U.S. patent application number 15/571361 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for termination of a flexible pipe.
The applicant listed for this patent is GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED. Invention is credited to Ashley Clack, Christopher Gray, John McNab, Philip Nott.
Application Number | 20180283588 15/571361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53489185 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180283588 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gray; Christopher ; et
al. |
October 4, 2018 |
TERMINATION OF A FLEXIBLE PIPE
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for re-terminating an end
of a flexible pipe. The method comprises removing at least one
original end fitting component (310, 335) from a multicomponent end
fitting, secured to flexible pipe body at an end of a flexible
pipe, leaving a retained portion (330, 360) of the end fitting in
situ and subsequently securing at least one superseding end fitting
component (310, 335) to the retained portion thereby providing a
new fluid tight seal against a fluid retaining layer of the
flexible pipe at a new sealing location axially displaced from an
original sealing location.
Inventors: |
Gray; Christopher;
(Newcastle upon Tyne, GB) ; Nott; Philip;
(Newcastle, GB) ; Clack; Ashley; (Blythe, GB)
; McNab; John; (Newcastle, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED |
BRISTOL |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
53489185 |
Appl. No.: |
15/571361 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 28, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2016/051216 |
371 Date: |
November 2, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 53/30 20180101;
F16L 2201/30 20130101; E21B 36/005 20130101; F16L 33/01 20130101;
F16L 11/083 20130101; F16L 53/70 20180101; E21B 17/206 20130101;
F16L 55/07 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 33/01 20060101
F16L033/01; F16L 53/30 20060101 F16L053/30; F16L 53/70 20060101
F16L053/70; F16L 55/07 20060101 F16L055/07; F16L 11/08 20060101
F16L011/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2015 |
GB |
1507718.3 |
Claims
1. A method of re-terminating an end of a flexible pipe, comprising
the steps of: removing at least one original end fitting component
from a multi-component end fitting, secured to flexible pipe body
at an end of a flexible pipe, leaving a retained portion of the end
fitting in situ; and subsequently securing at least one superseding
end fitting component to the retained portion thereby providing a
new fluid tight seal against a fluid retaining layer of the
flexible pipe at a new sealing location axially displaced from an
original sealing location.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: providing
the new fluid tight seal by locating an inner seal ring member
and/or outer seal ring member against an outer surface of the fluid
retaining layer at a new axial position along a length of the
flexible pipe body spaced apart from an axial position associated
with the original sealing position.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: removing
the original end fitting component and subsequently providing the
new fluid tight seal without cutting off the multi-component end
fitting from a remainder of the flexible pipe by cutting through a
whole cross-section of the flexible pipe body.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of removing an
original end fitting component comprises: removing at least one of
a termination portion and/or an inner seal ring member and/or an
inner spacer ring member and/or an inner ring insert member.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of removing an
original end fitting component comprises: removing at least one of
an outer spacer ring member and/or an outer seal ring member and/or
an outer collar member.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: replacing
the at least one original end fitting component with a
corresponding replacement component that comprises the superseding
component and that has a width dimension greater than or less than
a corresponding original width dimension of the original end
fitting component.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising replacing
the original end fitting component with the replacement component
by the steps of: unsecuring and then removing the original end
fitting component from the retained portion of the end fitting; and
subsequently locating the replacement component adjacent to the
retained portion of the end fitting and directly or indirectly
securing the replacement component thereto.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: removing
an original termination portion of an end fitting that comprises a
posterior end flange from an end of a region of the flexible pipe
body together with an inner seal ring member and an inner ring
insert member; and locating a replacement termination portion
having a posterior end flange wider or less wide than the
corresponding width of the flange of the original termination
portion against a flange of a retained core portion of the end
fitting; whereby a replacement inner seal ring member and/or inner
ring insert member are located in a recessed region between the
replacement termination portion and an outer surface of the fluid
retaining layer.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: removing
an original termination portion of an end fitting that comprises a
posterior end flange from an end of a region of the flexible pipe
body together with an inner seal ring member and an inner ring
insert member; removing an original spacer ring member from a
location adjacent to a retained core portion of the end fitting;
locating a posterior side of a replacement inner spacer ring member
having a width more or less wide than a width of the original inner
spacer ring member against a flange of a retained core portion of
the end fitting; locating a termination portion, and inner seal
ring member located in a recessed region between said a termination
portion and an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer, against
an anterior side of the replacement inner spacer ring member; and
securing the termination portion to the replacement inner spacer
ring member.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: unsecuring
and then removing an original termination portion of an end
fitting, that comprises a posterior end flange, from an end region
of the flexible pipe body together with an inner seal ring member
and an inner ring insert member; locating a termination portion
comprising the superseding component, and an inner seal ring member
in a recessed region between said a termination portion and an
outer surface of the fluid retaining layer, against an anterior
side of a retained core portion of the end fitting; and securing
the termination portion directly to the core portion.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: cutting a
portion off an end of the fluid retaining layer from a remainder of
the fluid retaining layer subsequent to removal of the original end
fitting component.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:
subsequent to the cutting off of said a portion of the fluid
retaining layer, determining at least one characteristic associated
with said a portion of the fluid retaining layer.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid retaining
layer comprises a barrier layer or liner of the flexible pipe.
14. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: removing
an original collar member of an end fitting together with an outer
seal ring member and an outer spacer ring member; and locating a
replacement outer spacer ring member having width greater than or
less than a corresponding width of the removed outer spacer ring
member against a posterior surface of a jacket member of the end
fitting; thereby locating a replacement outer seal ring member in a
recessed region between the replacement outer spacer ring member
and an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer.
15. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: removing
an original collar member of an end fitting together with an outer
seal ring member and an outer spacer ring member; and locating an
additional outer spacer ring member against a posterior surface of
a jacket member of the end fitting; thereby locating an outer seal
ring member in a recessed region between an outer spacer ring
member and an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer, said an
outer spacer ring member being spaced apart from the posterior
surface of the jacket by the additional outer spacer ring
member.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the fluid retaining
layer comprises an outer sheath of the flexible pipe.
17. An outer jacket member for an end fitting, comprising: a
generally cylindrical body having an outer surface that provides an
outer surface region of an end fitting and an inner surface that
defines an extent of a tensile armour wire termination region of
the end fitting; wherein a first end region of the generally
cylindrical body comprises at least one securing element for
securing the body to a core portion of the end fitting and the
inner surface of the generally cylindrical body at a remaining end
region of the jacket member, is cylindrical.
18. The outer jacket member as claimed in claim 17, further
comprising: said inner surface of the generally cylindrical body at
the remaining end region of the jacket member does not include a
tapered region for receiving an outer seal ring member.
19. The outer jacket member as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
securing element comprises a threaded region.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. A multi-component end fitting for terminating a flexible pipe
body having a fluid retaining layer, comprising: an end fitting
portion; an end fitting termination portion having a radially
innermost surface at a posterior end of the end fitting termination
portion comprising a recessed region for receiving a seal ring
member, wherein the end fitting termination portion is removably
secured to the end fitting portion; and a seal ring member received
by the recessed region and arranged such that, when a flexible pipe
body having a fluid retaining layer is terminated by the
multi-component end fitting, the seal ring member seals against an
outer surface of the fluid retaining layer.
31. The multi-component end fitting of claim 30, wherein the end
fitting portion is configured to be permanently secured to a
flexible pipe body.
32. The multi-component end fitting of claim 30 in which the
multi-component end fitting is for terminating a flexible pipe body
that further comprises tensile armour windings, wherein the end
fitting portion defines an enclosure for receiving ends of the
respective tensile armour windings of the flexible pipe body.
33. The multi-component end fitting of claim 32, wherein the end
fitting portion comprises a core portion and a jacket member which
define the enclosure therebetween.
34. The multi-component end fitting of claim 30, wherein the
recessed region is tapered.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
re-terminating an end of a flexible pipe. In particular, but not
exclusively, the present invention relates to an end fitting which
makes possible the re-sealing of a barrier layer or liner and/or
outer sheath of a flexible pipe to effect proper fluid sealing
without removal and replacement of a whole end fitting
assembly.
[0002] Traditionally flexible pipe is utilised to transport
production fluids, such as oil and/or gas and/or water, from one
location to another. Flexible pipe is particularly useful in
connecting a sub-sea location (which may be deep underwater, say
1000 metres or more) to a sea level location. The pipe may have an
internal diameter of typically up to around 0.6 metres (e.g.
diameters may range from 0.05 m up to 0.6 m). Flexible pipe is
generally formed as an assembly of flexible pipe body and one or
more end fittings. The pipe body is typically formed as a
combination of layered materials that form a pressure-containing
conduit. The pipe structure allows large deflections without
causing bending stresses that impair the pipe's functionality over
its lifetime. There are different types of flexible pipe such as
unbonded flexible pipe which is manufactured in accordance with API
17J or composite type flexible pipe or the like. The pipe body is
generally built up as a combined structure including polymer layers
and/or composite layers and/or metallic layers. For example, pipe
body may include polymer and metal layers, or polymer and composite
layers, or polymer, metal and composite layers. Depending upon the
layers of the flexible pipe used and the type of flexible pipe some
of the pipe layers may be bonded together or remain unbonded.
