Spring Systems for Vortex Suppression Device Axial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VIV suppression devices, such as helical strakes and fairings, face challenges when installed on tubulars that experience diameter shrinkage due to hydrostatic pressure, as they are not compliant enough to accommodate the change, leading to potential detachment or increased deflection issues.
Innovation Solution
A spring system is integrated between the band and the VIV suppression device, allowing it to expand or contract with the tubular diameter, maintaining axial alignment and preventing detachment, using discrete springs that provide higher local pressure and greater compression to accommodate significant diameter changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If helical strakes or fairings are banded onto the tubular above water surface, then installation cost is reduced, but the bands cannot accommodate diameter shrinkage at depth causing detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static rigid bands with dynamic spring-based bands that can adapt their configuration. The spring bands expand and contract to accommodate the tubular's diameter changes from surface to depth, maintaining continuous contact and preventing detachment while allowing installation above water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by using spring bands whose physical parameters (length, configuration) change in response to diameter variations. The springs adjust their effective length and compression state as the tubular transitions from larger surface diameter to smaller deep-water diameter, maintaining attachment reliability across varying conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid bands are used to secure VIV suppression devices, then axial alignment is maintained, but they cannot accommodate diameter changes leading to increased deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bands provide dynamic adaptation while maintaining axial alignment. The springs can compress and expand to follow the tubular's diameter changes, ensuring the VIV suppression device remains properly aligned axially without rigid constraints that would cause deflection or detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The banding system is segmented into multiple spring elements rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows localized adaptation to diameter changes while collectively maintaining the overall axial alignment and positioning of the VIV suppression device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous spring or liner systems are used, then diameter change accommodation is provided, but they cannot accommodate significant diameter changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous spring system into discrete, independently functioning spring bands. Each spring segment can compress and expand significantly, and the segmented structure allows greater total accommodation of diameter changes compared to a continuous liner, while maintaining reliability through distributed spring elements.
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 spring system effectively maintains the position of VIV suppression devices on tubulars with changing diameters, reducing the risk of detachment and deflection, while allowing for greater accommodation of tubular shrinkage than continuous spring or liner systems.
Implementation Method 1
A spring member may be positioned between the band and the collar member or between the band and the strake section. The spring member may be dimensioned to accommodate a change in a diameter of the underlying tubular.
Data Source
AI summary
A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression system configured to accommodate a change in an underlying tubular diameter. The system including an encircling member dimensioned to at least partially encircle an underlying tubular. The encircling member may be, for example, a collar or a VIV suppression device such as a strake, or any other type of VIV suppression device. The system further including a band member dimensioned to encircle the encircling member and hold the encircling member around the underlying tubular at a desired axial position. A spring member may further be provided. The spring member may be positioned between the encircling member and the band member and dimensioned to contract in response to an increase in a diameter of the underlying tubular and expand in response to a decrease in a diameter of the underlying tubular such that the encircling member remains at the desired axial position.