Pipelaying Piggyback Clamp Welded Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current piggybacking methods for joining parallel pipes or cables during offshore operations are labor-intensive and inefficient, leading to reduced pipelaying speeds and increased costs, due to the need for manual intervention and the use of cumbersome clamps that require substantial tension and may not maintain alignment without overbending the secondary pipe.
Innovation Solution
The use of half-shell piggyback pads with barbs that engage in opposed holes to secure and clamp the primary and secondary elements together, allowing for automated assembly and reduced reliance on straps, enabling faster and more stable clamping of elongate elements in a parallel arrangement during subsea laying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention and cumbersome clamps are used to join parallel pipes during piggybacking, then the clamping force and alignment can be maintained, but the pipelaying speed decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical clamp system with a welded connection system. The clamp segments are positioned around the secondary pipe, then welded together to form a permanent connection, eliminating the need for manual intervention and complex mechanical fastening mechanisms while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the connection method from reversible mechanical clamping to permanent welding. This parameter change transforms the joining process from one requiring continuous manual adjustment to one that is automatically secured through welding, thereby increasing pipelaying speed while maintaining alignment stability
2Reliability
If traditional clamps with substantial tension are used to secure secondary pipe to primary pipe, then the elements remain aligned, but the secondary pipe may be overbent and the process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the tension-based mechanical clamp system with a welding-based connection system. The clamp segments are positioned around the secondary pipe and then welded together, eliminating the need for substantial tension and manual adjustment while preventing overbending of the secondary pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process creates a self-securing connection where the clamp segments are permanently joined together around the secondary pipe. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous manual intervention to maintain alignment, thereby improving ease of operation while ensuring reliable alignment maintenance
3Strength
If cumbersome clamps requiring substantial tension are used for piggybacking, then the elements can be clamped together, but the device complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical clamp system requiring substantial tension with a simpler welding-based connection system. The clamp segments are positioned and then welded together, providing strong clamping force through the welding process rather than through complex mechanical tensioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the method of applying clamping force from mechanical tension to thermal welding. This parameter change simplifies the device structure by eliminating complex tensioning mechanisms while maintaining or enhancing the strength of the connection through the welding process
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
This solution enhances pipelaying speed by reducing manual labor and vessel time, maintaining alignment and stability of the elements, and minimizing the risk of overbending, thus lowering operational costs and improving the efficiency of the pipelaying process.
Implementation Method 1
The pads are secured by barbs that engage in opposed holes in the mating pads as the pads are brought together
Data Source
AI summary
A method of clamping elongate elements in a parallel piggybacked arrangement during subsea laying of the elements is disclosed. The method includes opposed reciprocating jaws which force together clamp segments around the elongate elements to assemble a piggybacking clamp. The piggybacking clamp applies clamping forces to the elongate elements.