Ball pusher for installation of subsea pipeline spherical pig

Abstract

The utility model discloses a ball pusher for installation of a subsea pipeline spherical pig, which consists of a flange seat, a guide cone barrel, a torsion frame, a threaded push rod, a hand wheel, a semicircular clamping plate, a set screw and a pushing head, the ball pusher is connected and installed at the end part of a subsea pipeline flange through a bolt, and the flange seat with the guide cone barrel is arranged at the butt joint position of the ball pusher and the subsea pipeline flange. A torsion frame meeting screwing installation of the threaded push rod is installed on the flange base, a pushing head is installed at the front end of the threaded push rod through a semicircular clamping plate, a hand wheel is installed at the rear end of the threaded push rod, a spherical pig with a cone at the front end is installed in the cone barrel, and the spherical pig is pressed into the subsea pipeline through the pushing head at the rear end of the threaded push rod pushing rod. The spherical pig which exceeds the inner diameter of a pipeline can be uniformly compressed and inserted into the pipeline, the spherical pig is uniformly attached to an inner hole of the pipeline after being extruded, the sealing performance is good, the spherical pig can be quickly and safely mounted, the construction efficiency is improved, and the spherical pig mounting device has good practicability and economical efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of marine engineering construction technology, and in particular to a ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball. Background Technology

[0002] To facilitate subsequent cleaning operations inside the completed subsea pipeline, the cleaning balls used for this purpose must first be placed inside the starting flange end of the pipeline. Generally, four different types of balls are placed inside the starting flange: foam balls, gauge balls, pigging balls, and drainage balls. According to the construction design requirements, the diameter of each ball is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the subsea pipeline, which generates significant resistance during placement, making operation difficult. If not properly aligned and inserted, forced insertion after misalignment can easily lead to breakage.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, we propose a ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball. The utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0005] The pigging device for subsea pipeline pigging installation is bolted to the end of the subsea pipeline flange. Its mating point is a flange seat with a guide cone. A pigging ball with a conical front end is installed inside the cone. A pusher head at the rear end, propelled by a threaded pusher rod, presses the pigging ball into the subsea pipeline. The device comprises: a flange seat, a guide cone, a torsion frame, a threaded pusher rod, a handwheel, a semi-circular retaining plate, set screws, and a pusher head. The flange seat is aligned with the end flange of the pipeline assembly via connecting bolts. The flange seat has an inner hole consistent with the pipeline assembly. A guide cone is coaxially welded to the rear end of the flange seat. Around the guide cone at the rear end of the flange seat, a bracket consisting of three sets of connected L-shaped supports is welded and installed, with a central support... A torsion frame with threaded holes; a threaded push rod is inserted into the threaded hole of the torsion frame. The threaded push rod is a fully threaded rod with a circular groove at the front end and a square head at the rear end, machined by a lead screw. A handwheel is installed on the square head at the rear end of the threaded push rod. A semi-circular retaining plate is locked in the circular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod. A push head is coaxially installed at the front end of the threaded push rod. The push head is a circular plate with a shallow circular groove in the middle and a threaded hole on the outer ring. The flange hole of the semi-circular retaining plate is screwed into the threaded hole of the push head by a set screw, so that the semi-circular retaining plate and the push head are aligned and installed, and are wrapped around the circular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod, so that the push head will not rotate with the rotation of the threaded push rod, and smoothly push the cleaning ball.

[0006] Preferably, the inlet cone is a cone made of steel plate rolled into a tapered shape, and the inner hole size of the small taper end of the inlet cone is consistent with the inner hole size of the flange seat.

[0007] Preferably, the semi-circular clamping plate is formed by cutting the ring flange in half. The thickness of the semi-circular clamping plate is less than the width of the annular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod, which meets the requirements for snap-in installation and can rotate around the annular groove.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects that this utility model can achieve are:

[0009] The threaded push rod connects to the flange seat, providing a reaction force support for tightening the threaded push rod, allowing the pig to be pushed into the pipeline. In this way, pigs exceeding the inner diameter of the pipeline can be evenly compressed and inserted into the pipeline. After compression, they fit evenly against the inner hole of the pipeline, aligning with the center of the pipeline, preventing local jamming, ensuring good sealing, facilitating pressurization during pigging operations, enabling fast and safe installation of the pig, improving construction efficiency, and possessing good practicality and economy. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0011] In the attached diagram:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a pigging ball according to a preferred embodiment of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the completed installation of the pigging ball according to a preferred embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] in, Figures 1-4 The correspondence between the reference numerals and components in the attached drawings is as follows:

[0017] 1. Ball pusher; 11. Flange seat; 12. Inlet cone; 13. Torque frame; 14. Threaded push rod; 15. Handwheel; 16. Semi-circular clamping plate; 17. Set screw; 18. Push head; 2. Pig; 3. Connecting bolts; 4. Pipe assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this utility model are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0019] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0020] The following is combined with Figures 1-4 A specific description of a ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball according to an embodiment of this utility model will be provided.

