Single-Barrel Tower Pipe Laying Device with Rotatable Chute
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe laying devices for fluid transport in water bodies are limited in accessibility and adaptability, occupying significant deck space and being bulky, which restricts flexibility in pipe deployment, especially when laying pipes over the side edge of the structure rather than through a central well.
Innovation Solution
A pipe laying device featuring a single-barrel tower with a solid peripheral surface and rotatably mounted chute, allowing for angular displacement of gripping and moving assemblies to accommodate various deployment configurations, including laying pipes over the side edge of the structure, and enabling efficient space management on the deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional pipe laying device with multiple barrels and fixed chute is used, then the device provides structural stability, but the device occupies significant deck space and lacks adaptability for different deployment configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional multi-barrel tower structure is segmented into a single barrel with a rotatably mounted chute assembly. This segmentation allows the chute to be independently positioned while the single barrel maintains structural stability, reducing overall footprint while preserving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The chute is made rotatable around the barrel axis, transforming from a fixed to a dynamic configuration. This allows the chute to be positioned at different angles to accommodate various deployment scenarios (central well vs. side edge laying) while using the same compact single-barrel structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe is laid through a central well formed in the hull, then the pipe deployment is controlled and stable, but the device cannot accommodate laying pipes over the side edge of the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The chute's rotational capability around the barrel allows dynamic repositioning between central well alignment and side edge positioning. This maintains reliable controlled deployment for central well applications while adding the flexibility to lay pipes over the side edge when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-barrel device with rotatable chute serves multiple deployment functions: it can lay pipes through the central well like traditional devices, or position the chute laterally to lay pipes over the side edge, making it a universal solution for different operational requirements.
3Strength
If a bulky multi-component laying device is used, then the structural stability is ensured, but the device complexity increases and space management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (barrel, chute, gripping assemblies) are merged into a more integrated single-barrel structure. The chute rotates around the single barrel rather than having separate fixed barrels, reducing component count while maintaining structural integrity through the robust single-barrel design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device comprising a tower (30) intended to protrude along a tower axis (B-B') in a floating laying structure (10) and assemblies (34A, 34B) for gripping and moving the duct (12) in order to guide the movement of the duct (12) towards the expanse of water (11) along a laying axis (C-C'). The gripping and moving assemblies (34A, 34B) are each supported by the tower (30). The tower (30) comprises a barrel (32) extending along the entire tower axis (B-B'), and the or each gripping assembly protrudes transversally from the barrel (32) relative to the tower axis (B-B').