Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L17/00—Joints with packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/002—Couplings of the quick-acting type which can be controlled at a distance
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/62—Couplings of the quick-acting type pneumatically or hydraulically actuated

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a subsea piping connection system specially designed for use at great depth.
• a subsea piping connection system specially designed for use at great depth.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and an associated method for connecting at least two pipes, in a marine environment or equivalent at great depth, easier to implement than the devices and processes of the prior art. described above.
• the device or connection system for connecting at least two ends of pipes according to the present invention comprises an envelope composed of an elastic structure and a sleeve passing right through and in its axis. the envelope, said envelope has a variable thickness and defines a sealed volume, so that a pressure outside the sealed volume greater than the pressure inside the sealed volume causes an elastic deformation of the elastic structure tending to reduce the thickness of the envelope to a thickness under maximum stress.
• said connecting system connects said pipes being disposed between the two ends of each pipe and balancing the pressure inside the sealed volume with the pressure outside the sealed volume by means of a triggering member. so that the thickness of the casing is reduced to a tight connection thickness between the non-stressed thickness and the maximum stress thickness.
• the clamping connection is achieved by the force resulting from the elastic deformation of the casing exerted by the casing on the ends of the pipes. This allows that large clamping forces are implemented between the ends of the pipes and the connection system without significant input of energy (or power). The power to bring to trigger these forces is of the order of a few watts (or hundreds of watts).
• the sleeve is a variable thickness element intended to ensure the connection and continuity of the internal volumes of the pipes to be connected.
• the elastic structure is the outer part of the casing and defines, with the sleeve, the sealed volume.
• the inner part of the envelope is the sleeve.
• connection means the distance separating the two free ends of the sleeve, that is to say the distance between the two ends which are intended to make the connection with the pipes to be connected.
• connection system generates clamping forces adapted to pipe connections at great depth underwater. These clamping forces are generally important.
• the control body trigger the implementation of these forces.
• the triggering organ is itself controlled by a command requiring a low energy input.
• the clamping forces are controlled by low energy controls, and a power of a few watts can trigger or not, the actual connection of the pipes together, and the tightening of the connection.
• the connection is made between counter-flanges secured to the end of the pipes to be connected.
• the system further comprises a stirrup for immobilizing the ends of the pipes to be connected.
• the triggering member is a valve for communicating or separating the sealed volume with the external environment.
• the connection system further comprises a reservoir constituting a low-pressure source, making it possible, in communication with the sealed volume, to bring the sealed volume under low pressure in order to loosen the connection and allow the system to be dismantled. connection by bringing the thickness of the envelope to the thickness under maximum stress.
• the elastic structure is constituted by at least two elastic flanges of frustoconical shape arranged head to tail and secured to their large base by screws or welding, and the sleeve at their small base.
• the elastic structure further comprises additional springs.
• the ends of the pipes to be connected have a countersink on which bearing surfaces of the sleeve are supported.
• the retrier further comprises sliding sleeves.
• the connection system makes it possible to connect with the stirrup one end of piping with the sleeve equipped with a plug, to ensure the closing of said end of piping.
• the invention also relates to a method for connecting underwater pipelines, characterized in that it uses two pressures, one "high pressure” environmental and natural, the other "low pressure” artificially provided and contained in a system, a work originating from the above indicated differential pressure is stored in an elastic structure of deformable parts of the system, which may return, if nothing opposes it in the form of an engine work, all of the energy stored , which restitution, partial or total is remote controlled by a trigger member neutralizing the differential pressure by balancing the internal and external pressure acting on said envelope.
• the method consists first of all in putting a sealed volume defined by an envelope (comprising an elastic structure) at a first pressure, for example the ambient pressure at sea level. envelope in an environment where the surrounding pressure is greater than the first pressure, for example the ambient pressure in the sea at two thousand meters (2000m) deep.
• a first pressure for example the ambient pressure at sea level.
• envelope in an environment where the surrounding pressure is greater than the first pressure, for example the ambient pressure in the sea at two thousand meters (2000m) deep.
