METHOD FOR PRODUCE A BLANK FOR AN OBJECT, IN PARTICULAR A DYNAMIC SEALING BLANK, CONFIGURED FOR A ROTARY JOINT OF A FLUID TECHNICAL SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to fluid handling installations, for example hydrocarbons, for example on offshore type platforms, and in particular articles, preferably of the annular type, which can be used in such installations.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rough part of such an article, including for example a rough part of a rotary joint or a structural part of the rotary joint from a part and / or a part that is movable relative to the fixed part.

[0003] The invention also relates to such draft articles obtained by implementing the process.

[0004] Korean patent application KR 2017 0047758 discloses tooling for manufacturing a gasket by winding strips.

[0005] Prior art CN105937623A relates to a sealing technology for a rotary seal for liquids, which belongs to the technical field of single-point marine mooring. State of the art

[0006] Rotating joint devices installed in pressure vessels can find applications in the offshore sector, for example on oil production vessels, enabling the exploitation of offshore hydrocarbon fields. Floating production, storage, and offloading units can be formed by a vessel that is mobile due to its environment, positioned around a geostationary mooring tower. The vessel can be temporarily secured to the tower. The installations may include conduits that form a network of underwater pipelines, allowing fluid communication for the transfer of fluid between the seabed and the vessel.

[0007] To ensure a watertight seal between the vessel and the turret, and thus guarantee the integrity of the fluid transfer, rotary joint devices are equipped with a first, fixed part, attached to the turret, and a second, movable part, attached to the vessel. The second part of the rotary joint devices is therefore free to rotate relative to the first part. Furthermore, the rotary joint devices are equipped with several dynamic sealing elements, called dynamic seals, located in spaces between the first fixed part and the second movable part of the rotary joint devices.

[0008] Such dynamic sealing devices may include, for example, lips whose function is to ensure sealing against the fluid.

[0009] Whether it be dynamic joints or fixed and moving parts, or even other parts equipping the rotary joint device, use in fluid handling installations generates constraints in terms of dimensions, often large, and also of materials, because these parts are subjected to a hostile environment, often marine, making their manufacture rather complex.

[0010] We know, for example, of a manufacturing process in which blanks of parts, or articles, equipping rotary joint devices, are formed by sintering from a powder of a predetermined material which is pressed into a mold and then heated to a glass transition temperature, and then cooled to form the blank, also called the raw material.

[0011] We also know of a manufacturing process in which blanks of parts, or articles, are formed by extrusion from granules of a predetermined material which are heated and then extracted from a die in the form of spirals, or circular sectors, for example with a rectangular cross-section, which are cut and then welded together to form the blank or raw material. Description of the invention

[0012] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a blank of an article configured to equip a rotary joint of a fluid handling installation, particularly on an offshore platform, which is simple, convenient and economical.

[0013] The invention thus relates, in a first aspect, to a method for manufacturing a blank of an article configured to equip a rotating joint device of a fluid handling installation, particularly on an offshore platform, comprising the following steps: provide at least one strip of a predetermined material; provide at least one manufacturing support at least partially annular and having a predetermined external diameter; arrange said at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support until a predetermined thickness is obtained; remove the manufacturing support to obtain said article blank having a predetermined cross-section.

[0014] The above process allows for the simple and convenient production of a blank for an annular component intended for use in a rotary joint device, by simply placing at least one strip of a predetermined material on a dedicated support. It is possible to produce a blank with a custom or predetermined cross-section.

[0015] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical features of the process according to the invention are presented below.

[0016] The process may include the step of providing a plurality of strips of different materials and the step of arranging successively, sequentially, or in parallel, in a superimposed and / or juxtaposed manner, the strips of different materials on the manufacturing support.

[0017] The predetermined material is made of at least one thermoplastic.

[0018] Thermoplastic is composed of at least polyetheretherketone, known as PEEK, and / or derived materials.

