An LNG subsea pipeline joint

Abstract

The utility model provides a LNG submarine pipeline joint relates to pipeline transportation spare field, including two pipe sections of waiting for connecting, still include the joint body, the both ends of joint body have the inner support pipe with two pipe sections one -to -one correspondence, and the pipe section is connected through a connecting unit between the inner support pipe and corresponding, and the connecting unit includes the locating sleeve and locking sleeve, and the locating sleeve inner wall has a plurality of location protruding, and the pipe section is set up with the location protruding one -to -one correspondence location hole, and the joint body has the connecting portion between two inner support pipes, and the outer diameter of connecting portion is greater than the outer diameter of inner support pipe, and the locking sleeve is connected on the connecting portion, and the locating sleeve has the location outer conical surface on the outer wall surface on the locating sleeve, and the locking sleeve inner wall has the location inner conical surface with the location outer conical surface adaptation, and the two locking sleeves are connected through the bolt. The utility model has the advantages of good sealing effect etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pipeline transportation components, and in particular to an LNG subsea pipeline joint. Background Technology

[0002] LNG cryogenic flexible pipes (pipelines connecting ship cargo holds to land-based storage tanks during liquefied natural gas transport) are constructed using a multi-layered metal and polymer spiral winding structure. They typically include inner and outer corrugated pipes, inner and outer armor layers, inner and outer wear-resistant layers, and an outer sheath. The different material layers within the pipe are not in complete contact. Heat is transferred through two media: solid-solid material and air in the gaps. Due to the significant difference in thermal conductivity between these two media, a noticeable thermal flow contraction occurs at the interface, resulting in a large temperature gradient and thus contact thermal resistance. This causes the pipe, which initially exhibits strong local bending resistance, to expand and contract to a certain extent under varying environmental temperature conditions. Pipe joints, connecting the ends of two pipe sections, have high sealing and durability requirements. Traditional clamp-type pipe joints, once installed, have a fixed tightness. Under the influence of temperature changes, thermal expansion and contraction can cause the clamps to crack or weaken the seal, thus failing to meet the requirements. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a pipe joint structure that can improve sealing reliability.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an LNG subsea pipeline connector, comprising two pipe sections to be connected, characterized in that it further comprises a connector body, the two ends of which each have an inner support tube corresponding to one of the two pipe sections. The inner support tube and the corresponding pipe section are connected by a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a positioning sleeve and a locking sleeve. The inner wall of the positioning sleeve has several positioning protrusions. The pipe section has positioning holes corresponding to the positioning protrusions. The connector body has a connecting part located between the two inner support tubes. The outer diameter of the connecting part is larger than the outer diameter of the inner support tube. The locking sleeve is slidably connected to the connecting part. The positioning sleeve has a positioning outer conical surface located on its outer wall surface. The inner wall of the locking sleeve has a positioning inner conical surface adapted to the positioning outer conical surface. The two locking sleeves are connected by bolts.

[0005] This design utilizes the positioning protrusions and the positioning holes on the pipe section to increase the resistance of the support tube and improve the ease of installation of the pipe section onto the inner support tube. Furthermore, this structure reduces the sealing requirements between the inner wall of the pipe section and the outer wall of the inner support tube, lowering the risk of leakage caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe section. Instead, a first seal is achieved by the abutment between the inner end face of the positioning sleeve and the stepped surface, and a second seal is achieved by the compression between the outer and inner conical surfaces of the positioning sleeve.

[0006] Furthermore, the inner end of the locking sleeve has a flange, and the flanges of the two locking sleeves are connected by bolts.

[0007] Furthermore, a rubber sleeve is clamped between the two flanges. The rubber sleeve serves two purposes: preventing the bolts from loosening and sealing the inner wall of the sleeve with the outside environment.

[0008] Furthermore, the front end of the inner support tube has a chamfer between it and the outer wall surface. The chamfer is beneficial for the sleeve.

[0009] Furthermore, there are four positioning holes, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the same cross-section of the pipe section.

[0010] Alternatively, the positioning holes are six in total, in groups of three, with the three positioning holes in the same group located on the same cross-section of the pipe section.

[0011] Furthermore, a stepped surface is formed between the connecting part and the inner support tube, and a sealing gasket is provided between the inner end face of the positioning sleeve and the stepped surface. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a sectional view of the pipe joint.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view for locating the sleeve and pipe section.

