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
  • F16L33/00—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses
  • F16L33/01—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses adapted for hoses having a multi-layer wall
• • 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
  • F16L33/00—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses
  • F16L33/34—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses with bonding obtained by vulcanisation, gluing, melting, or the like
• • 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
  • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
  • F16L11/04—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics
  • F16L11/08—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with reinforcements embedded in the wall
  • F16L11/081—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with reinforcements embedded in the wall comprising one or more layers of a helically wound cord or wire
  • F16L11/083—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with reinforcements embedded in the wall comprising one or more layers of a helically wound cord or wire three or more layers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a flexible pipe end, the flexible pipe comprising at least one tubular sheath and at least one layer of tensile armor disposed around the tubular sheath, the layer of armor comprising a plurality filiform armor elements.
• the pipe is in particular an unbonded flexible pipe for the transport of hydrocarbons through an expanse of water, such as an ocean, a sea, a lake or a river.
• Such a flexible pipe is for example made according to the normative documents API 17J (Specification for Unbounded Flexible Pipe) and API RP 17B (Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe) established by the American Petroleum Institute.
• the pipe is generally formed of a set of concentric and superimposed layers. It is considered as "unbound" in the sense of the present invention since at least one of the layers of the pipe is able to move longitudinally relative to the adjacent layers during bending of the pipe.
• an unbonded pipe is a pipe devoid of binding materials connecting layers forming the pipe.
• the conduit is generally disposed across an expanse of water between a bottom assembly for collecting fluid operated in the bottom of the body of water and a floating surface assembly for collecting and delivering fluid.
• the surface assembly may be a semi-submersible platform, an FPSO or other floating assembly.
• the flexible pipe has a length greater than 800 m.
• the ends of the pipe have tips for connection to the bottom assembly and the entire surface.
• the axial tension has not only a high average value, but also permanent variations as a function of the vertical movements of the set of surface and conduct, under the effect of the agitation of the body of water caused by swell or waves.
• the axial tension variations can reach several tens of tons and be repeated continuously during the service life of the pipe. In 20 years, the number of cycles can reach more than 20 million.
• WO 2007/144553 discloses a tip of the aforementioned type, wherein the armor wires deviate helically from the axis of the pipe, then move helically close to the axis of the pipe in the chamber delimited by the end vault and through the hood of the mouthpiece.
• the end of each tack wire is further deformed wave-shaped, and the armor son are embedded in a thermosetting resin, to be immobilized in the interior space defined by the cap of the tip.
• the wires are not completely motionless at the back of the mouthpiece, although they are trapped in the resin.
• the wires can in particular move along their axis. In this case, they are likely to rub against each other, which can create local weakening and critical wear over time.
• An object of the invention is therefore to obtain a manufacturing method that makes it possible to provide a tip having effective axial voltage recovery, not only for high average axial voltages, but also when numerous cycles of axial voltage variation s apply on driving.
• the subject of the invention is a process of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises a step of applying a protective coating on at least one end section of a filamentary armor element. , the protective coating being applied in the form of a fluid layer solidifying after application.
• the process according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken singly or in any technically possible combination.
• the protective coating is applied over the entire length of the or each end section, to the free end of the end section;
• the protective coating is applied only to the rear part of each end section;
• the armor layer comprises a plurality of filamentary armor elements, the application step comprising the application of the protective coating on each end section of each armor element; the protective coating is applied over the entire outer surface of the or each end section;
• the armor layer comprises a plurality of filamentary armor elements, the method comprising, before the application step, a step of folding towards the rear of the end sections, a step of engagement of an arch at the end of the tubular sheath, a step of unfolding forward of at least a portion of the armor elements, and a step of applying the protective coating on the unfolded armor elements;
• the protective coating is formed from a first material, the method comprising, after the step of applying the protective coating, a step of disposing an outer cover around the end sections to define a chamber receiving the end sections, then a step of filling the receiving chamber with a second material capable of physically and / or chemically bonding with the first material;
• the first material and the second material are identical.
