Elongate tape and method of producing same
View Patent ↗An elongate tape and method of producing an elongate tape are disclosed. The tape is suitable for forming a helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body, and is configured for interlocking with adjacent windings, wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile including: a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer; a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and a transition surface joining the first surface and further surface, wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
1. An elongate tape for forming a helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body, the tape being configured for interlocking with adjacent windings, wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile comprising;
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface off the helically wound layer;
a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and
a transition surface joining the first surface and further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface, and
wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
2. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first surface blends smoothly into the transition surface.
3. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface decreases from the first surface to the further surface.
4. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface linearly decreases from the first surface to the further surface.
5. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface monotonically decreases from the first surface to the further surface.
6. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the curved surface forms a semi-parabolic curve.
7. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a yet further surface in use forming a further side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and a further transition surface joining the first surface and yet further surface, wherein the further transition surface comprises a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the yet surface.
8. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the further surface and the yet further surface are substantially parallel to each other.
9. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first surface is substantially flat.
10. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first surface is curved.
11. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tape includes interlocked adjacent windings.
12. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tape is configured to interlock with adjacent windings of a further tape.
13. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tape has a Z-shaped profile.
14. An elongate tape as claimed in claim 13 , wherein adjacent windings in the helically wound layer are interlocked by a hooked region of a winding nesting in a valley region of an adjacent winding.
15. A flexible pipe, comprising:
a flexible pipe body for transporting conveyed fluids,
an elongate tape helically wound on said flexible body to interlock adjacent windings,
said elongate tape having a cross-sectional profile comprising:
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer,
a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding, and
a transition surface joining the first surface and the further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface,
and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
16. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising at least one end fitting coupled to said flexible pipe body.
17. A riser comprising:
a flexible pipe body for transporting conveyed fluids,
an elongate tape helically wound on said flexible body to interlock adjacent windings,
said elongate tape having a cross-sectional profile comprising:
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer,
a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding, and
a transition surface joining the first surface and the further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface,
and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
18. The riser of claim 17 , further comprising at least one end fitting coupled to said flexible pipe body.
19. A method of manufacturing a flexible pipe body, comprising
helically winding one or more tapes around a substantially tubular under-layer, where at least one of said tapes has a cross-sectional profile comprising:
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer, a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding, and
a transition surface joining the first surface and the further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface,
and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the under-layer comprises a fluid retaining sheath.
21. A method as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising forming one or more layers over the helically wound tape.
22. A flowline comprising:
a flexible pipe body for transporting conveyed fluids,
an elongate tape helically wound on said flexible body to interlock adjacent windings,
said elongate tape having a cross-sectional profile comprising:
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer,
a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding, and
a transition surface joining the first surface and the further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface,
and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
23. The flowline of claim 22 , further comprising at least one end fitting coupled to said flexible pipe body.
24. A jumper comprising:
a flexible pipe body for transporting conveyed fluids,
an elongate tape helically wound on said flexible body to interlock adjacent windings,
said elongate tape having a cross-sectional profile comprising:
a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer,
a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from
the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding, and
a transition surface joining the first surface and the further surface,
wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface,
and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.
25. The jumper of claim 24 , further comprising at least one end fitting coupled to said flexible pipe body.