[0019] Thermoplastic is also composed of at least polytetrafluoroethylene, known as PTFE and / or derived materials.

[0020] The predetermined material is further composed of high-strength fibers and / or metallic wires.

[0021] The process may include the step of arranging under vacuum at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support.

[0022] The process may include the step of arranging, under a predetermined temperature, at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support.

[0023] The process may include, during the step of arranging said at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support, a step of welding a lower layer formed by the strip with an upper layer formed by the strip.

[0024] The process may include, during the step of arranging said at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support, a step of adhering a lower layer formed by the strip with an upper layer formed by the strip.

[0025] The manufacturing support can be formed into a single annular piece.

[0026] The manufacturing support can be formed from several annular segments.

[0027] The process may include, during the step of arranging said at least one strip of a predetermined material around said manufacturing support, a step of positioning an insert designed to provide a receiving cavity inside the article blank.

[0028] The insert can be made of a soluble material, which can be removed by a physico-chemical process.

[0029] The draft article is a draft of an annular dynamic sealing element of the rotary joint device.

[0030] The draft article is a draft of a first annular part of the rotating joint device and / or a draft of a second annular part of the rotating joint device configured to be mobile in rotation relative to said first annular part.

[0031] At least one strip of a predetermined material is supplied in roll or individual strip.

[0032] The invention also relates, in yet another aspect, to a fluid handling installation, for example a hydrocarbon and in particular on an offshore platform, comprising at least one rotating joint device having at least one dynamic sealing element housed within a gap space located between a first annular part which is attached to a fixed mooring turret of said installation and a second annular part which is movable in rotation relative to said first annular part and which is attached to a movable vessel of said installation, with at least one of the dynamic sealing elements, the first part and the second part being obtained from a blank resulting from the implementation of the process described above.

[0033] The blank is formed by the dynamic sealing element and is manufactured on a manufacturing support formed directly by one or the other of the first part and the second part.

[0034] The manufacturing support can be formed from several annular segments and placed temporarily and in situ between two rotating joint devices assembled one on top of the other. Brief description of the figures

[0035] We will now continue the exposition of the invention by describing examples of implementation, given below by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings. There figure 1This schematically and partially represents a fluid handling installation on an offshore platform, equipped with a vessel, a mooring tower, a network of underwater pipelines enabling fluid communication for fluid transfer between the seabed and the vessel, and a rotating seal device ensuring watertightness between the vessel and the tower and the integrity of the fluid transfer. figure 2 is a top view of the rotating joint device of the installation illustrated on the figure 1 . There figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rotating joint device, labeled III-III on the figure 2 . There figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a manufacturing process for a blank part intended to equip a rotary joint device such as that of the figures 1 to 3 . There figure 5 This illustrates, very schematically, a manufacturing support on which the rough draft of the article is manufactured according to the process of the figure 4 . Detailed description

[0036] There figure 1 illustrates a fluid handling installation 1 on an offshore platform, enabling the exploitation of offshore hydrocarbon fields 2.

[0037] This installation 1, also called a floating production, storage and unloading unit, can be equipped with a vessel 3 which is mobile, due to its environment formed by the sea 2, and a mooring turret 4 which is geostationary and around which the vessel 3 is mobile.

[0038] The mooring turret 4 can for example be mechanically secured to the seabed 2 via underwater anchors 5.

[0039] The ship 3 can be mobile relative to the mooring turret 4 by means of a bearing mechanism 7.

[0040] Installation 1 can be provided with conduits 6 which form a network of underwater pipes allowing fluidic communication for the transfer of fluid between the seabed and the ship 3.

[0041] The fluid circulating in the conduits 6 comes from the bottom of the sea 2.

[0042] Installation 1 includes a rotating joint device 10 ensuring the seal between the ship 3 and the mooring turret 4 and the integrity of the fluid transfer.

[0043] The rotating joint device 10 can be formed from a rotating joint (“ swivel device (in Anglo-Saxon terminology) or a stacking of such joints (" swivel stack device (in Anglo-Saxon terminology).

