Lug holder for locking a bend stiffener in a bell mouth

Abstract

The present utility model simplifies the geometric transition between a bell mouth body (1) and a lug holder (20), while also providing an alternative for maintenance and replacement of the system in the event of failure. To this end, the present utility model relates to a lug holder (20) for locking a bend stiffener in a bell mouth (10), wherein the bell mouth (10) comprises a bell mouth body (1) and a plurality of recesses (11), wherein said recesses (11) comprise a plurality of threaded holes (5), a circular orifice (12), and a surface (13). The lug holder (20), according to the present utility model, further comprises: a lug holder block (2), a flange (4), which comprises a plurality of through-holes (41), and a coupling pin (21). The coupling pin (21) thus engages inside the circular orifice (12), the surface (13) engages with the surface of the flange (4), and the plurality of threaded holes (5) are concentric with a plurality of through-holes (41), wherein a plurality of screws (3) engage in the plurality of through-holes (41) and are fastened in the plurality of threaded holes (5).

Description

[0001] Latch holder for locking a curvature stiffener in a bell mouth. Scope of the utility model.

[0002]

[0001] This Utility Model falls within the field of pipeline and riser technologies employed in offshore oil exploration and production operations. More specifically, this Model relates to the field of devices for moving, fixing, locking, releasing, or removing tools, obturators, or manipulators for underwater operations and, even more specifically, it relates to technologies for the protection of flexible risers.

[0003] Fundamentals of the Utility Model

[0004]

[0002] Flexible risers are protected by applying bend stiffeners, which maintain integrity by reducing the curvature imposed on the pipeline during its service life. These components are secured using a structure called a bell mouth, which is attached to the riser rail of Stationary Production Units (SPUs).

[0005]

[0003] The process of locking and unlocking the bend stiffener in the bell mouth is usually carried out through operations involving divers, which can pose risks to both the operation and the operators.

[0006]

[0004] However, technologies and solutions have recently been developed that optimize the process, so that it can be carried out with minimal need for divers, which, together with other technologies related to the application of hydraulic actuators to the system, allows the locking and unlocking process of the bend stiffener in the bell mouth to be carried out in a fully automated manner.

[0005] One of the solutions involves the use of a plurality of devices called tongue holders, which are components in which the locking and unlocking of the bend stiffener in the bell mouth occurs. However, this component presents problems that may reduce the lifespan of the bell mouth. It was found that the geometry involved between the bell mouth body and the tongue holder block presents geometric limitations that prevent the welding process from being carried out in a way that meets the criteria for full penetration welding.These limitations tend to reduce the fatigue resistance of the bell mouth in that region, potentially compromising the lifespan of this component.

[0007]

[0006] Mobile mechanisms, when subjected to extreme environments, such as the bell mouth actuation system, tend to be subjected to various damage mechanisms that, over time, can lead to device failure. Therefore, it is important to consider alternatives that facilitate the maintenance of these mechanisms, thus promoting greater assurance of integrity throughout the device's lifespan. The current system tends to hinder the field maintenance process, mainly because it is performed by a diver. Thus, the modularization of components tends to ensure faster and safer maintenance for the operator, minimizing the total activities performed by the diver.

[0008] STATE OF THE ART

[0009]

[0007] The search for historical background led to some documents that reveal matters within the technological field of the present Utility Model.

[0010]

[0008] The State of the Art document US 12000218 B2 describes a bell mouth and its interconnection methods, wherein the bell mouth secures the curvature stiffeners with a plurality of latch holders, and also describes a method of assembling the bell mouth.

[0011]

[0009] Document BR 102018011452 B1 describes a coupling system between a bend stiffener and a bell mouth, comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms where each locking mechanism is externally fixed to the bell mouth. The said coupling system offers an operational gain related to the reduction in the need for immersion during pull-in (coupling) operations, since the shallow immersion locking step is no longer necessary. Another gain provided by the design corresponds to the increased reliability of fuse cable sizing, since the new geometry of the bend stiffener helmet reduces the stresses during coupling.

[0012]

[0010] WO 24121579 Al describes a female connector for a set of submarine connectors, comprising at least one locking mechanism operationally mounted in an opening through the tubular wall along a wall axis that is aligned downwards convergently with a central axis.

[0013]

[0011] Document BR 1020210173269 A2 describes a device that allows pull-out operation without the need for shallow immersion operations, by developing a hydraulic actuation system in which the unit is coupled to each tongue mechanism.

[0014]

[0012] The State of the Art documents cited above do not resolve the technical problems encountered, in which the current geometry of the tongue-holder block presents a high level of difficulty from a manufacturing point of view, since it does not allow the union between the tongue-holder and the bell mouth body to be carried out satisfactorily, which would optimize the performance of the welded joint under fatigue conditions. Furthermore, in case of failure of the mechanism, the entire replacement operation must be carried out underwater, since the tongue-holder of the current model is coupled to the bell mouth through welding processes. This fact significantly increases the degree of difficulty of operation in a possible maintenance of the system, particularly when considering the typical condition of use of bell mouths in a submerged environment, which requires underwater welding procedures.

[0015]

[0013] Specifically, in the State of the Art document WO 24121579 Al, there is a description of a slot (228), which makes it impossible to uncouple the helmet without having to lift the component to perform the maneuver.

[0016]

[0014] Thus, it is concluded that the proposed Utility Model presents structural differences compared to the matter disclosed in documents US 12000218 B2, BR 102018011452 B1, WO 24121579 A1, and BR 1020210173269 A2, which are mainly related to the geometry applied to the bell mouth body, resulting in a functional improvement for the entire system.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0018]

[0015] The present Utility Model describes a tongue holder for locking a curvature stiffener in a bell mouth, wherein the bell mouth comprises: a bell mouth body and a plurality of fittings, wherein said fittings comprise a plurality of threaded holes, a circular hole, and a surface.