[0003] Some flexible pipe has been used for deep water (less than
3,300 feet (1,005.84 metres)) and ultra-deep water (greater than
3,300 feet) developments. It is the increasing demand for oil which
is causing exploration to occur at greater and greater depths (for
example in excess of 8202 feet (2500 metres)) where environmental
factors are more extreme. For example in such deep and ultra-deep
water environments ocean floor temperature increases the risk of
production fluids cooling to a temperature that may lead to pipe
blockage. In practice flexible pipe conventionally is designed to
perform at operating temperatures of -30.degree. C. to +130.degree.
C., and is being developed for even more extreme temperatures.
Increased depths also increase the pressure associated with the
environment in which the flexible pipe must operate. For example, a
flexible pipe may be required to operate with external pressures
ranging from 0.1 MPa to 30 MPa acting on the pipe. Equally,
transporting oil, gas or water may well give rise to high pressures
acting on the flexible pipe from within, for example with internal
pressures ranging from zero to 140 MPa from bore fluid acting on
the pipe. As a result the need for high levels of performance from
the pressure armour and tensile armour layers of the flexible pipe
body is increased. It is noted for the sake of completeness that
flexible pipe may also be used for shallow water applications (for
example less than around 500 metres depth) or even for shore
(overland) applications.
[0004] Various conventional end fittings are known which are used
to terminate a respective end of a segment of flexible pipe body of
a flexible pipe. For example EP2492571 illustrates an end fitting
which includes a termination portion, a core portion and an outer
casing or jacket and which has a stated aim of reducing or
eliminating residual tensions produced due to plastic deformation
of tensile armour windings as the flexible pipe body is terminated
in an end fitting.
[0005] Whilst the end fitting disclosed in EP2492571 may provide
certain advantages it suffers from certain disadvantages which are
suffered by many other conventional end fittings. Notably if an
inner seal which seals against a fluid retaining layer of the
flexible pipe body fails or is inadequately created then the end
fitting must be removed in its entirety by cutting through the
flexible pipe body, at a position beyond the end fitting, and a
whole new (or re-furbished) end fitting secured to the newly made
free end of the flexible pipe. This is a time consuming and costly
process and can prove impossible in certain environments where a
length of flexible pipe body is insufficient to reach a desired
target structure when an end of the flexible pipe body has been cut
off, shortened and re-terminated.
[0006] Likewise common to many conventional end fittings the
ability to provide vent paths or connecting passageways to allow an
annulus region or other region of the flexible pipe body to be
vented or interconnected is limited. Likewise the provision of vent
paths or fluid communication passageways are difficult if not
impossible to introduce subsequent to an initial install operation.
That is to say conventional end fittings provide limited or
non-existent opportunity to retrofit elements which include
passageways at desired locations subsequent to manufacture and
original installation.
[0007] Still further some conventional end fittings allow axial
creep of a fluid retaining layer such as a barrier layer or liner
terminated in the end fitting. That is to say the fluid retaining
layer can to some extent move laterally within the end fitting.
This can create sealing problems. Conventional end fittings provide
little or no ability to sense this motion nor indeed to sense other
characteristics associated with the fluid retaining layer during
use. Rather, in order to assess one or more characteristics
associated with the fluid retaining layer, the end fitting and
enveloped flexible pipe body must be cut off from a remainder of
the flexible pipe and then the new pristine end of the flexible
pipe body re-terminated by an entirely new end fitting.
Conventionally parts of the flexible pipe body previously secured
within the removed end fitting have thereafter been analysed.
However, this can cause problems as noted above.
[0008] Still further the deterioration of the polymer fluid
retaining layer through the service life is predicted currently
using models and projecting from small scale simulation tests. In
reality it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
specifics of each application and field dictate that the actual
degree of deterioration or aging of the polymer may be somewhat
different from that predicted. This becomes critical if it is
desired that the equipment condition be analysed in order to extend
its life beyond the original intended service life. At present the
only means for determining the actual aged condition of the polymer
fluid retaining layer is to either remove the pipe from service,
cut off an end fitting and analyse the polymer, or to provide
polymer test coupons which have to be suspended into contact with
the service fluids flowing through the pipe. In many cases however
the latter is not an option due to space constraints and the former
is too costly.
[0009] Still furthermore conventional end fittings provide little
or no ability to heat or cool a fluid retaining layer or bore fluid
as it flows along a central bore defined by the fluid retaining
layer of the flexible pipe body. Any heating or cooling that is
possible is complicated to apply and cannot simply be retrofitted
to an end fitting subsequent to an initial termination process.
[0010] It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly
mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems.
[0011] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a method and apparatus that can be used to allow the
re-termination of an end fitting whilst ensuring a fluid tight seal
can be recreated against a fluid retaining layer, such as a barrier
layer or liner and/or outer sheath, of the flexible pipe.
[0012] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a kit of parts which can be selected responsive to end
fitting parts being replaced to thereby enable re-sealing of a
barrier layer or liner and/or outer sheath subsequent to a
replacement process.
[0013] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to enable a short section of a fluid retaining layer of a flexible
pipe to be removed after use and thereafter analysed for inspection
purposes without having to remove an entire end fitting from a
flexible pipe and thereafter re-terminate a newly created entirely
free end of flexible pipe body.
[0014] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide an end fitting which can always remain substantially
attached to an end of a segment of flexible pipe body subsequent to
an initial termination process but which allows a part or parts of
the end fitting to be replaced once or repeatedly without having to
remove the whole of the end fitting.
[0015] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a method and apparatus for providing a vent path or
other such open pathway (such as a pathway for a fibre or the like)
to connect with a desired region of a flexible pipe.
[0016] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a method and apparatus for providing a vent path, for
venting annulus fluids of a flexible pipe, in an end fitting.
[0017] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide apparatus for retrofitting one or more parts to an end
fitting without having to remove an entire end fitting from an end
of a flexible pipe so as to be able to add or change a location of
a vent path or other such open passage subsequent to an initial
installation process.
[0018] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a mechanism for controlling a temperature or temperature
profile over time of a fluid retaining layer in a flexible
pipe.
[0019] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide one or more sensors or observation ports which can be
utilised to selectively monitor one or more characteristics of a
fluid retaining layer of a flexible pipe.
[0020] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention
to provide a sealed-off-zone of a fluid retaining layer which can
be analysed during use but whereby bore fluid pressure or annulus
fluid pressure are not experienced.
[0021] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of re-terminating an end of a flexible pipe,
comprising the steps of: [0022] removing at least one original end
fitting component from a multi-component end fitting, secured to
flexible pipe body at an end of a flexible pipe, leaving a retained
portion of the end fitting in situ; and [0023] subsequently
securing at least one superseding end fitting component to the
retained portion thereby providing a new fluid tight seal against a
fluid retaining layer of the flexible pipe at a new sealing
location axially displaced from an original sealing location.
[0024] Aptly the method further comprises providing the new fluid
tight seal by locating an inner seal ring member and/or outer seal
ring member against an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer
at a new axial position along a length of the flexible pipe body
spaced apart from an axial position associated with the original
sealing position.
[0025] Aptly the method further comprises removing the original end
fitting component and subsequently providing the new fluid tight
seal without cutting off the multi-component end fitting from a
remainder of the flexible pipe by cutting through a whole
cross-section of the flexible pipe body.
[0026] Aptly the method further comprises removing at least one of
a termination portion and/or an inner seal ring member and/or an
inner spacer ring member and/or an inner ring insert member.
[0027] Aptly the method further comprises removing at least one of
an outer spacer ring member and/or an outer seal ring member and/or
an outer collar member.
[0028] Aptly the method further comprises replacing the at least
one original end fitting component with a corresponding replacement
component that comprises the superseding component and that has a
width dimension greater than or less than a corresponding original
width dimension of the original end fitting component.
[0029] Aptly the method further comprises replacing the original
end fitting component with the replacement component by the steps
of: [0030] unsecuring and then removing the original end fitting
component from the retained portion of the end fitting; and [0031]
subsequently locating the replacement component adjacent to the
retained portion of the end fitting and directly or indirectly
securing the replacement component thereto.
[0032] Aptly the method further comprises removing an original
termination portion of an end fitting that comprises a posterior
end flange from an end of a region of the flexible pipe body [0033]
together with an inner seal ring member and an inner ring insert
member; and locating a replacement termination portion having a
posterior end flange wider or less wide than the corresponding
width of the flange of the original termination portion against a
flange of a retained core portion of the end fitting; whereby a
replacement inner seal ring member and/or inner ring insert member
are located in a recessed region between the replacement
termination portion and an outer surface of the fluid retaining
layer.