• the invention also relates to a connecting end of a flexible fluid transport pipe, the flexible pipe comprising at least one tubular sheath and at least one layer of tensile armor disposed externally with respect to the tubular sheath, the an armor layer comprising a plurality of filamentary armor elements, the tip comprising at least one end section of each filamentary armor element,
• At least one end section is provided with a protective coating, the protective coating being attached to the end portion, the protective coating being applied as a fluid layer solidifying after application.
• the tip according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination:
• the protective coating is formed by a first material, the end piece comprising an external cap disposed around the end sections to delimit a receiving chamber of the end sections, the receiving chamber being at least partially filled by a second material capable of binding physically and / or chemically with the first material;
• the first material and the second material are identical;
• - It comprises a central arch, engaged around the tubular sheath and an outer cover, the central arch and the outer cover delimiting between them a receiving chamber of the end sections, the central arch and / or the outer cover being provided with less in part a protective coating, advantageously formed from the same material as the protective coating of the or each end portion;
• the thickness of the protective coating is less than 3 mm;
• the protective coating is applied over the entire outer surface of the or each end section;
• the protective coating is applied solely to the outer surface of the rear part of the or each end section.
• FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a section of a flexible pipe on which is mounted a nozzle according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view, taken in section along a median axial plane, of the relevant parts of a first nozzle of a flexible pipe obtained by a first method according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, during the manufacture of the tip by a first method according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of a solid coating layer on an end section of a weave element in a second method according to the invention.
• the terms “outside” and “inside” generally mean radially with respect to an axis AA 'of the pipe, the term “outside” meaning relatively more radially distant from the axis. AA 'and the term “inner” extending as relatively closer radially to the axis AA' of the pipe.
• forward and “rear” are axially related to an AA 'axis of the line, with the word “before” meaning relatively farther from the middle of the line and closer to one of its extremities, the term “rear” meaning relatively closer to the middle of the pipe and further away from one of its ends.
• the middle of the pipe is the point of the pipe situated equidistant from the two extremities of the latter.
• a first flexible pipe 10 according to the invention is partially illustrated by FIG. 1
• the flexible pipe 10 comprises a central section 12 illustrated in part in FIG. It comprises, at each of the axial ends of the central section 12, a end tip 14 (not visible in Figure 1), the relevant parts are shown in Figure 2.
• the pipe 10 defines a central passage 16 for circulation of a fluid, preferably a petroleum fluid.
• the central passage 16 extends along an axis A-A 'between the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe 10. It opens through the endpieces 14.
• the flexible pipe 10 is intended to be disposed through a body of water (not shown) in a fluid operating installation, in particular hydrocarbons.
• the body of water is, for example, a sea, a lake or an ocean.
• the depth of the water extent to the right of the fluid operating installation is for example between 500 m and 3000 m.
• the fluid operating installation comprises a particularly floating surface assembly and a bottom assembly (not shown) which are generally connected to each other by the flexible pipe 10.
• the flexible pipe 10 is preferably an "unbonded” pipe (referred to as "unbonded”).
• At least two adjacent layers of the flexible pipe 10 are free to move longitudinally with respect to each other during bending of the pipe.
• all the layers of the flexible pipe are free to move relative to each other.
• Such conduct is for example described in the normative documents published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), API 17J, and API RP17B.
• the pipe 10 defines a plurality of concentric layers around the axis A-A ', which extend continuously along the central section 12 to the ends 14 at the ends of the pipe.
• the pipe 10 comprises at least a first tubular sheath 20 based on polymeric material advantageously constituting a pressure sheath.
• the pipe 10 further comprises at least one layer of tensile armor 24, 25 arranged externally with respect to the first sheath 20.