[0044] As illustrated on the figure 2, such a rotating joint device 10 is globally annular and comprises a first annular part 11, called fixed, which is configured to be attached to the mooring turret 4, and a second annular part 12, called mobile, which is configured to be attached to the ship 3.

[0045] In the example described, the second annular part 12 is mobile in rotation relative to the first annular part 11, by means of a bearing member 13 at least partially interposed between the first and second annular parts 11 and 12.

[0046] The rotating joint device 10 has an internal space 14 defined here by an internal surface 15 of the first annular part 11.

[0047] Installation 1 further includes a transfer conduit 16 connected, directly or indirectly, to at least one of the underwater conduits 6.

[0048] The transfer conduit 16 enters the rotating joint device 10 through its internal space 14 and exits outside the rotating joint device 10 through an outlet fitting 17.

[0049] The transfer conduit 16 thus passes through the rotating joint device 10 by entering the first annular part 11 and exiting through the second annular part 12.

[0050] There figure 3 cross-section shows the rotating joint device 10 of the figure 2 and illustrates in more detail the fluidic path through the rotating joint device 10 and the cooperation between the first and second annular parts 11 and 12.

[0051] The rotating joint device 10 is provided with a transfer chamber 18 formed partially by a first orifice 19 provided in the first annular part 11 and by a second orifice 20 provided in the second annular part 12 and at least partially opposite the first orifice 19.

[0052] The transfer chamber 18 is here annular, or toroidal.

[0053] The first orifice 19 opens at the level of the internal surface 15 of the first annular part 11 into a first portion of the transfer conduit 16 located in the internal space 14 of the rotating joint device 10 and which is connected to the underwater conduits 6.

[0054] The second orifice 20 opens at the level of an external surface 21 of the second annular part 12 into a second portion of the transfer conduit 16 located outside the rotating joint device 10 and which includes the outlet fitting 17.

[0055] An illustrated arrow on the figure 3 shows the fluid path taken by the fluid coming from the conduits 6 and conveyed by the transfer conduit 16 through the first and second annular parts 11 and 12 of the rotating joint device 10, up to the outlet fitting 17.

[0056] The rotating joint device 10 is further provided with a gap space 22 located between the first annular part 11 and the second annular part 12.

[0057] The gap space 22 is provided to allow rotation of the second annular part 12 relative to the first annular part 11.

[0058] In the example described, the gap space 22 is interrupted by the transfer chamber 18.

[0059] Thus, on an upper portion 23 of the rotating joint device 10, the gap space 22 extends from the bearing member 13 to open into the transfer chamber 18; while on a lower portion 24 of the rotating joint device 10, the gap space 22 opens at one end into the transfer chamber 18 and opens at the opposite end outside the rotating joint device 10.

[0060] The transfer chamber 18 is interposed here between the upper and lower portions 23 and 24.

[0061] In particular, the gap space 22 is provided between an external surface of the first annular part 11, which external surface is opposite its internal surface 15, and an internal surface of the second annular part 12, which internal surface is opposite its external surface 21.

[0062] The rotating joint device 10 includes dynamic sealing elements 30 housed at least partially inside the gap space 22, in the upper and lower portions 23 and 24 of the rotating joint device 10.

[0063] These dynamic sealing elements 30 are designed to seal the gap space 22.

[0064] These dynamic sealing elements 30 may include, for example, lips whose function is to ensure sealing against the fluid.

[0065] In the example described, three dynamic sealing elements 30 are housed at least partially inside the gap space 22 in the upper portion 23 of the rotating joint device 10 and three dynamic sealing elements 30 are housed at least partially inside the gap space 22 in the lower portion 24 of the rotating joint device 10.

[0066] The rotating joint device 10 here also includes several protective devices 35 for the dynamic sealing elements 30.

[0067] Alternatively, there could be more or fewer, and not necessarily the same number, in the upper and lower portions.

