Flexible Hoses for Hydraulic Fracturing Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid metal pipes and connectors in hydraulic fracturing systems are costly, time-consuming to set up, prone to failure, and pose safety risks due to their rigidity and susceptibility to pressure spikes, vibrations, and elevation variations, requiring extensive safety restraints and complex assembly.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible hoses capable of withstanding pressures up to 15,000 PSI to interconnect components of the hydraulic fracturing system, reducing the need for connectors and safety restraints, allowing for quicker setup, reduced risk of leaks, and increased durability by absorbing vibrations and accommodating uneven terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid metal pipes and connectors are used to interconnect pumps and manifold, then system strength and pressure containment are ensured, but device complexity, setup time, and safety risks increase due to rigidity and susceptibility to pressure spikes and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal pipes with flexible hoses that have a layered construction including an inner tube, reinforcement layer, and outer cover. This flexible shell structure maintains pressure containment capability while eliminating the rigidity that causes connection failures and safety hazards during hydraulic fracturing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of hose flexibility to accommodate terrain variations and equipment movement. The flexible hoses can bend and flex to accommodate elevation changes and vibrations without failing, unlike rigid pipes that require complex connectors and safety restraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid metal pipes and connectors are used, then structural stability is maintained, but setup time and cost increase due to extensive assembly and safety restraint requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible hoses provide structural stability through their layered reinforcement construction while allowing for quick deployment. The hoses can be rapidly connected between pumps and manifold without requiring complex assembly procedures or extensive safety restraint installation that rigid pipe systems demand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the connection system, allowing the hoses to adapt to terrain changes and equipment movement during operation. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for rigid, fixed installations and reduces setup time while maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If rigid metal pipes are used, then connection integrity is maintained, but safety risks increase due to susceptibility to pressure spikes and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection integrityVSAvoidsafety risks from pressure spikes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible hose construction with multiple layers including reinforcement provides connection integrity while absorbing pressure spikes and vibrations. The flexibility allows the hose to expand and contract under pressure variations without catastrophic failure, unlike rigid pipes that can burst or disconnect under similar conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The layered reinforcement structure in the flexible hoses provides built-in cushioning against pressure spikes and vibrations before they can cause failure. The reinforcement layers absorb and distribute stress, preventing the harmful effects of pressure surges that commonly occur during hydraulic fracturing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Flexible hoses significantly decrease setup time and costs, enhance system durability, and reduce the risk of failure by minimizing connections and safety restraints, while allowing for easier routing around obstacles and repositioning of equipment.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible hose can accommodate uneven terrain and absorb vibrations, reducing the risk of leaks and failures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11549348B2Apparatus and methods for interlocking hydraulic fracturing equipment

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE PUMPING INC

AI summary

A method for interconnecting components of a hydraulic fracturing system using flexible hose or pipe. The flexible hose or pipe can form a singular flow line which interconnects, for example, a pump and a manifold of the hydraulic fracturing system. Each end of the flexible hose or pipe can be tethered (using a safety restraint) to another component of the hydraulic fracturing system. In the event of a rupture or other failure, the safety restraint retains the tethered flexible pipes or hoses in a fixed position to prevent injury to personnel or damage to surrounding equipment.