Subsea Stab Plate Tilting and Lateral Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea stab plates face challenges with initial mis-alignment and obliquity during mating, as well as separating forces that are not aligned with the coupling direction, leading to potential damage during emergency separation.
Innovation Solution
A load-bearing stab plate assembly with tilting and translational features, including a ball joint and tracks for lateral movement, allows for oblique pulling actions and secure alignment of couplers, enabling accurate mating and separation without damage, even in emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid stab plates are used for subsea connections, then structural strength is maintained, but tolerance for mis-alignment and oblique forces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The stab plate assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the stab plate to rotate relative to the support, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic one. This enables the assembly to accommodate oblique pulling actions and mis-alignment by adjusting its orientation during mating and separation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a mount, a support with lateral movement capability, and a pivot mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptability of the system
2Manufacturing precision
If stab plates are designed for precise alignment, then coupling accuracy is improved, but ability to handle emergency separation with oblique forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism enables the stab plate to dynamically adjust its position during emergency separation, allowing it to accommodate oblique pulling forces that would otherwise cause damage to precisely aligned rigid connections
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the stab plate relative to the support through the pivot mechanism, allowing transition from a precisely aligned mating position to an oblique separation position during emergency conditions
3Stability of the object's composition
If lateral movement constraints are applied to maintain stability, then positional stability is improved, but accommodation of various separation trajectories is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to be slidably disposed relative to the mount, providing lateral movement capability while maintaining controlled stability. This dynamic positioning allows the assembly to accommodate various separation trajectories while preventing uncontrolled movement
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea connection assembly has a stab plate a first stab plate which carries a first plurality of couplers and a second stab plate which carries a second plurality of couplers for mating engagement with the couplers in the first plurality as the stab plates are moved together. The assembly includes a mounting plate, a support which is disposed for lateral movement in at least one direction relative to the mounting plate, and a pivot which allows tilting movement of the first stab plate relative to the support. The tilting and translational features accommodate many different possible trajectories of a pulling unit. In particular, the assembly tolerates a separating action which is oblique to the normal mating and demating direction.