阅读说明：本技术 遥控载具可去除的柔性接头弹性体保护工具 (The removable flexible joint elastomer of Remote Control Vehicle protects tool ) 是由 I·布阿法恩 于 2018-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明描述一种改进的柔性接头弹性体保护工具,其可由遥控载具(“ROV”)致动和去除,所述工具具有可从闭合位置旋转到打开位置的枢转臂。朝所述闭合位置内旋转引起离岸柔性接头中的弹性组件的压缩。朝所述打开位置外旋转引起离岸柔性接头中的所述弹性组件的去压缩。所述臂的旋转可使用可由ROV操作的机械、液压或其它机制来实现。(The present invention describes a kind of improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool, can be activated and be removed by Remote Control Vehicle (" ROV "), the tool has the pivotal arm that can rotate to open position from closed position.The compression of the elastic parts in offshore flexible joint is quoted towards the closed position inward turning.Quote the elastic parts in offshore flexible joint towards the open position outward turning to go to compress.Mechanical, the hydraulic or other mechanism that can be operated by ROV can be used to realize for the rotation of the arm.)

1. a kind of flexible joint elasticity body protecting apparatus comprising:

One or more stabilizer blades comprising pivotal arm, middle section, top bar and lower pole,

The top bar is configured to connect to flexible joint,

The lower pole is configured to connect to the pivotal arm, and

The pivotal arm is configured to be rotatably connected to flexible joint extension component, so that the pivotal arm can be at first Position, wherein the pivotal arm is pivoted away from the middle section of the stabilizer blade and does not apply to the flexible joint substantially Axial force, or can be at the second position, wherein the pivotal arm is rotated towards the middle section of the stabilizer blade and via institute It states top bar and axial force is applied to the flexible joint.

2. equipment according to claim 1, wherein the middle section of the stabilizer blade includes adjustable bar.

3. equipment according to claim 2, wherein the adjustable bar include in the top bar and the lower pole At least one between threaded connection so that the length of the pivotal arm can by make the adjustable bar around central shaft revolve Then change.

4. equipment according to claim 1, further comprising:

Flexible joint extension spider collar support part,

Prolong with the flexible joint lower end that the flexible joint extension spider collar support part is configured to attach to the pivotal arm Between extending portion.

5. equipment according to claim 1, wherein after the pivotal arm rotates to the second position, the pivot Arm is configured to retain in the position until Remote Control Vehicle makes the pivotal arm be moved to the first position.

6. equipment according to claim 1 further comprises auxiliary fixing member, the auxiliary fixing member is configured to institute It states each of pivotal arm and is maintained in the second position.

7. equipment according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary fixing member includes one or more screwed plugs, it is described one or more A screwed plug is configured to that the pivotal arm is removably attached to the branch when the pivotal arm is in the second position The middle section of foot.

8. equipment according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary fixing member includes locking ring, the locking ring is configured to work as The pivotal arm surrounds the stabilizer blade and engages with the stabilizer blade when being in the second position.

9. equipment according to claim 4, wherein the flexible joint extension component includes flexible joint extension axis Ring supporting element support.

10. equipment according to claim 1 further comprises one or more hydraulic actuators, one or more described liquid Hydraulic actuator is configured to make the pivotal arm rotation so that the arm moves between the second position and the first position.

11. equipment according to claim 10 further comprises Remote Control Vehicle hydraulic connecting receiver, so that remote control carries Tool may be connected to the receiver and the actuating hydraulic actuator.

12. equipment according to claim 1, wherein the equipment includes four stabilizer blades, four stabilizer blades are around described The periphery of flexible joint is substantially equally angularly spaced.

13. equipment according to claim 1, wherein one or more described pivotal arms are configured with driving screw, the driving Screw makes the pivotal arm be moved to the first position from the second position at the time of activation.

14. equipment according to claim 13, wherein the driving screw is arranged so that it can be activated by Remote Control Vehicle.

15. a kind of method being deployed in flexible joint on sea bed comprising following steps:

Flexible joint elasticity body protecting apparatus is coupled to the flexible joint, the equipment includes:

One or more stabilizer blades comprising pivotal arm, middle section, top bar and lower pole,

The top bar is configured to connect to the flexible joint,

The lower pole is configured to connect to the pivotal arm, and

The pivotal arm is configured to be rotatably connected to flexible joint extension component, so that the pivotal arm can be at first Position, wherein the pivot arm is pivoted away from the middle section of the stabilizer blade and does not apply to the flexible joint substantially Axial force, or can be at the second position, wherein the pivot arm is rotated towards the middle section of the stabilizer blade and via institute It states top bar and axial force is applied to the flexible joint；

So that the pivotal arm is rotated to the second position from the first position, thus compresses the elasticity in the flexible joint Flexible member；

The flexible joint is transported to the sea bed in the case where being equipped with the flexible joint elasticity body protecting apparatus.

