Flexible Pipe Joint Pressure Isolation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pipe joints used in offshore applications face challenges in handling high fluid pressure and temperature while maintaining axial load capacity, as existing designs often require larger sizes and reduced usable life due to pre-compression of flex elements, which inefficiently distribute loads and pressure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pipe joint design incorporating a primary elastomeric flex element for axial loads and a secondary elastomeric flex element specifically for containing fluid pressure, with the secondary flex elements being compactly designed to reduce pressure on the primary element, allowing for increased load handling and extended lifetime without significant size increases, and featuring a pressure-isolation unit that isolates the primary flex elements from fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flex elements are used in a common housing to handle both angular displacement and tensile load, then the angular displacement capacity is improved, but each flex element must be pre-compressed which reduces its usable life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the functional requirements into separate components: primary flex elements handle angular displacement and tensile loads, while secondary flex elements specifically contain fluid pressure. This segmentation allows each element type to be optimized for its specific function without requiring pre-compression of all elements, thereby extending usable life while maintaining angular displacement capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces secondary flex elements as intermediary components between the pressurized fluid and the primary flex elements. These secondary elements act as pressure containment barriers, preventing fluid pressure from acting directly on the primary flex elements and eliminating the need for their pre-compression.
2Reliability
If flex elements are pre-compressed to provide proper sealing and load distribution, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the usable life of the flex elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sealing function from the load-bearing function by introducing secondary flex elements dedicated to pressure containment. This allows primary flex elements to focus on angular displacement and load distribution without requiring pre-compression for sealing, while secondary elements provide the necessary sealing reliability through their pressure-containing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary flex elements are designed as pressure-containing components that may have shorter service lives compared to primary flex elements, but they protect the more critical primary elements from pressure-induced degradation. The secondary elements can be replaced more easily and are optimized for pressure containment rather than long-term durability.
3Stress or pressure
If the size of the flexible pipe joint is increased to accommodate pressure containment features, then the pressure handling capability is improved, but the compactness and installation ease are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a nested configuration where secondary flex elements are positioned within the same housing space as primary flex elements. The secondary elements are arranged to contain pressurized fluid in an inner region while primary elements handle external loads, allowing pressure containment functionality to be integrated without substantially increasing the overall housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes radial dimensionality by positioning secondary flex elements at different radial distances from the center of rotation compared to primary flex elements. This dimensional arrangement allows pressure containment and load-bearing functions to coexist in the same housing space without requiring increased overall size, maintaining compactness while improving pressure handling capability.
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 design enhances the load handling capability and extends the service life of flexible pipe joints by reducing fluid pressure on primary flex elements, allowing for increased pressure and temperature handling within a given housing size, while maintaining compactness and efficient load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one secondary elastomeric flex element especially designed for containing the fluid pressure within the flexible pipe joint
Implementation Method 2
at least one primary elastomeric flex element for handling axial loads upon the pipe joint
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible pipe joint has two annular elastomeric flex elements stacked in a co-axial fashion at an inner radius from a common center of rotation, and at least one elastomeric flex element disposed at an outer radius from the common center of rotation. The flex elements at the inner radius are coupled mechanically in series between the extension pipe and the housing of the flexible pipe joint, and the flex element at the outer radius is coupled mechanically in parallel with the series combination of the inner flex elements. The inner flex elements isolate the flex element at the outer radius from transport fluid, and the flex element at the outer radius reduces the axial compression of the inner flex elements. Thus, the inner flex elements may have a reduced radius and a different composition to handle a higher loading of heat and pressure.