Arched Flexible Pipe Connections for High-Pressure Fracturing Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well fracture systems face challenges with rigid high-pressure pipes that cause erosion, corrosion, leaks, and cluttered workspaces due to vibrations, bends, and rigid pipe failures, limiting accessibility and safety for workers.
Innovation Solution
The use of self-supporting arched flexible pipes that span between pump trucks and manifolds, reducing contact with the ground and eliminating the need for additional support, allowing for efficient high-pressure fluid delivery with reduced pressure drop and improved workspace accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid high-pressure pipes are used to connect pump trucks and manifolds, then structural strength and pressure containment are improved, but vibration-induced erosion, corrosion, and leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid high-pressure pipes with flexible hoses that have a multi-layer construction including an inner tube, reinforcement layers, and an outer cover. This flexible shell structure absorbs vibrations and movements while maintaining pressure containment, eliminating the erosion, corrosion, and leak problems associated with rigid pipes.
2Stress or pressure
If rigid pipes are used for high-pressure fluid delivery, then pressure containment is improved, but workspace clutter and accessibility issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically flexible hoses instead of static rigid pipes. These hoses can bend, flex, and move with the equipment, allowing pump trucks and manifolds to be positioned more freely in the workspace without requiring rigid pipe routing, thereby improving accessibility and reducing clutter.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid pipes are installed to connect equipment, then connection stability is improved, but installation complexity and support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hoses are designed to be self-supporting and self-configuring. They naturally drape and position themselves between equipment connections without requiring additional brackets, supports, or complex mounting structures, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining stable connections.
4Ease of operation
If flexible pipes are used to improve workspace accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose employs a composite multi-layer construction with reinforcement layers (such as wire braids or fabric plies) embedded within the flexible structure. This composite design maintains the flexibility needed for workspace accessibility while the reinforcement layers minimize pressure drop by reducing flow turbulence and maintaining structural integrity under pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets, a first pump truck having a first pump disposed thereon with a first fluid outlet, and a first flexible pipe. The first flexible pipe may include a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to a first of the plurality of fluid inlets, a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first fluid outlet, and a first outer shell mounted on the manifold. The first outer shell may extend from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the first outer shell may be curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the first pump truck.