[0068] In the example described, a protective device 35 is housed at least partially inside the gap space 22 in the upper portion 23 of the rotating joint device 10 and two protective devices 35 are housed at least partially inside the gap space 22 in the lower portion 24 of the rotating joint device 10.

[0069] The rotating joint device 10 may also include a cleaning device 50 configured to evacuate debris that may be contained in said fluid and which is here formed by a channel formed in the second annular part 12 and which opens into the gap space 22 at the level of a protection device 35.

[0070] Alternatively, there could be more or fewer protective devices and / or cleaning devices, or none at all.

[0071] In such an installation 1, the dynamic sealing elements 30 are manufactured from a blank, also called as-manufactured.

[0072] THE Figures 4 and 5 show a manufacturing process for such a rough draft 60.

[0073] This blank 60 may have dimensions allowing one or more dynamic sealing elements 30 to be manufactured on it, for example by machining.

[0074] More generally, it may be a draft of an article configured to equip the rotating joint device, which article may be formed by a dynamic sealing element, or by at least one or the other of the first and second annular parts, or even by other parts such as transfer conduits.

[0075] This blank 60 can be made from a predetermined material, in particular a synthetic polymer.

[0076] In particular, the predetermined material is formed of at least one thermoplastic, preferably composed of at least polyetheretherketone, called PEEK and / or derived materials, or optionally also of at least polytetrafluoroethylene, called PTFE, and / or derived materials.

[0077] The blank 60 may also include high-strength fibers and / or metallic wires.

[0078] Draft 60 may also include an adhesive that binds the different materials.

[0079] With reference to Figures 4 and 5 , the manufacturing process of the blank 60 includes the step 100 of supplying at least one strip 65 of a predetermined material, in particular referred to above, and in particular of PEEK.

[0080] This can be a 65 strip supplied in a roll or a plurality of individual strips.

[0081] The manufacturing process for the blank 60 further includes step 110 of providing at least one manufacturing support 70 which is at least partially annular and has a predetermined external diameter.

[0082] The manufacturing support 70 can be formed in a single annular piece, or in several annular segments.

[0083] The manufacturing support 70 here includes a main mandrel 71 and side flanges 72.

[0084] The manufacturing process of the blank 60 further includes the step 120 of arranging the strip(s) 65 around the main mandrel 71 and between the side flanges 72 of the manufacturing support 70 until a predetermined thickness is obtained on this support.

[0085] Optionally, the manufacturing process of the blank 60 may include step 110' of providing a plurality of strips of different materials, for example in PEEK and / or PTFE and / or with high strength fibers and / or with metal wires and step 120' of arranging successively, sequentially, or in parallel, in a superimposed and / or juxtaposed manner, the strips of different materials on the manufacturing support.

[0086] Step 120, 120' of arranging the strip(s) 65 around the manufacturing support 70 can be carried out under vacuum.

[0087] Step 120, 120' of arranging the strip(s) 65 around the manufacturing support 70 can be carried out under a predetermined temperature, for example close to a predetermined glass transition temperature of the material.

[0088] Optionally, the manufacturing process of the blank 60 may include, during step 120, 120' of arranging the strip(s) 65 around the manufacturing support 70, a step 130 of welding and / or bonding a lower layer formed by a strip N with an upper layer formed by a strip N+1, so as to strengthen the mechanical bond between the superimposed strips.

[0089] This same step 130 of welding and / or bonding can be carried out on strips arranged adjacent, or in a juxtaposed manner.

[0090] For example, it could be laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

[0091] Optionally, the manufacturing process of the blank 60 may include, during step 120, 120' of arranging the strip(s) 65 around the manufacturing support 70, a step 140 of positioning an insert 80.

[0092] The insert 80 can be formed of a soluble material, which can be removed by a physico-chemical process. Such an insert 80 can be provided to provide a receiving cavity 85 inside the blank 60.

