Method for computer aided design of conduit
Contents
1. 55 60 65 4 In an embodiment the library of specification information could be an updatable list database array or similar compi lation of information For example when an element type is depicted using the present method it is originally assigned default specification information from the library of specification information If modified specification information is input by a user the element type can be stored in association with the modified specification information and the element type with modified specification information can be retrieved for future use The term element type can refer to any tube sheath tape wire strand armor or similar element able to be used in a conduit Element types can include a metal tube having an inner diameter raging from 0 05 inches to 42 inches an extruded polymer sheath applied around tubes or bundles of element types a reinforced nylon tape with or without an adhesive a flat armor wire such as wire made by Drahtwerk of Germany or a round armor wire such as a wire made by Bekaert of Belgium Element types can also include electrical strands such as an individual strand of copper wire having an outer diameter of 1 millimeter bundles of 2 to 20 individual strands having a diameter of 0 0147 inches fiber optic strands such as those made by Dow Corning woven aluminum wire or a pressure armor which is used within an interior of a flexible riser used in a subsea oil2. 44a For example if the user were to change the pitch angle of the specification information 40a the processor could calculate a new lay length mass and weight for the bundle as well as other specification information and automatically display the new lay length mass weight and other informa tion in the specification information 40a Itis further contemplated that the user can alter the drawing characteristics of the first bundle graphics object 44a such as by changing the color or thickness of the lines adding or removing cross hatching or changing other similar charac teristics Referring now to FIG 6 an exemplary display 7 is depicted after a user has selected additional element types from the element type menu selected the graphics objects representing the additional element types and formed a sec ond bundle from the additional element types The display depicts the first bundle graphics object 44a at the first bundle insertion point 36a A second bundle graphics object 445 is depicted at a second bundle insertion point 365 The second bundle graphics object 44b can be produced using the second 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 14 bundle drawing characteristics 42b from the library of drawing characteristics relating to bundles 16 depicted in FIG 1 The second bundle graphics object 445 is depicted as an identical bundle containing identical element types to the
3. aided design of conduit BACKGROUND A need exists for a method that enables custom design of umbilicals electrical signal and power cables by individuals that lack specialized computer assisted drawing skills draft ing skills or advanced engineering or mathematical abilities A further need exists for a method that enables production and manipulation of electronic drawings for umbilicals that depict all parts angles and vectors of the umbilicals effi ciently enabling nearly instantaneous user operation A need also exists for a method that enables design of umbilicals that is extremely accurate enabling better and faster quality control than conventional methods The present embodiments meet these needs BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description will be better understood in con junction with the accompanying drawings as follows FIG 1 depicts a diagram of an embodiment of a system useable with the present method FIG 2 depicts a display showing a graphics object pro duced using the present method FIG 3 depicts a display showing multiple graphics objects produced using the present method FIG 4 depicts a diagram of an embodiment of stored data useable with the present method FIG 5 depicts a display showing a bundle graphics object produced using the present method FIG 6 depicts a display showing multiple bundle graphics objects produced using the present method FIG 7 depicts a diagram of
4. an embodiment of stored data relating to bundles useable with the present method The present embodiments are detailed below with refer ence to the listed Figures DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Before explaining the present apparatus in detail it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways The present embodiments relate to a method for computer aided design of conduits A conduit can include an umbilical a tubular polymer casing a tubular laminate casing such as a polymer over metal and other similar conduits with or with out coatings and optionally containing additional tubes or metal with cathodic protection An example of such a conduit can be an umbilical for the Helix Phoenix project made by Parker Cabett of Houston Tex Conduits can contain electrical cables such as copper elec trical wiring signal cables such as those made by Geospace of the United States NSW of Germany or Nexans Norway of Norway or single core two core three core or multiple core cables such as those made by the same manufacturers Con duits can also contain gas carrying tubes including natural gas carrying tubes such as six inch flexible tubes fluid car rying tubes such as 2 inch superduplex carrying a hydraulic 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 2 fluid such as HW540 annulus tubes such as 2 inch dup
5. and manufacturing costs as the bundled graphic object is formed 2 The method of claim 1 further comprising changing the specification linked to the element type and wherein the graphic object is automatically modified based on the changed specification 3 The method of claim 1 further comprising changing the specification linked to the element type and automatically modifying the graphic object based on the changed specifi cation wherein an identification key is assigned to the changed specification and stored on the data storage 4 The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting an additional element type from the element type menu wherein the additional element type is linked to an additional specifi cation stored in the database of specification information and an additional drawing characteristic stored in the database of drawing characteristics on the data storage in communication 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 16 with the processor wherein the additional specification and additional drawing characteristic are displayed on the display screen 5 The method of claim 1 wherein a bundle identification key is associated with the bundled graphic object 6 The method of claim 1 further comprising linking a plurality of specifications to the element type stored in the database of specification information 7 The method of claim 6 wherein the plurality of specifi cations linked to the element type compr
6. bundle represented by the first bundle graphics object 44a however it is contemplated that any types of bundles contain ing identical or different element types can be displayed and represented with bundle graphics objects The display 7 can also depict bundle specification infor mation 40 relating to one or both of the displayed bundles It is contemplated that the user can replace any items of the specification information 40 and or any drawing character istics of the first bundle graphics object 44a or the second bundle graphics object 446 or combinations thereof Referring now to FIG 7 a diagram depicting exemplary contents of the data storage 5 is shown After forming one or more bundles of element types it is contemplated that the processor depicted in FIG 1 can be instructed to calculate an identification bundle key for each bundle Each identification bundle key is stored in the data storage 5 in association with the specification information and drawing characteristics for the bundle It is contemplated that the identification bundle keys allow individual bundles to be tracked and referenced in the same manner as individual element types For example if a user selects a bundle then replaces the specification information related to that bundle with other specification information the identification bundle key generated for the bundle using the present method can store the modified specification informa tio
