Riser Connector Assembly Rotating Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing riser connector designs for subsea hydrocarbon extraction are heavy and inefficient in transferring loads between riser joints, particularly at great water depths, due to the need for thick auxiliary lines under pressure, which complicates the optimization of connector mass and load transfer.
Innovation Solution
A riser connector assembly with a locking device that rotates between interlocked and unlocked positions, allowing for efficient axial movement and disconnection, featuring a non-circular flange geometry and spider guide structure to reduce weight and optimize load transfer while maintaining reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick auxiliary lines are used to withstand high pressure, then pressure resistance is improved, but connector mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a body portion that receives auxiliary lines, a locking device with locking members, and a seal element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the use of thinner auxiliary lines while maintaining overall structural integrity and pressure resistance through the distributed locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device incorporates a rotatable element that transitions between locked and unlocked positions, providing dynamic control over the connection state. This dynamic mechanism allows for secure locking with reduced material requirements compared to static, over-engineered connections, thereby reducing connector mass while maintaining pressure resistance.
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated locking device with locking members that engage with corresponding features on the auxiliary lines. This extraction simplifies the overall design by providing a focused locking mechanism rather than integrating complex locking features into multiple components, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the rotation of the rotatable element, which automatically engages or disengages the locking members without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains connection reliability while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A riser connector assembly includes a first connector assembly portion with first locking members, a second connector assembly portion with second locking members, and a locking device with third and fourth locking members. The locking device is rotatably connected to the first connector assembly portion. The locking device rotates between a first position where each of the locking members are interlocked, a second position where the first and third locking members are interlocked, and the second and fourth locking members are not interlocked, and a third position where none of the locking members are interlocked, so that the locking device is removable. The first and third locking members selectively/releasably interlock via a relative rotation between the first connector assembly portion and the locking device. The second and fourth locking members selectively/releasably interlock via a relative rotation between the second connector assembly portion and the locking device.