[0034] Aptly the method further comprises removing an original
termination portion of an end fitting that comprises a posterior
end flange from an end of a region of the flexible pipe body
together with an inner seal ring member and an inner ring insert
member; [0035] removing an original spacer ring member from a
location adjacent to a retained core portion of the end fitting;
[0036] locating a posterior side of a replacement inner spacer ring
member having a width more or less wide than a width of the
original inner spacer ring member against a flange of a retained
core portion of the end fitting; [0037] locating a termination
portion, and inner seal ring member located in a recessed region
between said a termination portion and an outer surface of the
fluid retaining layer, against an anterior side of the replacement
inner spacer ring member; and [0038] securing the termination
portion to the replacement inner spacer ring member.
[0039] Aptly the method further comprises unsecuring and then
removing an original termination portion of an end fitting, that
comprises a posterior end flange, from an end region of the
flexible pipe body together with an inner seal ring member and an
inner ring insert member; [0040] locating a termination portion
comprising the superseding component, and an inner seal ring member
in a recessed region between said a termination portion and an
outer surface of the fluid retaining layer, against an anterior
side of a retained core portion of the end fitting; and [0041]
securing the termination portion directly to the core portion.
[0042] Aptly the method further comprises cutting a portion off an
end of the fluid retaining layer from a remainder of the fluid
retaining layer subsequent to removal of the original end fitting
component.
[0043] Aptly the method further comprises subsequent to the cutting
off of said a portion of the fluid retaining layer, determining at
least one characteristic associated with said a portion of the
fluid retaining layer.
[0044] Aptly the fluid retaining layer comprises a barrier layer or
liner of the flexible pipe.
[0045] Aptly the method further comprises removing an original
collar member of an end fitting together with an outer seal ring
member and an outer spacer ring member; and [0046] locating a
replacement outer spacer ring member having width greater than or
less than a corresponding width of the removed outer spacer ring
member against a posterior surface of a jacket member of the end
fitting; thereby [0047] locating a replacement outer seal ring
member in a recessed region between the replacement outer spacer
ring member and an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer.
[0048] Aptly the method further comprises removing an original
collar member of an end fitting together with an outer seal ring
member and an outer spacer ring member; and [0049] locating an
additional outer spacer ring member against a posterior surface of
a jacket member of the end fitting; thereby [0050] locating an
outer seal ring member in a recessed region between an outer spacer
ring member and an outer surface of the fluid retaining layer, said
an outer spacer ring member being spaced apart from the posterior
surface of the jacket by the additional outer spacer ring
member.
[0051] Aptly the fluid retaining layer comprises an outer sheath of
the flexible pipe.
[0052] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided an outer jacket member for an end fitting, comprising:
[0053] a generally cylindrical body having an outer surface that
provides an outer surface region of an end fitting and an inner
surface that defines an extent of a tensile armour wire termination
region of the end fitting; wherein [0054] a first end region of the
generally cylindrical body comprises at least one securing element
for securing the body to a core portion of the end fitting and the
inner surface of the generally cylindrical body at a remaining end
region of the jacket member, is cylindrical.
[0055] Aptly the inner surface of the generally cylindrical body at
the remaining end region of the jacket member does not include a
tapered region for receiving an outer seal ring member.
[0056] Aptly the securing element comprises a threaded region.
[0057] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided an outer spacer ring member for an end fitting,
comprising: [0058] an annular body having a radially inner surface
and a radially outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface
and first and further, spaced apart, substantially parallel side
walls; wherein [0059] the inner surface comprises at least one
tapered region for mating with a radially outer facing surface of
an outer seal ring member.
[0060] Aptly the outer surface comprises a substantially
cylindrical surface that provides an outer surface region of the
end fitting.
[0061] Aptly the inner surface comprises at least two tapered
regions each for mating with an associated radially outer facing
surface of a respective seal ring member.
[0062] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided an inner space ring member for an end fitting,
comprising: [0063] an annular body having a radially inner surface
and a radially outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface
and first and further, spaced apart, substantially parallel side
walls; wherein [0064] the annular body is locatable over an inner
fluid retaining layer of a flexible pipe and a radially outer
surface of the annular body provides an outer surface region of the
end fitting.
[0065] Aptly the radially inner surface is substantially
cylindrical.
[0066] Aptly the radially outer surface is substantially
cylindrical.
[0067] Aptly the radially inner surface region comprises at least
one tapered region for mating with a radially outer facing surface
of an inner seal ring member.
[0068] Aptly the inner surface comprises at least two tapered
regions each for mating with an associated radially outer facing
surface of a respective seal ring member.
[0069] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus for terminating flexible pipe body,
comprising: [0070] an end fitting core portion; [0071] an end
fitting termination portion; and [0072] a spacer ring member
locatable between the core portion and the termination portion for
maintaining a whole anterior end surface of the core portion and an
opposed whole posterior end surface of the termination portion in a
spaced apart relationship.
[0073] Aptly the spacer ring member is a ring like body having a
radially innermost edge surface and radially outermost edge surface
and a posterior side surface, extending between the inner and outer
edges, spaced apart from an anterior side surface.
[0074] Aptly the radially innermost edge surface and radially
outermost edge surface each comprises a respective substantially
cylindrical surface.
[0075] Aptly the radially innermost edge surface defines a
cylindrical surface having a radius that substantially equals a
radius of an outer surface of a fluid retaining layer of a flexible
pipe terminated at a first end by an end fitting comprising the
core portion and termination portion.
[0076] Aptly the radially outermost edge surface defines an outer
surface that is an external surface of the end fitting.
[0077] Aptly the radially innermost surface is substantially
cylindrical and includes a plurality of inset regions.
[0078] Aptly the anterior side surface is substantially parallel
with the posterior side surface of the spacer ring member.
[0079] Aptly the anterior side surface extends substantially
perpendicular to the radially innermost edge surface and the
radially outermost edge surface.
[0080] Aptly the posterior edge surface of the spacer ring member
is stepped.
[0081] Aptly the spacer ring member is a single integral
member.
[0082] Aptly the spacer ring member is a multi-component
member.
[0083] Aptly the spacer ring member comprises a cover element at a
radially outermost region of the spacer ring member.
[0084] Aptly the ring like body is manufactured from a strong and
optionally corrosion resistant material.
[0085] Aptly the apparatus further comprises at least one heater
element and/or cooler element supported in the spacer ring member
for controlling a temperature or temperature profile over time of
an underlying region of a fluid retaining layer.
[0086] Aptly the spacer ring member comprises at least one sensor
element locatable against or proximate to an underlying fluid
retaining layer.
[0087] Aptly the spacer ring member comprises a first sensor
element and a further sensor element each arranged to detect motion
of an underlying fluid retaining layer in respective orthogonally
aligned directions.
[0088] Aptly the spacer ring member comprises a test passage that
extends from an external test port through a body portion of the
spacer ring member, from a radially inner to a radially outer edge
surface, to an observation port.
[0089] Aptly the spacer ring member comprises a ring-like body
having at least one fluid communication passageway that extends
between an outlet port on the radially outermost edge surface of
the ring-like body and an inlet port on a posterior side surface
and/or anterior side surface of the ring-like body.
[0090] Aptly at least a region of the fluid communication
passageway is lined or clad or coated with a corrosion resistant
liner or corrosion resistant material.
[0091] Aptly the inlet port is proximate to a radially innermost
edge surface of the spacer ring member.
[0092] Aptly the apparatus further comprises at least one circular
groove in an anterior side surface and/or posterior side surface of
the spacer ring member in fluid communication with the fluid
communication passageway.
[0093] Aptly the radially innermost edge surface of the spacer ring
member comprises at least one recessed region for receiving a
respective seal ring member.
[0094] Aptly the radially innermost surface at a posterior end of
the termination portion comprises a recessed region for receiving a
respective seal ring member.
[0095] Aptly the radially innermost surface at an anterior end of
the core portion comprises a recessed region for receiving a
respective seal ring member.
[0096] Aptly the radially innermost surface of the spacer ring
member is locatable against a fluid retaining layer in a
sealed-off-zone between spaced apart sealing locations where a
respective bore fluid pressure or annulus fluid pressure is not
experienced.
[0097] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there
is provided an end fitting comprising apparatus for terminating
flexible pipe body, comprising: [0098] an end fitting portion;
[0099] an end fitting termination portion; and [0100] a spacer ring
member locatable between the core portion and the termination
portion for maintaining a whole anterior end surface of the core
portion and an opposed whole posterior end surface of the
termination portion in a spaced apart relationship.
[0101] According a sixth aspect of the present invention there is
provided a pull out probe unit, comprising: [0102] at least one
sensor element and respective connector secured in a probe body
that is locatable in a respective probe body receiving recess of a
spacer ring member locatable between a core portion and a
termination portion of an end fitting; wherein [0103] the probe
body and spacer ring member are substantially full thickness
members that extend between a fluid retaining layer of flexible
pipe body terminated in the end fitting and an external surface of
the end fitting.
[0104] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method for terminating flexible pipe body, comprising
the steps of: [0105] during a pipe body terminating stage of
operation, providing a spacer ring member between a core portion of
an end fitting and a termination portion of the end fitting thereby
maintaining a whole anterior end surface of the core portion in a
spaced apart relationship from an opposed whole posterior end
surface of the termination portion.