• the internal pressure of the sealed volume defined by the casing being lower than the pressure that exerts the external environment on the envelope, the latter is deformed.
• the sealed volume contains a compressible fluid, for example air.
• a triggering member for example a valve placing in communication the sealed volume and the external environment.
• the shell is designed so that deformations do not fall within the plastic range, so that the deformations of the housing are reversible.
• the method consists in limiting or curbing the return to the initial shape of the envelope, for example by positioning it between two free but essentially immobile ends of two pipes. So, when the envelope tends to return to its original shape, it rests on the free ends of the pipes and thus performs the connection of the two pipes. Thereafter, when the pressure balance between the interior volume of the envelope and the outside environment is effective, the envelope exerts a clamping force that clamps (latches) the connection between the pipe and the casing.
• This clamping force is proportional to the elastic deformation in which the envelope is clamped. In other words, when the envelope is clamped, the latter is deformed, the greater the clamping force is important.
• connection and clamping helicoid system represented for example by an assembly consisting of a screw and a nut, a system jointly using environmental hydrostatic pressure and the elastic property of elements made from certain materials having the property of storing during their deformation a potential energy.
• the technique used for the implementation of the system which is the subject of the invention therefore makes use of material elements that for some use the "elasticity-stiffness" couple capable of absorbing and restoring a work-material elements that make up a set referred to in FIG. describes for the others their properties refractory to the deformation of material elements composing a set referred to as the "stirrup (A)" which opposes reaction forces to the action forces developed. by the envelope (B) under certain conditions explained in the paragraph "operation of the system”.
• this force modifies all the dimensions of its framework by compression, traction or bending.
• These types of deformation have in the design of the envelope an influence perfectly controlled by machining operations. For example, aiming to make the action due to compression and its control predominant by reducing the thickness of the structure of the envelope in certain zones by improving its flexibility or, on the contrary, by increasing the thickness by favoring stiffness. This stiffness limiting the deformation is likely to be reinforced by security elements becoming joined when the decrease in the thickness of the envelope reaches its optimum value.
• the deep water projects can be located on several levels, therefore the envelopes (B) deformable are adjusted during their manufacture on the one hand according to the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the immersion depth, on the other hand according to the intensity of the desired clamping at the flange joint planes by appropriate sizing of the surface involved in the deformation.
• the adaptation of the shell (B) at a given end is directly related to: a) the choice of the (or) material (s) its component structure (flexibility, stiffness, modulus, yield strength b) to the thicknesses of the structure composing the walls of the envelope (B) including zones of lesser resistance as indicated above or else extra thicknesses favoring the stiffness of said zones.
• a particular type of structure of an envelope intended for a given immersion level can be adapted to a higher level of immersion and this by means of additional adjustable loads, which additional charges being for example made of spring-type spring washers capable of being mounted in columns or packets (these two methods of combination can be combined with each other during assembly in the workshop).
• additional adjustable loads which additional charges being for example made of spring-type spring washers capable of being mounted in columns or packets (these two methods of combination can be combined with each other during assembly in the workshop).
• a low energy source medium represented by the internal volume of the envelope (B) under low air pressure (of the order of atmospheric pressure),
• This set of judiciously combined means forms the basis of operation of the underwater piping connection system, object of the invention.
• FIG. 1A shows a partial sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention at a thickness e 1
• FIG. 1B represents two half-sections with a thickness e 2 and e 3
• FIG. 1C represents a section along the plane F of FIG. 1B
• FIG. 2 shows a half section of a second embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3A shows a front view partially in section. of a third embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3B shows a partially sectional view along the plane IIIB of Figure 3A
• Figure 4A shows a front view partially in section of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 4B shows a collapsed cross-sectional view according to the plane FF of FIG 4A.
• Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show three phases of an implementation method of a fifth embodiment of the invention
• Figure 5D shows a section along the VD plane of Figure 5C
• Figure 6 shows a partial section of a fifth embodiment of the invention
• Ia 7A shows a partial front view of a sixth embodiment of the invention
• Figure 7B shows two half-sections (of different thicknesses) of the embodiment of Figure 7A according VIIB plane
• Figures 8A and 8B represent two phases (respectively closed valve and open valve) of a method of implementation of the invention
• FIGS. 9A, 9B (closed valve) and 9C represent three phases of a variant of FIG.
