Active Heave Compensation Rope Temperature Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively evaluate and manage the temperature-induced deterioration of mechanical properties in active heave compensation ropes, particularly in the range of 50°C to 150°C, which affects their ductility and fatigue resistance during intense use.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines mechanical and thermal models to evaluate the temperature increase in active heave compensation ropes, considering frictional dissipation sources and environmental factors, and compares the temperature with a predetermined threshold to assess ductility deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active heave compensation systems are used to maintain stable loads with respect to the seabed, then the rope experiences repeated stretching and bending cycles, but this leads to temperature increment and faster deterioration of ductility in the wire rope

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload stability with respect to seabedVSAvoidrope temperature increment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by monitoring temperature as a critical parameter that indicates material deterioration. By tracking temperature changes in the wire rope during AHC operation, the system can detect when the rope approaches dangerous temperature thresholds that cause ductility loss, allowing operational parameters to be adjusted to prevent failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through continuous temperature monitoring of the wire rope. The temperature data provides feedback on the rope's thermal state and material condition, enabling the system to respond to deteriorating conditions by alerting operators or adjusting operations to prevent catastrophic failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Strength

If wire ropes are designed to withstand heavier works and loads, then the ropes undergo more extreme bending cycles and dynamic loading, but this accelerates wear and fatigue damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidrope service life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses temperature monitoring as a feedback mechanism to assess rope condition in real-time. By continuously measuring temperature during heavy load operations, the system provides feedback on the accumulation of thermal damage, allowing operators to track rope degradation and determine when replacement is necessary to maintain safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing temperature thresholds that indicate approaching failure conditions. By identifying these critical thresholds in advance through research and testing, the system can warn operators before the rope reaches a dangerous state, allowing preventive action to be taken

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If thermal fields are applied to high-hardened drawn wires, then the wires undergo changes in mechanical properties including breaking strength and yield strength, but the ductility deteriorates faster within the temperature range of 50°C to 150°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking strength and yield strengthVSAvoidductility deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by identifying and monitoring temperature as the critical parameter that triggers ductility deterioration. The research establishes that within the specific temperature range of 50°C to 150°C, ductility loss accelerates significantly, and this temperature parameter is used to assess rope condition and predict failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively predicts temperature-induced ductility loss and fatigue resistance variation, enabling the optimization of operational conditions to prevent excessive heat generation and extend rope lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The method evaluates the temperature reached by the rope and compares such temperature with a predetermined temperature threshold above which the fast deterioration of ductility is reached

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrictional dissipation: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3385496B1Method for evaluating temperatures in active heave compensation ropes
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 REDAELLI TECNA
  • EP3385496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3385496B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP3385496B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for evaluating temperatures in active heave compensation ropes comprising the following steps: describe the geometry of ropes as composite structures obtained through assemblies of helical components in hierarchical levels: wires, strands and the rope itself; use a mechanical model of the strand that represents the material properties of each wire, under the assumption of linear elastic behavior; use a mechanical model of the rope that represents the combined action of tensile loads and imposed bending curvature; use a thermal model for the evaluation of the rope temperature increase (Ts) with respect to the ambient temperature, the thermal model comprising two main dissipation sources: the friction between strands or rope and a sheave and the friction between wires or between strands and compare rope temperature increase (Ts) obtained by the thermal model with a value of a predetermined temperature threshold.