[0106] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of preventing
axial motion of a fluid retaining layer of the pipe body with
respect to an end fitting by gripping a radially outer surface of
the fluid retaining layer via a plurality of inset regions on a
radially innermost surface of the spacer ring member.
[0107] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of selectively
heating and/or cooling a region of a fluid retaining layer
underlying the spacer ring member via a respective heating or
cooling element supported in the spacer ring member.
[0108] Aptly the steps of heating and/or cooling said a region to a
predetermined temperature or with a predetermined temperature
profile.
[0109] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of sensing at
least one parameter of a fluid retaining layer underlying the
spacer ring member via at least one sensor element supported via
the spacer ring member.
[0110] Aptly the method further comprises providing a vent path for
venting an annulus region of a flexible pipe by locating the spacer
ring member, comprising a body including at least one fluid
communication passageway, between the termination portion and core
portion of an end fitting at a first end region of a flexible
pipe.
[0111] Aptly the method further comprises providing a fluid
communication path for pressurising an annulus region of a flexible
pipe by locating a spacer ring member, comprising a body including
at least one fluid communication passageway, between the
termination portion and core portion of an end fitting at a first
end of a flexible pipe; and applying a non-ambient pressure to the
fluid communication passageway.
[0112] Aptly the method comprises applying the non-ambient pressure
independently of, or either sequentially with, or concurrently with
a pressurisation cycle of a bore of the flexible pipe.
[0113] Aptly the method comprises applying a non-ambient pressure
that exceeds atmospheric pressure when the pipe is tested in air at
sea level.
[0114] Aptly the method comprises applying a non-ambient pressure
that comprises a resultant hydrostatic pressure associated with sea
water at a predetermined depth where a region of the flexible pipe
is located.
[0115] Aptly the method comprises applying the resultant
hydrostatic pressure that exceeds atmospheric pressure at sea level
directly to a back region of an inner seal ring in the end
fitting.
[0116] Aptly the method comprises locating the spacer ring member
over a fluid retaining layer of a flexible pipe thereby locating at
least one posterior facing inlet port, at a first passageway end of
the fluid communication passageway, substantially in alignment with
a pressure armour layer of the flexible pipe and locating at least
one outlet port at a remaining end of the fluid communication
passageway at an external surface of the end fitting.
[0117] Aptly the method comprises providing a vent valve at the
outlet port of the spacer ring member.
[0118] Aptly the method comprises the steps of providing a fluid
communication pathway between the armour layer and the inner port
via a groove in the posterior facing surface of the spacer ring
member.
[0119] Aptly the method further comprises energising at least one
inner seal ring member via the spacer ring member as the spacer
ring member is secured between the termination portion and core
portion of the end fitting.
[0120] Aptly the method comprises energising two spaced apart seal
ring members via the spacer ring member as the spacer ring member
is secured between the termination portion and core portion of the
end fitting.
[0121] Aptly the method comprises the steps of providing a
sealed-off-zone, where a bore fluid pressure and annulus fluid
pressure is not experienced, underlying the spacer ring member
subsequent to the spaced apart seal ring members being
energised.
[0122] Aptly the method further comprises retrofitting the spacer
ring member by replacing an original spacer ring member of an end
fitting with a new spacer ring member that comprises the fluid
communication passageway.
[0123] Aptly the step of retrofitting further comprises replacing
an original spacer ring member that comprises a blank body with a
replacement spacer ring member that comprises the fluid
communication passageway.
[0124] Aptly the pipe termination stage of operation comprises a
stage of re-terminating a pre-terminated segment of flexible pipe
body, the method further comprising: [0125] re-sealing against a
liner or a barrier layer of the flexible pipe without removing an
entire pre-existing end fitting.
[0126] Aptly the method further comprises pressurising a bore
region of the flexible pipe to a bore pressure; and [0127]
pressurising the fluid communication passageway to a further
passageway pressure; whereby [0128] the passageway pressure is less
than or equal to the bore pressure and greater than atmospheric
pressure of air at sea level.
[0129] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0130] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0131] Certain embodiments of the present invention enable one or
more component parts of an end fitting at an end of a flexible pipe
to be replaced for a variety of reasons without having to refit an
entire end fitting which conventionally would involve cutting
through a whole cross-section of flexible pipe body and carrying
out an entire new termination process.
[0132] Certain embodiments of the present invention enable a kit of
limited parts including one or more of replacement termination
portions of an end fitting and/or outer or inner seal rings and/or
ring inserts and/or spacer ring parts to be used over time to
re-seal against a barrier layer or liner and/or outer sheath of a
flexible pipe at spaced apart axial locations along the length of
the pipe. This can be a one off re-termination step or can occur
repeatedly.
[0133] Certain embodiments of the present invention enable the
repeated re-sealing of a barrier layer or liner and/or outer sheath
at progressively shorter or longer locations along an axial length
of the flexible pipe when a fluid seal fails or when a part of a
barrier layer or liner and/or outer sheath is to be inspected.
[0134] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
method and apparatus for providing a vent path for venting an
annulus region of a flexible pipe at a desired location subsequent
to an initial installation of the end fitting at an end of a
segment of flexible pipe body.
[0135] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a
convenient way to retrofit passageways used for fluid communication
and/or other purposes at desired locations in an end fitting of a
flexible pipe.
[0136] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
technique for grabbing or securing an outer surface of a fluid
retaining layer of a flexible pipe body within an end fitting. This
helps avoid lateral motion or creep along an axis associated with
the flexible pipe body during use.
[0137] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
heater and/or cooler which can selectively be used to control a
temperature or provide a temperature profile to a fluid retaining
layer. Heating and/or cooling a temperature can help control
build-up of solid matter in a bore and help control viscosity of
transported fluids.
[0138] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide one or
more sensors which are locatable against a fluid retaining layer
and which can be used to monitor one or more characteristics of the
fluid retaining layer constantly or repeatedly.
[0139] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
readily replaceable element of an end fitting which allows
observation and/or testing and/or sensing of one or more
characteristics of a fluid retaining layer terminated in an end
fitting without having to remove and entire end of flexible pipe
body and associated end fitting.
[0140] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be
described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0141] FIG. 1 illustrates flexible pipe body;
[0142] FIG. 2 illustrates uses of flexible pipe;
[0143] FIG. 3a illustrates parts of a multi-component end
fitting;
[0144] FIG. 3b illustrates a multi component end fitting with a pad
eye end cap, spacer ring and associated seal ring;
[0145] FIG. 4 illustrates an even more schematic view of the end
fitting of FIG. 3a;
[0146] FIG. 5 illustrates the end fitting of FIG. 4 with certain
replaced components;
[0147] FIG. 6 illustrates a component part being removed;
[0148] FIG. 7 illustrates parts of a multi-component end
fitting;
[0149] FIG. 8 illustrates the end fitting of FIG. 7 with certain
replaced components;
[0150] FIG. 9 illustrates parts of a multi-component end
fitting;
[0151] FIG. 10 illustrates the end fitting of FIG. 9 with replaced
components;
[0152] FIG. 11 illustrates providing a fluid seal using a spacer
ring and associated seal ring;
[0153] FIG. 12a illustrates how back-to-back seal rings may be
provided;
[0154] FIG. 12b illustrates how back-to-back seals can be energised
with a ring insert member;
[0155] FIG. 13 illustrates spaced apart sealing rings and a heater
element;
[0156] FIG. 14 illustrates an observation port in a spacer ring in
a sealed-off-zone;
[0157] FIG. 15 helps illustrate a spacer ring having non-parallel
sides and gripping of a fluid retaining layer;
[0158] FIG. 16 helps illustrate the provision of a fluid
communication passageway in a spacer ring; and
[0159] FIG. 17 helps illustrate re-sealing using a replacement
spacer ring.
[0160] In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like
parts.
[0161] Throughout this description, reference will be made to a
flexible pipe. It is to be appreciated that certain embodiments of
the present invention are applicable to use with a wide variety of
flexible pipe. For example certain embodiments of the present
invention can be used with respect to flexible pipe and associated
end fittings of the type which is manufactured according to API
17J. Such flexible pipe is often referred to as unbonded flexible
pipe. Likewise, and as described in more detail below, certain
other embodiments of the present invention are usable with flexible
pipe and associated end fittings for flexible pipe of a composite
type structure. Such composite type flexible pipe and its
manufacture is currently being standardised by the API. Such
flexible pipe can include adjacent tubular layers that are bonded
together.
[0162] Turning to FIG. 1 it will be understood that the illustrated
flexible pipe is an assembly of a portion of pipe body and one or
more end fittings in each of which a respective end of the pipe
body is terminated. FIG. 1 illustrates how pipe body 100 is formed
from a combination of layered materials that form a
pressure-containing conduit. As noted above although a number of
particular layers are illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be understood
that certain embodiments of the present invention are broadly
applicable to coaxial pipe body structures including two or more
layers manufactured from a variety of possible materials. The pipe
body may include one or more layers comprising composite materials,
forming a tubular composite layer. It is to be further noted that
the layer thicknesses are shown for illustrative purposes only. As
used herein, the term "composite" is used to broadly refer to a
material that is formed from two or more different materials, for
example a material formed from a matrix material and reinforcement
fibres. Certain other possible examples are described herein
below.
