GB2434022A

GB2434022A - Mounting an antifouling article to an object

Info

Publication number: GB2434022A
Application number: GB0700225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alastair Milne
Original assignee: CHAMPION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOL
Current assignee: CHAMPION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOL
Priority date: 2006-01-06
Filing date: 2007-01-08
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-08
Also published as: GB2434022B; GB0700225D0; GB0600196D0

Abstract

A method of mounting an article to an object, the article having at least one visual character, being at least partly of an anti-fouling material and using adhesive to secure the anti-fouling material to the object. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a method of mounting a sign (12) on a pipe section (10) to be located in an aquatic environment is disclosed. The sign (12) has a number of visual characters (14) and is at least partly of an anti-fouling material. The method comprises the steps of applying an adhesive (24) which is compatible with the anti-fouling material of the sign (12) to at least one of a surface of the sign (12) and a surface (16) of the pipe section (10); and locating the sign (12) on the pipe section (10) such that the adhesive (24) forms a bond between the anti-fouling material of the sign (12) and the pipe section (10), to thereby mount the sign (12) on the pipe section (10).

Description

1 Method of mounting an article to an object 3 The present invention

relates to a method of mounting an 4 article to an object, the article having at least one visual character and being at least partly of an anti-6 fouling material. The present invention also relates to 7 an object having such an article mounted thereon and to 8 such an article. In particular, but not exclusively, the 9 present invention relates to a method of mounting an article to an object to be located in an aquatic 11 environment.

13 Various different types of articles incorporating visual 14 characters are known, such as signs. The visual characters are typically numerals, letters, words, 16 phrases, sentences or other indicia. One particular type 17 of sign is utilised in aquatic environments such as 18 subsea locations, for marking or providing information 19 about an object located below the surface or on the seabed. Such signs have a particular utility in the oil 21 and gas exploration and production industry. Aquatic 22 growth, such as barnacles, algae and other aquatic 23 vegetation is a particular problem, and can cause fouling 1 of such subsea signs so that the sign becomes illegible.

2 In an effort to overcome these problems, polymeric anti- 3 fouling silicone based compositions were developed in the 4 l980s which resist such aquatic growth, as disclosed for example in European Patent Publication No. 0171110 <Shell 6 Internationale Research). Signs manufactured from or 7 incorporating these materials comprise a semi-compatible 8 lubricant, which has a tendency to leach out from the 9 surface of the sign in use, thereby preventing aquatic growth and fouling of the sign.

12 International Patent Publication No. 2005/042220 13 (Movevirgo) discloses a moulding method and apparatus 14 which has a particular utility in the manufacture of such signs. In general terms, the signs are manufactured by 16 constructing a mould; forming a character template on a 17 surface of the mould; pouring a silicone material into 18 the mould to form visual characters defined by the 19 template; partially curing the characters; removing the template; coupling a backing sheet to the mould; 21 inclining the mould from the horizontal; pouring a 22 relief, substrate silicone material (of a different 23 colour) into the mould through a small aperture; curing 24 the sign; and then releasing the completed sign from the mould. Whilst signs manufactured according to this method 26 function well in terms of resisting aquatic growth, there 27 are various disadvantages or problems associated with the 28 moulding method and the resultant signs.

In particular, the nature of the materials used to 31 manufacture the signs creates difficulties in bonding the 32 signs to a subsea object. To address this, the signs 33 incorporate a backing sheet with an irregular surface. A 1 preferred sheet is of a type including loops, such as 2 those provided on hook-and-loop fastener sheets, sold 3 under the VELCRO Trade Mark. During manufacture of the 4 sign, the silicone material forms a mechanical connection with the loops on the backing sheet. The completed sign 6 may then be attached to an object to be located subsea 7 using a suitable adhesive which bonds to the backing 8 sheet. However, a thin layer of a plastics material is 9 provided on the backing sheet on the surface opposite that bearing the loops, to prevent uncured silicone from ii. seeping through the VELCRO (TM) sheet during manufacture.

