Flow-Undisrupted Pipe Operation Using Sealing Case and Boring Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for performing operations on pipelines without disrupting fluid flow often require separate operation valves, which can complicate the process and increase equipment size and error margins.
Innovation Solution
A flow-undisrupted process using a tee with a sealing case and seal packings to create an opening in the pipe wall without interposing an operation valve, allowing the boring machine to operate directly, reducing the need for gate valves and minimizing equipment size and error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an operation gate valve is interposed between the sealing case and the boring machine, then the fluid flow can be controlled during the operation, but the boring stroke becomes significantly longer and the size of the boring machine must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the operation gate valve from the system by designing the tee with a sealing case that can be directly connected to the boring machine. The sealing case includes a sealing portion that seals the opening when the tee is rotated, providing fluid flow control without requiring a separate gate valve, thus shortening the boring stroke and reducing machine size.
Solution Approach 2:
The tee structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the branch connection, creates the opening in the pipe wall, seals the opening through rotation, and controls fluid flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate operation valves while maintaining flow control capability.
2Reliability
If an operation gate valve is interposed between the sealing case and the boring machine, then the fluid flow can be controlled during the operation, but the accumulated product error increases and the clearance must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the operation gate valve from the system, the invention eliminates the accumulated product error that would result from multiple connection interfaces. The direct connection between the sealing case and the boring machine reduces the number of components and interfaces, thereby improving manufacturing precision and allowing for smaller clearance.
3Reliability
If the tee is rotated in the pipe axis direction after opening formation, then the opening can be sealed, but the tee becomes elongated in the pipe axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the tee in the conventional pipe axis direction, the invention inverts the rotation direction by rotating the tee in the circumferential direction of the pipe. This alternative rotation method achieves the sealing function while preventing elongation of the tee in the pipe axis direction.
4Reliability
If a rotary valve is installed inside the second separate case, then the fluid flow can be controlled, but the inner diameter of the tee must be made large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rotary valve from the second separate case and replaces it with a sealing mechanism that uses the rotation of the tee itself to seal the opening. This eliminates the need for an additional rotary valve component, thereby maintaining a compact tee inner diameter while still providing fluid flow control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present flow-undisrupted process includes: enclosing a portion of an existing pipe with a sealing case; connecting a boring machine to the sealing case in a non-valve state in which no operation valve is interposed between a projecting pipe portion of the sealing case and the boring machine; forming a circular opening in an area of the existing pipe corresponding to the projecting pipe portion by means of a hole saw of the boring machine; rotating a tee and the boring machine in a circumferential direction of the existing pipe to a position at which the projecting pipe portion is completely past the opening; after the rotation, maintaining a sealed state in which the seal packing prevents a pressure of a fluid inside the existing pipe from being applied to the projecting pipe portion; and removing the boring machine from the projecting pipe portion in the sealed state.