Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Patent
1994-08-17
1998-09-29
Gorski, Joseph M.
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
B21D 3900
Patent
active
058131060
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present Invention relates to a method of manufacturing and laying a plurality of elongate elements into a cable cord, or umbilical, comprising a core element, a plurality of conduits and/or cables, situated outside the core element, filler material around and between the conduits/cables and optionally a protective sheath surrounding the conduits and filler material, which core element Is advanced along a feed line and the conduits and/or cables are fed onto the outside of the core element and laid in a helix.
The invention also relates to a machine for manufacturing of such an umbilical, which machine comprises a pulling means specifically for the core element and reels of coiled conduits and/or cables, which reels are spaced apart around the core element, and are rotatable about the core element for helical laying thereon, and pulling means acting on the conduits and/or cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
From British patent application GB-2038988 there is known a method and means for producing a multi-pipe conduit from a plurality of pipes and a central core as said pipes and central core are drawn in their longitudinal direction. The pipes are secured at the contact end in a non-twisted relationship around the central core.
NO patent application 873074 shows a method and an apparatus for producing helically wound pipe bundles. A group of pipes is wound together to form a continuous combination conduit from the individual supply pipes, conduits and cables that are intended to be laid in one operation in bundled form from a lay vessel at sea.
Further examples of the prior art are shown in GB-1141014, GB-1210206 and GB-1423059. An example of a previously proposed pipe bundle cable Is shown in the applicant's own Norwegian patent no. 155826.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present umbilical is a further development of the concept shown in Norwegian patent 155826. The umbilical is a composite structure capable of transporting hydraulic fluids, chemicals, electrical and optical signals and electrical power. The conduit for chemical transport is usually placed in the center, while those for electrical signals and power and the hydraulic pipes are placed peripherally around the central element or core element. The peripherally situated elements are wound into a helix around the central pipe. Each element is free to move longitudinally in relation to the other elements. The cable cord is wrapped with a band, and the outer sheath is a thermoplastic layer extruded onto the cable cord.
The types of materials used are evaluated and selected on the basis of information about the medium to be transported, the expected lifetime and other operational criteria.
The core element may be a metal tube for conducting a liquid or may be an electrical cable for transmission of power or signals. As a metal tube it may be used, e.g, for injection of methanol into a drilling well. The materials in the metal tubes may be selected on the basis of high strength and good corrosion resistance. Examples of such materials are Super Duplex (UNS S 32750)/Duplex (UNS S 31803). Another possible material is titanium, grade 9.
The outer sheath may consist of polyethylene or polyurethane that is extruded onto the cable in a final step. Although not restrictive for the scope of the invention, a typical exterior diameter for the umbilical or cable cord would be from 50 mm to 200 mm.
It should also be noted that the umbilical enables the attainment of a small radius of curvature, meaning that it can be coiled up onto a maneuverable drum. Some plastic deformation of the steel tubes will occur, however. Still, coiling and uncoiling of the umbilical may be undertaken a considerable number of times.
As mentioned above, the new umbilical may be coiled up on a drum or carousel of a relatively small diameter. This is made possible by virtue of the fact that the conduits/cables are spiralled around the core element and are capable of bending almost freely about their own neutral axis, while not being subjected to tension or
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patent: 3349479 (1967-10-01), Sewell
patent: 3456449 (1969-07-01), Heil
patent: 3564701 (1971-02-01), Nash et al.
patent: 5101552 (1992-04-01), Mills
Haug Svein
Jacobsen Gunnar Monrad
von Trepka Knut
Gorski Joseph M.
Kvaerner Energy A/S
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