16. according to the method for claim 15, wherein the middle section of the stabilizer blade includes adjustable bar.

17. according to the method for claim 16, wherein the method further includes adjust the adjustable bar make by The pivotal arm rotates to the axial force that the second position applies the desired amount to the flexible joint from the first position.

18. according to the method for claim 16, wherein the adjustable bar includes and the top bar and the lower pole At least one of between threaded connection so that the length of the pivotal arm can be by making the adjustable bar around central shaft It rotates and changes.

19. according to the method for claim 18, wherein the method further includes making the adjustable bar around its center Axis rotation wants flexible joint application so that the pivotal arm is rotated to the second position from the first position The axial force of amount.

20. according to the method for claim 15, wherein the flexible joint elasticity body protecting apparatus further comprise one or Multiple hydraulic actuators, one or more described hydraulic actuators are configured to make the pivotal arm to rotate so that the arm is described the It is moved between two positions and the first position.

21. according to the method for claim 15, wherein the pivotal arm is moved to described first from the second position The step of position, is executed by Remote Control Vehicle.

22. according to the method for claim 20, wherein the flexible joint elasticity body protecting apparatus further comprises remote control Carrier hydraulic connecting receiver, and be connected to the receiver the method further includes Remote Control Vehicle and activate described hydraulic The step of actuator.

23. four stabilizer blades are around described according to the method for claim 15, wherein the equipment includes four stabilizer blades The periphery of flexible joint is substantially equally angularly spaced.

24. according to the method for claim 15, wherein one or more described pivotal arms are configured with driving screw, the driving Screw makes the pivotal arm be moved to the first position from the second position at the time of activation.

25. according to the method for claim 23, wherein the driving screw is activated by Remote Control Vehicle.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of offshore production resilient flexibility connectors and a kind of removable flexible joint elasticity of Remote Control Vehicle Body protects tool.

Background technique

Resilient flexibility connector and flexible joint elastomer protection tool have used a period of time in offshore petroleum industry. The Remote Control Vehicle for being referred to as " ROV (Remote operated vehicle) " is also widely used in offshore petroleum industry.

Resilient flexibility connector is commonly used in offshore production or subsidiary conduit or standpipe being connected to floating platform.Such connector It can provide rotation compatibility, while accommodating process line pressure, and be known in industry.

Before being mounted on floating platform, riser assemblies are typically temporarily parked on sea bed, and usual resilient flexibility connects Head has been mounted on the standpipe.This it is temporary be parked on sea bed during, the high pressure for acting on flexible joint can cause brokenly It splits, permanent damage and sealability can be caused to consume.Therefore, particular tool (referred to herein as " flexible joint elastomer Protection tool ") it is pre-installed in flexible joint and provides compression preload for flexible joint elastomer element, thus prevent elastomer The rupture when it is parked on sea bed.In order to which flexible joint provides rotation compatibility during operation, however, in standpipe and flexibility Connector must remove flexible joint elastomer protection tool after having promoted height necessary to being connected to ship.

Flexible joint elastomer is removed in the installation site of flexible joint or near the installation site of flexible joint to protect The serviceability and ability of nurse's tool have been problem known in industry for many years.Although ROV has commonly used in progress is various The work of standpipe is closed, but it generally can not remove flexible joint elastomer protection tool.To this one the reason is that many soft Property the jack bolt that is unloaded using up to 6,000ft-lb torsion is needed of joint elastic body protection tool design.It can be in flexibility The typical ROV that flexible joint elastomer protection tool is taken out in the installation site of connector can only generate about 125ft-lb torsion, Therefore ROV can not remove conventional flexible joint elastic body protection tool at present.Therefore, when needing to remove flexible joint elastomer When protection tool, flexible joint generally has to be completely pulled out from water to job platform, and big spanner can be used in staff at which Or hydraulic torque wrench manually removes the tool.This is a costly and time-consuming process.In addition, floating platform is (as floated Formula produces storage and offloading platform (floating production storage and offloading platform；FPSO)) On most of crane flexible joint can not be promoted to work deck, and thus usually require with larger crane Additional mounting shipping, but cause potential a large amount of extra costs.Elimination may need the proposing flexible joint of additional mounting shipping The needs for being raised to ground can be the installation potential saving millions of dollar of contractor.Accordingly, it is desired to provide can be removed by typical ROV and The non-flexible joint elastomer protection tool manually removed on ground.

Summary of the invention

It is to flexible joint (referred to as " FJ (flexible that flexible joint elastomer, which protects the major function of tool, Joint) ") flexible member applies compressive load, and before installing flexible joint, is exactly mounted on and stays on sea bed Standpipe on when maintain compressive load always.Because flexible member be in the axial direction it is extremely hard, only need small Displacement, usually less than 0.25 inch realizes required compression.

The embodiment of the present invention described herein is acted on using cam the turning effort of pivotal arm being converted into flexibility It is axially displaced on connector extension.This effect transfers optionally to compress or go compressed flexible element.Pivotal arm acts also as can Amplify the lever arm of rotary force.

After installing flexible joint elastomer protection tool, pivotal arm is shelved on adjustable bar, thus by compressive load It is applied to flexible member.In one embodiment, pivotal arm can be maintained at by the temporary retaining screw being screwed in adjustable bar In this position, or in an alternative em bodiment, it is maintained at by the external two-piece type fixing ring extended around the outside of pivotal arm In this position.In order to remove flexible joint elastomer protection tool, pivotal arm rotates out of adjustable bar and is pivoted away from adjustable Thus whole bar removes the compression to flexible member.This rotation can be activated by several different modes that typical ROV is manipulated, Such as by using hydraulic cylinder, driving screw or the like.Described flexible joint elastomer protection tool is relative to relatively early One advantage of design is their ability to be manipulated by ROV or removed.

Detailed description of the invention

The various aspects and adjoint advantage of one or more exemplary embodiments and its modification will become more clearly understood from, because To be become better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings by reference to described in detail below its, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the side exploded perspective isometric view of prior art flexible joint elastomer protection tool design.

Fig. 2 is the sectional view of prior art flexible joint elastomer protection tool design.

Fig. 3 is equipped with the side perspective of the embodiment of the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool of four individual legs Figure, it is in the close position to show the tool in this view.

The side that Fig. 4 is equipped with the embodiment of the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool of four individual legs is transversal It is in the close position to show the tool in this view for face figure.

The side that Fig. 5 is equipped with the embodiment of the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool of four individual legs is transversal It is in an open position to show the tool in this view for face figure.

Fig. 6 is equipped with four individual legs and the improved flexible joint elastomer configured with actuator protects tool It is in an open position to show the tool in this view for the side perspective view of alternate embodiment.

Fig. 7 is equipped with the side of the alternate embodiment of the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool of four individual legs Perspective view shows the tool in this view and is in closed and locked position, and the embodiment in this view is configured with more A optional locking member.

Fig. 8 is equipped with the cross of the alternate embodiment of the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool of four individual legs Sectional view shows the tool in this view and is in closed and locked position, and the embodiment in this view is configured with more A optional locking member.

Fig. 9 A is the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool for showing one amplifier section in individual leg The amplification cross-sectional view of alternate embodiment shows the tool in this view and is in closed and locked position, this view In embodiment be configured with multiple optional locking members.

Fig. 9 B is the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool for showing one amplifier section in individual leg The amplification cross-sectional view of alternate embodiment shows the tool in this view and is in closure and unlocked position, in this view Multiple optional locking members shown in Fig. 9 A have been removed in figure.

Fig. 9 C is the improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool for showing one amplifier section in individual leg The amplification cross-sectional view of alternate embodiment, it is in an open position to show the tool in this view, shows in this view The embodiment gone out except multiple optional locking members, actuating driving screw and actuating cylinder.

Specific embodiment

Exemplary embodiment is shown in the reference attached drawing of schema.It is expected that the embodiments described herein and schema are considered as Illustrative and not restrictive.The limitation of subsequent technical scope not should be attributed to shown in attached drawing and reality discussed in this article Example.

Fig. 1 shows exploded isometric view arrangement, and Fig. 2 shows the sides of existing flexible joint elastomer protection tool design to cut open How view and the tool interface with flexible joint.When the jack bolt of flexible joint elastomer protection tool is tightened, Apply upward power to the bottom of the main body of flexible joint.Meanwhile applying downward power to the extension of flexible joint.This draws Play the compression of flexible joint elastomer layer (the also referred to as flexible member of flexible joint).This existing flexible joint elastomer protection One problem of tool design and similar existing flexible joint elastomer protection tool design is it by many components and weldment It constitutes.In addition, the problem of this existing flexible joint elastomer protection tool design and jack bolt of similar existing design, exists Up to 6000ft-lb is needed in it to be torqued into position and reverse out the position, this is at that time far beyond major part The ability of ROV.

With reference to Fig. 3, the side perspective view of the embodiment of improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool 10 is shown.Identical reality It applies example and is shown in Figure 4 for side cross-sectional view.With reference to both Fig. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, four individual legs 20 are configured And it attaches between flexible joint 30 and flexible joint extension 40.In one embodiment, particular job place and work can be based on The requirement of tool and the number for increasing or reducing individual leg 20.Each individual leg includes adjustable bar 50, top bar 52, bottom Bar 54 and pivotal arm 56.

For tool properly operation, flexible member must accurately precommpression, may in some thousandths of inch range, To prevent element damage in deployment.Accordingly, it may be desirable to carefully adjust by the protection tool offer of flexible joint elastomer Decrement.Adjustable bar 50 is a kind of mode for realizing such accurate adjustability.Such as institute in the more details in Fig. 9 A to 9C It shows, adjustability can be by using one or more spiral shells between one or two of adjustable bar and top bar and bottom bar Line connection (love gram mother (acme) screw thread) Lai Shixian.Adjustable bar 50 (or 50a or 50b), which serves as, turns button (turn buckle).It is logical The adjustable rod piece of rotation is crossed, the length of sub-assembly is changed.After reaching desired length, in one embodiment, sub-assembly is solderable It, thereafter can be if necessary in drilling in cylinder or breaker bolt (if configuration) together to prevent from moving.Adjustability is alternative It is realized by placing gasket below top bar and bottom bar on ground.

Adjustable bar 50 is not required in that the operation of flexible joint elastomer protection tool.Adjustable bar 50 can be by The accurately similar assembly replacement of definite length needed for specific configuration of the machining to flexible joint.

Referring again to Fig. 3 to 5, in this embodiment, top bar 52 is configured to connect to flexible joint body insert 32, the flexible joint body insert is shown to be inserted into flexible joint main body 34.Including top bar 52, adjustable bar 50 It is configured to connect to pivotal arm 56 with the sub-assembly of bottom bar 54, wherein the low portion of bottom bar 54 is configured to be positioned as being inserted into Into the lower part receiving portion 58 of pivotal arm 56.Pivotal arm 56 is configured to connect to the axis being mounted on flexible joint extension 40 Ring supporting element 42.In one embodiment, spider collar support part 42 may be connected to the spider collar support part support of flexible joint extension 40 44。

With reference to Fig. 3 and 4, the embodiment of improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool 10 be illustrated at its actuating or " locking " position.In this position, preload and substantially compressed flexible element 60 are carried out to tool 10.It is installing and is activating Or after locking flexible joint elastomer protection tool 10, flexible member 60 is similar to compressed spring and works like that, the compression Spring pushes flexible joint main body 34 downward when pushing flexible joint extension 40 upward.Due to the design and geometry of tool 10 Shape, this actuating (or closure) position is from locking, wherein not to be to maintain tool institute in this position required for other mechanism 's.This stability is attributed to the cam assemblies including pivotal arm 56, adjustable bar 50, top bar 52 and bottom bar 54 and has revolved Turn to be more than " bias " position.Since those components are fixed relative to the angle of flexible joint 34 and the central axis of flexible joint extension 40 To, therefore pivotal arm 56, adjustable bar 50, top bar 52 or bottom cannot be made by the axial force that the compression of flexible member 60 assigns The rotation of bar 54 or radial displacement.

Referring to Fig. 5, the embodiment of improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool is illustrated at " opening " or " release " Position.In this position, there is no load is substantially absent at any position in the compression to flexible member 60 and system Lotus.In addition, in this position, extension can be configured to about 0.25 inch higher than in the close position to this embodiment.

To be moved to position shown in Fig. 3 to 4 from position shown in Fig. 5, thus activates the tool and compression is soft Property element 60, each of configured pivotal arm 56 be rotated up inwardly its with corresponding adjustable bar 50 face-to-face until.Such as It is described above, the compression that pivotal arm 56 will cause flexible member 60 is rotated inwardly.On the contrary, to release brake tool 10 and going Except tool 10, each pivotal arm 56, which is rotated outward, accordingly can adjust bar 50 far from it.In the embodiment illustrated, in open position In setting, component is not kept together, therefore tool will scatter when open.

There are multiple possible modes to activate described improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool.With reference to Fig. 6, The embodiment of improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool 10a is shown.It is acted on by using adjustable arm 70a and cam, it can A large amount of axial forces on flexible member 60a are generated by rotation pivotal arm 56a.Rotate pivotal arm 56a needed for power compared to Generated axial force is minimum.The hydraulic system of the local FJ may include respective hydraulic actuator, and receive actuation commands Or the tool is made independently to activate or jointly activate via actuating certainly after other trigger actions.Similarly, FJ may include this Ground electronic actuation system.Hydraulic actuator 80a, but electric actuator or other actuatings are configured in the embodiment being shown in FIG. 6 Mechanism may replace the configured hydraulic actuator 80a shown in this embodiment.Hydraulic actuator 80a pushes away pivotal arm 56a Enter or pulls out.Each adjustable arm 70a can be configured to: top section 52a, centre portion 50a and compresses lower section 54a.It causes Dynamic device 80a can pass through all stabilizer blade 20a connections of stick 82a and tool.In one embodiment, stick 82a may be arranged so that it can It is activated in the mode that those skilled in the art are obvious by ROV.Act on the axial force of flexible joint extension 40a with The power ratio acted between the axial force of hydraulic actuator 80a may be designed to greater than about 50:1.To this configuration, if hydraulic cause Dynamic device 80a pushed with about 5kip it is dynamic, then pushing away the reaction force on extension 40a will be about 250kip.

Although position shown in Fig. 3 to 4 is from locking, in one embodiment, auxiliary fixing member can be used for maintaining tool In the close position, this is second characteristic for preventing tool from opening unintentionally.The example of such auxiliary fixing member is illustrated in Fig. 7 Into 9C.In a possible embodiment, locking bolt 102b can configure, so that it is corresponding that each pivotal arm 56b is locked to it Adjustable bar 50b.ROV with box spanner can unscrew each locking bolt 102b.In another possible embodiment, locking Ring 100b is configured as additional mechanism to ensure pivotal arm 56b from prematurely moving.Locking ring 100b can be configured to one Formula or two-piece type ring, in the illustrated embodiment, locking ring 100b is configured to two-piece type ring.It is articulation piece on side, and Device (not shown), the threaded fasteners that such as can be unlocked or be opened by ROV are locked out on opposite side.When locking ring 100b is unlocked When, it then can be easy to be removed by ROV or it can simply be scattered.

Fig. 9 A to 9C shows a possible sequence for removing optional locking member, so that flexible joint elastomer is protected Tool 10b can be moved into its open position.Fig. 9 A shows one amplifier section in the individual leg of tool 10b, shown Stabilizer blade 20b be in closed and locked position in this view, the embodiment in this view is configured with as described above Multiple optional locking members.In figures 9 b and 9, multiple optional locking members shown in Fig. 9 A have been removed.ROV is configurable There is the tool for allowing to remove locking ring 100b and locking bolt 102b.

Embodiment shown in Fig. 7 to 9C is also shown configured with driving screw 90b, and the driving screw makes pivotal arm 56b It rotates outwardly, flexible joint elastomer protection tool 10b is thus moved to its open position.Driving screw 90b can be pre-installed Into pivotal arm 56b, and in one embodiment, ROV attachment 92b may be configured with.Driving screw 90b is screwed to pivotal arm 56b In, and when it is turning, adjustable bar 50b is pushed, so that pivotal arm 56b be made to rotate outward the central axis far from flexible joint. In addition, torsion needed for rotate driving screw 90b will be less than about 125ft- in the case where the amplification of the design power of about 50:1 Lb, this is completely within the scope of the typical capabilities of current ROV.

It can also be configured the group of hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic cylinder or cylinder in the embodiment of flexible joint elastomer protection tool It closes.Fig. 7,8 and 9A to 9C show the optional electric cylinder configured.In this embodiment or in other similar embodiments, ROV Partial electrical system " will be accessed (stab in) " and powered for the actuating of electric cylinder 82b.Go out as shown in Figure 9 C, cylinder 82b can be with It drives screw 90b to be used in combination or replaces the driving screw, so that pivotal arm 56b rotates outwardly, thus open tool and make Flexible member goes to compress.Alternatively, in hydraulic or baric systerm, ROV can similarly " be accessed " to local system to provide cause Power needed for moving the respective cylinder.The position of cylinder in given system is changeable, as long as institute's allocation position will make pivot rods such as It is described to rotate outwardly.

In short, improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool design makes flexible joint elastomer protection tool by ROV It installs or dismantles, this cannot protect tool technique to reach using existing flexible joint elastomer.The additional benefit of improved tool Place is it with less parts and without weldment.Improved tool another benefit is that its is reusable.For example, pass through Body insert and spider collar support part are only replaced, it is big that same flexibility joint elastic body protection tool can be used for multiple flexible joints It is small.

It practices it although concept disclosed herein has combined and the preferred form that it is modified is described, ability Domain ordinarily skilled artisan will understand that many other modifications can be carried out to it.Therefore, it is not intended to by above description with any side Formula limits the range of these concepts.