Patents Assigned to NKT Flexible I/S
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Patent number: 8163364Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner liner. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and at least one film layer, the polymer layer being bonded to the film layer via one or more bondings selected from the group of chemical bondings and physical bondings. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids on the film side of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Poul Erik Braad, Inger Margrete Procida
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Patent number: 8082954Abstract: A flexible pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment. The pipe comprises a liner for confining the fluid, an armoring layer surrounding the liner, and an outer protective sheath surrounding the armoring layer and allowing radial expansion and contraction of the armoring layers. The outer protective sheath comprises at least two protective layers of helically wound composite wires with essentially opposite winding angles and locally held together, providing a relatively flexible yet fixed structure of the outer sheath. The outer sheath is held together in an array of discrete spots or along linear or curved paths. Flexibility is maintained because the stiffness in shear in the wires of adjacent protective layers may be made much larger in areas being locally held together than outside these areas. This allows a change of angles between the wires of two adjacent layers of the outer protective sheath during elongation or shortening of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Jan Rytter
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Patent number: 8056585Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible pipe for transportation of fluids and gasses, e.g. useful in water transportation, and in offshore transportation of crude oil e.g. from seabed to an installation or between installations. The flexible pipe of the invention comprises a new type of armouring layers which is made from a combination of one or more profiled wires and one or more metal strips. A folded strip is an endless unit with at least one fold and a width which in unfolded condition is at least 6 times its thickness, such as at least 10, such as at least 15, such as at least 25 times its thickness or even up to 100 or 500 times its thickness. A profile is a preshaped non-folded cross sectional profile. The profile may preferably have a width of less than 6 times its thickness. The term ‘endless’ is used to indicate that the tapes and profiles are very long compared to their other dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Jonas Gudme
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Publication number: 20110232798Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner liner. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and at least one film layer, said polymer layer being bonded to said film layer via one or more bondings selected from the group of chemical bondings and physical bondings. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer, such as aluminum film, stainless steel film or duplex film. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids (hydrogen sulphides, methane and carbon dioxide) on the film side of the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Poul Erik Braad, Inger Margrete Procida
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Patent number: 7987875Abstract: A flexible, typically un-bonded, armored pipe, and a method manufacturing a flexible pipe. The pipe has a center axis and comprises an inner liner surrounded by a radial armoring and an axial armoring, the radial and axial armoring each comprising at least one armoring layer of armoring profiles wound with winding angles ?i relative to the center axis. The winding angle of the innermost armoring layer ?innermost is larger than the winding angle of the outermost armoring layer ?outermost. The outer radial armoring layer has sufficient strength and flexibility to prevent prohibitively large radial deformations of underlying axial armoring layers without considerably increasing the radial contact pressure on underlying axial armoring layer. At least one fibrous layer, comprising at least two fibrous cords wound on an underlying layer, surrounds the outermost armoring layer. The flexible pipe is useful in terrestrial and/or subsea transport of fluids at elevated temperature and/or pressures.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Jan Rytter
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Patent number: 7976920Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner line. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and one film layer, said polymer layer being bonded to said film layer. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer, such as aluminum film, stainless steel film or duplex film. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids (hydrogen, sulphides, methane and carbon dioxide) on the film side of the pipe. Thereby, it is possible to protect armour layer(s) from aggressive fluids.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Poul Erik Braad, Inger Margrete Procida
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Patent number: 7923126Abstract: The invention relates to a use of a duplex steel for the production of an armouring layer of a flexible pipe comprising at least one unbonded armouring layer and at least one unbonded sealing layer wherein the duplex steel comprises in weight percent 0.01-0.05% by weight of carbon (C) at least 0.15% by weight of nitrogen (N) 20.0-23.0% by weight of chromium (Cr) up to 3.0% by weight of nickel (Ni) up to 1.0% by weight of molybdenum (Mo) 3-6% by weight of manganese (Mn) up to 1.0% by weight of copper (Cu) incidental impurities and balance being iron (Fe).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Jonas Gudme
