Dissolvable bellows restraint for flexible pipe joint
AssigneeOil States Industries, Inc.
InventorsTerry Alexander, Michael E. Hogan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible pipe joint includes a bellows to prevent damage to the flex element during any explosive decompression and also provide shielding of the elastomeric flex element from hot production fluid. To protect the bellows from being damaged during transport, the flexible pipe joint also includes a bellows restraint comprising dissolvable material that can be removed without disassembly of the flexible pipe joint.
Claims34
A flexible pipe joint for conveying production fluid in a subsea environment, the flexible pipe joint comprising:
- a body;
- an extension pipe;
- a laminated elastomeric flex element coupling the extension pipe to the body;
- a bellows comprising an inner volume;
- and
- a bellows restraint disposed within the inner volume and comprising a dissolvable material.
A method of installing a flexible pipe joint for conveying production fluid in a subsea environment, the method comprising:
- assembling the flexible pipe joint comprising:
- a body;
- an extension pipe;
- a laminated elastomeric flex element coupling the extension pipe to the body;
- a bellows comprising an inner volume;
- and
- a bellows restraint disposed within the inner volume and comprising a dissolvable material;
- transporting the flexible pipe joint from a first location to a second location;
- and
- dissolving the dissolvable material by injecting a solvent into the inner volume.
A method of installing a flexible pipe joint for conveying production fluid in a subsea environment, the method comprising:
- assembling the flexible pipe joint comprising:
- a body;
- an extension pipe;
- a laminated elastomeric flex element coupling the extension pipe to the body;
- and
- a bellows comprising an inner volume;
- injecting into the inner volume a dissolvable material configured to form a bellows restraint;
- transporting the flexible pipe joint from a first location to a second location;
- and
- dissolving the dissolvable material by injecting a solvent into the inner volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.