Submerged Pipe Clamp Strain Gauge Torque Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamps used for submerged pipes face reliability issues due to uncertainty in maintaining the correct torque after maintenance, as sediment and corrosion can affect the torque measurement over time, even if the initial torque was correctly set.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a strain gauge into the pipe clamp design to measure the tension around the flange, allowing for accurate torque verification using an ROV with a suitable reading apparatus, ensuring consistent and reliable closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pipe clamp is tensioned with a rotary tool calibrated on the surface, then the initial torque can be set correctly, but the torque measurement becomes unreliable after submersion due to sediment and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical torque measurement system (rotary tool with gear transmission) with a strain gauge-based measurement system. The strain gauge directly measures the tension force in the pipe clamp, providing accurate torque verification without relying on mechanical calibration that degrades in submerged environments. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of sediment and corrosion on measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe clamp performs self-measurement of its own tension through the integrated strain gauge. The strain gauge is embedded in the pipe clamp structure and automatically measures the tension force when the pipe clamp is tightened, eliminating the need for external calibration and measurement tools that are susceptible to environmental degradation.
2Ease of operation
If the pipe clamp is opened for maintenance work, then access to the pipeline interior is enabled, but the torque verification becomes uncertain after reclosing
Solution Approach 1:
The strain gauge provides real-time feedback on the tension force during the tightening process. The ROV operator can monitor the strain gauge reading and adjust the tightening accordingly to achieve the desired torque, ensuring reliable connection integrity after maintenance work. This feedback mechanism eliminates the uncertainty of torque verification that exists with traditional calibration methods.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If sediment and corrosion accumulate on the pipe clamp surfaces, then the pipe clamp can function in submerged environments, but the torque measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical torque measurement system with an electrical strain gauge measurement system. The strain gauge measures tension through electrical resistance changes rather than mechanical contact, making it immune to the harmful effects of sediment and corrosion that plague mechanical measurement systems in submerged environments.
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
Ensures that the pipe clamp is correctly tensioned to the desired torque, even after maintenance, by providing real-time tension measurement, thus maintaining the integrity of the submerged pipe connections.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe clamp being provided with at least one strain gauge arranged to measure the tension of the pipe clamp around the flange of the pipe when the pipe clamp is closed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A pipe clamp (1) for joining submerged pipes provided with flanges, the pipe clamp (1) including at least two segments (11, 13, 15) connected by at least one hinge (2, 3) and the pipe clamp (1) further being provided with a threaded bolt (5) arranged to open and close the pipe clamp (1), and the pipe clamp (1) being provided with at least one strain gauge (71-76) arranged to measure the tension of the pipe clamp (1) around the flange of the pipe when the pipe clamp (1) is closed by means of the threaded bolt (5). A method of tensioning a pipe clamp (1) and a use of strain gauges (71-76) to measure the tension of a pipe clamp (1) are described as well.