Inflatable Packer Element for Offshore Jacket-to-Pile Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore packers and grippers used for securing support structures to foundations are complex, costly, and prone to failure, which affects their reliability and increases installation costs due to the need for calm weather conditions to prevent movement between the jacket and piles until the cement is fully cured.
Innovation Solution
A packer and gripper member comprising inflatable elements with ports for fluid supply, allowing the member to be configured between a retracted and expanded state, securing the support structure to the foundation by minimizing movement and enabling fixation regardless of weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional packers and grippers are used to secure support structures to foundations, then the connection can be secured, but the devices are complex, costly, and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The packer element is divided into multiple inflatable segments or chambers within a single component. Each segment can be independently inflated through separate ports, allowing the complex gripping function to be achieved through simple, identical modular units rather than a complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer element uses inflatable chambers that expand when filled with fluid or gas. This pneumatic mechanism replaces complex mechanical moving parts with simple inflation/deflation cycles, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable gripping and securing functions.
2Productivity
If traditional packers and grippers are used to secure support structures, then connection is achieved, but installation costs increase due to need for calm weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The packer element's physical state changes from deflated (compact) to inflated (expanded) to perform its securing function. This parameter change allows the device to be deployed in various weather conditions without requiring calm waters, as the inflation mechanism can be actuated independently of environmental conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple inflatable elements are used in the packer, then gripping capability is improved, but the number of ports and coupling members increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inflatable elements are merged into a single integrated packer component with shared structural elements. The coupling members and ports are integrated into the overall design rather than being separate additions, so that adding inflatable segments does not linearly increase the number of discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members serve multiple functions: they connect adjacent inflatable elements, provide structural support, and may serve as fluid distribution channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall complexity despite having multiple inflatable elements.
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 solution provides a reliable and cost-effective means to secure support structures to foundations, reducing installation costs and enhancing the robustness of the connection between the jacket and piles by allowing fixation independent of weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A packer and/or gripper member according to embodiments of the present invention may comprise a plurality of inflatable elements or cushions, each inflatable element or cushion communicably coupled to an adjacent inflatable element by a port disposed between the inflatable elements
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a packer and/or gripper element (10), beneficially for use offshore and/or underwater, the packer and/or gripper (10) comprising an inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), wherein a periphery of the/each inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises at least one corner, the at least one corner comprising a concave portion (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The disclosed packer and/or gripper element (10) comprises a plurality of inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), each inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) being communicably coupled to an adjacent inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) by a port (155a, 155b) disposed between the inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d).