Articulated Plug and Pump Assembly for Leak-Safe Fluid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for routing high-pressure fluids in well operations are cumbersome, hazardous, and inefficient, requiring numerous connections and potential leak points, leading to safety risks, increased labor, and downtime due to the need for frequent adjustments and heavy lifting.
Innovation Solution
A plug and pump system with a platform and docking station interface featuring multiple articulation points, pressure-locking swivel assemblies, and a mobile vehicle configuration that minimizes connections and uses a crane for lifting, along with quick connectors and high-capacity, lightweight couplings to facilitate efficient fluid routing with reduced opportunities for injury and leak points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid interconnections with multiple straight discharge joints and fittings are used to route high-pressure fluid, then the system can deliver fluid under high pressure, but the number of connections and potential leak points increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple straight discharge joints and fittings into a single integrated rigid interconnection assembly. This assembly includes multiple parallel lines with integrated elbows and connections, reducing the total number of separate components and potential leak points while maintaining high-pressure fluid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid interconnection assembly is segmented into multiple parallel fluid lines within a single integrated structure. This allows the system to maintain multiple fluid pathways for reliability while presenting fewer external connection points, thereby reducing complexity and potential leak locations.
2Ease of operation
If discharge joints and fittings are individually transported, unloaded, carried, connected, and reloaded, then the system can be assembled and disassembled, but substantial time and effort is required and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discharge joints and fittings are merged into a single pre-assembled rigid interconnection assembly. This reduces the number of individual components that need to be handled, transported, and connected, thereby reducing assembly time and safety hazards associated with frequent manual operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If swivels and elbows are used to allow adjustment between fixed components, then the system can adapt to different orientations, but the added weight and area required for these connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment components (swivels and elbows) are merged into an integrated rigid interconnection assembly with built-in articulation points. This provides the necessary adaptability for different orientations while minimizing the total weight and footprint compared to using separate adjustment components for each connection point.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of fittings is increased to allow adjustment and routing flexibility, then the system can adapt to different configurations, but the number of potential leak points increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fittings required for configuration flexibility are merged into a single integrated assembly with fewer external connection points. The internal connections are factory-sealed, reducing the number of potential leak points while maintaining the ability to adapt to different configurations through integrated articulation mechanisms.
5Strength
If hammer unions are used for connecting straight discharge joints, then the connections can be tightened securely, but in confined spaces and elevated locations, the rotation of threaded devices is difficult and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hammer union connections are merged into an integrated assembly with centralized tightening mechanisms. This reduces the number of locations where operators must perform difficult tightening operations in confined or elevated spaces, while maintaining secure connections through the integrated structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug and pump system for routing pressurized fluid from a fluid source is disclosed. The system includes a platform and a docking station interface mounted on the platform and including multiple points of articulation. A wellhead interface is mounted on the platform and includes multiple points of articulation. The docking station interface and the wellhead interface are configured to route pressurized fluid from a fluid source.