Techniques for Coating Pipes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016003406-A1
Application number	US-201514728965-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 2, 2015
Priority date	Jul 5, 2010
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert has a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods, or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

First claim

1 - 46 . (canceled)

47 . An insulating insert that is positionable around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint, wherein:
the insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link; and the links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

48 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the links are shallower than the segments in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

49 . The insert of claim 48 , wherein the links are radially inboard of radially outer faces of the segments.

50 . The insert of claim 48 , wherein the links are radially outboard of radially inner faces of the segments.

51 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the links are of substantially the same thickness as the segments in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

52 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the links are of a more flexible material than the segments.

53 . The insert of claim 52 , wherein the links comprise one or more flexible rods extending longitudinally between adjacent segments of the series.

54 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the links curve circumferentially between adjacent segments corresponding to said curvature of those segments.

55 . The insert of claim 54 , wherein the links are continuous along their circumferential extent.

56 . The insert of claim 54 , wherein the links are interrupted by circumferentially spaced openings defining webs between them that join the adjacent segments.

57 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein each link is an articulated assembly of two or more relatively-movable link components.

58 . The insert of claim 57 , wherein the link components are pivotably coupled to each other.

59 . The insert of claim 57 , wherein the link components are slidably coupled to each other.

60 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the segments and the links are of the same material as each other.

61 . The insert of claim 60 , wherein the links are integral with the segments.

62 . The insert of claim 47 , wherein the series of segments comprises:
end segments, one at each end of the series; and two or more body segments between the end segments.

63 . The insert of claim 62 , wherein each end segment has a frusto-conical concave outer side.

64 . The insert of claim 62 , wherein the body segments are hollow discs or part-discs spaced along the length of the insert.

65 . The insert of claim 47 , comprising two or more part-tubular shell sections that can be brought together around a field joint to form a generally tubular insert.

66 . The insert of claim 65 , wherein the shell sections are pivotably coupled to each other for relative clamshell movement.

67 . The insert of claim 66 , wherein a pivot plate of a first shell section is pivotably engaged with a pivot pin of a second shell section, the pivot pin projecting from at least one segment of the second shell section.

68 . The insert of claim 62 , coated or overmoulded with an adhesive or polymer coating or layer extending along the length of the insert.

69 . The insert of claim 67 , wherein the links are of a more flexible material than the segments, infilled between segments by moulding around the segments or by assembly with the segments.

70 . The insert of claim 69 , wherein each link comprises: one or more flexible webs that bridge a gap between adjacent segments; and an infill of a more flexible material than the segments that fills the gap between the adjacent segments.

71 . The insert of claim 70 , wherein the or each web is integral with the adjacent segments.

72 . A rigid pipeline comprising an insulating insert that is positionable around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint, the insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link;
the links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series; and positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint.

73 . The pipeline of claim 72 , wherein the insert is embedded in a polymer field joint coating.

74 . The pipeline of claim 72 , wherein the insert is positioned over a sealing sleeve applied over the field joint, which sleeve bridges a longitudinal gap between truncated parent coatings of pipe joints joined at the field joint.

75 . The pipeline of claim 72 and being bent along its length, wherein the insert is also bent along its length and adjacent segments of the insert are angularly displaced relative to each other about the links between those segments.

76 . A method of insulating a pipeline field joint, comprising applying an insulating insert that is positionable around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint, wherein:
the insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link; and the links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series; to surround the field joint after joining pipe joints to make the field joint.

77 . The method of claim 76 , comprising subsequently embedding the insert in a polymer field joint coating.

78 . The method of claim 76 , comprising attaching the insert to a sleeve applied over the field joint, which sleeve bridges a longitudinal gap between truncated parent coatings of the pipe joints.

79 . The method of claim 76 , comprising subsequently bending the pipeline along its length and hence causing the insert to bend along its length.

Assignees

• Acergy France SAS

Inventors

• Hoffmann Philippe

Classifications

• E21B17/015

  Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type · CPC title

• E21B36/003

  Insulating arrangements · CPC title

• F16L13/0272

  having an external coating · CPC title

• F16L58/181

  for non-disconnectable pipe joints · CPC title

• F16L59/168

  Flexible insulating material or covers for flanges, junctions, valves or the like · CPC title