Marine Friction Clamp Hinge Pads for Oval Pipeline Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine pipelaying friction clamps cause damage to pipelines due to excessive friction forces, particularly when the pipeline has a non-constant cross-section, such as an oval shape.
Innovation Solution
The clamp device incorporates a single axis hinge mechanism that allows the friction pad to rotate 2-20° relative to the base, enabling adaptation to non-uniform pipeline cross-sections, combined with a resilient support mechanism to absorb axial forces and a dual friction pad configuration for improved fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed friction pad configuration is used, then the clamp structure is simple, but the clamp cannot adapt to non-constant pipeline cross-sections causing pipeline damage
Solution Approach 1:
The friction pad is made rotatable relative to the base through a hinge mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation (2-20° rotation) to match the varying cross-sectional shape of the pipeline. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the clamp to adapt to oval and other non-circular cross-sections without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
2Reliability
If high friction force is applied to secure the pipeline, then the pipeline is firmly retained, but the pipeline suffers damage from excessive friction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism enables the friction pad to change its angular parameter (rotation angle of 2-20°) relative to the base, allowing optimal alignment with the pipeline surface. This parameter adjustment ensures that the friction force is applied more uniformly across the contact surface, reducing stress concentrations that cause pipeline damage while maintaining sufficient retention force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple friction pads are used to improve fit, then the adaptation to pipeline shape is better, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device incorporates multiple friction pads (at least two radially adjacent friction pads) that can independently rotate on their respective hinges. This segmentation allows each friction pad to individually adapt to different portions of the pipeline cross-section, providing superior fit and coverage for non-circular shapes without requiring a single overly complex mechanism.
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
This design reduces pipeline damage by allowing the friction pad to adapt to varying pipeline shapes and sizes, minimizing frictional stress and enhancing the clamp's ability to securely engage pipelines with non-standard cross-sections.
Implementation Method 1
each clamping unit comprises a friction pad adapted to frictionally engage a portion of the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
the friction pad is rotatably connected to the base via a single axis hinge mechanism defining a single hinge axis parallel to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 3
a resilient support mechanism is provided between the first axial load surface and the second axial load surface, supporting the friction pad resiliently in an axial direction
Implementation Method 4
an associated force actuator, e.g. a radially mounted hydraulic cylinder, adapted to radially force the friction pad against the pipeline
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a marine pipelaying friction clamp device for frictionally retaining an offshore pipeline having a longitudinal axis, comprising multiple clamping units (20). Each clamping unit comprises a friction pad (21) and an associated force actuator (22), and further comprises a base (25) fixed to the actuator, wherein the friction pad is rotatably connected to the base via a single axis (H1, H2) hinge mechanism defining a single hinge axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The single axis hinge mechanism comprises first and second complementary semi-cylindrical hinge surfaces, allowing a rotation of the friction pad about the single hinge axis over 2-20° relative to the base. The friction pad is also axially connected to the base via complementary axial load surfaces (31, 33) on the base (25) and on the friction pad (21).