Expandable Subsea Guide Rod Locking for High-Load Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide rods face challenges in securely locking onto subsea components, particularly in withstanding large forces, compatibility with various well equipment, and ensuring ease of manufacturing and reliability, while being suitable for remote operations.
Innovation Solution
A guide rod design featuring a wedge mechanism that allows axial movement, expanding or contracting flexible sections to lock into a receptacle, distributing forces away from the wellhead, and ensuring a stress-free fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the guide rod uses a locking mechanism to withstand large forces, then the force-bearing capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rod is divided into multiple flexible sections separated by openings, allowing each section to independently deform and absorb force. This segmentation enables the structure to handle large forces through distributed deformation rather than relying on a complex locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rod transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can deform under load. The flexible sections allow the rod to adapt its shape when subjected to large forces, enabling force absorption through controlled deformation rather than static locking mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide rod is designed to be compatible with existing systems, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rod's outer diameter can be varied along its length with different configurations of openings and flexible sections. This parameter variation allows the same basic design to accommodate different existing systems and receptacles while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized production methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If the guide rod uses a simple structure for ease of manufacture, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of locking into receptacle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sections of the guide rod automatically deform and expand to engage with the receptacle walls during insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate locking components while ensuring reliable engagement through the inherent elastic recovery of the flexible sections.
4Force
If the guide rod includes multiple openings forming flexible sections, then the force distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rod is divided into multiple flexible sections separated by openings, allowing each section to independently deform and absorb force. This segmentation enables the structure to handle large forces through distributed deformation rather than relying on a complex locking mechanism.
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 guide rod effectively transfers large forces to the foundation structure, maintaining a stress-free connection, and supports reliable subsea component installation with ease of manufacturing and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of openings forming elongate flexible sections of the element
Data Source
AI summary
A guide rod for guiding two subsea components together. The guide rod comprises a hollow and cylindrical element being and comprising a first circumferential shoulder towards a first end, a second circumferential shoulder towards an opposite second end, and a plurality of openings extending radially through the element and axially along the element, the plurality of openings forming elongate flexible sections of the element, and extending through the first circumferential shoulder; a wedge inside the element comprises a cone shaped section, the wedge restricted from rotating relative to the element and comprising an end being outside of the element; a cone connected to the end of the wedge and cone shaped with a vertex pointing away from the element; and a mechanism for moving the wedge axially relative to the element in an insertion direction, and opposite the insertion direction, of the guide rod.