Bend restriction element for restricting the bending range of a conduit

Abstract

A bend restriction element (1) is modular for forming a tube segment (12) all around a conduit through locked interlocking circumferential interconnection of multiple similar such elements (1). The tube segment (12) is modular for forming an articulated tube (100) around the conduit through locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of multiple similar such tube segments (12). The locking of the circumferential interconnection of the elements (1) is ensured both by the manner of interlocking of a tube segment concerned (12) with a tube segment (16) situated on one side thereof, and by the manner of interlocking of the tube segment concerned (12) with a tube segment (14) situated on the other side thereof.

Claims

1. An articulated tube for restricting a bending range of a conduit, comprising at least three tube segments, wherein adjacent tube segments are engaged in a longitudinal direction, each tube segment comprising at least two bend restriction elements engaged in a circumferential direction, wherein each of said bend restriction elements restricts the bending range of the conduit, wherein each of said at least two bend restriction elements is modular for forming each of said at least three tube segments all around the conduit through locked interlocking circumferential interconnection, of the at least two bend restriction elements, wherein each of said at least three tube segments is modular for forming said articulated tube all around the conduit through locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection, of said at least three tube segments, wherein said at least three tube segments of the articulated tube are configured to hinge in a hinging range relative to each other about lines which are transverse to said longitudinal direction of the conduit, wherein the hinging range of said hinge of the at least three tube segments is restricted for said restricting of the bending range of the conduit, wherein said circumferential interconnection of the at least two bend restriction elements is ensured both by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of a tube segment concerned with a tube segment of the articulated tube situated in the longitudinal direction on one side thereof, and by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with a tube segment of the articulated tube situated in the longitudinal direction on the other side thereof, wherein said respective manners of interlocking are also part of, respectively, ensuring said circumferential interconnection of the at least two bend restriction elements of the tube segment situated on said one side, and ensuring said circumferential interconnection of the at least two bend restriction elements of the tube segment situated on said other side, and wherein each of said at least two bend restriction elements is configured such that: bend restriction elements, adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction, of two mutually adjacent tube segments are rotationally shifted with respect to each other in said circumferential direction, and each of said at least two bend restriction elements comprises blocking means which at least partly block mutual relative rotation in said circumferential direction of said bend restriction elements, adjoining each other in said longitudinal direction, wherein each of said at least two bend restriction elements is configured such that the tube segment concerned, the tube segment situated on said one side, and the tube segment situated on said other side each comprise a mutually similar first portion, a mutually similar second portion, and a mutually similar third portion, said manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on said one side is realized in that at least the first portion of the tube segment concerned is enveloped all around by the tube segment situated on said one side, and said manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on said other side is realized in that at least the second portion of the tube segment concerned is enveloped all round by the third portion of the tube segment situated on said other side.

2. The articulated tube according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least two bend restriction elements is configured such that said manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on said one side is realized in that the second portion of the tube segment situated on said one side envelops the first portion of the tube segment concerned all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion of the tube segment concerned, and said manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on said other side is realized in that the second portion of the tube segment concerned envelops the first portion of the tube segment situated on said other side all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion of the tube segment situated on said other side.

3. The articulated tube according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least two bend restriction elements is configured such that said locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of the at least three tube segments is realized by interlocking of at least radially, seen relative to the conduit, receding portions and projecting portions, respectively, of two respective interconnected tube segments.

4. An articulated tube for restricting a bending range of a conduit, comprising tube segments, wherein adjacent tube segments are engaged in a longitudinal direction, each tube segment comprising bend restriction elements engaged in a circumferential direction, wherein each bend restriction element restricts the bending range of the conduit, wherein each tube segment is modular for forming an articulated tube around the conduit through locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of adjacent tube segments, wherein adjacent tube segments are configured to hinge in a hinging range relative to each other about lines which are transverse to said longitudinal direction of the conduit, wherein the hinging range of said hinging of the tube segments is restricted for said restricting of the bending range of the conduit, wherein bend restriction elements adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction of two mutually adjacent tube segments are rotationally shifted with respect to each other in said circumferential direction, and wherein a first bend restriction element comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the third portion being located between the first portion and the second portion, the second portion being a collar portion which extends longitudinally from the third portion, the second portion having a slot, the second portion and the slot being sized and configured such that, when a first portion of a second bend restriction element, the same as said first bend restriction element, is inserted longitudinally into the second portion of said first bend restriction element, a portion of the second bend restriction element extends into said slot and at least partly blocks relative circumferential rotation of the second bend restriction element with respect to said first bend restriction element.

