EP1759085A1 - Device for controlling stiffeners of flexible pipes - Google Patents

Device for controlling stiffeners of flexible pipes

Info

Publication number
EP1759085A1
EP1759085A1 EP05775317A EP05775317A EP1759085A1 EP 1759085 A1 EP1759085 A1 EP 1759085A1 EP 05775317 A EP05775317 A EP 05775317A EP 05775317 A EP05775317 A EP 05775317A EP 1759085 A1 EP1759085 A1 EP 1759085A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stiffener
rod
deformable
rigid rod
cylindrical body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05775317A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1759085B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Lembeye
Antoine Felix-Henry
Patrice Joël Louis JUNG
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Technip Energies France SAS
Original Assignee
Technip France SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technip France SAS filed Critical Technip France SAS
Publication of EP1759085A1 publication Critical patent/EP1759085A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1759085B1 publication Critical patent/EP1759085B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/01—Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/017—Bend restrictors for limiting stress on risers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for controlling marine flexible pipes, which are adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons.
  • Sleeve stiffeners are known which are adapted to surround said flexible ducts in order to stiffen them and to limit their curvature when they are subjected to the effects of waves and sea currents.
  • riser stiffeners which connect a bottom installation to a surface installation, they have an upper end secured to the surface installation by means of a flange and they extend along the pipe , on a variable length of the order of one meter.
  • the flexible pipe is fitted into the stiffener coaxially. In this way, despite the effects of the swell and the ocean currents in the vicinity of the surface, the flexible pipe maintains a radius of curvature greater than its "MBR" (for Minimum Bending Radius, in English language) and is thus not, not deteriorated.
  • MRR Minimum Bending Radius
  • This deformable rigid rod equipped with sensors is then embedded in the thickness of the stiffener in a portion capable of bending, and parallel to the axis of the stiffener and the pipe.
  • the movements of the stiffener cause the deflection of the deformable rigid rod and thus, the sensors provide signals representative of the curvature of the stiffener.
  • a disadvantage of this type of control device lies in the relative displacement of the rigid rod equipped with the sensors and the stiffener. Indeed, to achieve the mounting of these devices, a circular symmetry bore is formed in the thickness of the stiffener and the deformable rigid rod is inserted into friction in this bore. The rod is then partially locked in rotation, so that during the life of the stiffener, it can shift substantially in rotation in the bore, which distorts the interpretation of the signals provided by the sensors.
  • a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is then to provide a control device that allows, to obtain a reliable measurement of the stresses experienced by the stiffener during its life and at a lower cost.
  • the present invention provides a device for controlling the flexible flexible pipe stiffeners adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, said stiffeners in which are fitted said flexible pipes are adapted to bend by limiting the amplitude of curvature flexible pipes, said device comprising a deformable rigid rod having a central axis, said deformable rigid rod being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener substantially parallel to said pipe, at least two deformation sensors being held applied against the periphery of said said deformable rigid rod, said deformation sensors being adapted to provide a signal representative of the curvature when said stiffener bends and causes the deformation of said deformable rigid rod; said deformable rigid rod being kept locked in rotation around said central axis in said stiffener.
  • a feature of the invention lies in the locking in rotation of the deformable rigid rod inside the bore.
  • the deformable rigid rod remains in a fixed position relative to the stiffeners and thus the signals provided by the sensors still make it possible to calculate the curvature of the stiffener.
  • said deformable rigid rod has a determined non-circular cross section
  • said stiffener has a bore of a non-circular cross section corresponding to said determined straight section to conform to the shape. of said deformable rigid rod.
  • said bore is made longitudinally in a cylindrical body, said cylindrical body being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener.
  • the rigid rod may then be inserted safely into said bore.
  • the material of the cylindrical body must be strong enough to resist compression during molding of the stiffener.
  • said sensors comprise optical fibers in which Bragg gratings are printed.
  • the optical fibers make it possible to obtain, in a single element, both the sensor and the means for conduction of the signals.
  • the Bragg gratings are printed by laser means for example at one end of the optical fiber to form the sensor and fiber and sensor are held in a fixed position in a longitudinal groove formed on the surface of the deformable rigid rod which is for example a rod made of composite material, reinforced with glass fibers.
  • Such a material is both rigid and flexible and quite suitable for supporting the sensors.
  • it is adapted to follow the longitudinal deformations of the stiffener.
  • the end of the optical fiber then forms the deformation sensor, while the optical fiber itself is adapted to optically convey the signals representative of the constraints.
  • said sensors comprise three optical fibers distributed in the periphery of said deformable rigid rod.
  • the three optical fibers have, in the ends in particular, Bragg gratings making it possible to fully determine the orientation of the bending plane of the deformable rigid rod and the amplitude of the bending and, therefore, the deformation of the stiffener.
  • Two of the three optical fibers allow completely determine the bending plane of the rigid rod and the amplitude of this bending, the third optical fiber to correct the signal provided by the other two when the ring is axially deformed. This axial deformation of the rod in the stiffener is essentially due to friction and / or temperature.
  • the invention relates to a stiffener of marine flexible pipes adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, comprising a single device as described above.
  • a stiffener of marine flexible pipes adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, comprising a single device as described above.
  • the present invention provides a method for producing a marine flexible pipe stiffener, suitable for the transport of hydrocarbons, according to the method is molded in one piece said stiffener by drowning in the thickness of said stiffener a cylindrical body previously bored.
  • the material of the cylindrical body is chosen so that it is locked in rotation in the thickness of the stiffener.
  • said stiffener is molded in a plastic material having a first modulus of elasticity, said bored cylindrical body being made of a plastic material of the same kind and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first elasticity module.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a flexible pipe stiffener according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic detail view of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a second embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross section of the device according to the invention according to a third embodiment.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a particular embodiment.
  • Figure 1 shows a flexible pipe 10, commonly referred to as
  • This flexible pipe 10 which extends substantially vertically from the surface 12 to the seabed 14.
