Blowout Preventer Funnel Using Bernoulli Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blowout preventers are unreliable and fail to effectively prevent fluid escape from wells or pipes, posing environmental and economic threats, as they do not utilize the Bernoulli effect to enhance suction and attachment.
Innovation Solution
A blowout preventer featuring a large frustoconical funnel with a high-pressure air pipe to separate fluids, utilizing the Bernoulli effect, rotating turbines, and positioning arms to securely attach to pipes, with additional features like jets, sensing devices, and one-way valves to enhance alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blowout preventers are used, then fluid escape can be partially prevented, but reliability is insufficient and attachment to pipes is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Bernoulli effect through high-velocity fluid flow to create a vacuum that securely attaches the preventer to the pipe. Pneumatic forces generated by fluid dynamics provide reliable attachment and sealing, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by using fluid pressure rather than complex mechanical fastening systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the sealing interface by creating a vacuum condition through the Bernoulli effect. This parameter change (from atmospheric pressure to vacuum) enhances the sealing force and attachment reliability without requiring additional complex mechanical components
2Productivity
If high pressure air is pumped through the pipe, then fluid separation and suction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-pressure air injection through strategically positioned pipes to create fluid separation and the Bernoulli vacuum effect. This pneumatic approach achieves efficient fluid separation and secure attachment while maintaining relatively simple piping infrastructure compared to alternative mechanical separation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The high-velocity air flow serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates fluids, creates the vacuum for attachment, and provides the suction force. This self-service approach where one system accomplishes multiple tasks reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents fluid escape by leveraging the Bernoulli effect and increased pressure to securely attach and seal the funnel, reducing environmental damage and economic losses from oil or gas well blowouts.
Implementation Method 1
Air is pumped under high pressure through the high pressure pipe, separating the oil and forcing the oil that is not kept down in the well pipe by the pressure up through the return pipe
Implementation Method 2
The suction due to the Bernoulli effect, the rotating propeller blades and stacked turbines results in the sucking down of the funnel into the oil flowing from the pipe
Implementation Method 3
Channels and rotating turbines near the top of the funnel and rotating propeller blades on or near the end of the high pressure (air separating) pipe accelerate the flow, reducing pressure and increasing the suction due to the Bernoulli effect
Implementation Method 4
The funnel or valve is kept on the well pipe by positioning arms, turbines, propellers, and the Bernoulli effect, as well as pressure from the surrounding sea water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a blowout preventer including a large funnel. The large end of the funnel is placed over a well pipe (or other pipe) through which oil (or other fluid) is blowing out. The small end of the funnel is connected to a return pipe. A high pressure pipe with a smaller diameter is inserted into the well pipe. Air is pumped under high pressure through the high pressure pipe, separating the oil and forcing the oil, that is not kept down in the well pipe by the pressure, up through the return pipe. The funnel can be moved into alignment with the well pipe using positioning arms. A stopper may be forced into the well pipe. There are propellers near an end of the high pressure pipe. There are stacked turbines in the return pipe. There is a gasket with pivoting overlapping plates, to seal the pipe.