Conduit Anchor Guide Geometry for Subsea Over-Bending Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic conduits in subsea applications are prone to over bending due to vessel movements, leading to potential failure, and existing solutions such as reinforcing sheaths or excess conduit length are costly or technically challenging to implement.
Innovation Solution
A conduit anchor with a base section and a conduit guide featuring a convex bend protecting surface region oriented towards the dynamic conduit pathway range, which extends at least partially around the dynamic conduit pathway range to prevent over bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional strategies such as reinforcing sheaths or excess conduit length are used to prevent over bending, then conduit protection is improved, but implementation cost and technical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conduit guide as an intermediary component between the dynamic conduit portion and the static conduit portion. The conduit guide provides a predetermined pathway with a convex bend protecting surface that guides the dynamic conduit through controlled bending, preventing over bending without requiring complex reinforcing sheaths or excessive conduit length. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit guide incorporates a convex bend protecting surface with a predetermined radius of curvature that matches or exceeds the minimum bend radius of the conduit. This curved surface geometry ensures that the dynamic conduit bends along a controlled arc, preventing sharp bends that would cause over bending damage. The use of appropriate curvature geometry provides passive protection without complex active control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dynamic conduit portion is allowed to move freely to accommodate vessel movement, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of over bending increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit guide acts as a mediator that allows the dynamic conduit to move and adapt to vessel movements while simultaneously preventing harmful over bending. The guide structure provides a controlled pathway that accommodates the range of motion required for vessel operation but constrains the bending radius to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the conduit pathway by introducing a convex bend protecting surface with a specific radius of curvature. This parameter change ensures that as the conduit moves to accommodate vessel position changes, the bending radius remains above the minimum acceptable value, thus allowing adaptability while preventing over bending through controlled geometric constraints.
3Reliability
If accurate orientation of the dynamic conduit portion is maintained to reduce over bending, then conduit protection is improved, but installation precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit guide is pre-configured with a convex bend protecting surface that establishes the correct orientation and curvature for the dynamic conduit portion before the conduit is installed. This preliminary configuration of the guide structure eliminates the need for precise orientation during installation, as the guide itself provides the alignment and bending control. The conduit simply follows the pre-established pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is conduit anchor, an offshore system comprising a conduit anchor and a method of deployment. The conduit anchor includes a base section adapted for attachment to a conduit, and a conduit guide extending from the base section. In use a dynamic conduit extends along a dynamic conduit pathway range defined by the anchor, via the conduit guide. The conduit guide comprises a convex bend protecting surface region oriented towards the dynamic conduit pathway range which in use protects against over bending of the dynamic conduit.