• FIG. 10 represents a load / deformation diagram
• FIG. 11 represents in a diagram the evolution of the charges as a function of the height of water.
• the system which is the subject of the invention comprises:
• a rigid and closed envelope (B) consisting of two frustoconical elastic flanges (1) and (2) arranged "head-to-tail" and secured to their large base by screws or welding (5), at their small base by a sleeve (8).
• Said sleeve passes right through and in its axis the said envelope (B); it has at its center one (or more) annular part (s) folding (s) previously formed (s) bellows (9) while at its ends are erected by machining and perpendicular to the axis XZ circular parts (16) and (18).
• the envelope (B) comprising the sleeve (8) and the flanges (1) and (2), has a symmetry of revolution with respect to the axis XZ, the flanges (1) and (2) and the sleeve (8) being mounted coaxially.
• the flanges (1) and (2) correspond to the elastic structure of the invention, that is to say the part that generates the clamping force by elastic deformation.
• the sleeve (8) dugeonné or chucked to the small base of the truncated cones (36) determines a volume of annular shape (10) sealingly but capable of being brought into communication with the environment outside the casing by opening the valve (15) which is fixed to the large base of the assembled flanges secured as indicated by screwing positioning the axis of the valve (15) perpendicular to the XZ axis. It is therefore understood that the annular shape volume is delimited on the one hand by the sleeve (8) and on the other by the flanges (1) and (2). In addition, it is also understood that the sleeve (8) is elastically deformable, the latter is therefore suitable for storing energy by elastic deformation, and thus participate in the clamping force.
• each frustoconical flange comprises machining and extra thickness a boss of circular shape (13) having the center axis X, Z.
• the said perfectly symmetrical bosses are opposite to the inside of the annular volume
• (B) has a maximum deformation, that is to say a deformation along the axis XZ such that the distance between the two ends of the sleeve is minimal and equal to ⁇ 2
• the system comprises a welded stirrup (A) constituted by a frame in the form of "U” deformable in which are placed the two counter-flanges (30) integral with the end of the tubes. connected. These counter-flanges are pre-interwoven in the annular milling operations (27).
• This stirrup (A) is able to block the pipes at their counter-flange (30) in the direction of their mutual distance in the direction XZ.
• This stirrup serves to take up clamping forces generated by the envelope (B).
• the stirrup (A) blocks the envelope (B) via the counter-flanges (30) so that the envelope (B) generates a clamping force resulting from its elastic deformation.
• Figures IA, IB and IC (first embodiment) represent:
• FIG. 1B shows in section the envelope (B) subjected to the hydrostatic pressure (thickness under maximum stress 2 ), whereas FIG. the unstressed thickness t e, the value of Ia maximum strain is equal to (C] - e 2).
• said envelope (B) of thickness (ei) is of thickness (e 2) this that allows its introduction into the free space defined by the flanges, against the surfaces (30) being vis-à-vis.
• the envelope (B) flattened progressively during its descent by the force developed by the hydrostatic pressure reaches at this stage its maximum deformation, which is limited by the annular bosses (13) become joined and acting as a safety device.
• the strength determining this variation in thickness corresponding to its flatness is set to the hydrostatic pressure per square centimeter (cm 2) times the surface corresponding to the outer diameter of the envelope (0 2) which is subtracted the area corresponding to the diameter inside the envelope (0i).
• envelope (B) considered as a real system of springs.
• the envelope (B) being positioned as indicated above and with axis coinciding with the axis XZ (that is to say the envelope (B) being positioned coaxially with the pipes), the tightening of the connection can then be controlled by opening the valve (15) balancing the internal and external pressures of said envelope; which envelope, in its expansion, comes to embed forcefully the circular bearing surfaces (16) and (18) in counterbores countersink (30).