7. diameter of the bundled graphic object and a second circle disposed between the first graphic object and the second graphic object indicating an inner diameter of the bundled graphic object 15 The method of claim 1 wherein the first graphic object is displayed as an inner circle and wherein the second graph ics object is displayed as an outer circle encircling the inner circle thereby representing a sleeve disposed over a pipe 16 The method of claim 1 wherein the display of the bundled graphic object comprises a an outer circle touching an edge of the first graphic object indicating an outer diameter of the bundled graphic object and b an inner circle disposed between the first graphic object and the second graphic object indicating an inner diam eter of the bundled graphic object 17 The method of claim 1 further comprising a shaped filler filling gaps between the first graphic object and the second graphic object of the bundled graphic object to pro vide a round cross sectional shape to the bundled graphic object 18 The method of claim 1 wherein the element type is a member of the group consisting of a metal tube an electrical quad an extruded polymer sheath or combinations thereof
8. for the selected element type forming a graphics object An identification key is created for every element type selected and no two identification keys are the same The identification keys are used to track each selected element type and resulting graphics object Each identification key is preferably an integer such as 10010 but it is contemplated that identification keys could also include alphanumeric keys alphabetic keys symbol based identifiers and other similar identifiers The calculation of the identification key can include a simple and efficient calculation such as determining the value of the largest existing identification key that is an inte ger adding one to the integer to obtain a new identification key and assigning the new identification key to the element type It is contemplated that in an embodiment the calcula tion of the identification key can include use of random num ber or alphanumeric generators Once an element type has been associated with an identi fication key it is contemplated that the selected element type and any related specification information and or drawing characteristics can be stored in association with the identifi cation key and retrieved for future use This feature enables the present method to allow previously selected element types and bundles to be used numerous times in the design of any future conduit without recreating the objects thereby saving time and labor The resultin
9. standards and or codes Pre coded libraries of specification information and draw ing characteristics containing programmed default values for metal tubes and electrical quads are provided for access The libraries can be stored on a networked server or a similar data storage media for access during the design of the umbilical Using a software tool the user can select a metal tube from the element type menu which can be a drop down menu a tool strip menu or a similar type of menu A graphics object depicting the metal tube will appear alongside a window displaying default specifications for the metal tube obtained from the library of specification information The default diameter of the tube can be 0 5 inches with a corresponding wall thickness The user can modify the diameter of the metal tube to 1 0 inch and double the default wall thickness by entering data into the window displaying specification information which will automatically cause the displayed graphics object to reference new drawing characteristics from the library of drawing characteristics The initial graphics object will be replaced by a new graphics object representing the metal tube having a diameter of 1 0 inch The user can position the graphics object anywhere within the drawing window of the display thereby selecting an ele ment insertion point A identification key such as 43567 relating to the 1 0 inch diameter metal tube is calculated by the software too
10. 2c that can relate to an additional third bundle formed by auser Itis contemplated that the third bundle specification information 40c the third bundle drawing characteristics 32c or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specification information or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user Each identification bundle key could also be stored with the associated bundle graphics object and other similar informa tion relating to the associated bundle While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments it should be understood that US 8 280 696 B1 15 within the scope of the appended claims the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein What is claimed is 1 A method for computer aided design of conduit com prising a selecting a first element type from an element type menu wherein the first element type is linked with a specifica tion stored in a database of specification information and a drawing characteristic stored in a database of drawing characteristics on a data storage in communication with a processor and wherein the specification and drawing characteristic are displayed on a display screen b generating a first graphic object depicting the first ele ment type on the display screen at a point of input wherein the first graphic object is automatically gener ated using the specificatio
11. Huang Zhizhang et al Computer Aided Engineering for CANDU Projects 2005 retrieved from http canteach candu org library 20054410 pdf on Dec 4 2008 Specification Information For Selected Bundle MIP s CoCreate Blog SpaceCable 2006 is released Introducing the next generation of harness design and manufacturing retrieved from http my opera com cocreate blog show dml 236850 on Dec 3 2008 Dr R H Knapp etal Computer aided Design of Cables for Optimal Performance 2005 Sea Technology pp 1 5 Paul G Cardinal An Expert System for Computer Generation of Cable Conduit and Tray Schedules for INdustrial Power and Control Systems 1995 IEEE trans on Industry Applications vol 31 No 1 pp 222 228 D Patil et al Interactive Graphical Database for Undersea Cable Design 1993 IEEE pp 1 6 John F Bash ed Handbook of Oceanographic Winch Wire and Cable Technology 2001 National Science Foundation Table of Contents Introduction and Chapte 2 142 total pages John M Vlissides et al Unidraw A Framework for Building Domain Specific Graphical Editors 1990 ACM pp 237 268 Continued Primary Examiner Mary C Jacob 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Buskop Law Group PC Wendy Buskop 57 ABSTRACT A method for computer aided design of conduit comprising creating a library of specification information and a library of drawing characteristics rel