  • This flexible pipe 10 has a surface end 16 which is integral with a surface installation not shown. Furthermore, this surface end 16 is fitted into a stiffener 18 whose upper end 20 is held in a fixed position on a platform and whose lower end 22 extends around the pipe 10 towards the seabed 14 on a distance, for example between 5 and 10 meters. At rest and not curved, this stiffener 18 has an axis of symmetry A.
  • the stiffener 18 is made of a more rigid material than the flexible pipe 10, for example polyurethane, so as to limit the bending amplitude of the pipe 10 in the vicinity of the surface 12.
  • Figure 2 illustrates in more detail the stiffener 18 which has an annular section which tapers from the upper end 20 to the lower end 22. Throughout the length of the stiffener 18 of the deformation sensors 24 are installed to control at the times the bending amplitude of the stiffener 18 and the orientation of the bending plane.
  • FIG. 3 describes the control device according to the invention according to a first variant of execution.
  • Figure 3 illustrates in cross section a fiberglass rod 26 of triangular section and central axis C, embedded in the thickness of the stiffener 18 to the vicinity of its lower end 22 shown in Figure 2.
  • This rod 26 has faces whose dimensions in cross section are of the order of a millimeter, for example between 5 and 8 mm.
  • a longitudinal groove 28 is formed along the entire length of said rod 26.
  • a waveguide formed of an optical fiber 30 is maintained by means of a resin, for example epoxy.
  • These optical fibers 30 extend longitudinally over the entire length of said rod 26 which itself extends over the entire length of the stiffener 18 illustrated in FIG. 2. In this way, the optical fibers 30 extend from the end lower 22 to the upper end 20 and beyond to be connected to signal processing means.
  • the optical fibers 30 have between the upper end 20 and the lower end 22 a plurality of zones in which a Bragg grating structure is formed and which form the deformation sensors 24.
  • the rod 26 of triangular section is inserted into a triangular bore 32 which is also formed in the thickness of the stiffener 18 longitudinally along the axis A.
  • the triangular bore 32 matches the shapes of the rod 26 so that the latter is locked in rotation about its axis C. In this way, whatever the deformations of the stiffener 18, the ring 26 maintains in fixed position the optical fibers 30 with respect to the stiffener 18 and in particular the strain sensors 24 constituted by the gratings. Bragg.
  • the signals supplied by the deformation sensors 24 which are previously calibrated are always representative of the same deformation of the stiffener 18.
  • FIG 4 the control device according to the invention is shown in another embodiment wherein the rod is no longer a triangular cross section but here hexagonal section.
  • the walls of the bore 36 also match the shape of the ring 34 so that the latter is locked in rotation about its central axis C.
  • a groove 38 is formed longitudinally and alternately on three sides of the ring 34 so as to house three fibers 40.
  • the bending plane of the stiffener and the bending amplitude can be determined, while the third optical fiber makes it possible to correct the values provided by the two other optical fibers when the rushes undergo axial deformation.
  • This axial deformation is in particular due to friction and / or temperature.
  • Figure 51 a fiberglass rod 42 whose section is substantially U and corresponds to a bore 44 formed in the thickness of the stiffener 18 which has the same configuration U. According to this configuration the rod 42 is also locked in rotation in the thickness of the stiffener 18. Furthermore the ring also has three grooves 46 distributed in its periphery and in which three optical fibers 48 are respectively installed.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the invention in a particular, advantageous manner.
  • This figure 6 shows a section of the thickness of the stiffener 18 perpendicular to its axis of symmetry A and a bore 50 of triangular section.
  • This bore 50 is not realized directly in the thickness of the stiffener 18 but in a cylindrical body 52 which is itself inserted into the thickness of the stiffener 18.
  • the cylindrical body 52 is made of a rigid plastic material, preferably of circular section so that the radial stress field exerted on it is uniform, and the central bore 50 is formed symmetrically to the inside.
  • this triangular bore 50 has dimensions compatible with the rigid deformable rod adapted to cross.
  • the cylindrical body 52 is extended over at least a portion of the length of the stiffener 18 so as to be able to insert the rigid rod from the upper end 20 to the lower end 22.
  • the stiffener 18 is overmolded in one piece around the cylindrical body 52 with a plastic material of the polyurethane type, less rigid than that of the cylindrical body 52. In this way, during overmolding the cylindrical body 52 is rigid enough to withstand to the constraints and not to deform. In this way, the bore 50 is not deformed and the rigid deformable rod is likely to be threaded without excessive friction.
  • the cylindrical body 52 will remain permanently in the thickness of the stiffener 18 and it will be locked in rotation in the stiffener 18 thanks to the shrinkage of the overmolded plastic material.
  • the adhesion forces between the two contact surfaces are large enough to lock the cylindrical body 52 in rotation.
  • the thickness of the stiffener 18 thanks to the cylindrical shape of revolution of the cylindrical body 52, during the injection of the molten material, its distribution is homogeneous around said cylindrical body 52. In this way, when the material has become rigid the stiffener has no anisotropy or fracture primer despite the presence of the cylindrical body 52.
  • the deformable rigid rod consists of a fiberglass rod of triangular section and which is equipped with optical fibers just as the rod 26 appearing in FIG. 3, can be threaded into the bore 50.
  • optical fibers are then connected to a transmitting and receiving device which itself is connected to a computer-controlled analysis device so as to record the flexures of the stiffener.

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for controlling stiffeners (18) of flexible marine pipes, said stiffeners (18) wherein are fitted said flexible pipes (10) are adapted to bend while limiting the curvature of said flexible pipes, said device comprising a deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42) having a central axis (C), said deformable rigid rod being configured to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener (18) substantially parallel to said pipe (10), at least two deformation sensors being maintained pressed against the periphery of said deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42); said deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42); being maintained locked in rotation about said central axis (C) in said stiffener (18).

Description

Dispositif de contrôle pour raidisseurs de conduites flexibles Control device for flexible pipe stiffeners
La présente invention se rapporte à un dispositif de contrôle des conduites flexibles marines, lesquelles sont adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures.The present invention relates to a device for controlling marine flexible pipes, which are adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons.
