Modular Pipeline Envelope with Integral Spring Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic envelope elements for underwater pipelines tend to come loose at great depths due to hydrostatic pressure, which reduces the pipeline's outside diameter, causing the envelope elements to shift or detach from the pipeline, and existing solutions like resilient clamping with spring elements have undesirable slit-shaped interruptions or require laborious axial fitting.
Innovation Solution
A modular plastic envelope element with integrally manufactured local spring portions that deform under spring force to maintain a secure fit around the pipeline, even as it compresses under hydrostatic pressure, featuring a projecting wall portion that is resiliently hingeable and forms passages to prevent water stagnation and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If envelope elements are fitted tightly around the pipeline above water, then secure attachment is achieved, but the envelope elements come loose at great depths due to hydrostatic pressure reducing the pipeline diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope element incorporates a dynamic spring portion that can deform elastically in response to changing pipeline dimensions. This spring portion transitions from a relaxed state above water to a compressed state under hydrostatic pressure, maintaining continuous contact and secure attachment throughout the depth variation without coming loose.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope element is designed to accommodate parameter changes in the pipeline, specifically diameter reduction under pressure. The spring portion's elastic properties allow it to adapt to the changing pipeline dimensions, maintaining the envelope element's secure fit despite the pipeline's compression at great depths.
2Reliability
If resilient clamping with spring elements is used, then attachment security is improved, but slit-shaped interruptions or laborious axial fitting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion is integrated directly into the envelope element as an integral component rather than being a separate element. This merging of the spring function into the envelope structure itself eliminates the need for separate clamping elements, axial fitting procedures, and slit-shaped interruptions, simplifying the overall device while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion is formed as a flexible, resilient wall portion within the envelope element that can deform elastically. This flexible structure provides the necessary clamping force through its elastic properties while maintaining a continuous, simple envelope structure without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems.
3Productivity
If modular design is used, then manufacturing efficiency and versatility are improved, but ensuring secure fit across varying depths and diameters becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The modular envelope element incorporates a dynamic spring portion that automatically adapts to different pipeline diameters and depth conditions. This elastic adaptation mechanism ensures consistent secure fit across varying operational conditions while maintaining the manufacturing efficiency and versatility benefits of modular design.
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 modular design ensures the envelope elements remain securely attached to the pipeline across varying depths and diameters, preventing detachment and allowing for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing with a single design suitable for multiple pipeline types, while integrated passages prevent corrosion and ensure proper water flow.
Implementation Method 1
at least one local spring portion manufactured integrally with the envelope element, which local spring portion with respect to remaining portions of the envelope element located next to the local spring portion functions as a local spring and is deformable under spring force of the local spring portion from a relaxed condition of the local spring portion to a tensioned condition of the local spring portion, and vice versa
Implementation Method 2
the local spring portion is at least formed by a wall portion of the envelope element projecting in the relaxed condition on the inner side of the envelope element, which projecting wall portion is resiliently hingeable with respect to said remaining portions of the envelope element located next to the local spring portion
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of other edges, not being the two said hinge edges, of the projecting wall portion does not adjoin said remaining portions of the envelope element located next to the local spring portion, in a manner such that between the non-adjoining portion of said other edges, on the one hand, and said remaining portions of the envelope element located next to the local spring portion, on the other hand, in the relaxed condition at least one passage is formed in the envelope element
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic envelope element for an underwater pipeline comprises at least one local spring portion manufactured integrally with the envelope element. The envelope element is modular in circumferential direction of the pipeline. The local spring portion is at least formed by a wall portion of the envelope element in the relaxed condition projecting on the inner side of the envelope element. In its tensioned condition, the local spring portion does not project, or projects to a lesser extent than in the relaxed condition, on the inner side of the envelope element, such that in its fitted condition the local spring portion presses under its spring force against the pipeline. The projecting wall portion extends bridgingly between two mutually parallel and mutually spaced hinge edges of the projecting wall portion. Between the non-adjoining portion of other edges, on the one hand, and remaining portions of the envelope element located next to the spring portion, on the other hand, in the relaxed condition at least one passage is formed in the envelope element.