12. a metal pipe for transporting methanol from the element type menu Specification infor mation would be retrieved from the library of specification information indicating an inner diameter of 0 5 inches a wall thickness of 0 25 inches for the metal pipe and other similar information relating to lay length pitch angle and other specifications Likewise drawing characteristics would be retrieved and a black circle approximately 0 5 inches in diameter with a thick border would be displayed A user could manually enter a larger inner diameter such as 1 inch and this replacement specification information would be stored in association with the selected metal pipe The graphics object representing the pipe could be automati cally updated to depict a circle having a larger diameter The user could also manually change the thick border to a border having cross hatching for indicating metal and this drawing characteristic would be stored in association with the selected metal pipe US 8 280 696 B1 7 In an embodiment the specification information and draw ing characteristics for one or more selected element types can be retrieved and or stored simultaneously The present method then includes selecting at least two element types of the updated graphics object and forming a bundle For example three graphic representations of electri cal wires could be selected to be formed into a bundle using the software tool used to perform the presen
13. ated to a plurality of element types and bundles An element type is selected and an identification key is calculated for the selected element type forming a graphics object The selecting of element types and the cal culating of identification keys is repeated forming an updated graphics object Specification information and drawing char acteristics are retrieved from the libraries and stored in asso ciation with each selected element type At least two element types are selected to form a bundle An identification bundle key is calculated for the bundle Selection of element types to form additional bundles is repeated calculating identification bundle keys or each additional bundle forming an updated bundle graphics object Specification information and draw ing characteristics for the bundles are retrieved and stored in association with the bundles 18 Claims 7 Drawing Sheets US 8 280 696 B1 Page 2 OTHER PUBLICATIONS J C Browne et al Graphical Programming for simulation of com puter systems 1985 Proceedings of the 18th annual symposium on Simulation pp 109 126 Deborah Hix et al Developing User Interfaces Ensuring Usabil ity Through Product amp Process 1993 pp 57 92 Curl Gilbert Mechanical Design Automation in IBM Poughkeepsie 18th Design Automation Conference paper 10 2 1981 Simmons et al The Application of Virtual Reality to Tasks in Manu facturing and Assembly Eng
14. az United States Patent Aarstein et al US008280696B1 US 8 280 696 B1 Oct 2 2012 ao Patent No 45 Date of Patent 54 METHOD FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF CONDUIT 75 Inventors Jon Andreas Aarstein Oslo NO Knut Magnus Ekeberg Oslo NO 73 Assignee Ultra Deep LLC Houston TX US Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 0 days 21 Appl No 12 034 502 22 Filed Feb 20 2008 51 Int Cl GO6F 17 50 2006 01 52 U S Ch oe 703 1 703 13 700 98 700 107 58 Field of Classification Search 703 1 6 703 13 715 769 345 619 See application file for complete search history 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 862 376 A 8 1989 Ferriter etal 700 107 5 187 788 A 2 1993 Marmelstein 717 109 5 515 524 A 5 1996 Lynchetal 703 13 5 740 341 A 4 1998 Ootaetal 345 420 5 917 730 A 6 1999 Rittie etal 703 6 5 987 458 A 11 1999 Anderson et al 7107 6 6 272 387 BL 8 2001 Yoon an eneen 700 83 6 493 679 Bl 12 2002 Rappaport et al 705 29 6 839 642 B2 7 103 434 B2 7 107 197 Bl 1 2005 Kawakita etal 9 2006 Chernyak et al 9 2006 Shropshire 702 42 700 98 703 13 7 437 688 B2 10 2008 Graham etal 716 119 7 558 705 B1 7 2009 Hughes etal 703 1 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
15. cs associated with an ele ment type or bundle to produce graphics objects representing element types and bundles to calculate identification keys and to store identification keys associated with element types and or bundles and related specification information and drawing characteristics The computer instructions 11 can also calculate specification information responsive to the for mation of bundles or the replacement of specification infor mation by a user Referring now to FIG 2 a display 7 is shown depicting an exemplary display screen produced using the present method It is contemplated that after a user selects an element type 18a depicted in FIG 1 from the element type menu the computer instructions in the data storage can instruct the processor to generate a first graphics object 26a using the first element type drawing characteristics 32a depicted in FIG 1 The first graphics object 26a is shown as an inner circle representing a metal pipe encircled by an outer circle repre senting a protective sleeve for the metal pipe The display 7 also displays the first element type speci fication information 30a related to the selected element type It is contemplated that the user can enter replacement specification information to replace the displayed specifica tion information 30a Entered replacement specification can cause the computer instructions to modify the first graph ics object 26a For exampl
16. diameter of the bundle The selecting of element types from the updated graphics object is repeated forming additional bundles for which additional identification bundle keys are calculated An updated bundle graphics object is formed after each repeti tion The updated bundle graphics object can include depic tions of multiple bundles that are formed or modified depic tions of existing bundle graphics objects such as when one or more elements are selected to be added to or removed from existing bundle graphics objects It is contemplated that a user can modify one or more parametrics of the bundle New parametrics can simulta neously and automatically be calculated for the bundles such as by use of a software program Parametrics of all element types bundles super bundles larger aggregations or combi nations thereof that are connected to the modified bundle can be simultaneously and automatically modified to account for the new parametrics In an embodiment the present method can include the formation of recursive aggregations of multiple bundles aggregations of these aggregations and further aggregations as needed to design conduits containing large numbers of aggregated bundles and groups of bundles Two or more updated bundle graphics objects can be selected to form a super bundle which can be positioned at a super bundle insertion point An identification super bundle key can be calculated for each super bundle The id
17. e if the user were to change the inner diameter of the specification information 30a from 0 5 inches to 1 0 inch the first graphics object 26a could be automatically modified by the processor to appear larger Tt is further contemplated that the user can alter the drawing characteristics of the first graphics object 26a such as by changing the color or thickness of the lines adding or remov ing cross hatching or changing other similar characteristics The first graphics object 26a is positioned at a first ele ment type insertion point 22a It is contemplated that a user can move the first graphics object 26a to any other position within the display 7 Referring now to FIG 3 an exemplary display 7 is depicted after a user has selected additional element types from the element type menu The display 7 depicts an 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 12 updated graphics object 28 which is formed after each additional element type is selected by a user The updated graphics object 28 includes the individual graphics objects for each selected element type The display 7 depicts the first graphics object 26a at the first element type insertion point 22a representing the first element type 18a depicted in FIG 1 A second graphics object 26 is depicted at a second element type insertion point 225 representing the second element type 184 depicted in FIG 1 It is contemplated tha
