J-Lay Recovery Frame Alignment for Automated Pipe Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
J-lay systems for deploying pipelines face challenges such as manual intervention in winch handling, offset abandonment and recovery systems, potential rope damage from tension changes, and limited flexibility in accommodating different pipe sizes and angles, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an upright structure with traversable clamping elements and an actuating mechanism that allows for automatic latching and movement control of the abandonment and recovery system, enabling it to be aligned with the pipeline, reducing manual intervention, and incorporating compliance to prevent over-tensioning, along with a retractable hang-off clamp for easier maintenance and adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used for winch handling and abandonment and recovery system operation, then operational flexibility can be maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and worker safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic abandonment and recovery operations through self-servicing mechanisms. The abandonment and recovery system can be automatically deployed and retrieved without continuous manual intervention, as the system itself manages the winch operations and frame deployment sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational modes between manual and automatic control. TheJ-lay tower and abandonment and recovery system can switch between operator-controlled modes for flexibility and automatic sequences for efficiency, adapting to different operational requirements
2Reliability
If the abandonment and recovery frame is offset from the firing line, then the pipeline can be deployed without interference, but the system complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abandonment and recovery frame is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the firing line. By offsetting the frame laterally while maintaining vertical alignment capabilities, the system achieves pipeline deployment reliability without excessive complexity in the horizontal plane
3Adaptability or versatility
If the winch rope is subjected to tension changes during tower angle adjustments, then the system can adapt to different pipe sizes and angles, but the rope may be damaged or stretched
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates compliance elements and tension control mechanisms that cushion against sudden tension changes in the winch rope. By预先 designing the system to absorb and distribute tension loads during tower angle adjustments, the rope is protected from damage while maintaining adaptability
4Reliability
If the hang-off clamp is located in the splash zone for pipeline support, then the pipeline can be properly positioned, but maintenance becomes difficult and worker safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hang-off clamp system is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be located in the splash zone during pipeline deployment for proper positioning while being retrievable to dry areas for maintenance. The clamp can be moved vertically along theJ-lay tower to access different zones
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
System for use in building and deployment of an elongate element (202) in a J-lay operation. The system includes an upright structure (206); a winching element (204) retractable along an axis within the upright structure (206); a coupling element (210) connected to the winching element (204), for coupling the winching element (204) to an elongate element (202); and a catcher element (212) configured to retain the coupling element (210) in alignment with a predetermined axis within the upright structure (206) during retraction or extension of the winching element (204).