Completion Plug Lock Indicator for Blade Engagement Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians lack a reliable method to confirm that completion plugs are fully set in pipeline fittings during the plugging process, which can lead to safety risks due to uncertainty about the engagement of blades or segments with the groove, especially when visual access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A completion system that uses a sensor to indicate when the blades are fully extended into the circumferential groove, forming either an electrical or magnetic circuit, ensuring proper locking and safety by providing a closed circuit only when the plug is fully set, thereby preventing premature pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual counting and visual inspection are used to verify plug setting, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of verification is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical counting with an optical sensing system that automatically detects blade engagement. The sensor system uses optical fields instead of mechanical measurement, providing reliable verification without requiring complex manual procedures or multiple mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary between the blade engagement state and the verification process. The sensor acts as a mediator that translates the physical state of blade engagement into detectable optical signals, enabling reliable verification without direct mechanical interaction or visual inspection.
2Measurement precision
If technicians perform manual verification without visual access, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision of blade engagement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual verification operations with an automated optical sensing system. The sensor automatically detects blade engagement precision without requiring technicians to perform manual inspection tasks, thereby maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision through optical field interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical sensor continuously monitors blade engagement and provides real-time verification signals. This feedback system automatically confirms proper engagement without requiring manual checking, improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated information return to the operator.
3Loss of information
If no indicator system is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the loss of information about proper engagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical sensor and indicator system as intermediaries that capture and communicate engagement status information. The sensor detects the physical state of blade engagement and translates it into optical signals that provide clear information feedback, preventing information loss without adding significant complexity to the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical signal changes (analogous to color changes in visual indicators) to communicate engagement status. The sensor system detects and signals the engaged state through optical field variations, providing clear information about proper engagement without requiring complex mechanical indicators or visual inspection.
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 system ensures that technicians can verify the fully set position of the plug with greater certainty, enhancing safety by providing a clear indication through electrical or magnetic signals, reducing the risk of incorrect placement and improving the reliability of the plugging process.
Implementation Method 1
the set of blades is adapted to trigger the sensor when the blades are a properly fully extended into the circumferential groove, indicating the plug body is in a properly locked position, and to not trigger the sensor when the blades are not fully extended into the circumferential groove to their proper depth
Implementation Method 2
In other embodiments, the sensor indicates a magnetic flux
Data Source
AI summary
A completion system includes a pipeline fitting; a plug body sized for the fitting; a set of blades adapted for securing the plug body within the fitting, the blades having a retracted position and an extended position; a circumferential groove adapted to receive the set blades when in the extended position; and a control bar adapted for use with the plug body. The completion system of this disclosure further includes a sensor and the set of blades is adapted to trigger the sensor when the blades are a properly fully extended to a locking position in the circumferential groove, indicating the plug body is in a properly locked position, and to not trigger the sensor when the blades are not fully extended into the circumferential groove to their proper depth. In some embodiments, the sensor indicates a closed electrical circuit. In other embodiments, the sensor indicates a magnetic flux.