Field Joint Mold Assembly With Uniform Electric Heating

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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, and may not be compatible with advanced insulation materials, while also lacking 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 to heat 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 serve 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 to heat 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:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple electrical heaters distributed across different surfaces 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 regions of the mold body are equipped with heaters tailored to their specific heating requirements. The heating system provides localized thermal energy distribution, ensuring that each area of the mold body receives appropriate heat to achieve uniform temperature distribution throughout the entire mold cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If gas torches are used for heating, then heating capability is achieved, but compatibility with advanced insulation materials is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility 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 that does not involve open flames. This substitution eliminates the risk of flame damage to advanced insulation materials while maintaining the necessary heating capability for curing various insulation material types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical heating system creates a controlled, flame-free thermal environment that is chemically inert regarding the insulation materials. This inert heating environment prevents unwanted chemical reactions or damage to advanced insulation materials while still achieving the required curing temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 more efficient and safer 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

PatentEP4538011A1Field joint mold assembly and method of insulating a field joint

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 BAYOU HOLDCO INC

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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.