Conduit Bore Plugging Handle for Rapid Expandable Seal Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas expansion plug tools used for plugging natural gas pipes are inefficient and unsafe due to the need for manual operation with two hands, leading to prolonged engagement times and potential gas leaks during maintenance and repair activities.

Innovation Solution

A conduit bore plugging apparatus with a driver handle and a shaft-like plugging device featuring an expandable seal, where a sleeve is slid over a rod to expand and engage with a flange, allowing for rapid and safe plugging of fluid paths within conduits using a single-handed operation, and a release mechanism to quickly open the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional gas expansion plug tool is used, then the plug can be installed in the conduit, but the operation is time-consuming and unsafe due to prolonged engagement time allowing gas to escape

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidengagement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional manual two-handed operation with a powered mechanical system. The driver handle with trigger mechanism automatically actuates the bar to drive the expandable seal into the conduit bore, eliminating the need for manual turning operations and reducing engagement time to a few seconds while maintaining reliable plugging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic elements including a movable bar that can be rapidly driven forward, an expandable seal that dynamically changes size from compressed to expanded state, and a trigger-actuated mechanism that converts static positioning to dynamic insertion. This allows the plugging operation to be completed in seconds rather than minutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a traditional gas expansion plug tool is used, then the plug can be installed, but the operation requires two hands and is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual two-handed operation with a powered mechanical system. The driver handle with trigger mechanism automatically actuates the bar to drive the expandable seal into the conduit bore, eliminating the need for manual turning operations and reducing engagement time to a few seconds while maintaining reliable plugging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be operable by a single hand, with the trigger mechanism automatically coordinating the movement of multiple components. Once activated, the system self-regulates the driving force and expansion sequence without requiring continuous manual intervention or coordination of multiple body parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual operation is used to engage the wingnut, then the tool can be operated, but gas may escape during the minute or more required for full engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidengagement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable seal is pre-positioned on the bar outside the conduit. The powered driver handle rapidly drives the bar forward, inserting the seal into the conduit bore in a single swift motion. This preliminary positioning combined with rapid insertion eliminates the prolonged engagement time that allows gas escape during traditional wingnut tightening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables quick and safe selective plugging and releasing of fluid paths within conduits, reducing gas escape during maintenance, and allowing for efficient operation within one to three seconds, enhancing safety and efficiency in natural gas pipeline maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

engaging the sleeve at one end by interference with an abutment surface as the bar is driven via the driving chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference fit:

Data Source

PatentUS20240142035A1Conduit Bore Plugging Tool

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 QUANTA ASSOCIATES LP

AI summary

Conduit bore plugging for rapid selective plugging of a fluid path within a conduit has a driver handle having a motive chamber with a driving chamber, the motive chamber attached to the driver handle, wherein the motive chamber defines a passage. A shaft-like plugging device has a bar connected to a rod, wherein the bar is driven in a first direction by the driver handle via the driving chamber, and guided and supported by the motive via the passage. A fluid path in a conduit is selectively plugged with an expandable seal via expanding the expandable seal within the bore of the conduit by sliding a sleeve over a rod of the bar into a flange contiguous with an end of the expandable seal, and by engaging the sleeve at one end by interference with an abutment surface as the bar is driven via the driving chamber.