Dual-Seal Line Stop Plug With Isolation Zone for High-Pressure Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing plugs for pipes fail to maintain a seal at high pressures (above 6,894 kPa or 1,000 PSI), leading to potential safety hazards and product loss, especially when dealing with hazardous liquids or solids, as they rely on a single sealing element that can leak or be compromised.
Innovation Solution
A sealing plug assembly with two separate sealing elements and an isolation zone, connected through a series of fluid passageways, including a yoke and bleed tubing, to create a redundant sealing system that can withstand higher pressures and isolate the product for safe recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sealing element is used in conventional sealing plugs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of sealing fails at high pressures above 6,894 kPa
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug is divided into multiple sealing elements (first sealing element and second sealing element) positioned at different locations. Each sealing element independently seals against the pipe wall, creating separate sealing zones that prevent product leakage even when one sealing element is compromised under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation plate creates an isolation zone between the first and second sealing elements that can accommodate pressure fluctuations and prevent direct transmission of high pressure to both sealing elements simultaneously. This cushioning effect protects the sealing system from pressure surges that could compromise sealing integrity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dual sealing element design is implemented, then the safety and leak prevention are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: first sealing element, second sealing element, and isolation plate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific sealing function independently, reducing the propagation of failures and making the overall system more reliable against leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation plate serves as an intermediary component between the first and second sealing elements. It creates an isolation zone that mediates the interaction between the two sealing elements and the product being sealed, preventing direct communication and potential leakage paths while maintaining structural integrity
3Reliability
If an isolation zone is created between sealing elements, then product recovery safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation plate segments the internal volume of the sealing plug into distinct zones: an isolation zone between the first and second sealing elements, and a product zone downstream of the second sealing element. This segmentation enables safe isolation and recovery of product without requiring complex external isolation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation zone is nested within the sealing plug structure itself, between the first and second sealing elements. This nested configuration allows the isolation function to be integrated into the sealing mechanism without requiring separate external isolation equipment, thereby improving safety while minimizing additional complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sealing plug assembly, a line stop assembly, and a yoke for stopping flow of a product in a pipe as well as methods of using the same. The sealing plug assembly, the line stop assembly, and the yoke include one or more fluid pathways. A benefit of the sealing plug assembly, the line stop assembly, and the yoke can be to remove product from an isolation zone of a stopped pipe through the one or more fluid pathways.