KR20190002041U - Stand-off clamp for pipeline repair - Google Patents

Abstract

Clamps for repairing parts of pipelines and methods for manufacturing pipelines are proposed. The clamp includes a plurality of clamp portions 12 and a seal 30 disposed on an inner surface 42 of at least one of the plurality of clamp portions 12. The clamp portion may be mutually coupled such that the clamp portion and the seal cooperate to enclose a portion of the pipeline 20 in a channel therebetween, the seal 30 supporting the surface of a portion of the pipeline 20. do. Clamp portion 12 comprises a polymeric composite material.

Description

Stand-off clamp for repair of pipelines {STAND-OFF CLAMP FOR PIPELINE REPAIR}

The present invention relates to clamps for repair and reinforcement of leaks in pipelines, for example oil or gas pipelines.

In the oil and gas industry, raw materials and processed materials are carried by flow along a pipeline that includes bonded tubes located both on the water and on the ground. The tube may periodically generate leaks or weak spots due to erosion, corrosion or mechanical damage.

In order to repair leaks or weak areas without having to shut down the pipeline, one previously proposed solution is to surround the damaged part with a steel clamp. However, metal clamps are susceptible to corrosion, whether in storage or in the field. This also adds weight to the repaired structure. This may take longer to manufacture and install, depending on the size. Thus, repairs using metal clamps can involve significant costs, complexity, and delays.

It is desirable to provide a clamp for overcoming or mitigating the above disadvantages, or at least for repairing a portion of a pipeline that provides a useful alternative.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a clamp for repairing a portion of a pipeline, the clamp comprising:

A plurality of clamp portions; And

A seal disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of clamp portions,

The clamp portion may be mutually coupled such that the clamp portion and the seal cooperate to receive a portion of the pipeline in a channel therebetween, the seal supported on a surface of a portion of the pipeline,

The clamp portion includes a polymeric composite material.

In certain embodiments, two or more of the clamp portions each include at least one flange, and the clamp may be coupled in place on the pipeline portion by securing each flange of each clamp portion. The flanges each have at least one opening formed in the flange, in which openings can be received for fastening the respective flanges together. The clamp portions may be identical to one another. Preferably, there are two clamp portions.

The clamp may include a seal member disposed on the inner surface of each clamp portion. This seal member may be configured to cooperate to jointly form a circumferential seal around a portion of the pipeline. Each seal member may comprise a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other, and first and second side portions opposite to each other extending between the first and second end portions. In certain embodiments, the at least one seal member covers the inner surface of the clamp portion in which the seal member is disposed.

Each end portion of the adjacent pair of seal members may be configured to abut each other to form a continuous seal jointly around the perimeter of the pipe.

At least one pair of clamp portions of the clamp may be joined by a hinge.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the clamp portions is formed of a polymeric composite shell surrounding the core material. The core material may be an independent foamed polymer foam; Syntactic foams; Or metal, composite or graphite honeycomb materials.

Preferably, the polymeric composite material includes a fiber reinforced polymer.

The at least one clamp portion may be lined or coated internally and / or externally with chemical and / or fire resistant and / or low permeability materials.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for repairing a portion of a pipeline, the method comprising:

Providing a clamp according to any one of the embodiments described above;

Positioning the clamp portion around a portion of the pipeline; And

Interlocking said clamp portions,

The plurality of clamp portions and the seal cooperate to receive a portion of the pipeline in a channel therebetween, wherein the seal is supported on a surface of the portion of the pipeline.

The method may further comprise applying a grout to an inner surface of at least one of the clamp portions. The grout can be applied, for example, by injection into the channel. The grout can be applied in the annular area formed by the pipe and the clamp.

The method may further comprise applying at least one layer of fiber or adhesive tape material to the weakened or damaged area of the portion of the pipeline prior to mutually securing the clamp portions.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a clamp for repairing a portion of a pipeline, the method comprising:

Forming a plurality of clamp portions each comprising a polymeric composite material; And

Disposing a seal on at least one inner surface of the clamp portion,

The clamp portion may be mutually coupled such that the clamp portion and the seal cooperate to receive a portion of the pipeline in a channel therebetween, the seal being supported on a surface of a portion of the pipeline.

The method includes inspecting a pipeline; And forming a clamp portion based on the result of this inspection step.

This clamp portion may be formed by one or more of resin vacuum injection, filament winding, pre-preg process, wet layup process, or resin transfer molding.

