Manifold structure having adjustable brackets

The invention relates to a manifold structure that includes a frame construction (1), a number of pipes (2), a pipe bend and possible valves, deployed in a pipe system having a number of pipe terminations projecting from the frame construction. The frame construction (1) is designed with a number of support brackets (5) for respective coupling parts associated with said pipe terminations. Each support bracket (5) is made as a separate, standardized unit that includes several securing means for releasable assembly to the frame construction, where each securing means is arranged for defined adjustability in height and lateral direction for adaption to a preinstalled pipe termination.

The present invention relates to a manifold structure including a frame construction, a number of pipes, pipe bends and possible valves, which are deployed in a pipe system having a number of pipe terminations projecting from the frame construction, which frame construction is provided with a number of support brackets for respective connector parts associated with said pipe terminations.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a manifold structure of the kind stated above.

Such manifold structures are designed to be placed on the sea bed and are to be connected to one or more Christmas trees for the production of oil and/or gas. The interconnecting operation takes place in that jumpers, or lines, are lowered from the surface toward connecting points on the manifold structure and the Christmas trees. The manifold structure is often constructed by a number of girders and braces suitably arranged in a more or less open frame construction which in turn can be set on a base located on the sea bed, for example a suction anchor or mud mat. The piping includes a number of headers, branch pipes, bends and valves.

It has been a problem with the production tolerances during the manufacture of such manifold structures. This needs to been seen in conjunction with the huge dimensions involved. The structures are frequently several tenths of meters long and support correspondingly long pipes having large dimensions, often several decimetres in diameter. The pipes and bends with their angles, are manufactured according to dimensioned drawings. The same apply for the body of the frame construction and associated support brackets. Generally 10-12, or more, support brackets are present per manifold structure. The support brackets are to form support and mount for respective pipe ends with their terminations. All factors above result in that a problem with the installation may occur if the components do not fit perfectly to each other.

Each pipe of the piping end in a pipe termination in the form of a connector flange which together with a connector porch (guide cone) forms a connector part which constitute the male part of a connector assembly. The male part is in one way or another secured to a support bracket on the frame construction. Until today each support bracket has been fixedly welded to the frame construction as if it was an integrated part thereof. This has resulted in problems if the pipes are not precisely manufactured with regard to pipe lengths and bend angles. By presumption, these parts are to fit precisely to the support brackets. When this has not been the case, it has been necessary to cut loose the bracket and have it displaced such that the bracket fits in with the connector flange, and then weld the bracket once again to the frame construction.

In addition, the support brackets have often been facing into the manifold structure, though not always. This has resulted in problems with the access during later interconnecting operations.

One object with the present invention has been to reduce the requirements to the tolerances in the manufacture of the main pipes. Thus it will be possible to cut down the use of time and reduce the manufacturing costs. In addition, deformations applied to the pipes due to manufacturing tolerances will not take place. At the same time, they will be easier to install without a need to use forces in order to force the pipes in place.

Another object has been to be able to perform parallel production of the frame construction and the components, for example the support brackets and the pipes. Thus a shorter manufacturing time during module construction is obtained.

Still another object has been to “standardize” components to be used on the frame construction such that these can be constructed and prepared independently of when the frame construction is constructed.

Still another object has been to improve the access to internal manifold structure during manufacturing thereof, such as good access during installation and assembly of pipes and bends.

The above stated objects are achieved according to the present invention in that a manifold structure of the introductory said kind is provided, which is distinguished in that each support bracket is made as a separate, standardized unit that includes several securing means for releasable assembly to the frame construction, which securing means are designed for defined adjustability in height and lateral direction for adaption to a preinstalled pipe termination.

It is to be understood that it is of material significance that the pipe up to the male part continuously needs to remain unloaded after the male part is fixedly secured—ergo no prevailing constraining forces subsequent to final assembly.

Preferably the securing means can include bolts/bolt connections. Bolts/bolt connections can extend through oblong apertures in order to obtain said adjustability.

According to the present invention a support bracket designed for installation on a manifold structure as stated above is also provided, where the support bracket is designed to support a connector part which retains a pipe end having a connector flange, which in particular is distinguished in that the support bracket includes several securing means for releasable installation to the frame construction, which securing means are designed for defined adjustability in height and lateral direction for adaption to a preinstalled pipe spool having said connector flange.

In accordance with the present invention a method of the introductory said kind is also provided, which is distinguished in that the piping firstly is installed in place within the frame construction and having pipe terminations projecting outwards from the frame construction and directed upwards, that a support bracket is placed at respective pipe terminations and coarse adjusted relative to the pipe terminations, that a connector porch is installed over respective connector flanges, that each connector porch is fixedly bolted to an associated connector flange and then welded to an associated support bracket, said support bracket subsequently being fine adjusted and finally fixed to the frame construction.

