Field Joint Mold Heating for Uniform Insulation Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional field joint mold assemblies in the oil and gas industry require the use of gas torches for heating, which poses fire and burn hazards, is not compatible with advanced insulation materials, and lacks temperature control accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A field joint mold assembly with an integrated heating system that uniformly heats the mold body without an open flame, using electrical heaters and temperature controllers to ensure even temperature distribution within the mold cavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If gas torches are used for heating the mold body, then the mold body can be heated to elevated temperature, but fire and burn hazards occur and temperature control accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold body temperatureVSAvoidfire and burn hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/gas-based heating system (torches) with an electrical heating system. Electrical heaters are mounted to the mold body to provide uniform heating, eliminating open flames and associated fire hazards while maintaining the necessary elevated temperature for insulation material curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical heaters as an intermediary heating mechanism between the power source and the mold body. These heaters act as a safe intermediary that transfers thermal energy without requiring direct flame contact, thus eliminating fire hazards while achieving the required temperature elevation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If gas torches are used for heating the mold body, then the mold body can be heated, but temperature distribution inside the mold cavity is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold body temperatureVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple electrical heaters distributed across different zones of the mold body. This segmentation allows each heater to independently contribute to the overall temperature distribution, enabling more uniform heating throughout the mold cavity compared to concentrated torch heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the mold body are equipped with heating elements tailored to their specific thermal requirements. The electrical heaters can be positioned and controlled to provide localized heating where needed, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire mold cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If gas torches are used for heating, then heating can be performed, but compatibility with advanced insulation materials is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold body temperatureVSAvoidcompatibility with insulation materials

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gas torch heating system with an electrical heating system, eliminating open flames that could damage or be incompatible with advanced insulation materials. Electrical heating provides controlled, flameless thermal energy that is compatible with a broader range of insulation materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional field joint mold is used, then field joint insulation can be formed, but the process is hazardous and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield joint insulation formationVSAvoidfire hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electrical heaters as a safe intermediary heating mechanism that eliminates direct flame contact with the mold and insulation materials. This intermediary heating system maintains the necessary thermal conditions for insulation formation while removing fire hazards and improving process safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 eliminates fire hazards, ensures compatibility with advanced insulation materials, and provides precise temperature control, resulting in safer and more efficient field joint insulation processes.

Implementation Method 1

heat is conducted from a heating system to majority of a surface area of a form of the field joint mold assembly to uniformly heat the mold cavity to an elevated temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250121539A1Field joint mold assembly and method of insulating a field joint

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 ODYSEA LLC

AI summary

A field joint mold assembly has a mold body for defining a mold cavity around the field joint section of a pipe. An injection port opens through the mold body such that curable insulation material can be imparted through the injection port into the mold cavity. A heating system is mounted on the mold body for uniformly heating the mold body to an elevated temperature to promote even elevated temperature distribution inside the mold cavity. To insulate a field joint, curable insulation material is injected into the mold cavity and cured. While injecting and/or curing, heat is conducted from a heating system to majority of a surface area of the mold body to uniformly heat the mold cavity to an elevated temperature.