Preferably, the polymeric composite material includes a fiber reinforced polymer.

 It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate possible structures of the invention. Other arrangements of the invention are possible and, consequently, the specificity of the accompanying drawings should not be understood to override the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

1 shows a clamp according to one embodiment installed on a portion of a pipeline;
2 shows a portion of a clamp engaged with a portion of a pipeline;
3 shows an isometric view of a first portion of the clamp;
4 is a top view of the first clamp portion;
5 is an isometric view of an alternative clamp portion;
6 shows an alternative embodiment of the clamp used in the bend of the pipeline;
7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the clamp in a partially open configuration,
8 shows the clamp of FIG. 7 in a closed configuration;
9 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of FIG. 7;
10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a clamp;
11 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of the clamp;
12 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of FIG. 11 installed on a portion of the pipe.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clamp comprising a composite portion-cylindrical having an elastic seal (eg, rubber or other elastomeric or polymeric material) that can be bonded onto a portion of a pipe. This clamp portion can be joined by fasteners which are preferably equally spaced on the flange along its length. Embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing a clamp and a method of repairing a pipeline using the clamp.

Embodiments described below relate mainly to a clamp comprising two parts having two clamp portions, preferably two semi-cylindrical inner sections. However, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments may use three or more clamp portions that may be substantially equivalent to (but not necessarily) mutually. For example, if this clamp comprises four clamp portions, each clamp portion may have a four minute cylindrical cross section. In certain embodiments, the clamp portions can have different sizes. For example, if there are three clamp portions, one of the clamp portions may be semi-cylindrical and the other two may be four-minute cylindrical. Many other ways of dividing the clamp into two or more parts are possible. The features of the embodiments described below are equally applicable to configurations using three or more clamp portions.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a clamp 10 is shown that includes a first clamp portion 12 and a second clamp portion 14. These clamp portions 12, 14 are each substantially semi-cylindrical, each having an inner surface having a size and shape for receiving a portion 20 of the straight pipeline to be repaired. The clamp 10 may be located around a leaky location or weak spot of the pipe 20 and forms a sleeve extending longitudinally along the pipe. As will be explained in more detail later, the two clamp portions 12, 14 each have a sealing member disposed on its own inner surface, so that when each of these sealing members is fixed around the pipe 20, This sealing member cooperates to form a tight seal around the leak or weak spot. The clamp portions 12, 14 may have substantially the same structure, but are not required if a suitable seal is formed around the pipe 20.

The first clamp portion 12 and the second clamp portion 14 are bolts 16 (for clarity of illustration) received in the opening 44 of the first clamp portion 12 and the second clamp portion 14. Only two are fastened together by fasteners, such as indicated by reference numerals). In the embodiment shown, the openings 44 are evenly spaced along each clamp portion, but it will be understood that this is not essential. The bolt 16 may be formed of, for example, a metal material or a composite material. Other types of fasteners are also possible depending on the particular application and the desired load transfer characteristics. The fasteners do not necessarily have to be received in the opening 44. For example, a bracket or other similar member may be secured around the outer surface of the clamp portions 12, 14, and the flanges 26, 28 may be omitted if so desired. Other possible fastening means include ratchet straps, cable ties, lashings, etc., which are tightened to fasten them together by walking around the clamp portions 12, 14.

Each clamp portion 12, 14 is formed of a polymeric composite material. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes a resin matrix (eg, vinyl ester or epoxy matrix) that includes a fiber material, such as glass fiber or carbon fiber, as the reinforcing material. In some embodiments, the reinforcing material may be at least partially metal when any metal part is embedded such that the clamp portions 12, 14 maintain corrosion resistance. The composite is preferably a lightweight composite.

Advantageously, by forming the clamp portion from a polymer-based composite, embodiments of the present invention can be easily and quickly designed and repaired so that repairs can be made to damaged or worn parts of the pipeline without stopping the pipeline. Provides a custom repair device that can be fabricated. In particular, the clamp portion can be manufactured using a wide variety of processes that are implemented much faster than those used to manufacture metal clamps. This reduces the cost and complexity of repair, and also reduces the delay between identifying damage / wear and implementing the repair.

The use of fibre-reinforced polymeric composites is particularly advantageous as the clamp parts can be made substantially lighter than metal clamps while providing equivalent strength. Thus, the structure can be easily repaired without adding excessive loads as is the case with metal parts.

