Flexible pipe and method of manufacturing same

• US 7,055,551 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wellstream International Limited (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Kalman, Mark D., McCone, Alan I., Hoefling, Robert G., Fraser, Dana
• Primary Examiner(s): Hook, James
• Application Number:
  US10/165,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,457 Days
• Field of Search: 138/124, 138/125, 138/126, 138/127, 138/130, 138/135, 138/121, 138/122, 138/104, 138/144, 138/137, 723/652, 723/662, 723/38
• US Class Current: 138/132
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 37/154 Making multi-wall tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 23/001 Pipes; Pipe joints pleated hoses B29D23/18
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/005 Hoses, i.e. flexible
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/082 two layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/083 three or more layers

Abstract

A flexible pipe and a method of manufacturing same according to which the pipe is formed by multiple layers of different materials and suitable for use in subsea and land-based applications.

Claims

1. A flexible pipe comprising:

a tubular member defining a longitudinal passage;

a single metal strip continuously helically wound over the tubular member to define a plurality of radially spaced, integral windings, the strip having a constant thickness throughout its length and width;

a cross section of the strip being preformed prior to being wound over the tubular member and having a convex portion comprising a first, curved bent region at an edge of the strip and a straight portion extending from the first bent region to a curved, bent portion of the strip, and a concave portion comprising a second, curved bent region at the other edge of the strip and a straight portion extending from the second bent region to the bent portion of the strip, said convex portion and said concave portion being integrally formed;

the convex portion of each winding of the strip overlapping a portion of the concave portion of one adjacent winding, and the concave portion of each winding being overlapped by the convex portion of another adjacent winding which is in a spaced relation to the one adjacent winding, to interlock the windings;

a layer of wires wrapped around the exterior of the metal strip; and

an outer sheath extending over the metal strip and the layer of wires.

2. The pipe of claim 1 further comprising an additional layer of wires wrapped around the first-mentioned layer of wires.

3. The pipe of claim 2 wherein each of the wires is substantially circular in cross section.

4. The pipe of claim 2 wherein each of the wires is substantially rectangular in cross section.

5. The pipe of claim 2 further comprising a layer of tape wrapped around at least one layer of wires.

6. The pipe of claim 1 further comprising an inner layer disposed within the tubular member and comprising a plurality of helically wrapped metal strips to provide collapse and radial compression resistance.

7. The pipe of claim 1 further comprising at least one layer of tape wrapped around the metal strip and interposed between the metal strip and the layer of wires.

8. A flexible pipe made by a process comprising:

providing a tubular member defining a longitudinal passage;

providing a preformed metal strip having a constant thickness throughout its length and width and a cross section comprising a convex portion and a concave portion, the convex portion comprising a first bent edge portion and a substantially straight portion extending from the first edge portion to an intermediate bent portion of the strip, the concave portion comprising a second bent edge portion and a substantially straight portion extending from the second edge portion to the intermediate bent portion of the strip, said convex portion and said concave portion being integrally formed;

helically winding the preformed metal strip over the tubular member to define a plurality of radially spaced, integral windings, wherein the convex portion of each winding of the strip overlaps a portion of the concave portion of one adjacent winding, and the concave portion of each winding is overlapped by the convex portion of another adjacent winding which is in a spaced relation to the one adjacent winding, to interlock the windings; and

placing an outer sheath over the helically wound metal strip.

9. The pipe of claim 8 wherein the process further comprises forming at least one layer of wires around the helically wound metal strip.

10. The pipe of claim 9 wherein the process further comprises forming a layer of tape around the at least one layer of wires.

11. The pipe of claim 9 wherein the process further comprises forming at least one layer of tape on the metal strip prior to forming the at least one layer of wires.

12. The pipe of claim 8 wherein the act of providing a tubular member further comprises forming the tubular member over an inner layer comprising a plurality of helically wrapped metal strips to provide collapse and radial compression resistance to the pipe.

13. The pipe of claim 8 wherein the first and second edge portions and the intermediate bent portion are curved.

14. A flexible pipe made by a process comprising:

providing a tubular member defining a longitudinal passage;

providing a preformed metal strip having a constant thickness throughout its length and width and a cross section comprising a raised substantially horizontal first portion extending from a first edge of the strip to a bent portion of the strip and a substantially horizontal second portion, formed integral with said raised first portion and said bent portion, and extending from the bent portion of the strip to a second edge the strip;

helically winding the preformed metal strip over the tubular member to define a plurality of radially spaced, integral windings, wherein the raised first portion of each winding of the strip overlaps a portion of the second portion of one adjacent winding, and the second portion of each winding is overlapped by the raised first portion of another adjacent winding which is in a spaced relation to the one adjacent winding, to interlock the windings; and

placing an outer sheath over the helically wound metal strip.

15. The pipe of claim 14 wherein the process further comprises forming at least one layer of wires around the helically wound metal strip.

16. The pipe of claim 15 wherein the process further comprises forming a layer of tape around the at least one layer of wires.

17. The pipe of claim 15 wherein the process further comprises forming at least one layer of tape on the metal strip prior to forming the at least one layer of wires.

18. The pipe of claim 14 wherein the act of providing a tubular member further comprises forming the tubular member over an inner layer comprising a plurality of helically wrapped metal strips to provide collapse and radial compression resistance to the pipe.