18. e 0 Sunejor sodAy vuowaje Jo Aypemyd e 0 ZUNE nusu od ywq SIYSLIJPLILYI BUIMEIP JO IQIT uonewozu uoneoyoads Jo AreIqry or L erdsia 9BeI0IS LIET U S Patent Oct 2 2012 Sheet 2 of 7 US 8 280 696 B1 U S Patent Oct 2 2012 Sheet 3 of 7 US 8 280 696 B1 Figure 3 Specification Information For Selected Element Types US 8 280 696 B1 Sheet 4 of 7 Oct 2 2012 U S Patent v AANDIA Aoy uoneorgnuop PIL OTISTLIO OVIEYO SUIMBIP OX yuswa PITY Ady voneolgnuopI PUOIS dTSLIajovIeyo SurmeIp odAy yuswa puosag Ady WOOL NUSpT ISI OTISLIOOVIEYO SUIMBIP 9dA JUSTO IST uoneuuozur uoneoyroods add zuowojo PAUL uoneunozur uonesyroads add usua puodasg uoTyeWOJUT vOIBDIJIDAdS odd zuv ISI BeIOIS VILT U S Patent Oct 2 2012 Sheet 5 of 7 US 8 280 696 B1 Figure 5 U S Patent Oct 2 2012 Sheet 6 of 7 US 8 280 696 B1 Figure 6 US 8 280 696 B1 Sheet 7 of 7 Oct 2 2012 U S Patent L AANDIA Aay ojpung voneorgnuap PYL SOTSLIOOvIeyO SuIMesp eojpung pry L Kay oypung uoneorjmuopt puosas SOTJSLIO ORIeYS SUIMPIP oypung puos g Aay o pung uoneoy usp isd SOlsLIo oeIeyo SUIMBIP oypung Ist UOT BULIOJUT uoneoyioods oypung pay uogeuunojur uoneorioods oypunq puooos UO eULOJUI uoneoyioods s pung s14 o8RI0IS LIET US 8 280 696 B1 1 METHOD FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF CONDUIT FIELD The present embodiments relate to a method for computer
19. ect 44a at a first bundle insertion point 36a The first bundle graph ics object 44a can be positioned at any location in the display 7 by the user The first bundle graphics object 44a is shown as an outer circle touching the edge of one of the individual graphics objects for an element type indicating a possible outer diam eter of the bundle The first bundle graphics object 44a also includes an inner circle between each of the graphics objects representing element types indicating a possible inner diam eter of the bundle The drawing characteristics of the first bundle graphics object 44a can be determined using the first bundle drawing characteristics 42a from the library of drawing characteris tics related to bundles 16 depicted in FIG 1 The display 7 also displays first bundle specification information 40a relating to the bundle The first bundle specification information 40a can be derived from the speci fication information relating to each of the individual selected element types within the bundle from the library of specifi cation information related to bundles 14 depicted in FIG 1 or combinations thereof It is contemplated that the user can enter replacement specification information to replace the displayed specifica tion information 40a Entered replacement specification can cause the computer instructions to modify other specifi cation information and or the first bundle graphics object
20. entification super bundle key can be calculated in the same manner as identification keys for ele ment types and or bundles Specification information and drawing characteristics for the super bundle are simultaneously retrieved from the library of specification information and the library of drawing char acteristics respectively forming a super bundle graphics 0 jak 5 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 8 object In an embodiment this information can be replaced with other specification information and drawing character istics entered by a user or provided by a software program Selection of two or more updated bundle graphics objects and calculation of identification super bundle keys can be repeated forming an updated super bundle graphics object with each repetition The retrieved specification information and drawing char acteristics can then be stored in association with the updated super bundle graphics object The aggregation of bundles super bundles or combina tions thereof can be repeated to form further aggregations Aggregations of these further aggregations can also be formed as graphics objects Graphics objects can be formed representing aggregations of at least two members of the group consisting of an element type a bundle a super bundle other aggregations and com binations thereof In an embodiment it is contemplated that elements bundles super bundles and other a
21. etworked data storage such as a server and other types of data storage media Data storage 5 is shown in communication with a proces sor 6 which can be any type of processor such as an IntelTM or AMD processor The processor 6 could also be a pro cessor within a cellular telephone personal digital assistant or similar handheld device The processor 6 is depicted in communication with a display 7 which can be any type of display device includ ing a computer monitor a projection screen a display of a cellular telephone personal digital assistant or similar hand held device or other similar displays A user 9 is depicted in communication with the processor 6 using an input device 13 which can include one or more keyboards keypads touch screens a mouse voice recogni tion software and or other types of input devices The user 9 is contemplated to provide input to the processor 6 in response to the output transmitted from the processor 6 to the display 7 The display 7 is depicted displaying an element type menu 20 containing a first element type 18a a second element type 185 and a third element type 18c for selec tion by the user 9 For example the first element type 18a could be a metal pipe the second element type 185 could be an electrical wire and the third element type 18c could be a polymeric tube Data storage 5 is shown containing a library of specifi cation in
22. formation relating to a plurality of element types 10 The library of specification information relating to a plurality of element types 10 contains a first element type specification information 30a a second element type speci fication information 305 and a third element type specifi cation information 30c It is contemplated that the first element type specification information 30a relates to the first element type 18a the second element type specification information 305 relates to the second element type 185 and the third element type specification information 30c relates to the third element type 18c For example the first element type 18a could have first element type specification information 30a that indicates a default outer diameter of 0 5 inches a wall thick ness of 0 25 inches a lay angle of 12 degrees and a lay length of 634 995 millimeters Data storage 5 is also shown containing a library of drawing characteristics relating to a plurality of element types 12 The library of drawing characteristics relating to a plu rality of element types 12 contains a first element type drawing characteristic 32a a second element type drawing characteristic 325 and a third element type drawing char acteristic 32c It is contemplated that the first element type drawing char acteristic 32a relates to the first element type 18a the US 8 280 696 B1 11 second element type drawing characte
23. g graphics object for the selected element type is contemplated to be a cross sectional depiction of the selected element type For example a selected metal tube with a wall thickness of 0 5 inches and an inner diameter of 20 25 40 45 50 65 6 0 75 inches having a thin polymer sleeve could be depicted as a black circle with a thick border encircled by a yellow circle with a thin border A selected flat armor wire could be depicted as a colored rectangle having a length and width proportional to the dimensions of the represented flat armor wire A selected shaped filler could be depicted as a shape approximating the shape of the selected shaped filler having cross hatching representing the material of the shaped filler The present method includes repeating the selecting of element types and the calculating of identification keys for each selected element type forming an updated graphics object with each repetition The updated graphics object can depict any number of selected element types each located at the respective element insertion point at which the selected element types were positioned Specification information for each selected element type is retrieved from the library of specification information form ing retrieved specification information The retrieved speci fication information is then stored in association with the selected element types using each element type s respective identification key I
24. g process enabling better and faster quality control than conventional methods The present method can produce mul tiple umbilicals and other conduits in a single day with a minimum of error and a minimum of wasted time and mate rials Conventional umbilical design methods are typically limited to design of a single umbilical in a day while the present method can produce a single umbilical in as little as ten minutes The present method incorporates use of software that can interface with other software packages to form modules and larger integrated packages having multiple features The soft ware can act as an input file for other engineering and design software programs such as Abaqus owned by Simulia that can incorporate the calculations and features of the con duit designed using the present method Additionally the software can be secured such as by using encryption or similar measures to prevent terrorism indus trial espionage and similar difficulties The present method includes creating a library of specifi cation information related to each of a plurality of element types and each of a plurality of bundles The library of speci fication information can be coded as a table within a software tool useable to perform the present method avoiding the need for use of a separate database or application and allowing faster retrieval of the specification information than other methods 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
25. ggregations can be removed from graphics objects and updated graphics objects For example a user could select a graphics object represent ing an element type and delete the graphics object A user could also remove one or more selected element types from a bundle one or more bundles from a super bundle or delete entire bundles or super bundles In a contemplated embodiment the present method can include the step of adding element types to the element type menu For example a new type of flexible tubing for use in conduits not included in the element type menu can be added Specification information and drawing characteristics relat ing to the new element type can also be added to the library of specification information and the library of drawing charac teristics respectively It is contemplated that in an embodiment specification information can be added or removed from the library of specification information and that drawing characteristics can be added or removed from the library of drawing charac teristics In an embodiment the present method can also include creating a library of costs relating to each of the plurality of element types Part cost information raw material cost infor mation manufacturing cost information or combinations thereof can be retrieved from the library of costs simulta neous with the retrieval of specification information and or drawing characteristics from the respective libraries It is also c
26. gs can be performed simply and quickly by users with little specialized training further enhancing the efficiency of the present method Through use of menu based software which provides mechanical properties for conduit designs the present method enables very rapid nearly instantaneous user opera tion The software also displays integrated calculations and drawings on the same screen as elements related to the cal culations further enhancing the efficiency and ease of use of the present method The present method enables production of a full detailed representation of each part of a conduit with calculations that account for three dimensions showing all angles vectors and parts of a conduit which enables more accurate raw material calculation for creation of conduits than conven tional methods This benefit of the present method not only conserves time and costs but also reduces the consumption and waste of materials and resources The present method enables engineers designers and other users to create drawings in the same manner in which a conduit is created from the center to the outside This ben efit enhances the efficiency and accuracy of the design pro cess by allowing a conduit to be depicted in the same manner and order that an umbilical engineer or designer would con ceptualize the conduit Through the production of electronic drawings the present method reduces the errors that can occur in the manual draft in
27. haracteristics for the element type It is contemplated that the identification keys allow indi vidual element types to be tracked and referenced For example if a user selects an element type then replaces the specification information related to that element type with other specification information the identification key gener ated for the element type using the present method can store the modified specification information for that element type in association with the identification key A first identification key 24a is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the first element type specifi cation information 30a and first element type drawing char acteristics 32a that relate to the first element type 18a depicted in FIG 1 It is contemplated that the first element type specification information 30a the first element type drawing characteristics 32a or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specification infor mation or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user A second identification key 24b is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the second element type speci fication information 30b and second element type drawing characteristics 325 that relate to the second element type 185 depicted in FIG 1 It is contemplated that the second element type specification information 305 the second ele ment type draw
28. ineering KSME International Journal vol 12 No 1 pp 1 11 1998 Holbrook Enterprises WireCAD Version 3 2 User Manual 2000 2004 Park et al Computational Support for Concurrent Engineering of Cable Harnesses CDR Technical Report No 19920219 Feb 15 1992 cited by examiner US 8 280 696 B1 Sheet 1 of 7 Oct 2 2012 U S Patent IT daNDI SONSLIOIOVIEYS SUIMBIP pue UOYLULOJUI uorjesiyisads payejor pue saypung Jo pue sodA quau YUM payeloosse S WOPOTJHUAp ozojs 0 pue sAdy UOTJVOTJHUSp 3eme 0 soypung pue sod yuswa SutjUasaidal sjoalqo sorydeis sonpoid 0 oypung 10 adAy jusuroje Ue YIM poyeloosse SoNsLojovIeyO SUIMBIP PUL uoyewozur uolgeorproeds ageydar o mdu Jasn ydacoe 0 Jossas01d I ynysu 0 sUOTONYsut Iayndurod ONSLIojORIeYyo UOT BUIOJUT 6 ZumeIp ojpunq PIL uoneogroads ojpung prq L oNsLojORIeYyo uoneunozur SULMBIP oppung puoses uoneorpoeds a_pung puoses d ONSLIO ORIEYO uorjeuLojuI OCE JRE Surmerp oypung Js uogeogoads a pung 3st soypung yo Arend e 0 poyeyor soypung jo Ayyemmyd e 0 paer SoysLojoereyo SuLMBIp JO AIBIgI uoyeuuoyzur WOR YLO0ds Jo Areiqi vl ad j IW PU I INSHAJILIWYI uoneuuozur uonesyroads Summerp odAy IWA PAUL ad zuoware PIL os ojeIeyd uonewzojur voneorproeds Surmelp odAq Juowaje puoseg ad yuswa puodos addy yuowrojs Puos9g oTsTs ORIeYO uogewzojur uonesyroads Surmep odAj uawa ISI 9dA JUSWD 9 ISI ad JUSTIATO ISI sadAq yuswa Jo Ajfemyd