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Patent number: 7842149Abstract: For use in the manufacture of reinforcement layers for flexible pipes which are capable of absorbing compressive or tensile forces, and which are used for the transport of oil and gas, a thermoplastic material is applied to a strength-imparting layer. The strength-imparting layers are reeled on reels, and following unreeling they are laminated by application of heat and in direct continuation applied to the flexible pipe. The strength-imparting layer expediently consists of a polymer which is reinforced with at least 20% by volume of fibres. The thermoplastic material is of a reversible type, i.e. it may change from being relatively soft, but non-sticky by changes in temperature. The use of the method according to the invention allows manufacture of very strong reinforcements for flexible pipes which cannot be manufactured using a solid material, such as steel, since high performing bending forces are required in the shaping.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbøl, Jakob Wedel-Heinen
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Patent number: 7829009Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Inger-Margrethe Procida
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Patent number: 7302973Abstract: A reinforced flexible pipeline (1), which has an inner liner (3) whose inner side engages an inner reinforcement layer (2) that may be formed by a so-called carcass, and on whose outer side at least a strength-imparting reinforcement layer (4, 5, 6, 7) is provided, has an additional barrier layer (9, 10, 11) which is arranged between the inner liner and the inner reinforcement layer. The additional barrier layer is thermally insulating and/or chemically protecting. The additional barrier layer may be formed as a tape (9) which is wound around the inner reinforcement layer, or may be composed of locking profiles (10, 11) which are wound around the flexible pipeline in a helix. The additional barrier layer (9, 10, 11) may be made completely or partly of a polymer which may be thermoplastic, or is cross-linked completely or partly. Hereby, the pipe may be protected against temperatures above e.g. 13° C. and may also be protected against attacks from methanol that contains water.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbøl, Jakob Wedel-Heinen
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Patent number: 7303213Abstract: A pipe structure comprising a length of a flexible pipe connected to an end fitting, the flexible pipe comprising an armour layer and an underlying pipe layer the armour layer, the underlying pipe layer having an outer surface around which armouring wires of an armouring layer are helically wound. The pipe structure provides a coupling between a flexible pipe comprising armouring wires and an end fitting, the coupling exerting a relatively low bending or flexure strain on the wires during normal operation of the flexible pipe. The transition path of an armouring wire between the flexible pipe and the end fitting comprises a straight-line-section between a wire-pipe-exit-point where the wire extends away from its underlying pipe layer and a straight-line-end-point on a support unit of the end fitting where the armouring wire in question has its first tangential point of contact.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: NKT Flexible I/SInventor: Jan Rytter
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Patent number: 7069955Abstract: An armoured flexible pipe consists of an inner liner (3), which surrounds a carcass (1, 2). On the other side of the inner liner (3) there are two armour layers, where the innermost (5, 6) is a pressure armour layer, while the outermost (7, 8) is a tensile armour layer. An outer sheath (9) is finally applied around the armour layers. With the object of ensuring a low transport of heat through the walls of the pipe, one or more thermally-insulating layers (10) are extruded on the outside of the inner liner, where, depending on the use of the pipe, the layers can consist, for example, of a polymer or polymeric mixture, polyolefin, such as a polypropylene, or a polyketon. The flexible pipe according to the invention is especially applicable for use in the extraction, transport or refining of mineral oil or related fluids.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbol, Jakob Wedel-Heinen
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Patent number: 7024941Abstract: For use in the monitoring of a tubular member (1) having at least a helically wound reinforcement layer (10), the invention provides a method of mounting a sensor arrangement (17, 18), wherein the reinforcement layer is formed with a groove (16) which is filled with a liquid material (19), such as an epoxy type, and wherein the sensor arrangement is passed into the liquid material by means of a pressure applied by a roller prior to the solidification of the liquid material. In a preferred embodiment, the groove is formed in the reinforcement layer before this is helically wound on the tubular member. Hereby, the sensor arrangement is arranged well-protected without any risk of damage, which may e.g. occur if the tubular member is of the unbonded type, where the reinforcement layer may consist of two layers that may move relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Martin Andersen
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Patent number: 7000645Abstract: A flexible, armored pipe is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible, armored pipe includes an impermeable liner, an outer armoring layer, and an inner armoring layer. The inner armoring layer includes one or more wound armoring elements, and the outer armoring layer is placed on the outside of the liner, and includes at least two layers of wound armoring elements which are completely or partly permeable for fluids. Further, the inner armoring layer is placed on the inside of the liner. In certain embodiments, the inner armoring is built up of wound profiles, K profiles, or profiles which include a rolled strip.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian GlejbØl, Niels-Jørgen Rishøj Nielsen