12 This thin layer of plastics material can be easily 13 detached from the backing sheet, reducing mechanical 14 strength of the sign, in use. Furthermore, the backing sheet adds to the manufacturing time and cost of the 16 sign, and reduces flexibility.

18 It is amongst the objects of embodiments of the present 19 invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.

22 According to a first aspect of the present invention, 23 there is provided a method of mounting an article on an 24 object, the article having at least one visual character and being at least partly of an anti-fouling material, 26 the method comprising the steps of: 27 applying an adhesive which is compatible with the anti- 28 fouling material to at least one of a surface of the 29 article and a surface of the object; and locating the article on the object such that the adhesive 31 forms a bond between the anti-fouling material of the 32 article and the object, to thereby mount the article on 33 the object.

1 The invention therefore facilitates mounting of the 2 article on the object by forming a direct bond between 3 the anti-fouling material of the article and the object.

The method may be a method of mounting a sign on an 6 object. By manufacturing a sign according to the method 7 of the invention, a requirement to provide a backing 8 sheet on the sign, as is the case with existing signs 9 incorporating anti-fouling materials, may be avoided.

This may provide associated savings in terms of 11 manufacturing time, materials and thus cost of the signs, 12 and may also facilitate provision of a sign with improved 13 flexibility.

The visual character may be a numeral, letter, symbol, 16 logo, iridicia or the like. There may be a plurality of 17 visual characters in the article, defining a word, phrase 18 or sentence, or a combination of numerals, letters, 19 symbols or the like.

21 The step of applying the adhesive may comprise applying a 22 silicone based adhesive, particularly a silicone polymer 23 based adhesive, such as that commercially available from 24 the Applicant under the product designation Champion Adhesive 8888/Aquasign adhesive 8888. It will be 26 understood that the adhesive is compatible with the anti- 27 fouling material in that it is capable of forming a 28 chemical bond with the anti-fouling material, for secure 29 mounting of the article to the object.

31 The object may be for location in an aquatic environment.

32 It will be understood that references herein to an 33 aquatic environment are to environments such as an ocean, 1 sea, lake or river bed, or to a location at or below the 2 surface of an ocean, sea, lake or river.

4 The article may be at least partly of a silicone based anti-fouling material, such as that commercially 6 available from the Applicant under the product 7 designation Champion Base 1101. It will be understood 8 that references herein to an anti-fouling material are to 9 a material which resists aquatic growth, such as barnacles, algae and marine vegetation, that would 11 otherwise obscure the visual character of the article.

13 Preferably, the adhesive is applied so as to form a bond 14 between an entire surface of the article and the object surface, or a substantial part of the article surface.

16 For example, the adhesive may be applied to an area of 17 the object surface at least equal to the area of the 18 article surface; or the adhesive may be applied to the 19 entire surface of the article. To facilitate a bond between the entire surface of the article and the object, 21 an entire rear or back surface of the article may be of 22 the anti-fouling material. This may be achieved by 23 providing an article where a substrate of the article 24 (which forms a back or rear surface of the article) is of the anti-fouling material; or by providing an article 26 where a back or rear surface of the article is defined by 27 a rear surface of the visual character and by a border 28 material, and where the visual character and the border 29 are of anti-fouling materials.

31 Alternatively, the adhesive may form a bond between part 32 of a surface of the article and the object surface. This 33 may be achieved by only applying adhesive to the object 1 surface over an area which will cover part of the area of 2 the article surface, or by applying the adhesive to part 3 of the surface of the article (such as around a border or 4 perimeter of the article).

6 The article may be located on the object by application 7 of pressure to the article. For example, in embodiments 8 of the invention, a force may be exerted on the article 9 using a roller, press, clamp or the like. This may facilitate expulsion of trapped air from between the 11 article and object surfaces. Additionally or 12 alternatively, the method may comprise applying heat to 13 the article and/or the object following location of the 14 article on the object surface, which may facilitate curing of the adhesive.

