Composite Fluid Conduit Interface for Steel Pipe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a composite fluid conduit assembly that can connect to conventional steel pipes while maintaining pressure integrity and allowing for the transmission of various forms of energy, such as electromagnetic and acoustic energy, in harsh environments like downhole or subsea settings, where pressure differentials can reach up to 15,000 PSI.
Innovation Solution
A composite fluid conduit assembly featuring a wall with an inner region devoid of reinforcing elements and an outer region with embedded reinforcing elements, an interface member without reinforcing elements, a seal arrangement, and a compression mechanism to form a sealed connection between the conduit and the interface member, allowing for secure attachment to steel pipes and maintaining pressure integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a composite fluid conduit is connected to a conventional steel pipe using a sealing arrangement, then pressure integrity can be maintained, but the complexity of the connection assembly increases due to the need for interface members and seal arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
An interface member serves as an intermediary component between the composite fluid conduit and the sealing arrangement. This interface member is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements and provides a suitable surface for the seal arrangement to engage, thereby maintaining pressure integrity while managing the complexity of connecting dissimilar materials (composite and steel pipe).
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the composite fluid conduit with its reinforced wall, the interface member without reinforcing elements, and the seal arrangement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall design and assembly process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the inner region of the composite conduit wall is made substantially devoid of reinforcing elements to allow energy transmission, then transmission of electromagnetic and acoustic energy is improved, but the strength of the conduit wall is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite fluid conduit wall exhibits local quality variations: the outer region contains reinforcing elements for structural strength, while the inner region is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements to allow transmission of electromagnetic and acoustic energy. This spatial differentiation of material properties enables the wall to simultaneously satisfy conflicting requirements for strength and energy transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit wall is constructed as a composite material structure with an outer region containing reinforcing elements embedded in a matrix material, and an inner region that is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements. This composite structure allows the outer region to provide mechanical strength while the inner region permits energy transmission.
3Reliability
If an interface member substantially devoid of reinforcing elements is used to connect the composite conduit to steel pipes, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the structural strength at the connection point is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interface member acts as an intermediary component that is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements, providing a suitable surface for the seal arrangement to engage with the composite conduit. This interface member facilitates effective sealing between the composite conduit and steel pipe connection, while the overall connection strength is maintained through the compression arrangement and seal mechanism.
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 assembly provides a sealed fluid flow path that benefits from composite conduit advantages while enabling connection to steel pipes, ensuring pressure integrity and efficient energy transmission, even in high-pressure environments, without obstructing the fluid flow path.
Implementation Method 1
a compression arrangement which forces the interface member and the fluid conduit towards one another so that the seal arrangement forms a seal around the fluid flow path between the first and second sealing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A composite fluid conduit assembly with a fluid conduit having a wall defining a fluid flow path is disclosed. The wall has an inner region and an outer region. The outer region includes a composite material having reinforcing elements within a matrix material and the inner region having a material which is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements. The inner region of the wall defines a first sealing surface around the fluid flow path at one end of the fluid conduit. The composite fluid conduit assembly has an interface member substantially devoid of reinforcing elements and located at the end of the fluid conduit. The interface member defines an aperture in fluid flow communication with the fluid flow path and a second sealing surface. A compression arrangement forces the interface member and the fluid conduit together forming a seal around the fluid flow path between the first and second sealing surfaces.