On connaît des raidisseurs formant manchons, adaptés à entourer lesdites conduites flexibles afin de les rigidifier et de limiter leur courbure lorsqu'elles sont soumises aux effets de la houle et des courants marins. Selon une application particulière de ces raidisseurs aux conduites montantes, lesquelles relient une installation de fond à une installation de surface, ils présentent une extrémité supérieure solidarisée à l'installation de surface au moyen d'une bride et ils se prolongent le long de la conduite, sur une longueur variable de l'ordre du mètre. La conduite flexible est emmanchée dans le raidisseur de façon coaxiale. De la sorte, malgré les effets de la houle et des courants marins au voisinage de la surface, la conduite flexible conserve un rayon de courbure supérieur à son « MBR » (pour Minimum Bending Radius, en langue anglaise) et n'est ainsi, pas détériorée. Ces raidisseurs sont également susceptibles d'être emmanchés sur des portions de conduite qui s'étendent près du fond pour limiter encore une fois leur courbure.Sleeve stiffeners are known which are adapted to surround said flexible ducts in order to stiffen them and to limit their curvature when they are subjected to the effects of waves and sea currents. According to a particular application of these riser stiffeners, which connect a bottom installation to a surface installation, they have an upper end secured to the surface installation by means of a flange and they extend along the pipe , on a variable length of the order of one meter. The flexible pipe is fitted into the stiffener coaxially. In this way, despite the effects of the swell and the ocean currents in the vicinity of the surface, the flexible pipe maintains a radius of curvature greater than its "MBR" (for Minimum Bending Radius, in English language) and is thus not, not deteriorated. These stiffeners are also likely to be fitted on pipe portions that extend near the bottom to limit their curvature again.
Toutefois, bien que ces raidisseurs permettent de limiter l'amplitude des mouvements des conduites, ces dernières se détériorent tout de même dans ces zones de sollicitation. Ainsi, il a été imaginé d'enregistrer systématiquement les déformations de ces raidisseurs au moyen de dispositifs de contrôle insérés dans leur épaisseur afin de contrôler, non seulement le vieillissement des portions de conduites sollicitées mais aussi les raidisseurs eux-mêmes. En effet, en additionnant toutes les contraintes subies par la conduite au fil du temps, tant en terme de fréquence qu'en terme d'amplitude, il est possible d'en déduire un état de son vieillissement. Des dispositifs de contrôle connus comprennent une tige rigide déformable présentant un axe central de révolution et la tige rigide déformable est équipée de trois capteurs de déformation répartis dans son pourtour (ces dispositifs connus sont commercialisés sous le nom de Smart Rod). Lorsque la tige est fléchie, ces capteurs sont aptes à fournir des signaux permettant de déterminer l'orientation du plan de flexion de la tige et l'amplitude de la flexion.However, although these stiffeners allow to limit the range of movements of the pipes, the latter still deteriorate in these areas of stress. Thus, it has been imagined to systematically record the deformations of these stiffeners by means of control devices inserted in their thickness in order to control, not only the aging of the portions of pipes requested but also the stiffeners themselves. Indeed, by adding all the constraints on the conduct over time, both in terms of frequency and amplitude, it is possible to deduce a state of aging. Known control devices comprise a deformable rigid rod having a central axis of revolution and the deformable rigid rod is equipped with three deformation sensors distributed in its periphery (these known devices are marketed under the name of Smart Rod). When the rod is bent, these sensors are able to provide signals for determining the orientation of the bending plane of the rod and the amplitude of the bending.
Cette tige rigide déformable équipée des capteurs est alors noyée dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur dans une partie apte à fléchir, et parallèlement à l'axe du raidisseur et à la conduite.This deformable rigid rod equipped with sensors is then embedded in the thickness of the stiffener in a portion capable of bending, and parallel to the axis of the stiffener and the pipe.
De la sorte, lorsque la conduite flexible est en service, les mouvements du raidisseur provoquent le fléchissement de la tige rigide déformable et ainsi, les capteurs fournissent des signaux représentatifs de l'incurvation du raidisseur. En enregistrant ces signaux fournis par les capteurs durant la vie du raidisseur on peut calculer la somme des contraintes qu'il a subi et ainsi son degré d'endommagement.In this way, when the flexible pipe is in use, the movements of the stiffener cause the deflection of the deformable rigid rod and thus, the sensors provide signals representative of the curvature of the stiffener. By recording these signals provided by the sensors during the life of the stiffener it is possible to calculate the sum of the stresses that it has undergone and thus its degree of damage.
Toutefois, un inconvénient de ce type de dispositif de contrôle, réside dans le déplacement relatif de la tige rigide équipée des capteurs et du raidisseur. En effet, pour réaliser le montage de ces dispositifs, un alésage de symétrie circulaire est ménagé dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur et la tige rigide déformable est insérée en friction dans cet alésage. La tige est alors partiellement bloquée en rotation, de sorte que durant la vie du raidisseur, elle peut se décaler sensiblement en rotation dans l'alésage, ce qui fausse l'interprétation des signaux fournis par les capteurs.However, a disadvantage of this type of control device lies in the relative displacement of the rigid rod equipped with the sensors and the stiffener. Indeed, to achieve the mounting of these devices, a circular symmetry bore is formed in the thickness of the stiffener and the deformable rigid rod is inserted into friction in this bore. The rod is then partially locked in rotation, so that during the life of the stiffener, it can shift substantially in rotation in the bore, which distorts the interpretation of the signals provided by the sensors.
Pour y remédier, et surtout pour atténuer l'erreur d'appréciation de la courbure réelle du raidisseur, il a été imaginé d'implanter au moins deux dispositifs de contrôle dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur, par exemple à 90° l'un de l'autre par rapport à son axe. Cependant, cela augmente d'autant plus le coût du dispositif de contrôle.To remedy this, and especially to mitigate the error of appreciation of the actual curvature of the stiffener, it has been imagined to implement at least two control devices in the thickness of the stiffener, for example at 90 ° one of the other in relation to its axis. However, this increases all the more the cost of the control device.
Un problème qui se pose et que vise à résoudre la présente invention, est alors de fournir un dispositif de contrôle qui permette, d'obtenir une mesure fiable des contraintes subies par le raidisseur durant sa vie et ce, à un coût plus avantageux.A problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention, is then to provide a control device that allows, to obtain a reliable measurement of the stresses experienced by the stiffener during its life and at a lower cost.
Dans ce but, selon un premier objet, la présente invention propose un dispositif de contrôle des raidisseurs de conduites flexibles marines adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, lesdits raidisseurs dans lesquels sont emmanchées lesdites conduites flexibles sont adaptés à se courber en limitant l'amplitude de courbure desdites conduites flexibles, ledit dispositif comprenant une tige rigide déformable présentant un axe central, ladite tige rigide déformable étant adaptée à être noyée dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur sensiblement parallèlement à ladite conduite, au moins deux capteurs de déformation étant maintenus appliqués contre le pourtour de ladite tige rigide déformable, lesdits capteurs de déformation étant adaptés à fournir un signal représentatif de la courbure lorsque ledit raidisseur se courbe et provoque la déformation de ladite tige rigide déformable ; ladite tige rigide déformable étant maintenue bloquée en rotation autour dudit axe central dans ledit raidisseur.For this purpose, according to a first object, the present invention provides a device for controlling the flexible flexible pipe stiffeners adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, said stiffeners in which are fitted said flexible pipes are adapted to bend by limiting the amplitude of curvature flexible pipes, said device comprising a deformable rigid rod having a central axis, said deformable rigid rod being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener substantially parallel to said pipe, at least two deformation sensors being held applied against the periphery of said said deformable rigid rod, said deformation sensors being adapted to provide a signal representative of the curvature when said stiffener bends and causes the deformation of said deformable rigid rod; said deformable rigid rod being kept locked in rotation around said central axis in said stiffener.
Ainsi, une caractéristique de l'invention réside dans le blocage en rotation de la tige rigide déformable à l'intérieur de l'alésage. De la sorte, durant la vie du raidisseur, la tige rigide déformable reste maintenue en position fixe par rapport aux raidisseurs et ainsi, les signaux fournis par les capteurs permettent toujours de calculer la courbure du raidisseur.Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the locking in rotation of the deformable rigid rod inside the bore. In this way, during the life of the stiffener, the deformable rigid rod remains in a fixed position relative to the stiffeners and thus the signals provided by the sensors still make it possible to calculate the curvature of the stiffener.
En outre, il n'est nul besoin de prévoir plusieurs tiges rigides déformables équipées de capteurs, mais simplement une seule, ce qui permet de diminuer le coût du dispositif de contrôle. Selon un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention particulièrement avantageux, ladite tige rigide déformable présente une section droite déterminée non circulaire, tandis que ledit raidisseur présente un alésage d'une section droite non circulaire correspondant à ladite section droite déterminée pour épouser la forme de ladite tige rigide déformable. De la sorte, compte tenu de la dissymétrie de la tige rigide déformable et de l'alésage correspondant, la tige rigide déformable est bloquée en rotation dans l'alésage. Selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, ledit alésage est pratiqué longitudinalement dans un corps cylindrique, ledit corps cylindrique étant adapté à être noyé dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur. De la sorte, alors qu'il est malaisé de noyer directement la tige rigide déformable équipée de ces capteurs dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur sans endommager la tige et ses capteurs, grâce au corps cylindrique alésé préalablement et noyé dans le raidisseur, la tige rigide peut-être ensuite insérée sans risque dans ledit alésage. Bien évidemment, le matériau du corps cylindrique devra être suffisamment résistant pour résister à la compression durant le moulage du raidisseur.In addition, there is no need to provide several deformable rigid rods equipped with sensors, but simply one, which reduces the cost of the control device. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said deformable rigid rod has a determined non-circular cross section, whereas said stiffener has a bore of a non-circular cross section corresponding to said determined straight section to conform to the shape. of said deformable rigid rod. In this way, given the dissymmetry of the deformable rigid rod and the corresponding bore, the deformable rigid rod is locked in rotation in the bore. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said bore is made longitudinally in a cylindrical body, said cylindrical body being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener. In this way, while it is difficult to directly drown the rigid deformable rod equipped with these sensors in the thickness of the stiffener without damaging the rod and its sensors, thanks to the cylindrical body previously bored and embedded in the stiffener, the rigid rod may then be inserted safely into said bore. Of course, the material of the cylindrical body must be strong enough to resist compression during molding of the stiffener.
De façon particulièrement avantageuse, lesdits capteurs comprennent des fibres optiques dans lesquels sont imprimés des réseaux de Bragg. Ainsi, les fibres optiques permettent d'obtenir dans un seul élément, à la fois le capteur et les moyens de conduction des signaux. Les réseaux de Bragg sont imprimés par des moyens lasers par exemple à une extrémité de la fibre optique pour former le capteur et, fibre et capteur sont maintenus en position fixe dans une rainure longitudinale pratiquée à la surface de la tige rigide déformable qui est par exemple un jonc en matériau composite, renforcé par des fibres de verre. Un tel matériau, est à la fois rigide et flexible et tout à fait adaptée à supporter les capteurs. En outre, il est adapté à suivre les déformations longitudinales du raidisseur. L'extrémité de la fibre optique forme alors le capteur de déformation, tandis que la fibre optique en elle-même est adaptée à véhiculer optiquement les signaux représentatifs des contraintes.Particularly advantageously, said sensors comprise optical fibers in which Bragg gratings are printed. Thus, the optical fibers make it possible to obtain, in a single element, both the sensor and the means for conduction of the signals. The Bragg gratings are printed by laser means for example at one end of the optical fiber to form the sensor and fiber and sensor are held in a fixed position in a longitudinal groove formed on the surface of the deformable rigid rod which is for example a rod made of composite material, reinforced with glass fibers. Such a material is both rigid and flexible and quite suitable for supporting the sensors. In addition, it is adapted to follow the longitudinal deformations of the stiffener. The end of the optical fiber then forms the deformation sensor, while the optical fiber itself is adapted to optically convey the signals representative of the constraints.
Selon une variante de réalisation particulièrement avantageuse, lesdits capteurs comprennent trois fibres optiques réparties dans le pourtour de ladite tige rigide déformable. Ainsi, les trois fibres optiques présentent, dans les extrémités notamment, des réseaux de Bragg permettant de déterminer entièrement l'orientation du plan de flexion de la tige rigide déformable et l'amplitude de la flexion et, par-là même la déformation du raidisseur. Deux des trois fibres optiques permettent de déterminer complètement le plan de flexion de la tige rigide et l'amplitude de cette flexion, la troisième fibre optique permettant de corriger le signal fourni par les deux autres lorsque le jonc est déformé axialement. Cette déformation axiale du jonc dans le raidisseur est essentiellement due aux frottements et/ou à la température.According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, said sensors comprise three optical fibers distributed in the periphery of said deformable rigid rod. Thus, the three optical fibers have, in the ends in particular, Bragg gratings making it possible to fully determine the orientation of the bending plane of the deformable rigid rod and the amplitude of the bending and, therefore, the deformation of the stiffener. . Two of the three optical fibers allow completely determine the bending plane of the rigid rod and the amplitude of this bending, the third optical fiber to correct the signal provided by the other two when the ring is axially deformed. This axial deformation of the rod in the stiffener is essentially due to friction and / or temperature.
Selon un autre objet, l'invention concerne un raidisseur de conduites flexibles marines adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, comprenant un seul dispositif tel que décrit ci-dessus. De la sorte, un tel raidisseur est susceptible d'être contrôlé parfaitement durant la totalité de son temps de service puisque les signaux fournis par les capteurs reflète la réalité de la déformation, et au surplus il est susceptible d'être produit à un coût avantageux puisqu'un seul dispositif de contrôle est nécessaire.According to another object, the invention relates to a stiffener of marine flexible pipes adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, comprising a single device as described above. In this way, such a stiffener is likely to be perfectly controlled during all of its service time since the signals provided by the sensors reflect the reality of the deformation, and moreover it is likely to be produced at a favorable cost since only one control device is needed.
Selon encore un autre objet, la présente invention propose un procédé de production d'un raidisseur de conduites flexible marines, adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, selon le procédé on moule d'une seule pièce ledit raidisseur en noyant dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur un corps cylindrique préalablement alésé.According to yet another object, the present invention provides a method for producing a marine flexible pipe stiffener, suitable for the transport of hydrocarbons, according to the method is molded in one piece said stiffener by drowning in the thickness of said stiffener a cylindrical body previously bored.
De la sorte, en choisissant un corps cylindrique dont le matériau est suffisamment rigide au regard des contraintes qui s'exercent sur lui au cours du moulage, on ménage un alésage dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur de manière simplifiée. En effet, selon l'art antérieur cet alésage était ménagé dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur en le moulant avec un tirant puis en extrayant ce tirant pour laisser apparaître l'alésage.In this way, by choosing a cylindrical body whose material is sufficiently rigid with respect to the stresses exerted on it during molding, a bore is made in the thickness of the stiffener in a simplified manner. Indeed, according to the prior art this bore was formed in the thickness of the stiffener by molding it with a tie and then extracting the tie to reveal the bore.
Par ailleurs, le matériau du corps cylindrique est choisi de façon à ce qu'il soit bloqué en rotation dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur.Moreover, the material of the cylindrical body is chosen so that it is locked in rotation in the thickness of the stiffener.
Pour ce faire, et ce de façon particulièrement avantageuse ledit raidisseur est moulé dans une matière plastique présentant un premier module d'élasticité, ledit corps cylindrique alésé étant réalisé dans une matière plastique de même nature et présentant un second module d'élasticité supérieur au premier module d'élasticité. Ainsi, non seulement le corps cylindrique est bloqué en friction par rapport au raidisseur, mais en plus l'alésage n'est pas déformé au cours du moulage. OTo do this, and this particularly advantageously said stiffener is molded in a plastic material having a first modulus of elasticity, said bored cylindrical body being made of a plastic material of the same kind and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first elasticity module. Thus, not only the cylindrical body is locked in friction relative to the stiffener, but in addition the bore is not deformed during molding. O
Ensuite, selon le procédé conforme à l'invention ladite tige rigide déformable équipée desdits capteurs est avantageusement insérée dans ledit alésage après que ledit corps cylindrique a été noyé dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur. D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention ressortiront à la lecture de la description faite ci-après de modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés à titre indicatif mais non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :Then, according to the process according to the invention, said deformable rigid rod equipped with said sensors is advantageously inserted into said bore after said cylindrical body has been embedded in the thickness of said stiffener. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale d'un raidisseur de conduites flexibles selon l'invention ;- Figure 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a flexible pipe stiffener according to the invention;
- la Figure 2 est une vue schématique de détail de la Figure 1 ;Figure 2 is a schematic detail view of Figure 1;
- la Figure 3 est une vue schématique en section droite du dispositif conforme à l'invention selon une première variante de réalisation ;- Figure 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;
- la Figure 4 est une vue schématique en section droite du dispositif conforme à l'invention selon une deuxième variante de réalisation ;- Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;
- la Figure 5 est une vue schématique en section droite du dispositif conforme à l'invention selon une troisième variante de réalisation ; et,- Figure 5 is a schematic cross section of the device according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and,
- la Figure 6 est une vue schématique en section droite du dispositif conforme à l'invention selon un mode particulier de mise en oeuvre. La Figure 1 montre une conduite flexible 10, communément appelée- Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the device according to the invention according to a particular embodiment. Figure 1 shows a flexible pipe 10, commonly referred to as
« riser » qui s'étend sensiblement verticalement depuis la surface 12 vers le fond marin 14. Cette conduite flexible 10 présente une extrémité de surface 16 qui est solidaire d'une installation de surface non représentée. Par ailleurs cette extrémité de surface 16 est emmanchée dans un raidisseur 18 dont l'extrémité supérieure 20 est maintenue en position fixe sur une plate-forme et dont l'extrémité inférieure 22 se prolonge autour de la conduite 10 vers le fond marin 14 sur une distance, par exemple entre 5 et 10 mètres. Au repos et non incurvé, ce raidisseur 18 présente un axe de symétrie A. Le raidisseur 18 est réalisé dans un matériau plus rigide que la conduite flexible 10, par exemple du polyuréthane, de manière à limiter l'amplitude de flexion de la conduite 10 au voisinage de la surface 12. La Figure 2 illustre plus en détail le raidisseur 18 qui présente une section annulaire qui s'amenuise de l'extrémité supérieure 20 vers l'extrémité inférieure 22. Sur toute la longueur du raidisseur 18 des capteurs de déformation 24 sont installés pour contrôler à la fois l'amplitude de flexion du raidisseur 18 et l'orientation du plan de flexion."Riser" which extends substantially vertically from the surface 12 to the seabed 14. This flexible pipe 10 has a surface end 16 which is integral with a surface installation not shown. Furthermore, this surface end 16 is fitted into a stiffener 18 whose upper end 20 is held in a fixed position on a platform and whose lower end 22 extends around the pipe 10 towards the seabed 14 on a distance, for example between 5 and 10 meters. At rest and not curved, this stiffener 18 has an axis of symmetry A. The stiffener 18 is made of a more rigid material than the flexible pipe 10, for example polyurethane, so as to limit the bending amplitude of the pipe 10 in the vicinity of the surface 12. Figure 2 illustrates in more detail the stiffener 18 which has an annular section which tapers from the upper end 20 to the lower end 22. Throughout the length of the stiffener 18 of the deformation sensors 24 are installed to control at the times the bending amplitude of the stiffener 18 and the orientation of the bending plane.