[0163] A tubular composite layer is thus a layer having a generally
tubular shape formed of composite material. The layer may be
manufactured via an extrusion, pultrusion or deposition process or,
by a winding process in which adjacent windings of tape which
themselves have a composite structure are consolidated together
with adjacent windings. The composite material, regardless of
manufacturing technique used, may optionally include a matrix or
body of material having a first characteristic in which further
elements having different physical characteristics are embedded.
That is to say elongate fibres which are aligned to some extent or
smaller fibres randomly orientated can be set into a main body or
spheres or other regular or irregular shaped particles can be
embedded in a matrix material, or a combination of more than one of
the above. Aptly the matrix material is a thermoplastic material,
aptly the thermoplastic material is polyethylene or polypropylene
or nylon or PVC or PVDF or PFA or PEEK or PTFE or alloys of such
materials with reinforcing fibres manufactured from one or more of
glass, ceramic, basalt, carbon, carbon nanotubes, polyester, nylon,
aramid, steel, nickel alloy, titanium alloy, aluminium alloy or the
like or fillers manufactured from glass, ceramic, carbon, metals,
buckminsterfullerenes, metal silicates, carbides, carbonates,
oxides or the like.
[0164] The pipe body 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an internal
pressure sheath 105 which acts as a fluid retaining layer and
comprises a polymer layer that ensures internal fluid integrity.
The layer provides a boundary for any conveyed fluid. It is to be
understood that this layer may itself comprise a number of
sub-layers. It will be appreciated that when a carcass layer 102 is
utilised the internal pressure sheath is often referred to by those
skilled in the art as a barrier layer. In operation without such a
carcass (so-called smooth bore operation) the internal pressure
sheath may be referred to as a liner. A barrier layer 105 is
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0165] It is noted that a carcass layer where it is used is a
pressure resistant layer that provides an interlocked construction
that can be used as the innermost layer to prevent, totally or
partially, collapse of the internal pressure sheath 105 due to pipe
decompression, external pressure, and tensile armour pressure and
mechanical crushing loads. The carcass is a crush resistant layer.
It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present
invention are thus applicable to `rough bore` applications (with a
carcass). Aptly the carcass layer is a metallic layer. Aptly the
carcass layer is formed from stainless steel, corrosion resistant
nickel alloy or the like. Aptly the carcass layer is formed from a
composite, polymer, or other material, or a combination of
materials. Aptly the carcass layer can be substituted for a bonded
reinforcement layer outside of the internal pressure sheath, which
also acts as a pressure armour layer 110.
[0166] A pressure armour layer 110 is a pressure resistant layer
that provides a structural layer that increases the resistance of
the flexible pipe to internal and external pressure and mechanical
crushing loads. The layer also structurally supports the internal
pressure sheath. Aptly as illustrated in FIG. 1 the pressure armour
layer is formed from a tubular composite layer. Aptly for unbonded
type flexible pipe (not shown) the pressure armour layer consists
of an interlocked construction of wires with a lay angle close to
90.degree.. Aptly in this case the pressure armour layer is a
metallic layer. Aptly the pressure armour layer is formed from
carbon steel, aluminium alloy or the like. Aptly the pressure
armour layer is formed from a pultruded composite interlocking
layer. Aptly the pressure armour layer is formed from a composite
formed by extrusion or pultrusion or deposition or winding of
layers of tape material wherein the layers of pre-impregnated
composite tape, or alternate layers of composite tapes and polymer
tapes are consolidated and bonded together and also bonded to the
internal pressure sheath 105 together forming a bonded pipe body
structure.
[0167] The flexible pipe body also includes an optional first
tensile armour layer 115 and optional second tensile armour layer
120. Each tensile armour layer is used to sustain tensile loads and
optionally also internal pressure. Aptly for some flexible pipes
the tensile armour windings are of metal (for example steel,
stainless steel or titanium or the like). For some composite
flexible pipes the tensile armour windings may be polymer composite
tape windings (for example provided with either thermoplastic, for
instance nylon, matrix composite or thermoset, for instance epoxy,
matrix composite). For unbonded flexible pipe the tensile armour
layer is typically formed from a plurality of wires. (To impart
strength to the layer) that are located over an inner layer and are
helically wound along the length of the pipe at a lay angle
typically between about 10.degree. to 55.degree.. Aptly the tensile
armour layers are counter-wound in pairs. Aptly the tensile armour
layers are metallic layers. Aptly the tensile armour layers are
formed from carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium alloy,
aluminium alloy or the like. Aptly the tensile armour layers are
formed from a composite, polymer, or other material, or a
combination of materials.
[0168] Aptly the flexible pipe body includes optional layers of
tape (not shown) which help contain underlying layers and to some
extent prevent abrasion between adjacent layers. The tape layer may
optionally be a polymer or composite or a combination of materials,
also optionally comprising a tubular composite layer. Tape layers
can be used to help prevent metal-to-metal contact to help prevent
wear. Tape layers over tensile armours can also help prevent
"birdcaging".
[0169] The flexible pipe body also includes optional layers of
insulation 125 and an outer sheath 130, which comprises a polymer
layer used to protect the pipe against penetration of seawater and
other external environments, corrosion, abrasion and mechanical
damage. Any thermal insulation layer helps limit heat loss through
the pipe wall to the surrounding environment.
[0170] Each flexible pipe comprises at least one portion, referred
to as a segment or section, of pipe body 100 together with an end
fitting located at at least one end of the flexible pipe. An end
fitting provides a mechanical device which forms the transition
between the flexible pipe body and a connector. The different pipe
layers as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 are terminated in the end
fitting in such a way as to transfer the load between the flexible
pipe and the connector.
[0171] FIG. 2 illustrates a riser assembly 200 suitable for
transporting production fluid such as oil and/or gas and/or water
from a sub-sea location 221 to a floating facility 222. For
example, in FIG. 2 the sub-sea location 221 includes a sub-sea flow
line 225. The flexible flow line 225 comprises a flexible pipe,
wholly or in part, resting on the sea floor 230 or buried below the
sea floor and used in a static application. The floating facility
may be provided by a platform and/or buoy or, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, a ship. The riser assembly 200 is provided as a flexible
riser, that is to say a flexible pipe 240 connecting the ship to
the sea floor installation. The flexible pipe may be in segments of
flexible pipe body with connecting end fittings.
[0172] It will be appreciated that there are different types of
riser, as is well-known by those skilled in the art. Certain
embodiments of the present invention may be used with any type of
riser, such as a freely suspended (free-hanging, catenary riser), a
riser restrained to some extent (buoys, chains), totally restrained
riser or enclosed in a tube (I or J tubes). Some, though not all,
examples of such configurations can be found in API 17J. FIG. 2
also illustrates how portions of flexible pipe can be utilised as a
jumper 250.
[0173] FIG. 3a illustrates an end fitting 300 which can be utilised
to terminate an otherwise open end of the flexible pipe body 100.
An end fitting of the type illustrated in FIG. 3 may be secured to
both ends of a segment of flexible pipe body or at only one end
with a remaining end of the flexible pipe body being terminated in
some other manner. The end fitting 300 is a multi-component end
fitting. That is to say the end fitting is comprised of many parts
each of which serves a particular purpose supporting and/or sealing
specific layers of the flexible pipe body.
[0174] As illustrated in FIG. 3a a carcass layer 102 and over lying
barrier layer 105 share a common end point 305. This end point
defines an end extremity at an end region of the flexible pipe
body. The end 305 is surrounded and supported by a termination
portion 310 of the end fitting. The termination portion 310 itself
includes an open end 315, a neck region 317 and an outwardly
extending connecting flange 320. The termination portion 310 is
made as an integral unit. The open end 315 of the termination
portion of the end fitting can be secured to a rigid structure or
another end fitting arranged in a back-to-back configuration. The
termination portion has an inner surface 322 which has a
substantially cylindrical region having an internal diameter that
substantially matches an inner diameter of the carcass layer 102
and a flared out region towards the open end of the termination
portion which defines an open mouth of the end fitting. Towards the
connecting flange 320 of the termination portion the inner surface
322 of the termination portion is first stepped out and then
tapered outwards to receive the ends of the carcass layer and
barrier layer and to form a recessed region to receive an inner
sealing ring 325. The inner seal ring 325 is a sealing member which
includes a foot portion 327 that can be energised against a
radially outer surface of the barrier layer and an inner seal ring
body 328 which moves with the foot portion 327 and which can be
urged into the tapered recess region defined between the radially
inner surface of the termination portion of the end fitting and the
substantially cylindrical outer surface provided by the barrier
layer. It will be understood that other designs of inner (or outer)
seal ring may also be used, such as a shape comprising trapezoidal
or wedge sections which interface with other similarly angled
surfaces on the inner (or otherwise opposed) surface 322 or with
additional energising rings included in the end fitting design in
order to energise the seal. It will also be understood that the
inner (or outer) seal ring material may be metallic, polymeric,
composite or a combination of these, without compromising the
ability to enable the seal.
