EP0304425A1 - Multi-path fluid swivel - Google Patents
Multi-path fluid swivelInfo
- Publication number
- EP0304425A1 EP0304425A1 EP87903163A EP87903163A EP0304425A1 EP 0304425 A1 EP0304425 A1 EP 0304425A1 EP 87903163 A EP87903163 A EP 87903163A EP 87903163 A EP87903163 A EP 87903163A EP 0304425 A1 EP0304425 A1 EP 0304425A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- core
- fluid
- housing
- recited
- swivel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L39/00—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
- F16L39/04—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies allowing adjustment or movement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L39/00—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
- F16L39/06—Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies of the multiline swivel type, e.g. comprising a plurality of axially mounted modules
Definitions
- This invention relates to a swivel useful in transferring fluids and in particular to a multiple line swivel capable of transferring fluids between a plurality of fixed lines and a plurality of rotating lines.
- the invention is particularly useful in transferring fluids between ships and the ocean floor.
- a group of fluid lines extend from the ocean floor to the vessel. These fluid lines permit the transfer of a variety of fluids between the vessel and the ocean floor. For example, certain fluid lines may be used to convey the oil and/or gas into the vessel while other fluid lines may be used to inject liquids or gases back into the reservoir while still others may be used for hydraulic or other control functions. Although these fluid lines are somewhat flexible and thus permit some movement of the vessel, they are fixed to the ocean floor and will not rotate to any significant degree. Therefore, in order to convey the fluids between these flexible but fixed fluid lines and the rotating vessel, it is necessary to have a fluid swivel.
- the swivel of the present invention is a multiline fluid swivel capable of transferring very high pressure fluids (such as: 3,000 psi) and various fluids such as oil, gas or water with varying pressures and temperatures.
- the swivel generally comprises a plurality of stacked modules with each module comprising an internal core and an external housing.
- Each core includes one integral fluid conduit which extends from the bottom of the core and opens through the side of the core into an annular chamber formed between the core and the housing.
- the housing then contains means for conducting the fluid out of the annular chamber. Additional features of the present invention include fluid sealing means in each module between the core and the housing above and below the annular chamber as well as fluid seals at the interfaces of the internal fluid conduits in adjacent cores.
- Figure 1 is a general view of the.swivel of the present invention partially in cross-section.
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 2-2 of Figure 1.
- FIG 3 is a detail view in vertical cross-section of a portion of the swivel taken along plane 3-3 of Figure 2.
- Figure 4 is an expanded view of a portion of Figure 3 showing further details of the junction between two modules.
- Figure 5 is a detail view in cross-section of the sealing means.
- the swivel 10 of the present invention is generally shown in Figure 1 and comprises the modules 12, 13 and 14 each of which has a core and a housing.
- Module 12 comprises the core 15 and housing 16
- module 13 comprises the core 17 and housing 18
- module 14 comprises the core 19 and housing 20.
- the swivel has been illustrated as containing three modules, the swivel may contain any desired number of modules.
- the lower one of the cores 15 is mounted on a base unit 21. Attached to the bottom of the base unit 21 are a plurality of nozzles 22 for the introduction of fluids into the swivel. Each module then has its own nozzle 23, 24 and 25 for withdrawing the fluids from the swivel.
- the nozzles 22 will be described for the purpose of introducing fluids into the swivel and nozzles 23, 24 and 25 will be described for the purpose of withdrawing fluids from the swivel but it should be recognized that the fluid flow can be in either direction as desired.
- a pipe 26 which does not form a part of the actual swivel but merely extends all the way up through the central axis of the swivel and exits at the top. This pipe 26 then is connected to pipe 28 by means of an independent single line swivel 30.
- Figure 3 shows the housing 18 and the core 17 in vertical cross-section as well as portions of the adjacent cores 15 and 19 and housings 16 and 20.
- core 17 as being typical, the core consists of a generally cylindrical piece having an external surface which is quite accurately machined within very close tolerances. The core 17 therefore fits within the housing 18 such that there is a very accurately controlled gap between the core 17 and the housing 18.
- the housing 18 includes an annular bearing 31 which rests on the annular lip 32 of the core 17. This bearing 31 serves to support the housing 18 on the core 17, maintain the core 17 centered within the housing 18 and serve as the bearing permitting rotation of the housing 18 around the core 17.
