AU2012230275B2

AU2012230275B2 - Connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for carrying a fluid in a marine environment and method for fitting such a connection end fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2012230275B2
Application number: AU2012230275A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roberto Aquino; German Raul BRUNO; Fred Laaf; Fernando Leitao Goncalves Toste
Original assignee: Technip France SAS
Current assignee: Technip Energies France SAS
Priority date: 2011-03-24
Filing date: 2012-03-22
Publication date: 2017-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-22
Also published as: DK2689175T3; AU2012230275A1; AP2013007183A0; BR112013024326A2; WO2012126999A1; EP2689175B1; FR2955371B1; FR2955371A1; EP2689175A1; BR112013024326B1; MY166416A

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection end fitting (10) for a flexible tubular pipe of the unbounded type notably comprising an internal pressure sheath (3) and at least one tensile pressure armour layer (5, 6) which are wound at long pitch and each comprise a forward edge (22) formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment (21) of said internal sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault (11) and a cylindrical cap (15) forming an annular chamber (17) filled with a filler material and into which the separated parts (20) of the armour layers (8) extend, characterized in that the end fitting (10) also comprises means (30) of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath (3) which are positioned between the forward edges (22) of the separated parts (20) of the armour layers (8) and the end vault (11) after this end fitting (10) has been fitted onto the pipe (1).

Description

1 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

Connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for carrying a fluid in a marine environment and method for fitting such a connection end fitting.

The present invention relates to a connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for carrying a fluid in a marine environment. It more particularly relates to a flexible pipe of the unbonded type used for the offshore exploitation of oil and gas deposits.

The invention also relates to a method for fitting such a connection end fitting on 5 an unbonded flexible tubular pipe.

These flexible pipes, which are made up of a set of different concentric and superimposed layers, are called unbonded when the layers have a certain freedom to move relative to one another.

These flexible pipes satisfy, inter alia, the recommendations of standard 10 documents API 17J "Specification for Unbonded Flexible Pipe" and API RP 17B "Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe" established by the American Petroleum Institute.

In general, the component layers in particular comprise sheets in particular made from a polymer material generally performing a sealing function, and reinforcing layers 15 designed to react mechanical forces and formed by windings of liners, metal wires, various strips, or profiles made from composite materials.

The unbonded flexible pipes most often used for the offshore exploitation of oil and gas deposits generally comprise, from the inside out, an inner carcass made up of a stapled liner that serves to prevent crushing of the pipe under the effect of the outside 20 pressure, an inner pressure sheath, a pressure vault made up of at least one metal wire with a shape stapled and helically wound with a short pitch, the pressure vault serving to react the radial forces related to the internal pressure, at least one tensile pressure armor layer made up of helical windings with a long pitch and composite metal wires, said armor layers being intended to react the longitudinal forces undergone by the pipe, and an outer 25 sealing sheath intended to protect the reinforcing layers from the seawater.

This type of pipe is called a "rough-bore" pipe, i.e., the fluid circulating in the pipe is in contact with the inner carcass, said inner carcass being the first layer starting from the inside.

Alternatively, the pipe may be a "smooth-bore" pipe, i.e., the pipe does not include 30 an inner carcass, the first layer starting from the inside in that case being a sealing sheath made from a polymeric material.

The flexible tubular pipes include, at each end, a connection end fitting intended to connect the pipes to each other or with terminal equipment, and said end fittings must be made under conditions ensuring both good securing and good sealing. 2 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

In fact, the connection end fittings must perform several functions, namely in particular anchoring the armors as well as crimping and sealing the free ends of the different sheaths, and in particular crimping at the free end of the inner pressure sheath.

