Thermal Clamp Flange Connection for Creep-Resistant Offshore Tubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting large-diameter tubular members in offshore structures, such as pipelines and pumps, face issues with bolted connections that suffer from material creep, leading to loss of tightness over time, especially in deep-sea applications where re-tightening is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of thermally expandable clamp units to secure adjacent flanges, where each clamp unit has a base with jaws that expand unevenly to receive the flanges, providing a secure and long-term connection by thermal contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bolted connections are used to secure flanges, then initial tightness is achieved, but material creep causes loss of tightness over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetightness maintenanceVSAvoidconnection durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp unit utilizes thermal expansion and contraction parameter changes to achieve secure connection. The clamp is heated to expand its circumferential dimension, allowing it to be positioned over the flanges, then cooled to contract and apply maintaining pressure, overcoming the creep issue of bolted connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp unit undergoes phase transition between expanded and contracted states through temperature control. Heating causes thermal expansion for easy positioning, and cooling causes thermal contraction for secure tightening, providing a reliable long-term connection without creep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If thermal expansion is used to facilitate assembly, then positioning ease is improved, but complex heating/cooling process increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp unit performs self-service through its own thermal properties. The material's inherent thermal expansion and contraction characteristics are utilized to automatically achieve the tightening function, eliminating the need for external tightening mechanisms or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method ensures a durable and reliable connection by maintaining pressure on the flanges despite material creep, using thermal expansion and contraction to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

each clamp unit, in order to receive the adjacent flanges in its receptacle, is thermally expanded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

providing a secure and long-term connection by thermal contraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS12366312B2Method of connecting tubular members in offshore structures

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 STIESDAL OFFSHORE AS

AI summary

Two adjacent pipe flanges are secured by a plurality of clamp units, where each clamp unit, in order to receive the adjacent flanges in its receptacle, is thermally expanded.