Abstract:
Interlocking bend limiter sections are substantially mirror images of each other and are joined to form an interlocking bend limiter segment without use of fasteners by engaging engaging each other&#39;s interlocking ends. An interlocking bend limiter comprises a plurality of interlocking bend limiter segment secured at an end by an end piece.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a segmented bend limiter and its methods of use. More specifically, the invention relates to a segmented bend limiter that comprises a plurality of segments, each comprising cooperatively joinable halves, where the segment halves are dimensioned and configured to be joined without using additional fasteners, the terminal segment in a chain of segments being secured and fastened by an end fastener. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A bend limiter is a device used to restrict bending of the flexible pipe. As the term is used in the art, a bend limiter includes a bend restrictor, bend stiffener, and/or bellmouth. Bend limiters are used to prevent possible the overbending of flexible flowlines, umbilicals and cables during installation and service. Typically, a bend limiter will lock or otherwise impede movement about two or more axes when a minimum bend radius is reached. 
     Bend limiters may be used onshore, offshore, and/or subsea and typically comprise a series of interlocking vertebrae joined to form a bend limiter having a desired length. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       The figures supplied herein disclose various embodiments of the claimed invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a cutaway planar view in partial perspective of an exemplary semi-tubular sections of an interlocking bend limiter; and 
         FIG. 2  is a further cutaway planar view in partial perspective of an exemplary semi-tubular sections of an interlocking bend limiter showing an end cap piece. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , interlocking bend limiter segment  10  comprises first semi-tubular section  20   a  and second semi-tubular section  20   b . Second semi-tubular section  20   b  is substantially identical to first semi-tubular section  20   a . First semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a ,  20   b  are dimensioned and configured to be joined cooperatively at their respective interlocks, the first semi-tubular section interlock tab receiver dimensioned and adapted to receive the corresponding interlock tab of the second semi-tubular section, the portions of the conduits of the cooperatively joined first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections providing an enclosed fluid pathway therethrough. One or both of first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b  may comprise a plastic suitable for use, e.g., subsea. 
     Each of first semi-tubular section  20   a  and second semi-tubular section  20   b  comprises substantially spherical first end  22 , substantially semi-circular second end  26 , and substantially semi-tubular middle section  28 . First and second semi-tubular sections  20   a ,  20   b  are dimensioned and configured to be joined without using additional fasteners. 
     Substantially spherical first end  22  further comprises engaging section  24  disposed about an outer surface of substantially spherical first end  22 , its interior forming a portion of conduit  23  therethrough. 
     Substantially semi-circular second end  26  further comprises engaging section receiver  21  and interlock  30 . 
     Engaging section receiver  21  is dimensioned and adapted to engage engaging section  24  of substantially spherical first end  22 . The interior of engaging section receiver  21  defines a portion of a conduit therethrough. In embodiments, engaging section  24  is disposed about an outer surface of substantially spherical first end  24  and comprises ridge  27 . In these embodiments, engaging section receiver  21  of first semi-tubular section  20   a  comprises channel  29  dimensioned and adapted to receive ridge  27  second semi-tubular section  20   b , and vice-à-versa. 
     Interlock  30  comprises interlock tab  32  and corresponding interlock tab receiver  34 . 
     Substantially semi-tubular middle section  28  is disposed intermediate substantially spherical first end  22  and substantially semi-circular second end  26 . The interior of substantially semi-tubular middle section  28  defines a portion of conduit  23  therethrough. 
     In certain embodiments, each of first and second semi-tubular sections  20   a ,  20   b  further comprises a plurality of alignment guides  50 . These are typically disposed integral with a portion of substantially tubular middle section  28 , where at least one of alignment guides  50  of first semi-tubular section  20   a  is dimensioned and configured to cooperatively receive another of alignment guides  50  of second semi-tubular section  20   b . In typical configurations, alignment guides  50  comprise a post and a corresponding alignment guide receiver is dimensioned and configured to receive the post. 
     In certain embodiments, one or both of first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b  further comprises an armored portion. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , when cooperative joined the interiors of first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b  define conduit  23  therethrough. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , using first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b , interlocking bend limiter  100  may be constructed and comprise one or more segments  110 , where substantially spherical first ends  22  of interlocked first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b  of a first segment  110  are cooperatively received into substantially semi-circular second ends  26  ( FIG. 1 ) of a second segment  120 , thereby locking the first and second semi-tubular sections  20   a ,  20   b  of first segment  110  together. Interlocking bend limiter  100  is terminated using end piece  130  which is coupled to substantially spherical first ends  22  of second segment  120 . End piece  130  is dimensioned and adapted to lock together first and second semi-tubular sections  20   a ,  20   b  of second segment  120  together at an exposed end of the second segment. In some configurations, end piece  120  comprises a lock dimensioned and adapted to lock together second interlocking bend limiter section  120 , e.g. one or more fasteners  132  such as bolts, clamps, bands, or the like, or a combination thereof. 
     When joined and terminated, the joined first and second segments  110 ,  120  are dimensioned and adapted to provide a predetermined amount of movement about at least two axes, e.g. an X and Y set of axes where one axis is positioned within the conduit defined by the interiors of first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b.    
     In most configurations, assembly of the first and second segments  110 ,  120  requires no bolts. 
     In the operation of currently preferred embodiments, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , interlocking bend limiter may be assembled by assembling first interlocking bend limiter segment  110 , formed by joining first semi-tubular section  20   a  to substantially identical second semi-tubular section  20   b . As described above, first semi-tubular and second semi-tubular sections  20   a , 20   b  each comprise substantially spherical first end  22 , interlocking second end  26 , and substantially semi-tubular section  28  disposed intermediate substantially spherical first end  22  and interlocking second end  26 . When joined, interlocking second end  26  of first semi-tubular section  20   a  is cooperatively paired with interlocking second end  26  of second semi-tubular section  20   b.    
     Second interlocking bend limiter section  120  is assembled similarly, but second interlocking bend limiter section  120  is assembled about substantially spherical first end  22  of first interlocking bend limiter section  110  by positioning engaging section receiver  21  of second interlocking bend limiter section  120  about engaging section  24  of substantially spherical first end  22  of first interlocking bend limiter section  110  and engaging interlocking second end  26  of first semi-tubular section  110  with interlocking second end  26  of second semi-tubular section  20   b . As noted above, second interlocking bend limiter section  120  is substantially identical to first interlocking bend limiter section  110 . 
     When two or more interlocking bend limiter sections, e.g.  110  and  120 , have been assembled, end piece  130  is secured about substantially spherical first end  22  of the final interlocking bend limiter section in the chain, e.g. second interlocking bend limiter section  120 , such as by use of one or more fasteners  132 . 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.