On se référera maintenant à la Figure 3 pour décrire le dispositif de contrôle conforme à l'invention selon une première variante d'exécution.Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 to describe the control device according to the invention according to a first variant of execution.
La Figure 3 illustre en section droite un jonc en fibre de verre 26 de section triangulaire et d'axe central C, noyé dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 jusqu'au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure 22 illustrée sur la Figure 2. Ce jonc 26 présente des faces, dont les dimensions en section droite sont de l'ordre du millimètre, par exemple compris entre 5 et 8 mm. Dans chacune de ses faces une rainure longitudinale 28 médiane est ménagée sur toute la longueur dudit jonc 26. Dans ces rainures 28, un guide d'onde formée d'une fibre optique 30 est maintenu au moyen d'une résine, par exemple époxy. Ces fibres optiques 30 s'étendent longitudinalement sur toute la longueur dudit jonc 26 qui lui-même s'étend sur toute la longueur du raidisseur 18 illustrés sur la Figure 2. De la sorte, les fibres optiques 30 s'étendent de l'extrémité inférieure 22 jusqu'à l'extrémité supérieure 20 et au-delà pour être connectées à des moyens de traitement du signal.Figure 3 illustrates in cross section a fiberglass rod 26 of triangular section and central axis C, embedded in the thickness of the stiffener 18 to the vicinity of its lower end 22 shown in Figure 2. This rod 26 has faces whose dimensions in cross section are of the order of a millimeter, for example between 5 and 8 mm. In each of its faces a longitudinal groove 28 is formed along the entire length of said rod 26. In these grooves 28, a waveguide formed of an optical fiber 30 is maintained by means of a resin, for example epoxy. These optical fibers 30 extend longitudinally over the entire length of said rod 26 which itself extends over the entire length of the stiffener 18 illustrated in FIG. 2. In this way, the optical fibers 30 extend from the end lower 22 to the upper end 20 and beyond to be connected to signal processing means.
En outre, les fibres optiques 30 présentent entre l'extrémité supérieure 20 et l'extrémité inférieure 22 une pluralité de zone dans lesquelles sont formées une structure en réseaux de Bragg et qui forment les capteurs de déformation 24. Tel que représenté sur la Figure 3 le jonc 26 de section triangulaire est inséré dans un alésage triangulaire 32 également qui est ménagé dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 longitudinalement selon l'axe A. L'alésage triangulaire 32 épouse les formes du jonc 26 de manière à ce que ce dernier soit bloqué en rotation autour de son axe C. De la sorte quelle que soient les déformations du raidisseur 18 le jonc 26 maintient en position fixe les fibres optiques 30 par rapport au raidisseur 18 et en particulier les capteurs de déformation 24 constitués par les réseaux de Bragg. Ainsi les signaux fournis par les capteurs de déformation 24 qui sont préalablement étalonnés, sont toujours représentatifs d'une même déformation du raidisseur 18.In addition, the optical fibers 30 have between the upper end 20 and the lower end 22 a plurality of zones in which a Bragg grating structure is formed and which form the deformation sensors 24. As shown in FIG. the rod 26 of triangular section is inserted into a triangular bore 32 which is also formed in the thickness of the stiffener 18 longitudinally along the axis A. The triangular bore 32 matches the shapes of the rod 26 so that the latter is locked in rotation about its axis C. In this way, whatever the deformations of the stiffener 18, the ring 26 maintains in fixed position the optical fibers 30 with respect to the stiffener 18 and in particular the strain sensors 24 constituted by the gratings. Bragg. Thus the signals supplied by the deformation sensors 24 which are previously calibrated, are always representative of the same deformation of the stiffener 18.
