Guiding System for Hybrid Lifting Tower Bending Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid lifting towers face challenges in increasing safety, reducing bending and fatigue damage, and eliminating the need for a structural core in oil and gas production systems.
Innovation Solution
A guiding system comprising multiple guiding structures connected by structural members along the lifting tower to align and stabilize peripheral pipes, allowing axial displacement while restricting lateral movement, and providing rigidity through connecting elements that can be metallic or polymeric, with options for connection types and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guiding structures are added to the lifting tower, then safety and alignment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding system is divided into multiple discrete guiding structures positioned at different points along the lifting tower. Each guiding structure can be independently attached to the tower and serves a specific localization function, allowing the system to be implemented in a modular fashion that balances safety improvement with manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide peripheral pipelines relative to the central core, increase flexural stiffness of the lifting tower, reduce bending movements, and minimize fatigue damage. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural addition
2Strength
If structural connecting members are used to connect guiding structures, then flexural stiffness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural connecting members can be made from different materials (metallic or polymeric) with varying density and mechanical properties. This allows optimization of the member parameters to achieve the required flexural stiffness while minimizing weight, depending on the specific operational requirements and load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting members may utilize composite material constructions that combine different materials to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the structure to gain the necessary flexural stiffness for reducing tower bending while keeping the added weight to a minimum
3Stability of the object's composition
If guiding structures are positioned along the lifting tower, then bending is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding structures are designed as separate, modular components that can be manufactured independently and then attached to the lifting tower at predetermined positions. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a single integrated guiding system, as each component can be produced using standard fabrication techniques and assembled on-site
Solution Approach 2:
Guiding structures are positioned at specific locations along the lifting tower where they are most needed to control bending and guide pipelines. Rather than providing uniform guidance along the entire tower length, the structures are strategically placed to achieve maximum bending reduction with minimum manufacturing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A guiding system for a hybrid lifting tower includes: one or more guiding structures configured to be positioned along the hybrid lifting tower. The guiding structures comprise main parts adapted to be attachable to the hybrid lifting tower. The main parts are adapted for passage of pipes. One of the guiding structures is connected to at least one other adjacent guiding structure and/or to a tower ending structure by at least one structural connecting member. A hybrid lifting tower including the guiding system is also disclosed.