US 2026/0264313 A1 · COMPOSITE TAPE SPLICING

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an armour layer of a flexible pipe for transporting fluid from a subsea location and apparatus are provided. The method comprises winding a first length of composite tape to form a first section of the armour layer and positioning an end region of the first length of composite tape over an end region of a second length of composite tape to form an overlapping tape section. Heat and pressure is applied to the overlapping tape section to form a joined overlapping tape section in which the first length of tape is joined to the second length of tape such that the joined overlapping tape section has a lap shear strength of at least 11 MPa. The joined overlapping tape section and the second length of composite tape are wound to form a second section of the armour layer.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An apparatus for splicing a composite tape for use in a flexible pipe for transporting fluid from a subsea location, the apparatus comprising:

a first bearing surface;
a second bearing surface disposed opposite the first bearing surface;
a heater configured to heat a region between the first and second bearing surfaces;
wherein the first and second bearing surfaces are moveable with respect to each other to thereby apply a compressive force to end regions of a first and second length of tape when positioned therebetween.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

19/648,830Filed 15 Apr 2026

Priority

GB 1916362.511 Nov 2019

Published

10 Sep 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification56 codes

B29C 53/566
Winding and joining, e.g. winding spirally: for making tubular articles followed by compression
B29C 65/02
Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor: by heating, with or without pressure
B29C 53/582
Using sheets or strips consisting principally of plastics material: comprising reinforcements, e.g. wires, threads
B29C 53/8008
Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations: specially adapted for winding and joining

Composite tape splicing

Life of this patent

Composite tape splicing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7