Additive-Manufactured Polymer Subsea Frame for Service Line Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea connections for service lines, such as hydraulic cables and chemical delivery, require expensive and time-consuming manufacturing processes, and are prone to corrosion and deformation, leading to potential fluid leakage and pollution.
Innovation Solution
A frame made of polymer parts, manufactured via additive manufacturing, which surrounds and protects service lines, providing a cost-effective and corrosion-resistant solution that reduces the need for cathodic protection and allows for quick assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional metal frames are used for subsea connections, then structural strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase, and corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal to polymer, fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve corrosion resistance while maintaining adequate structural strength for subsea applications. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that inherently resists corrosion without requiring expensive protective measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame utilizes composite construction with a polymer outer frame and internal support structures, combining the corrosion resistance of polymer with the strength where needed. This composite approach allows the frame to achieve both durability against corrosion and sufficient structural integrity while being more cost-effective than solid metal construction.
2Strength
If traditional metal frames are used for subsea connections, then structural strength is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal to polymer, fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve corrosion resistance while maintaining adequate structural strength for subsea applications. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that inherently resists corrosion without requiring expensive protective measures.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex manufacturing processes are used for frames, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame components are pre-manufactured with precise dimensions using additive manufacturing technology, which allows for high precision to be achieved during the manufacturing process itself rather than requiring complex post-processing or assembly adjustments. This preliminary precision manufacturing resolves the contradiction by embedding precision into the manufacturing process rather than adding complexity afterward.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame, for example a carrier frame, for use in a subsea environment. The frame may include a hollow body configured to receive a plurality of service lines. The hollow body is made up of two or more parts made of a polymer. A method of manufacturing a frame is also provided in which the two or more parts of the hollow body are made by additive manufacturing.