Flexible Composite Pipe Structure to Prevent Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible fluid transport pipes used in deep-sea oil and gas applications face issues with pipe collapse due to pressure differences, fluid flow disturbances, and fatigue corrosion, particularly at great depths, where existing solutions like internal carcasses and composite reinforcement structures do not fully address mechanical performance and delamination concerns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a tubular composite structure with at least two laminated reinforcing layers and an anti-delamination layer between them, along with tensile armor plies wound at specific angles to enhance mechanical performance and prevent delamination, while maintaining a smooth bore design to minimize fluid flow disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stapled internal carcass is placed in the tubular sheath to prevent pipe collapse, then resistance to crushing is improved, but fluid flow disturbances and fatigue corrosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to crushingVSAvoidfluid flow disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the internal carcass from the tubular sheath and replaces it with an external composite reinforcement structure applied to the outer surface of the sheath. This extraction eliminates the fluid flow disturbances caused by the internal carcass while maintaining crushing resistance through the external composite layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite reinforcement structure acts as an intermediary between the tubular sheath and the external environment, providing crushing resistance without interfering with internal fluid flow. The composite structure transfers and distributes external loads away from the sheath while maintaining a smooth internal bore

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a composite reinforcement structure with high winding angle is used to replace the carcass, then ease of manufacture is improved, but delamination occurs during bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddelamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite reinforcement structure is divided into multiple distinct layers with different winding angles. The first layer has a high winding angle (55°-85°) for ease of manufacture, while the second layer has a lower winding angle (15°-35°) to provide stability and prevent delamination during bending operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a multi-layer composite structure where each layer has optimized properties for specific functions. The combination of different winding angles in successive layers creates a synergistic effect that provides both manufacturability and structural stability, preventing delamination while maintaining ease of construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pipe length is increased for deep-sea applications, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical performance and resistance to pressure differences deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmechanical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer composite reinforcement structure provides enhanced mechanical performance for long deep-sea pipe applications. The combination of different winding angles and material properties in each layer creates a structure that maintains strength and stability over extended lengths while withstanding significant pressure differences between internal and external environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3542089B1Flexible fluid transport pipe, and associated facility and method

Publication Date: 2022.02.09 TECH N POWER

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AI summary

The pipe (10) comprises: - a tubular sheath (20) with a central axis (A-A') defining an internal fluid flow passage (13); - a tubular composite structure (22), applied to the tubular sheath (20) and linked to the tubular sheath (20), the tubular composite structure (22) comprising at least two laminated reinforcement layers, each reinforcement layer comprising a polymer matrix and reinforcement fibres; - at least one tensile armour ply (24, 25), not linked to the tubular composite structure (22), the tensile armour ply (24, 25) comprising at least one armour element (50) wound around the tubular composite structure (22); the tubular composite structure (22) comprises at least one anti-delamination layer interposed between two laminated reinforcement layers.