A typical and complete manifold structure10is illustrated inFIG. 12and can be conferred to as theFIGS. 1-11are described. This is to ease the understanding of the invention and be able to recognize the interrelation where the individual parts and components are to be placed within the manifold structure and in relation to each other. The shown manifold structure10is fixed to a suction anchor11which in turn is placed on the sea bed.

Reference is firstly made toFIG. 1which shows a partial view of a manifold structure, more precisely a bottom part1aand a top part1bof the frame construction1of the manifold structure10. Then frame construction1is of substantial dimensions, often several tenths of meters long. An angled pipe2, or a bend, having a connector flange2ais illustrated as located in the frame construction1. Further, the bottom part1ahas a bracket structure3with oblong apertures3adesigned for later adjustable installation of components on the bracket structure3. The top part1bhas a corresponding support structure4having apertures4adesigned for later installation of said components on the support structure4.

FIG. 2shows a support bracket5which is about to be landed on the frame construction1. The support bracket5has a substantially vertically extending back structure5a, one substantially horizontally extending support structure5b, inclined braces5cand a guiding structure5d. Moreover the support structure5bhas a central aperture5efor receipt of the bend2.

FIG. 3shows the support bracket5landed on the bracket structure3and rests thereon. The bend2fits through the aperture5ein the support structure5band in turn, the connector flange2aextends upwards from the plane of the support structure5band stands ready to receive a mating component.

FIG. 4shows such a component in the form of a connector porch6(guide cone) which is to be lowered down over the connector flange2a. Further, a detailed view A in enlarged scale is shown that illustrates the lower mount between the support bracket5and the support structure3on the bottom part1a. A number of bolts B are used to secure the parts together. Oblong recesses in the parts enable the parts to be adjusted in respect of each other in the horizontal plane.

The detailed view B inFIG. 4shows an upper securing means5fon the back structure5ain enlarged scale. The securing means5fhas oblong apertures5gto be able to make height adjustment. If height adjustment is necessary, shims or spacers can be installed between respective flange parts on the support bracket5and the bracket structure3, i.e. on that spot depicted in detailed view A inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5shows the connector porch6completely landed onto the support structure5b. The connector porch6has a bottom plate6awhich provides some freedom of motion in the horizontal plane to obtain correct position in respect of the connector flange2a. The bottom plate6arests against the top surface of the support structure5b.

FIG. 6shows the first step in the finishing phase during installation of a vertical connector module7(VCM) onto the connector porch6which in turn is arranged on the support bracket5on the frame construction1. The connector module7is landed from above and positioned such that the female part stands right above the connector porch6. The connector porch6thus constitutes the male part. The connector module7has guiding means7awhich are design for cooperation with the guide structure5dwhich is arranged on the back structure5aof the support bracket5. During the lowering operation the guiding means7aguides the connector module7against the connector porch6by means of the guiding structure5d. In the upper part of the guiding means5d, inclined faces5d′ are provided to ease the introduction of the guiding means7ainto the guiding structure5a.

FIG. 7shows the next step of the finishing phase. The connector module7has engaged the guiding structure5dvia the guiding means7aand is guided further into place toward the connector porch6on the support bracket5. The connector module7includes a clamp connector7bwhich makes up the final connection between the flanges.

FIG. 8shows the finished installation of the connector module7on the connector porch6on the support bracket5on the frame construction1. The connector module7includes a pipe bend8having a connector flange8awhich is used for later connection of a pipe line which is tied in toward this flange8a.

FIGS. 9 to 11show three variants5′;5″;5′″ among many possible embodiments of a support bracket according to the present invention.

The way in which the entire manifold structure is manufactured will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1-8. We assume that a per se traditional frame construction already has been manufactured and prepared for further construction, installation and assembly.

Firstly the piping (pipe system) is installed in place in the frame construction. All external connecting points in the form of pipe terminations project outwards from the body of the frame construction. The pipe terminations are further such designed that they are pointing upwards. Subsequently each bracket is placed over respective pipe terminations. Each bracket is coarse adjusted relative to the associated pipe termination.

Then a connector porch is placed over respective connector flange. Each connector porch is in turn bolted in place on corresponding connector flange. Then the connector porch is welded to its associated support bracket. Finally each bracket is fine adjusted and eventually fixed by means of bolts and nuts to the frame construction.

Thus, exactly this that the pipes are installed totally without stresses or loads is achieved.