Riser Connector With Locking Ring And Removable Pins

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Deepwater oil drilling risers face challenges with excessive weight due to large diameter auxiliary lines for pressure management, leading to increased mass and size, and existing connectors cause tensile stresses and maintenance difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A compact connector design featuring a removable internal locking ring with bayonet connections and translational blocking pins, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly while preventing simultaneous removal of the ring with two riser sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary lines are fastened with the main tube to withstand tensile stresses, then the strength and reliability of the riser is improved, but the mass and size of the floaters increase due to greater thickness values required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking ring is divided into modular sections with multiple removable pins distributed around its circumference. This segmentation allows the locking ring to be inspected and maintained in sections rather than as a single heavy component, reducing the overall mass requirement while maintaining structural integrity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking ring transitions from a static, fully fixed structure to a dynamic system with removable pins and bayonet connections. This allows the locking mechanism to be disassembled for inspection and maintenance without requiring replacement of entire heavy auxiliary lines, thereby reducing the mass needed to ensure reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If the locking ring is made fully removable for inspection and maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the risk of simultaneous disconnection of the ring with two riser sections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinspectionVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire locking ring removable at once, only specific sections are made removable through distributed pins. This partial action allows inspection and maintenance of specific areas without compromising the overall stability and preventing simultaneous disconnection of the entire ring with two riser sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple removable pins act as intermediaries between the locking ring and the riser sections. These pins provide controlled, incremental removal capability that maintains stability during inspection while enabling ease of repair when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If water depth and riser length are increased to reach deeper wells, then the productivity of deepwater drilling is improved, but the weight of the riser becomes very penalizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling depthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The riser is divided into multiple tubular elements that can be assembled in sections. The locking ring with removable pins enables efficient connection and disconnection of these segments, reducing assembly time and allowing the use of lighter materials that would be penalized by the increased length required for deepwater applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism parameters are optimized to reduce assembly time and operational complexity. The bayonet connection with removable pins allows for faster assembly and disassembly compared to traditional fixed locking mechanisms, enabling the use of lighter riser components that would otherwise be unsafe for deepwater applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the riser assembly time is decreased to improve operational efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the complexity of the connector design increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly timeVSAvoidconnector design

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking functions are merged into a single bayonet connection mechanism with removable pins. This integration achieves fast assembly through one rotational motion while incorporating inspection and maintenance capabilities, improving productivity without proportionally increasing connector design complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking ring serves multiple functions: mechanical locking, sealing, and inspection access. The removable pins provide both locking and inspection functions, while the bayonet connection enables both assembly and disassembly operations. This multi-functionality improves assembly time without requiring multiple separate components that would increase complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10704341B2Connector for assembling two riser segments, comprising an internal locking ring and removable pins

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES

AI summary

The present invention relates to a compact connector design with an internal locking ring (11). The connector according to the invention comprises a locking ring (11) allowing bayonet type connection on either side with two riser sections. Furthermore, the connector comprises at least one removable pin (12) for translationally blocking locking ring (11), notably upon locking and unlocking.