Pipe Restraint Sling Assembly for Selective High-Pressure Line Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temporary high pressure pipelines in the offshore oil and gas industry pose a risk of violent movement during failures, potentially causing injury or damage due to the lack of effective restraint systems that can securely manage the movement without disassembling all slings.
Innovation Solution
A restraint system utilizing endless loop slings connected end-to-end with hitch type connections and disconnectable fittings, such as shackles, allows for secure attachment to the pipeline at intervals using knotted connectors, enabling selective disconnection and maintenance without disassembling the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional restraint systems are used on temporary high pressure pipelines, then the pipelines can be restrained during failures, but the entire system must be disassembled for maintenance or service of any section
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into multiple independent modular units, each comprising a sling assembly with disconnectable fittings. These modular units can be independently connected and disconnected from specific pipe sections, allowing maintenance of individual sections without affecting the entire restraint system. Each module can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system incorporates disconnectable fittings (such as quick-connect couplings or release mechanisms) that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the system. These fittings allow operators to quickly connect or disconnect restraint modules from pipe sections without permanent attachment, facilitating easy maintenance while maintaining restraint capability on other sections.
2Ease of operation
If disconnectable connections are added to enable selective disconnection, then maintenance of selected sections becomes possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnectable fittings are designed as universal connectors that can be standardized across different restraint modules and pipe configurations. These multi-functional fittings serve multiple purposes: providing secure attachment during operation, enabling quick disconnection for maintenance, and allowing reconfiguration for different pipe sections. This universality reduces the variety of components needed and simplifies operator training.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnectable fittings act as intermediary elements between the restraint slings and the pipe sections. These intermediary connectors provide the interface that enables selective connection and disconnection, isolating the complexity of the disconnection mechanism from both the sling assembly and the pipe system, thereby simplifying the overall operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint system for use in securing temporary flow lines that include multiple pipe sections, each pair of pipe sections connected together with a fitting or coupling such as a hammer joint coupling. The system includes multiple pluralities of endless loop slings connected end to end with a cow hitch or girth hitch knot. Disconnectable fittings (e.g., shackles) are placed every three or more slings so that easy disassembly is afforded in case of leakage or other failure. In one embodiment, a waterproof sleeve is an outer layer that surrounds or encapsulates an inner layer so that the inner layer remains dry and thus will not freeze.