Underwater Pipe Joining Tower for Automatic Welding Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jointing devices for subsea pipelines face challenges such as the need for manual welding due to insufficient space for automatic systems, inconsistent weld quality, and limited adaptability for pipelines with large radius elbows.
Innovation Solution
A jointing device with a support structure connected to a guide structure, featuring four plates with cylinders along two perpendicular adjustment axes, allowing for flexible combinations of rotations and translations to facilitate jointing and accommodate automatic welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If external collars are used for jointing pipeline elements, then the jointing operation can be performed, but the space for automatic welding systems becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The jointing device is divided into multiple independent modules: a fixed collar assembly attached to the pipeline and a mobile collar assembly that can be positioned and retracted. This segmentation creates sufficient working space between the two collars to accommodate automatic welding equipment, while maintaining the jointing functionality through coordinated movement of the separate modules.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual welding method is used due to space constraints, then the jointing operation can be completed, but the weld quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual welding operations with an automatic welding system mounted on the mobile collar assembly. The automatic welding equipment can be precisely positioned and controlled through the mechanical movement of the mobile collar, eliminating the need for manual welding operations and ensuring consistent weld quality through automated processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compact end parts are accommodated in the jointing device, then the device can handle standard configurations, but it cannot accommodate pipelines with large radius elbows
Solution Approach 1:
The jointing device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the mobile collar assembly that can be positioned at various distances from the fixed collar. This dynamic positioning system allows the device to accommodate different pipeline configurations including standard compact end parts and pipelines with large radius elbows, as the working space can be adjusted to match the specific geometric requirements of different pipeline elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for jointing elements of a pipeline for the transport of fluids includes a support structure on which a pipeline section to be jointed is intended to be mounted, two parallel fixed rails, four plates each comprising a first element capable of cooperating with a rail and a second element fixed on the support structure. The first and the second elements of each plate is linked by a first cylinder aligned along a first adjustment axis and a second cylinder aligned along a second adjustment axis, and a system for controlling the cylinders of the plates to achieve movements along the first and second adjustment axes and capable of cooperating with a system for guiding in translation the support structure along the longitudinal axis of the pipeline section to allow jointing of the pipeline section and the pipeline element.