Pipe repair and the methods for operational fixing and definitive welding thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12292153-B2
Application number	US-201917278784-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2019
Priority date	Sep 24, 2018
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

The present invention relates to the repair of pipes, comprising a two-part ring fixed initially by a compression unit which allows the execution of longitudinal welding in order definitively to fix the two-part ring, via apertures, before the compression unit is removed. The two-part ring will be completely welded to the pipe, especially in regions close to connections, but it is necessary for the two-part ring to be fixed initially by the compression unit for the purpose of shaping and definitive geometry of the ring relative to the pipe, normalization of fluid conveyance and in order that it is possible for welding to be planned for the opportune moment.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for repairing or reinforcing a pipe wall, said system comprising:
a split ring and a compression unit;
the split ring comprising two circumferentially extending split ring parts configured to be joined together at two fitting regions, the split ring parts configured such that, in each fitting region, a first circumferential end of one of the split ring parts is configured to be welded to a second circumferential end of the other split ring part in order to form a complete ring about an outer surface of the pipe wall;
the split ring comprising a circumferentially extending sealant accommodation channel along a radially inner side of the split ring whereby a sealant disposed within said sealant accommodation channel is configured to form a seal between the split ring and the outer surface of the pipe wall;
wherein at each fitting region,
the first circumferential end comprises an integral backing strip positioned radially outward of an end portion of the sealant accommodation channel, the backing strip having a reduced outer diameter relative to a nominal outer diameter of the split ring, wherein a first tapered edge provides a transition from the reduced outer diameter of the backing strip to the nominal outer diameter of the split ring in a direction away from the first circumferential end, and
the second circumferential end comprises an extension having a second tapered edge providing a transition from a reduced outer diameter substantially corresponding to the reduced outer diameter of the backing strip of the first circumferential end to the nominal outer diameter of the split ring in a direction away from the second circumferential end, the extension circumferentially extending from the respective split ring part so as to form a radially inner recess configured to accept the backing strip and the end portion of the sealant accommodation channel of the first circumferential end;
wherein the first tapered edge and second tapered edge form a V-shaped welding channel therebetween configured to accommodate a weld bead to join the first circumferential end and second circumferential end, wherein the backing strip is positioned radially between the welding channel and the sealant accommodation channel to protect the sealant within the channel during welding;
wherein a combined radial thickness of the end portion of the sealant accommodation channel and backing strip of the first circumferential end plus a radial thickness of the extension of the second circumferential end is equal to a total thickness of the split ring, said total thickness of the split ring being greater than or equal to a nominal thickness of the pipe wall;
wherein the split ring further comprises two lateral widths defining sides of the sealant accommodation channel, wherein a combined width of the sealant accommodation channel and the two lateral widths is equal to a total width of the split ring;
the compression unit comprising a connector and two rectangular pieces, wherein the connector and the two rectangular pieces are interconnected by chains; the compression unit configured such that each rectangular piece is positionable over a respective one of the two fitting regions of the split ring, wherein each rectangular piece comprises an aperture to enable the respective weld bead to be deposited in the respective welding channel while the compression unit compresses the split ring and the sealant against the outer surface of the pipe wall;
wherein the connector of the compression unit comprises two connector parts, a screw, and two guide pins, wherein the screw is configured to adjust a distance between the two connector parts, whereby drawing the connector parts together via the screw tightens the compression unit about the split ring and pipe;
wherein the two guide pins are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the screw and configured to guide the two connector parts such the relative movement between the two connector parts is restricted to movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw, preventing damage to the screw from transverse bending as the compression unit is tightened.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a first of the two split ring parts provides the first circumferential ends for both of the fitting regions, and a second of the two split ring parts provides the second circumferential ends for both of the fitting regions.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a first of the two split ring parts provides the first circumferential end for a first of the two fitting regions and the second circumferential end for a second of the two fitting regions, and a second of the two split ring parts provides the second circumferential end for the first of the two fitting regions and the first circumferential end for the second of the two fitting regions.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the sealant is a gasket formed from a material selected from the group consisting of composites, polymers, and graphite.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the total width of the split ring is at least 20 millimeters.

6. A method of repairing or reinforcing a pipe wall of a pipeline in operation using the system of claim 1 , the method comprising:
a) providing the system of claim 1 ;
b) arranging the split ring around an outer surface of the pipe wall such that the sealant in the sealant accommodation channel is disposed on the outer surface of the pipe wall;
c) installing the compression unit around the split ring and compressing the split ring and sealant against the outer surface of the pipe wall, whereby each of the rectangular pieces of the compression unit is positioned over a respective fitting region of the split ring, the aperture of each rectangular piece providing access to the respective welding channel;
d) welding the split ring parts together by depositing a weld bead in the welding channel formed at each fitting region;
e) partially welding longitudinal ends of the split ring to the pipe wall via circumferential welds in regions which are accessible while the compression unit remains installed around the split ring;
f) removing the compression unit; and
g) completing circumferential welding of the longitudinal ends of the split ring to the pipe wall.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the sealant is a gasket formed from a material selected from the group consisting of composites, polymers, and graphite.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the partial welding of the longitudinal ends of the split ring to the pipe wall as defined in step e) uses heat input control.

Assignees

• Endserv Inspecao De Equipamentos E Materiais Ltda Me
• Petroleo Brasileiro S A —Petrobras
• Endserv Inspecao De Equipamentos E Materiais Ltda

Inventors

• Do Rosário Fabio Correia
• De Oliveira Tatyana Soriano

Classifications

• F16L55/18

  Appliances for use in repairing pipes (F16L55/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B23K37/0535

  Longitudinal pipe seam alignment clamps · CPC title

• B23K9/0358

  the backing means being a ring or sleeve · CPC title

• B23K37/0533

  External pipe alignment clamps · CPC title

• F16L55/178

  by clamping an outer gasket against a joint with sleeve or socket · CPC title