Crescent Support Element for Pipeline Pig Slipping Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pig segments for pipeline inspection and cleaning struggle with secure movement in elongated hollow bodies, particularly in vertical sections and sections with varying diameters, leading to slipping and inadequate support, especially when handling heavy loads or navigating bends.
Innovation Solution
The pig segment features a crescent-shaped support element with a curved surface, resembling an Archimedes spiral or logarithmic spiral, which maintains a consistent relationship between supporting and longitudinal forces, allowing for secure attachment and movement within the pipeline, independent of the inner diameter, and is driven via a threaded rod connected to a motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a motor pushes a wedge against a guide roller to generate support force, then the pig can be supported against the pipe wall, but the support force is limited and can lead to slipping in vertical or perpendicular pipe sections
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with a curved surface that follows the curvature of the pipe wall, enabling continuous contact and stable support. The crescent shape with varying curvature allows the support element to adapt to different pipe diameters and maintain reliable support without slipping, even in vertical or perpendicular pipe sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element features varying curvature along its surface, with different curvature radii in different sections. This parameter variation allows the support element to optimize its contact with the pipe wall under different loading conditions and pipe diameters, generating sufficient support force to prevent slipping.
2Ease of operation
If swiveling arms are pivoted outwards to bring wheels into contact with the pipe, then the pig can be moved within the pipe, but traction cannot be guaranteed with varying pipe diameters and support cannot be ensured at every point
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves multiple functions: it provides support force against the pipe wall, ensures continuous contact through its curved surface, and adapts to varying pipe diameters. The universal design of the crescent shape with varying curvature allows it to function effectively in different pipe sections and under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to dynamically adapt to the pipe wall through its curved surface geometry. The varying curvature allows the support element to automatically adjust its contact points and distribution of support force as the pig moves through sections with varying pipe diameters, ensuring continuous traction and support.
3Device complexity
If the support element has a fixed shape, then the structure is simple, but the ratio between support force and longitudinal force varies with pipe diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The support element incorporates varying curvature as a geometric parameter change. The curvature radius varies along the length of the crescent-shaped support element, allowing it to maintain a consistent ratio between support force and longitudinal force across different pipe diameters. This achieves adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
4Force
If the support element is pivotably arranged to generate support force, then the pig can be supported against the pipe wall, but the support may slip in vertical sections and bends when heavy loads are pulled
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface of the support element, with its varying curvature, enables stable support under heavy loads by maintaining continuous contact with the pipe wall. The geometry of the crescent shape distributes the support force more effectively, preventing slipping in vertical sections and bends even when heavy loads are being pulled through the pipeline.
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
This design ensures stable and secure movement of the pig segment, preventing slipping and enabling the transport of loads several times its own weight, even against gravity, by maintaining a proportional supporting force relative to the applied force, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
The support element is provided with a surface that is curved away from the longitudinal axis and directed outwards... a support force results depending on a force exerted on the support element in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pig segment for actively propelling a pig in elongated hollow bodies in particular, preferably in gas and oil pipelines, said segment having a drive comprising: at least one motor (21); at least one supporting element (1) by means of which the pig segment can be supported on an inner surface (5) of the hollow body (10); and at least one bearing element (2) that can be moved along a longitudinal axis (6) of the pig segment by means of the motor. The supporting element (1) is pivotably arranged on the bearing element (2) such that said supporting element can adopt a supporting position, in which position a supporting force is produced relative to a force exerted on the bearing element (2) in a longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a pig with a pig segment of this type.