Riser Connector Locking Collar Ring Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep-sea riser pipes face significant weight penalties and increased assembly time due to high water depths, requiring larger diameters for auxiliary lines to manage pressure drops, and existing solutions fail to effectively distribute longitudinal stresses efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A compact connector design featuring a male and female flange system with a locking collar and ring, utilizing tenons and axial shoulders to securely connect riser pipe sections, allowing for efficient stress transmission and distribution between main and auxiliary tube elements, and enabling fast, robust assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the riser pipe length is increased to reach greater water depths, then the drilling capability is improved, but the weight of the riser pipe increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The riser pipe is divided into multiple tubular elements that are assembled in sections. Each element has connectors at both ends, allowing the riser to be constructed in modular segments rather than as a single continuous pipe, reducing the weight of individual handling units while achieving greater total length.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates auxiliary lines (kill line, choke line, booster line, hydraulic line) that run through the main tube, utilizing the internal space dimension to transmit multiple functions simultaneously without increasing external diameter or weight proportionally.
2Quantity of substance
If the inside diameter of auxiliary lines is increased to limit pressure drops at great lengths, then the fluid flow capability is improved, but the connector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple auxiliary lines (kill line, choke line, booster line, hydraulic line) are integrated within the main tube structure, with their connectors merged into a single connector assembly at each end of the tubular elements, simplifying the overall connector design while maintaining adequate flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed as a universal assembly that handles multiple functions simultaneously - connecting main tubes, securing auxiliary lines, providing sealing, and enabling stress distribution - thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality rather than separate specialized components.
3Productivity
If the riser pipe assembly time is decreased to improve productivity, then the operational efficiency is improved, but the assembly precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are pre-assembled with auxiliary lines secured and sealing elements positioned before the tubular elements are lowered into position. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid on-site assembly while maintaining precision, as the complex alignment work is completed during manufacturing rather than during field installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates self-aligning features and self-sealing mechanisms that automatically ensure proper positioning and sealing when tubular elements are connected, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools during assembly, thereby maintaining precision while speeding up the process.
4Ease of manufacture
If the connector design is simplified to reduce device complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stress transmission capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector utilizes composite construction combining metallic tubular elements with auxiliary lines that can be made of different materials optimized for specific functions. This allows the overall connector assembly to achieve high stress transmission capability through material composition rather than through complex geometric features, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
The connector comprises a male flange 15 and a female flange 14 allowing to assemble a main tube and auxiliary line tubes 11. A locking collar 17 and a locking ring 40 assemble the male flange and the female flange. Locking collar 17 is mounted mobile in rotation on the outer surface of the male flange while cooperating with the outer surfaces of the male and female flanges. Locking ring 40 is mounted mobile in rotation on the male element of the connector while cooperating with the inner surface of the female connector.