Pipe Assembly Station With Active Rail And Standby Position
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe assembly operations in offshore environments face challenges due to limited space, complexity, and hazards associated with bulky tools and multiple operators, particularly in pipe-lay vessels where tools require separate power and movement, which is hazardous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A pipe assembly station with an active rail and a standby position, allowing tool carriages to traverse along the rail and switch between positions, enabling efficient use of space and autonomous operation with wireless control, and providing a service area for tool replenishment and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bulky tools are provided for pipe assembly operations, then the capability to perform various operations (welding, inspection, preparation) is improved, but the available space within the pipe assembly station is consumed and movement becomes complex and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pipe assembly operations into multiple specialized tool carriages, each performing a specific function (welding, inspection, preparation). These segmented tools move along the active rail rather than occupying fixed space, resolving the conflict between operational versatility and space availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static tool placement to dynamic movement along the active rail, adding the dimension of motion to the system. This allows multiple tools to access the pipe joint sequentially in space-time, eliminating spatial conflicts while maintaining operational versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operators and bulky tools are used for pipe assembly, then operational capability is improved, but the complexity and hazard of moving tools and operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carriages are equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, allowing them to move along the active rail independently without requiring operators to physically handle or reposition them. This self-service mechanism reduces operational complexity while maintaining full operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual handling of bulky tools with an automated rail-based transport mechanism. The active rail and tool carriage system substitutes the complex mechanical coordination of multiple operators with a controlled automated system, reducing hazard and complexity.
3Productivity
If tools are positioned close to the pipe joint for efficient operation, then operational efficiency is improved, but the tools obstruct each other and limit space for subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The tool carriages dynamically position themselves along the active rail based on operational requirements. During critical operations, tools can be positioned close to the joint for efficiency; between operations, they move to designated standby positions, dynamically optimizing both efficiency and space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes predetermined standby positions along the active rail where tool carriages can be positioned in advance of needed operations. This preliminary positioning allows smooth transitions between operations without obstruction, as each tool knows its operational position and its standby position beforehand.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe assembly station for performing operations on a field joint during pipe assembly has an active rail extending around an opening through which the pipe can pass. Tool carriages are arranged to traverse along the active rail and around a periphery of the pipe. The station also comprises a standby position, distanced from the active rail and a switch arranged to transfer the tool carriage from the active rail to the standby position. By providing such a combination of a rail and a standby position, a tool carriage can be brought into position on the active rail to perform a pipe joining operation and can be subsequently set back to the standby position, where it is out of the way of operations taking place on the pipe. Such a switching arrangement allows for more effective use of the limited space around the joint.