Subsea Guide Post Joint with Elastomeric Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide posts used in subsea operations are prone to rupture or damage during emergency situations where the LMRP is elevated off the BOP, particularly due to angular misalignment exceeding 5 degrees, which poses a risk of breaking or damaging the guide posts.
Innovation Solution
A guide post design featuring a joint with an elastomeric matrix between the guide post and a fixation foot, allowing for axial force transfer and bending moment suspension, enabling the guide post to flex up to 5 degrees to accommodate angular misalignment, with optional embedded armoring for reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide posts are used to guide LMRP onto BOP, then alignment and positioning are achieved, but risk of rupture or damage increases during emergency elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide post's mechanical properties are changed by introducing a joint with an elastomeric matrix that can flex up to 5 degrees. This parameter change in flexibility allows the guide post to accommodate angular misalignment during emergency elevation without rupturing or damaging the LMRP connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide post incorporates a composite structure combining rigid sections with a flexible joint containing an elastomeric matrix. This composite design allows the majority of the guide post to maintain structural strength while the elastomeric joint provides the necessary flexibility to handle angular misalignment up to 5 degrees.
2Stability of the object's composition
If guide posts are made rigid for stable positioning, then vertical stability is achieved, but flexibility to accommodate angular misalignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The guide post is segmented into rigid upper and lower sections connected by a flexible joint. This segmentation allows each section to maintain its structural integrity for vertical stability while the joint between sections provides the necessary angular flexing capability to accommodate misalignment up to 5 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible joint with the elastomeric matrix acts as an intermediary element between the rigid guide post sections. This intermediary component transfers axial forces while allowing bending moments to be suspended, enabling angular flexing without compromising the overall vertical stability of the guide post structure.
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 guide post design reduces the risk of damage by allowing flexible movement up to 5 degrees, ensuring secure landing and reinstallation of subsea equipment while maintaining structural integrity under 40kN tension.
Implementation Method 1
a joint is introduced between the very guide post and a fixation foot designed for fixed attachment to a subsea construction, which joint is able to transfer axially acting forces simultaneously with suspending, or annulling, bending moments
Implementation Method 2
By the present invention, it is secured that the guide posts can flex 5 degrees such that LMPR easily comes free
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A guide post (1) for use in the final part of a guided lowering of equipment (20) toward a predetermined point, or location (30), on the seabed, is described. The guide post (1) is continued, or extended, in a guide wire running towards a structure on the sea surface. A joint (3) is introduced between the very guide post (4) and a fixation foot (2), which foot is designed for fixed attachment to a subsea construction. The joint (3) is able to transfer axially acting forces simultaneously with suspending, or annulling, bending moments.