In addition, much greater design flexibility is provided. The shape of the polymeric composite material and / or clamp component can be easily customized to meet various pipe shapes (straight or curved), pressure requirements and environmental conditions. The type and density / placement of the fibers can also be adjusted to optimize the design in terms of weight, strength and / or cost. The reinforcing fibers may be 2D or 3D fibers and may be woven or braided fabrics and / or sutured or integrally woven preforms.

Moreover, unlike metal clamps, polymer-based composite (including fibre-reinforced composite) clamp parts have corrosion resistance and are therefore suitable for ground applications as well as for example in embedded or harsh marine environments.

Further details of the structure of the first clamp portion 12 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the second clamp portion 14 is of the same construction as the first clamp portion 12 (but is not required as mentioned above).

The first clamp portion 12 has a pair of flanges extending longitudinally between its ends 22, 24. The flanges 26, 28 are located on both sides of the semicylindrical channel 46. Openings 44 for receiving fasteners 16 are formed in these flanges 26, 28.

The seal member 30 is installed in a series of grooves below the optional lips 27, 29 that contact the inner surface 42 of the clamp portion 12 and protrude into the channel 46. Alternative methods of applying the seal 30 to the inner surface 42 are also possible. For example, instead of installing in a series of grooves, the seal member 30 may be directly bonded or fused to the inner surface 42. As a further alternative, the seal member 30 may be installed in at least one groove and additionally adhered or fused to the inner surface 42.

The grooves may be formed simultaneously in the same manufacturing process as forming the clamp portions 12, 14. Alternatively, the clamp portions 12, 14 can be machined after the clamp portions are formed.

Installing the seal member 30 in the groove of the inner surface 42 assists in resisting the force generated by the build up of internal pressure in the pipe 20. This resistance is strengthened by the lips 27, 29 which the edge 34 of the seal member 30 abuts.

The seal member 30 has a pair of mutually opposite end portions 32 with a pair of mutually opposite side portions 34 extending therebetween. This end portion 32 is located in a groove near the ends 22, 24 of the clamp portion 12. The side portion 34 is located in a groove directly below the ribs 27, 29.

During installation in the pipe 20, the clamp part 12 is installed below the pipe and a similar second clamp part 14 is installed above the pipe. The clamp portions 12, 14 are joined to the flanges 26, 28 of the first clamp portion 12 with the corresponding flanges of the second clamp portion 14, and the two clamp portions 12, 14 have been transferred. It is coupled to fasten together using fasteners 16 as described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the clamp portions 12, 14 are assembled and fastened around the pipe 20, the end 32 and the side 34 of the seal member 30 are connected to the pipe 20. It is firmly held against the surface of the seal, thereby providing a leakproof and pressure resistant seal in the area received by the clamp.

5, an alternative clamp portion 50 for a clamp according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. This clamp portion 50 has a pair of flanges 56, 58 extending longitudinally between its ends 52, 54, similar to the clamp portion 12. The flanges 56, 58 are located on both sides of the semicylindrical channel 76. When this clamp portion 50 is assembled with another similar clamp, a cylindrical channel is formed between these clamp portions for receiving and embracing the pipe. Openings 74 for receiving the fasteners 16 are formed in the flanges 56 and 58.

In the clamp portion 50, a seal member 60 having a pair of end portions 62 opposite to each other is provided, which end portions 62 are respectively end portions 52, 54 of the clamp portion 50. In a groove in the inner surface 76 in the vicinity of the. Between the end portions 62 a pair of side portions 64 opposite to each other extend. The side portion 64 is provided inside the grooves 78 and 80 of the flanges 56 and 58, respectively. The seal member 60 may be formed as a single part. Alternatively, a strip of material 62 may be fused / bonded / contacted with strip 64 to form seal member 60.

Opposite end portions 68, 70 of each end portion 62 positioned at the junction with the side portion 64 extend beyond the flanges 56, 58. Thus, when the flanges 56, 58 of the clamp portion 50 are aligned with the flanges of a similar second clamp portion around the pipe 20, the side portion 64 of the first clamp portion 50 may be removed. In contact with the corresponding side portion of the two clamp portions, the end portion 62 is sealed against the pipe. The protrusions 68, 70 of the clamp portion 50 abut the corresponding protrusions on the second clamp portion to form a continuous seal around the perimeter of the pipe 20.

Seal members 30 and 60 are each formed of an elastic material such as rubber or other elastomeric material or polymer material.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the seal members 30, 60 cover only a portion of each inner surface 42, 72 of the clamp portion 12 or 50. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the seal members 30, 60 may be sheet-like members that cover substantially the entirety of one or both surfaces 42, 72.

In other embodiments, seal members 30 and 60 may include one or more elastic patches, or may be supplemented with one or more elastic patches. Each patch may be located on surface 42 or surface 72 in a position such that it is able to abut a pipe at the location of the leak. One such embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, which illustrates the repair of a hole 22 in a portion 20 of a pipe. A clamp 400 having a lower clamp portion 412 and an upper clamp portion 414 is positioned around the pipe 20, and the elastic patch 420 on the surface of the upper clamp portion 414 is over the hole 22. Is located in. Holes for the fasteners in the flanges of the clamp portions 412 and 414 have been omitted for clarity of illustration. The elastic patch 420 may be installed in the recess of the surface of the clamp portion 414, or may be bonded or fused to it. The elastic patch 420 may be provided to form a seal on the damaged portion of the pipe 20 by itself, when the clamp portions 412 and 414 are fastened together, or seal other damaged or weakened portions. May be provided with one or more similar additional patches. Any such patch may also be provided with the seal members 30, 60 to additionally provide a circumferential seal around the pipe 20 as described above.

In further embodiments, the side portions 34 and / or 64 may extend outwardly to cover some or all of the flanges 26, 28 and / or flanges 56, 58. In such embodiments, a portion of the side portion (s) covering the flange may be formed with a hole that matches the position of the holes 44 and / or 74. This hole may be formed in the formation of the seal members 30, 60, or while the first clamp portion 12 and the second clamp portion 14 are in place on the pipe 20, for example , By drilling or by any other suitable means, which may be formed immediately before or during installation by forming a hole in the seal member.

In the above embodiment the seal member 30 or 60 is provided in each of the two clamp portions, while in other embodiments the seal member may be provided only on one clamp portion and nevertheless desired leakage / pressure sealing To achieve. For example, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are not both, and may be adapted to provide a seal member 30 on either the first clamp portion 12 or the second clamp portion 14. Can be. This can provide several advantages, including the use of less material, easier assembly of the clamp, and the mechanism associated with the seal need only be provided to a portion of the clamp.

In a further embodiment, the surface 42 and / or surface 72 is a grout (eg, cementitious grout, or non-cemental material such as epoxy resin or polyurethane) that may be in contact with the surface of the pipe 20. Grout). This grout may be applied prior to installation or injected into the channels 46, 76 in the field. The grout can be cured or cured, thereby forming a reinforcement layer on the pipe 20. Thus, in these embodiments the clamp provides both leakage / pressure suppression and reinforcement of the pipe, which may be advantageous especially in the case of thinned pipes due to erosion / corrosion. Clamp portion 12 and / or clamp portion 14 may have one or more inlet holes to facilitate injection of grout and to allow testing of the seal once clamp 10 is installed. Either or both of the clamp portions can have one or more vent holes that can evacuate air from channels 46 and 76 when grout is injected.

Although not shown in the figures, useful during the installation process is an optional lifting lug located on the surface of clamp portion 12 and / or clamp portion 14. This lifting lug is preferably formed integrally with each clamp portion during manufacture of the clamp portion.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of clamp 110 is shown. This clamp 110 includes a first clamp portion 112 and a second clamp portion 114 that are fastened around the pipeline at the bend between the two straight portions of the pipes 120, 122. Each clamp portion 112, 114 is formed as a single part having a bent portion corresponding to a bent portion of the pipeline. The internal configuration of each clamp portion 112, 114 is similar to the internal configuration of clamp portions 12, 14. These clamp portions 112, 114 may be fastened together in any suitable manner, for example by providing a through hole (not shown) for receiving the fastener in the flange of each clamp portion.

In further embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-9, clamp 200 (FIG. 8) assembled and fastened on pipe 20 includes a first clamp portion 212 and a second clamp portion 214. do. The internal configuration of the clamp portions 212, 214 may be the same as that of the clamp portions 12, 14 or the clamp portions 212, 214, for example. The clamp 200 of FIGS. 7-9 includes a hinge 216 that joins the clamp portions 212 and 214 along one edge, so that once the clamp 200 is in position, the through hole 244 ( The clamp portions 212, 214 only need to be fastened together along the other edge by means of fasteners which are shown only on each clamp portion for clarity of illustration). If so desired, the clamp portions 212, 214 can be fastened along the hinge side of the clamp, so that the hinge 216 primarily assists in positioning the clamp on the pipe 20, rather than a load bearing structure. Done. Hinge 216 may be made of the same polymeric composite material as clamp portions 212 and 214. Advantageously, the use of a hinge fixes the relative longitudinal position of the clamp portions 212, 214 and facilitates installation of the clamp 200 since the through holes 244 are already aligned prior to installation.

