressure sealing layer, a pressure-resistant armor layer, and a tensile armor layer arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside; A sensing and monitoring unit is coated between the compressive armor layer and the tensile armor layer; the sensing and monitoring unit includes an optical cable layer and a filling strip; the optical cable layer includes an optical fiber layer, a stainless steel tube, a round steel wire armor layer and an optical cable outer sheath layer arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside, and the optical fiber layer includes multiple optical fibers; the filling strip is coated on the optical cable outer sheath layer.

2. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing and monitoring unit is spirally wound between the compressive armor layer and the tensile armor layer, and the winding direction of the sensing and monitoring unit is consistent with the winding direction of the tensile armor layer.

3. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple optical fibers are evenly arranged along the circumference of the stainless steel tube.

4. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical cable layer further comprises an optical cable sheath, which is coated between the stainless steel tube and the round steel wire armor layer.

5. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical cable layer further includes a first auxiliary wrapping tape, which is wrapped between the round steel wire armor layer and the optical cable outer sheath.

6. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filling strip is made of one of polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene and polyamide.

7. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tensile armor layer includes an inner tensile armor layer and an outer tensile armor layer; the inner tensile armor layer is spirally wound on the sensing monitoring unit, and the outer tensile armor layer is spirally wound on the inner tensile armor layer, and the winding direction of the inner tensile armor layer is opposite to that of the outer tensile armor layer.

8. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second auxiliary wrapping tape wound around the sensor monitoring unit.

9. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also comprises an outer sheath layer covering the tensile armor layer.

10. The smart flexible pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The internal pressure sealing layer is made of thermoplastic high molecular polymer material.

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