Offshore scanning equipment bearing

Profile

• What was needed: iglidur plain bearing, drylin linear bearing, igubal rod end bearing
• Requirements: With high radial forces, the joints had to be mounted reliably and with as little friction as possible over the long term.
• Industry: Offshore
• Success for the customer: The bearings reliably transmit the high radial centring forces stick-slip-free and with low friction and minimise friction in the arm system thanks to their integrated start-up.

Problem

In offshore drilling for oil and gas, so-called "drill risers" are used as connecting elements between the drilling platform and the seabed. The use of the risers in aggressive media and under high mechanical loads with correspondingly extreme stresses (corrosion, abrasion, erosion, deformation) requires regular intensive inspection of the risers for safety and environmental protection reasons.
In this process, the entire inner surface of the extremely stressed riser main tube is scanned semi-automatically in just one operation by means of a special device. It significantly reduces the time and effort required compared to a conventionally performed inspection. At the same time, the quality and informative value of the inspection are optimised. Overall, high effectiveness and efficiency are guaranteed.

Solution

The device has a number of joints and the scanner must be moved safely in a linear fashion, for which various bearing products are used.
The pins of the articulated joints are supported in iglidur plastic plain bearings. These transmit the high radial centring forces reliably with low friction and without stick-slip, and minimise friction in the arm system thanks to their integrated thrust collar. At the heart of the sensor adjustment are guide systems and tie rods. Each individual sensor is mounted on its own drylin N miniature guide system. The sliding carriage is coupled to the central adjustment via an adjustable tie rod. The tie rods consist of igubal rod ends with right-hand or left-hand thread. left-hand thread. Clevis joints on both sides serve as counter bearings.