Carbon Fiber Armor Element with Optical Fiber for Flexible Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible lines used in deep-sea applications face challenges due to metal armor plies being sensitive to corrosion and having high weight, which affects their integrity and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical fiber with high elongation at break into a polymeric matrix with carbon fiber filaments to create a lightweight and robust armor element, which can be wound around a flexible line, and using this optical fiber to monitor the line's integrity over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal armor plies are used to reinforce the flexible line, then the line gains strength and structural integrity, but the weight increases and corrosion sensitivity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fiber filaments with a polymeric matrix to create an armor element that replaces traditional metal armor plies. This composite structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining structural integrity while significantly reducing weight and eliminating corrosion sensitivity. The carbon fiber reinforcement within the polymeric matrix delivers the necessary mechanical strength without the drawbacks of metal materials.
2Strength
If metal armor plies are used to reinforce the flexible line, then the line gains strength and structural integrity, but the line becomes sensitive to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of carbon fiber filaments embedded in a polymeric matrix to replace metal armor plies. This composite construction provides the necessary structural strength while being inherently resistant to corrosion. The polymeric matrix protects the carbon fibers from environmental degradation, eliminating the corrosion sensitivity associated with metal materials in marine environments.
3Weight of moving object
If a polymeric matrix with carbon fiber filaments is used to create a lightweight armor element, then the weight is reduced, but the ability to monitor line integrity over time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating an optical fiber within the polymeric matrix of the armor element. The optical fiber serves dual purposes: it reinforces the structural integrity of the armor element and enables continuous monitoring of the flexible line's health. Through Brillouin scattering analysis, the optical fiber detects strain and temperature variations along the line, providing real-time integrity monitoring without adding significant weight.
4Reliability
If an optical fiber is embedded in the polymeric matrix to monitor integrity, then the monitoring capability is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical fiber with the polymeric matrix during the manufacturing process, creating an integrated armor element. The optical fiber is embedded within the matrix as it is being formed, combining the structural reinforcement function of the matrix with the monitoring function of the optical fiber in a single manufacturing step. This integration approach simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to adding the optical fiber as a separate post-processing step.
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 solution provides a lightweight, robust armor element that maintains the flexible line's integrity and allows for real-time monitoring of its properties, enhancing its durability and operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber has an elongation at break of more than 2%, as measured with the ASTM-D 885-03 standard
Data Source
AI summary
This element includes a plurality of longitudinal carbon fiber filaments (52) and a polymeric matrix (50) receiving the filaments (52) for binding them together, the matrix (50) forming a ribbon intended to be wound around a longitudinal body of the flexible line. The armor element (42) includes at least one optical fiber (54) received in the matrix (50), the optical fiber (54) having an elongation at break of more than 2%, as measured with the ASTM-D 885-03 standard.