Swaged Pipe Fitting Jacket for Faster Offshore Flexible Pipe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end fittings for offshore flexible pipes are costly and have a long installation time, as described in API RP 17B.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pipe segment tubing with a carcass layer, internal pressure sheath layer, reinforcement layer, and outer sheath layer, secured with a swaged pipe fitting that includes a fitting body, internal pressure sheath seal, and a conformally deformed fitting jacket to anchor the reinforcement layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing end fittings are used for offshore flexible pipes, then the pipe connection is secure and reliable, but the installation time is long and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the fitting jacket material from rigid to softened state through heating, enabling it to be molded around the pipe assembly. This parameter change allows for a new installation method that reduces time while maintaining connection reliability through conformal deformation and anchoring of the reinforcement layer
2Reliability
If existing end fittings are used for offshore flexible pipes, then the pipe connection is secure and reliable, but the installation costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses temperature parameter change to soften the fitting jacket material, enabling it to be molded around the pipe assembly and then hardened to form a secure connection. This approach eliminates the need for complex existing end fitting assemblies and reduces installation costs while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical end fitting systems with a thermal-mechanical process where heat softens the material for molding, followed by cooling and hardening to create the secure connection, thereby simplifying the overall system and reducing costs
3Strength
If a fitting jacket is conformally deformed around the pipe segment, then the reinforcement layer is securely anchored, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses temperature parameter changes to simplify the complex anchoring process. By heating the fitting jacket to soften it, then molding it around the pipe assembly, and finally cooling to harden it, the complex anchoring task becomes a straightforward thermal-mechanical process that maintains high anchoring strength
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 solution reduces installation time and costs by securely anchoring the pipe segment tubing in the swaged pipe fitting, ensuring efficient fluid transport while withstanding offshore conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a conformally deformed fitting jacket to anchor the reinforcement layer of the pipe segment tubing in the swaged pipe fitting
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Techniques for implementing and/or installing a system including pipe segment tubing and a swaged pipe fitting secured to the pipe segment tubing. The pipe segment tubing includes a carcass layer, an internal pressure sheath layer disposed around the carcass layer, a reinforcement layer disposed around the internal pressure sheath layer, and an outer sheath layer disposed around the reinforcement layer. The swaged pipe fitting includes a fitting body that defines a bore, an internal pressure sheath seal that seals the internal pressure sheath layer of the pipe segment tubing within the swaged pipe fitting, and a fitting jacket secured to the fitting body, in which the fitting jacket is conformally deformed around the pipe segment tubing to anchor the reinforcement layer of the pipe segment tubing in the swaged pipe fitting.