• the sleeve (8) of the envelope (B) has a distance between its ends (said intermediate distance) equal to e ? (thickness of tight connection), this thickness ⁇ 3 being lower than the maximum thickness ej (envelope (B) at rest) and greater than or equal to the minimum thickness 6 3 (envelope (B) deformed at the maximum), it is to say: e 2 ⁇ e 3 ⁇ ei.
• FIG. 2 (second embodiment), identical as to its principle of operation in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C), differs in that the envelope (B) consists of four frustoconical flanges (1) (2) (3) and (4) assembled "head-to-tail" two by two and secured on the one hand to their large base by the screws (5) supporting the annular seals (6); on the other hand, at their small base by a sleeve (8) hydro or thermo-formed before fitting, which is applied to the rounded bases of the frustoconical flanges (1) and (4).
• the envelope (B) consists of four frustoconical flanges (1) (2) (3) and (4) assembled "head-to-tail" two by two and secured on the one hand to their large base by the screws (5) supporting the annular seals (6); on the other hand, at their small base by a sleeve (8) hydro or thermo-formed before fitting, which is applied to the rounded bases of the frustoconical f
• the two annular volumes (10) are put in communication for example by the channel (16) or by a longitudinal milling machined in the sleeve (8) (not shown).
• a longitudinal milling machined in the sleeve (8) not shown.
• additional loads (14) which are presented as indicated in the form of springs of the conical washer type, which conical washers crossed and immobilized at their small base by the axes (37) on which the sleeves (38) slide are distributed symmetrically on a circle concentric with the axis ZZ 'and this, according to an angular deviation of a value determined during assembly workshop.
• the set of additional removable and adjustable loads makes it possible for the system which is the subject of the invention to easily adapt a basic structure of the envelope (B) to different heights of water, thus likely to face different construction sites and depths.
• the frustoconical flange (1) comprises laterally screwed the balancing valve (15) isolating the annular volumes (10) of the external environment (closed position) or otherwise allowing communication between these two media (open position).
• This member allowing or prohibiting the balancing of the annular volumes (10) with the pressure environmental can be the needle type, or ultra-sonic electric hydrovalve type of low power and remotely controlled from a ROV or by a ship located at zero.
• connection system The main advantages of the above-described variant of the connection system lie on the one hand in the increase of the value of the arrow which is multiplied by two for the same load, on the other hand in the possibility of increase of the said load is set to the desired value by means of the springs of the conical washer type (14).
• the elastic structure corresponds to the four flanges (1) (2) (3) and (4) combined with the additional charges (14).
• additional charges 14
• FIGS. 3A and 3B (third embodiment) have a shape of envelope slightly different from the biconical form represented by FIG. 1A and in which is formed a groove (7) at the periphery of the annular volume (10) and orienting the deformation of said envelope, the neutral fiber being located on the axis UU '.
• FIG. 3A shows the positioning of the additional loads (14) arranged on a circle concentric with the axis of the pipe sections to be connected, the circular bosses (13), and finally the circular millings (27) interleaving the counter-flanges. (30) in the stirrup (A).
• FIGS. 4A and 4B present another variant enabling the system according to the invention to simultaneously connect several pipes of diameter 01, 02, 03 and 04.
• the annular space (10) has the same functions as in the previous descriptions (balancing valve not shown).
• the annular milling (27) nests the counter-flanges (30) in the rear (A).
• FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D represent the "guillotine blade" mounting phases of the envelope (B) in the stirrup (A), that is to say the mounting of the envelope ( B) between two ends of pipes clamped by Aetier (A) (the envelope B being that of a fifth embodiment described later with reference to Figure 6).
• Phase 3 corresponds to the elastic expansion of the envelope and to the tightening of the connection system by opening the valve (15) which ensures the balancing of the internal and external pressures of the envelope (B ). Note, in phases 1 and 2, the erased position of the sliding bushes (21) and (22) and the covering they provide after clamping in phase 3 (variant explained in Figure 6).
• FIG. 6 presents the system that is the subject of the invention connecting two pipe sections positioned in the stirrup (A).
• the rigidity of the connection is thus reinforced by the sliding sleeve (21) covering the end of the sleeve (8) and the sliding sleeve (22) from covering and immobilizing the nut (17).