5. An articulated tube comprising: a first tube segment comprising a first bend restriction element and a second bend restriction element, a second tube segment comprising a third bend restriction element and a fourth bend restriction element, wherein the first tube segment and the second tube segment are adjacent to each other and engaged in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first bend restriction element and the second bend restriction element are engaged in a circumferential direction and a protrusion of the first bend restriction element is positioned in a recess of the second bend restriction element, wherein a transverse wall of the first bend restriction element and a transverse wall of the second bend restriction element extend into a slot of the third bend restriction element, and wherein the first bend restriction element and the third bend restriction element are rotationally shifted with respect to each other in said circumferential direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows in perspective an example of an embodiment of a bend restriction element according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the element of FIG. 1 in another perspective view.

(3) FIG. 3 shows in perspective two specimens of the element of FIG. 1 in a manner in which they can be longitudinally interconnected for use in an articulated tube.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a central longitudinal section (partly in transparent view) through a longitudinal portion of an articulated tube formed with several specimens of the element of FIG. 1 around a conduit, with the conduit at the longitudinal portion shown being in straight, i.e., unbent, condition. It is noted that FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV-IV denoted by arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the construction of FIG. 4 again, but in a condition in which the conduit at the longitudinal portion shown is in a bent condition.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a view in cross section (partly in transparent view) taken along the line VI-VI denoted by arrows in FIG. 4. It is noted that FIG. 6 is also a view taken along the line VI-VI denoted by arrows in FIG. 8.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a view in cross section (partly in transparent view) taken along the line VII-VII denoted by arrows in FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a part of a view in longitudinal section (partly in transparent view) along the line VIII-VIII denoted by arrows in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(9) The FIGS. 1 through 8 show a bend restriction element 1 according to the invention. In FIGS. 3 through 8, besides the element 1, additional, identical specimens 2 through 7 of the element 1 are shown. In FIGS. 4 through 7, further, a bendable conduit 10, such as, for example, an (underwater) pipeline, cable, or the like, is shown. In FIGS. 4 through 6, a longitudinal direction L of the conduit 10, a circumferential direction C of the conduit 10, and a radial direction R, seen relative to the conduit 10, are denoted.

(10) Arranged around the depicted portion of the conduit 10 is an articulated tube 100. The articulated tube comprises the tube segments denoted in FIG. 4 with reference numerals 12, 14, 16, and 18, which are interconnected together in the longitudinal direction L in a mutually locked interlocking manner.

(11) Each of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 is formed by different specimens of the element 1 being interconnected in the circumferential direction C in a mutually locked interlocking manner. The tube segment 12 is formed by the elements 1 and 2, the tube segment 14 by the elements 3 and 4, and the tube segment 16 by the elements 5 and 6.

(12) The tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the tube 100 can hinge relative to each other about lines which are transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the conduit, whereby the hinging range of the hinging of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 is restricted for restricting the bending range of the conduit 10. Thus, in the depicted example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinged conditions of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the bent condition of the conduit 10 shown in FIG. 5, have been obtained, starting from the hinge conditions of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 corresponding to the straight condition of the conduit 10 shown in FIG. 4, by hinging of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 relative to each other in each case in the same hinging direction about lines which are perpendicular to the central longitudinal sectional plane. The hinged conditions of the tube segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 shown in FIG. 5 here correspond to the upper limit of the restricted bending range of the conduit 10 in the hinging direction mentioned.

