Segmented Bend Restrictor Elements for Flexible Pipe Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pipes used in deep and ultra-deep water environments face challenges such as over-bending during installation and operation, leading to reduced service life and increased risk of damage due to high pressures and temperatures, and the addition of bend restrictors can exacerbate these issues by increasing tie-in loads and temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A bend restrictor design comprising pivotable elements with a removable joining member that can be easily installed and uninstalled around the flexible pipe, allowing for a flexible shape and reducing the need for high-cost materials, and incorporating a buoyancy means for easier handling in remote environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bend restrictors are added to protect flexible pipes from over-bending, then pipe protection is improved, but tie-in loads and temperatures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bend restrictor is divided into multiple individual elements that can be independently positioned around the pipe. Each element provides localized protection while distributing the mechanical loads across multiple attachment points, reducing concentrated tie-in loads on any single point of the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The bend restrictor elements are designed with flexible materials and thin-walled structures that provide the necessary mechanical protection against over-bending while maintaining thermal conductivity to allow heat dissipation, thus protecting the pipe without significantly increasing operating temperatures.
2Reliability
If bend restrictors are permanently installed to protect flexible pipes, then pipe protection is improved, but service life is reduced due to increased temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The bend restrictor system is designed to be dynamic rather than static - elements can be positioned, adjusted, and removed as needed. This allows the protection system to be present during critical installation and operation phases while being removable during maintenance or when no longer needed, preventing thermal degradation and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The bend restrictor elements are designed as temporary protective measures that can be removed after serving their purpose. This allows the pipe to operate without the thermal influence of the restrictors during extended periods, preserving material integrity and extending service life while maintaining protection when required.
3Reliability
If complex bend restrictor designs are used to improve protection, then pipe protection is improved, but installation and removal time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bend restrictor is segmented into multiple independent elements that can be quickly attached and detached individually. This modular approach allows for rapid installation by simply positioning each element around the pipe and securing it, and equally rapid removal by detaching elements in sequence, significantly reducing total installation and removal time compared to a single complex integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses simple geometric interlocking features and friction-based retention rather than complex fastening systems. This allows elements to be securely attached through straightforward positioning and locking actions, enabling quick installation and removal without requiring tools or complex procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances the service life of flexible pipes by reducing tie-in loads and temperature-related stress, allowing for the use of less expensive materials and facilitating rapid installation and removal, especially in challenging sub-sea environments.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a buoyancy means for easier handling in remote environments
Data Source
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AI summary
An element (1) for a bend restrictor, the element (1) comprises a first part (2) and a second part (3) which together provide a cavity for receipt of a flexible pipe, in use, the two parts (2, 3) are pivotably connected together at a first portion thereof (4; 6) and are releasably coupled or couplable together at a second portion thereof (5; 7). Successive elements may be secured together to form a bend restrictor.