Flexible Conduit Fatigue Management via Dynamic Bend Profiling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to adequately monitor and manage fatigue in flexible conduits deployed from surface vessels, particularly due to dynamic environmental conditions encountered during subsea operations, which can lead to unpredictable conduit life and performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that utilizes sensor packages to measure vessel movements and environmental data, processing this information to determine a flexible conduit bend profile and fatigue profile, combining functional and environmental loading to assess and manage conduit fatigue through a computer-based data processing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fatigue models are used to estimate coiled tubing working life, then the estimation is simple and based on available data, but the model does not account for dynamic environmental conditions and vessel movements, leading to inaccurate predictions in unconventional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vessel position, conduit bend angle, and environmental conditions, feeding this data back to the computer system which updates fatigue estimates in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate fatigue prediction by constantly adjusting estimates based on actual operating conditions rather than relying on static conventional models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor packages as intermediary devices that measure vessel position and conduit parameters, and a computer system that acts as an intermediary to process sensor data, determine bend profiles, and calculate fatigue estimates. These intermediary components bridge the gap between raw environmental data and accurate fatigue predictions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible conduit is deployed in unconventional operations exposed to environmental forces, then the operational versatility is improved, but the conduit undergoes additional plastic deformation and fatigue from vessel movements and sea surface dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment by continuously monitoring vessel position and conduit bend angles before critical fatigue damage occurs. By tracking cumulative fatigue damage in advance and providing real-time estimates of remaining useful life, the system enables proactive operational decisions rather than reactive responses to conduit failure
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from sensors monitoring vessel motion and conduit configuration allows the system to continuously update fatigue estimates and alert operators when conduit approaches fatigue limits, enabling adaptive operational adjustments to maintain reliability in versatile deployment scenarios
3Reliability
If sensor packages and computer-based processing systems are implemented to monitor vessel movements and determine conduit bend profiles, then real-time fatigue assessment is achieved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor packages for data acquisition, computer systems for data processing and bend profile determination, and separate fatigue estimation algorithms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall complex system through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fatigue testing and assessment methods with electronic sensor-based monitoring and computer-based computational analysis. By substituting physical trial-and-error fatigue evaluation with electronic data processing and mathematical modeling, the system achieves accurate fatigue assessment while reducing the need for complex physical testing infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates monitoring and managing fatigue related a flexible conduit deployed from a surface vessel. Movements of the surface vessel may be measured to obtain vessel movement/position data. Based on this data, a flexible conduit bend profile may be determined via a computer-based data processing system. The flexible conduit bend profile may then be used to provide a flexible conduit fatigue profile for assessment of the flexible conduit in light of the environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the fatigue profile and assessment of the flexible conduit may be based on both functional loading and environmental loading.