Flexible Pipe Reinforcement Winding to Prevent Profile Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing reinforcing structures for flexible pipes used in submarine oil and gas transport face issues with geometric defects and mechanical performance due to speed differentials between main and additional profiles, leading to potential collapse and fatigue from pressure differentials and vibratory phenomena.
Innovation Solution
An installation with profiling gears and winding means that control the speed differential between main and additional profiles, using rotatably mounted rollers to ensure precise alignment and tension, and a support member to prevent buckling, while a mandrel with controlled rotational speed aids in assembly without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a carcass with main profile and additional profile is used to prevent collapse, then resistance to collapse is improved, but geometric defects occur due to speed differential between profiles
Solution Approach 1:
A mandrel serves as an intermediary support member during the winding process. The mandrel receives both the main profile and additional profile, providing a common reference surface that ensures proper alignment and eliminates geometric defects caused by speed differentials between the two profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel creates a common reference level for both profiles during winding. By having both profiles wind around the same mandrel surface, the system achieves equipotential conditions where speed differentials no longer cause misalignment or geometric defects in the final carcass structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional profile is inserted to fill already to prevent pulsations, then flow stability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to speed differential
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel acts as a mediator that facilitates the assembly of the additional profile into the already. By providing a common winding surface, the mandrel eliminates the assembly difficulties caused by speed differentials, allowing the additional profile to be properly inserted to fill the already and stabilize flow.
3Manufacturing precision
If profiling heads are used to shape profiles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple rollers and drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the profiling and winding functions into a single integrated system. The profiling heads with their rollers are mounted on the mandrel, and the same mandrel rotation performs both the profiling action and the winding operation, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation (1) for the manufacture of a reinforcing structure (8) of a flexible pipe (2) comprising a plate (10), upon which is arranged: a first profiling section (11) of a main strip (81a) to form a main profile (8a) - a second profiling section (12) of an additional strip (81b) comprising at least one additional profiling head (14) comprising at least one pair of additional lower and upper rollers (14a, 14b) adapted to fold the additional strip (81b) to form an additional profile (8b), - a means for driving the at least one main profiling head (13), - a means for winding the main profile (8a) and the additional profile (8b) downstream of the first profiling section (11) and the second profiling section (12), characterised in that the additional pair or pairs of lower and upper rollers (14a, 14b) of said or all of said additional profiling heads (14) are rotatably mounted relative to the plate (10). The present installation enables the manufacture of a reinforcement structure with fewer geometrical defects and thus with improved mechanical strength.