• Solidarity of the stirrup (A) by welding, a reservoir (24) resistant to the highest hydrostatic pressures is the low-pressure energy source required to dismantle the connection system object of the invention.
• Loosening and disassembly ensuring the return to the initial pressure conditions before tightening by placing the reservoir (24) in communication with the annular volumes (10) when the valve (23) is open.
• Disconnection of the stirrup (A) of the casing (B) becomes possible only after sliding of the bushes (21) and (22) for their return to initial position before recovery.
• This disassembly device incorporating the assembly "caliper-envelope" low pressure source advantageously limits the action (of a ROV for example) to the junction by piping valves (23) and (15) positioned to isolate the annular volumes (10) of the environmental pressure and subjecting said annular volumes to the low pressure source of said reservoir (24).
• the capacity of the reservoir (24) will be at least equal to all the volumes represented by the annular volume (s) (10) and that of the connection piping.
• the adoption of this system is advantageous for the junction of underwater piping admitting sections of great length allowed by the low specific weight of said sections (next use of flexible risers).
• the reservoir (24) reinforces the rigidity of the bracket (A) with which it forms an integral assembly.
• FIGS. 7A and 7B present an alternative operating according to the same principles as the system that is the subject of the invention and specifically designed for closing off the ends of submarine pipe sections during disassembly operations, when these are filled (after abandonment of an oil field for example) of pollutants such as liquid hydrocarbons.
• stirrup (A) is secured to the casing (B) by means of the sleeve (8) deformable threaded (43).
• the monobloc assembly thus designed to cap and imprison the end-of-descent counter-flange (30) as imaged by the sectional view (upper part) of the envelope and the stirrup positioned before clamping; and after tightening by the sectional view (lower part) representing the sealing provided by the bearing surface (16) which bears against the circular counter-flange of the counter-flange (30).
• FIGS. 7A and 7B show a lifting ring (33), a screwed cap (34) allowing unscrewing the emptying of the pipe section when said section reaches the zero level while the other end (not shown) provided the same set allows the injection of a surfactant or water vapor under pressure by the threaded connection (35) for the fluidification of the remainder of the product contained in the pipe and its recovery.
• valve in all other descriptions is replaced by a breakable tube (39) capable of balancing the annular volume (10) with the environmental hydrostatic pressure by rotation of a quarter turn of the lever (31) printing the torsion and then breaking the breakable tube (39) immobilized at one end by threading into the wall of the frustoconical flange (2) and closed at the other end.
• a lead-shaped forked part (32) ensures immobilization of the lever (31).
• FIGS. 8A (closed valve) and 8B (open valve) represent the on-site assembly of the connection system that is the subject of the invention.
• the positioning of the envelope (B) in the caliper (A) is "guillotine blade" - identical process to that described in Figures 5A, 5B. 5C and 5D.
• FIGS. 9A and 9B (closed valve) and 9C (open valve) represent an alternative embodiment of the connection system that is the subject of the invention.
• This variant consists of making integral before their descent and by welding (S) of the stirrup (A) with the end (45) of the tube to be connected and to ensure the removal of the assembly on the bottom while the envelope (B) itself secured before its descent with the other end of the tube to be connected by the weld (Si) is lowered and nested in the annular milling (27). Said envelope is in the position corresponding to the tightening of the connection system object of the invention.
• FIG. 11 represents in a diagram the evolution of the charges as a function of the differential surfaces adopted.
• the loads in tons on the ordinate the heights of water corresponding to the level of the underwater shipyard.
• the power allowing us to trigger these forces by a remote control is a few watts (W). Notations (definitions) see Fig, IA and IB

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
• Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)
• Safety Valves (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2007
  • 2007-11-05 FR FR0707773A patent/FR2923282B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-11-05 US US12/740,243 patent/US20100253077A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-11-05 CN CN200880114735XA patent/CN101855485B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-11-05 EP EP08854976A patent/EP2215391A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-11-05 CA CA2704703A patent/CA2704703A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-11-05 WO PCT/FR2008/051988 patent/WO2009068775A2/fr active Application Filing

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