Alignment Error Modelling, Analysis and Experiment of the Deep-Water Bolt Flange Automatic Connection Tool

Pengpeng Wang,Chao Li,Yibo Nan,Feihong Yun,Liquan Wang,Honghai Wang,Haixia Gong,Kai Xu,Ming Ju

doi:10.3390/jmse10010064

Pengpeng Wang, Chao Li + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10010064

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Abstract

A deep-water bolt flange automatic connection tool plays a very important role in the process of offshore oil exploitation and transportation. In the connection process, the alignment error of bolts and nuts is the key factor to ensure the connection process is successful. Using the kinematics modeling method, this paper created the alignment error model of the deep-water bolt flange automatic connection tool and analyzed the influence of manufacturing accuracy on the alignment error of bolts and nuts through computer simulation software. Based on the error matching design method, the manufacturing accuracy of parts were optimized with a part-size-based priority sequence to ensure the bolt–nut alignment error was within the allowable limits. The land tests, the pool tests and the sea test were carried out. The test results showed that the bolt and nut can be connected in the subsea environment reliably.

Highlights

In the process of offshore oil exploitation and transportation, the submarine oil pipeline plays an important role in regard of safety, reliability and economy [1,2,3]
In the connection process of the deep-water bolt flange automatic connection tool, the critical function is to lead the bolts into nuts at the same time and the alignment error of the bolts and nuts is the key factor
To meet the tolerance requirements of parts, Zhang J [10] proposed a high-accuracy estimation method of a contouring error that was not related to a datum (ND-contouring error), and the results showed that the contouring error could be significantly reduced to improve the quality of the parts

Summary

Introduction

In the process of offshore oil exploitation and transportation, the submarine oil pipeline plays an important role in regard of safety, reliability and economy [1,2,3]. To meet the tolerance requirements of parts, Zhang J [10] proposed a high-accuracy estimation method of a contouring error that was not related to (without) a datum (ND-contouring error), and the results showed that the contouring error could be significantly reduced to improve the quality of the parts. Due to a technical blockade, few studies about the deep-water bolt flange automatic connection tool can be found, the alignment error and tolerance assignment. The test results showed that the bolt and nut can be connected successfully with the optimized tolerance assignment, which showed the design of the deep-water bolt flange automatic connection tool can be used in a subsea environment reliably

Error Model of Deep-Water Bolt Flange Automatic Connection Tool

Error Analysis

Conclusions