Patent ID: 9090019
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: B29C,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing flexible pipe body, comprising the steps of: forming a tape comprising a matrix material and reinforcement fibres that extend longitudinally and substantially parallel with each other along the tape; winding at least one armour layer over an internal pressure sheath by winding the tape over the sheath to form the armour layer; and wherein forming the tape further comprises arranging clusters of reinforcement fibers extending longitudinally along the tape and substantially parallel with and in the same direction as reinforcement fibers in other regions in selected regions of a cross-section of the tape corresponding to regions of high stress in the armour layer compared with surrounding regions, the cross-section being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tape; and wherein the clusters of reinforcement fibers comprise single, spaced apart and substantially parallel reinforcement fibers, and the single, spaced apart reinforcement fibers comprise fibers of a different cross-sectional diameter, material or cross-sectional shape compared to reinforcement fibers in other regions; wherein the single, spaced apart reinforcement fibers in the selected regions comprise fibers of a smaller diameter compared to reinforcement fibers in other regions; wherein the cross-section includes at least one nub region and at least one valley region corresponding to a region of high stress where the clusters of reinforcement fibers with are located.