Umbilical Termination Head Guide Structure for Float-Free Subsea Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea 'Cobra Head' connection systems require bulky floats for positioning, which occupy space and increase drifting due to currents, and apply forces directly through MQC plates, potentially damaging them.
Innovation Solution
A termination head and connection system with a bracket arrangement and guide means that allows the umbilical termination head to be lowered onto a subsea structure using gravity, eliminating the need for buoyancy aids and distributing forces through a load-bearing structure rather than the couplers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bulky floats are used to position the connector parts, then the connector parts can be floated into mating position, but the available space for ROV manoeuvres is reduced and drifting caused by underwater currents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the float from the system entirely. Instead of using a float to provide buoyancy and positioning, the connector part is designed to be lowered directly to the seabed and positioned using guide means that interact with the subsea structure. This extraction of the float eliminates the volume problem while maintaining the positioning function through an alternative mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide means as an intermediary mechanism between the connector part and the subsea structure. These guide means facilitate the positioning and mating of connector parts without requiring a float. The guide means act as a mediator that enables precise positioning while eliminating the need for bulky buoyancy aids.
2Ease of operation
If floats are used to assist ROV in positioning the connector parts, then the connector parts can be brought into mating position, but drifting caused by underwater currents increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the float from the system, the patent eliminates the source of current-induced drifting. The connector part without a float has a smaller profile and is less susceptible to current forces, thereby reducing the harmful drifting effect while still achieving proper positioning through the guide means.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means serve as an intermediary that anchors the connector part to the subsea structure, preventing current-induced drifting. The guide means provide a stable reference that resists current forces, allowing the connector to maintain position despite underwater currents.
3Ease of operation
If all forces from the Cobra Head and flying lead/umbilical go through the MQC plates, then the connection is achieved, but the MQC plates are potentially damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force transmission path by separating the structural load-bearing function from the coupling function. The bracket arrangement and guide means handle the structural forces and positioning, while the MQC plates are dedicated solely to the coupling operation. This segmentation protects the MQC plates from damaging forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bracket arrangement and guide means as intermediary structures between the flying lead/umbilical and the MQC plates. These intermediaries absorb and redirect structural forces, preventing them from being transmitted directly through the MQC plates. The bracket acts as a mediator that protects the couplers from excessive loads.
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
Facilitates connection without bulky floats, reduces drifting, and relieves couplers from structural and external forces, enhancing the reliability and durability of the connection process.
Implementation Method 1
allows the umbilical termination head to be lowered onto a subsea structure using gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An umbilical termination head (1) for connection of a multi-bore flying lead or umbilical (2) to a structure (10), the flying lead or umbilical comprising multiple conduits (7) leading to couplers (4) being arranged on a connector part (3), the umbilical (2) being provided with an end fitting (9) onto which a bracket arrangement (8, 19, 20) is mounted, the connector part (3) being mounted to a bracket (8) of the bracket arrangement. A guide means (11) is arranged on the bracket (8) in such a way that an interacting guide means (12) on the structure (10) lead the umbilical termination head (1) onto the structure (10) for connection of the couplers (4) to corresponding couplers (6) on the structure (10).