29. ing characteristics 326 or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specifi cation information or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user A third identification key 24c is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the third element type specifi US 8 280 696 B1 13 cation information 30c and third element type drawing char acteristics 32c that relate to the third element type 18c depicted in FIG 1 It is contemplated that the third element type specification information 30c the third element type drawing characteristics 32c or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specification infor mation or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user Each identification key could also be stored with the asso ciated graphics object element type and other similar infor mation relating to the associated element type Referring now to FIG 5 an exemplary display 7 is depicted after a user has selected displayed graphics objects for three element types and formed a bundle It is contemplated that after a user selects two or more graphics objects representing element types computer instructions in the data storage can instruct the processor to aggregate the selected element types into a bundle and display a bundle graphics object The display 7 depicts a first bundle graphics obj
30. ises element type dimensions element type properties element type material properties and element type electrical properties 8 The method of claim 1 wherein the specification com prises at least one of element type dimensions element type properties element type material properties and element type electrical properties 9 The method of claim 1 further comprising linking a plurality of drawing characteristics linked to the element type stored in the database of drawing characteristics 10 The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of draw ing characteristics linked to the element type comprises shad ing cross hatching color and orientation 11 The method of claim 1 further comprising modifying at least one of the specification or the drawing characteristic linked to the element type and calculating a cost associated with the element type in response to the modification 12 The method of claim 1 wherein the element type com prises a tube a sheath a tape a wire a fiber optic strand an armor a filler or combinations thereof 13 The method of claim 1 wherein the bundling of the first graphic object and the second graphic object comprises dis posing the first graphic object and the second graphic object within a sheath 14 The method of claim 1 wherein the display of the bundled graphic object comprises a first circle touching an edge of the first graphic object or the second graphic object indicating an outer
31. ity or permeability The library of specification information can further include element material properties such as insulation element electrical properties such as a dielectric constant bundle dimensions bundle properties bundle electrical properties and combina tions thereof Dimensions and properties can include inner diameter outer diameter wall thickness material density a name or description of an element or bundle a modulus of elasticity an element or bundle mass per unit length a material ultimate tensile strength a material yield strength content of a tube pressure and temperature specifications including melting points conductivity lay length lay angle and other similar dimensions and properties The present method also includes creating a library of drawing characteristics related to each of the plurality of element types and each of the plurality of bundles Drawing US 8 280 696 B1 5 characteristics can include shading such as to indicate thick ness cross hatching such as to indicate metal or another material color such as black to indicate the wall of a tube and yellow to indicate a sheath surrounding the tube and orien tation which can include the position of an element type and the direction in which an element type faces The library of drawing characteristics can be coded as a table within the software tool useable to perform the present method It is also contemplated that the library of d
32. l which checks all existing identification keys and generates an iden tification key that is not yet used by adding one to the largest existing identification key This identification key is then associated with the 1 0 inch diameter metal tube The user can then select eight additional metal tubes from the element type menu adjusting the specification informa tion as needed The user can also select two previously gen erated electrical quads inserted from a previous file also adjusting the specification information for each electrical quad if necessary Each new element type can be inserted at any desired element insertion point The user can then select each of the metal tubes and both electrical quads such as by clicking on each element with a mouse then form a bundle such as by right clicking the software window and selecting that a bundle be formed using a menu A graphics image representing a bundle containing the 8 0 5 inch diameter metal tubes the 1 1 0 inch metal tube and the 2 electrical quads will appear alongside a window dis playing specification information for the bundle such as the lay angle and lay length of the bundle Some elements of this specification information can be determined by the software using the specification information for each individual ele ment type within the bundle Other elements of the specifi cation information for the bundle can be default settings retrieved from the library of specificati
33. lex carrying fluids that leak from a riser or from casing surround ing a well Conduits can further include polymeric tubes such as nylon tubes carrying fluids or gasses or gaseous vapors which leak from a well flexible conduit or graphite compos ite tubes carrying hydrocarbon fluids Conduits can also include communication media such as signal coaxial tele phone fiber optic cable or combinations thereof such as those made by Sumitomo or Corning The present method provides the advantage of enabling custom design of conduits which can include any number of elements bundles of elements super bundles aggregations of bundles and super bundles with or without additional ele ments and further recursive aggregations The present method is easily used to design conduits con taining non standard umbilical and or conduit element types The present method further enables non standard umbilical and or conduit element types to be utilized and designed repeatably For example an umbilical containing two electrical quads eight Vo inch tubes and one 1 inch tube can be quickly depicted using the present method Specification information and graphics objects for each element bundle super bundle or aggregations thereof is readily retrievable using the present method Technical and or cost calculations relating to bundles and larger aggregations can be performed practically instanta neously because the specification information is electro
34. n an embodiment the retrieved specification information can be replaced with other specification information such as specification information provided by user entry by a soft ware program or combinations thereof It is contemplated that a user can modify one or more parametrics of the element type to form a modified element The replacement specifica tion information can then be stored in association with the modified element New parametrics can simultaneously and automatically be calculated for one or more element types bundles or combi nations thereof such as by use of a software program Para metrics of all element types bundles or combinations thereof that are connected to the modified element bundle or com binations thereof can be simultaneously and automatically modified to account for the new parametrics The drawing characteristics for each selected element type are retrieved from the library of drawing characteristics forming retrieved drawing characteristics and stored in asso ciation with the selected element types It is contemplated that in an embodiment the drawing characteristics can be replaced with other drawing characteristics such as drawing characteristics provided by user entry a software program or combinations thereof The replacement drawing characteris tics can then be stored in association with the selected element type using the element type s identification key For example a user may select
