Flexible Pipe Armour Wire Termination With Individual Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional termination process of flexible pipe tensile armour wires in end fittings is complex, time-consuming, and often results in inconsistent tension across wires, leading to overbending and inadequate locking within the end fitting.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that secures each tensile armour wire individually to a rigid flange region of the end fitting at a predetermined tension, using a mechanism with circumferentially arranged openings and nut elements to ensure consistent tension across all wires, allowing for precise control of wire tension between 1 and 2000 N/mm2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional termination process is used to secure tensile armour wires, then wires can be anchored in end fitting, but the process is complex and time-consuming with inconsistent tension across wires
Solution Approach 1:
The end fitting is segmented into multiple individual securing locations, each with its own opening and nut element. Each tensile armour wire is secured independently at its own location rather than as a group, allowing individual tension control for each wire while simplifying the overall securing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings are pre-positioned in the end fitting body at predetermined locations, and the nut elements are pre-configured to engage with the threads on each wire. This preliminary arrangement of components eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during the termination process, reducing both complexity and time.
2Reliability
If conventional crimping method is used to anchor wires, then wires can be locked in end fitting, but it is onerous and time-consuming and does not ensure adequate locking
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional mechanical crimping system is replaced with a threading and nut engagement system. Each wire has external threads formed on its end, which engage with corresponding internal threads in the nut element. This substitution provides more reliable locking through precise thread engagement while significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to manual crimping operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If folding process is used to terminate wires, then wires can be anchored, but it causes overbending of individual wires and is onerous
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the wire back on itself and attempting to secure it, the invention inverts the approach by threading the wire end through an opening and securing it with a nut element. This inversion eliminates the bending and folding operations that cause wire damage, maintaining wire integrity while simplifying the termination process.
4Productivity
If range of tensions is applied across wires during termination, then termination can be completed, but it causes inconsistent performance and problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables precise control of the tension parameter for each individual wire through the nut element mechanism. By adjusting the nut engagement on each wire separately, uniform tension can be applied across all wires during termination, eliminating the tension variability that causes performance problems while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of securing flexible pipe body tensile armour wires in an end fitting and apparatus for terminating flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of locating a respective free end region of at least one tensile armour wire of an armour layer comprising a plurality of tensile armour wires, through an opening in a rigid flange region that extends radially outwardly from an end fitting body, and securing each said at least one tensile armour wire to the rigid flange region thereby securing said at least one tensile armour wire to the end fitting body.