Elastomeric Tubular Joint for Subsea Pipe Alignment Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea and offshore piping systems require costly and complex metrology for alignment, and existing flexible joints are either expensive or heavy, limiting design flexibility and increasing installation size.
Innovation Solution
A tubular joint with a radially extending elastomeric layer and a fluoroelastomer ring, allowing for flexible rotation and alignment of piping elements while maintaining structural integrity and reducing material costs, comprising a movable inner part within a symmetrical outer part with a flange and elastomeric layer for torsional stiffness and fluid resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid piping systems are used for subsea installations, then structural integrity is maintained, but costly and complex metrology for alignment is required and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastomeric layer as a flexible element that allows relative movement and rotation between piping sections. This elastomeric component acts as a flexible shell that accommodates misalignment and positional adjustments without requiring complex metrology systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between design flexibility and metrology complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the connection system by introducing an elastomeric material with specific viscoelastic properties. This material allows the joint to accommodate variations in position and orientation through deformation, enabling design flexibility while eliminating the need for precise alignment metrology.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing flexible joints are used to provide movement capability, then flexibility is achieved, but the joints are either expensive or heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin elastomeric layer instead of heavy mechanical flexible joints. This elastomeric shell provides the necessary flexibility for movement and rotation while being significantly lighter than traditional flexible joint mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between movement flexibility and joint weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric layer is a simpler, less expensive component compared to complex mechanical flexible joints. While elastomeric materials may have limited service life under certain conditions, they provide cost-effective flexibility for the application, addressing the contradiction between flexibility and weight/cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing flexible joints are used to provide movement capability, then flexibility is achieved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric layer serves as a cost-effective flexible element that allows alignment adjustments between piping sections. This simple elastomeric shell replaces expensive mechanical flexible joints, providing the necessary alignment flexibility at lower material cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs inexpensive elastomeric material instead of costly mechanical flexible joint components. This approach achieves alignment flexibility through a simpler, cheaper material solution, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and material cost.
4Strength
If rigid piping elements are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but installation size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining rigid piping elements with an elastomeric layer. The rigid parts maintain structural integrity while the elastomeric component provides flexibility, allowing the system to achieve both strength and reduced weight compared to entirely rigid constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric layer acts as a flexible shell that allows the piping system to accommodate movement without requiring oversized rigid supports or reinforcement structures. This reduces the overall installation weight while maintaining structural integrity through the composite design.
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 tubular joint provides flexibility in subsea installations, allowing for ±2.5m movement and ±5° rotation without exceeding 10° torsion angles, while being lighter and less expensive than existing solutions, optimizing installation design and reducing size.
Implementation Method 1
a layer (40) of elastomeric material extending radially between the outer part and the inner part
Implementation Method 2
an optional ring (42) comprising a high chemical resistant material, for example fluoroelastomer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A tubular joint for an installation, comprising: - an outer part (34) formed by a fitting end (30) of a piping element (14), the outer part defining a first axis (Z1), - an inner part (36) formed by a spigot end (32) of another piping element (16), the spigot end being received in the fitting end, the fitting end and the spigot end defining an internal circulation space (44) for at least a fluid, - a flange (38) attached on the outer part and axially abutting against a shoulder (52) formed by the inner part, - a layer (40) of polymeric material extending radially between the outer part and the inner part, the layer having a radially outer surface (64) and a radially inner surface (66) both surrounding the first axis and both bonded respectively to the outer part and to the inner part, the inner part being movable in rotation with respect to the outer part about the first axis, and the inner part defining a second axis (Z2) forming a pitch angle (β) with the first axis, and the inner part, the outer part and the flange being configured in order to limit the pitch angle to values lower than 5°.