Composite Suction Pile Flange Attachment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction piles made of composite materials face challenges in attaching subsea structures and anchor lines due to material compatibility issues and the need to maintain structural strength while preventing leakage and load transfer effectively.
Innovation Solution
A suction pile design featuring a cylindrical body with skin and flange portions, where flange portions provide increased strength and serve as part of an external attachment system, allowing for secure connection of subsea structures and anchor lines, with load transfer mechanisms through flange portions extending into the cylindrical body and closed end, utilizing recesses and attachment pieces for enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a suction pile is made of composite material to reduce weight, then the weight of the suction pile is reduced, but the ability to attach subsea structures and anchor lines becomes difficult or impossible due to material compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pile is divided into a composite material cylindrical body and a separate metallic attachment system consisting of flange portions and attachment pieces. This segmentation allows the lightweight composite material to be used for the main body while a compatible metallic attachment system handles the connection functions, resolving the material compatibility issue.
Solution Approach 2:
A metallic attachment system acts as an intermediary between the composite suction pile and subsea structures/anchor lines. This intermediate metallic component provides the necessary material compatibility for attachment while allowing the main body to remain lightweight composite material.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an attachment system is added to a composite suction pile, then the ability to attach subsea structures is enabled, but the structural strength and integrity of the suction pile may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flange portions are designed with locally increased thickness and strength only at the attachment locations where loads are applied, while the rest of the composite cylindrical body maintains its optimized lightweight structure. This local reinforcement provides necessary attachment strength without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a hybrid composite structure combining composite material for the cylindrical body with metallic flange portions and attachment pieces. This composite material approach allows each component to be made from materials optimized for its specific function, maintaining overall structural strength while enabling attachment capability.
3Strength
If flange portions with increased thickness are formed to provide attachment strength, then the attachment system strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the suction pile increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into separate flange portions and attachment pieces that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for its specific requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to creating a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange portions are merged with the composite cylindrical body through bonding or integration techniques, creating a unified attachment system that combines the strengths of both composite and metallic materials while simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to separate assembly of multiple complex components.
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 enables secure attachment of subsea structures to suction piles made of composite materials, maintaining structural integrity and effective load transfer, even when the suction piles are formed from composite materials, while preventing leakage and ensuring reliable anchoring.
Implementation Method 1
by pumping out fluids through the closed end to create a suction pressure in the structure, the open end of the structure is forced, or driven, down into the seabed
Implementation Method 2
The anchor is kept in place by a combination of friction forces between the cylinder shaped wall of the suction pile and the seabed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a suction pile comprising a cylinder shaped body (1) with a closed end (3) and an open end (2), means (4) for attaching an arrangement to ejecting entrapped water, air and mud, but also provide a pressure difference within the suction pile during installation, and an attachment system (10) for attaching external equipment to the suction pile, the suction pile is formed with a skin portion (17) and at least one flange portion (6). At least one of the flange portions (6) comprises an element (11, 26) that form at least a part of the attachment system (10) for external equipment.