Several types of connection end fittings are known using the principle of crimping 5 of the inner pressure sheath, in particular from document FR-2,616,389 in the Applicant's name. This connection end fitting includes an end vault connected by crimping means to the inner pressure sheath and a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on the outer sheath. The vault and the cap define an annular chamber in which the free ends of the armors extend. The wires making up the armors are deployed in the annular 10 chamber above the crimping means of the pressure sheath and that chamber is filled with a filler material made up of a resin of the epoxy type ensuring anchoring of the armors in said at least one tensile pressure layer. A hook is formed at the end of each armor and said hook, when engaged in the resin, ensures mechanical blocking opposing the pulling out forces of the pipe. This 15 blocking means is not, however, capable alone of sustainably withstanding the stresses, in particular because the mechanical characteristics of the armors are lower at each hook then over the full length, due to the manufacturing method of the hook.

In order to reduce the tension level at each hook, the friction is used between the armors and the resin, as well as the capstan effect. The trajectory of each armor between 50 its point of entry into the resin at the rear of the end fitting on the one hand and the hook on the other hand is not a straight line. One thus obtains additional retaining due to the capstan effect. In order to increase this capstan effect while limiting the size of the end fitting, the armors are deliberately deformed at the end fitting while giving them, inside the annular chamber, a different trajectory from that which they have in the pipe. 25 In practice, each armor is first radially separated from the longitudinal axis of the end fitting by rising in a spiral over several tens of centimeters, along a first cone called the rear cone, then brought closer to the longitudinal axis while descending again in a helix along a second cone, called for front cone, until ending with the hook. This particular trajectory with a helix with an increasing radius followed by a helix with a decreasing 30 radius significantly increases the capstan effect and thereby makes it possible to improve the performance of the anchoring while in particular reducing the level of tension that each hook must react.

However, at the connection end fitting, the average tension may reach several hundreds of tons, and that tension is not constant, but varies continuously based on the 35 vertical movements of the floating production support under the effect of the swell. The 3 2012230275 11 Jan 2017 associated tension variations may reach several tens of tons, and may be repeated a large number of times throughout the lifetime of the installation.

As a result, a fatigue problem may arise at two locations in the end fitting, namely: - at the anchoring means situated at the front end of the armors, 5 - at the rear of the end fitting, at the transition between the flexible pipe and the embedding area of the armors.

The manufacture of the end fittings currently used requires folding, then unfolding each armor, which results in significant cold-working of the wires of the frames at the rear part of the connection fitting. This cold working locally reduces the fatigue resistance of 10 the wires of the armors.

In fact, the position of the crimping and/or sealing means of the inner pressure sheath below the end portions of the armors requires significant folding of said armors when the end fitting is fitted so as to be able to perform the crimping of that pressure sheath to access said means. Thus, the most critical area where the wires of the armors 15 may break due to fatigue is more specifically the point of detachment of the armors to go from a "cylinder helix" to a "cone helix". Under the effect of the tension variations, the wires may in fact move by several millimeters along their axis, and these relative movements between the wires of the armors and the resin are only detrimental when the radius of curvature of the wires remains constant and very large, which is the case as long 20 as the wires of the armors keep the helix trajectory that they have in the pipe.

However, at the area of detachment of the wires of the armors, the radius of curvature drops sharply. Thus, the areas of the wires of the armors situated at this transition may, under the effect of the axial movement, go from an area with a large radius of curvature to an area with a small radius of curvature and vice versa, which generates 25 high bending loads and a bending fatigue phenomenon.

To try to resolve this problem, it is known to place, on the armor layer, a ring preventing an operator from folding the armors with too small a radius of curvature. However, even with this type of ring, placing the crimping and/or sealing means of the inner pressure sheath below the end portions of the armors requires successively folding 30 and unfolding the armors to perform the crimping.

