Grooved Contacts for Flexible Pipe End Fitting Wire Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The termination of flexible pipe end fittings is challenging due to the varying material characteristics of its layers, leading to potential rupture under pressure and errors in wire placement, as the armour wires are bent away from the central axis and must be accurately positioned within a small space.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming grooves or slots in the inner and outer collar members of the end fitting to guide and lock the armour wires in predetermined positions, ensuring secure placement and preventing movement that could damage the epoxy or other features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If armour wires are bent away from the central axis during termination, then the wires can be positioned in the end fitting, but the wires become difficult to locate and position accurately in a small space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces collar members with grooves as intermediary structures that facilitate wire positioning. The grooves act as guides that receive and position the armour wires at predetermined locations, making the termination process easier and more accurate without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are pre-formed in the collar members before the wire bending and positioning process. This preliminary preparation of positioning features allows for accurate wire placement without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during termination
2Volume of moving object
If wires of armour layers are located in a small space during termination, then the end fitting can be compact, but it becomes confusing to workmen and leads to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The collar members are provided with localized grooves at specific positions to receive specific wires. This local differentiation of the collar structure allows multiple wires to be positioned accurately within a compact space, preventing confusion during termination while maintaining a small overall end fitting volume
3Reliability
If the barrier layer is not adequately supported under high pressure, then the structure remains simple, but the layer may rupture and cause failure
Solution Approach 1:
The collar members are positioned and secured to the barrier layer before pressure testing or service. This preliminary support arrangement ensures the barrier layer is adequately supported against high pressure from the outset, preventing rupture without requiring complex active support systems
Solution Approach 2:
The collar members act as intermediary support structures between the barrier layer and the external environment. They provide localized support at critical positions where the barrier layer is most vulnerable to pressure-induced rupture, enhancing reliability without requiring a fully complex support system
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for securing wires (312) of at least one armour layer (106) of a portion of flexible pipe body (100) in an end fitting (300) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of bending wires of at least one armour layer away from an axis of the flexible pipe body at a predetermined location, locating each wire of the armour layer in a respective groove (900) formed in a contact surface of at least one of an inner collar member (500) and an outer collar member (700) of the end fitting (300) and urging contact surfaces of the inner collar member and the outer collar member together to thereby lock wires of the armour layer in a fixed position at said predetermined location in the end fitting.