Sur la Figure 4 le dispositif de contrôle selon l'invention est représenté dans une autre variante de réalisation selon laquelle le jonc n'est plus de section droite triangulaire mais ici de section hexagonale. On retrouve sur cette Figure 4 en section droite, le raidisseur 18 et un jonc 34 de section hexagonale qui s'étend longitudinalement dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 à travers un alésage 36 de section droite également hexagonale. Les parois de l'alésage 36 épousent également la forme du jonc 34 de sorte que ce dernier est bloqué en rotation autour de son axe central C. Une rainure 38 est ménagée longitudinalement et alternativement sur trois faces du jonc 34 de manière à loger trois fibres optiques 40. Grâce à deux des fibres optiques 40, le plan de flexion du raidisseur et l'amplitude de flexion sont susceptibles d'être déterminés, tandis que la troisième fibre optique permet de corriger les valeurs fournies par les deux autres fibres optiques lorsque les joncs subissent une déformation axiale. Cette déformation axiale est notamment due aux frottements et/ou à la température. Selon une troisième variante de réalisation, on a représenté sur laIn Figure 4 the control device according to the invention is shown in another embodiment wherein the rod is no longer a triangular cross section but here hexagonal section. This Figure 4 cross section in the right, the stiffener 18 and a ring 34 of hexagonal section which extends longitudinally in the thickness of the stiffener 18 through a bore 36 of cross section also hexagonal. The walls of the bore 36 also match the shape of the ring 34 so that the latter is locked in rotation about its central axis C. A groove 38 is formed longitudinally and alternately on three sides of the ring 34 so as to house three fibers 40. Thanks to two of the optical fibers 40, the bending plane of the stiffener and the bending amplitude can be determined, while the third optical fiber makes it possible to correct the values provided by the two other optical fibers when the rushes undergo axial deformation. This axial deformation is in particular due to friction and / or temperature. According to a third variant embodiment, there is shown on the
Figure 51 un jonc en fibre de verre 42 dont la section est sensiblement en U et correspond à un alésage 44 pratiqué dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 qui présente la même configuration en U. Selon cette configuration le jonc 42 est également bloqué en rotation dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18. Par ailleurs le jonc présente également trois rainures 46 réparties dans son pourtour et dans lesquelles sont installées respectivement trois fibres optiques 48.Figure 51 a fiberglass rod 42 whose section is substantially U and corresponds to a bore 44 formed in the thickness of the stiffener 18 which has the same configuration U. According to this configuration the rod 42 is also locked in rotation in the thickness of the stiffener 18. Furthermore the ring also has three grooves 46 distributed in its periphery and in which three optical fibers 48 are respectively installed.
On se référera maintenant à la Figure 6 qui illustre l'invention selon un mode particulier, avantageux. On retrouve sur cette Figure 6 une section de l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 perpendiculaire à son axe de symétrie A et un alésage 50 de section triangulaire. Cet alésage 50 est non plus réalisé directement dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 mais dans un corps cylindrique 52 qui est lui- même inséré dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18.Referring now to Figure 6 which illustrates the invention in a particular, advantageous manner. This figure 6 shows a section of the thickness of the stiffener 18 perpendicular to its axis of symmetry A and a bore 50 of triangular section. This bore 50 is not realized directly in the thickness of the stiffener 18 but in a cylindrical body 52 which is itself inserted into the thickness of the stiffener 18.
Pour ce faire, le corps cylindrique 52 est réalisé dans un matériau en matière plastique rigide, de préférence de section circulaire pour que le champ de contrainte radiale s'exerçant sur lui soit uniforme, et l'alésage central 50 est ménagé symétriquement à l'intérieur. Bien évidemment, cet alésage 50 triangulaire présente des dimensions compatibles avec la tige rigide déformable adaptée à la traverser. En outre, le corps cylindrique 52 est étendu sur au moins une partie de la longueur du raidisseur 18 de façon à pouvoir insérer la tige rigide depuis l'extrémité supérieure 20 jusqu'à l'extrémité inférieure 22.To do this, the cylindrical body 52 is made of a rigid plastic material, preferably of circular section so that the radial stress field exerted on it is uniform, and the central bore 50 is formed symmetrically to the inside. Of course, this triangular bore 50 has dimensions compatible with the rigid deformable rod adapted to cross. In addition, the cylindrical body 52 is extended over at least a portion of the length of the stiffener 18 so as to be able to insert the rigid rod from the upper end 20 to the lower end 22.
Ainsi, le raidisseur 18 est surmoulé d'une seule pièce autour du corps cylindrique 52 avec une matière plastique du type polyuréthane, moins rigide que celle du corps cylindrique 52. De la sorte, lors du surmoulage le corps cylindrique 52 est suffisamment rigide pour résister aux contraintes et ne pas se déformer. De cette façon, l'alésage 50 n'est pas déformé et la tige rigide déformable est susceptible d'y être enfilée sans frottement excessif.Thus, the stiffener 18 is overmolded in one piece around the cylindrical body 52 with a plastic material of the polyurethane type, less rigid than that of the cylindrical body 52. In this way, during overmolding the cylindrical body 52 is rigid enough to withstand to the constraints and not to deform. In this way, the bore 50 is not deformed and the rigid deformable rod is likely to be threaded without excessive friction.
De la sorte, le corps cylindrique 52 restera à demeure dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18 et il sera bloqué en rotation dans le raidisseur 18 grâces au rétreint de la matière plastique surmoulée. En outre, en choisissant un corps cylindrique 52 en matériau de type polyuréthane et en surmoulant le raidisseur 18 avec le même type de matériau, les forces d'adhésion entre les deux surfaces de contact sont suffisamment importantes pour bloquer en rotation le corps cylindrique 52 dans l'épaisseur du raidisseur 18. Par ailleurs, grâce à la forme cylindrique de révolution du corps cylindrique 52, au cours de l'injection du matériau en fusion, sa répartition se fait de façon homogène autour dudit corps cylindrique 52. De la sorte, lorsque le matériau est devenu rigide le raidisseur ne présente aucune anisotropie ni amorce de fracture malgré la présence du corps cylindrique 52. Ainsi, après que le corps du raidisseur 18 a été entièrement moulé avec le corps cylindrique 52 dans son épaisseur, la tige rigide déformable constituée d'un jonc en fibre de verre de section triangulaire et qui est équipée de fibres optiques tout comme le jonc 26 apparaissant sur la Figure 3, est susceptible d'être enfilé dans l'alésage 50.In this way, the cylindrical body 52 will remain permanently in the thickness of the stiffener 18 and it will be locked in rotation in the stiffener 18 thanks to the shrinkage of the overmolded plastic material. In addition, by choosing a cylindrical body 52 of polyurethane material and overmolding the stiffener 18 with the same type of material, the adhesion forces between the two contact surfaces are large enough to lock the cylindrical body 52 in rotation. the thickness of the stiffener 18. Moreover, thanks to the cylindrical shape of revolution of the cylindrical body 52, during the injection of the molten material, its distribution is homogeneous around said cylindrical body 52. In this way, when the material has become rigid the stiffener has no anisotropy or fracture primer despite the presence of the cylindrical body 52. Thus, after the body of the stiffener 18 has been entirely molded with the cylindrical body 52 in its thickness, the deformable rigid rod consists of a fiberglass rod of triangular section and which is equipped with optical fibers just as the rod 26 appearing in FIG. 3, can be threaded into the bore 50.
