Umbilical for use in subsea applications
US8921692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C48/156
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An umbilical (600) for the transfer of fluids and/or electric current/signals, particularly between the sea surface and equipment deployed on the sea bed (e.g., in deep waters), is provided. The umbilical contains a plurality of elongated umbilical elements (e.g., two or more), such as a channel element (603), fluid pipe (604), electric conductor/wire (606) (e.g., optic fiber cable), armoring wire, etc., enclosed within an outer sheath (e.g., plastic sheath). The umbilical also contains at least one reinforcing rod (607) formed from a plurality of unidirectionally aligned fiber rovings embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The present inventors have discovered that the degree to which the ravings are impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer matrix can be significantly improved through selective control over the impregnation process, and also through control over the degree of compression imparted to the ravings during formation and shaping of the rod, as well as the calibration of the final rod geometry. Such a well impregnated rod has a very small void fraction, which leads to excellent strength properties for reinforcing the umbilical elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.