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Patent number: 6981526Abstract: An armoured flexible pipe has an inner liner (3) surrounded by a pressure armour (5, 6) that is surrounded by a tensile armour (7, 8). The pressure armour (5, 6) is constructed from a number of profiles (5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c) which may engage with each other. In order to obtain optimum functionality, the profiles are shaped as X profiles (14, 14a, 14b, 14c) which are kept together with another type of profile, e.g. C or T type profiles. In one embodiment, the X profiles have an open channel (17). In this way gas or liquid, such as rinsing fluid, may be pumped through the armour layer, from one end of the pipe to the other end. In particular, the armoured flexible pipe is useful for conveying fluids such as water, ammonia, hydrocarbons, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbol, Jan Christian Rytter
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Patent number: 6978806Abstract: A flexible, armoured pipe has an impermeable inner liner (3), which is surrounded by at least two reinforcement layers (5, 6, 7, 8). Between the reinforcement layers an impermeable membrane (10) is provided, which ensures that fluids do not permeate into the inner reinforcement layers (5, 6) from the pipe's outer reinforcement layers (7, 8). The outer layers are not isolated from influence from the surrounding environment. Moreover, the outer layers (traction reinforcement layers) are protected against the damaging effect of gases, which are diffused out through the flexible pipe. On the outside of the outer traction reinforcement layers (7, 8) a layer (11) can be applied, which is easily permeated by the surroundings, and which protects the traction reinforcement layer against mechanical influences. In this way it is ensured that the pressure reinforcement can absorb forces both from inner as well as outer pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: NKT Flexible I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbol, Jan Christian Rytter
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Patent number: 6889718Abstract: Flexible, armored pipes and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible, armored pipe includes an inner liner which is surrounded by a pressure armor. The inner liner may be built-up by joining together profiles that have a number of recesses. In one embodiment, the profiles are configured as K-profiles, which have recesses that are arranged in adjoining surfaces of the profile. When the profiles are brought together, the recesses form a cavity in which a locking element can be inserted, the function of which is to prevent displacement of the K-profiles at right-angles to the axial direction of the pipe when exposed to axial, compressive forces. The locking element can be I-shaped, circular or configured as a wire with a C-shaped cross-section. The locking element can also be made either of a rigid or an elastic, deformable material. With a C-shaped locking element, the whole of the cavity, which is formed by the recesses, is not filled out.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbøl, Jakob Wedel-Heinen, Jan Christian Rytter
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Patent number: 6742813Abstract: In a method of securing tensile reinforcement elements (7) of a pipeline or a cable to an end termination (18), the end termination is provided with a plurality of locking holes through which the reinforcement elements to be secured are pulled. Insertion of a spreader element into the reinforcement element results in a local cross-sectional increase in the tensile reinforcement. The reinforcement element cannot move freely through the locking hole because of the local cross-sectional increase, thereby achieving mechanical locking.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventor: Kristian Glejbol
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Patent number: 6739355Abstract: Flexible, armored pipes and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible, armored pipe includes an inner liner which is surrounded by a pressure armor. The inner liner may be built-up by joining together profiles that have a number of recesses. In one embodiment, the profiles are configured as K-profiles, which have recesses that are arranged in adjoining surfaces of the profile. When the profiles are brought together, the recesses form a cavity in which a locking element can be inserted, the function of which is to prevent displacement of the K-profiles at right-angles to the axial direction of the pipe when exposed to axial, compressive forces. The locking element can be I-shaped, circular or configured as a wire with a C-shaped cross-section. The locking element can also be made either of a rigid or an elastic, deformable material. With a C-shaped locking element, the whole of the cavity, which is formed by the recesses, is not filled out.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbøl, Jakob Wedel-Heinen, Jan Christian Rytter
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Patent number: 6668866Abstract: An armoured flexible pipe consists of an inner liner (3), on the inside of which a carcass (1) is provided, while the outer side of the inner liner is surrounded by a layer of pressure armour and a layer of tensile armour, which in turn are surrounded by one or more layers of thermally insulating bands which are shielded from the surroundings by an outer sheath. With the object of ensuring a sufficiently low transport of heat through the walls of the pipe, on the outside of the pressure and tensile armour layers (5, 6, 7, 8) thermally insulating bands are provided, which bands are made of a polymer or a polymeric composition, such as a polymer containing at least 50% polypropylene. The armoured flexible pipe according to the invention is especially advantageous for use in the extraction, transport or refining of mineral oil or related fluids.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/SInventors: Kristian Glejbol, Jakob Wedel-Heinen