Flange Adapter for Universal Bowl Flow Line Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations are hindered by the need for multiple bowls of different sizes to accommodate various flow line diameters, leading to increased equipment requirements, downtime, and costs, as existing flanges can only secure a single size of flow line, necessitating bowl replacements or halts in operations when a different size is needed.
Innovation Solution
A flange adapter that attaches to the bowl, providing a secondary set of attachment apertures allowing for the securement of flow lines of multiple sizes, reducing the need for multiple bowls and enabling continuous operation by allowing different sized flow lines to be used with a universal bowl.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bowls of different sizes are used to accommodate various flow line diameters, then the system can support different flow line sizes, but the equipment quantity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange adapter enables a single bowl to serve multiple functions by accommodating different flow line sizes through interchangeable adapters. Each adapter is designed with specific aperture configurations that match different flow line diameters, allowing one bowl to replace multiple size-specific bowls.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange adapter acts as an intermediary component between the bowl and the flow line. It provides the interface that allows different sized flow lines to connect to a standardized bowl flange, eliminating the need for multiple specialized bowls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bowl replacements are performed when a different flow line size is needed, then the correct equipment can be used, but operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent segments: the bowl (which remains in place) and the flange adapter (which can be quickly swapped). This segmentation allows the flow line size to be changed by replacing only the adapter component rather than the entire bowl assembly, significantly reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration where the bowl is fixed for a specific flow line size to a dynamic system where the flange adapter can be quickly exchanged to adapt to different flow line requirements, enabling rapid reconfiguration during operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bowls are stored for different flow line sizes, then all size requirements can be met, but equipment storage and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing multiple specialized bowls, the system stores a single universal bowl and a set of interchangeable flange adapters. This dramatically reduces the logistics burden while maintaining the ability to support all required flow line sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange adapters can be designed to nest within each other or be compactly stored together, further reducing storage space requirements. The smaller adapters can fit inside larger ones, creating a space-efficient storage solution.
Data Source
AI summary
The flange adapter attaches to the flange of a housing such as a bowl. The flow line attaches at the flange of the housing. The flange adapter attaches at the flange of the bowl to enable attachment of flow lines of multiple sizes to the bowl. The flange adapter includes an attachment body that secures to the bowl and an attachment neck that is raised above the attachment body. The flange adapter provides a first set of attachment apertures for securing the flange adapter to the housing and a second set of attachment apertures for securing the flow line to the flange adapter.