Flexible Cable Cleaning Hydraulic Connector Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrocarbon extraction systems face efficiency and reliability issues due to deposits accumulating in hydraulic channels of connectors, which require destructive disassembly for maintenance, leading to increased maintenance duration and costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a flexible cable with a rotating tip inserted through existing ports to loosen and remove deposits from hydraulic channels without disassembly, utilizing fluid flow to facilitate the removal process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If destructive disassembly is performed to access and remove deposits from channels, then deposits can be removed, but maintenance duration and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel cleanlinessVSAvoidmaintenance duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible cable with a rotating tip is introduced as an intermediary tool to access and remove deposits from channels through existing access ports without requiring destructive disassembly. The cable navigates through the channel interior and interacts with deposits to loosen and remove them, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective deposit removal and maintenance time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of destructive disassembly and reassembly with a minimally invasive mechanical intervention using a flexible rotating cable. This substitution allows deposit removal through existing ports while avoiding the time-consuming processes of cutting, disassembling, and reassembling the component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If destructive disassembly is performed to access channels, then deposits can be removed, but device complexity and repair difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel cleanlinessVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cable acts as an intermediary that enables access to channel interiors through existing ports without requiring complex disassembly procedures. This simplifies the repair process by maintaining the integrity of the original component structure while still allowing effective deposit removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cable with its adaptable structure can navigate through channel interiors without requiring rigid access paths or destructive openings. This flexibility enables simple insertion through existing ports while effectively reaching and cleaning deposits throughout the channel, reducing maintenance complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If channel access ports are added to remove deposits, then deposits can be accessed, but component integrity and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit accessibilityVSAvoidconnector integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes preliminary actions by employing existing access ports that were designed for other purposes, thereby achieving deposit accessibility without modifying the component structure. This approach maintains connector integrity while still allowing the flexible cable to reach and remove deposits through pre-existing openings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces maintenance duration, complexity, and costs by allowing deposit removal through existing access points, maintaining system efficiency and reliability without destructive disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

rotating the flexible cable about an axis within the channel to interact a tip with deposits disposed within the cleaning region of the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

removing portions of the deposits from the cleaning region of the channel via a second port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid Flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10837259B2Cleaning channels

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method includes inserting a flexible cable into a cleaning region of a channel of a component via a cleaning port, rotating the flexible cable about an axis within the channel to interact a tip with deposits disposed within the cleaning region of the channel, moving the flexible cable within the cleaning region of the channel along a length of the channel, and removing portions of the deposits from the cleaning region of the channel via a second port. The flexible cable includes the axis and the tip. A diameter of the tip is different than a diameter of the flexible cable. The tip is configured to loosen the portions of the deposits.