17 According to a second aspect of the present invention, 18 there is provided an object having an article mounted on 19 a surface thereof, the article comprising at least one visual character and being at least partly of an anti- 21 fouling material, wherein the article is mounted on the 22 surface of the object by an adhesive which is compatible 23 with the anti-fouling material such that there is a bond 24 between the anti-fouling material of the article and the object surface.

27 Preferably, the article is a sign but may be any other 28 suitable alternative article.

The visual character may be a numeral, letter, symbol, 31 logo, indicia or the like. The article may comprise a 32 plurality of visual characters, and the characters may 1 define a word, phrase or sentence, or a combination of 2 numerals, letters, symbols or the like.

4 The adhesive may be a silicone based adhesive, particularly a silicone polymer based adhesive, such as 6 that commercially available from the Applicant under the 7 product designation Champion Adhesive 8888/Aquasign 8 adhesive 8888.

The object may be adapted for location in an aquatic 11 environment such as an ocean, sea, lake or river bed, or 12 at a location at or below the surface of an ocean, sea, 13 lake or river. The object may therefore take the form of 14 a subsurface (such as a subsea) component and may, for example, be a pipeline, flowline, marine riser or any 16 other conduit or tubing or section thereof; or part of a 17 flow control assembly for controlling flow of well fluids 18 from a number of producing wells to surface.

Preferably, the article is at least partly of a silicone 21 based anti-fouling material, such as that commercially 22 available from the Applicant under the product 23 designation Champion Base 1101.

The adhesive may be adapted to form a bond between an 26 entire surface of the article and the object surface, or 27 a substantial part of the article surface. For example, 28 the adhesive may be adapted to be supplied to an area of 29 the object surface at least equal to the area of the article surface; or the adhesive may be adapted to be 31 applied to the entire surface of the article. To 32 facilitate a bond between the entire surface of the 33 article and the object, an entire rear or back surface of 1 the article may be of the anti-fouling material. To 2 achieve this, a substrate of the article (which forms a 3 back or rear surface of the article) may be of an anti- 4 fouling material; or a back or rear surface of the article may be defined by a rear surface of the visual 6 character and by a border material, where the visual 7 character and the border are of anti-fouling materials.

9 Alternatively, the adhesive may be adapted to form a bond between a part of a surface of the article and the object 11 surface. This may be achieved by only applying adhesive 12 to the object surface over an area which will cover part 13 of the area of the article surface; or by applying the 14 adhesive to part of the surface of the article (such as around a border or perimeter of the article).

17 According to a third aspect of the present invention, 18 there is provided an article adapted to be mounted on a 19 surface of an object, the article comprising at least one visual character and being at least partly of an anti- 21 fouling material, the article adapted to be mounted on 22 the object by an adhesive which is compatible with the 23 anti-fouling material so as to form a bond between the 24 object surface and the anti-fouling material.

26 Further features of the article are defined above in 27 relation to the second aspect of the invention.

28 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, 29 there is provided use of an adhesive for mounting an article on an object, the article having at least one 31 visual character and being at least partly of an anti- 32 fouling material, the adhesive being compatible with the 33 anti-fouling material and being applied to at least one 1 the article may be of the anti-fouling material. To 2 achieve this, a substrate of the article (which forms a 3 back or rear surface of the article) may be of an anti- 4 fouling material; or a back or rear surface of the article may be defined by a rear surface of the visual 6 character and by a border material, where the visual 7 character and the border are of anti-fouling materials.

28 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, 29 there is provided use of an adhesive for mounting an article on an object, the article having at least one 31 visual character and being at least partly of an anti- 32 fouling material, the adhesive being compatible with the 33 anti-fouling material and being applied to at least one 1 of a surface of the article and a surface of the object 2 to form a bond between the anti-fouling material of the 3 article and the object, to thereby mount the article on 4 the object.