Bien évidemment, les fibres optiques sont ensuite reliées à un dispositif d'émission et de réception qui lui-même est connecté à un dispositif d'analyse piloté par un ordinateur de façon à enregistrer les flexions du raidisseur. Of course, the optical fibers are then connected to a transmitting and receiving device which itself is connected to a computer-controlled analysis device so as to record the flexures of the stiffener.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de contrôle des raidisseurs (18) de conduites flexibles (10) marines adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, lesdits raidisseurs (18) dans lesquels sont emmanchées lesdites conduites flexibles (10) sont adaptés à se courber en limitant la courbure desdites conduites flexibles, ledit dispositif comprenant une tige rigide déformable (26, 34, 42) présentant une axe central (C), ladite tige rigide déformable étant adaptée à être noyée dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur (18) sensiblement parallèlement à ladite conduite (10), au moins deux capteurs de déformation étant maintenus appliqués contre le pourtour de ladite tige rigide déformable (26, 34, 42), lesdits capteurs de déformation étant adaptés à fournir un signal représentatif de la courbure lorsque ledit " raidisseur se courbe et provoque la déformation de ladite tige rigide déformable ; caractérisé en ce ladite tige rigide déformable (26, 34, 42) est maintenue bloquée en rotation autour dudit axe central (C) dans ledit raidisseur (18). 1. Device for controlling the stiffeners (18) of flexible pipes (10) suitable for the marine transport of hydrocarbons, said stiffeners (18) in which are fitted said flexible pipes (10) are adapted to bend by limiting the curvature of said flexible pipes said device comprising a deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42) having a central axis (C), said deformable rigid rod being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener (18) substantially parallel to said pipe (10), at least two deformation sensors being maintained pressed against the periphery of said deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42), said deformation sensors being adapted to provide a representative of the curvature signal when said "stiffener bends and causes deformation of said deformable rigid rod, characterized in that said rigid deformable rod (26, 34, 42) is kept locked in rotation around the it central axis (C) in said stiffener (18).
2. Dispositif de contrôle selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que ladite tige rigide déformable (26, 34, 42) présente une section droite déterminée non circulaire tandis que ledit raidisseur présente un alésage (32, 36, 44) d'une section droite non circulaire correspondant à ladite section droite déterminée pour épouser la forme de ladite tige rigide déformable.2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that said deformable rigid rod (26, 34, 42) has a determined non-circular cross section while said stiffener has a bore (32, 36, 44) of a section. non-circular straight corresponding to said cross section determined to conform to the shape of said deformable rigid rod.
3. Dispositif de contrôle selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit alésage (26, 34, 42) est pratiqué longitudinalement dans un corps cylindrique, ledit corps cylindrique étant adapté à être noyé dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur. 3. Control device according to claim 2, characterized in that said bore (26, 34, 42) is formed longitudinally in a cylindrical body, said cylindrical body being adapted to be embedded in the thickness of said stiffener.
4. Dispositif de contrôle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits capteurs comprennent des fibres optiques (30, 40, 48) dans lesquels sont imprimés des réseaux de Bragg.4. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said sensors comprise optical fibers (30, 40, 48) in which Bragg gratings are printed.
5. Dispositif de contrôle selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que lesdits capteurs comprennent trois fibres optiques (30, 40, 48) réparties dans le pourtour de ladite tige rigide déformable.5. Control device according to claim 4, characterized in that said sensors comprise three optical fibers (30, 40, 48) distributed in the periphery of said rigid deformable rod.
6. Dispositif de contrôle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite tige rigide déformable (26, 34, 42) est formée d'un jonc en fibre de verre.6. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said rigid deformable rod (26, 34, 42) is formed of a fiberglass rod.
7. Raidisseur de conduites flexible marines adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.7. Marine flexible pipe stiffener adapted to the transport of hydrocarbons, characterized in that it comprises a device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. Procédé de production d'un raidisseur de conduites flexible marines adaptées au transport des hydrocarbures, caractérisé en ce qu'on moule d'une seule pièce ledit raidisseur (18) en noyant dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur ledit corps cylindrique (52) alésé, selon la revendication 3.8. A method of producing a flexible flexible pipe stiffeners suitable for the transport of hydrocarbons, characterized in that integrally molds said stiffener (18) by embedding in the thickness of said stiffener said cylindrical body (52) bored according to claim 3.
9. Procédé de production selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que ledit raidisseur (18) est moulé dans une matière plastique présentant un premier module d'élasticité, ledit corps cylindrique alésé étant réalisé dans une matière plastique présentant un second module d'élasticité supérieur au premier module.9. Production method according to claim 8, characterized in that said stiffener (18) is molded in a plastic material having a first modulus of elasticity, said bored cylindrical body being made of a plastic material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first module.
10. Procédé de production selon la revendication 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que ladite tige rigide déformable, équipée desdits capteurs est insérée dans ledit alésage (50) après que ledit corps cylindrique (52) a été noyé dans l'épaisseur dudit raidisseur (18). 10. Production method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said deformable rigid rod equipped with said sensors is inserted into said bore (50) after said cylindrical body (52) has been embedded in the thickness of said stiffener ( 18).
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BRPI0511946A (en) 2008-01-29
ATE378499T1 (en) 2007-11-15
WO2006003308A1 (en) 2006-01-12
DK1759085T3 (en) 2008-03-25
EP1759085B1 (en) 2007-11-14
FR2871511A1 (en) 2005-12-16
NO20065432L (en) 2007-02-26
AU2005259096A1 (en) 2006-01-12
NO334201B1 (en) 2014-01-13
AU2005259096B2 (en) 2010-12-09
FR2871511B1 (en) 2006-07-28
DE602005003364D1 (en) 2007-12-27

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