Scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting and monitoring flexible collection and production lines in real time, rendering possible constant tracking of the condition of the internal structures of a flexible riser, specifically of the tensile armour thereof. The device may be provided at any point along the riser ensuring the establishment of an area of physical and visual contact directly over the surface of the tensile armour of the riser for the installation of equipment for analysis, which area permits further accesses without destroying the sealing of the chamber there formed.

1 . A scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser ( 150 ), the scuttle comprising:
 an inspection chamber ( 210 ) comprising at least two structural cells ( 223 );   an inspection window ( 230 ) being attached over at least one of said structural cells ( 223 );   means of affixing and sealing ( 300 ) the scuttle to a riser ( 150 ) and/or to a riser accessory, the means of affixing and sealing ( 300 ) being configured to interact with extremities of the inspection chamber ( 210 ) and thereby establish a watertight connection between the inspection chamber ( 210 ) and riser ( 150 ) and/or the riser accessory.   
     
     
         2 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 1 , wherein the means of affixing and sealing ( 300 ) comprises an expansion sleeve ( 400 ) located at an extremity of inspection chamber ( 210 ), for supporting and separating an external layer ( 156 ) of riser ( 150 ) from the remaining layers. 
     
     
         3 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 2 , wherein said means of affixing and sealing comprises a sealing ring ( 270 ), and the means of affixing and sealing is further configured so that the sealing ring is made to compress, in use, an external layer ( 156 ) of the riser against the expansion sleeve ( 400 ). 
     
     
         4 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 3 , wherein said means of affixing and sealing ( 300 ) further comprises an activation flange ( 280 ) superimposed on said sealing ring ( 270 ), to compress the sealing ring ( 270 ). 
     
     
         5 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 4 , wherein the extremity of inspection chamber ( 210 ) is provided with an internal bevel that receives the sealing ring ( 270 ). 
     
     
         6 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for affixing and sealing ( 300 ) is provided at both extremities of inspection chamber ( 210 ). 
     
     
         7 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 1 , wherein said means of affixing and sealing ( 300 ) comprises an extremity of inspection chamber ( 210 ) configured to seal against a riser end fitting ( 500 ). 
     
     
         8 . The scuttle for the monitoring and inspection of a flexible riser according to  claim 7 , further comprising said riser end fitting ( 500 ), wherein an internal bevel is provided in said end fitting ( 500 ), the bevel being configured to receive said sealing ring ( 270 ). 
     
     
         9 . The scuttle according to  claim 8 , wherein a outer casing ( 510 ) of the connector interacts with said sealing ring ( 270 ) to establishing a seal. 
     
     
         10 . The scuttle according to  claim 1 , wherein each structural cell ( 223 ) comprises at least two spars ( 221 ) aligned with the axis of riser ( 150 ), and each of the extremities of said spars ( 221 ) are connected to a structural ring ( 222 ) so as to form said structural cells ( 223 ). 
     
     
         11 . The scuttle according to  claim 10 , wherein a sealing ring ( 290 ) is provided on the internal face of a structural ring ( 222 ). 
     
     
         12 . The scuttle according to  claim 11 , wherein the structural ring ( 222 ) is configured to be connected directly to a outer casing ( 510 ) of the end fitting ( 500 ), optionally by the structural ring being threaded. 
     
     
         13 . The scuttle according to  claim 12 , wherein the sealing ring also seals a zone filled with resin of the end fitting ( 500 ). 
     
     
         14 . The scuttle according to  claim 1 , wherein the scuttle is configured such that, in use, on connecting inspection window ( 230 ) over structural cell ( 223 ) empty space ( 201 ) is formed over the surface of the riser. 
     
     
         15 . The scuttle according to  claim 1 , further comprising said riser, and wherein the scuttle is configured to allow inspection of internal layers of said riser via said inspection window ( 230 ).