• the pipe 10 further comprises an internal carcass 26 disposed inside the pressure sheath 20, a pressure vault 28 interposed between the pressure sheath 20 and the layer or layers of pressure.
• the pressure sheath 20 is intended to seal the fluid transported in the passage 16. It is formed of a polymer material, for example based on a polyolefin such as polyethylene, based on a polyamide such only PA1 1 or PA12, or based on a fluorinated polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).
• a polyolefin such as polyethylene
• a polyamide such only PA1 1 or PA12
• PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
• the thickness of the pressure sheath 20 is for example between 5 mm and 20 mm.
• the carcass 26, when present, is formed for example of a profiled metal strip, wound in a spiral.
• the turns of the strip are advantageously stapled to each other, which makes it possible to take up the radial forces of crushing.
• the carcass 26 is disposed inside the pressure sheath 20.
• the pipe is then designated by the term "rough bore" because of the geometry of the carcass 26
• the flexible pipe 10 is devoid of internal carcass 26, it is then designated by the term "smooth bore".
• the helical winding of the profiled metal strip forming the carcass 26 is short pitch, that is to say it has a helix angle of absolute value close to 90 °, typically between 75 ° and 90 °.
• the pressure vault 28 is intended to take up the forces related to the pressure prevailing inside the pressure sheath 20. It is for example formed of a metallic profiled wire surrounded in a helix around the sheath 20 The profiled wire generally has a complex geometry, especially in the form of Z, T, U, K, X or I.
• the pressure vault 28 is helically wound in a short pitch around the pressure sheath 20, that is to say with a helix angle of absolute value close to 90 °, typically between 75 ° and 90 °.
• the flexible pipe 10 according to the invention comprises at least one layer of armor
• 24, 25 formed of a helical winding of at least one elongate armor member 29.
• the flexible pipe 10 comprises a plurality of armor layers 24, 25, in particular an inner armor layer 24, applied to the pressure vault 28 (or to the sheath 20 when the vault 28 is absent) and an outer armor layer 25 around which outer sheath 30 is disposed.
• Each layer of armor 24, 25 comprises longitudinal armor elements 29 wound with a long pitch around the axis A-A 'of the pipe.
• wrapped with a long pitch is meant that the absolute value of the helix angle is less than 60 °, and is typically between 25 ° and 55 °.
• the armor elements 29 of a first layer 24 are generally wound at an opposite angle to the armor elements 29 of a second layer 25.
• the winding angle of the armor elements 29 of the first layer 24 is equal to + a, a being between 25 ° and 55 °
• the winding angle of the armor elements 29 of the second armor layer 25 disposed in contact with the first layer of armor 24 is for example equal to - a 0 .
• the armor elements 29 are for example formed by metal wires, especially steel wires, or by ribbons made of composite material, for example carbon fiber-reinforced tapes.
• the armor elements 29 each have an end portion 32 inserted into the endpiece 14.
• the end portion 32 extends to a free end disposed in the endpiece 14. It advantageously has a helical or pseudo-helical trajectory of axis AA 'in the tip 14.
• At least one end section 32 of a weave element 29 is provided with a protective coating 34, the protective coating 34 being fixed on the end section 32, the protective coating 34 being applied in the form of a fluid layer solidifying after application.
• each end section 32 of each armor element 29 is provided with a protective coating 34.
• the protective coating 34 covers the entire outer surface of the armor element 29.
• the protective coating 34 covers all sides.
• the protective coating 34 is formed from a polymer, in particular a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.
• the protective coating 34 is for example formed based on a thermosetting epoxy resin, for example an araldite resin.
• the protective coating 34 is obtained from a fluid layer deposited on the outer surface of the armor element 29, the fluid layer solidifying on the outer surface, in particular by crosslinking.
• the solidification of the fluid layer simultaneously generates its attachment to the outer surface of the armor element 29, possibly with the interposition of a bonding layer.