6 Further features of the fourth aspect of the invention 7 corresponding to features of the first aspect of the 8 invention are defined above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be 11 described, by way of example only, with reference to the 12 accompanying drawings, in which: 14 Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an object to be located in an aquatic environment, the object shown 16 prior to mounting of an article in the form of a sign on 17 the object; 19 Figs. 2 to 15 are various perspective views illustrating steps in a method of mounting the article to the object 21 of Fig. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of 22 the present invention; and 24 Fig. 16 is a view illustrating application of a protective material to the article following mounting on 26 the object of Fig. 1.

28 Turning firstly to Fig. 1, there is shown a schematic, 29 perspective view of an object to be located in an aquatic environment, the object indicated generally by reference 31 numeral 10 and shown prior to mounting of an article in 32 the form of a sign 12 on the object 10 according to a 33 method of the invention.

1 In the illustrated embodiment, the object 10 is part of a 2 section of tubing which is to be located on the seabed 3 (not shown) in an offshore environment, to form a subsea 4 pipeline for well fluids such as oil and gas. However, it will be understood that the object may be any other 6 object which it is desired to locate in the subsea 7 environment, such as part of a marine riser or other 8 tubing; part of a welihead, blow out preventer (BOP) or 9 other flow control equipment; or indeed a component of a subsea flow control network linking a number of producing 11 wells to surface. Furthermore, the object may be for 12 location in any desired aquatic environment, such as an 13 ocean, lake or river bed or in a location at or below the 14 surface of an ocean, sea, lake or river.

16 The sign 12 is of a type including a number of visual 17 characters 14 which together form a marking or 18 instruction. Once located on the seabed, the sign 12 19 provides a clear indication or marking for a diver, or for an operator viewing the sign 12 through a camera of a 21 remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The sign may, for 22 example, provide information identifying the nature of 23 the pipe section 10; the location of specific components 24 (such as a valve) on the pipe section 10; or may provide a warning to the diver/operator.

27 The sign 12 is at least partly of an anti-fouling 28 material which resists aquatic growth such as barnacles, 29 algae and aquatic vegetation, which would otherwise lead to the sign becoming illegible over time as the growth 31 accumulates. Suitable anti-fouling materials include 32 silicone materials incorporating a semi-compatible 33 lubricant which has a tendency to leach out from the 1 surface of the sign in use, thereby preventing aquatic 2 growth. Materials of this type are disclosed, for 3 example, in European Patent Publication Number 017110, 4 but preferred materials include silicones comprising the additive commercially available from the Applicant under 6 the product designation Champion Additive 5555.

8 The sign 12 may be manufactured according to one of a 9 number of methods. For example, in one suitable method, a mould (not shown) is first assembled, and then a 11 template (also not shown) which defines an outline of 12 visual characters (such as the characters 14) is 13 constructed. The template is placed on a base of the 14 mould, and an anti-fouling silicone material of a first colour (typically black) is painted on to the mould to 16 fill the outline of the visual characters defined by the 17 template. Following partial curing, optionally by 18 applied heat, the template is removed such that the 19 visual characters remain on the base of the mould. It will be understood that the visual characters are formed 21 in mirror image as the surface of the sign formed on the 22 base of the mould will, in use, form the front or viewing 23 surface of the sign.

A second anti-fouling silicone material of a different 26 colour (typically yellow) is then supplied to the mould 27 to form a substrate or backing for the visual characters.

28 A backing sheet may be fixed to the mould prior to 29 pouring of the second anti-fouling material, and the mould inclined to ensure that air bubbles do not form in 31 the completed sign.

32 A similar method is disclosed in International Patent 33 Publication Number 2005/042220. However, in contrast to 1 the method of W02005/042220, the sign 12 does not include 2 or require a backing sheet in the finished sign. Indeed, 3 as will be discussed in more detail below, the sign 12 is 4 secured to the pipe section directly by means of an adhesive which is compatible with the anti-fouling 6 material of the sign. In this fashion, the adhesive 7 forms a chemical bond with the anti-fouling material 8 forming the substrate of the sign 12, for securing the 9 sign 12 to the pipe section 10.