Embodiments of the invention therefore aim to propose a connection end fitting that avoids these drawbacks and makes it possible not only to bear a very high average tension, but also to withstand fatigue upon many variable tension cycles oscillating around the average tension. 35 Embodiments of the invention therefore relate to a connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment, said pipe being of the 4 2012230275 26 Apr 2017 unbonded type and in particular comprising at least one inner pressure sheath and at least one tensile pressure armor layer which are wound at a long pitch around the pressure sheath and each include a forward edge formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment of said pressure sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault and 5 a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on the outer sheath, said vault and said cap forming an annular chamber filled with a filler material and into which the separated parts of the armors extend, characterized in that the end fitting also includes means of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath which are positioned between the forward edges of the separated parts of the armors and the end vault after this end fitting 10 has been fitted onto the pipe.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly of a connection end fitting and of a flexible tubular pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment, said pipe being of the unbonded type and in particular comprising at least one inner pressure sheath and at least one tensile pressure armor layer, the at least one 15 tensile pressure armor layer comprising a plurality of armors which are wound at a long pitch around the pressure sheath and each include a forward edge formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment of said pressure sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault and a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on an outer sheath, said vault and said cap forming an annular chamber filled with a filler 20 material and into which the separated parts of the armors extend, the end fitting also including means of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath which are positioned between the forward edges of the separated parts of the armors and the end vault, the sealing and crimping means comprising an annular ring including a slender forward part, said annular ring being positioned around the pressure sheath in a stepped cylindrical 25 recess, formed in a central bore of the end vault and including a conical forward step, wherein the annular ring forms an annular bulge toward the inside embedded in the pressure sheath, wherein the separated part of each armor includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a helix on cone portion including a hook or a twist or a wave. 30 The connection end fitting according to certain embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combination(s): - the sealing and crimping means comprise an annular ring including a slender forward part, said annular ring being positioned around the pressure sheath in a stepped 35 cylindrical recess, formed in a central bore of the end vault and including a conical forward step, 5 2012230275 26 Apr 2017 - the annular ring is kept in the recess by a stop ring fastened on an inner wall of the end vault, - the separated part of each armor includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a portion curved toward the rear opposite the end vault extended by a 5 substantially helix portion, - the substantially helix portion of each armor ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a hook or a wave or a twist, - the separated part of each armor includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a helix on cone portion including a hook or a wave or a twist, 10 - each armor includes, in front of the forward edge, a portion having a helix on cone-type trajectory, - the point(s) of detachment of each armor have a radius of curvature greater than 50 mm, advantageously greater than 100 mm, more advantageously greater than 150 mm, and 15 - the point of detachment of each armor is covered with an anti-corrosion material, - the complementary anchoring means are formed by a hook curved forward.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment, said pipe being of the unbonded type and in particular comprising at least 20 one inner pressure sheath and at least one tensile pressure armor layer, the at least one tensile pressure armor layer comprising a plurality of armors which are wound at a long pitch around the pressure sheath and each include a forward edge formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment of said pressure sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault and a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on 25 an outer sheath, said vault and said cap forming an annular chamber filled with a filler material and into which the separated parts of the armors extend, wherein the end fitting also includes means of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath which are positioned between the forward edges of the separated parts of the armors and the end vault after this end fitting has been fitted onto the pipe , wherein the separated part of each armor 30 includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a portion curved toward the rear opposite the end vault extended by a substantially helix portion, wherein the substantially helix portion of each armor ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a hook or a wave or a twist.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for fitting 35 an end fitting as previously described, on an end of a flexible pipe, wherein it in particular consists of the following steps: 2012230275 26 Apr 2017

5A a) the cap is mounted on the end of the pipe while leaving the free ends of said at least one armor layer and the pressure sheath exposed, b) each armor is radially separated, c) the anchoring means for anchoring in the filler material are formed on the 5 separated part of each armor, d) the annular sealing and crimping ring and the stop ring are engaged on the free end of the pressure sheath, e) the end vault of the end fitting is fitted on the free end of the pipe, f) the annular ring is pushed axially forward in the recess to form the annular bulge 10 toward the inside embedded in the pressure sheath, g) the stop ring is fastened on the end vault to block the annular ring, said annular ring being positioned in front of the forward each of each armor, h) the cap is moved toward the front end of the pipe, and said cap is fastened on the end vault, and 15 i) the annular chamber formed by the end vault and the cap is filled with filler material to anchor the end parts of the armors of the armor layer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, after step a), a ring is engaged on the exposed end of said at least one armor layer, said ring including an inner rim having a predetermined radius of curvature, said rim being positioned toward the front of 20 6 2012230275 11 Jan 2017 the pipe; each armor is lifted while forming, using said ring, a radius of curvature according to the radius of curvature of the inner rim of said ring; a shaping ring is inserted below the raised parts of the armors, said shaping ring having an outer profile in the form of a bi-cone; said shaping ring is applied on each armor to produce a portion having a 5 helix on cone-type trajectory; the armors are raised again to remove the shaping ring; and steps b) to i) are repeated.

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a flexible tubular pipe used for the offshore 10 exploitation of oil and gas deposits, - Figs. 2 to 10 are partial diagrammatic axial cross-sectional views of several embodiments of a connection end fitting of a flexible tubular pipe, - Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic axial cross-sectional half-view of the sealing and crimping means of the inner pressure sheath, 15 - Figs. 12 to 20 are diagrammatic and partial axial cross-sectional half-views showing the different steps of fitting a connection end fitting on a flexible tubular pipe.

Fig. 1 partially shows a flexible tubular pipe 1 intended for offshore oil exploitation, and more particularly for carrying oil or gas products.

It is of the unbonded type and meets the specifications defined in normative 50 documents API 17J, API RP 17B.

In the example embodiment shown in this figure, the flexible tubular pipe 1 comprises, from the inside out: - an inner carcass 2 made up of a metal strip wound, profiled and stapled in a helix with a short pitch, more typically with a helix angle comprised between 70 and 90° and 25 intended to withstand crushing under the effect of the outside pressure applied to the pipe, - an inner pressure sheath 3 produced by extruding a polymer material, - a pressure vault 4 made up of at least one metal wire, for example stapled, wound helically with a short pitch, typically with a helix angle comprised between 70 and 90°, and ensuring resistance to the inner pressure in the pipe 1, 30 - at least one tensile pressure armor layer, and in the example embodiment shown in Fig. 1, two crossed tensile pressure armor layers 5 and 6 made up of metal wires forming armors 8 wound in a helix with a long pitch typically at angles comprised between 20 and 55°, and - a sealing sheath 7 made from a polymer forming outer protection for the pipe 1. 35 The pipe 1 is of the unbonded type, i.e., the different layers making up said pipe 1 have a certain freedom to move relative to one another. 7 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

The pipe shown in Fig. 1 is of the "rough-bore" type, i.e., the fluid circulating in the pipe 1 is in contact with the inner carcass 2, said inner carcass being the first layer starting from the inside.

Alternatively, the pipe may be of the "smooth-bore" type, i.e., the pipe 1 does not 5 include an inner carcass 2, the first layer starting from the inside in this case being the inner pressure sheath 3.

According to one embodiment that is not shown, the pipe does not include a pressure vault, in which case the armor layers 5 and 6 are advantageously wound with a helix angle of approximately 55°, which allows them to react both the inner pressure and 10 the traction forces.

The flexible tubular pipe 1 includes, at each of its ends, a connection end fitting 10 designed to ensure the connection of the pipes to each other or with terminal equipment, and said end fittings may be made under conditions ensuring both good securing and good sealing. 15 In fact, the connection end fittings 10 may perform several functions, which are in particular anchoring the tensile pressure armor layers 5 and 6, as well as crimping and sealing the free ends of the various polymer sealing sheaths 3 and 7.

In Figs. 2 to 10, the shared elements are designated using the same references, and only the elements of the connection end fitting 10 making it possible to facilitate 20 understanding of the invention have been shown, the other elements having been removed.

Hereafter, the term "forward" means closest to the free end 1a of the pipe 1, and the term "rear" means furthest from the free end 1a.

In general, the end fitting 10 comprises an end vault 11 including an end flange 25 11a intended for fastening on another connection end fitting or terminal equipment. This end vault 11 has a cylindrical central bore 12 with an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner carcass 2, and the function of which is to ensure the flow of the fluids carried by the pipe 1.

This central bore 12 is positioned on the side of the free end 2a of the inner 30 carcass 2, coaxially to the latter, so as to ensure a continuous flow of the fluids between the pipe 1 and the end fitting 10.

The end vault 11 includes, on the side of the free end 1a of the pipe 1, a stepped circular recess 13 coaxial to the central bore 12 and having diameters larger than that central bore 12 for the insertion of the free end 2a of the carcass 2 as well as the free end 35 3a of the inner pressure sheath 3. 8 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

The connection end fitting 10 also includes a cylindrical cap 15 extending the end vault 11 and forming, through known means, sealing 16 on the outer sheath 7.

The vault 11 and the cap 15 define an annular chamber 17 in which the separated parts 20 of the armors 8 of the armor layers 5 and 6 extend. The armors 8 of each armor 5 layer 5 and 6 are separated from a point of detachment 21. The annular chamber 17 is filled with a filler material formed from an epoxy-type resin ensuring anchoring of the armors 8. In all of the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 10, the separated parts 20 of the armors 8 each include a forward edge 22 situated closest to the end vault 11 when the end fitting 10 is mounted on the pipe 1. 10 The end fitting 10 also includes sealing and crimping means 30 for the pressure sheath 3. In general, these sealing and crimping means 30 are positioned between the forward edges 22 of the armors 8 and the end vault 11, after said end fitting 10 has been fitted on the pipe 1.

As shown in more detail in Fig. 11, the sealing and crimping means 30 comprise 15 an annular ring 35 having a slender forward part. This forward part is capable of sliding on a conical step 13a formed in the recess 13, when it undergoes axial thrust, to form an annular bulge 35a toward the inside that bites into the pressure sheath 3 gripped between the end vault 11 and the inner carcass 2.

The annular ring 35 is kept in the recess 13 by a stop ring 31 that includes a first IQ cylindrical part 31a overlapping the free end 3a of the pressure sheath 3 and abutting against said annular ring 35, and a second fastening part 31b on an inner wall of the end vault 11 using suitable members, for example such as screwing members 32.

Alternatively, according to one embodiment that is not shown, the sealing and crimping means 30 comprise an O-ring or a special seal such as those disclosed in 25 document W02004/001269.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, the separated part 20 of each armor 8 includes means for anchoring in the filler material inside the annular chamber 17, formed by a portion 24 curved toward the rear opposite the end vault 11, extended by a substantially helical portion 25. 30 According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the substantially helical part 25 of each armor 8 ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a hook 26, all of the hooks 26 being oriented toward the outside.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the substantially helical part 25 of each armor 8 ends with complementary anchoring means formed by alternating hooks 35 26 oriented toward the outside and toward the inside. 9 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the substantially helical part 25 of each armor 8 ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a hook 26, the set of hooks 26 being oriented toward the inside.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the substantially helical part 25 5 of each armor 8 ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a wave 27.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, the substantially helical part 25 of each armor 8 ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a twist 28.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the separated part of each armor 8 includes anchoring means in the filler material inside the annular chamber 17 formed by a helix on cone 10 portion 40 and the free end 41 of each armor 8 forms the forward edge 22 of each armor. Also in these two embodiments, the crimping means 30 of the pressure sheath 3 are positioned between the forward edges 22 of the separated parts 20 of the armors 8 and the end vault 11 after the end fitting 10 has been fitted on the pipe 1.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the helix on cone portion 40 of 15 each armor 8 includes complementary anchoring means formed by a wave 42, or according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, a twist 43.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the complementary anchoring means can also be formed by hooks formed at the free end of each armor 8.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, each armor 8 includes, 20 inside the annular chamber 17 and between its point of entry into said chamber and its forward edge 22, a non-helical portion 45, having a helix on cone-type trajectory. Thus, each armor 8 extends radially from the longitudinal axis while rising in a helix over several tens of centimeters, along a first cone called the rear cone, then again approaches the longitudinal axis by descending again in a helix along a second cone called the front cone. 25 This particular trajectory with a helix with an increasing radius followed by a helix with a decreasing radius significantly increases the capstan effect and makes it possible to improve the performance of the anchoring of the armors 8.

Furthermore, the hooks or the twists or the waves ensure mechanical blocking opposing the pulling out forces of the pipe. 30 The point(s) of detachment of each armor 8 have a radius of curvature greater than 50 mm, advantageously greater than 100 mm, more advantageously greater than 150 mm. This or these point(s) of detachment may be covered with an anti-corrosion material.

In reference to Figs. 12 to 20, the different steps will be described for fitting a 35 connection end fitting 10 on one end of the flexible tubular pipe 1, more particularly in the context of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9. 10 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

After having cut the different layers of the flexible pipe 1 to the desired length, the sealing means 16 as well as the cap 15 of the connection end fitting 10 are fitted on said flexible pipe, while in particular leaving the free end of the armor layers 5 and 6, the pressure sheath 3 and also, in the example illustrated in these figures, the pressure vault 5 4 and the carcass 2, exposed.

Next, a shaping ring 50 including an inner rim 51 having a predetermined radius of curvature is engaged on the exposed ends of the armor layers 5 and 6. This rim 51 is positioned toward the front of the pipe 1. This shaping ring is positioned and locked at a predetermined distance from the free end 23 of the armors 8. 10 The anchoring means, like those illustrated in Figs. 2 to 8, are made by radially separating each armor 8 and using the ring 50 to form a radius of curvature according to the radius of curvature of the inner rim 51 of said ring 50. This radius of curvature is greater than 50 mm, advantageously greater than 100 mm, more advantageously greater than 150 mm. 15 In the case of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, the parts 20 of each armor 8 are curved backward while forming the curved portion 24 extended by the substantially helical portion 25, and the complementary anchoring means formed by the hooks 26 or the waves 27 or the twists 28 are formed.

In the case of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, after having separated 50 the armors 8 so as to produce the helix on cone portions 40, the waves 42 or twists 43 are formed on that portion 40.

In the case where the armors 8 include a portion 45 having a helix on cone trajectory, each armor is radially separated, and a shaping ring 55 is inserted below the separated parts of said armors, as shown in Fig. 14, having an outer profile in the shape 25 of a bi-cone, the ring 50 prevents the point of detachment of each armor 8 from having an excessively low radius of curvature.

Next, each armor 8 is applied on said shaping ring 55 to produce the portion 45 having a trajectory of the helix on cone type, as shown in Fig. 15.

In this case, after having formed the portion 45, the different anchoring means are 30 formed on the outer layers 8 downstream from the portion 45, as previously described.

To remove the shaping ring 55, the ends of the armors 8 are removed, and said ends are allowed to return to their initial position.

The stop ring 31, then the annular sealing and crimping ring 35 are then fitted on the free end 3a of the pressure sheath 3 (Fig. 18), and the end vault 11 of the end fitting 35 10 is fitted on the free end 1 a of the pipe 1. 11 2012230275 11 Jan 2017

The annular ring 35 is pushed in the recess 13 until the slender forward part 35a comes into contact with the conical step 13a so as to form the annular bulge 35a ensuring sealing and crimping of the pressure sheath 3 (Fig. 11). The stop ring 31 is next fastened on the end vault 11 (Fig. 19). 5 The cap 15 is moved toward the forward end of the pipe 1 and said cap 15 is fastened on the end vault 11, then the sealing means 16 are fastened on the cap 15.

As shown in Fig. 20, the annular crimping ring 30 is positioned between the forward edge 24 of each armor 8 and the end vault 11 outside the armors 8.

The filler material formed by an epoxy-type resin ensures anchoring of the end 10 parts of the armors 8 of the armor layers 5 and 6.

This anchoring is favored by the presence of curved portions and/or straight portions, hooks, waves or twists, but also by the presence of the portion having a helix on cone-type trajectory.

The presence of the crimping means of the inner pressure sheath outside the 15 armors, and not below said armors as in the state of the art, prevents successively folding and unfolding each armor and thus significantly cold-working the profile of the armor at the rear part of the end fitting. As a result, the fatigue resistance of the armors is increased.

The crimping of the pressure sheath is therefore done without having to fold and unfold the armors, or having to refold said armors after folding. 20 It will be noted that in the embodiments of Figures 2, 3, 4 and 9, the hooks 26 are curved in the forward direction, i.e., toward the free end of the pipe 1.