[0021] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball includes a flange seat 11, an inlet cone 12, a torsion frame 13, a threaded push rod 14, a handwheel 15, a semi-circular clamping plate 16, a set screw 17, and a push head 18. The flange seat 11 is aligned and connected to the end flange of the pipeline assembly 4 via connecting bolts 3. The flange seat 11 has an inner hole consistent with that of the pipeline assembly 4. The inlet cone 12 is coaxially welded to the rear end of the flange seat 11. The inlet cone 12 is a cone made of steel plate rolled into a tapered shape. The inner hole size of the small tapered end is consistent with the inner hole size of the flange seat 11. A torsion frame 13, which is formed by welding three sets of connected L-shaped brackets and has a threaded hole in the middle, is welded and installed around the inlet cone 12 at the rear end of the flange seat 11. A threaded hole is inserted into the threaded hole of the torsion frame 13. There is a threaded push rod 14, which is a fully threaded rod with a circular groove at the front end and a square head at the rear end, machined by a lead screw. A handwheel 15 is installed on the square head at the rear end of the threaded push rod 14. A semi-circular retaining plate 16 is inserted into the circular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod 14. The semi-circular retaining plate 16 is formed by cutting a ring flange in half. The thickness of the semi-circular retaining plate 16 is less than the width of the circular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod 14. A push head 18 is coaxially installed at the front end of the threaded push rod 14. The push head 18 is a circular plate with a shallow circular groove in the middle and a threaded hole on the outer ring. The flange hole of the semi-circular retaining plate 16 is screwed into the threaded hole of the push head 18 by a set screw 17, so that the semi-circular retaining plate 16 and the push head 18 are aligned and installed, and are fitted into the circular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod 14.

[0022] Specific implementation steps

[0023] Step 1: Select pigging ball 2 according to the connection size and inner diameter of pipeline component 4, pressure test and pigging pressure, etc. Design and manufacture pigging pusher 1 according to the size of pigging ball 2. After the manufacturing is completed, ship pigging pusher 1 to the construction site.

[0024] Step 2: After checking that the ball pusher 1 meets the design requirements, hoist it so that the flange seat 11 fits against the end of the pipe assembly 4, install the connecting bolts 3, fix the ball pusher 1 to the end of the pipe assembly 4, operate the handwheel 15 to remove the threaded push rod 14, so that the space from the top pusher head 18 to the rear end of the guide cone 12 is sufficient for the pigging ball 2 to be placed.

[0025] Step 3: Insert the pigging ball 2 coaxially into the inlet cone 12, with its front end aligned with the rear end of the cone. Slowly operate the handwheel 15 to rotate the threaded push rod 14 so that the top push head 18 is against the rear end of the pigging ball 2. Check that the pigging ball 2 and the pusher 1 are aligned and the ends are evenly compressed. Operate the handwheel 15 to rotate the threaded push rod 14, gradually applying a pushing force to the pigging ball 2. Finally, push the pigging ball 2 into the pipeline assembly 4 to complete the installation of the pigging ball 2. Rotate the threaded push rod 14 to remove the top push head 18, remove the connecting bolts 3, and complete the equipment recovery.

[0026] Step 4: Connect the pigging and pressure testing equipment to pipeline assembly 4 and perform pigging. If secondary pigging is required, continue to install the pig pusher 1 according to the above operation and push in the pigging ball 2.

[0027] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball, comprising a flange seat (11), characterized in that, The flange seat (11) is aligned with the end flange of the pipe assembly (4) by connecting bolts (3). The flange seat (11) has an inner hole that is consistent with the pipe assembly (4). The rear end of the flange seat (11) is aligned with and coaxially welded with an inlet cone (12). A torsion frame (13) consisting of three sets of connected L-shaped brackets welded together and having a threaded hole in the middle is welded and installed around the inlet cone (12) at the rear end of the flange seat (11). A threaded push rod (14) is inserted into the threaded hole of the torsion frame (13). The threaded push rod (14) is machined by a screw and has a circular groove at the front end and four... The screw has a square head and a full thread. A handwheel (15) is installed on the square head at the rear end of the screw push rod (14). A semi-circular retaining plate (16) is inserted into the annular groove at the front end of the screw push rod (14). A push head (18) is coaxially installed at the front end of the screw push rod (14). The push head (18) is a circular plate with a shallow circular groove in the middle and a threaded hole on the outer ring. The flange hole of the semi-circular retaining plate (16) is screwed into the threaded hole of the push head (18) by a set screw (17) to realize the alignment and installation of the semi-circular retaining plate (16) and the push head (18), and the plate is fitted into the annular groove at the front end of the screw push rod (14).

2. The ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet cone (12) is a cone made of steel plate rolled into a tapered shape. The inner hole size of the small taper end of the inlet cone (12) is the same as the inner hole size of the flange seat (11).

3. The ball pusher for installing a pipeline pigging ball according to claim 1, characterized in that, The semi-circular plate (16) is formed by cutting the ring flange in half, and the thickness of the semi-circular plate (16) is less than the width of the annular groove at the front end of the threaded push rod (14).

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