In a variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, the clamp may comprise three or more clamp portions, with adjacent pairs of clamp portions joined by their respective hinges. In this embodiment, two of the clamp portions can each have a flange with openings for receiving the fasteners so that these clamp portions can be fastened together and the remaining clamp portions are hinged to these two adjacent clamp portions. Bonded together, the number of hinges being less than the number of clamp portions. Since multiple hinged clamps have a greater range of movement (larger degrees of freedom) and can be more easily positioned around the pipe to be repaired, the advantage of using three or more clamp portions in this way is that May be ease.

In a further embodiment, shown in cross section in FIG. 10, the clamp 300 includes two clamp portions 312, 314, each of which has a polymeric composite shell 320 surrounding the core material 322. Is formed. The structural details of the clamp portions 312 and 314 may be substantially the same as those of the clamp portions 12 or 50, for example. Shell 320 may be formed of the same type of polymeric composite as used to form clamp portions 12, 14, or 50. Core 322 may comprise independent foamed polymer foam; Syntactic foams; Or various materials, including but not limited to metal, composite or graphite honeycomb materials.

Composite clamp portions 12, 14, 50, 212, 214, 312, 314, 412, 414 can be manufactured by a number of different methods. Exemplary methods include but are not limited to resin vacuum injection, filament winding, pre-preg processes (typically followed by a heating step to complete the polymerization), wet layup processes, and resin transfer molding. It is not limited to.

Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more of the following advantages.

Enabling rapid repair during operation of the pipeline / riser;

* Custom repairs that can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively for both straight and curved pipes;

Not add excessive loads to the corrosion resistant and repaired structures;

* Lightweight;

To enable rapid manufacture and installation of various shapes;

Saving costs in terms of installation time;

* Rapid underwater, water and landfill applications;

* Customizable geometry for straight pipes and curved pipes / flanges.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that various features of the described embodiments can be combined in various ways to create numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, positions, etc., have been described for use with the disclosed embodiments, other than those disclosed may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

A clamp for repairing a portion of a pipeline, the clamp of which
A plurality of clamp portions; And
A seal disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of clamp portions,
The clamp portion may be mutually coupled such that the clamp portion and the seal cooperate to receive a portion of the pipeline in a channel therebetween, the seal supported on a surface of a portion of the pipeline,
And the clamp portion comprises a polymeric composite material. The method of claim 1,
At least two of the clamp portions each include at least one flange, the clamp being coupled to a portion of the pipeline, which may be coupled in place on the portion of the pipeline by securing each flange of the respective clamp portion. Clamp for repair. The method of claim 2,
The flanges each having at least one opening formed in the flange, in which the fasteners for securing the respective flanges together can be received. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And the clamp comprises a seal member disposed on an inner surface of each clamp portion. The method of claim 4, wherein
And the seal member is configured to interact to form a circumferential seal jointly around a portion of the pipeline. The method of claim 4, wherein
Each seal member includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other, and first and second side portions opposite to each other extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, Clamp for repairing part of the pipeline. The method of claim 4, wherein
At least one seal member covers an inner surface of the clamp portion in which the seal member is disposed. The method of claim 6,
And end portions of each of the adjacent pairs of seal members are configured to abut one another to form a continuous seal jointly around the perimeter of the pipe. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And the clamp portions are identical to each other. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And at least one pair of said clamp portions is joined by a hinge. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein at least one of the clamp portions is formed of a polymeric composite shell surrounding the core material. The method of claim 11,
The core material may comprise independent foamed polymer foams; Syntactic foams; Or a clamp for repairing a portion of a pipeline selected from the group comprising metal, composite or graphite honeycomb materials. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And the polymeric composite material comprises a fiber reinforced polymer. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
At least one clamp portion is lined or coated internally and / or externally with a chemical and / or fire resistant and / or low permeable material. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And the clamp includes two clamp portions.

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