Adjustable Fracturing System Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracturing systems for subterranean resource extraction face challenges in efficiently aligning and coupling fracturing manifolds with fracturing trees due to their large and heavy nature, making adjustments difficult.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adjustable fracturing system with three swivel connections that provide three degrees of freedom for alignment, allowing for efficient connection and compensation of unexpected alignment issues between the fracturing manifold and tree through extendable and rotatable adjustment joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If fracturing manifolds and fracturing trees are made large and heavy to handle high-pressure fracturing fluids, then the system can withstand higher pressures and handle larger fluid volumes, but the alignment and coupling between components becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fracturing manifold movable rather than fixed. The manifold is mounted on a movable platform that can be positioned and adjusted to align with the fracturing tree, enabling easy connection and disconnection while maintaining the ability to handle high pressures through the robust manifold design
2Stability of the object's composition
If fracturing manifolds are mounted at fixed locations, then the system structure becomes simpler and more stable, but adjustments between the fracturing manifold and fracturing tree become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed mounting into a dynamic configuration by placing the manifold on a movable platform. This allows the manifold to be repositioned for alignment adjustments while maintaining structural stability during operation, and enables easy setup and teardown for different well locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into separate movable components - the fracturing manifold on its platform, the fracturing tree at the wellhead, and modular connection elements. This segmentation allows independent positioning and adjustment of each component to achieve proper alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable fracturing system (10) is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold (22) and a fracturing tree (20). A fluid conduit (26) is coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree to enable receipt of fracturing fluid by the fracturing tree from the fracturing manifold. Further, the fluid conduit is an adjustable fluid conduit that allows an operator to vary a dimension of the fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the fluid conduit between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.