- a lubrication port 34 is provided for the injection of a lubricant into the space between the housing 18 and the core 17 adjacent the bearing 31.
- An annular seal 36 is located below the bearing 31 and between the lip 32 and the housing 18 to prevent leakage of the lubricant.
- An annular bearing 38 is located at the top of the module between the housing 18 and the core 17 which again maintains the core 17 centered within the housing 18.
- the housing 18 has a cutout portion on its internal surface which forms the annular flow chamber 40.
- sealing means 42 are provided in order to prevent the fluid from leaking out of the annular flow chamber between the housing 18 and the core 17.
- a preferred sealing means 42 will be more fully described hereinafter.
- a multiplicity of seals 42 can be provided as shown for redundancy, or for having a differential pressure between two seals to attain a greater pressure capacity for the module.
- the housing is provided with a passage 45 as shown in Figure 4 between the seals 42, to permit venting or collection of inner seal leakage, or be used to flush undesired materials from the seal, or to add lubricant to increase the life of the seal.
- This port also can be used for injection of a sealant for an interim period while awaiting replacement of the seal.
- the housing 18 is assembled onto the core 17 from the top and lowered down around the core 17.
- the external surface of the core is configured such that this assembly will be facilitated and such that there will be a minimum amount of accurate machining required of the external surface of the core.
- the inside diameter of the bearing 31 and the external diameter of the core 17 adjacent the bearing 31 are larger than the various diameters of the core above this point such that the bearing 31 will not interfere with assembly.
- the central part of the core is recessed at 43 since it need not be machined as accurately as the bearing and sealing surfaces. Since it is recessed, the tolerances can be greater without causing interference in the assembly process. Referring now again to Figures 2, 3, and 4, the core
- Each core contains an integral flow channel 44 which would normally be drilled or otherwise machined or formed in the core 17.
- This flow channel 44 is open to the bottom of the core 17 and extends upwardly somewhat past the midline of the core.
- An essentially rectangular outlet slot 46 extends from the flow channel 44 to the exterior side surface of the core 17 and thus connects the flow channel 44 with the annular flow channel 40. Therefore, fluids which are flowing up from the ocean floor into the flow channel 44 will flow out through the slot 46 into the annular chamber 40 and then out through the nozzle 24 shown in Figure 1.
- Each of the cores except the top core in a stack will also contain at least one additional integral flow channel 48 which is also open to the bottom of the core and extends all the way up through the core and is open to the top of the core.
- the one flow passages 48 which is illustrated is aligned with the flow passage 44 in the core 19 situated immediately above such that the fluid will flow up through the flow passage 48 in cores 15 and 17 and then into the flow passage 44 in core 19 after which it will exit in a similar manner out through the slot 46 in core 19 and the annular chamber 40 and the nozzle 25 in module 14.
- sealing means are provided in order to prevent leakage at the interface between the flow passage 48 in one core and the flow passage 44 or 48 in the next core.
- the preferred sealing means may be referred to as a stab seal or flow sleeve which is shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 and which is an annular ring 50 extending between and recessed into the two adjacent cores. Sealing means such as 0-rings 52 are then provided between the stab seal and the cores to provide the actual seal. These seals will allow slight movements due to thermal or pressure induced deflections without loss of seal.
- Figure 3 illustrates the arrangement for fastening adjacent cores together by means of of dowel and bolt arrangement.
- a passageway 54 which comprises a large bore portion 56, a smaller bore portion 58 and another large bore recess portion 60.
- the upper portion of the large bore portion 56 is threaded at 62.
- Threaded into this portion 62 is the retaining member 64.
- This retaining member 64 as well as being threaded into the threaded portion 62, extends up into the large bore recess 60 of the core located above.
- This retaining member 64 thus acts as a dowel for the rough alignment of the two cores and provides torque carrying capacity to prevent rotation of one core with respect to the other.
- a pliable sleeve 79 surrounds member 64 allowing for slight misalignment while providing a torque carrying capacity.
- the retaining member 64 also includes an internal threaded portion 66 which is employed to bolt the two core sections together. After the retaining member 64 is placed into one core section, the core section above would be put in place such that the extending portion of the fastening member 64 extends up into the recess 60. The retaining bolt 68 would then be inserted down through the large bore portion 56 of the upper core section and screwed into place into the retaining member 64 with the head 70 of the retaining bolt bearing on the ledge 71 between the large bore portion 56 and the smaller bore portion 58.
