Pipeline Gap Coating Device With Oscillating Spray Nozzles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coating the surface area of gaps in offshore pipelines lack precision and uniformity, leading to uneven distribution of anti-corrosion coatings, which can result in reduced protection against corrosive influences.
Innovation Solution
A device with a frame, spray nozzle support element, and mechanisms for linear and rotary motion allows for controlled and accurate application of coating material along the length and circumference of the pipeline, ensuring uniform coverage by adjusting the position and output of spray nozzles to compensate for gravitational influences and overlap spray cones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single spray nozzle is used to apply coating material to the gap surface area, then the application process is simple, but the coating distribution becomes uneven due to the spray cone pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The single spray nozzle is divided into multiple spray nozzles (at least two) arranged in parallel, each producing its own spray cone. This segmentation allows the coating material to be applied through multiple overlapping spray cones, achieving more uniform distribution across the gap surface area while maintaining the simplicity of the spray application process
2Device complexity
If the spray nozzle is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the coating coverage along the length of the gap is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzles are mounted on a movable support element that can be translated along the longitudinal axis of the pipeline by a linear motion mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the spray nozzles to traverse the entire length of the gap surface area, ensuring complete coating coverage while adding only minimal complexity through the inclusion of a linear motion mechanism
3Productivity
If coating material is applied in a single pass, then the process is fast, but the coating uniformity is poor due to gravitational influence on powder distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary motion mechanism oscillates the spray nozzle support element back and forth about the longitudinal axis of the pipeline, creating a periodic motion pattern. This oscillation causes the spray nozzles to alternately target different circumferential positions, ensuring that coating material is distributed uniformly around the pipeline circumference and compensating for gravitational effects on powder distribution while maintaining relatively fast application speed
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 device enables a fast and uniform application of anti-corrosion coating, ensuring consistent protection along the pipeline by adjusting for gravitational variations and overlapping spray cones, resulting in a more effective barrier against corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
Heat transferred from the heated surface area to the coating forming material in powder form applied thereon cures the material in powder form such that a permanent coating results
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is for coating a surface area of a gap in the coating of a pipeline, said surface area having a length along the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline and a width of at least part of the circumference of the pipeline. The device according to the invention comprises: a frame; a spray nozzle support element supporting a number of spray nozzles; a linear motion mechanism configured for translating the spray nozzle support element relative to the frame and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and support members configured for arranging the frame stationary relative to the pipeline with said longitudinal axis of said frame coinciding with the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline.