method of sealing a ring between the inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system and pipe

专利摘要:
A method of sealing a ring between the inner and outer pipe sections (18, 12) of a piping system within a pipe, comprising: positioning a sealing mass (30) on the ring in contact with the inner pipe sections and external; deform the sealing mass, for example, by shearing and compression, effecting a relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tube sections; and securing the inner and outer tube sections against the inverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass. The inner tube section and an offset outer tube section can be secured by welding them to the respective tubes of a piping structure within adjacent piping. Opposite sloped surfaces, each being similarly sloped with respect to the longitudinal direction, extend into the ring from the respective tube sections so that the sealing mass can be compressed between the sloped surfaces.
公开号:BR112017015179B1
申请号:R112017015179-0
申请日:2016-02-02
公开日:2021-05-11
发明作者:Gerometta Gérald；Delaunay Nathalie；Henri Rousseau
申请人:Acergy France SAS；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] This invention relates to rigid tubes of piping-in-pipe construction ('PiP'), suitable for subsea applications. More specifically, the invention relates to heat-traced PiP tubular conduits, and particularly to sealing arrangements for the ring of such piping.
[002] Subsea tubular conduits are used in oil and gas production as 'anchoring cables' to transport crude oil and/or natural gas from a subsea wellhead through the seabed on its way to the surface.
[003] Typically, at offshore locations, oil and gas flow upward from an elevation column from the seabed to the surface to be subjected to treatment and temporary storage at a surface installation.
[004] Oil and gas are present in underground formations at high temperature and pressure, which can be increased by injecting fluids such as steam. In oil or gas production, the fluid produced emerges from the wellhead and enters the pipeline in a multiphase state.
[005] During subsequent transport along the pipeline, the temperature and pressure of the fluid produced must be kept high enough to ensure a sufficient flow rate across the seabed and into the lift column. In particular, several measures are taken to ensure that the internal temperature of the pipeline remains high, usually above 65°C and in some cases above 200°C, despite the thermal exchange with seawater, which, for example, is at 4°C below 1000m depth.
[006] The low temperature increases the viscosity of the production fluid and promotes the precipitation of solid phase materials, namely waxes and asphaltenes in crude oil and hydrates in natural gas. Such solid phase materials tend to deposit on the inner wall of the pipeline and eventually can cause plugging, which will interrupt production. In addition to the high cost of lost production, fillings are difficult and costly to remove and can even cut the pipe.
[007] In addition, an oil or gas field must occasionally be shut down for maintenance. During shutdown, production is stopped and therefore no hot fluid flows through the pipeline. Consequently, to avoid clogging by solid-phase materials, a mitigation fluid, such as methanol or diesel oil, is injected into the pipeline during shutdown. When production restarts, the temperature inside the pipeline must be increased rapidly so that no plugging forms.
[008] Thermal management challenges increase as subsea pipelines become longer. In this regard, there is a trend towards longer "anchoring lines" as oil and gas reserves are being exploited in increasingly challenging locations.
[009] Subsea pipeline designers have adopted passive and active approaches to thermal management, individually or in combination.
[010] In passive thermal management systems, the pipeline is only thermally insulated. An example of a passive system is a PiP structure comprising an inner tube that transports fluid concentrically placed within an outer tube. The inner and outer tubes can be steel or composite material, or one tube can be steel and the other tube can be composite.
[011] The tubes are spaced apart to define an grommet between them.
[012] Typically, the insulating material is disposed in the ring; it is also common to extract a partial vacuum in the ring to reduce heat transmission through the ring.
[013] PiP structures provide high performance thermal insulation by virtue of the ring. The double wall construction also increases mechanical strength and protection against leaks.
[014] In active thermal management systems, a tracking heating system typically employs resistive electrical wires that run along, and in thermal contact with, the outer surface of a steel pipe. The heat produced by passing an electrical current along the wires is conducted through the tube wall to the production fluid flowing inside. An example of an electrically traced heated flowline is disclosed in WO 02/16732.
[015] PiP (pipe-in-pipe) (ETH PiP), electrically heated, employs a combination of passive and active thermal management measures to manage the temperature of production fluids, particularly effectively.
[016] GB 2492883 and WO 2014/029644 describe typical PiP flowline sections heated with electrical trace. Another example of an electrically traced PiP is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
[017] In an extension of PiP ETH (pipe within electrically heated pipe) as shown in Figure 1, the low voltage electrical heating elements 10, such as copper wires, are arranged around an inner tube of steel 12 of a PiP 14 assembly. Thus, the heating elements 10 are within the ring 16 defined between the inner tube 12 and an outer tube 18 of the PiP 14 assembly. In this example, the heating elements 10 extend longitudinally by PiP assembly 14 parallel to its central longitudinal axis, although heating elements 10 may instead be twisted helically around inner tube 12 or arranged in a wave pattern - known in the art as an SZ layout - along of the inner tube 12. One or more other longitudinally extending elements 20, such as fiber optic data cables or power cables, may be positioned alongside and between the heating elements 10. Ring 16 may also contain an insulating layer 22 that overlays heating elements 10 and other elements 20 as shown. Again, air can be evacuated from ring 16.
[018] Although not shown in Figure 1, the electrical energy is adequately provided to the heating elements 10 by subsea electrical cables that are connected to the submerged PiP system heated by electrical trace through electrical connectors that can be coupled wet. Another approach is to attach one end of the heating elements 10 to a subsea electrical cable above the surface aboard an installation vessel.
[019] Whatever the thermal management system, it is important to maintain thermal management continuously along a pipeline. Otherwise, "cold spots" will appear, which will increase the likelihood that fillings will form in these locations. Likewise, for ease of fabrication and for reliability, it is beneficial to avoid discontinuities due to splices or other connections in heating elements 10 or in other elements 20 that extend longitudinally, such as fiber optic cables.
[020] PiP pipelines can be fabricated offshore, and laid from a pipe laying vessel using "J-lay" or "S-lay" techniques. In these techniques, PiP pipe joints are successively welded in field joints to an upper end of a pipe string that extends like a catenary to the seabed from a vessel's suspension or tensioner mechanism. Welds are tested and field joints are coated before each new section of pipe string is thrown overboard. Fittings are embedded within the pipe between pipe joints at appropriate intervals and are launched with the pipe string into the sea.
[021] PiP pipelines can also be launched in spool launch operations, where the pipeline is prefabricated on an inshore spool base that a spool launch vessel visits to load. On the spool base, the tubing is wound onto a spool carried by the ship. During subsequent launch of the pipe into the sea, the pipe is not released from the spool and straightened. Fittings can be incorporated into the piping at appropriate intervals during launch by cutting through an unwound length of piping and welding the cut ends to opposite sides of the fitting.
[022] Once closed, the ring of a PiP pipeline can be evacuated on an offshore vessel. However, if possible, the ring of a PiP pipeline is evacuated during an onshore prefabrication process, as this removes this operation from the critical path during subsequent offshore operations.
[023] There is a need to provide arrangements for sealing and insulating closed compartments or ring sections of a PiP pipe. Such sections must be air-, vacuum- or water-tight. For example, where a PiP piping ring is evacuated during an onshore prefabrication process, effective sealing is required to create and maintain a partial vacuum.
[024] Effective sealing may also be required to create a sealing sleeve. If the outer tube ruptures due to a failure, a sealing sleeve serves as a barrier that isolates a flooded section of the ring preventing seawater from entering adjacent sections of the ring. This makes repairing and remodeling the damaged pipeline easier and less expensive.
[025] Clearly, a sealing sleeve must resist external hydrostatic pressure if it is to maintain the integrity of the rest of the piping. The hydrostatic pressure on one side of the sealing sleeve exposed to a flooded part of the ring can, of course, be extremely high at great depth, while the pressure on the other side of the sealing sleeve exposed to an adjacent section of the ring will be much less. This pressure imbalance is greater if the adjacent section of the ring contains a partial vacuum.
[026] Effective sealing is particularly challenging in ETH PiP (pipe within tube heated by trace electrical) arrangements. Here, it is necessary to accommodate and seal around longitudinally extending elements, such as heating elements or fiber optic cables, without introducing discontinuities that will complicate fabrication and lead to failure.
[027] A PiP sealing system must also be able to accommodate the differential elongation of the inner and outer tube under thermal influences. In particular, the engagement between the metal of a pipe and a plastic seal must be strong enough to prevent disengagement due to shear stress, which could create a leak path.
[028] The document FR 2991024 describes a complete forged steel bulkhead that connects the inner and outer tubes of an ETH PiP system. Holes penetrate the bulkhead and electrical wires are connected to the respective sides of the penetrators installed in the holes. The disadvantages of this solution are the fragility, the discontinuity and the high cost of the penetrators. Also, when the tubing is bent as during winding on a spool, the bulkhead assembly will slightly oval in cross section; penetrators may not guarantee sufficient tightness because each hole containing a penetrator will also locally oval. Also, some holes may remain empty, which will prevent sealing between successive ring sections separated by the bulkhead.
[029] In BR PI0605003, an elastomeric gasket for an ETH PiP system is axially compressed between a closure ring and an L-shaped front ring. This causes the gasket to expand radially to fill the radial width ring and thus seal the inner and outer tubes. Penetrators for electrical cables or optical fibers are carried by the sealing ring or front ring. All parts are prefabricated and assembled inside the ring. One disadvantage is that a large number of separate elements have to be assembled, which complicates fabrication and creates points of failure. Furthermore, the leak paths can remain if the gasket is not sufficiently radially expanded by the axial longitudinal compression.
[030] EP 1509719 describes a sealing sleeve assembly for a PiP ETP system comprising a polymeric ring which is inserted into the ring to close the ring. The ring is penetrated by longitudinal holes for electrical heating cables and contains a sealing system to close the holes around the cables. The ring comprises lip seals which may not be vacuum tight, even if they are water tight. Also, edge seals are not efficiently tightened around cables that move during installation. There remains a need for more effective sealing.
[031] WO 01/02764 discloses a kink protector for a PiP system that is molded into place within the ring to span the entire radial width of the ring between the inner and outer tubes. While a kink protector is designed to provide mechanical strength and therefore has a function that is very different from that of a sealing sleeve, document WO 01/02764 suggests that the molded-in kink protector can be proof of leak. However, there is no teaching on how the kink protector could be "interfaced" with longitudinally extending elements, such as heating elements or fiber optic cables, which as mentioned above present special challenges to effective sealing.
[032] WO 00/06933 describes a pipe liner for insertion into a pipe, the liner comprising channels that accommodate longitudinally extending heating elements.
[033] US 2003/017007 describes sealing sleeves formed on the ring of a directly electrically heated tube-in-tube (DEH) arrangement by placing a liquid polymer between two rubber seals provided on the ring and allowing the polymer to cure.
[034] The document US 2003/178842 describes spacer rings maintained between the opposite abutment surfaces of inner and outer tubes to prevent radial or axial movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The rings are formed from a low conductivity material such as nylon to insulate the inner and outer tubes from each other thermally and electrically.
[035] It is in this context that the invention has been conceived.
[036] In one sense, the invention resides in a method of sealing a ring between the inner and outer pipe sections of a piping system within a pipe. The method comprises placing a sealing mass on the ring in contact with the inner and outer tube sections. The method is defined by the fact that it also comprises deforming the sealing mass by effecting a relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tube sections; and securing the inner and outer tube sections against inverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass.
[037] The sealing compound can be cut and/or compressed between the inner and outer tube sections. For example, the sealing mass can be compressed by advancing a sloping surface that extends into the ring of at least one of the inner and outer tube sections, the sloping surface being slanted relative to the direction of longitudinal movement. . Preferably, the sealing mass is compressed between opposing sloping surfaces extending into the ring from the respective inner and outer tube sections so that relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tube sections moves the surfaces sloped opposite one another to compress and consequently deform the sealing mass. The or each sloping surface suitably has a surface slope, which can be as small as 5° to 10° with respect to the direction of longitudinal movement.
[038] The sealing compound can be positioned by casting or molding in situ in the ring between the inner and outer tube sections. It is also possible to position the sealing mass over the inner tube section before placing the outer tube section around the sealing mass and the inner tube section.
[039] In an ETP PiP system, the sealing mass is suitably positioned around at least one heating element that extends longitudinally along the ring. Thus, the method of the invention may comprise the preliminary step of placing the heating element or each heating element in the inner tube section. For example, the heating element or each heating element can be offset over a radial projection of the inner tube section. However, it is possible instead for the or each heating element to extend across a radial projection of the inner tube section.
[040] Elongated elements that are not heating elements is also possible.
[041] The method of the invention may involve: providing a piping structure within a piping comprising inner and outer tubes; attaching the inner tube section to an inner tube of the frame; arrange the outer tube section around the inner tube section, axially spaced from the outer tube of the frame; placing the sealing compound between the opposite faces of the inner and outer tube sections; shifting the outer tube section towards the frame to deform the sealing mass; and securing the offset outer tube section to the outer tube of the frame. Conveniently, the inner tube section and the offset outer tube section can be fixed by welding them to the respective frame tubes.
[042] The inventive concept is also expressed in a piping system within a piping that comprises a ring defined between the inner and outer tube sections. The system comprises a sealing mass positioned on the ring in contact with the pipe sections to seal the ring. The system is defined by the fact that the sealing mass has been deformed by a relative longitudinal movement between the pipe sections; and in that the system comprises at least one attachment at one end of at least one of the tube sections which holds the tube sections against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass. For example, the or each fixture may comprise a weld between the outer tube section and an outer tube of an adjacent piping-within-pipe structure.
[043] When at least one sloping surface extends into the ring from at least one of the pipe sections towards the other pipe section, the sloping surface or each sloping surface is slanted relative to the longitudinal direction and rests on the sealing mass to deform the sealing mass. Preferably, a sloping surface extending into the ring of the inner tube section is spaced from the fixture or each fixture, while a sloping surface extending into the ring from the outer tube section that is facing the fixture or each fixture. More preferably, the opposing sloping surfaces, each slanting with respect to the longitudinal direction, extend into the ring from the respective tube sections so that the sealing mass is compressed between the sloping surfaces. In that case, the sloping surfaces preferably have substantially identical inclinations with respect to the longitudinal direction.
[044] At least one projection suitably extends radially into the ring of at least one of the pipe sections towards the other of the pipe sections to define the sloping surface or each sloping surface. The projection or each radially extending projection preferably has a smoothly rounded apex adjacent to the sloping surface. In that case, where the sealing mass surrounds at least one elongated element such as a heating element extending longitudinally along the ring, the elongated element or each elongated element may be offset over a radially extending projection of the pipe section. inside and around the apex gently rounded. However, it is possible instead for the elongated element or each elongated element to extend through a projection extending radially from the inner or outer tube section.
[045] In summary, the invention creates a rollable bulkhead or sealing arrangement within the ring of a piping system within a piping that allows continuous heating elements or other wires or cables to pass through the bulkhead. The invention maintains an effective seal to sustain differential pressure on opposite sides of the bulkhead and is thermally efficient to limit thermal bridges between the inner and outer tubes. Effective sealing requires considerable vacuum or partial vacuum tightness or hermetic sealing to any fluid in the ring, such as sea water or air, whether in overpressure or underpressure.
[046] Briefly, therefore, the invention provides a means to maintain elevated pressure versus reduced pressure between consecutive ring sections of a pipe flow system within trace-heated pipe. To accomplish this, the invention provides one or more elastomeric parts, for example, of a polymer such as polypropylene, which are molded in situ between inner and outer tubes and around elongated elements such as heating wires and fiber optic cables. . There is no need for any electrical or optical discontinuities in these elements, such as a spliced connection.
[047] The seal provided by the invention has two functions: to provide a sealing sleeve in case of ring flooding; and, most importantly, in practice, provide hermetic sealing during the storage and winding processes and during installation. The hermetic seal allows a vacuum to be drawn and maintained in the ring before welding a bulkhead and before connecting successive stalks. This allows for greater flexibility when the bulkhead is welded, as previously the first restriction mitigated by the bulkhead is to close the ring before handling the rod. With hermetic sealing by virtue of the invention, the addition of the bulkhead can be delayed or can be carried out at a non-critical time.
[048] In preferred embodiments, the invention implements a slant or male tooth on the outer face of the inner tube opposite a slant or female tooth on the inner face of the outer tube, where elongated elements, such as wires or cables, traverse the sealing arrangement. With these elements in place between the male and female slopes, a sealing compound is injected, molded or overcast between the slopes (and optionally longitudinally beyond the slopes) with or without the aid of increased or reduced pressure. A minimum clearance is maintained between the outer tube and the inner tube of the flow line.
[049] The sealing mass fully covers the elongated elements, adhering or at least leaning against the elements and/or against the internal and/or external tubes where the elements cross the arrangement. The sealing compound can be a soft or hard material such as a polymer, elastomer or silicone. Then, the sealing mass material is pre-stressed by moving the outer tube towards an adjacent section of outer flow tube so as to reduce the space between the male and female slopes and teeth. The outer tube is then welded or otherwise mechanically bonded to the outer tube section of the flow line to maintain a permanent pressure field in the sealant material and consequently around the elongated elements and against both the inner and outer tubes. , where the elements pass through the sealing arrangement. This pressure exerted through the sealing mass ensures tightness to vacuum or partial vacuum or hermetic sealing to any fluid in overpressure or underpressure.
[050] A mating effect between the interacting male and female slopes allows the seal to be pre-compressed so that the tightness is improved even if there is insufficient adhesion between the seal and the surrounding metal. This seal will typically be located near the end bulkheads, typically within 10 m of the end bulkheads, which provide a fixed mechanical point. This limits the possible axial movement of the tubes.
[051] Slope slope is selected to give sufficient compression while maintaining an obtuse angle on a smoothed or rounded top of the slope for contact with the elongated elements. This means that no grooves through the teeth are required to accommodate the elongated elements, although such grooves remain optional in the broader sense of the invention.
[052] In general terms, the invention is incorporated as a piping structure within an electrically heated pipe, comprising: an inner ring spaced within an outer ring to define a ring between said rings; a restriction in which the ring is narrowed radially; at least one elongated heating element extending generally longitudinally along the ring and across the restriction; and at least one sealing mass which is molded in situ to close the restriction by connecting the restriction radially and to incorporate the heating element or each heating element into the restriction. The ring can, for example, be narrowed by at least one projection which extends radially into the ring of at least one of said rings towards the other of said rings, and which can be integral with either of the rings. The projection or each projection has a face for contacting the sealing mass, which face preferably is inclined to define a male or female slope.
[053] A ring, a projection or at least a portion of a ring that defines the constraint, such as a projection that is integrated with a ring, can normally be a short tubular section whose diameter may exceed its length. In addition, a ring, projection, or part of a ring that defines the constraint can be detached and attached to longer pipe sections or integrated with longer pipe sections. For example, for steel pipe, it can facilitate fabrication to weld a ring with an inner projection in series with inner and/or outer tube sections. On the other hand, for composite pipe, it may be easier to vary the cross section of the inner and/or outer pipes locally during extrusion or pultrusion of the entire pipe so that a ring with an internal projection is integrated with the pipe.
[054] A ring and a projection can be of the same material, being integrated with each other or bonded together by, for example, welding or gluing. Alternatively, a ring and a projection can be of different materials bonded together, for example, by soldering or gluing.
[055] Possible materials for a ring and/or a projection include metals, plastics and composites. If the ring and/or projection is made of plastic material, this may allow better management of the shear effort when the inner tube expands and contracts relative to the outer tube in use.
[056] The restriction allows a stable, strong and effective seal to be made between successive sections of a ring and allows the seal to be made with less filler material, which reduces costs and saves time.
[057] Elongated elements other than heating elements, such as data cables and/or optical fibers, may also extend generally longitudinally along the ring and through the restriction to be embedded by the sealing mass or each sealing mass.
[058] At least one of the inner and outer rings may be integral with an inner or outer tube or coupled to an inner or outer tube.
[059] Preferably, the system further comprises at least one insulating layer arranged in the ring on a radially outer side of the heating element or each heating element, which insulating layer is interrupted longitudinally in the restriction. This allows the sealant or each sealant to seal effectively against the inner and outer tubes and/or against the constraint or each projection that defines the constraint.
[060] The heating element or each heating element can, for example, extend longitudinally through at least one projection that defines the restriction, following an external contour of that projection. For example, the heating element or each heating element may rest externally on top and extend around that projection from one longitudinal side of the projection to the other. However, it is possible for the heating element or each heating element to extend through a female formation such as a groove or hole in at least one projection defining the restriction or between at least two such projections.
[061] The overhang or each overhang reduces the likelihood of a leak by reducing the area of the interface between a pipe and the seal, providing fewer and longer leak paths. In addition, the shear stress caused by the differential expansion of the inner and outer tubes is easier to manage with a smaller, more compact seal.
[062] In some embodiments of the invention, the constraint is circumferentially continuous around the inner ring, being partially defined by a circumferentially continuous area of the projection or each radially extending projection.
[063] Constraint can be defined between an inner projection that projects radially outward of the inner ring and an outer projection that projects radially inward of the outer ring.
[064] In this case, the projections adequately oppose each other through the narrowed ring, and the sealing mass or each sealing mass seals against the projections and around the heating element or each heating element that extends through of a space between the projections, to close the space.
[065] A respective sealing mass can seal around the heating element or each heating element that extends through one or more holes between the projections, to close the hole or each hole. Thus, a plurality of heating elements can individually extend through a plurality of corresponding holes, each hole containing a respective sealing mass which seals around a respective heating element and which closes the hole. However, two or more of the sealing masses can be joined outside the holes.
[066] To introduce a flowable filling material that sets, hardens or cures to form the sealing mass or each sealing mass, the structure of the invention may further comprise at least one circumferentially extensible filling channel that communicates between at least one minus one entry in the outer ring and the restriction. For example, the fill channel may radially intersect the restriction, preferably joining circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending holes or grooves that receive the elongated elements. Alternatively, the fill channel may be positioned radially outside the edge of the restriction in the outer ring and/or in a projection that extends radially into the ring from the outer ring. In that case, the filling channel can communicate with a plurality of other channels that lead to the restriction. In another approach, the filling channel can be radially outside the outer ring body and can communicate with a plurality of openings in the outer ring that lead to the restriction.
[067] The inventive concept encompasses a corresponding method of manufacturing a tight seal in the ring of a pipe structure within a pipe, the method comprising: providing a section of pipe within a pipe comprising inner and outer pipes; welding an inner tube segment to an inner tube of said section, said inner tube segment comprising an outer wedge ring; arranging an outer tube segment around said inner tube segment, axially spaced from the outer tube of said section, said outer tube segment comprising an inner wedge ring facing the outer wedge ring of the inner tube segment, fabrication of a seal between opposite faces of the inner and outer wedge rings; axially pushing the outer tube segment into said section to deform the seal; and welding the outer tube segment to the outer tube of said section.
[068] The method may comprise introducing a flowable filler material to mold in situ one or more sealing masses that close a restriction in which the ring is narrowed radially and that embed at least one extending heating element usually lengthwise through restriction.
[069] The sealing mass can be extended into at least one space of the restriction in which the ring narrows longitudinally.
[070] The heating element or each heating element can be placed in the restriction prior to molding the filler material. For example, the heating element or each heating element can be inserted into one or more holes in the constraint.
[071] Alternatively, the restriction can be created around the heating element or each heating element before molding the infill material. For example, the heating element or each heating element can be supported on the inner ring and then the outer ring can be placed around the heating element or each heating element to complete the restriction. This may involve opposing the heating element or each heating element with an outer ring projection that at least partially defines the restriction. In some embodiments, the heating element or each heating element is placed across a projection of the inner ring that at least partially defines the constraint, the heating element or each heating element following an outer contour of that projection.
[072] The fill material can be introduced into the restriction through the outer ring, in which case the fill material can be circumferentially distributed before entering the restriction.
[073] Alternatively, filler material can be introduced into the restriction along the ring. In either case, it is possible for the infill material to be split between circumferentially spaced restriction holes.
[074] The specific embodiments of the invention have two radial protrusions integrated with inner and outer tubes that define a restriction of the ring surface at a predetermined location. Heating cables and fiber optic cables are installed along the inner tube and through this restricted section. The polymeric material is injected, for example, using a hose with a nozzle inside the ring, completely around the ring to close the ring at this predetermined location, so as to ensure vacuum tightness and water tightness.
[075] The protrusions can be parts of two rings welded to the inner and outer tubes.
[076] The outer tube protrusion may also comprise holes and openings to inject the polymer from outside the outer tube rather than through the ring. Doors are closed by solder plugs. If the bulkhead or rings are cast steel, an inner ring hole can be used as a manifold.
[077] One or both of the inner and outer tubes may be of composite material.
[078] Thus, the invention provides a tight closure of the cross-section of a pipe ring within a pipe, in which: at least one elongated element traverses a tight closure structure from one side to the other side; and the hardening polymer material is injected into the tight closing structure to seal the tight closing, said polymer material being hardened after the elongated element is installed through the tight closing structure to ensure air and water tightness.
[079] The invention also involves the fabrication of a watertight closure of the cross section of a pipe ring within a pipe, by: installing at least one elongated element along an inner pipe of the pipe within a pipe through a structure of watertight closing; inserting the inner tube into an outer tube; and closing the seal by injecting flowable polymer material and then hardening said polymer material.
[080] Reference has already been made to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, which is a cut-away perspective view of an ETH PiP pipeline extension known in the prior art. In order for the invention to be more easily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the remaining drawings in which:
[081] Figures 2a to 2c are a sequence of schematic sectional views showing the fabrication of an ETH PiP sealing arrangement of the invention;
[082] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of inner and outer tubes of the sealing arrangement shown in Figures 2a to 2c, showing the outer tube in longitudinal section;
[083] Figures 4a to 4c are a sequence of schematic sectional views showing the fabrication of another ETH PiP sealing arrangement of the invention;
[084] Figures 5a and 5b are partial sectional views of the internal and external piping of the sealing arrangement shown in Figures 4a to 4c;
[085] Figures 6 and 7 are schematic cutaway perspective views of alternative ETH PiP seal arrangements that can be made by a method of the invention;
[086] Figures 8a to 8g are a sequence of schematic sectional views showing the fabrication of an ETH PiP sealing arrangement that can be made by a method of the invention, Figures 8a to 8d and 8f being longitudinal sections and the Figures 8e and 8g being cross sections on line AA of Figure 8d and line BB of Figure 8f respectively;
[087] Figures 9 and 13 are schematic longitudinal sectional views of other alternative ETH PiP seal arrangements that can be made by a method of the invention;
[088] Figures 14a and 14b are schematic sectional views, Figure 14a showing an inner tube and Figure 14b showing an outer tube for use in mounting on another ETH PiP sealing arrangement as shown in Figure 15 which can be done by a method of the invention;
[089] Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view showing the inner and outer tubes of Figures 14a and 14b, respectively, assembled in assembly to form an ETH PiP sealing arrangement that can be made by a method of the invention;
[090] Figures 16 and 17 are schematic longitudinal sectional views of variants of the ETH PiP sealing arrangement shown in Figure 15; and
[091] Figures 18 and 19 are schematic longitudinal sectional views of bulkhead assemblies that can be made by a method of the invention;
[092] Like numbers are used for like parts throughout the drawings. Thus, the various seal or bulkhead arrangements of the invention described with reference to Figures 2a to 19 each comprise an inner flow tube 12 and an outer tube 18 defining a ring 16 in the space therebetween. Some of these drawings show electrical heating elements 10 extending longitudinally along the ring 16 between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 18. Some of these drawings also show an insulating layer 22 overlying the heating elements 10, which layer 22 it is optional in all embodiments.
[093] As shown in Figure 1, other elements that extend longitudinally such as fiber optic data cables, power cables or cables for monitoring sensors, can be positioned alongside and between heating elements 10. To facilitate In the illustration, those other elements have been omitted from Figures 2a to 19, but may, of course, be present in practical embodiments of the invention.
[094] In each of Figures 2a to 19, provision is made for heating elements 10 in ring 16 around inner tube 12 to extend continuously through sealing or bulkhead arrangements that may be spaced along a pipe . No need for additional electrical connections or to interrupt thermal management.
[095] The principles of the invention can be applied in various sealing arrangements. The sealing arrangements shown in Figures 2a to 5b are preferred examples, but Figures 6 to 19 show other possible examples of sealing or bulkhead arrangements which, in principle, can be made by a method of the invention involving relative axial movement between the tube inner 12 and outer tube 18 to deform an intermediate sealing filler mass in ring 16.
[096] In the sealing arrangements 11, 13 shown in Figures 2a to 5b, the circumferentially spaced heating elements 10 extend longitudinally and continuously along the ring 16 between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 18. The heating elements 10 they need not extend parallel to tubes 12, 18, but could, for example, follow a helical or other path along and around inner tube 12. Insulating layers 22 have been omitted in these views for clarity. Concentric tubes 12, 18 share a common central longitudinal axis 15 as shown in the exploded view of Figure 3.
[097] In practical terms, the common central longitudinal axis 15 is a theoretical approximation that is best applied when considering the entire pipe section. In fact, even with spacers between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18, the inner tube 12 will bend down between its ends under the influence of gravity and, in fact, may crush any insulating material in the ring 16 below. The outer tube 18 is also slightly and negligibly curved under the influence of gravity acting between longitudinally spaced supports or rollers. Thus, the middle axes of the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 are both slightly curved and therefore the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 may be non-concentric along at least part of their length. However, the central longitudinal axis of the inner tube 12 remains substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the outer tube 18, and nominally in line with it.
[098] In the sealing arrangement 11 shown in Figures 2a to 2c, the heating elements 10 extend side by side through a circumferentially continuous throat region 28 of the ring 16. In the throat region 28, the radial width of the ring 16 is restricted compared to the total radial width of ring 16 between inner and outer tubes 12, 18. As a result, the radial width of ring 16 in the region of throat 28 is only slightly larger than the thickness of the heating elements 10 crossing the restriction.
[099] The throat region 28 of the ring 16 in Figures 2a to 2c is defined between the circumferential interlocking projections 17, 19 on the ring 16. Specifically, an inner projection 17 projects radially outward on the ring 16 from the inner tube 12 towards outer tube 18; and an outer projection 19 which projects longitudinally and radially opposite into the ring 16 from the outer tube 18 towards the inner tube 12.
[0100] As best seen in the exploded perspective view Figure 3, the inner projection 17 is a generally frusto-conical protrusion that surrounds the inner tube 12 and the outer projection 19 is a complementary female formation within the outer tube 18.
[0101] Thus, in the longitudinal section as shown in Figures 2a to 2c, the interior and exterior projections 17, 19 are generally wedge-shaped, comprising opposite frustoconical surface inclined surface 21 and rear more steeply inclined surfaces 23, conical in opposition. The cladding surfaces 21 may, for example, be at an angle of 5° to 100° to the central common longitudinal axis 15 of the concentric tubes 12, 18 and to the adjacent parallel walls of the tubes 12, 18. Preferably the surfaces of facing 21 of the projections 17, 19 are inclined at similar angles to the respective tubes 12, 18 and therefore are generally parallel to each other in a longitudinal section as shown in Figures 2a to 2c.
[0102] The facing surfaces 21 and the rear surfaces 23 extend from the radius joints with the associated tubes 12, 18 to meet at a rounded apex 25 of each projection 17, 19. The slope of the surfaces face 21 and rear surfaces 23 fit the projections 17, 19 to be fabricated by forging. Furthermore, the rounded apex 25 and the rounded joints between the facing surfaces 21, the rear surfaces 23 and the tubes 12, 18 allow the heating elements 10 to pass over the projections 17, 19 rather than extending through the projections. 17, 19. Such heating element 10 is shown placed over the inner tube 12 and over the inner protuberance 17 in the exploded view of Figure 3. In practice, there will, of course, be several more heating elements 10 as exemplified in Figure 1.
[0103] Preferably, as best seen in Figures 2a to 2c, the projections 17, 19 project far enough into the ring 16 in the respective radial directions that there is a radial overlap woven between their facing surfaces 21, which, therefore, they define facing faces of the projections 17, 19. Thus, the radially outermost vertex 25 of the inner projection 17 lies on a larger circumference than the radially innermost vertex 25 of the outer projection 19. In other words, the radially innermost apex outermost 25 of inner projection 17 is radially outward of radially innermost apex 25 of outer projection 19.
[0104] To provide clearance for their interlocking overlap, the facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 are spaced longitudinally from each other along the common central longitudinal axis 15 of the concentric tubes 12, 18. As the inner projections and external 17, 19 are in mutually opposite orientations. The radially overlapping facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 confront each other through an insulating space which insulates the projections 17, 19, and therefore the tubes 12, 18, from each other thermally.
[0105] Nor does the projection 17, 19 extend through the full radial depth of the ring 16. Thus, the radially outermost apex 25 of the inner projection 17 is away from the interior of the outer tube 18 and the radially innermost apex 25 of the outer projection 19 is away from the outside of the inner tube 12.
[0106] To make a mechanical connection between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 and to seal the ring 16, the space between the facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 defining the throat region 28 is filled with a material of injection molded insulating elastomeric filler 30 which is sandwiched between the facing surfaces 21. In this position, the filler 30 transmits axial forces between the projections 17, 19 and therefore between the tubes 12, 18 and maintains the radial spacing between the tubes 12, 18. However, during fabrication, spacers or clamps or external centering rings may be required to maintain correct alignment and coaxiality between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0107] Figures 6 to 19 show various techniques for placing a filler sealant 30 in the ring 16 between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 18, which techniques could be used to make the sealing arrangements shown in Figures 2a to 5b.
[0108] The filling material incorporates the heating elements 10 and forms an annular mass of the filling material 30 which is circumferentially continuous and which encompasses the ring 16 of the inner tube 12 to the outer tube 18. Thus, the mass of filling material 30 is in sealing contact which conforms to the heating elements 10 and the facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 of the two tubes 12, 18 along longitudinally extending contact interfaces.
[0109] The annular mass of filling material 30 separates and supports the fully surrounding heating elements 10, shaping and sealing against each of these elements 10. Optionally, the mass of filling material 30 can extend longitudinally to in addition to the radially narrower part of the throat region 28, for example, to fill the full radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. This better engages the filling mass 30 in the throat region 28 and therefore , helps to resist a large pressure differential between the ring sections 16 on either side of the throat region 28.
[0110] According to the invention, once the mass of filling material 30 has been positioned between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 as shown in Figure 2b, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12.18 deforms the mass of filler material 30 as shown in Figure 2c. It is preferred that the mass of filler material 30 is deformed only after the filler material has cured or solidified, if the filler material is initially in a liquid or molten state.
[0111] Specifically, the opposing facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 slide one after the other to impart shear stress to the mass of filler material 30 that is engaged, and therefore effectively connected, to those facing surfaces 21 by adhesion or friction. Furthermore, by virtue of their complementary slanted interlocking relationship, the opposing facing surfaces 21 of the projections 17, 19 cooperate in a ramping or snapping action to squeeze and compress the mass of filler material 30 between the projections 17 , 19. Thus, the facing surface 21 of each projection 17, 19 points in a direction opposite to the direction of relative movement of the other of the tubes 12, 18.
[0112] Comparison of Figure 2b with Figure 2c shows that, in this example, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 is achieved by displacing a section of the outer tube 18 axially to close a space 27 between successive sections of the outer tube 18.
[0113] Here, the abutment ends of the outer tube sections 18 are optionally chamfered, as shown, to facilitate creating a butt weld 29 between these sections. A gap 27 from say 10mm to 100mm can be reduced to, for example, 0 to 5mm by shifting the outer tube section 18 ready to create the weld 29.
[0114] The weld 29 secures the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against relative longitudinal movement while maintaining mass deformation of the filler material 30 as shown in Figure 2c. Thus, in this example, the facing surface 21 of the projection 19 of the outer tube 18 faces the direction of movement of the outer tube 18, i.e. towards the end of the section of the outer tube 18 where the weld 29 will be made.
[0115] In principle, it would be possible to move the inner tube 12 relative to a fixed outer tube 18 to achieve the desired relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. However, it is more convenient to move the outer tube 18 in relation to a fixed inner tube 12 and to fix the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against relative longitudinal movement by performing a welding operation on the outer tube 18.
[0116] The deformation of the mass of filler material 30 pre-strains or precompresses the filler material 30 to ensure a permanent pressure field in the filler material 30, in the nature of a hydrostatic pressure field. Thus, the filling mass 30 exerts pressure on the heating elements 10 and against the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. This pressure maintains air tightness or fluid tightness between successive sections of ring 16 for a vacuum or vacuum partial or for any fluid, such as water or air, whether in overpressure or underpressure, even with an imperfect adhesion between the mass of filling material 30 and the metal of the inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0117] Thus, the invention ensures a tight seal of the ring 16 around heating elements 10 or other wires, especially during pipe fabrication, when a temporary bulkhead may need to be cut before welding the long pipe rods together. Furthermore, the invention maintains a tight seal of the ring 16 when the tubing is tensioned as the tubing bends, such as during placement and in service due to differential thermal expansion of the inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0118] The inner and outer projections 17, 19 are continuous around the complete circumference of the ring 16 in the embodiment shown in Figures 2a to 2c and in Figure 3. Alternatively, the inner and/or outer projections 17, 19 may be circumferentially interrupted as shown in Figures 4a to 4c, which correspond to Figures 2a to 2c, and in Figures 5a and 5b. There, the inner and/or outer projections 17, 19 are interrupted or penetrated by openings, slots or holes to accommodate longitudinal heating elements 10 placed on the outside of the inner tube 12. Otherwise, the inner and outer projections 17, 19 generally in wedge shapes shown in Figures 4a to 4c have the same shape, dimensions and interactions as shown in Figures 2a to 2c.
[0119] Longitudinal openings or passages through internal and/or external projections 17, 19 defined by openings, slots or holes allow the heating elements 10 to extend continuously along a pipe in the same radius with respect to the central longitudinal axis 11. Thus, the heating elements 10 can extend in straight lines or at least without sharp bending to pass through the sealing arrangement 13 shown in Figures 4a to 4c. This can be useful when the heating elements 10 are relatively thick or inflexible as shown in Figures 4a to 4c.
[0120] Specifically, in the sealing arrangement 13 shown in Figures 4a to 4c, the circumferentially spaced heating elements 10 extend side by side through respective circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 31 disposed in the inner projections and/ or outer 17, 19 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. The depth of each groove 31 is less than the total radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 and is only slightly greater than the thickness of the element. heating 10 that slot 31 contains. Again, therefore, the radial width of the ring 16 is restricted in the grooves 31 compared to the total radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0121] The circumferentially spaced walls 33 separate the slots 31 as best appreciated in the cross-sectional view of Figures 5a and 5b, of which the filler material 30 has been omitted for clarity. The circumferentially spaced grooves 31 of the sealing arrangement 13 shown in Figures 4a to 4c assembling a throat region 28 between the facing surfaces 21 of the inner and outer projections 17, 19, such as the throat region 28 of Figures 2a to 2c.
[0122] The small gap around each heating element 10 within its groove 31 is filled with an injection molded filler 30 that embeds the heating element 10. Thus, the heating elements 10 are separately incorporated into bodies filler 30 in their respective slots 31.
[0123] However, it is possible that the bodies of filler material 30 form part of a common filler mass that extends into the grooves 31 and which is joined outside the grooves 31.
[0124] A preferred example of a flowable filling material 30 that is suitable for the sealing arrangements 11, 13 of Figures 2a to 2c and 4a to 4c is a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, although a thermosetting material such as polyurethane or a polyamide, if possible. It is preferred that the ultimate tensile strength of the filler 30, when cured or solidified, is greater than 500%.
[0125] Preferred materials for filler 30 are engineered synthetic polymers that have thermal insulating qualities to prevent thermal bridges across ring 16, even though there is an opening in insulating layer 22 to allow for an effective seal. In this regard, the injected polymer filler material 30 surrounds, embeds and seals against the heating elements 10 and seals against the surrounding metallic or composite surfaces where the insulating layer 22 is not present, thus creating a gas-tight, gas-tight layer to vacuum, and watertight where a section of ring 16 ends.
[0126] Preferred polymeric materials can withstand the elevated surface temperatures that are typical of a flow line or steel or other material, which can be greater than 100°C. Preferred polymeric materials must also remain sufficiently viscoelastic once cured or hardened to perform the mechanical sealing function while accommodating thermal expansion of the tube and tube deformation such as ovalization. Particular advantages of using a resilient polymeric filler material 30 to seal the ring 16 is that it removes the need for penetrators and can better fulfill deformation due to ovalization when winding a tube on a spool.
[0127] In practice, the sealing arrangements of the invention can be incorporated by inner and outer concentric forgings welded in series with inner and outer tubes 12, 18, respectively. Once welded into position, these forgings become integrated with the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 as an extension of the tube walls. For ease of illustration, Figures 2a to 2c and Figures 4a to 4c simply show the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 continuously extending through the sealing arrangements 11, 13 and thus incorporating the forgings.
[0128] In the sealing arrangements 24, 26 illustrated in the simplified overviews of Figures 6 and 7, the circumferentially spaced heating elements 10 extend longitudinally along the ring 16 between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 18. Again, the insulating layers 22 have been omitted from these views for clarity; in either case, the insulating layers 22 will be spaced or cut away at the location of the sealing arrangements 24, 26 to leave an effective sealing slit.
[0129] In the sealing arrangement 24 shown in Figure 6, the heating elements 10 extend side by side across a circumferentially continuous throat region 28 of the ring 16. In the throat region 28, the radial width of the ring 16 is restricted compared to the total radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. As a result, the radial width of the ring 16 in the region of the throat 28 is only slightly greater than the thickness of the heating elements 10 which cross the restriction.
[0130] The internal formations that define the throat region 28 can, for example, be shaped like those shown in Figures 8a to 8g, to be described later.
[0131] The throat region 28 is filled with an injection molded elastomeric filler which embeds the heating elements 10. The filler material forms an annular filler mass 30 which is circumferentially continuous and which encompasses the ring 16 of the inner tube 12 to the outer tube 18, thus being in proper sealing contact with the heating elements 10 and with both tubes 12, 18 along longitudinally extending contact interfaces.
[0132] The annular filling mass 30 separates and supports the fully surrounding heating elements 10, shaping and sealing against each of these elements 10. Optionally, the mass of filling material 30 can extend longitudinally beyond the radially narrower part of the throat region 28, for example, to fill the full radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18. This better engages the filling mass 30 in the throat region 28 and therefore helps to resist a large pressure differential between the ring sections 16 on either side of the throat region 28.
[0133] In contrast, in the sealing arrangement 26 shown in Figure 7, the circumferentially spaced heating elements 10 extend side by side through respective circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending holes 32 disposed between the inner and outer tubes. 12, 18. The inner diameter of each hole 32 is less than the full radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 and is only slightly greater than the thickness of the heating element 10 that the hole 32 contains. Again, therefore, the radial width of the ring 16 is restricted in the holes 32 compared to the total radial width of the ring 16 between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0134] The small clearance around each heating element 10 within its bore 32 is filled with an injection molded tubular body of elastomeric material 34 that embeds the heating element 10. Thus, the heating elements 10 are recessed separately in the filling material bodies 34 in their respective holes 32. However, it is possible for the filling material bodies 34 to extend longitudinally beyond the holes 32 and optionally to fill the entire radial width of the ring 16 between the tubes. internal and external 12, 18. Thus, it is possible for the bodies of filling material 34 to form part of a common filling mass which extends into the holes 32 and which is joined at displacement positions longitudinally outside the holes 32. Again , this better engages the filler mass relative to the holes 32 and thus helps to resist a large pressure differential between the ring sections 16 on either side of the holes 32 .
[0135] Indeed, the circumferentially spaced holes 32 of the sealing arrangement 26 shown in Figure 7 define a throat region that is like the throat region 28 of Figure 6, in addition to being circumferentially discontinuous by virtue of circumferentially spaced walls 36 that separate holes 32.
[0136] Once the filler 30 or filler material bodies 34 shown in Figures 6 and 7 have been injected and have cured or solidified, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 can deform and apply stress prior to filling material to improve sealing. The deformation of the filler material can then be maintained by securing the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against further relative longitudinal movement, preferably by welding or otherwise securing the outer tube 18 to an adjacent section of the outer tube 18 or the another structure.
[0137] Figures 8a to 17 show various sealing arrangements that embody the principles of the embodiments shown in general terms in Figures 6 and 7.
[0138] Figures 8a to 8g are a sequence of views showing a way to assemble an ETH PiP 24 seal arrangement as shown in Figure 6. As noted above and as best shown in Figure 8d, the seal arrangement 24 is characterized by a throat region 28 in which the ring 16 is radially narrowed and through which the heating elements 10 extend longitudinally. The throat region 28 extends continuously around the circumference of the ring 16.
[0139] Figure 8d shows that the throat region 28 is defined by opposing circumferential projections 38, 40 that extend into the ring 16 to narrow the ring 16. The projections 38, 40 are rotationally symmetric with respect to the central longitudinal axis inner and outer tubes 12, 18. As noted earlier, inner and outer tubes 12, 18 are nominally concentric, but in practice may deviate from exact concentricity.
[0140] Specifically, an inner projection 38 of the inner tube 12 projects radially outwardly within the ring 16 towards the outer tube 18; and a radially opposite outer projection 40 of the outer tube 18 projects radially into the ring 16 towards the inner tube 12.
[0141] The longitudinally extending areas 42 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40 confront each other across a narrow space to define the throat region 28. The lands 42 are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the tubes 12, 18 in this example, but as noted below may instead be angled towards the central longitudinal axis of tubes 12, 18.
[0142] For simplicity, the inner and outer projections 38, 40 are shown here as being integrated with the inner and outer tubes 12,18. Integrated projections 38, 40 may be particularly suitable where either inner and outer tubes 12, 18 are of composite material. However, other embodiments to be described later will show how separate inner and outer projections 38, 40 can be incorporated or joined to inner and outer tubes 12, 18.
[0143] In the longitudinal section as shown in Figure 8a, the inner projection 38 comprises the sloping frusto-conical shoulders 44 that extend from the inner tube 12 to the respective ends of the longitudinally extending face or ground 42. As can be appreciated from Figure 8d, outer projection 40 on outer tube 18 is a mirror image of inner projection 38 and therefore has corresponding features.
[0144] In this example, the projections 38, 40 are generally symmetrical around a central transverse plane that is orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the tubes 12, 18 and that cuts the projections 38, 40. on the other in opposite longitudinal directions and with equal but opposite slopes.
[0145] Figure 8d shows that in the assembled ETH PiP sealing arrangement 24, the surfaces 42 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40 face each other in parallel spaced concentric relationship. The radially opposite shoulders 44 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40 define annular spaces 46 which taper longitudinally at each end of the throat region 28.
[0146] To start the assembly sequence, Figure 8a shows a wall of the inner tube 12 including the inner projection 38, which in turn comprises a surface 42 and sloping shoulders 44. Figure 8b then shows one of several elements of heating elements 10 extending longitudinally along the outside of the inner tube 12 to overcome and traverse the inner projection 38. Figure 8c then shows an insulating layer 22 placed around the inner tube 12 on top of the heating elements 10 to complete an inner tube assembly 48. The insulating layer 22 is interrupted in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the inner projection 38. In this example, the longitudinally spaced insulated portions of the insulating layer 22 terminate at the base of the shoulders 44.
[0147] Figure 8d and 8e show the inner tube assembly 48 placed within the outer tube 18 to create the ring 16, while bringing the inner and outer projections 38, 40 into longitudinal alignment to create the throat region 28 of ring 16. For example, inner tube assembly 48 can be telescopically inserted into outer tube 18. Alternatively, outer tube 18 can be assembled and fabricated around inner tube assembly 48.
[0148] It will be apparent from Figure 8d that the wall of the outer tube 18 is penetrated by at least one opening 50 extending radially. Inlet 50 may be one of multiple openings 50 distributed at angularly spaced positions around the circumference of outer tube 18. Opening 50 is longitudinally aligned with outer projection 40 to communicate with ring 16 in the region of throat 28, specifically with the narrow annular space between the surfaces 42 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40. Figures 8f and 8g show the purpose of the inlet 50, which is to admit liquid filling material in the throat region of the ring 16 under pressure from the molding apparatus by injection 52. The filler material flows axially and circumferentially from the opening 50 to fill the throat region 28 with a circumferentially continuous annular filler mass 30 which cures and hardens to embed the heating elements 10. The opening 50 can then be disconnected from the injection molding apparatus 52 and closed with a welded or threaded filler plug.
[0149] Once the fill mass 30 has cured or solidified, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 can deform and pre-stress the fill mass 30 to improve the seal. The deformation of the filling mass 30 can be maintained by securing the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against further relative longitudinal movement, preferably by welding or otherwise securing the outer tube 18 to an adjacent section of the outer tube 18 or the another structure. When the surfaces 42 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40 are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the inner and outer tubes 12, 18, the relative longitudinal movement between the tubes 12, 18 will impart shear deformation to the fill mass 30. However, it will be evident that if surfaces 42 otherwise have complementary frusto-conical slopes to define surfaces facing in interlocking relationship, such as those shown in Figures 2a to 2c and 4a to 4c, a relative longitudinal movement between the tubes 12, 18 also compresses the filling mass 30. For the same reason, similarly inclined opposing surfaces can be adopted. those for the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 to 17 to be described below.
[0150] The fill mass 30 can be confined to the narrow annular space between the surfaces 42 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40. Preferably, however, the fill mass 30 continues to leak from this space to extend and expand inward of the tapered annular spaces 46 between the radially opposite shoulders 44 of the inner and outer projections 38, 40. This better engages the fill mass 30 in the throat region 30. For example, Figure 8f shows the fill mass 30 extending to the base of shoulders 44. There, filler mass 30 meets insulating layer 22 to maintain continuous thermal insulation along the pipe.
[0151] Figure 9 shows how the separate inner and outer segments 56, 58 that are separately butt welded to the inner and outer tubes 12, 18, respectively, can be used to assemble an ETH PiP 26 seal arrangement as shown in Figure 7. The result is that the heating elements 10 are separately embedded in the respective filling material bodies 34 in the respective longitudinally extending holes 32.
[0152] Inner and outer rings 56, 58 can be machined, forged, cast or molded. In the example shown in Figure 9, the sealing arrangement 26 comprises inner and outer cast steel rings 56, 58 which are butt welded to inner and outer tubes 12, 18 respectively. Once welded in these positions, the inner and outer rings 56, 58 become integrated with the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 as extensions of the tube walls. Thus, the concentric inner and outer rings 56, 58 are spaced apart to align the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 respectively and to continue the ring 16 between them.
[0153] In this embodiment, the inner and outer projections 38, 40 extend radially into the ring 16 from the inner and outer rings 56, 58, respectively. In this regard, the inner and outer rings 56, 58 correspond to the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 of the previous embodiment. Holes 32 extend longitudinally between the inner and outer projections 38, 40.
[0154] The holes 32 are connected by a circumferential ring hole 62 that surrounds the inner projection 38 and aligns with the opening 50. The ring hole 62 serves as a manifold that effects fluid communication between the opening 50 and all the holes 32.
[0155] Like the previous embodiment, the inner and outer projections 38, 40 each comprise sloping frusto-conical shoulders 44 that extend into the ring 16 from the respective inner and outer rings 56, 58. The shoulders 44 narrows the ring 16 from its full width, so that the holes 32 are radially narrower than the full width of the ring 16.
[0156] To start the assembly sequence, the inner ring 56 is welded to two sections of the inner tube 12. Then the longitudinally extending heating elements 10 are placed on the outside of the inner tube 12 and the inner ring. Figure 9 also shows an insulating layer 22 placed around the inner tube 12 on top of the heating elements 10. Again, the insulating layer 22 is interrupted in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the inner projection 38 of the inner ring 56.
[0157] Next, the outer tube sections 18 are welded to the outer ring 58 around the corresponding sections of the inner tube 12 to create the ring 16, which contains the heating elements 10 and the insulating layer 22.
[0158] A liquid or other flowable filler material is injected through the inlet 50, through the hole of the ring 62 and into the holes 32 under pressure from the injection molding apparatus 52. The filler material flows circumferentially to from opening 50 to fill ring bore 62 and then flows axially into bores 32 around heating elements 10. This creates multiple tubular filling bodies 34, one in each bore 32, which cures and hardens to embed the respective heating elements 10. As in the previous embodiment, the inlet 50 can then be disconnected from the injection molding apparatus 52 and closed with a plug of welded or threaded filler material.
[0159] The filling bodies 34 can be confined to the holes 32. Preferably, however, the filling material leaks from the holes 32 to extend and expand into the tapered annular spaces 64 between the radially opposite shoulders 44 of the inner projections and outer 38, 40. This better engages the filling bodies 34 with the holes 32. For example, Figure 9 shows the filling bodies 34 merging into a circumferentially continuous mass in the spaces 64, which mass extends to the base. shoulder width 44. There, filler material meets insulating layer 22 to maintain continuous thermal insulation along the length of the pipe.
[0160] As before, once the fill mass bodies 34 have cured or solidified, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 can deform and pre-stress the fill mass 34 to improve the seal. The deformation of the filler bodies 34 can be maintained by securing the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against further relative longitudinal movement, preferably by welding or otherwise securing the outer tube 18 to an adjacent section of the outer tube 18 or the other structure.
[0161] Once assembled in this manner, the inner and outer projections 38, 40 extend radially into the ring 16 from the inner and outer rings 56, 58, respectively. The projections 38, 40 may abut or approach each other radially to define longitudinal holes 32 and a ring hole 62 therebetween as shown in Figure 9, fed with liquid fill material from an injection molding apparatus 52 through of an inlet 50. In that case, the longitudinal holes 32 and the ring hole 62 can be partially defined by grooves in the inner and outer projections 38, 40 which are joined in opposition to each other to define the complete holes 32, 62. Examples of this approach will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 14a to 17. Alternatively, the projections 38, 40 may approach radially to define a circumferentially continuous throat region as shown in Figures 8a to 8g.
[0162] Figure 10 shows that the internal and/or external projections 38, 40 can be separated and connected to the internal and/or external tubes 12, 18, for example, by soldering or gluing. Inner and/or outer rings 38, 40 can be machined, forged, cast or molded. It will be evident to the skilled reader that the inner and/or outer projections 38, 40 could instead be joined in a similar way to the inner and/or outer rings 66, 68 like those shown in Figure 9.
[0163] In this example, the inner and outer projections 38, 40 approach each other radially to define a circumferentially continuous throat region 28 as shown in Figures 8a to 8g. However, the projections 38, 40 could instead abut or radially approach each other to define longitudinal openings and/or a ring hole between them as in Figure 9.
[0164] Figure 10 also shows that a ring hole 62 may be contained in the outer projection 40 or between the outer tube 18 and the outer projection 40. In this example, the ring hole 62 is partially defined by circumferential grooves in the outer tube 18 and the outer projection 40 which are joined in opposition to each other to define the bore of the complete ring 62.
[0165] As before, the hole in the ring 62 communicates with the opening 50 in the outer tube 18 to receive the liquid filling material. In this example, the ring bore 62 also communicates with longitudinally spaced channels 70 to distribute the fill material in the circumferential space or in longitudinal holes between the inner and outer projections 38, 40. The channels 70 can be distributed in angularly spaced positions around the circumference of the hole of the ring 62 and can be arranged individually or in groups such as pairs.
[0166] Turning next to Figure 11, this shows that it is not essential to introduce liquid filling material through an opening 50 as in the previous embodiments. Here, instead, liquid filling material is introduced through a filling head 72 which is fed under pressure by a hose or tube 74 extending along the ring 16 from an external injection molding apparatus, which is not shown in this diagram.
[0167] Figure 11 shows the filling head 72 positioned in a section of the ring 16 on one side of the throat region 28. A filling mass 30 of liquid filling material has been forced under pressure from the filling head 72 through the The throat region 28 between the inner and outer projections 38, 40. The fill mass 30 therefore surrounds and encompasses heating elements 10 extending through the throat region 28. Optionally, as shown, the fill mass 30 also extends into the ring section 16 on the other side of the throat region 28.
[0168] Figure 12 shows that symmetry between the inner and outer projections 38, 40 is not essential to define a radially narrow space through which the heating elements 10 extend. In fact, Figure 12 shows that an inner projection 40 is not essential. Instead, Figure 12 shows the heating elements 10 which lie against the straight side exterior of the inner tube 12. A radially outer projection 40 Enlarged is shown facing a longitudinally extending opening in the insulating layer 22 overlying the heating elements 10. The heating elements 10 span the space. An injection molding device 52 injected a filler mass 30 through an inlet 50 to fill the space, embedding heating elements 10 and maintaining thermal insulation despite disruption of insulation layer 22.
[0169] Liquid or other flowable filling material may be circumferentially distributed around a sealing arrangement by means other than a ring bore. For example, Figure 13 shows an annular outer channel 76 that is tightened around and sealed to the outer tube 18. The channel 76 communicates with multiple radially extending openings 50 distributed at angularly spaced positions around the circumference of the outer tube 18 The channel receives liquid fill material from an injection molding apparatus 52 and delivers this material to the openings 50. Ports 50 then direct the liquid fill material into the space between the inner and outer projections 38, 40 , where it solidifies to form a filling mass 30 which embeds heating elements 10 extending longitudinally across the space.
[0170] Again, while a circumferentially continuous space is shown in Figures 11 to 13, the same principles can be applied to variants in which the heating elements 10 are housed in longitudinal holes.
[0171] It has already been mentioned above that the inner and outer projections 38, 40 can be molded to define longitudinally extending openings 32 between them when the projections 38, 40 are joined to abut or approach radially. In this regard, Figures 14a and 14b show an inner projection 38 on an inner tube 12 and an outer projection 40 on an outer tube 18 respectively. Corresponding circumferential arrangements of angularly spaced longitudinally extending grooves 78 are disposed about the outer face of the inner projection 38 and around the inner face of the outer projection 40.
[0172] As Figure 15 shows, the inner diameter of the outer projection 40 slightly exceeds the outer diameter of the inner projection 38, so the inner tube 12 can fit concentrically within the outer tube 18 when the inner and outer protrusions 38, 40 are in longitudinal alignment. Slots 78 are joined in reciprocal opposition and radial alignment to define a circumferential array of angularly spaced longitudinally extending apertures 32 as shown in Figure 15.
[0173] Figures 16 and 17 show different arrangements for providing a flow of liquid filling material in the arrangement of holes 32 shown in Figure 15.
[0174] In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 16, the opposing circumferential grooves 80 surround the inner and outer projections 38, 40 to define a circumferential hole of the ring 62 when the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 are brought together. An opening 50 communicates with the hole in the ring 62.
[0175] In Figure 16, the circumferential grooves 80 intersect the longitudinal grooves 78. Thus, the ring hole 62 defined by the longitudinal alignment of the opposite circumferential grooves 80 connects the opening 50 to the holes 32, which are defined, in turn, by the radial alignment of opposite longitudinal grooves 78.
[0176] Figure 17 shows a variant that combines features from Figure 10 with features from Figure 15.
[0177] Thus, the inner and/or outer projections 38, 40 are separate components that are welded to the inner and/or outer tubes 12, 18. In addition, a hole in the ring 62 is partially defined by circumferential grooves in the outer tube 18 and the external projection 40 which are brought together in reciprocal opposition. The hole in the ring 62 communicates with an opening 50 in the outer tube 18 for receiving the liquid filling material. The liquid fill material is distributed in the longitudinal holes 32 through channels 70 spaced angularly around the circumference of the hole of the ring 62.
[0178] Figure 17 also shows, in dotted lines, longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced heating elements 10. The heating elements 10 lie under an insulating layer 22 which is interrupted by the interior projection 38, where the heating elements 10 can be seen following the longitudinal grooves 78 that form the holes 32 seen in Figure 15.
[0179] Figures 18 and 19 show bulkhead assemblies that can be made using methods of the invention. In each of these examples, an inner forging 82 and an outer forging 84 comprise inner and outer rings 86, 88, in concentric relationship respectively. In this case, the inner and outer projections 90, 92 are integrated with the rings 86, 88 of the forgings 82, 84, respectively.
[0180] The rings 86, 88 of the forgings 82, 84 connect to the ends of the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 respectively. The ring 16 between the tubes 12, 18 also extends between the rings 86, 88 of the forgings 82, 84.
[0181] Forgings 82, 84 are shown in Figures 18 and 19 connected by butt welds 94 at one end of rings 86, 88 to the ends of inner and outer tubes 12, 18, respectively. The other ends of rings 86, 88 are shown in Figures 18 and 19 ready for welding to an intermediate or termination structure such as a pipe fitting or an adjacent length of pipe.
[0182] The embodiments illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 use a mass of an insulating polymer 96 injected as a seal and optionally also as a spacer or plug to effect the mechanical coupling, between the opposite shoulders 98 of the projections 90, 92 while insulate them thermally. Polymer 96 is injected through an opening 100 which penetrates an outer ring wall 88.
[0183] In the bulkhead assembly 102 illustrated in Figure 18, the insulating layer 22 has been trimmed from the inner projection 90 to leave a space between the end of the insulating layer 22 and the inner projection 90 where the inner ring 86 is exposed. Now, the injected polymer mass 96 seals against the exposed surface of the inner ring 86 and surrounds and embeds the heating elements 10, thus creating a gas-tight seal at the end of the ring 16. The injected polymer mass 96 also joins at around the heating elements 10 where they are exposed on the other side of the inner projection 90. There, the inner tube 12 is also exposed so that the injected polymer 96 seals against the exposed surface of the inner ring 86 in addition to surrounding and embedding the heating elements 10.
[0184] In the bulkhead assembly 104 illustrated in Figure 19, the insulating layer 22 abuts on both sides of the internal projection 90. The injected polymer mass 96 rests against the insulating layer 22 on the radially outer side of this layer 22.
[0185] In both Figures 18 and 18, as before, once the injected polymer mass 96 has cured or solidified, the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 can deform and pre-stress the mass of 96 filling to improve the seal. The deformation of the mass 96 can be maintained by securing the inner and outer tubes 12, 18 against further relative longitudinal movement, preferably by welding or otherwise securing the outer tube 18 to an adjacent section of the outer tube 18 or other structure. .
[0186] Thus, for example, the inner tube 12 can be welded to an intermediate or termination structure or to an adjacent length of tube, and after displacing the outer tube 18 relative to the inner tube 12 to deform the polymer mass injected 96, the outer tube 18 can be welded to an intermediate or termination structure or to an adjacent length of tube. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the outer tube 18 is conveniently shifted to the right to compress the injected polymer mass 96 into the space between the facing shoulders 98 of the projections 90, 92.
[0187] Various mounting methods can be used to make the sealing arrangements of the invention. An example begins with sliding an outer tube string relative to an inner tube string so that the inner tube string protrudes from the outer tube string. Then, the following operations can be carried out, although not all these operations must necessarily take place in the following order: welding an inner ring comprising at least one internal projection to the inner tube column; passing heating elements over the inner projection or through slots, holes or other openings in the inner projection; wrapping a layer of thermal insulation material around the inner tube column over the heating elements, except over the internal projection; mounting or otherwise placing an outer ring comprising at least one outer projection around the inner ring; placing a sealant, for example, by injecting an adjustable, flowable filler material into a space or hole around the heating elements between the inner and outer projections; moving the outer ring longitudinally in relation to the inner ring to deform the sealing mass; and welding the outer ring to the column of the outer tube.
[0188] It will be evident that many other variations are possible without departing from the concept of the invention. For example, one or both of the inner and outer projections can be continuous around the complete circumference of the ring. Alternatively, one or both of the inner and outer projections may be circumferentially discontinuous, being interrupted or penetrated by gaps, grooves or holes to accommodate longitudinal heating elements placed outside the inner tube. In fact, one or both of the projections may be circumferentially interrupted insofar as the projection comprises a circumferential arrangement of angularly spaced teeth.
[0189] Ring holes are just one example of channels that communicate between the opening or each opening and the spaces or holes. The sealing arrangements of the invention may comprise any number of ports or channels leading to gaps or holes between the inner and outer projections.
[0190] There can be any number of holes per port or channel; likewise, a channel such as a ring hole can communicate with any number of holes.
[0191] A flowable polymeric material can be poured through an opening in a casting process rather than being injected under pressure. Mold plates can be inserted into the ring to define the boundary of a mold cavity.
[0192] As the filler material flows in and closes each hole with a sealing compound, regardless of the presence or otherwise of an elongated element such as a heating wire, not all holes need contain such an element. . Likewise, but more generally, it is not essential that elongated elements, such as heating wires, be evenly distributed around the full circumference of the inner tube.
[0193] The sealing compound can be an initially soft and flexible element that cures by hardening. The sealing mass can be plastically or elastically deformed by the act of placing the outer ring around the inner ring. This deformation can shape the sealing mass to the facing faces of the interlocking formations, an outer surface of the inner ring and/or an inner surface of the outer ring.
[0194] Thus, it is possible for a sealing compound to be formed or molded in place within the ring instead of being injected, or to be injected and molded in combination. A flowable polymeric material can be poured through an opening in the outer ring in a casting process rather than being injected under pressure. Mold plates can be inserted into the ring to define the molded part boundary. In another approach that avoids an opening, the flowable polymeric material can be injected, poured and/or molded through the ring if the ring is accessible, for example, through an injection tube running inside the ring leading to a injection nozzle.

权利要求:
Claims (31)
[0001]
1. A method of sealing a ring (16) between the inner and outer pipe sections (12,18) of a piping system within a pipe, the method comprises positioning a sealing mass (30) on the ring (16) in contact with the inner and outer tube sections (12, 18); the method characterized in that it comprises deforming the sealing mass (30) by effecting the relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tube sections (12,18); and securing the inner and outer tube sections (12,18) against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass (30).
[0002]
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises shearing the sealing mass (30) between the inner and outer tube sections (12,18).
[0003]
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises compression of the sealing mass (30) between the inner and outer tube sections (12,18).
[0004]
4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises the compression of the sealing mass (30) by advancing a sloping surface (21) that extends into the ring (16) of at least one of the inner and outer tube sections (12,18), with the sloping surface (21) inclined in relation to the direction of longitudinal movement.
[0005]
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that it consists of compressing the sealing mass (30) between opposite sloping surfaces (21) that extend into the ring (16) from the respective tube sections inner and outer (12,18), said relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer tube sections (12,18) displacing the opposite sloping surfaces (21) towards each other.
[0006]
6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the surface or each sloping surface (21) has an inclination of 5° to 10° in relation to the direction of longitudinal movement.
[0007]
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the positioning of the sealing mass (30) by casting or molding the sealing mass (30) in situ between the inner and outer tube sections (12 ,18).
[0008]
8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises positioning the sealing mass (30) on the inner tube section (12) before placing the outer tube section (18) around the sealing compound (30) and the inner tube section (12).
[0009]
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises positioning the sealing mass (30) around at least one elongated element (10) extending longitudinally along the ring (16).
[0010]
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it is preceded by placing the elongated element or each elongated element (10) in the inner tube section (12).
[0011]
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises the deviation of the elongated element or each elongated element (10) over a radial projection (17) of the inner tube section (12).
[0012]
12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises extending the elongated element or each elongated element (10) through a radial projection (17) of the inner tube section (12).
[0013]
13. Method according to any of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that at least one elongated element (10) is a heating element.
[0014]
14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: providing a piping structure within a piping comprising internal and external tubes; attach the inner tube section (12) to an inner tube of the frame; arrange the outer tube section (18) around the inner tube section (12), axially spaced from the outer tube of the frame; place the sealing compound (30) between the opposite faces of the inner and outer tube sections (12,18); moving the outer tube section (18) towards the frame to deform the sealing mass (30); and attaching the offset outer tube section (18) to the outer tube of the frame.
[0015]
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the fixation of the inner tube section (12) and the displaced outer tube section (18), welding them to the respective tubes of the structure.
[0016]
16. Piping system within piping comprising a ring (16) defined between the inner and outer pipe sections (12,18), the system comprising: a sealing mass (30) positioned on the ring (16) in contact with the tube sections (12,18) to seal the ring (16); the system characterized by the fact that the sealing mass (30) was deformed by a relative longitudinal movement between the tube sections (12,18); and the system comprises at least one attachment at one end of at least one of the tube sections (12,18) which holds the tube sections (12,18) against reverse relative longitudinal movement to maintain deformation of the sealing mass ( 30).
[0017]
17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the fixture or each fixture comprises a weld between the outer tube section (18) and an outer tube of an adjacent piping structure within the piping.
[0018]
18. System according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the sealing mass (30) is deformed by shearing between the tube sections (12,18).
[0019]
19. System according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the sealing mass (30) is deformed by compression between the tube sections (12,18).
[0020]
20. System according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that at least one sloping surface (21) extends into the ring (16) from at least one of the pipe sections (12, 18) towards another section of tube (12,18), the sloping surface (21) being inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction and bearing on the sealing mass (30) to deform the sealing mass (30).
[0021]
21. System according to claim 20, characterized in that a sloping surface (21) that extends into the ring (16) of the inner tube section (12) is remote from the fixture or each fixture.
[0022]
22. System according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that a sloping surface (21) that extends into the ring (16) of the inner tube section (18) is facing for the attachment or for each fixation.
[0023]
23. System according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that it comprises opposite sloping surfaces (21), each inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction, extending into the ring (16) from the respective tube sections (12,18), the sealing mass (30) being compressed between the sloping surfaces (21).
[0024]
24. System according to claim 23, characterized in that the sloping surfaces (21) have substantially identical inclinations with respect to the longitudinal direction.
[0025]
25. System according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the sloping surface or each sloping surface (21) has an inclination of 5° to 10° in relation to the longitudinal direction.
[0026]
26. System according to any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that at least one projection (17,19) extends radially into the ring (16) of at least one of the tube sections (12,18) ) towards the other of the pipe sections (12,18) to define the sloping surface or each sloping surface (21).
[0027]
27. System according to claim 26, characterized in that the projection or each radially extending projection (17,19) has a smoothly rounded apex adjacent to the sloping surface (21).
[0028]
28. System according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that the sealing mass (30) surrounds at least one elongated element (10) that extends longitudinally along the ring (16).
[0029]
29. System according to claim 28, when appended to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the elongated element or each elongated element (10) is offset over a radially extending projection (17) of the inner tube section (12).
[0030]
30. System according to claim 28, when appended to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the elongated element or each elongated element (10) extends through a radially extending projection (17) of the pipe section internal (12).
[0031]
31. System according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that at least one elongated element (10) is a heating element.

类似技术:

---

公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

---

BR112017015179B1|2021-05-11|method of sealing a ring between the inner and outer pipe sections of a pipe-in-pipe system and pipe-in-pipe system

---

US9303795B2|2016-04-05|Pipe-in-pipe apparatus including an engineered pipe

---

JP2009540244A|2009-11-19|Assembly method for flexible pipe joints

---

JP2009540245A|2009-11-19|Fitting device for flexible pipe

---

US9909706B2|2018-03-06|Branch structures of electrically-heated pipe-in-pipe flowlines

---

BRPI0518225B1|2018-04-10|UNDERWATER PIPE BEARING AN INNER SHIRT

---

BR112017017018B1|2021-06-01|TUBE FRAME WITHIN TUBE, METHOD FOR MAKING A TUBE FRAME WITHIN TUBE AND SUBSEA INSTALLATION

---

BR112017011496B1|2021-08-24|METHOD OF PROTECTING A FIELD JOINT, FIELD JOINT ARRANGEMENT FOR A PIPE AND SUBSEA PIPE

同族专利:

---

公开号 | 公开日

---

WO2016125010A1|2016-08-11|

---

BR112017015787B1|2021-05-18|

---

EP3254012A1|2017-12-13|

---

US20180051539A1|2018-02-22|

---

GB2535145A8|2016-09-21|

---

GB2534952B|2017-04-19|

---

EP3254011B1|2019-03-13|

---

EP3254011A1|2017-12-13|

---

AU2016214065A1|2017-08-24|

---

AU2016214075A1|2017-08-24|

---

GB201505466D0|2015-05-13|

---

US10352107B2|2019-07-16|

---

BR112017015179A2|2018-01-16|

---

US10577871B2|2020-03-03|

---

EP3254010B1|2019-09-25|

---

WO2016125011A1|2016-08-11|

---

BR112017016294A2|2018-03-27|

---

US10344539B2|2019-07-09|

---

BR112017016294B1|2021-06-01|

---

WO2016125021A1|2016-08-11|

---

AU2016214078A1|2017-08-10|

---

GB201501775D0|2015-03-18|

---

GB2535145B|2017-10-18|

---

EP3254010A1|2017-12-13|

---

AU2016214118B2|2020-02-27|

---

AU2016214078B2|2020-01-16|

---

US20180023767A1|2018-01-25|

---

US20180087327A1|2018-03-29|

---

GB2535240B|2017-06-07|

---

AU2016214118A1|2017-08-24|

---

BR112017015787A2|2018-03-27|

---

BR112017015690B1|2021-06-08|

---

BR112017015690A2|2018-03-20|

---

GB2534952A|2016-08-10|

---

GB2535240A|2016-08-17|

---

GB201511632D0|2015-08-19|

---

EP3254009A1|2017-12-13|

---

EP3254009B8|2021-01-20|

---

AU2016214065B2|2020-03-12|

---

GB2535145A|2016-08-17|

---

WO2016125024A1|2016-08-11|

---

US10435953B2|2019-10-08|

---

US20180087694A1|2018-03-29|

---

EP3254012B1|2020-03-11|

---

EP3254009B1|2020-04-08|

---

AU2016214075B2|2020-02-27|

引用文献:

---

公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

---

---

USRE16523E|1927-01-04|and the like and method of and apparatus for making the same |

---

US2440245A|1944-03-13|1948-04-27|Standard Telephones Cables Ltd|Cooling of high-temperature bodies|

---

US2720267A|1949-12-12|1955-10-11|Cicero C Brown|Sealing assemblies for well packers|

---

US3407835A|1965-06-21|1968-10-29|Trans Continental Electronics|Insulated heating or cooling system for elongated pipes|

---

US3374308A|1966-09-12|1968-03-19|Res Molding Inc|Conduit insulating spacer|

---

JPS4929027B1|1968-08-08|1974-07-31|

---

US3540487A|1968-12-20|1970-11-17|Eastman Kodak Co|Spacer for preinsulated pipe|

---

JPS4823928B1|1969-03-26|1973-07-17|

---

CA926377A|1970-08-25|1973-05-15|Can-Tex Drilling And Exploration Ltd.|Dual concentric drillpipe|

---

US3971416A|1974-08-16|1976-07-27|Thermon Manufacturing Company|Preinsulated pipe assembly and pipeline|

---

US3964754A|1975-05-19|1976-06-22|Nishiyama Gomu Kabushiki Kaisha|Device for sealing the end of sheath pipe|

---

GB1579670A|1976-05-21|1980-11-19|Wavin Bv|Pipes|

---

DE2647235C2|1976-10-20|1986-11-20|Dieter Spezial-Isolierungen GmbH & Co., 7401 Nehren|Spacer for pipes passed through protective pipes|

---

US4194536A|1976-12-09|1980-03-25|Eaton Corporation|Composite tubing product|

---

DE2823101C2|1978-05-26|1982-08-05|Kabel- und Metallwerke Gutehoffnungshütte AG, 3000 Hannover|Process for the production of heat-insulated conduit pipes|

---

DE2836957C2|1978-08-24|1988-05-19|Kabel- Und Metallwerke Gutehoffnungshuette Ag, 3000 Hannover, De|

