Bridged Drive Cup Structure for Multi-Diameter Pipeline Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipeline inspection gauges struggle to effectively propel through pipelines with multiple diameters due to the drive cups folding and losing seal, resulting in pressure loss and improper propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A drive cup with a frustoconical outer surface and axial channels featuring bridges that extend circumferentially across the channels, allowing the cup to maintain a seal across varying pipeline diameters by collapsing and expanding with the pipe dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drive cups are used in pipeline inspection gauges, then the cups can effectively propel through single-diameter pipelines, but the cups fold and lose seal when entering smaller diameter pipelines, resulting in pressure loss and improper propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The drive cup is divided into multiple circumferential segments or sections that can independently flex and collapse. Each segment maintains its sealing capability while allowing the overall cup structure to adapt to different pipeline diameters. The segments are connected by flexible joints that enable the cup to compress into smaller diameters without folding or losing seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive cup transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, adaptable structure that can change its diameter. The cup incorporates flexible materials and movable joints that allow it to dynamically adjust its shape and size to match the pipeline diameter, maintaining effective sealing and propulsion across varying conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive cup is made flexible to pass through bends, then the cup can navigate curved pipelines, but the cup tends to fold and bend when compressed into smaller diameter pipelines, breaking the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The cup is segmented into multiple sections that can independently flex during bending and collapsing operations. This segmentation allows the cup to navigate curves while maintaining seal integrity, as each segment can adapt to the local geometry without causing the entire cup to fold or lose its sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup utilizes flexible shell structures and thin film materials that can bend and deform elastically to navigate pipeline curves and diameter changes. These flexible components maintain their sealing function while adapting to the varying pipeline geometry, preventing fold-induced seal failures.
3Reliability
If the drive cup maintains a seal in smaller diameter pipelines, then proper propulsion is achieved, but the cup structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented structure allows the cup to maintain sealing in smaller diameters through a relatively simple design. Each segment is a straightforward component that can be manufactured independently, and the segmentation itself provides the adaptability needed for effective propulsion across different pipeline sizes without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup maintains propulsion effectiveness by changing its physical parameters (diameter, shape) in response to pipeline conditions. This parameter adaptation is achieved through the inherent flexibility and segmentability of the structure, allowing it to optimize its sealing surface area and contact pressure for effective propulsion in varying diameter pipelines.
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
The drive cup ensures consistent propulsion through pipelines with multiple diameters by maintaining a seal, preventing pressure loss and enabling efficient movement of the inspection gauge.
Implementation Method 1
The drive cup includes an outer surface with a plurality of axial channels, each of the axial channels including at least one bridge positioned therein that extends circumferentially across the channel. The frustoconical outer surface having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion defining a smaller diameter than the rear portion
Implementation Method 2
Fluid flowing through the pipeline causes a pressure to act against the surfaces of the cups and move the pig 100 upstream through the pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline comprises a body defining an axis, a sensor module coupled to the body, and a drive cup coupled to the body. The drive cup includes an outer surface with a plurality of axial channels, each of the axial channels including at least one bridge positioned therein that extends circumferentially across the channel.