Subsea Disruptive Coupling With Fluid Bladder for Vibration Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea equipment is affected by oceanic waves and currents, leading to vibration and motion that limits the operational lifespan and weather window, necessitating a cost-effective solution to reduce induced loads and extend operational lifespans.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a disruptive coupling device with a bladder enclosing a fluid, which moves in response to seawater loads, acting as a compliant degree of freedom to alter the modal response of subsea components, thereby reducing vibration and motion. This device can be externally or internally coupled to subsea components and includes a chamber with compressible and non-compressible fluids separated by a barrier wall and check valves to manage fluid movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional rigid coupling is used for subsea equipment, then structural strength is maintained, but wave and current induced vibration and motion increase, limiting operational lifespan and weather window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a rigid coupling to a dynamic coupling system that can adapt to varying wave and current conditions. The active mass device with adjustable mass and the compliant mounting system enable the coupling to dynamically respond to environmental loads, reducing vibration transmission to subsea equipment and extending operational lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The active mass device serves as an intermediary between the wave/current loads and the subsea equipment. This intermediate system absorbs and mitigates harmful vibrations through active mass adjustment and compliant mounting, protecting the equipment while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavier subsea equipment is used to withstand wave and current loads, then structural stability improves, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reinforcement (heavier equipment) with a dynamic vibration mitigation system. Instead of increasing mass for stability, the system uses active mass adjustment and compliant mounting to achieve stability while maintaining lighter, simpler equipment that is easier to install.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mass parameter dynamically through the active mass device, allowing optimization of stability characteristics without permanently increasing equipment mass. This enables stability to be achieved through parameter adjustment rather than through heavier construction.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If vibration mitigation systems are added to subsea equipment, then operational lifespan increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active mass device and compliant mounting system serve multiple functions: they mitigate vibration, adjust system dynamics, and adapt to varying environmental conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while extending operational lifespan.
4Productivity
If the weather window is extended through better vibration mitigation, then operational opportunities increase, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mitigation system operates autonomously, adjusting the active mass and compliant mounting characteristics in response to environmental conditions without requiring external control or complex monitoring systems. This self-service capability extends the weather window and operational opportunities while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
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 solution effectively increases the weather window and operational lifespan of subsea equipment by reducing vibration and motion, facilitating simpler, more compact designs, cost savings, and reduced installation time, without the need for a controller or specific tuning to loading frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
The disruptive coupling device may include a bladder enclosing at least partially a fluid, and the disruptive coupling device is configured to move at least a portion of the fluid in response to a load applied by the seawater
Implementation Method 2
The chamber has a compressible fluid in an upper portion of the chamber, and a second fluid in a lower portion of the chamber... and a check valve disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relates to disruptive coupling systems and methods, and apparatus thereof, for subsea systems. The subsea systems may be subsea oil and gas systems. In one implementation, a subsea system includes a subsea component disposed in seawater, and a disruptive coupling device coupled to the subsea structure and/or surrounding fluid.