[0175] The termination portion 310 of the multi-component end
fitting 300 is secured to a core portion 330 of the end fitting 300
via an interposed spacer ring 335. The spacer ring 335 is a
ring-like member that has a substantially cylindrical outer surface
337 that forms part of an overall outer surface 340 of the end
fitting 300 and a substantially cylindrical radially inner surface
343 which has an inner diameter that substantially matches the
dimensions of the outer surface of the fluid retaining barrier
layer 105. The spacer ring member 335 thus supports the fluid
retaining barrier layer which underlies the spacer ring in use. A
first and further side of the spacer ring are substantially
parallel and extend between the radially outer surface 337 and
radially inner surface 343 of the spacer ring. The sides are
substantially parallel and spaced apart. The sides are spaced apart
by a width W. A first side 345 of the intermediate spacer ring is
opposed to and abuts with an end surface of the connecting flange
320 of the termination portion 310. This end of the termination
portion is referred to as a posterior end whilst the first side
surface 345 of the spacer ring is referred to as an anterior
surface. That is to say for the purpose of explanation only a
posterior surface faces towards the right hand side of the figure
whilst an anterior surface faces towards the left hand side of a
figure. It will be appreciated that this reference system is used
for illustration only and that anterior or posterior will be
relative to an actual arrangement of end fitting and flexible pipe
body in use. The anterior surface of the spacer ring shown in FIG.
3 is sealed to the posterior surface of the termination portion of
the end fitting 300 via a respective O-ring seal 348. A posterior
surface provided by another side of the intermediate spacer ring
member 335 abuts with an opposed anterior end surface of the core
portion 330 of the end fitting and a respective O-ring seal 350
seals this interface. The O-ring seals 348 and 350 may be O-rings
or metallic, elastomeric or polymeric gasket rings of designs
familiar to those skilled in the art. Other seal types could of
course be utilised.
[0176] As illustrated in FIG. 3 the termination portion 310 of the
end fitting 300 is secured to the core portion 330 via the spacer
ring member using one or more bolts 350. It will be appreciated
that other securing mechanisms could of course be utilised. The
termination portion, core portion, spacer ring member, seal ring
and O-rings are examples of components of an end fitting.
[0177] An outer casing 360, referred to as a jacket, is a
substantially cylindrical element which is secured to the core
portion 330 of the end fitting. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the jacket
360 is secured to the core portion via mating threads 365. Other
securing mechanisms could of course be utilised. A substantially
cylindrical outer surface 367 of the jacket 360 forms part of the
outer surface 340 of the end fitting 300. A radially inner surface
370 of the jacket is spaced apart from a radially outer surface 373
of a neck 380 of the core portion 330 of the end fitting 300. An
inner surface of the neck has a region having an interior dimension
that matches the radially outer surface of the barrier layer
together with a step to receive an end 383 of the pressure armour
layer 110.
[0178] The radially outer surface of the neck 380 of the core
portion 330 is thus spaced apart from the radially inner surface
370 of the jacket 360 to define an enclosure 385 therebetween. This
enclosure is a chamber or space where ends 387, 388 of respective
tensile armour windings 115, 120 can be terminated. The enclosure
385 may be filled with epoxy via an access port 390 during a
termination process to fix the ends of the tensile armour windings
in place.
[0179] FIG. 4 illustrates selected parts of the end fitting 300
shown in FIG. 3 in more detail. Much of the end fitting illustrated
in FIG. 3 is omitted in FIG. 4 for the sake of clarity. FIG. 4
helps illustrate how a width W of the spacer ring member 335 is a
dimension that can be selected to determine how far the core
portion 330 and termination portion 310 of the end fitting 300 are
spaced apart. As the termination portion is secured to the core
portion via the spacer ring member during a flexible pipe end
fitting termination process the spacer ring member energises the
inner seal ring 325 against the radially outer surface of the
barrier layer 105. The width W is a dimension that thus sets an
original sealing position 400 in terms of the axial direction. That
is to say in terms of a relative position extending axially
parallel with the central axis A-A associated with the central bore
of the flexible pipe body in the end fitting.
[0180] FIG. 5 helps illustrate how an end fitting component (in
FIG. 5 the spacer ring member) can be removed from a
multi-component end fitting and be replaced by a corresponding end
fitting component that has a dimension (in FIG. 5 a width)
different from the original component. In more detail, in the
example shown in FIG. 5, the core portion 330 and underlying
pressure armour layer 110 remain in place as a retained portion of
the end fitting but the termination portion 310 has been removed
together with an original inner seal ring and original spacer ring.
This removal step reveals the end 305 of the barrier layer 105 and
underlying carcass layer 102. A short section of the barrier layer
and carcass layer has then been removed via a further step by
cutting through the barrier layer and carcass layer and then the
original termination portion 310 or a similar replacement and
either the original inner sealing ring or a replacement inner
sealing ring has again been secured to the core portion 330.
However in FIG. 5 a new spacer ring member having a width different
from the original spacer ring has been located between the core
portion and termination portion in a step of the re-termination
process. As a result when the sealing ring is energised against the
fluid retaining layer this occurs at a new sealing location 500
which is axially displaced from an original sealing location 400.
This ability to reseal against a liner or barrier layer is helpful
as it means an initial faulty seal can be corrected without having
to replace an entire end fitting and/or allows a portion of a
barrier layer and carcass layer to be removed after being used so
that the removed part can be investigated for monitoring purposes.
Analysis can occur without having to carry out a conventional
re-termination process which would involve cutting off the whole
end fitting, thus shortening the flexible pipe and re-fitting a
whole new end fitting. It will be understood that depending on the
geometry and dimensions of the termination portion 310 it may not
be necessary to cut back the barrier and carcass layers of the
flexible pipe body in order to relocate the inner seal ring
325.
[0181] It will be likewise appreciated by those skilled in the art
that a separate type of connector end may be initially attached in
place of the open flanged end connector 310; this alternative
arrangement may be assembled with or without the inner seal ring
325 energised. This alternative type of end connector provides a
termination portion that may be an installation end cap 395
incorporating a pad-eye 397 to receive tensioning/hanging equipment
(shackles, chains, slings/ropes etc.) which is used to install a
pipe subsea, transferring tension loads from the installation
equipment to the pipe. This is illustrated in FIG. 3b. Once the
pipe is installed to the required position the installation end cap
is removed and the flange end termination portion 310 is installed
along with the energisation of the inner seal ring 325. If the
inner seal ring 325 is energised against the spacer ring 335 as
illustrated in FIG. 3b it may not be necessary to replace or
energise this seal later when the installation end cap is replaced
with the flanged end connector 310.
[0182] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 thus illustrate how original end
fitting components such as a termination portion 310, inner seal
ring member 325 and spacer ring member 355 can be removed from a
multi-component end fitting leaving a retained portion of the end
fitting in situ. Subsequently superseding end fitting components (a
superseding termination portion 310, superseding inner seal ring
member 325 and superseding spacer ring member 335) can be secured
to the retained portion thus providing a new fluid tight seal
against a fluid retaining layer at a new sealing location. The new
sealing location is axially displaced from an original sealing
location. In the previous described embodiment the superseding
components for the termination portion and inner seal ring member
can merely involve the re-use of the original parts. Alternatively
new previously unused parts having identical size and shape
dimensions could of course be utilised. The superseding spacer ring
member however has a different shape and size configuration from
that original component part which has been removed.
[0183] FIG. 6 helps illustrate how instead of removing one or more
end fitting components and replacing each removed component with a
corresponding replacement component it is possible, according to
certain embodiments of the present invention, to remove and not
replace an end fitting component. In more detail FIG. 6 helps
illustrate how during a further re-termination of an end of the
flexible pipe the termination portion 310 and inner seal ring
member can be removed together with the spacer ring member 535
illustrated in FIG. 5. The termination portion 310 and inner seal
ring are then re-fitted by securing these directly to the retained
core portion 330. As a result a new fluid tight seal is again
provided against the fluid retaining layer of the flexible pipe.
Again this can be achieved by cutting off a short end section of
the barrier layer and carcass layer. The new sealing location 600
is shown offset from the location where the earlier sealing
location 500 made with respect to the reduced width spacer ring
member 535 shown in FIG. 5 is made. It will be appreciated that it
would be possible during a re-termination process to merely remove
the original spacer ring member 335 illustrated in FIG. 4 and cuts
off a slightly longer section of barrier layer and carcass layer to
enable the termination portion 310 to thereafter be secured
directly against the core portion 330 as per FIG. 6. Thus a
superseding end fitting component may be an entirely new component
part or may be a reused component part. Likewise one or more
component parts may be omitted entirely during a re-termination
process rather than changing a dimension of a component part.