- the retaining or fastening arrangement combines the alignment and torque carrying capacity of dowels along with the axial load carrying capacity of a bolt, all within a minimum amount of space.
- fastening arrangements may be employed to fasten two core sections together as may be required.
- the modules are precisely centered by a conical stabbing point 92 which fits into a matching conical opening 93 in the next lower module or base plate 21.
- the housings are shorter in height than the cores such that there will be a space between successive housings as shown in Figure 1 and 3.
- the housings are not rigidly fastened in place but merely rest on the annular rings 32 as previously described and are maintained in place merely by gravity.
- adjacent housings are linked to each other by the aligning device 72 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- This aligning device 72 fits into the recesses 74 in the upper portion of each housing and is bolted in the recess 74 by a bolt 73 extending down through the center of the aligning device 72.
- the upper portion of the aligning device 72 is a generally spherical portion 76 which would be similar to a trailer hitch with this spherical portion 76 extending up into the recess 78 in the bottom of the housing which is located above.
- This spherical portion 76 in the recess 78 permits motion between the two housings and yet provides alignment and torque carrying capacity.
- the recess 78 may be lined with a sleeve 88 such as polytetrafluoroethylene or polyurethane as shown in Figure 4 to facilitate the relative motion between the housings.
- the preferred sealing means 42 is shown in Figure 5.
- the sealing means 42 is an annular ring which has a cross section of a generally U-shape as shown in this Figure 5.
- the preferred material for the seal 42 is an elastomeric material such as a filled fluorocarbon polymer (polytetrafluoroethylene) or a polyphenylene sulfide plastic.
- the particular configuration and the sizing of the seal are such that the distance between the outer tips of the U-shape are greater than the distance between the surface of the housing 17 and the inner surface 80 of the seal groove 82 in the housing 18.
- a resilient insert 84 which may be formed of rubber or a rubber-like material which provides resilience that assists in forcing the seal 42 against the sealing surfaces.
- This particular seal arrangement is very effective in sealing against high pressures such as 5,000 psi and yet permitting rotation of the housing with respect to the core. Also, the pressure on this seal is on the open end of the U-shape which therefore tends to compress the insert 84 which provides additional force to spread the seal 42 into the sealing contact.
- Located below the seal 42 is a hard retainer 86 formed for example from polyetheretherketone or other suitable material which prevents the seal 42 from being extruded into the gap between the housing and the core. This sealing means 42 is particularly beneficial in providing fluid seal under high pressures when there is slow oscillatory motion.
- the flow channels in the cores are integral flow channels.
- integral flow channels it is meant that these channels serve as the actual flow passages rather than mere openings through which pipes extend as found in the prior art.
- the size of the machined openings can be considerably smaller than if the openings had to be large enough to accommodate a pipe which itself was large enough to contain the large pressures.
- the entire core may be made smaller in diameter to accommodate the same number and size of lines or, in the alternative, a core of the same size as in the prior art would accommodate considerably more lines.
- the term "stationary" as applied to the cores is a relative term meaning that the cores are relatively stationary with respect to the ocean floor as compared to the housings which rotate with respect to the cores and therefore with respect to the ocean floor.
- the term stationary is not intended to mean that the cores are absolutely stationary.
- This multi-path fluid swivel is intended for primary use with lines ranging from 2 inch to 16 inch nominal diameters, but is not limited to those sizes.
- the present invention is significantly different in design than existing hydraulic control swivels which normally have multiple lines of smaller than one inch diameters.
- One of the significant advantages of the present invention is that the cores are adapted to accommodate many different flow arrangements such as the number and size of flow passages without changing the diameter of the core which allows for standardization of parts such as seals. Spare cores and housings can be stocked as blank parts ready for final machining of the proper size conduits for a particular module being replaced.
