Clog Resistant Wing Union Pressure Sensor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure sensors used in harsh, corrosive, and abrasive fluid environments in oil wells are prone to clogging and jamming, and exhibit high stress locations that reduce sensor accuracy and lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A clog-resistant wing union pressure sensor design featuring a pressure port with a tapered bore and a pressure sensitive diaphragm with a diameter greater than twice the depth, reducing clogging likelihood and stress concentrations, and formed from materials like Inconel or stainless steel for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pressure port with small diameter and large depth is used, then the sensor can be more compact, but the pressure port becomes prone to clogging with fluids and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by inverting the traditional pressure port dimensions - using a large diameter (greater than twice the depth) and small depth ratio. This reverses the conventional design parameters to prevent clogging while maintaining compactness through the shallow depth configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional pressure port geometry by making the diameter significantly larger than the depth (diameter > 2 × depth), whereas traditional designs use deeper, narrower ports. This inversion prevents clogging by eliminating sharp corners and creating a self-cleaning flow path.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional pressure port configurations are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the sensor exhibits high stress locations that reduce lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using a rounded transition between the pressure port bore and the diaphragm mounting surface, eliminating sharp corners and crevices. This curved geometry distributes stress more evenly and prevents stress concentration points that would otherwise reduce sensor lifetime.
3Reliability
If the pressure port diameter is increased to prevent clogging, then the sensor size increases, but this may affect installation in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the pressure port to achieve a large diameter-to-depth ratio (diameter > 2 × depth). This parameter optimization allows the port to be wide and shallow rather than deep and narrow, preventing clogging while minimizing the protrusion into the flange section.
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 design enhances sensor reliability by minimizing clogging and stress, ensuring accurate pressure sensing even in harsh environments and extending sensor lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensitive device, such as a diaphragm, is disposed so that it is not directly exposed to the flow path of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A clog resistant wing union pressure sensor is provided that includes a transmitter housing and a flange section. The flange section is coupled to the transmitter housing and has a pressure port formed therein that includes an open first end, a closed second end, and an inner surface that defines a bore between the open first end and the closed second end. The closed second end is defined by a pressure sensitive diaphragm and has a diameter. The pressure port has a depth defined between the open first end and the closed second end, the bore is tapered between the open first end and the closed second end, and is further defined by a rounded transition between the inner surface and the closed second end, and the diameter of the closed second end is greater than twice the depth of the pressure port.