Subsea Production Line Clamp for Precise Inspection Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inspection devices for production lines submerged in water lack precision and are inefficient in performing minute inspections due to limited contact surface and difficulty in to-and-from movements, especially at deeper depths where axial tension variations cause fatigue and corrosion issues in flexible pipes.

Innovation Solution

A clamp mechanism with a spacing-apart mechanism that allows the grasping member to move between spaced-apart and clamping configurations, enabling precise clamping and unclamping of production lines, combined with a mobile inspection device equipped with sensors for comprehensive surface inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a device moves on the production line using limited contact surface (wheels), then the device can travel along the production line, but the positioning precision and inspection precision are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection precisionVSAvoiddifficulty in to-and-from movements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional wheel-based mechanical movement system with a clamp-based system that uses axial clamping force to secure the device to the production line. This allows the device to be precisely positioned and securely held without relying on friction-based wheel contact, thereby improving inspection precision while enabling easier to-and-from movements through axial tension control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using variable axial tension in the production line itself as the driving and positioning mechanism. By adjusting the clamping force applied by the clamp along the axial direction, the device can achieve precise positioning and controlled movement without the limitations of wheel-based mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the clamp applies strong clamping force to secure the device, then the device can be firmly attached to the production line, but the device cannot accommodate axial tension variations without causing fatigue and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirm attachmentVSAvoidfatigue and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic clamping mechanism that can adapt to axial tension variations. The clamp is designed to maintain firm attachment through controlled axial clamping force while allowing the production line to undergo natural axial movements without transmitting excessive stress. This dynamic adjustment prevents fatigue and corrosion by avoiding rigid, fixed-force clamping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the clamping parameter from fixed force to variable axial force that responds to production line conditions. The clamp adjusts its clamping force dynamically based on axial tension variations, maintaining reliable attachment while accommodating the mechanical stresses and movements that occur during production line operation, thereby preventing fatigue and corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the grasping member remains in deployed position for easy unclamping, then the operation is simple, but the clamping precision and stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy unclampingVSAvoidclamping precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action through the spacing-apart mechanism that rhythmically moves the grasping member between deployed and retracted positions. During inspection, the grasping member is in the retracted position providing precise clamping. When unclamping is needed, it periodically moves to the deployed position. This periodic transition allows simple operation while maintaining high clamping precision during the inspection phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The grasping member is designed to be dynamic, switching between two distinct positions: retracted for precise clamping during inspection, and deployed for easy unclamping. This dynamic positioning system allows the operator to achieve both precise clamping and easy operation by simply actuating the grasping member to the appropriate position, with the spacing-apart mechanism facilitating smooth transitions between states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11472004B2Clamp of a device on a production line at least partially submerged in a body of water, mobile device and associated method

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 TECH FRANCE SA

AI summary

A clamp comprises a plurality of pads; a belt for clamping the pads that is maneuverable between an unclamped configuration and a configuration clamping the pads against the production line; a clamping actuator for the clamp, mounted on a first point of the clamp, the clamping actuator having a grasping member for a second point of the clamp, the grasping member being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position moving the second point towards the first point. The spacing-apart mechanism is able to move the grasping member between a spaced-apart configuration of the second point in the deployed position of the grasping member and a grasping configuration in an intermediate position between the deployed position and the retracted position.