Horizontal Subsea Tie-In Alignment Using Sliding Guide Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pipeline tie-in systems face challenges with alignment and space occupancy due to the need for precise tolerances and long axial movements in guide pin and guide bore solutions, which also require significant space and are inefficient in taking up bending forces.
Innovation Solution
A subsea horizontal tie-in system with a porch part and termination part featuring guide arrangements with porch guide faces and termination guide faces that slide against each other, utilizing a base plate with inclined guide faces and slots to facilitate alignment and reduce the axial extension, allowing for efficient angular alignment and bending force absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If guide pin and guide bore solutions are used for alignment, then angular alignment and position alignment are achieved, but the system occupies considerable space and requires long axial movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional guide pin-guide bore solution (requiring long axial engagement) to a guide face-guide slot solution where guidance occurs through lateral sliding contact. The guide faces are arranged laterally on the termination part and slide against corresponding guide slots on the porch part, converting the alignment mechanism from axial engagement to lateral sliding, thereby reducing the axial extension of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide faces are designed with specific geometric orientations (lateral guide faces substantially vertical, upper guide faces parallel to horizontal lines orthogonal to the axial center axis, lower guide faces parallel to horizontal lines orthogonal to the axial center axis). This geometric configuration enables the sliding contact to achieve both angular and position alignment while minimizing the axial space required.
2Measurement precision
If guide pin and guide bore solutions are used for alignment, then angular alignment is achieved, but detailed tolerances are required for production and attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the guide pin-guide bore arrangement with guide faces that slide laterally against guide slots. This dimensional change from axial engagement to lateral sliding reduces the sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances, as the sliding contact allows for greater tolerance in the positioning and orientation of the guide faces and slots compared to the precise fit required for guide pins in guide bores.
3Reliability
If long axial movement is used for alignment, then angular alignment and bending force absorption are achieved, but the axial extension of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the alignment mechanism from requiring long axial movement to utilizing lateral sliding movement. The guide faces are oriented such that their sliding contact in the lateral direction provides both angular alignment and the ability to absorb bending forces, eliminating the need for extended axial engagement and thereby reducing the overall axial extension of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide faces are designed to slide against each other during the movement of the termination hub towards the porch hub, providing dynamic alignment and force absorption capabilities. This sliding mechanism allows the system to adapt to misalignments and absorb bending forces through lateral movement rather than requiring fixed, long axial engagement.
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 system achieves precise alignment and efficient angular alignment with reduced space requirements and bending force absorption, improving the tie-in process while minimizing frictional forces and deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The porch guide faces and termination guide faces are configured to slide against each other during said movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A subsea horizontal tie-in system comprising a porch part (100) with a porch hub (101a), a termination part (200) with a termination hub (201a). The termination part is configured to land on the porch part. The tie-in system further has an alignment system to align the porch hub (101a) and the termination hub (201a) during movement of the termination hub towards the porch hub in a landed state. The alignment system comprises guide arrangements (A1, A2, B1, B2) having porch guide faces (113p, 113q, 113r) on the porch part and termination guide faces (213p, 213q, 213r) on the termination part. The porch guide faces and termination guide faces are configured to slide against each other during said movement. The porch part (100) comprises a base plate (103) on which the porch guide faces are arranged.