11 The method of mounting the sign 12 to the pipe section 10 12 will now be described in more detail, with reference also 13 to the various perspective views of Figs 2. to 15.

In preparation for mounting of the sign 12 to an external 16 surface 16 of the pipe section 10, an area 18 (Fig. 1) of 17 the surface 16 is shot-blasted and then cleaned using a 18 cloth impregnated with a solvent such as acetone, as 19 shown in Fig 2. A rear surface 20 of the sign 12 is then also cleaned with the solvent impregnated cloth, as shown 21 in Fig. 3. The sign 12 is then located at a desired 22 position within the shot-blasted, cleaned area 18 of the 23 pipe surface 16, as shown in Fig. 4, and an outline 22 of 24 the sign 12 is marked on the pump surface 16, as shown in Fig. 5.

27 An adhesive 24 such as that commercially available from 28 the Applicant under the product designation Champion 29 Adhesive 8888/Aquasign Adhesive 8888, which is compatible with the anti-fouling silicone material in the sign 12 31 substrate, is then applied to the pipe surface 16 in the 32 region bordered by the outline 22. The adhesive is 33 spread out, overlapping the edges of the outline 22, as 1 shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The sign 12 is then 2 positioned over the spread adhesive 24 and is carefully 3 applied to the pipe surface 16, to seek to avoid trapping 4 any air between the rear surface 20 of the sign 12 and the pipe surface 16, as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

6 Any residual air is then squeezed out of the interface 7 between the sign rear surface 20 and the pipe surface 16 8 using a roller 26, as shown in Figs 13. and 14.

Excess adhesive 24 is then trimmed prior to complete 11 curing using a blade or scraper 28, as shown in Fig. 15, 12 and the adhesive is then allowed to fully cure. The pipe 13 section 16 is now ready for deployment on to the seabed.

14 However, in a final step, a protective cover, such as a thick black PVC tape 30, is applied to the outer, viewing 16 surface 32 of the sign 12, to protect the sign against 17 dust, grit, weld splatter and mechanical damage (Fig. 18 16). In an alternative, it may only be necessary to 19 provide a cover which protects the sign 12 from ultraviolet (UV) light, which would otherwise cause 21 fading of the sign 12. The pipe 10 carrying the sign 12 22 is then ready for shipping offshore, when the protective 23 cover 30 is removed and the pipe located on the seabed.

Various modifications may be made to the foregoing 26 without departing from the spirit and scope of the 27 present invention.

29 For example, a back or rear surface of the article may be defined by a rear surface of the visual character and by 31 a border material, and the visual character and the 32 border material may be of anti-fouling material.

1 The adhesive may form a bond between a part of a surface 2 of the article arid the object surface. This may be 3 achieved by only applying adhesive to the object surface 4 over an area which will cover part of the area of the article surface; or by applying the adhesive to part of 6 the surface of the article (such as around a border or 7 perimeter of the article).

9 The method may comprise applying heat to the article and/or the object following location of the article on 11 the object surface. This may facilitate curing of the 12 adhesive.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. A method of mounting an article on an object, the 4

article having at least one visual character and being at least partly of an anti-fouling material, 6 the method comprising the steps of: 7 applying an adhesive which is compatible with the 8 anti-fouling material to at least one of a surface 9 of the article and a surface of the object; and locating the article on the object such that the 11 adhesive forms a bond between the anti-fouling 12 material of the article and the object, to thereby 13 mount the article on the object.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method 16 is a method of mounting a sign on an object.

18 3. A method as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, 19 wherein the method is a method of mounting an article having at least one visual character 21 selected from the group comprising a numeral, 22 letter, symbol, logo, and indicia on an object.

24 4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of applying the adhesive to at least one of 26 the surface of the article and the surface of the 27 object comprises applying a silicone based adhesive.

29 5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of applying the adhesive to at least one of 31 the surface of the article and the surface of the 32 object comprises applying a silicone polymer based 33 adhesive.