• the maximum thickness of the protective coating 34 taken radially with respect to the axis A-A ', is less than the maximum thickness of the armor element 29, taken radially with respect to the axis ⁇ - ⁇ '.
• the maximum thickness of the protective coating 34 is less than 50% of the maximum thickness of the armor element 29.
• the maximum thickness of the protective coating 34 is for example less than 1 mm and is in particular between 0.2 mm and 1.2 mm.
• the protective coating 34 is applied over the entire length of the end portion 32, to its free end.
• the protective coating 34 is applied only to the rear part of the end section, that is to say at the level of the zone where the armor elements 29 deviate helically. of the axis AA 'of the pipe 10.
• this area located near the back of the tip 14 is a critical area in which the armor elements 29 are not completely immobile, although they are trapped in the resin.
• the elements 29 can move along their longitudinal axis, especially when the flexible pipe 10 is subjected to strong axial tension variations.
• the armor elements 29 may be in direct contact with each other, so that these longitudinal displacements are likely to generate a critical phenomenon of wear.
• the protective coating 34 has the effect of preventing the adjacent armor elements 29 from being in direct contact. In this way, the wear generated by the longitudinal movements of the elements is greatly reduced.
• the outer sheath 30 is intended to prevent the permeation of fluid from outside the flexible pipe inwardly. It is advantageously made of a polymer material, in particular based on a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, based on a polyamide, such as PA1 1 or PA12, or based on a fluorinated polymer such as polyfluoride. vinylidene (PVDF).
• a polyolefin such as polyethylene
• a polyamide such as PA1 1 or PA12
• PVDF vinylidene
• the thickness of the outer sheath 30 is for example between 5 mm and 15 mm.
• each endpiece 14 has an end vault 50 and an outer connecting cover 51 projecting axially rearwards from the roof 50.
• the cover 51 delimits, with the end vault 50 , a chamber 52 for receiving the free ends 34 of the armor elements 29.
• the tip 14 further comprises a front assembly 54 sealing around the pressure sheath 20, shown schematically in Figure 2, and a rear assembly (not shown) sealing around the outer sheath 30.
• the tip 14 further comprises an annular member 80 for tightening the layers of armor 24, 25 located in the rear zone of the tip.
• the end vault 50 is intended to connect the pipe 10 to another connection end 14 or to terminal equipment, advantageously via an end flange (not shown).
• the roof 50 has a central bore intended to receive the end of the first sheath 20 and to allow the flow of the fluid flowing through the central passage 16 towards the outside of the pipe 10.
• the cover 51 has a tubular peripheral wall 70 extending around the axis A-A '.
• the peripheral wall 70 has a leading edge (not shown) attached to the end vault 50, radially away from the armor layers 24, 25 and a rear edge (not shown) extending axially rearwardly. beyond the end vault 50.
• the cover 51 delimits the chamber 52 radially outwardly.
• a rear face (not visible) of the end vault 50 axially defines the chamber 52 forwards.
• the front sealing assembly 54 is advantageously located at the front of the endpiece 14, in contact with the roof 50, being offset axially forwardly relative to the annular clamp member 80, and relative to to the rear sealing assembly.
• crimping front ring intended to engage the pressure sheath 20.
• the front assembly 54 furthermore comprises an intermediate ring for stopping the pressure vault 28.
• the rear sealing assembly is disposed at the rear of the annular clamping member 80. It comprises at least one crimping rear ring crimping the outer sheath 30.
• the annular clamping member 80 is disposed around the armor members 29 of the armor layer 25, at the rear portion of the tip 14.
• the armor elements 29 of the armor layers 24, 25 are wound helically with the same radius of helix as they have at the central section 12.
• the zone at which the layers of armor 24, 25 deviate helically from the axis AA 'of the pipe to cover the front sealing assembly 54 and the roof 50 is located between the annular clamping member 80 and the before the tip 14.