- Another advantage of the present invention is that individual modules can be removed for service or replacement at the operating
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Joints Allowing Movement (AREA)
- Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
- Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)
- Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Une tête de rotation (10) à passages ou à conduites multiples pour le transfert de fluides comprend plusieurs modules empilés (12, 13, 14), ayant chacun un noyau interne (15, 17, 19) et un logement externe (16, 18, 20). Chaque noyau comporte un conduit d'écoulement intégral (44) qui s'étend depuis le fond du noyau et s'ouvre à travers le côté du noyau dans la chambre annulaire (40). Des joints d'étanchéité (52), placés entre des noyaux adjacents, et des joints d'étanchéité (42), placés entre les noyaux et le logement, servent à empêcher ou à réduire les pertes de fluide. Les logements sont montés de façon rotative sur le noyau correspondant avec des espaces entre les logements adjacents afin de permettre la déflexion et la croissance axiale du noyau. Un dispositif (72), situé entre des logements, transmet les forces de rotation entre les logements tout en permettant un mouvement relatif dans la direction axiale. Des dispositifs (62, 64, 66, 68, 70) servent à fixer les noyaux adjacents l'un à l'autre et font office à la fois de goujons pour transmettre les forces de rotation et de boulons pour bloquer les noyaux les uns avec les autres dans la direction axiale.A rotary passage (10) with multiple passages or pipes for the transfer of fluids comprises several stacked modules (12, 13, 14), each having an internal core (15, 17, 19) and an external housing (16, 18 , 20). Each core has an integral flow conduit (44) which extends from the bottom of the core and opens through the side of the core into the annular chamber (40). Seals (52), placed between adjacent cores, and seals (42), placed between the cores and the housing, serve to prevent or reduce fluid loss. The housings are rotatably mounted on the corresponding core with spaces between the adjacent housings to allow deflection and axial growth of the core. A device (72), located between housings, transmits the rotational forces between the housings while allowing relative movement in the axial direction. Devices (62, 64, 66, 68, 70) serve to fix the adjacent cores to one another and act as both studs to transmit the rotational forces and bolts to block the cores together the others in the axial direction.
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US85917386A | 1986-05-02 | 1986-05-02 | |
US859173 | 1986-05-02 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0304425A1 true EP0304425A1 (en) | 1989-03-01 |
Family
ID=25330249
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87903163A Withdrawn EP0304425A1 (en) | 1986-05-02 | 1987-04-27 | Multi-path fluid swivel |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0304425A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH01502842A (en) |
KR (1) | KR920009632B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU599378B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8707688A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1274769A (en) |
NO (1) | NO875437L (en) |
WO (1) | WO1987006674A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1228785B (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1991-07-03 | Enea | MULTI-LINE MODULAR ROTARY JOINT PERFECTED FOR THE TRANSFER OF FLUIDS. |
US5104154A (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1992-04-14 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho | Swivel joint |
NL9001006A (en) * | 1990-04-26 | 1991-11-18 | Cornelis Nicolaas Hardeman | MOBILE MIXING AND DELIVERY DEVICE FOR LIVESTOCK. |
KR100489915B1 (en) * | 2001-10-08 | 2005-05-19 | 김태규 | A structure for preventing dual hose from twisting |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS49121121A (en) * | 1973-03-28 | 1974-11-19 | ||
NL168770C (en) * | 1976-04-13 | 1982-05-17 | Ihc Holland Nv | SWIVEL COUPLING FOR TWO OR MORE PIPES FOR A TRANSFER BUOY. |
US4126336A (en) * | 1976-12-20 | 1978-11-21 | Exxon Production Research Company | Multiline swivel |
-
1987
- 1987-04-27 JP JP62502632A patent/JPH01502842A/en active Pending
- 1987-04-27 EP EP87903163A patent/EP0304425A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-04-27 WO PCT/US1987/000933 patent/WO1987006674A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1987-04-27 KR KR1019870701267A patent/KR920009632B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1987-04-27 BR BR8707688A patent/BR8707688A/en unknown
- 1987-04-27 AU AU73070/87A patent/AU599378B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-05-01 CA CA000536148A patent/CA1274769A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-12-28 NO NO875437A patent/NO875437L/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO8706674A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR8707688A (en) | 1989-08-15 |
NO875437D0 (en) | 1987-12-28 |
KR880701349A (en) | 1988-07-26 |
CA1274769A (en) | 1990-10-02 |
NO875437L (en) | 1987-12-28 |
AU599378B2 (en) | 1990-07-19 |
WO1987006674A1 (en) | 1987-11-05 |
KR920009632B1 (en) | 1992-10-22 |
AU7307087A (en) | 1987-11-24 |
JPH01502842A (en) | 1989-09-28 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19881031 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19891201 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: KEY OCEAN SERVICES, INC. |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19901016 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: TURNER, EDWARD, HUGH Inventor name: THARP, SAMUEL, PEPPER Inventor name: KEY, JOE, WAYNE |