Instrumented Flexible Pipe Sensor Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing instrumented flexible pipes struggle to precisely secure and position optical fiber sensors relative to the pipe sheath, leading to fragility and inadequate deformation measurement accuracy, especially under severe marine conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a support sheath and a holding sheath, where the optical fiber sensor is wound helically around the support sheath and secured between the two, allowing precise adjustment and firm attachment, with a preferred helix angle range to minimize elongation and maximize measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical fiber sensor is directly bonded to the pipe sheath, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to fragility and inadequate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensor is nested within a groove in the support sheath, which is then encased by a retaining sheath. This nested structure protects the fragile optical fiber while maintaining its positioning for accurate deformation measurements through the sheath wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is pre-formed in the support sheath before the optical fiber sensor is installed. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and protection of the sensor, preventing damage during installation and operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If the optical fiber sensor is embedded within the sheath thickness, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensor is placed in a groove that is nested within the support sheath structure. This groove provides a predetermined, precise position for the sensor, ensuring accurate alignment with the sheath outer surface while maintaining secure embedding for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary structure between the optical fiber sensor and the sheath material. It provides a controlled interface that ensures precise positioning of the sensor relative to the sheath outer surface while maintaining secure mechanical attachment.
3Reliability
If a retaining sheath is applied coaxially to hold the optical fiber sensor, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support sheath and retaining sheath are combined into an integrated structure where the retaining sheath is applied coaxially over the support sheath. This merging of functions provides secure sensor attachment while using a straightforward manufacturing process that does not significantly increase facility complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention concerns a method and a facility for producing a flexible instrumented pipe (10). Said facility has an entrance (50) opposite an exit (52) in order to be able to pull through a tubular structure (54) comprising a support sheath made from polymer material having a free cylindrical outer surface, said facility comprising a movable storage support (60) capable of storing at least one optical fibre sensor (64), so as to be able to wind said at least one optical fibre sensor (64) helically around said support sheath. The facility further comprises a transformation device (68) for supplying and for applying a holding sheath coaxially on said support sheath, so as to be able to hold said at least one optical fibre sensor (64) in a fixed position against said cylindrical outer surface.