• the annular clamping member 80 is in the form of a collar, and does not significantly contribute to the recovery of tension forces. Its function is in particular to prevent the disorganization of the armor layers 24, 25 during assembly of the tip 14, as will be explained below.
• the tip 14 further comprises a solid filling material 82, such as a thermosetting polymeric resin of epoxy type, disposed in the chamber 52 around the annular clamping member 80, the arch 50, and sections of end 34 of the armor elements 29
• the material 82 substantially completely fills the chamber 52. It is preferably fluidly injected into the chamber 52 and solidifies therein, by binding the end sections 34 of the armor members 29 to the vault 50 and / or hood 51.
• the filling material of the chamber 52 is formed by a second material, in particular a second resin able to bond physically and / or chemically with the first material.
• the first material and the second material are advantageously analogous, that is to say that they comprise similar reactive chemical functions, for example epoxy functional groups.
• the first material and the second material are identical.
• the assembly of the tip 14 according to the invention is carried out as follows.
• the various layers of the pipe 10 are cut to the right length to reveal, on the roof 28, a free end section 32 of each armor element 29 of the armor layers 24, 25.
• annular member 80 in an expanded configuration is introduced around the armor layer 25, before being tightened around it.
• each end section 32 of the inner armor layer 24 is provided with the protective coating.
• a layer of a fluid material capable of solidification is applied to the end portion 32, for example by means of an application tool 90, such as a brush visible in FIG.
• each end portion 32 of the inner armor layer 24 is unfolded forward.
• an outer face of the end section 32 is then also provided with the protective coating, advantageously by depositing a clean fluid layer to solidify, using the application tool described. previously.
• each end section 32 of the outer armor layer 25 is provided with the protective coating, as previously described.
• each end section 32 of the outer armor layer 25 is then provided with the protective coating, as previously described.
• the cover 51 is then put in place and fixed to the roof 50.
• the rear sealing assembly is then put in place and is attached to the hood 51.
• the filling material 82 is then introduced into the chamber 52, advantageously in fluid form.
• the material 82 fills the chamber 52 and solidifies between the roof 50 and the cover 51 around the end portions 32 of the armor elements 29.
• the end sections 32 provided with their protective coating 34 are then embedded in the filling material 82.
• end sections 32 of the armor elements 29 are each provided with a protective coating 34 covering their outer surface, they are protected against any impact or mechanical deterioration during assembly, in particular during the unfolding of the section of the armor 29. end 32 against the vault 50 or against another layer of armor 24.
• the presence of the protective coating 34 improves the wetting of the filler material 82 over the entire outer surface of the end portion 32. This results in a better grip of each end section 32 by the filling material 82 once solidified, thus improving the mechanical properties of the tip 14.
• the end sections 32 are detached from the filling material 82, and slide relative to each other, the contact between the adjacent end sections 32 is avoided. by the presence of the protective coating 34 integral with each end section 32.
• a layer of protective coating is also applied to the surfaces of the roof 50 and / or the hood 51 that can come into contact with the end sections 32 of the armor elements 29.
• the protective coating 34 is applied in solid form to the outer surface of each end section 32.
• the protective coating 34 is for example formed by a polymeric tape of small thickness fixed by gluing on the end sections 32 of the armor elements 29. This variant is less advantageous than that using a coating applied in the form of a fluid layer solidifying after application, in particular because of its greater difficulty implementation.
• each end section 32 of a weave member 29 has a solid cross section, particularly in the case of a wire or a composite tape.
• the protective coating is applied individually to each end section 32 of a weave element 39 without connecting two distinct end sections 32 to each other.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
• Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49753247

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Citations (1)

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• 2013
  • 2013-04-23 FR FR1353698A patent/FR3004779B1/fr active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-04-22 WO PCT/EP2014/058096 patent/WO2014173874A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2014-04-22 BR BR112015026812A patent/BR112015026812A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2014-04-22 EP EP14720541.3A patent/EP2989366A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (1)

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