(13) In the example shown, each of the elements 1 through 7 is configured such that the locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements concerned of the tube segment concerned of the tube 100 is ensured both by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with a tube segment 16 of the articulated tube situated in the longitudinal direction L on one side thereof, and by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with a tube segment of the tube 100 situated in the longitudinal direction L on the other side thereof, while the respective manners of interlocking are also part of, respectively, ensuring the locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements of the tube segment situated on the one side, and ensuring the locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements of the tube segment situated on the other side.

(14) Hence this holds for, among others, the elements of the tube segment concerned 12, of the tube segment 16 situated on one side thereof, and of the tube segment 14 situated on the other side thereof. The locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements 1 and 2 of the tube segment 12 is ensured both by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment 12 with the tube segment 16, and by the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment 12 with the tube segment 14. Also, the respective manners of interlocking are part of, respectively, ensuring the locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements 5 and 6 of the tube segment 16, and ensuring the locking of the circumferential interconnection of the two elements 3 and 4 of the tube segment 14.

(15) More particularly, in the example shown, each of the elements 1 through 7 is configured such that the tube segment concerned, the tube segment situated on the one side, and the tube segment situated on the other side each comprise a mutually similar first portion, a mutually similar second portion, and a mutually similar third portion, that the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on the one side is realized in that at least the first portion of the tube segment concerned is enveloped all around by the tube segment situated on the one side, and that the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on the other side is realized in that at least the second portion of the tube segment concerned is enveloped all around by the third portion of the tube segment situated on the other side.

(16) Hence this holds again for, among others, the elements of the tube segment concerned 12, of the tube segment 16 situated on one side thereof, and of the tube segment 14 situated on the other side thereof. These respective tube segments 12, 16, and 14 each comprise such a first portion, respectively denoted with the reference numerals 31, 41, and 51, such a second portion, respectively denoted with the reference numerals 32, 42, and 52, and such a third portion, respectively denoted with the reference numerals 33, 43, and 53. In FIG. 4 it can be seen, for instance, that the first portion 31 of the tube segment 12 is enveloped all around by the tube segment 16, and that at least the second portion 32 of the tube segment 12 is enveloped all around by the third portion 53 of the tube segment 14. Also, it can be seen in FIG. 4, for instance, that the first portion 41 of the tube segment 16 is enveloped all around by the tube segment 18, and that at least the second portion 42 of the tube segment 16 is enveloped all around by the third portion 33 of the tube segment 12.

(17) More particularly, in the example shown, each of the elements 1 through 7 is configured such that the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on the one side is realized in that the second portion of the tube segment situated on the one side envelops the first portion of the tube segment concerned all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion of the tube segment concerned, and that the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment concerned with the tube segment situated on the other side is realized in that the second portion of the tube segment concerned envelops the first portion of the tube segment situated on the other side all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion of the tube segment situated on the other side.

(18) Hence this holds again for, among others, the elements of the tube segment concerned 12, of the tube segment 16 situated on the one side thereof, and of the tube segment 14 situated on the other side thereof. The manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment 12 with the tube segment 16 is realized in that the second portion 42 of the tube segment 16 envelops the first portion 31 of the tube segment 12 all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion 33 of the tube segment 12, and the manner of interlocking of the longitudinal interconnection of the tube segment 12 with the tube segment 14 is realized in that the second portion 32 of the tube segment 12 envelops the first portion 51 of the tube segment 14 all around and also is enveloped all around by the third portion 53 of the tube segment 14.

(19) In the example shown, each of the elements 1 through 7 is configured such that the locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of the tube segments is realized by interlocking of at least radially (i.e., in radial direction R) receding portions and projecting portions, respectively, of two respective interconnected tube segments.

(20) Hence this holds again for, among others, the elements of the tube segment concerned 12, of the tube segment 16 situated on the one side thereof, and of the tube segment 14 situated on the other side thereof. In FIG. 4, it can be seen, for instance, that the locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of the tube segments 12 and 14 is realized by interlocking of the portions 35 of the tube segment 12 receding in the radial direction R and the portions 54 of the tube segment 14 projecting in the radial direction R. Likewise, it can be seen in FIG. 4, for instance, that the locked interlocking longitudinal interconnection of the tube segments 16 and 12 is realized by interlocking of the portions 45 of the tube segment 16 receding in the radial direction R with the portions 34 of the tube segment 12 projecting in the radial direction R.