[0019]

[0016] The tongue holder, according to this Utility Model, comprises: a tongue holder block, a flange comprising a plurality of through holes, and a fitting pin.

[0020]

[0017] Thus, a device is provided in which the fitting pin fits inside the circular hole; the surface fits superficially with the flange, and the plurality of threaded holes is concentric with a plurality of through holes, and in which a plurality of screws fits into the plurality of through holes and is fixed in the plurality of threaded holes.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022]

[0018] To obtain a full and complete visualization of the object of this Model, the figures to which reference is made are presented, as follows.

[0023]

[0019] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the tongue holder and bell mouth, according to the present Utility Model.

[0024]

[0020] Figure 2 shows a front view of the bell mouth, according to the present Utility Model.

[0025]

[0021] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the tongue holder, according to the present Utility Model.

[0026]

[0022] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the connection between the tongue holder and the bell mouth, according to the present Utility Model.

[0027]

[0023] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the tongue-holder fitting region in the bell mouth, according to the present Utility Model.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0029]

[0024] Reference is made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present Utility Model illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to identical or similar features. It should be noted, however, that the drawings are simplified and not represented to precise scale, so minor variations are expected.

[0030]

[0025] This Utility Model was developed with the aim of ensuring better functionality and safety in the design of bell mouths, thus guaranteeing the support of bend stiffeners, also known as bend stiffeners, which act to protect the flexible risers, improving their integrity during their service life.

[0031]

[0026] In this way, the Utility Model simplifies the geometric transition between the bell mouth body (1) and the tongue holder (20), in addition to guaranteeing an alternative for maintenance / replacement of the system in case of failure.

[0032]

[0027] For this purpose, the present Utility Model describes a tongue holder (20) for locking a curvature stiffener in a bell mouth (10), as can be seen in Figure 1.

[0033]

[0028] According to Figure 2, the bell mouth (10) comprises: a bell mouth body (1) and a plurality of fittings (11), wherein said fittings (11) comprise a plurality of threaded holes (5), a circular hole (12), and a surface (13).

[0034]

[0029] According to Figure 3, the tongue holder (20) of this Utility Model comprises: a tongue holder block (2), a flange (4), which comprises a plurality of through holes (41), and a fitting pin (21).

[0035]

[0030] According to Figure 4, it is possible to visualize the fitting of the tongue holder (20) into the bell mouth (10), in which the fitting pin (21) fits inside the circular hole (12), causing the surface (13) to fit superficially with the flange (4), and in which the plurality of threaded holes (5) is concentric with a plurality of through holes (41).

[0036]

[0031] With this, the tongue holder (20) is properly fitted with the bell mouth (10), and the fixing is done by a plurality of screws (3), in which the plurality of screws (3) fits into the plurality of through holes (41) and is fixed in the plurality of threaded holes (5), as can be seen in Figure 4.

[0037]

[0032] The fact of joining the bell mouth body (1) with the tongue holder (20) by means of bolts (3) in a flanged connection, with the flange (4), completely eliminated the need for a welded region as described as one of the obstacles of the State of the Art.

[0038]

[0033] Once fixed and properly forked, the bolted connection is able to support the loads involved in the bend stiffener support process satisfactorily, exceeding the fatigue resistance reported in the State of the Art and reducing the time and difficulty / cost of manufacturing the equipment.

[0039]

[0034] Another point of note is that, in order to perform the bolted joint, it was necessary to change the external geometry of the bell mouth body (1), as can be seen in Figure 5.

[0040]

[0035] This change represented significant gains in the mechanical strength of the bell mouth (10), especially when issues related to fatigue failure are considered.

[0041]

[0036] Furthermore, the fact that the new connection between the tongue holder (20) and the bell mouth (10) is screwed on allows the entire assembly to be removed and replaced in the same diving operation more quickly compared to the State of the Art, thus representing a significant gain in the time required for maintenance.

[0042]

[0037] Thus, with the implementation of this Utility Model, it will be possible to obtain a reduction in the time and cost of manufacturing the equipment, due to the greater ease of making the connection between the tongue holder and the bell mouth, as well as a reduction in time and cost for maintenance of bell mouth tongue holders during operations, when it is necessary to replace them, making it feasible to reduce the probability of production stoppage of the wells due to mechanism failure.

[0043]

[0038] Furthermore, with the increased mechanical strength of the bell mouth, especially when fatigue-related issues are considered, the likelihood of maintenance activities using shallow diving is reduced, as well as the lower probability of bell mouth failure also reduces the possibility of flexible riser rupture, which could cause an oil spill at sea.

[0044]

[0039] Thus, the new concept for the tongue holder (20) of the present Utility Model reduces the probability of failure due to fatigue and makes it possible to carry out the complete replacement of the actuation blocks, also called tongue holders.

[0045]

[0040] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the knowledge presented here and may reproduce this Model in the forms presented and in other variations, covered within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIM 1. Tongue holder (20) for locking curvature stiffener in a bell mouth (10), characterized in that: The bell mouth (10) comprises a bell mouth body (1) and a plurality of mortises (11), wherein said mortises (11) comprise: a plurality of threaded holes (5); a circular hole (12); and a surface (13); where the tongue holder (20) also includes: a tongue-holder block (2); a flange (4), comprising a plurality of through holes (41); and a fitting pin (21); wherein the plurality of threaded holes (5) is concentric with a plurality of through holes (41).

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