ROV Banding System for Deepwater Umbilical Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of subsea umbilicals and flow lines in deep water environments poses challenges in securing them to fixed structures, leading to potential damage and increased operational costs due to improper fixation, as human divers are limited in depth and cannot effectively secure these lines in deep water settings.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with a banding system, including jaws, a band distribution system, and a band installation mechanism, is used to securely attach bands around subsea structures, allowing for precise alignment and fixation of umbilicals and flow lines, even in deep water depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If human divers are used to secure flow lines and umbilicals, then the attachment can be performed with simple equipment, but the depth is limited to several hundred feet only
Solution Approach 1:
An ROV serves as an intermediary vehicle between the surface control system and the deep water attachment task. The ROV is equipped with a banding system including a banding tool, drum, and deployment mechanism that enables securement operations at depths exceeding human diving capabilities while maintaining operational control from the surface.
2Productivity
If the number of flow lines and umbilicals is increased, then the power and communication capacity is improved, but the complexity of routing and affixing them to fixed structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The banding system designed on the ROV is a universal attachment mechanism that can secure multiple different types of subsea components including flow lines, umbilicals, and other conduits to fixed structures. This multi-functional capability addresses the increasing complexity of routing diverse lines while maintaining standardized attachment procedures.
3Productivity
If flow lines and umbilicals are improperly clamped or fixated, then the installation process is simpler and faster, but the risk of damage, leakage, and operational costs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The banding system incorporates self-adjusting and self-securing mechanisms that automatically ensure proper tension and fixation of bands around subsea components. The system includes tensioning mechanisms and locking features that maintain reliable attachment without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures, thus achieving both speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for installing a band around a rigid subsea structure includes a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a main body. A set of jaws extendable beyond an outer perimeter of the main body are coupled to the ROV. The system also includes a band distribution system operatively and a band installation mechanism operatively coupled to the ROV.