(21) In the example shown, each of the elements 1 through 7 is configured such that elements adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction L of two mutually adjacent tube segments of the articulated tube are not in line with each other in the longitudinal direction L in that they are situated staggeredly with respect to each other in the circumferential direction C, and that the staggered situation is maintained in that the element comprises blocking means which at least partly block mutual relative rotation in the circumferential direction C of the elements adjoining each other.

(22) Such blocking means for maintaining such locked staggered situation of the elements can be realized in various ways. For instance, they can be realized in that the element comprises grooves and ribs extending at least in the longitudinal direction L, which are so configured that the grooves of one element cooperatively interlock with the ribs of the element adjoining it in the longitudinal direction L.

(23) How such blocking means are realized in the example shown appears from FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8, in which the locked staggered situation of, among others, the elements 1 and 3 is shown. The blocking means of the element 1 comprise the slot, denoted with reference numeral 37 in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8, in the part of the element 1 that corresponds with the second portion 32 of the tube segment 12, as well as the two transverse walls, denoted with reference numerals 36 in FIG. 1, between the wall of the element 1 corresponding with the first portion 31 of the tube segment 12 and the wall of the element 1 corresponding with the third portion 33 of the tube segment 12. For the element 3, the transverse walls, similar to the transverse walls 36, are denoted with reference numerals 56 in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. For the element 4, the transverse walls, similar to the transverse walls 36, are denoted with reference numerals 76 in FIGS. 6 and 8. In FIGS. 6 and 8 it can be seen that one transverse wall 56 of the element 3 together with one transverse wall 76 of the element 4 extend in the slot 37 of the element 1. As a result, the relative rotation in circumferential direction C of the elements 1 and 3 adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction L, as well as of the elements 1 and 4 adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction L, is at least partly blocked.

(24) Referring to FIG. 1, the following optional aspects of the element 1 are elucidated here. In FIG. 1 it can be seen that the element 1, on its side that is intended, within a tube segment of the articulated tube, to abut against a similar side of another such element, is provided with the recesses 80 and 82, as well as with the protrusions 81 and 83. These recesses and protrusions facilitate the assembly of the articulated tube in that the protrusions 81 and 83 of the element 1 can be positioned in the recesses, similar to the recesses 80 and 82, of the other element of the tube segment concerned. In the example shown, the recess 80 and the protrusion 81 are provided with passages. If desired, threaded bolts can be introduced into those passages, so that the element 1, with those threaded bolts and associated nuts, can be firmly fixed to the other element of the tube segment concerned. Such a threaded bolt fastening may, for instance, be applied only with the last tube segment of a bend restrictor.

(25) It is noted that the above-mentioned examples of embodiments do not limit the invention and that various alternatives are possible.

(26) Thus, for instance, diverse variations are possible in the shapes, dimensions and materials of the element according to the invention.

(27) With the element according to the invention shown in the figures, a tube segment is formed through a circumferential interconnection of two such elements. Instead, an alternative bend restriction element according to the invention may also be modular for forming a tube segment by circumferential interconnection of three or more such alternative elements. The greater the number of elements per tube segment of an articulated tube, the stronger the connection between the elements of the tube will be in the hypothetical case where the articulated tube were to lose an individual element as a result of damage, and the better the function concerning the restriction of the hinging range of the hinging of the tube segments remains intact despite a thus lost individual element.

(28) In the example shown in the figures, an articulated tube is formed through interconnections of mutually identical specimens of elements according to the invention. Instead, however, it is also possible that an articulated tube is formed by interconnections of mutually (in shape) different specimens of elements according to the invention. Also, it is possible that at least one element according to the invention is interconnected together with at least one element of a different kind, not according to the invention, for forming an articulated tube.

(29) These and similar alternatives are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.