Assembly and seal test

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9921127-B2
Application number	US-201314409961-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2013
Priority date	Jun 26, 2012
Publication date	Mar 20, 2018
Grant date	Mar 20, 2018

Abstract

An assembly and method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and a layer of flexible pipe body; energizing the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member; energizing the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe, comprising:
locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and in contact with a layer of flexible pipe body;
energising the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring;
locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member and in contact with the same layer of flexible pipe as the first sealing ring;
energising the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and
pressurising a region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater, and
wherein the first and second sealing rings have a cross-section comprising a wedge-like portion, and wherein the first and second sealing rings are oriented in the same axial direction such that the wedge-like portion faces a connector of an end fitting or an end cap to which the flexible pipe body is connected.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of locating the first sealing ring further comprises locating the first sealing ring directly adjacent the pressure-retaining component.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising providing an O-ring between the first collar member and the pressure-retaining component to thereby block a possible leak path between the first collar member and the pressure-retaining component.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising using the first collar member to urge the first sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of energising the second sealing ring comprises urging the pressure-retaining component and the first collar member towards the second collar member.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of energising the second sealing ring comprises urging the second collar member towards the pressure-retaining component and the first collar member.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collar member is an intermediate collar member or an outer collar member.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined pressure is about 5 to 50 MPa.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising compressing the first sealing ring and second sealing ring against the same layer of flexible pipe body to partially deform the layer of flexible pipe body.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure-retaining component is an end cap or end fitting.

11. A kit of parts comprising the elements described in claim 1 .

12. An assembly for proof testing the integrity of a sealing arrangement of a flexible pipe, comprising:
a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component provided to cover an open mouth of a flexible pipe body;
a first sealing ring to be provided between the pressure-retaining component, a first collar member and a layer of the flexible pipe body;
a second sealing ring to be provided between the first collar member, a second collar member and the layer of flexible pipe body, wherein the first and second sealing rings are configured to be placed around and in contact with the same layer of flexible pipe body;
and further comprising a port extending towards the first sealing ring for pressurising a region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring,
wherein the first and second sealing rings have a cross-section comprising a wedge-like portion, and wherein the first and second sealing rings are oriented in the same axial direction such that the wedge-like portion faces a connector of an end fitting or an end cap to which the flexible pipe body is connected.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the port is arranged to enable pressurising of the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the port is provided in the pressure-retaining component.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the pressure-retaining component is an end fitting or end cap.

Assignees

• Ge Oil & Gas Uk Ltd

Inventors

• Clevelario Judimar De Assis
• Pires Fabio De Souza
• Vargas Felipe Areas
• Almeida Everton Vieira De
• Breves Andre Luis De Souza

Classifications

• G01M3/2807 Primary

  for pipes (G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L2201/30

  Detecting leaks · CPC title

• F16L33/18

  characterised by the use of additional sealing means · CPC title

• F16L33/01 Primary

  specially adapted for hoses having a multi-layer wall · CPC title

• G01M3/2853

  for pipe joints or seals (G01M3/30 takes precedence) · CPC title