Title:
UMBILICAL FOR USE IN SUBSEA APPLICATIONS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/142098
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An umbilical (600) for the transfer of fluids and/or electric current/signals, particularly between the sea surface and equipment deployed on the sea bed (e.g., in deep waters), is provided. The umbilical contains a plurality of elongated umbilical elements (e.g., two or more), such as a channel element (603), fluid pipe (604), electric conductor/wire (606) (e.g., optic fiber cable), armoring wire, etc., enclosed within an outer sheath (e.g., plastic sheath). The umbilical also contains at least one reinforcing rod (607) formed from a plurality of unidirectionally aligned fiber rovings embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The present inventors have discovered that the degree to which the ravings are impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer matrix can be significantly improved through selective control over the impregnation process, and also through control over the degree of compression imparted to the ravings during formation and shaping of the rod, as well as the calibration of the final rod geometry. Such a well impregnated rod has a very small void fraction, which leads to excellent strength properties for reinforcing the umbilical elements.
Inventors:
NELSON SHERRI M (US)
EASTEP DAVID W (US)
REGAN TIMOTHY A (US)
WESLEY MICHAEL L (US)
EASTEP DAVID W (US)
REGAN TIMOTHY A (US)
WESLEY MICHAEL L (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2012/033038
Publication Date:
January 03, 2013
Filing Date:
April 11, 2012
Export Citation:
Assignee:
TICONA LLC (US)
NELSON SHERRI M (US)
EASTEP DAVID W (US)
REGAN TIMOTHY A (US)
WESLEY MICHAEL L (US)
NELSON SHERRI M (US)
EASTEP DAVID W (US)
REGAN TIMOTHY A (US)
WESLEY MICHAEL L (US)
International Classes:
E21B17/01; F16L11/22; B29C48/08; B29C48/156
Domestic Patent References:
WO1999057413A1 | 1999-11-11 | |||
WO2008075964A1 | 2008-06-26 |
Foreign References:
US7754966B2 | 2010-07-13 | |||
US4923134A | 1990-05-08 | |||
US20080006337A1 | 2008-01-10 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HUYCKE, Thomas, D. et al. (P.APO Box 144, Greenville South Carolina, US)
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