Underwater Pipe Coupling With Self-Alignment and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for joining underwater pipelines require divers, which are time-consuming, costly, and pose health risks, and the use of unmanned underwater vehicles is hindered by the need for specialized flanges on existing pipelines.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a frame, alignment, locking, and retaining devices, operable by an unmanned underwater vehicle, that aligns and locks pipe sections for automated junction without the need for divers, using a handling device and a junction device with bolted connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If divers are used to carry out junction operations, then the pipeline can be joined, but the operation is time-consuming, costly, and poses health risks to divers
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables automated self-alignment and self-locking of pipe sections through mechanical interactions between the alignment device, locking device, and pipe flanges, eliminating the need for diver intervention and manual operations during the junction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operations performed by divers with an automated mechanical system comprising an alignment device with alignment arms and a locking device with locking arms that automatically position and secure pipe sections together through controlled mechanical movements
2Productivity
If unmanned underwater vehicles are used with junction tools, then the operation time is reduced, but the pipeline flanges must be specially designed which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to work with standard pipe flanges through multiple functional components: the alignment device can accommodate various flange configurations, the locking device can engage different flange types, and the retaining device can secure different pipe sections, making the system universally applicable without requiring specialized flange designs
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs dynamic, movable components including alignment arms that can adjust their position, locking arms that can engage and disengage, and retaining arms that can open and close, allowing the system to adapt to standard flange variations without requiring fixed, complex specialized flange designs
3Reliability
If the apparatus of GB 2,323,907 is used to connect pipelines, then the flanges can be joined, but considerable space around the flanges is required and the operation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device and locking device are nested within each other, with the alignment device positioned inside the locking device, allowing both functions to be integrated in a compact configuration that reduces the overall space required around the pipe flanges during the connection operation
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus utilizes vertical positioning and three-dimensional movement of the alignment and locking arms, allowing the connection operation to proceed in multiple dimensions rather than requiring extensive horizontal clearance, thereby reducing the footprint space needed around the flanges
4Reliability
If the apparatus of GB 2,323,907 is used, then the flanges can be deformed to achieve connection, but the operation requires wide tolerances and a bearing base which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the bearing base component from the connection apparatus, instead using the pipe flanges themselves and the movable alignment and locking arms as the primary support and positioning mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus structure while maintaining connection reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for coupling pipe sections into a body of water has a frame (30) comprising an elongated portion (31), which extends along a longitudinal axis (A) and is configured to be arranged within a first pipe section (3); an alignment device (32), which is supported by the elongated portion (31) of the frame (30) and is configured to be at least partially inserted inside a second pipe section (4) so as to align the first pipe section (3) with the second pipe section (4); and a locking device (33), which is supported by the elongated portion (31) of the frame (30) and is configured to lock the position of the first pipe section (3) with respect to the second pipe section (4) when the first pipe section (3) is aligned with the second pipe section (4).