Flexible Hose Guide System for Iceberg Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid extraction installations in icy regions face challenges in quickly disconnecting flexible hoses to avoid damage from icebergs, with current methods risking hose damage during rapid disconnection and reconnection, and requiring extensive lifting and structural reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The installation features a guide system with a tubular guide extending between the upper and lower structures, allowing flexible hoses to move between connected and disconnected configurations while minimizing damage, with a guide member sliding within the tubular guide to control hose descent and reconnection, and shaping means to manage hose configuration and reduce risk of impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If flexible hoses are rapidly disconnected by free-falling the shuttle into water, then disconnection speed is improved, but hose damage risk increases due to strong oscillations and excessive bends
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure extending from the floating structure into the water serves as an intermediary pathway for the flexible hoses during disconnection. The guide constrains the hoses to follow a controlled trajectory, preventing uncontrolled oscillations and excessive bends that would occur during free-fall disconnection, thereby protecting hose integrity while enabling rapid disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure is designed with a lower end positioned at a specific depth where the hoses naturally assume a safe configuration away from the bottom. This pre-positioned guide pathway cushions the hoses against impact with the bottom and prevents damage from uncontrolled movement during the disconnection process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper floating structure is moved away from iceberg route, then safety is improved, but reconnection time increases due to difficult shuttle location and lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as a fixed reference pathway that remains stationary relative to the floating structure. After the upper structure is moved to safety, the guide's predictable position and orientation make it easier to locate the disconnected hoses and shuttle, significantly reducing reconnection time compared to searching for components scattered in open water
3Ease of operation
If strong lifting means are used to lift back the shuttle, then reconnection capability is improved, but structural costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is designed to passively facilitate shuttle recovery through its geometry and positioning. The guide's lower end position and orientation create natural hose configuration that aids in locating and reconnecting the shuttle, reducing or eliminating the need for complex active lifting systems while maintaining ease of operation
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
Enables rapid and safe disconnection of flexible hoses, reducing the risk of damage and facilitating quick reconnection, thus ensuring efficient operation in icy conditions and minimizing structural costs.
Implementation Method 1
a guided member (122) mounted so as to slide relative to the guide (120)
Implementation Method 2
the flexible hose being capable of moving through the expanse of water between an upper configuration in which it is connected to the collector and a lower disconnected configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This installation comprises an upper structure (12), and a flexible hose (16) capable of moving through the expanse of water (11 B) between an upper connected configuration and a lower disconnected configuration. The installation comprises a lower structure (14) having a base (60) extending at a distance from the bottom (11A) of the expanse of water (11 B). The upper structure (12) is capable of moving relative to the lower structure (14) between an extraction position and an evacuation position. The base (60) defines a passage (68) for travel of the flexible hose (16) as it moves between the upper connected configuration and the lower disconnected configuration and a stop (74) for retaining a connection head (92) of the hose (14), disposed in the travel passage (68), to keep the connection head (92) at a distance from the bottom (11A) of the expanse of water (11 B) in the lower disconnected configuration.