Gravity Driven Pile Tower for Subsea Pipeline Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Subsea pipelines require secure elevation above the sea floor for various reasons, but existing tools lack the capability to securely cradle the pipeline without causing excessive stress concentration and ensuring adequate surface area support.

Innovation Solution

A tool comprising a pile tower, roller carriage assembly, and jacking assembly that embeds into the sea floor, using gravity to position a cradle under the pipeline, with adjustable components and a ratcheting mechanism to manage pipeline height and stress distribution, featuring a combination of steel and polyurethane materials for durability and low friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing tools are used to elevate subsea pipelines, then the pipeline can be lifted off the sea floor, but the tools lack the capability to securely cradle the pipeline and cause excessive stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure support capabilityVSAvoidstress concentration on pipeline

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle is equipped with rollers at the contact points with the pipeline. These rollers provide a localized low-friction interface that distributes the supporting force across a larger area of the pipeline surface, thereby reducing stress concentration while maintaining secure support capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cradle structure combines steel components (for structural strength and embedding capability) with polyurethane materials (for durability and low friction contact with the pipeline). This composite approach allows the tool to securely cradle the pipeline while minimizing stress concentration through the compliant, low-friction polyurethane surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a rigid cradle structure is used to support the pipeline, then structural strength is improved, but stress concentration increases and surface area support is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecradle structural strengthVSAvoidstress concentration on pipeline

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle features localized roller elements at the pipeline contact zones rather than a uniformly rigid structure. This allows the majority of the cradle to maintain rigid structural strength for embedding and load-bearing, while the roller contact zones provide distributed, low-stress support to the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The introduction of rollers changes the friction parameter at the contact interface between the cradle and pipeline. This parameter change from high friction (rigid contact) to low friction (roller contact) reduces stress concentration while the overall cradle structure maintains its structural strength through appropriate material selection and geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cradle is fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but adjustability for different pipeline heights is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecradle position stabilityVSAvoidpipeline height adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle incorporates a ratcheting mechanism that allows the pipeline height to be adjusted dynamically during installation, then locks into a fixed position once the desired height is achieved. This provides both adjustability during operation and stability during service, resolving the contradiction between fixed position stability and height adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 tool effectively elevates subsea pipelines while distributing the load evenly, reducing stress concentration and ensuring secure support, with components designed for durability and ease of deployment and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

A gravity driven pile tower based device for pipeline lifting and support... embeds into the sea floor, using gravity to position a cradle under the pipeline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

featuring a combination of steel and polyurethane materials for durability and low friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9464733B2Gravity driven pile tower based device for pipeline lifting and support and method of use

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.