[0184] It will likewise be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that rather than reducing a width of an intermediate spacer ring as
part of successive re-termination processes wider intermediate
spacer ring members may progressively be introduced. This would
have a net result of again providing a new fluid tight seal against
a fluid retaining layer of a flexible pipe at a new sealing
location axially displaced from a preceding sealing location.
Re-termination in this manner would of course require a longer free
length of barrier layer and carcass layer to be originally provided
in a termination portion in the expectation that subsequent
re-termination processes would move progressive sealing inner seal
ring members away from the core portion 330 of an end fitting as
opposed to moving the sealing point nearer to the core portion as
described in detail in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
[0185] FIG. 7 helps illustrate an alternative re-termination
process for an end of a flexible pipe. In many respects the end
fitting illustrated is similar to that described with respect to
FIGS. 3 to 6 however the termination portion 710 has an inner
surface 722 which is substantially cylindrical towards an open end
of the end fitting, stepped out to receive ends of the barrier
layer and carcass layer then tapered to receive a foot portion of
the inner seal ring member 325. The inner surface 722 also then
ends in a substantially cylindrical section in which a ring insert
750 is located. The ring insert is an example of a component of the
end fitting. The inner surface 722 of the termination portion 710
illustrated in FIG. 7 thus defines a recess between the termination
portion 710 and the substantially cylindrical outer surface of the
barrier layer. The body of the inner seal ring member 325 and the
ring insert member 750 are located in this recessed region. During
a termination process the termination portion 710 of the end
fitting and core portion 330 of the end fitting are secured
together. As this securing action occurs the anterior surface of
the core portion 330 is driven against a posterior surface of the
ring insert member 750. This urging motion energises the inner seal
ring member 325 against the outer surface of the barrier layer. As
a result an original sealing location 780 is defined at an axial
location along the length of the barrier layer of the flexible
pipe.
[0186] FIG. 8 helps illustrate how a re-termination of an end of
the flexible pipe shown in FIG. 7 can be carried out. During the
method of re-terminating the end of the flexible pipe the
termination portion 710 and inner seal ring member 325 are removed
together with the ring insert member 750. Remaining components of
the original end fitting are retained in situ so that the
terminated ends of the tensile armour windings are unaffected by
the removal of the end fitting component parts. As illustrated in
FIG. 8 a superseding termination portion 810 and superseding inner
seal ring member 325 are utilised together with a superseding ring
insert member 850. It will be appreciated that the superseding
inner seal ring member 325 may be a reused component that has just
been removed or may be a new component part having dimensions
substantially matching the removed component parts. On the other
hand the new ring insert member 850 has a width that is reduced
with respect to a corresponding width dimension of the ring insert
member 750 illustrated in FIG. 7. Likewise the termination portion
810 has a connecting flange 855 that has a width reduced relative
to the width of the connecting flange of the removed termination
portion 710.
[0187] During a re-termination process the original termination
portion and inner seal ring member and original ring insert member
750 are removed and an end section of the barrier layer and carcass
layer may be cut off. The ends of the carcass and barrier layer are
revealed when the termination portion, inner seal ring member and
ring insert member are removed from the retained portion of the end
fitting. After cutting the barrier layer and carcass layer to a
suitable length the replacement termination portion 810 is secured
to the core portion 330 using bolts or some other suitable securing
mechanism thus superseding the original component. As an anterior
surface of the core portion 330 contacts the posterior surface of
this superseding termination portion the new ring insert member 850
energises the inner seal ring member against an outer surface of
the barrier layer at a new sealing location 880. This new sealing
location 880 is displaced in an axial direction from a location on
the barrier layer where an original sealing location occurs.
[0188] FIG. 9 helps illustrate how a re-termination process can
occur for an end of a flexible pipe in which a new fluid tight seal
is formed against an outer sheath 130 of the flexible pipe. It will
thus be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present
invention enable the resealing of an inner fluid retaining layer or
an outer fluid retaining layer or indeed both an outer and an inner
fluid retaining layer. It will also be appreciated that certain
embodiments of the present invention can also be utilised to reseal
against an intermediate fluid retaining layer located between a
barrier layer or liner and an outer sheath.
[0189] As illustrated in FIG. 9 the outer sheath 130 of the
flexible pipe body is terminated at an end of an end fitting not
shown in previous FIGS. 3 to 8. As illustrated in FIG. 9 a
posterior end of the jacket 360 at this further end of the end
fitting has an inner surface 370 which is tapered to be partially
closed but the jacket 360 itself has an end 900 which remains open.
An inner surface 910 at the posterior end of the jacket 360 defines
a substantially cylindrical surface which is spaced apart from an
outer surface provided by an outermost layer of tensile armour
windings. An inner collar member 920 is urged between the outer
surface of the outermost tensile armour winding layer and an inner
surface 925 of the outer sheath 130. An outer spacer ring 935 is a
substantially ring-like member that has a substantially cylindrical
outer surface 937 which forms part of the outer surface of the end
fitting together with a radially inner most surface that includes a
substantially cylindrical portion and a tapered and reset region.
The substantially cylindrical portion of the outer spacer ring
member has a dimension that substantially matches the dimension of
the outer surface of the outer sheath. The tapered region of the
inner surface of the outer spacer ring member 935 defines a recess
in which an outer seal ring 940 can be located. The outer seal ring
is a member 940 that includes a foot portion 942 and a body portion
945. The foot portion 942 of the outer seal ring member 940 is
urged against the outer surface of the outer sheath 130 when the
outer seal ring member is energised thus forming a fluid seal. The
outer spacer ring member has an anterior surface which is secured
to a posterior surface of the jacket and sealed via a respective
O-ring 947. Other sealing mechanisms could of course be used. An
anterior end surface of the outer spacer ring member 935 abuts with
an anterior surface of a collar 960. As part of a termination
process the collar is secured indirectly to the end of the jacket
via the intermediate spacer ring member using bolts 965 or other
such securing mechanism.
[0190] FIG. 10 helps illustrate how, as part of a re-termination
process, the outer spacer ring member can be removed and then
replaced by another outer spacer ring member having a width that is
smaller than a corresponding width of the preceding outer spacer
ring member. As illustrated in FIG. 10 a width of the replacement
outer spacer ring member can be as little as the width of an outer
seal ring member which is used to seal against the outer sheath 130
of the flexible pipe. It will be appreciated that re-terminating
the seal of the outer sheath of a flexible pipe whilst leaving the
retained portion of the end fitting in situ is complicated by the
fact that the collar and outer spacer ring member must be slid down
a whole length of the flexible pipe body to a free end to remove
those component parts and then new component parts slid along a
length of the flexible pipe body. As an alternative it will be
appreciated that the outer spacer ring member can be formed as a
split ring element as can the collar member. Alternatively the
collar member and/or outer spacer ring member can be formed as
multiple ring-like elements. When a re-termination process is
desired the multiple components are unsecured from a retained
portion of the end fitting and undesired parts can be destructively
removed leaving pre-existing outer spacer ring member elements or
at least one outer spacer ring member element and at least one
outer collar member intact to be secured again to an end of the
jacket 360 by new, suitably shortened bolts. The outer sheath can
be heat treated to mend any grazes or cuts that occur as components
are removed.
[0191] It will be appreciated that whilst FIGS. 9 and 10 have been
described in terms of shortening a width of an outer spacer ring
member to form a new sealing location a new sealing location could
be formed by increasing a width of the outer spacer ring member.
This is achieved either by sliding new component parts along a
whole length of the flexible pipe body from a free end of the
flexible pipe or by relaxing the securing mechanisms and securing
in one or more new split ring elements in place to act as
spacers.
[0192] FIG. 11 illustrates how a multi-component end fitting 1100
can be provided with a termination portion 1110 and a core portion
1130. A spacer ring 1135 is interposed between a posterior end
surface 1145 of the termination portion 1110 and an anterior
surface 1150 of a core portion of the end fitting. An anterior side
surface of the spacer ring abuts with the posterior side surface of
the termination portion. The spacer ring 1135 ensures that a whole
surface of the posterior end of the termination portion is held in
a spaced apart relationship from a whole surface of the anterior
surface of the core portion. That is to say the width of the body
of the intermediate spacer ring separates the core portion from the
termination portion. In FIG. 11 and the previous Figures this width
is substantially constant but this is optionally not always the
case. As illustrated in FIG. 11 the radially innermost edge surface
1155 of the seal ring member 1135 has a substantially cylindrical
nature including a smooth cylindrical region towards a posterior
end of the spacer ring 1135 whilst the inner edge 1155 tapers out
towards an anterior end of the spacer ring. The radially innermost
surface of the spacer ring defines a recess between the spacer ring
and barrier layer where an inner seal ring 1165 is located. That is
to say the intermediate spacer ring 1135 can include one or more
recessed regions to receive respective seal rings. One of these is
illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0193] FIG. 12a illustrates an alternative arrangement to that
shown in FIG. 11 whereby in addition to a recess for a seal ring
1165 the termination portion 1210 can likewise include a recessed
region for receiving a respective seal ring 1225. The seal ring
1225 that provides a seal between the termination portion and the
outer surface of the fluid retaining layer provides a seal so that
bore fluid pressure is not communicated to a location between the
back-to-back seal rings. By contrast the seal ring 1165 supported
and energised by the intermediate spacer ring provides a seal to
prevent annulus fluid pressure being experienced at a location
between the back-to-back seal rings. It will be appreciated that a
fluid communication port (T) can be provided and this is in fluid
communication with a location between the back-to-back seal rings.
