Flexible pipes, cables, and umbilicals are most prone to failure where they are attached to a fixed device such as a subsea riser base, wellhead connection, or PLEM. At this position the flexible will tend to bend locally at the point of attachment, and over-bending is possible.

Flotation Technologies designs, develops and manufactures bend control products for all sizes of flexible pipe or cable, and for any working condition. Flotation Technologies' InFlex™ line of bend control systems is engineered to the specific needs of the customer and application. Manufactured to API standards under the strictest quality control, the InFlex line provides a high quality, cost effective solution.

Static Bend Restriction

Flotation Technologies' bend restrictors are manufactured as interlocking modules designed to prevent the flexible pipe or umbilical from bending beyond its Minimum Bend Radius (MBR). Designed for static terminations, each module is allowed to move a small angular distance under an external load. If the bending moment attempts to push the flexible beyond its MBR, the modules will lock, forming a smooth curve or "locking radius", transferring the load into the restrictor and preventing the pipe or umbilical from over bending.

Cast from high-performance polyurethane elastomers, InFlex bend restrictors are cast as half shells to allow for offshore installation. Shells are bolted together to form a complete assembly around the pipe, and other elements are bolted together to interlock with those already in place. Depending on the application, steel restrictor elements and connection pieces are designed using Finite Element Analysis, and included to transfer loads from the restrictor into the fixed structure. Restrictors may also be used to prevent overbending during installation.

Buoyant Bend Restriction

During the design of subsea fields, it can be advantageous to combine buoyancy and bend restriction. Flotation Technologies' Flex-Lok™ buoyant bend restrictors are designed to support, decouple load, and prevent over-bending of Umbilicals, Flying Leads and other flexibles in deepwater. As a specialist manufacturer of both syntactic foams and polyurethane elastomers, Flotation Technologies is uniquely qualified to provide this product to the Offshore industry. The buoyancy elements are manufactured from an impact resistant grade of Flotec™ syntactic foam. Maximum service depths can be specified to 4000m and beyond. These elements are then fastened around a high-performance polyurethane elastomer inner core that is bolted around the flexible. Each element is cast as a half shell allowing the product to be fitted at any stage of deployment. As with standard bend restriction, each module is allowed to move a small angular distance until a smooth lock up radius is formed-preventing over-bending of the flexible.