2 6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 3 the adhesive forms a chemical bond between the 4 object and the anti-fouling material of the article.

6 7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 7 the object is for location in an aquatic 8 environment.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 11 the method is a method of mounting an article at 12 least partly of a silicone based anti-fouling 13 material on an object.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 16 the adhesive is applied so as to form a bond between 17 an entire surface of the article and the object 18 surface.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, 21 wherein the adhesive is applied over an area of the 22 object which will cover part of the area of the 23 article surface, or to part of the surface of the 24 article.

26 11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 27 the method is a method of mounting an article having 28 a rear surface entirely of anti-fouling material on 29 an object.

31 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which the 32 article has a substrate forming the rear surface of 1 the article, and in which the substrate is of the 2 anti-fouling material.

4 13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the method is a method of mounting an article having a rear 6 surface defined by a rear surface of the visual 7 character and by a border material on an object, and 8 where in the visual character and the border are of 9 anti-fouling materials.

11 14. An object having an article mounted on a surface 12 thereof, the article comprising at least one visual 13 character and being at least partly of an anti- 14 fouling material, wherein the article is mounted on the surface of the object by an adhesive which is 16 compatible with the anti-fouling material such that 17 there is a bond between the anti-fouling material of 18 the article and the object surface.

15. An object as claimed in claim 14, wherein the 21 article is a sign.

23 16. An object as claimed in either of claims 14 or 15, 24 wherein the at least one visual character is selected from the group comprising a numeral, 26 letter, symbol, logo and indicia.

28 17. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, 29 wherein the adhesive is a silicone based adhesive.

31 18. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, 32 wherein the adhesive is a silicone polymer based 33 adhesive.

2 19. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, 3 wherein the object is adapted for location in an 4 aquatic environment.

6 20. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, 7 wherein the article is at least partly of a silicone 8 based anti-fouling material.

21. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, 11 wherein the adhesive is adapted to form a bond 12 between an entire surface of the article and the 13 object surface.

22. An object as claimed in claim 21, wherein the 16 adhesive is adapted to be supplied to an area of the 17 object surface at least equal to the area of the 18 article surface; or to the entire surface of the 19 article.

21 23. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, 22 wherein the adhesive is adapted to be applied to the 23 object surface over an area which will cover part of 24 the area of the article surface; or to part of the surface of the article.

27 24. An object as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 23, 28 wherein an entire rear surface of the article is of 29 the anti-fouling material.

31 25. An object as claimed in claim 24, wherein the 32 article comprises a substrate which forms the rear 1 surface of the article, and wherein the substrate is 2 of the anti-fouling material.

4 26. An object as claimed in claim 24, wherein the rear surface of the article is defined by a rear surface 6 of the visual character and by a border material, 7 and wherein the visual character and the border are 8 of anti-fouling materials.

27. n article adapted to be mounted on a surface of an 11 object, the article comprising at least one visual 12 character and being at least partly of an anti- 13 fouling material, the article adapted to be mounted 14 on the object by an adhesive which is compatible with the anti-fouling material so as to form a bond 16 between the object surface and the anti-fouling 17 material.

19 28. Use of an adhesive for mounting an article on an object, the article having at least one visual 21 character and being at least partly of an anti- 22 fouling material, the adhesive being compatible with 23 the anti-fouling material and being applied to at 24 least one of a surface of the article and a surface of the object to form a bond between the anti-26 fouling material of the article and the object, to 27 thereby mount the article on the object.

29 29. A method of mounting an article on an object substantially as described herein with reference to 31 and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

1. 30. An object having an article mounted on a surface 2 thereof substantially as described herein with 3 reference to and as shown in the accompanying 4 drawings.

6 31. An article adapted to be mounted on a surface of an 7 object substantially as described herein with 8 reference to and as shown in the accompanying 9 drawings.

11 32. Use of an adhesive for mounting an article on an 12 object substantially as described herein with 13 reference to and as shown in the accompanying 14 drawings.