This port provides a local opening up of the joint between the
termination portion 1210 and the intermediate spacer ring 1235, and
can be used to ensure external hydrostatic pressure is conveyed to
the location between the back-to-back seal rings.
[0194] FIG. 12a thus helps illustrate how a double seal arrangement
can be utilised. The back-to-back seal arrangement helps provide a
first seal location which seals the bore together with a spaced
apart further seal location which acts as a back-up seal as well as
sealing off the annulus from the part or parts forming the seal at
the first seal location. It will be appreciated that a single ring
like seal (i.e. one integral unit) including opposed seal elements
can be utilised according to certain embodiments of the present
invention.
[0195] In FIG. 12a the intermediate spacer ring 1235 is secured
between a posterior surface of the termination portion 1210 of the
end fitting and an anterior surface of the core portion.
[0196] FIG. 12b helps illustrate how certain embodiments of the
present invention can utilise a ring insert rather than a spacer
ring to energise two back-to-back seal rings (or a single
integrally formed seal ring that seals at two spaced apart
locations).
[0197] As shown in FIG. 12b a termination portion 1240 of the end
fitting is secured directly against an anterior surface of a core
portion 1250. A first seal ring 1260 provides a bore seal whilst an
adjacent seal ring 1265 helps provide a back-up seal to stop the
annulus receiving the bore pressure and helps seal the annulus off
from the bore seal. A ring insert 1270 is driven into a recessed
region within the termination portion by the core portion and
termination portion being driven/urged together. This energises the
seal elements. Spaced apart `O`-ring seals 1280, 1285 help seal off
the fluid route to the annulus.
[0198] A test port 1287 is shown connected to a location between
seal locations against the fluid retaining layer via a passageway
1290. Likewise a further test port 1292 is connected to a location
between the spaced apart `O`-ring seals via a respective passageway
1294. This allows the seals to be tested as well as providing the
possibility for points between the seal rings to experience a local
hydrostatic pressure in use by flooding the test port 1287 and
passageway 1290.
[0199] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which
back-to-back seal rings 1325, 1365 can be utilised in a
multi-component end fitting. In this embodiment neither of the seal
rings are supported within the intermediate spacer ring. Rather a
first seal ring 1325 which seals against bore fluid pressure is
formed in a recess between the termination portion of the end
fitting and the fluid retaining layer. Annulus fluid pressure and
annulus fluid generally is sealed via the sealing ring 1365 formed
in a recess between the core portion and the outer surface of the
fluid retaining layer. Use of two spaced apart seal rings in this
manner creates a sealed-off-zone where a respective bore fluid
pressure or annulus fluid pressure is not experienced. In FIG. 13
this zone is located at the interface between the intermediate
spacer ring and the outer surface of the fluid communicating
layer.
[0200] FIG. 13 also helps illustrate how a heater element 1370 can
be supported in the intermediate spacer ring. It will be
appreciated that rather than the heater element 1370 or indeed in
addition to it one or more cooling elements may likewise be
embedded or otherwise supported in the spacer ring. The heaters or
coolers are supplied with power or heated or cooled fluid via
conventional techniques. The heater element 1370 (or indeed cooler
element) may be utilised with any of the embodiments described
herein which utilise a spacer ring that is a substantially full
width spacer ring. That is to say that extends substantially a
whole distance from an outer surface of a fluid retaining layer to
an outer surface of an end fitting. It will of course be
appreciated that a cap or cover may be located radially outside of
the spacer ring. The heater and/or cooler element can be utilised
to select and maintain a pre-determined temperature and/or
temperature profile over time which can help control build-up of
material on the inner bore of the pipe and can help control
viscosity of transported fluids.
[0201] FIG. 14 helps illustrate how a multi-component end fitting
1400, which includes a termination portion 1410 and core portion
1430, can be kept spaced apart by an interposed spacer ring. As
illustrated in FIG. 14 a spacer ring 1435 can include at least one
observation port 1450 which extends from a radially outer edge
surface of the spacer ring member 1435 to a test port or opening
1460 at a radially inner edge surface of the spacer ring member.
Because the spacer ring is a full width element analysis and/or
observation can be carried out directly onto the outer surface of a
fluid retaining layer at a desired moment in time. It will be
appreciated that such observation ports and passageways can be
utilised with many of the embodiments described herein.
[0202] FIG. 15 helps illustrate a multi-component end fitting 1500
which includes a termination portion 1510 and a core portion 1530.
An interposed spacer ring 1535 is illustrated in FIG. 15. Of note
is that the spacer ring 1535 illustrated in FIG. 15 does not have
substantially parallel spaced apart sides. Rather an anterior side
surface 1540 extends substantially orthogonally between a radially
inner and radially outer edge surface of the spacer ring whilst a
posterior side surface 1560 is stepped. That is to say the
posterior side surface of the spacer ring does not extend in a
parallel fashion with the remaining side surface of the spacer ring
member. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
shape/configuration of the sides of the spacer ring can be made of
any format which substantially mates with an opposed whole anterior
end surface of the core portion or indeed a whole posterior end
surface of the termination portion. This is true for any of the
embodiments described herein.
[0203] FIG. 15 also helps illustrate how a spacer ring 1535, can
include multiple inset regions 1570. In FIG. 15 six inset regions
are illustrated which are formed as independent spaced apart
grooves on the inner edge surface of the spacer ring. It will be
appreciated that any number of grooves can be utilised according to
certain embodiments of the present invention and indeed that a
single helical groove could provide the recessed regions. Likewise
it will be appreciated that rather than helical grooves or circular
grooves single independent recessed regions formed as blind holes
or blind slits could be utilised. Likewise the radially inner
surface of the spacer ring may alternatively be roughened in any
other way to provide inset regions. Because the intermediate spacer
ring includes the inset regions, in use, the fluid retaining layer
to some extent will be gripped by the spacer ring. This helps
prevent or at least reduce a risk of lateral motion (right to left
in FIG. 15) of the fluid retaining layer terminated in the end
fitting. This helps avoid motion of the fluid retaining layer with
respect to any sealing ring which may otherwise risk breaking a
seal. It will be appreciated that use of a roughened inner surface
of a spacer ring may be utilised with any of the embodiments
described herein.
[0204] FIG. 16 helps illustrate a multi-component end fitting 1600
which includes a termination portion 1610 and core portion 1630. A
spacer ring 1635 is illustrated juxtaposed between opposed surfaces
of the termination portion 1610 and core portion 1630. That is to
say the spacer ring 1635 as illustrated in FIG. 16 spaces a whole
posterior surface of the termination portion away from a whole
anterior surface of the core portion 1630. FIG. 16 helps illustrate
how a fluid communication passageway 1650 may be formed in an
intermediate spacer ring 1635. As illustrated in FIG. 16 the fluid
communication passageway includes a first portion 1655 which
extends in a substantially radial direction from an external port
1660. The fluid communication passageway also includes an axially
extending portion 1665 which extends in an axial direction
associated with a main axis of a flexible pipe. The fluid
communication passageway opens into a groove 1670 which extends
around the posterior surface of the spacer ring. This groove and
the axially extending passageway providing fluid communication to
it are aligned with the pressure armour layer of the flexible pipe
body terminated in the end fitting. In this way annulus fluids can
be vented. Using a spacer ring which has at least one fluid
communication passageway in it can thus be utilised to help vent
annulus fluid. Such an intermediate spacer ring can be retrofitted
to a terminated flexible pipe by replacing a pre-existing
intermediate spacer ring formed as a blank body (i.e. with a fluid
communication passageway) with a spacer ring which includes a
required fluid communication passageway. It will be appreciated
that a spacer ring could include passageways having different
shapes. For example curved or labyrinthine lumens can be used, some
of which can meet and communicate with each other in order to
achieve the same external port 1660.
[0205] FIG. 17 helps illustrate how a spacer ring including a fluid
communication passageway can be utilised in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention which enable a re-sealing to
occur. That is to say a spacer ring having a width shown in FIG. 16
can be replaced by one illustrated in FIG. 17 and the termination
portion 1610 re-sealed against a pristine region of a barrier
layer.
[0206] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean
"including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do
not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or
steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise
requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the
specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as
well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
[0207] Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in
conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the
invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other
aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible
therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or
all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be
combined in any combination, except combinations where at least
some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The
invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing
embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel
combination, of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to
any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method
or process so disclosed.
[0208] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this
specification in connection with this application and which are
open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents
of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by
reference.
* * * * *