Slotted Anti-Vibration Bracket for Subsea Equipment Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea equipment is prone to vibration damage due to elastomeric vibration dampeners dissolving in seawater, leading to bolt failure and weld fatigue, which reduces the service life and reliability of components.
Innovation Solution
A metallic anti-vibration bracket with a plate portion and array of slots that isolates components from vibration sources, dissipating energy and enhancing damping to protect sensitive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If elastomeric vibration dampeners are used to reduce vibrations, then vibration damping is improved, but the dampeners dissolve in seawater over time causing reliability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomeric to metallic (stainless steel), which fundamentally alters the chemical stability and durability properties. The metallic bracket maintains its mechanical properties in seawater environments where elastomers would dissolve, thus resolving the contradiction between vibration damping effectiveness and long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a metallic bracket with integrated elastomeric elements (feet or pads). The metallic bracket provides structural integrity and corrosion resistance, while the elastomeric elements provide vibration damping. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both vibration protection and durability in subsea environments.
2Strength
If rigid mounting is used to secure components, then structural strength is improved, but vibration transmission increases causing bolt failure and weld fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket applies different local properties to different regions: the main bracket body is rigid metallic structure for strength, while the contact feet incorporate elastomeric material for vibration isolation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of structural strength and vibration damping at critical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric feet act as an intermediary element between the rigid metallic bracket and the mounted component. This intermediate layer absorbs and dampens vibrations while transmitting necessary mechanical loads, preventing direct vibration transmission that would cause bolt failure and weld fatigue.
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 anti-vibration bracket effectively reduces vibrational forces transmitted to sensitive components, increasing their service life and reliability by isolating them from vibration sources.
Implementation Method 1
The anti-vibration bracket effectively reduces vibrational forces transmitted to sensitive components, increasing their service life and reliability by isolating them from vibration sources
Data Source
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AI summary
A subsea equipment assembly (10) comprising a first component (12) having an axis (18), a second component (14) and an anti-vibration bracket (16). The anti-vibration bracket (16) is attached to the first component (12) and the second component (14). In use the first component (12) is caused to vibrate at least in a radial direction relative to the axis (18). The anti-vibration bracket (16) comprises a plate portion (52). The plate portion (52) extends at least radially away from the first component (12) and comprises an attachment region (54) located a radial distance away from the first component (12), the second component (14) is attached to the attachment region (54). The anti-vibration bracket (16) comprises an array of slots (58), at least some of the slots (60) of the array of slots (58) are located between the first component (12) and the attachment region (54).