Oil Pipe Suspension Device with Segmented Flexible Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil pipe suspension devices in riser towers face challenges due to localized stresses caused by sea currents, leading to difficult and costly maintenance, especially in predicting and replacing the flexible longitudinal element before it fractures.
Innovation Solution
The suspension device employs two independent flexible links with radial hooks and additional links to absorb traction forces, allowing for easy visual inspection and replacement, with sliding elements to adjust tension and facilitate maintenance, ensuring that if one link deteriorates, the others can take the load and reduce the risk of further deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flexible longitudinal element is used to connect hitching members, then the device can absorb traction forces and allow relative movement between float and riser, but the element is difficult to inspect and replace before fracture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single flexible longitudinal element is divided into multiple discrete flexible links (first flexible link, second flexible link, third flexible link, fourth flexible link) connected in series between the hitching members. This segmentation allows each link to be independently inspected for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage, enabling proactive replacement before complete failure occurs, while still maintaining the overall function of absorbing traction forces and allowing relative movement.
2Device complexity
If a single flexible longitudinal element is used, then the structure is simpler, but replacement becomes difficult and costly when fracture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the connection into multiple discrete flexible links with hooks, the system maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling easy replacement. Each flexible link can be independently detached and replaced by simply unhooking and rehooking, avoiding the need for complex disassembly or specialized equipment, thus significantly improving ease of repair while keeping the overall device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible links are designed with movable hooks that can be easily engaged and disengaged, allowing dynamic reconfiguration and rapid replacement. This dynamic connection mechanism enables maintenance personnel to quickly replace damaged links without requiring complex tools or procedures, improving ease of repair while maintaining a simple overall structure.
3Ease of repair
If multiple flexible links are used to connect hitching members, then inspection and replacement become easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple identical or similar flexible links with standardized hooks. This standardization means that while the number of components increases, each component remains simple in design. The repetition of identical modules actually reduces overall complexity by allowing use of standard parts, simplifying inventory management, and enabling quick replacement without requiring multiple different component types.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible links are designed to be homogeneous in structure and function, each with similar hooks and connection mechanisms. This homogeneity simplifies the overall device complexity by using identical or near-identical components throughout, making inspection, maintenance, and replacement procedures uniform and straightforward, rather than requiring different procedures for different components.
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
This design enables easier inspection and maintenance of the suspension device, allowing for timely replacement of defective links, reducing the risk of complete failure and associated costs, while maintaining stable operation of the riser tower.
Implementation Method 1
two flexible links independent of each other adapted to be fitted substantially parallel to connect two by two the respective hooks of said two hitching members
Implementation Method 2
a connection end that is connected to a float held a few tens of meters below the level of the sea surface. As a result, the float exerts traction on the riser to hold it vertically
Implementation Method 3
sliding elements to adjust tension and facilitate maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension device (14) for suspending an oil pipe on an underwater float (12) between a seabed and a sea surface and a method for installing such a device. The device (14) includes two hitching members (16,18) that respectively comprise a connection end (22, 22) and an attachment end (24, 24). The hitching members are respectively attached to the float (12) and to the coupling end (10) of the pipe by the fastener thereof while the connection ends (24, 24) are connected by connectors (20, 20). The connection end (22, 22) of each hitching member (16, 18) comprises two hooks (44, 46, 44, 46). The connectors include two independent links (20) for parallel adjustment so as to connect, two by two, the hooks (44, 46, 44′, 46′) of the two hitching members (16, 18).