[0014] Legend: 1. Pipe section; 2. Joint body; 3. Inner support pipe; 4. Positioning sleeve; 5. Locking sleeve; 6. Positioning protrusion; 7. Positioning hole; 8. Bolt; 9. Rubber sleeve; 10. Positioning outer conical surface; 11. Connecting part. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0016] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the device includes two pipe sections 1 to be connected, and a connector body 2. Each end of the connector body 2 has an inner support tube 3 corresponding to one of the two pipe sections 1. The inner support tube 3 and its corresponding pipe section 1 are connected by a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a positioning sleeve 4 and a locking sleeve 5. The inner wall of the positioning sleeve has several positioning protrusions 6. Positioning holes 7 corresponding to the positioning protrusions 6 are opened on the pipe section 1. The connector body 2 has a connecting part 11 located between the two inner support tubes 3. The outer diameter of the connecting part 11 is larger than the outer diameter of the inner support tube 3. The locking sleeve 5 is slidably connected to the connecting part 11. The positioning sleeve 4 has a positioning outer conical surface 10 on its outer wall. The inner wall of the locking sleeve 5 has a positioning inner conical surface adapted to the positioning outer conical surface 10. The two locking sleeves 5 are connected by bolts 8. This design, by opening holes in the pipe section 1 and utilizing the positioning protrusions 6 in conjunction with the positioning holes 7 on the pipe section 1, increases the resistance of the support tube and improves the ease of operation when fitting the pipe section 1 onto the inner support tube 3. In addition, this structure reduces the sealing requirements between the inner wall of pipe section 1 and the outer wall of inner support pipe 3, and reduces the risk of leakage caused by thermal expansion and contraction of pipe section 1. Instead, it uses the inner end face of positioning sleeve 4 to abut against the stepped surface to achieve a first seal, and uses the pressing of positioning outer cone surface 10 and positioning inner cone surface to achieve a second seal.

[0017] The inner end of the locking sleeve 5 has a flange, and the flanges of the two locking sleeves 5 are connected by bolts 8. A rubber sleeve 9 is clamped between the two flanges. The rubber sleeve 9 serves two purposes: firstly, it prevents the bolts 8 from loosening, and secondly, it provides a seal between the inner wall of the locking sleeve 5 and the outside.

[0018] The front end of the inner support tube 3 has a chamfer between it and the outer wall surface, which is beneficial for the sleeve.

[0019] There are four positioning holes 7, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the same cross section of pipe segment 1.

[0020] The positioning holes 7 can also be set up as follows: there are six positioning holes 7, in groups of three, with the three positioning holes 7 in the same group located on the same cross section of pipe segment 1, which improves the positioning and connection reliability of the positioning sleeve 4 to pipe segment 1.

[0021] A stepped surface is formed between the connecting part 11 and the inner support tube 3, and a sealing gasket is provided between the inner end face of the positioning sleeve 4 and the stepped surface.

[0022] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An LNG subsea pipeline connector, comprising two pipe sections (1) to be connected, characterized in that, It also includes a connector body (2), which has an inner support tube (3) at each end corresponding to two pipe segments (1). The inner support tube (3) and the corresponding pipe segment (1) are connected by a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a positioning sleeve (4) and a locking sleeve (5). The inner wall of the positioning sleeve has several positioning protrusions (6). The pipe segment (1) is provided with positioning holes (7) corresponding to the positioning protrusions (6). The connector body (2) has a connecting part (11) located between the two inner support tubes (3). The outer diameter of the connecting part (11) is larger than the outer diameter of the inner support tube (3). The locking sleeve (5) is slidably connected to the connecting part (11). The positioning sleeve (4) has a positioning outer cone surface (10) located on the outer wall surface. The inner wall of the locking sleeve (5) has a positioning inner cone surface adapted to the positioning outer cone surface (10). The two locking sleeves (5) are connected by bolts (8).

2. The LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner end of the locking sleeve (5) has a flange, and the flanges of the two locking sleeves (5) are connected by bolts (8).

3. The LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 2, characterized in that, A rubber sleeve (9) is clamped between the two flanges.

4. An LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The front end of the inner support tube (3) has a chamfer between it and the outer wall surface.

5. An LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, There are four positioning holes (7), which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the same cross section of the pipe segment (1).

6. An LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, There are six positioning holes (7), in groups of three, and the three positioning holes (7) in the same group are located on the same cross section of the pipe section (1).

7. An LNG subsea pipeline joint according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, A stepped surface is formed between the connecting part (11) and the inner support tube (3), and a sealing gasket is provided between the inner end face of the positioning sleeve (4) and the stepped surface.

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