Field Joint Coating Angular Cut Backs Reduce Upstand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional field joint coatings for insulated pipelines have a large upstand, which can cause damage to pipe handling equipment and increase the diameter of the coated joint, making it difficult to handle and reel the pipeline efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The method involves providing angular cut backs in the parent coating of pipe sections, followed by injection moulding a field joint coating to create a stepped profile, resulting in an upstand of 5 mm or less, reducing the volume of coating material and facilitating easier handling and reduced equipment damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional field joint coating is applied with full overlap of parent coating, then the field joint is fully protected and insulated, but the upstand becomes large (8 mm or greater) causing damage to handling equipment and increasing pipeline diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of field jointVSAvoiddamage to handling equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different coating heights at different locations: the field joint coating overlaps the parent coating at the ends (providing protection) but does not extend beyond the parent coating height in the middle section. This creates a localized solution where protection is provided only where needed (at the joint ends) while avoiding the harmful large upstand in the middle section that would damage handling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional field joint coating is applied with full overlap, then the joint is fully coated and protected, but the pipeline diameter increases making it difficult to handle and reel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation of field jointVSAvoidhandling and reeling of pipeline

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is designed with varying height along the pipeline: full height at the joint ends for protection, and reduced height in the middle section to match the parent coating. This local differentiation maintains insulation reliability at critical joints while reducing the overall diameter to facilitate handling and reeling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional field joint coating is applied with full overlap, then complete coverage is achieved, but more coating material is required increasing cost and weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete coating coverageVSAvoidvolume of coating material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The field joint coating is applied at full height only where protection is required (at the joint ends where the parent coating is removed or damaged), and at reduced height in the middle section. This localized application strategy ensures complete coverage of vulnerable areas while minimizing the total volume of coating material required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the field joint coating from the middle section of the pipeline, leaving only the essential protective coating at the joint ends. This removes unnecessary material from regions where full-height coating is not required, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining protective function at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves a flush or minimally raised coated field joint, allowing for easier handling and reduced risk of equipment damage, while using less coating material and enabling more pipeline to be reeled due to the smaller diameter.

Implementation Method 1

injection moulding a field joint coating over the uncoated ends and the first and second angular cut backs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection moulding:

Data Source

PatentUS11685090B2Method of coating a field joint

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 2543500 ALBERTA LTD D B A SHAW PIPE PROTECTION

AI summary

A method of coating a field joint, pipe sections for forming a coated field joint, and a coated field joint formed thereby. First and second angular cut backs are provided in the parent coating of each pipe section. The first angular cut back is at an angle of about 30°+−0.5° relative to the longitudinal axis of the field joint, and the second angular cut back is positioned further from the field joint than the first angular cut back. The first and second angular cut backs result in the parent coating having a stepped profile, a step in the stepped profile between the first and second angular cut backs, the step is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field joint and is often substantially free of indentations. The field joint coating may be injection moulded to have an upstand that is less than or equal to about 5 mm.