Reel Guide Conduit for Symmetrical Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In offshore oil production, especially in extreme weather conditions, the existing bottom-surface connection installations experience irregular and asymmetrical force distribution on the reel, leading to increased stress and wear on rotational guide elements due to the concentration of flexible pipes of varying diameters, resulting in localized fatigue and reduced installation lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of non-vertical guide pipes within the reel, which redirect the flexible pipes through a cylindrical internal structure with offset connections, allowing forces to be transferred more symmetrically and uniformly along the periphery, reducing stress concentrations and wear on rotational guide elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flexible pipes are concentrated at specific locations on the reel, then connection efficiency is improved, but force distribution becomes irregular and asymmetrical, increasing stress on rotational guide elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the guide pipe arrangement to compensate for the asymmetrical pipe concentration. The guide pipes are positioned at specific angular locations and with specific inclinations to redirect forces from concentrated pipe connections to achieve a more symmetrical force distribution pattern on the reel structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection efficiency and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pipes act as intermediary elements between the flexible pipes and the reel structure. These guide pipes redirect and redistribute the forces transmitted by the flexible pipes, transforming the irregular force pattern from concentrated connections into a more uniform distribution across the reel, thus protecting the rotational guide elements from excessive localized stress.
2Device complexity
If flexible pipes are concentrated at specific locations on the reel, then installation complexity is reduced, but localized fatigue increases due to irregular force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetrical guide pipe positioning to transform the asymmetrical pipe concentration into a symmetrical force distribution. The guide pipes are strategically placed at specific angular intervals and with specific inclinations to ensure that forces from concentrated connections are redistributed uniformly, thereby reducing localized fatigue while preserving the simplified installation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pipes serve as intermediary structures that mediate between the simplified concentrated pipe connections and the requirement for uniform force distribution. By introducing these intermediate guide elements, the system achieves both low installation complexity and high reliability against localized fatigue through force redistribution.
3Device complexity
If vertical guide pipes are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but force distribution remains irregular and asymmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the guide pipe inclination angles to compensate for the asymmetrical pipe connections. Rather than using all vertical guide pipes, the invention employs guide pipes with varying inclinations positioned at specific angular locations, creating a symmetrical force distribution pattern that improves strength while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the guide pipes from a uniform vertical configuration to a varied configuration with different inclinations and angular positions. This parameter change transforms the force distribution from irregular and asymmetrical to homogeneous and symmetrical, while the overall structural complexity remains manageable through systematic arrangement.
4Productivity
If the number of flexible pipes is increased, then production capacity is improved, but wear on rotational guide elements increases due to concentration effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in guide pipe arrangement to distribute the increased load from multiple flexible pipes uniformly. By positioning guide pipes at specific angular intervals with varied inclinations, the system can accommodate a higher number of flexible pipes (increased production capacity) while preventing concentration effects that would otherwise accelerate wear on rotational guide elements, thereby extending their service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pipes act as intermediary force-distributing elements that enable the system to handle a larger number of flexible pipes without proportionally increasing wear on rotational guide elements. The guide pipes redistribute the concentrated forces from multiple connections into a uniform pressure distribution, protecting the rotational guide elements and extending their duration of action while maintaining high production capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a floating support (1) for oil production comprising a reel (2) traversed by a plurality of first flexible pipes (4, 4a-4c) linked (7) to an upper platform (2c) characterised in that said reel comprises at least one guide and deflection conduit (5) capable of containing and guiding a so-called first flexible pipe (4), passing through the inside of said cylindrical internal structure (2a) of the reel in a non-vertical manner between: a) said bottom wall (2b) at a first location (C1) in said bottom wall where said guide conduit is secured, and b) an internal platform (6) above said bottom wall, the top end (5c) of said guide conduit (5) being secured (6b) to said internal platform (6) at a second location (C2) where the top end (4-3) of said flexible pipe (4) contained in said guide conduit is secured or is capable of being secured, said second location not being vertically aligned with said first location.