Deformable Pipe Mouth Protector for Mechanized Internal Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe protection systems for submerged oil exploitation are inefficient for removal, particularly in deep water environments, as they require costly and complex manual or robotic interventions, posing safety risks and being unsuitable for automated removal from the exterior.
Innovation Solution
A deformable protective part made of polyurethane material with thinned areas and anchoring means allows for non-manual, mechanized removal from the interior or exterior, using a winch and line system, enabling the part to deform and retract within the pipe, facilitating easy and cost-effective removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective part is made of rigid material to withstand transportation, then protection reliability is improved, but removal complexity increases requiring manual or robotic intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The protective part transitions from a rigid protective state to a deformable removal state. The part is designed with deformable material properties that allow it to maintain structural integrity during transportation while enabling controlled deformation during removal operations, eliminating the need for complex manual or robotic intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the protective part are specifically selected to change under certain conditions. The deformable material allows the part to withstand transportation forces while enabling easy deformation and retraction during removal, changing the physical state from rigid to flexible when removal is needed.
2Ease of operation
If the protective part is designed for easy removal from exterior, then removal ease is improved, but safety risks increase due to diver intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing for exterior removal as conventional systems do, the invention inverts the removal approach by enabling interior removal. The deformable material allows the protective part to be pulled from the interior of the pipe, eliminating the need for diver intervention and associated safety risks while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the protective part uses thinned areas for deformation, then removal ease is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective part incorporates thinned areas at specific locations where deformation is needed, while maintaining full thickness and strength in other critical areas. This local quality variation allows the part to deform easily during removal while retaining sufficient structural strength during the protective phase.
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
The solution provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method for removing the protective part from the pipe, reducing operational risks and complexity, while maintaining protection against fluids and foreign matter during transportation and exploitation.
Implementation Method 1
The protective part is made of a deformable material so as to be able to be removed from the interior of the pipe... the latter then deforms and folds back on itself, so it can move up along the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
System (1) for protecting the mouth (4) of a pipe (2), the system (1) comprising a protective part (10) that has a central portion (20) provided with at least one opening (22) for the passage of a fluid circulating in the pipe (2), and a peripheral portion (30) provided with skirts (31, 32, 33, 34) provided to protect surfaces (63, 64) of the mouth (4) from the fluid, the protective part (10) being made of a deformable material, so as to be able to be removed through the interior of the pipe (2).