35. n and the drawing character istic linked to the first element type c selecting a second element type from the element type menu wherein the second element type is linked with a specification stored in the database of specification information and a drawing characteristic stored in the database of drawing characteristics on the data storage in communication with the processor and wherein the specification and drawing characteristic are displayed on the display screen d generating a second graphic object depicting the second element type on the display screen at a point of input wherein the second graphic object is automatically gen erated using the specification and the drawing charac teristic linked to the second element type e selecting the first graphic object and the second graphic object and selecting a function from a menu to form a bundled graphic object wherein the bundled graphic object is formed using computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to aggregate the first element type and the second element type into the bundled graphic object and f instantaneously with the aggregating performing calcu lations using software that performs calculations using the specification information linked to each of the graphic objects that account for three dimensions show ing all angles vectors and parts of a conduit and using the calculations to automatically generate a list of com ponents raw materials
36. n for that bundle in association with the identification bundle key A first identification bundle key 38a is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the first bundle specifica tion information 40a and first bundle drawing characteris tics 42a that relate to the first bundle represented by bundle graphics object 44a depicted in FIG 6 It is contemplated that the first bundle specification information 40a the first bundle drawing characteristics 32a or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specifi cation information or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user A second identification bundle key 385 is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the second bundle specification information 405 and second bundle drawing characteristics 425 that relate to the second bundle repre sented by bundle graphics object 44b depicted in FIG 6 It is contemplated that the second bundle specification informa tion 405 the second bundle drawing characteristics 325 or combinations thereof can include data retrieved from the library of specification information or the library of drawing characteristics respectively or data inserted by a user A third identification bundle key 38c is depicted stored in data storage 5 in association with the third bundle specifi cation information 40c and third bundle drawing character istics 4
37. ni cally linked to the graphics objects This is a significant time saving and money saving benefit for umbilical designers The present method involves the use of at least two and up to three libraries for design of a specific umbilical By linking to these libraries and using a graphic object formation meth odology a designer can specify a specific length for a uniquely designed umbilical and obtain quickly a list of com ponents raw materials and manufacturing costs to deter mine overall cost for manufacture of the umbilical or conduit using only ten percent or less of the time currently required using conventional hand drawn techniques for umbilicals and other conduits The present method uniquely enables a list of raw materials parts and other costs for a conduit to be gen erated simultaneously when designing an umbilical or similar conduit The method provides tremendous versatility in the design process by offering a customer more than one option with more than one set of costs for each umbilical design practi cally simultaneously The method enables a customer to evaluate several designs and thereby choose the most cost optimizing option in the manufacturing process and thereby be more competitive in the industry Further the present method enables default specification information for a conduit bundle or larger aggregation to be simply and efficiently modified and stored in association with their related graphics objec
38. on information Items of specification information for the bundle can be changed by auser such as by entering a new lay angle and all other items of specification information can be automatically updated by the software to account for the change input by the user The processor is then instructed to create an identification bundle key for the bundle which can be obtained by adding one to the largest existing identification key yielding the identification bundle key 45368 The identification bundle key is then stored in association with the bundle 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 10 The graphics object representing the bundle can be inserted at any desired insertion point A user can add any number of element types and form any number of bundles as needed to design the desired conduit Further multiple bundles can be selected and formed into super bundles Multiple super bundles can be selected and formed into larger aggregations which can in turn be formed into even larger aggregations An unlimited number of aggre gations can be formed as necessary to design a conduit Referring now to FIG 1 a diagram of an embodiment of a system useable with the present method is shown FIG 1 depicts data storage 5 which can be any type of data storage medium or combination of data storage media including fixed data storage such as a computer hard drive removable data storage such as a portable memory stick n
39. ontemplated that information can be added or removed from the library of costs Through use of the library of costs the present method can enable accurate quantities of required parts and or materials and related costs to be calcu lated nearly instantaneously simultaneous with the conduit design process The present method can further include the step of printing one or more graphics objects printing a calculation report printing a material selection report saving one or more graph ics objects connecting to another software program or com binations thereof once a graphics object is formed Use of the present method is illustrated through the follow ing example A user that wishes to design a conduit for carrying electri cal cable can provide specifications for an umbilical to be produced For example the user may specify that the umbili cal must contain 2 electrical quads 8 metal tubes with a diameter of 0 5 inches and 1 metal tube with a diameter of 1 0 inch The user can also specify desired pressure ratings for the metal tubes and voltage and power ratings for the electrical quads US 8 280 696 B1 9 Using international standards and or codes the appropriate wall thickness for the metal tubes required to meet the user s specifications can be determined The copper cross section area and insulation thickness required to meet the user s specifications for the electrical quads can also be determined using international
40. rawing characteristics could be part of a separate application list database array or other compilation of information It s contemplated that selected element types are originally assigned default drawing characteristics from the library of drawing characteristics and default specification information from the library of specification However a user can input modified drawing characteristics and or modified specifica tion information which can be stored in association with the element type enabling the element type with modified speci fication information and or drawing characteristics to be retrieved for future use An element type is then selected from an element type menu forming a selected element type such as by using a mouse keyboard or other input device The element type menu can include a drop down menu a tool strip menu or a similar type of menu that lists sorted or unsorted element types and other functions of the software tool used to perform the present method The element type is positioned at an element insertion point The term element insertion point refers to a position indentified by a user on a drawing page of the software tool and the registration of the element type such as by right clicking the software with a mouse An element insertion point can be any location on a display device within a drawing area provided by the software The present method then includes calculating an identifi cation key
