Coated Pipe End Protection for Corrosion-Free Transport and Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting coated pipes against corrosion and mechanical impacts are incomplete, as they often fail to provide comprehensive protection for the ends, bevel, and collar, leading to recurring losses, increased costs, and environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A protective system comprising a cup, spacer, external coating, external ring, and cap is integrated into the pipe coating process to protect the ends, bevel, and collar, maintaining the surface roughness and preventing corrosion and mechanical damage from storage to welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing protection solutions are used for pipe ends and bevel, then mechanical protection is provided, but corrosion protection and collar protection are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protection functions into a single integrated system. The protective cap incorporates both mechanical protection elements (for impact resistance) and corrosion protection elements (sealed environment), while the collar protection is integrated into the same system, eliminating the need for separate protection devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides mechanical protection against impacts, corrosion protection through sealing, and collar protection. This universal solution replaces multiple specialized protection devices with one comprehensive system.
2Reliability
If film is used to protect collar during coating application, then coating protection is achieved, but residue is left on sandblasted area requiring additional sanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable protective caps made of materials that can be easily removed without leaving residue. These caps are designed for single-use during the coating process, eliminating the need for complex removal procedures and additional sanding operations that would be required if reusable films were used.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is designed to be easily extracted or removed from the pipe after serving its protective function during coating. The cap structure allows for clean removal without leaving any residue on the sandblasted collar area, avoiding the need for additional surface preparation operations.
3Reliability
If pipe ends are left unprotected during storage and transport, then handling is easier, but corrosion and mechanical damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap uses flexible protective materials that conform to the pipe end shape while providing robust protection. These flexible shells are designed to be lightweight and non-bulky, allowing for easy handling and transport without significantly increasing the pipe's dimensions or requiring special handling equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective caps are applied to the pipe ends before storage and transport, providing preliminary protection against corrosion and mechanical damage. This preliminary action ensures that the pipes are protected throughout the entire storage and transport period, eliminating the need for protective measures at later stages.
4Manufacturing precision
If collar area is sandblasted in the field for preparation, then surface preparation is achieved, but rework is required and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap maintains the sandblasted roughness profile on the collar area during storage and transport by providing a protective barrier. This preliminary protection ensures that the surface preparation done at the factory remains intact, eliminating the need for re-sandblasting in the field and reducing both time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap acts as a cushioning barrier that prevents damage to the sandblasted collar surface during storage and transport. By providing beforehand protection, the cap ensures that the surface roughness profile remains intact, avoiding the need for corrective rework in the field.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention encompasses a system and a method used in the petrochemical and mechanical engineering area, more specifically in the area of protecting pipes or similarly shaped objects against external or internal damage or wear, which comprises a protective system for the ends and the inside of coated pipes, using the coating itself and other additional devices. The system is comprised of a cup (1), spacer (2), coating (3), external ring (4), and cap (5) used in the production line of the pipe-coating process, using the external coating itself, preventing corrosion and mechanical damage at the ends/bevel, in the sandblasted area of the collar and internal surface, from storage and transport to the location where it will be used, and welding in the field or on the vessel.