[0093] This cavity 85 can allow for a particular shape of the dynamic sealing element, or can be provided to house, for example, a control element for this dynamic sealing element.

[0094] The manufacturing process of the blank 60 further includes the step 150 of removing the manufacturing support 70 to obtain the blank 60 with a predetermined width and thickness, i.e. a predetermined section.

[0095] In the illustrated example, the manufacturing support 70 on which the blank 60 is manufactured is an independent and separate part from the rotating joint device.

[0096] Alternatively, the manufacturing support can be formed directly from either of the first annular part and the second annular part.

[0097] In other words, the blank could even be manufactured directly under operating conditions, on the rotating joint device equipping the installation.

[0098] Alternatively, the manufacturing support can be formed from several annular segments that are temporarily and in-situ placed between two rotary joint devices 10, themselves assembled one on top of the other. The process described above allows for the simple and convenient production of a blank for an annular article intended to equip a rotary joint device, by simply placing the strip(s) of a predetermined material on a dedicated support.

[0099] More generally, the invention finds application in ships or floating units in the offshore field enabling the production and / or transformation and / or processing and / or storage and / or discharge of fluids and / or energy, in particular electrical and / or signals.

[0100] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

1. Process for producing a blank (60) from an item that is configured to equip a rotating-joint device (10) of an installation for mining fluids (1), in particular on an offshore platform, the process is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Providing (100) at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material; - Providing (110) at least one production support (70) that is at least partially annular and that has a predetermined outer diameter; - Arranging (120, 120') said at least one strip of a predetermined material around said production support until a predetermined thickness is obtained; - Removing (150) the production support to obtain said item blank that has a predetermined cross-section.

2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of providing (110') multiple strips of different materials and the step of arranging (120') the strips of different materials (65) on the production support successively, sequentially, or in parallel, in a superposed and / or juxtaposed manner.

3. Process according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the predetermined material consists of polyether ether ketone, referred to as PEEK, and / or derivative materials.

4. Process according to Claim 3, characterized in that the predetermined material also consists of polytetrafluoroethylene, referred to as PTFE, and / or derivative materials.

5. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises the step of arranging (120, 120') said at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material around said production support (70) under vacuum conditions.

6. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises the step of arranging (120, 120') said at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material around said production support (70) under a predetermined temperature.

7. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, during the step of arranging (120, 120') said at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material around said production support, a step of welding and / or bonding (130) a lower layer formed by the strip with an upper layer formed by the strip.

8. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the production support (70) is formed by a single annular piece or multiple annular segments.

9. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises, during the step of arranging (120, 120') said at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material around said production support, a step of positioning (140) an insert (80) designed to house a receiving cavity (85) inside the item blank (60).

10. Process according to Claim 9, characterized in that the insert (80) is formed from a soluble material.

11. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the item blank (60) is a blank of an annular dynamic sealing element (30) of the rotating-joint device (10), or the item blank is a blank of a first annular part (11) of the rotating-joint device and / or a blank of a second annular part (12) of the rotating-joint device configured to rotate relative to said first annular part.

12. Process according to any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one strip (65) of a predetermined material comes as a roll or individual strip.

13. Installation for mining fluids, for example a hydrocarbon, and in particular on an offshore platform, comprising at least one rotating-joint device (10) that has at least one dynamic sealing element (30), the installation is characterized in that the dynamic sealing element is housed inside a separating space (22) located between a first annular part (11) that is secured to a stationary mooring turret (7) of said installation (1) and a second annular part (12) that rotates relative to said first annular part and that is secured to a mobile ship (3) of said installation, with at least one from among the dynamic sealing element, the first part and the second part that is obtained from a blank resulting from the implementation of the producing process according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Installation according to Claim 13, characterized in that said blank (60) is formed by the dynamic sealing element (30) and is produced on a production support (70) formed directly by one or the other of the first part (11) and the second part (12), or a production support placed between two rotating-joint devices that are assembled one on the other.