On the contrary, in the embodiment of Figure 10, the hooks 26 are curved backward, i.e., furthest from the free end.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it 25 should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. 30 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 35 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an 2012230275 11 Jan 2017 12 acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An assembly of a connection end fitting and of a flexible tubular pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment, said pipe being of the unbonded type and in particular comprising at least one inner pressure sheath and at least one tensile pressure armor layer, the at least one tensile pressure armor layer comprising a plurality of armors, which are wound at a long pitch around the pressure sheath and each include a forward edge formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment of said pressure sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault and a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on an outer sheath, said vault and said cap forming an annular chamber filled with a filler material and into which the separated parts of the armors extend, the end fitting also including means of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath which are positioned between the forward edges of the separated parts of the armors and the end vault, the sealing and crimping means comprising an annular ring including a slender forward part, said annular ring being positioned around the pressure sheath in a stepped cylindrical recess, formed in a central bore of the end vault and including a conical forward step, wherein the annular ring forms an annular bulge toward the inside embedded in the pressure sheath, wherein the separated part of each armor includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a helix on cone portion including a hook or a twist or a wave.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annular ring is kept in the recess by a stop ring fastened on an inner wall of the end vault.
3. The assembly according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the point(s) of detachment of each armor have a radius of curvature greater than 50 mm, advantageously greater than 100 mm, more advantageously greater than 150 mm.
4. The assembly according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the point of detachment of each armor is covered with an anti-corrosion material.
5. A connection end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment, said pipe being of the unbonded type and in particular comprising at least one inner pressure sheath and at least one tensile pressure armor layer, the at least one tensile pressure armor layer comprising a plurality of armors, which are wound at a long pitch around the pressure sheath and each include a forward edge formed on a part spaced away from a point of detachment of said pressure sheath, said end fitting comprising an end vault and a cylindrical cap extending said vault and forming sealing on an outer sheath, said vault and said cap forming an annular chamber filled with a filler material and into which the separated parts of the armors extend, wherein the end fitting also includes means of sealing and crimping the pressure sheath which are positioned between the forward edges of the separated parts of the armors and the end vault after this end fitting has been fitted onto the pipe, wherein the separated part of each armor includes means for anchoring in the filler material formed by a portion curved toward the rear opposite the end vault extended by a substantially helix portion, wherein the substantially helix portion of each armor ends with complementary anchoring means formed by a hook or a wave or a twist.
6. A method for fitting an end fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5, on an end of a flexible pipe, wherein it in particular consists of the following steps: a) the cap is mounted on the end of the pipe while leaving the free ends of said at least one armor layer and the pressure sheath exposed, b) each armor is radially separated, c) the anchoring means for anchoring in the filler material are formed on the separated part of each armor, d) the annular sealing and crimping ring and the stop ring are engaged on the free end of the pressure sheath, e) the end vault of the end fitting is fitted on the free end of the pipe, f) the annular ring is pushed axially forward in the recess to form the annular bulge toward the inside embedded in the pressure sheath, g) the stop ring is fastened on the end vault to block the annular ring, said annular ring being positioned in front of the forward each of each armor, h) the cap is moved toward the front end of the pipe, and said cap is fastened on the end vault, and i) the annular chamber formed by the end vault and the cap is filled with filler material to anchor the end parts of the armors of the armor layer.
7. The fitting method according to claim 6, wherein that after step a), a ring is engaged on the exposed end of said at least one armor layer, said ring including an inner rim having a predetermined radius of curvature, said rim being positioned toward the front of the pipe; each armor is lifted while forming, using said ring, a radius of curvature according to the radius of curvature on the inner rim of said ring; a shaping ring is inserted below the raised parts of the armors, said shaping ring having an outer profile in the form of a bi-cone; said shaping ring is applied on each armor to produce a portion having a helix on cone-type trajectory; the armors are raised again to remove the shaping ring; and steps b) to i) are repeated.