---

NL177516C|1978-09-12|1985-10-01|Pidou Bv|SEALING CUFF.|

---

DE3010437A1|1980-03-19|1981-09-24|Kabel- und Metallwerke Gutehoffnungshütte AG, 3000 Hannover|METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF SPACERS FOR COAXIAL PIPE SYSTEMS|

---

IT1150849B|1982-04-20|1986-12-17|Snam Progetti|THERMALLY INSULATED PIPING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERWATER PIPES|

---

IT1176382B|1984-07-09|1987-08-18|Snam Progetti|PERFECTED PIPE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THERMALLY INSULATED PIPES AND PROCEDURE FOR THAT CONSTRUCTION|

---

US5803127A|1985-12-16|1998-09-08|R & R Precision Corp.|Coaxial piping systems|

---

CH672014A5|1986-08-29|1989-10-13|Fischer Ag Georg|

---

US4751947A|1987-06-30|1988-06-21|Landers Phillip G|System for plugging conduits|

---

US5069255A|1988-07-29|1991-12-03|Power Lone Star, Inc.|Pipeline casing insulator|

---

DE3931058C1|1989-09-18|1990-07-26|Jung Ohg, 6232 Bad Soden, De|Pipeline laying method - outer pipe casings are welded before inner flow pipes, and latter pushed into already laid pipe casing|

---

US4984633A|1989-10-20|1991-01-15|Weatherford U.S., Inc.|Nozzle effect protectors, centralizers, and stabilizers and related methods|

---

US5071140A|1990-01-02|1991-12-10|Federico Quevedo Del Rio|Self-pressurized gasket seal|

---

US5259651A|1991-04-04|1993-11-09|Sharp Bruce R|Double wall fittings for use with double wall pipeline systems|

---

FR2699979B1|1992-12-29|1995-02-03|Courant Ets Sa|Multilayer duct and die for its manufacture.|

---

US5390961A|1993-04-28|1995-02-21|Thermon Manufacturing Company|Dual wall thermally insulated conduit including skin effect heat tracing pipes|

---

US5497809A|1994-01-05|1996-03-12|Wolf; Lawrence W.|Vented bending sleeves for coaxial tubing systems|

---

JPH09189382A|1996-01-10|1997-07-22|Usui Internatl Ind Co Ltd|Connecting structure between 1-joint and narrow-diameter metal pipe and joining method thereof|

---

US6279654B1|1996-10-04|2001-08-28|Donald E. Mosing|Method and multi-purpose apparatus for dispensing and circulating fluid in wellbore casing|

---

US6202656B1|1998-03-03|2001-03-20|Applied Materials, Inc.|Uniform heat trace and secondary containment for delivery lines for processing system|

---

US6634388B1|1998-07-22|2003-10-21|Safetyliner Systems, Llc|Annular fluid manipulation in lined tubular systems|

---

EP1105668A4|1998-07-28|2005-11-23|Safety Liner Systems Llc|Enhancement of profiled tubular lining systems by channel augmentation|

---

FR2795807B1|1999-07-02|2001-07-27|Coflexip|DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE PROPAGATION OF A DEFORMATION IN A DOUBLE WALL TUBE|

---

NO994044D0|1999-08-20|1999-08-20|Kvaerner Oilfield Prod As|Device and methods of production / injection pipeline|

---

DE10018380A1|2000-04-13|2001-10-18|Scc Special Comm Cables Gmbh|Cable and/or hose installation method for pipeline or conduit system uses relatively spaced inner and outer sleeves for providing annular gap for locating cable and/or hose|

---

GB0019502D0|2000-08-08|2000-09-27|Oil States Ind Uk Ltd|Pipe assembly|

---

US6564011B1|2000-08-23|2003-05-13|Fmc Technologies, Inc.|Self-regulating heat source for subsea equipment|

---

US6739803B2|2001-07-20|2004-05-25|Shell Oil Company|Method of installation of electrically heated pipe-in-pipe subsea pipeline|

---

FR2828924B1|2001-08-27|2003-10-31|Coflexip|FLEXIBLE PIPE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF A FLUID|

---

GB0125148D0|2001-10-19|2001-12-12|Coflexip|Bulkhead assembly for use in pipe-in-pipe systems|

---

US7677579B2|2002-05-31|2010-03-16|Technip France Sa|Seal assembly for dividing an annular space in a double-walled pipeline|

---

GB2391281B|2002-07-26|2005-11-02|Coflexip Stena Offshore Ltd|Seal assembly|

---

US20050212285A1|2004-03-29|2005-09-29|Ope International, L.P.|Dual-walled piping system and methods|

---

GB0501056D0|2005-01-18|2005-02-23|Downhole Products Plc|Centraliser|

---

GB0523599D0|2005-11-19|2005-12-28|Nylacast Ltd|Improved spacer|

---

GB2444060B|2006-11-21|2008-12-17|Swelltec Ltd|Downhole apparatus and method|

---

BRPI0605003B1|2006-11-30|2020-04-22|Petroleo Brasileiro Sa Petrobras|pipe-in-pipe annular sealing device|

---

FR2918149B1|2007-06-29|2009-09-25|Inst Francais Du Petrole|REINFORCED DRIVE WITH TWO ENVELOPES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE.|

---

US20090152817A1|2007-12-14|2009-06-18|Schlumberger Technology Corporation|Energized dynamic seal used in oil well equipment|

---

WO2009083937A2|2007-12-27|2009-07-09|Acergy France Sa|Insulated pipelines and methods of construction and installation thereof|

---

US8201636B2|2008-02-19|2012-06-19|Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.|Expandable packer|

---

KR101585909B1|2009-01-27|2016-01-18|가부시끼 가이샤 구보다|Pipe joint|

---

US20120312102A1|2011-06-07|2012-12-13|The University Of Texas System|Force sensing device and methods for preparing and uses thereof|

---

MY161019A|2011-07-11|2017-03-31|Itp Sa|Electrical heating system for a section of fluid transport pipe,section and pipe equipped with such an electrical heating system|

---

US8443680B2|2011-07-13|2013-05-21|J. Ray Mcdermott, S.A.|Pipe reel load simulator|

---

GB2493545B|2011-08-11|2013-09-11|Technip France|T-piece preformer|

---

GB2494180B|2011-09-02|2013-09-04|Technip France|A connector arrangement for pipe-in-pipe pipeline|

---

EP2631421A1|2012-02-22|2013-08-28|Quantum Technologie GmbH|Heated crude oil pipeline|

---

CA2867078C|2012-03-14|2019-09-10|Purapipe Holding Ltd.|Multilayer pipeline in a polymer material, device for manufacture of the multilayer pipeline and a method for manufacturing the multilayer pipeline|

---

FR2991024B1|2012-05-25|2014-06-20|Itp Sa|METHOD FOR INSTALLING A CONDUIT FOR TRANSPORTING A FLUID BY EACH TRONCONS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRICAL HEATING SYSTEM|

---

CN104364570B|2012-06-25|2015-12-02|株式会社久保田|Sealing, pressure ring, joint and valve|

---

FR2994593B1|2012-08-20|2014-09-05|Technip France|INTERMEDIATE CONNECTION CONNECTION OF RIGID FLUID TRANSPORT DRIVING ELEMENTS, PIPE NETWORK AND ASSOCIATED ASSEMBLY METHOD|

---

US8833440B1|2013-11-14|2014-09-16|Douglas Ray Dicksinson|High-temperature heat, steam and hot-fluid viscous hydrocarbon production and pumping tool|

---

DE102014105555A1|2014-04-17|2015-10-22|Brugg Rohr Ag, Holding|Connection for corrugated pipes|

---

FR3021385B1|2014-05-23|2017-01-20|Itp Sa|TRUNK FOR A DUAL ENVELOPE CONDUIT MOUNTED THERMALLY ISOLATED AND HEATED THRUST AND METHOD FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION|

---

AU2015335367B2|2014-10-20|2019-10-03|National Oilwell Varco Denmark I/S|An assembly comprising an end-fitting and an unbonded flexible pipe|

---

GB2535145B|2015-02-03|2017-10-18|Acergy France SAS|Termination bulkheads for subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|GB2535145B|2015-02-03|2017-10-18|Acergy France SAS|Termination bulkheads for subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|

---

DE102016000192B3|2016-01-13|2017-01-19|A. Kayser Automotive Systems Gmbh|Heatable media line|

---

GB2546749B|2016-01-26|2019-01-09|Nylacast Ltd|Spacer for a double walled marine conduit|

---

CN106704733B|2017-01-23|2018-09-18|中国铁道科学研究院铁道建筑研究所|Water-drainage tube part and its application in railroad construction|

---

JP2020509309A|2017-02-28|2020-03-26|サンドビック インテレクチュアル プロパティー アクティエボラーグ|Tube structure with protected sensor and method for manufacturing tube structure with protected sensor|

---

WO2019222235A2|2018-05-14|2019-11-21|Oceaneering International, Inc.|Subsea flowline blockage remediation using external heating device|

---

IT201800006717A1|2018-06-27|2019-12-27|Method of monitoring a continuous pipeline, monitoring device and assembly comprising said device|

---

CN109027497B|2018-08-29|2021-04-13|西安石油大学|Spiral flow drag reduction fluid transportation pipeline for petrochemical fluid heat exchange|

---

CN109282089B|2018-11-30|2021-04-30|江苏洁润管业有限公司|Double-channel composite pipe|

---

RU202636U1|2019-10-23|2021-03-01|Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение науки Федеральный исследовательский центр "Якутский научный центр Сибирского отделения Российской академии наук"|Device for protecting gas pipelines from mechanical damage|

---

GB2590611A|2019-12-12|2021-07-07|Subsea 7 Ltd|Mitigation of buckling in subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|

---

GB2590453A|2019-12-18|2021-06-30|Subsea 7 Ltd|Spooling and installing trace-heated pipelines of pipe-in-pipe configuration|

---

CN111456682B|2020-04-20|2021-06-22|大庆市鹤翔机械有限公司|Heating device for underground oil pipe and sucker rod|

---

CN111503405A|2020-05-15|2020-08-07|朱昀|Pipeline heat tracing cable|

---

US20220042639A1|2020-08-04|2022-02-10|Micropen Technologies Corporation|Fluid conduit assemblies and fluid transport systems|

---

CN112983328B|2021-02-18|2021-11-19|江苏腾龙石化机械有限公司|Anti-freezing petroleum wellhead|

法律状态:
2020-02-11| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

---

2021-04-13| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

---

2021-05-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 02/02/2016, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

---

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

---

GB1501775.9A|GB2535145B|2015-02-03|2015-02-03|Termination bulkheads for subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|

---

GB1501775.9|2015-02-03|

---

GB1511632.0A|GB2534952B|2015-02-03|2015-07-02|Sealing arrangements for subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|

---

GB1511632.0|2015-07-02|

---

PCT/IB2016/000163|WO2016125011A1|2015-02-03|2016-02-02|Sealing arrangements for subsea pipe-in-pipe systems|

---