41. ristic 325 relates to the second element type 185 and the third element type drawing characteristic 32c relates to the third element type 18c For example the first element type 18a could have first element type drawing characteristic 32a that indicates a default drawing that includes a black circle having a diameter of 0 5 inches and a line width of 0 1 inches Data storage 5 is further shown containing a library of specification information related to a plurality of bundles 14 which includes a first bundle specification information 40a a second bundle specification information 405 anda third bundle specification information 40c The bundle specification information 40a c is contemplated to relate to one or more bundles that can be formed from element types Data storage 5 also contains a library of drawing charac teristics related to a plurality of bundles 16 The library of drawing characteristics related to a plurality of bundles 16 includes a first bundle drawing characteristic 42a a second bundle drawing characteristic 425 and a third bundle draw ing characteristic 42c The bundle drawing characteristics 42a c are contemplated to relate to one or more bundles formed from element types Data storage 5 is further shown containing computer instructions 11 which are contemplated to instruct the pro cessor 6 to accept user input to replace specification infor mation and drawing characteristi
42. t the processor can produce the second graphics object using the drawing characteristics relating to the second element type The second graphics object 265 is depicted as a circle having four round internal components representing an elec trical quad A third graphics object 26c is depicted at a third element type insertion point 22c representing the third element type 18c depicted in FIG 1 It is contemplated that the processor can produce the third graphics object using the drawing char acteristics relating to the third element type The third graph ics object is depicted as a circle representing a flexible tube for carrying fluid The specification information 30 relating to any of the first element type the second element type the third element type or combinations thereof can be displayed on the display 7 simultaneous with the graphics objects 26a c It is contemplated that a user can modify the specification information 30 or drawing characteristics for any of the graphics objects 26a c Referring now to FIG 4 a diagram depicting exemplary contents of the data storage 5 is shown After forming a graphics object for each selected element type it is contemplated that the processor depicted in FIG 1 can be instructed to calculate an identification key for each selected element type Each identification key is stored in the data storage 5 in association with the specification informa tion and drawing c
43. t method The bundle is positioned at a bundle insertion point which can be any selected point within the drawing page of the software tool indicated by the registration of the bundle such as by right clicking the software tool with a mouse An identification bundle key is calculated for the bundle The identification bundle key can be calculated in the same manner as the identification key relating to one or more ele ment types such as by adding one to the largest existing identification key for either an element type or a bundle Specification information and drawing characteristics for the bundle can be simultaneously retrieved from the library of specification information and the library of drawing charac teristics respectively to form a bundle graphics object In an embodiment the specification information drawing characteristics or combinations thereof can be modified such as by user entry or a software program The modified specification information drawing characteristics or combi nations thereof can then be stored in association with the bundle using the bundle identification key A bundle graphics object is contemplated to depict each individual element type contained within the bundle in close proximity with a first circle touching the edge of at least one of the depicted element types indicating a possible outer diameter of the bundle and a second circle between each of the element types indicating a possible inner
44. ts through use of identification keys that are unique to each stored element type bundle or larger aggregation The present method can thereby be used to design unique custom bundles that can be saved for easy and rapid retrieval The modification of specification information enables a user to see the impact of a change of specification information in multiple mechanical characteristics costs and other areas For example a user can change the material ofa fluid carrying tube and view updated mechanical and cost related charac teristics in response to the change The present method is simple to operate and can be per formed by individuals who lack computer assisted drawing skills engineering calculus or higher math skills or drafting US 8 280 696 B1 3 skills No draftsman or manual drafting is required to design conduits using the present method No manual engineering or mathematical calculations are required to provide mechanical specifications as the present method incorporates use of soft ware that performs calculations to provide mechanical prop erties of a design The present method thereby conserves time and costs related to labor as well as time and costs related to the drafting process The present method provides the benefit of increased effi ciency over conventional methods by providing rapid elec tronic drawing and design of umbilicals and other conduits which are typically drawn by hand Manipulation of drawin
45. well such as those made by Wellstream Technip or NKT of Denmark Element types can further include one or more polymeric strands such as polypropy lene polyethylene or polyaramide strands Element types can also include shaped fillers which can include round fillers or fillers having other shapes used to fill gaps between elements in a bundle to provide a rounder cross sectional shape to the bundle The term bundle refers to a group of element types A bundle can have specification information independent of the specification information of the individual element types con tained within the bundle One or more items of specification information for the bundle can be determined using the speci fication information of the individual element types within the bundle One or more items of specification information for the bundle could also be determined independent of the specification information of the individual element types For example the mass of a bundle could be determined using the individual masses of each individual element type within the bundle while the pitch angle of the bundle could be a default value obtained from the library of specification information The library of specification information can include ele ment dimensions such as lengths and diameters or element properties which can include mechanical properties such as mass elasticity yield strength magnetic properties heat transfer properties conductiv
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