Subsea Load Transferring Structure Externalizing Bending Moments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pipe connection systems transmit all loads through the joint connection into internal piping, which can lead to excessive stress and potential leakage, especially under bending moments, as they do not allow for load distribution external to the pipe ends.
Innovation Solution
A load transferring subsea structure with a stationary and manoeuvrable component, featuring guide structures with predetermined configurations and tolerances, allows for the distribution of loads external to the pipe ends, relieving the internal piping and connectors by routing a share of loads through the structure's guide means, thereby reducing stress on the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all loads are transmitted through the joint connection into internal piping, then the connection system is simple, but the stress on connectors and internal piping becomes excessive leading to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The load transmission path is segmented into two separate paths: an internal path through the pipe walls and joints, and an external path through the guide structures and support structures. This segmentation allows the external load path to carry bending moments and external forces, relieving the internal piping and connectors from excessive stress while maintaining connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Guide structures with predetermined configurations act as intermediaries between the pipe ends and the support structures. These guide structures receive and transmit external loads through their predetermined geometric configurations, preventing direct transmission of bending moments to the connectors and internal piping, thereby reducing stress on these components
2Device complexity
If connectors of low capacity are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but they cannot handle large bending moments when all loads pass through them
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission is segmented between internal and external paths. The external load path through guide structures carries bending moments and external forces, allowing the use of simpler, lower-capacity connectors that only need to handle the reduced internal loads, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate force handling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structures serve as intermediary elements that bear and transmit external forces and bending moments away from the connectors. This mediation allows connectors of lower capacity to be used since they are relieved from handling the full external loads, which are instead carried by the guide structures and support structures
3Manufacturing precision
If the structure is made rigid to control external pipe hubs within guide-in tolerances, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manoeuvrable structure incorporates movable components that can dynamically adjust and self-align during the connection process. This dynamic capability allows the structure to accommodate external pipe hub positions within guide-in tolerances without requiring extremely rigid and complex fixed positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while managing device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A load transferring subsea structure (10) for temporary guiding and permanently relieve forces within a pipe connection that is subjected to bending moments when connection is completed. A connector (3) keeps the pipe ends (E1, E2) together. The load transferring structure (10) includes one basically stationary structure (1) that retains a first pipe end (E1) and one basically manoeuvrable structure (2) that retains the second pipe end (E2). The second pipe end (E2) is to be connected to the first, stationary pipe end (E1). The stationary structure (1) includes portions (6) having predetermined configuration including fitted surfaces (6a, 6b) for interaction during mating with complementary portions (11, 12) having predetermined configuration including fitted surfaces (14, 15) on the mobile structure (2) for creation of a load path external of the pipe ends (E1, E2).