Articulated Torque Joint for Subsea Tooling Without Bending Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea oil and gas infrastructure installation methods face challenges in transmitting rotational torque while preventing bending moment transfer, which can cause damage due to environmental forces like sea currents and waves, and require a component that allows for the engagement and disengagement of running tools without transferring bending moments.
Innovation Solution
An articulated joint with a locking mechanism that allows for the transmission of rotational torque while preventing bending moment transfer, featuring a pivot joint body that can articulate freely within a pivot joint seat and a locking sleeve to control articulation, enabling the joint to be locked or unlocked as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rotational torque is transmitted through the work string to engage running tools and achieve desired orientation, then the ability to install casing strings and subsea infrastructure is improved, but bending moments are transferred to the work string causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into separate articulation and torque transmission components. The articulation mechanism (spherical bearing) is separated from the torque transmission path, allowing the work string to rotate the joint body without transferring bending moments through the articulation point. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint body acts as an intermediary element between the work string and the casing string/subsea infrastructure. It receives rotational torque from the work string while isolating the articulation connection from bending moment loads through its spherical bearing design, thereby protecting the work string from harmful bending moments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the joint body can articulate freely within the joint seat to prevent bending moment transfer, then protection from environmental forces is improved, but the ability to transmit rotational torque for tool engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into separate articulation and torque transmission components. The articulation mechanism (spherical bearing) is separated from the torque transmission path, allowing the work string to rotate the joint body without transferring bending moments through the articulation point. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint body acts as an intermediary element between the work string and the casing string/subsea infrastructure. It receives rotational torque from the work string while isolating the articulation connection from bending moment loads through its spherical bearing design, thereby protecting the work string from harmful bending moments.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to control articulation, then the ability to prevent bending moment transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides dynamic control over the joint's articulation capability. It can be locked to prevent articulation and bending moment transfer during critical operations, or unlocked to allow articulation for positioning and tool engagement. This dynamic control enables adaptation to different operational requirements without permanent structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be operated by the work string itself through rotational movement, without requiring external actuation systems. The work string's rotation engages or disengages the locking mechanism, making the system self-servicing and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
An apparatus for transferring rotational torque from a work string to a subsea infrastructure, said apparatus comprising a first connection (1) for receiving the work string; a second connection (6) for receiving the subsea infrastructure tooling; a joint seat (5) located between the first connection (1) and the second connection (6); a joint body (3) provided on the joint seat (5), wherein the joint body (3) is connected to the second connection (8) and wherein the joint body (3) can articulate freely within the joint seat (5); and means for transferring rotational torque from the first connection (1) to the joint body (3) and subsequently to the second connection (6).