Modular Pipe-Laying Tower for Deepwater Stability and Bridge Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe-laying vessels face challenges in stability and maneuverability, particularly when operating in windy and deep-water conditions, and struggle to pass under low-clearance obstructions like bridges due to the height of their pipe-laying towers.
Innovation Solution
A pipe-laying vessel equipped with a modular pipe-laying tower that can be configured to reduce its overall height through a pivoting upper section relative to a lower section, allowing for a stowed configuration that lowers the center of gravity, enhances stability, and enables passage under bridges by reducing the tower's height to approximately 81.5m from 125m, and further to 67m in a low-height configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe-laying tower is made tall to enable deepwater pipeline laying operations, then the water depth capability is improved, but the vessel's stability and wind resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe-laying tower is designed with movable sections that can change configuration between operational and transit modes. The upper section can pivot relative to the lower section, allowing the tower to adapt its height dynamically based on operational requirements versus stability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower is divided into multiple sections (lower section and upper section) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the upper section to be positioned for deepwater operations or retracted to reduce overall height and improve stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe-laying tower is made tall for deepwater operations, then the operational capability is improved, but the ability to pass under low-clearance obstructions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tower's height is made dynamic through the pivoting mechanism. During deepwater operations, the upper section is positioned vertically to maximize height. When passing under bridges or low-clearance obstructions, the upper section pivots to a horizontal or angled position, reducing the overall vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the tower into movable segments, the invention enables the upper section to be repositioned independently. This allows the tower to achieve maximum height when needed for operations, then collapse or angle the upper section to pass under obstructions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Pipe-laying Vessel and Method of Laying a Pipeline A pipe-laying vessel (100) including pipe-laying apparatus for S-laying a pipeline from the vessel, wherein the vessel further includes a pipe-laying tower (300) for J-laying a pipeline from the vessel, the pipe-laying tower (300) being positioned partway along the length of the vessel between the upstream and downstream portions of the S-lay pipe-laying path.