Flexible Pipe Armour Anchorage Welding for Faster End Fitting Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fixing transverse anchoring elements to armor elements in flexible pipes, used in deep water hydrocarbon transport, are time-consuming and require skilled personnel, as they involve longitudinal welding, which is inefficient under high axial tension conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using a fixation device to forge and weld anchoring elements onto armor elements within a cavity, with optional heat treatment and inert gas diffusion, allowing for rapid and robust fixation with less technical expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If longitudinal welding is used to fix anchoring elements to armor elements, then the fixing strength is improved, but the manufacturing time and skill requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional longitudinal welding process with a transverse welding process that uses a fixation device to apply mechanical force and heat simultaneously. This substitution transforms the welding approach from a skill-intensive manual longitudinal process to a more automated transverse process, reducing both time and skill requirements while maintaining fixing strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the welding parameters by switching from longitudinal to transverse welding orientation. The fixation device controls the welding parameters (force, temperature, duration) to achieve robust fixing in less time, fundamentally altering the process parameters to resolve the contradiction between strength and time
2Manufacturing precision
If qualified personnel perform longitudinal welding, then the welding quality is improved, but the operational complexity and skill requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device is designed to automatically control the welding process parameters, making the system self-regulating. The device itself provides the necessary force and heat control, reducing dependence on operator skill while maintaining welding quality. The process becomes more self-service oriented rather than relying heavily on qualified personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the welding process. It mediates the complex welding parameters and transforms them into controlled, repeatable actions, thereby reducing the skill requirement while preserving welding quality through the device's intermediate control functions
3Reliability
If two longitudinal welds are applied to each anchoring element, then the fixing robustness is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional welding approach by applying transverse welds instead of longitudinal welds. This inversion allows the fixation device to apply multiple welds rapidly in sequence, achieving both robust fixing and high productivity by reversing the conventional welding orientation and process sequence
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 method provides a rapid, robust, and simplified way to fix anchoring elements, reducing the time and skill required while enhancing the mechanical strength of the welds, thus improving the durability of flexible pipe end fittings under high axial tension.
Implementation Method 1
a step of forging the anchoring element onto the element of armour, by the fixing device
Implementation Method 2
a step of melting an end of the anchoring element facing the element of armour and a region of the element of armour facing the anchoring element, in the cavity of the fixing device
Implementation Method 3
the method comprises a step of heat treatment of the anchoring element and of the element of armour subsequent to the forging step, the weld linking the anchoring element and the element of armour being formed during the heat treatment step
Implementation Method 4
the method includes a step of diffusing an inert gas around at least one of the end of the anchoring element or the region of the element of armour, the step of diffusion taking place during the melting and forging stages
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for attaching at least one transverse anchorage element (70) to an armour element (29) intended to be housed in an end-fitting of a flexible pipe, comprising the following steps: – the supply of an attachment device (80) accepting an anchorage element (70); – the bringing of an opening (84) to face the armour element (29); – the melting of one end (74) of the anchorage element (70) facing the armour element (29) and of a region of the armour element (29) facing the anchorage element (70), inside the cavity (82) of the attachment device (80); – the forging of the anchorage element (70) transversely on the armour element (29) using the attachment device (80); and – the formation of a weld (72) connecting the anchorage element (70) and the armour element (29).