Adjustable Fracturing Conduit Offset Pipe Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable fracturing systems are time-consuming to adjust due to multiple threaded components, require expensive special sealing members, and have inefficient flow paths with many abrupt changes, leading to erosion and increased leak risks.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable fracturing system using offset pipe sections with angled connectors that provide directional freedom and simplify alignment between the fracturing flow control unit and tree, reducing the number of components and sealing members, while minimizing abrupt flow path changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple threaded components, studs and nuts are used to adjust the fracturing fluid conduit, then the conduit can be adjusted to different positions, but the adjustment process becomes very time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit position adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fracturing fluid conduit is divided into multiple modular sections that can be independently adjusted. Each section can be rotated or repositioned relative to others, allowing the conduit to adapt to different spatial configurations without requiring complete disassembly or complex threaded adjustments of the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit system incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow for quick repositioning. The modular sections can be easily connected and disconnected, enabling rapid adaptation to different wellhead positions without the time-consuming process of threading multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If special sealing members are used to generate a seal after conduit adjustments, then a reliable seal is achieved, but the sealing members become expensive to manufacture and not readily available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidsealing member manufacturing cost and availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses standard, readily available sealing components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These conventional sealing members are designed to be cost-effective and widely obtainable, eliminating the need for specialized, expensive sealing solutions while maintaining adequate sealing performance for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ninety degree elbow connectors are used to provide freedom of movement, then the conduit can move in three directions, but the abrupt flow path changes cause increased erosion and decreased flow efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit freedom of movementVSAvoidcomponent erosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit system replaces sharp ninety-degree elbows with curved or angled connectors that provide gradual flow direction changes. This curvature reduces turbulence and erosion at connection points while still achieving the necessary freedom of movement in multiple directions, thereby improving component durability and flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ninety degree elbow connectors are used to achieve freedom of movement, then the conduit can move in three directions, but the coefficient of flow decreases leading to loss of efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit freedom of movementVSAvoidfracturing fluid flow rate efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Curved connectors are used instead of sharp ninety-degree elbows to minimize flow disturbances. The gradual curvature allows fracturing fluid to change direction more smoothly, maintaining higher flow coefficients and reducing energy losses, thereby improving overall system productivity while still providing the required multi-directional movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

5Reliability

If a large number of sealing members are used to provide sealing between components, then sealing is achieved, but the number of possible leak paths increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental leak risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system consolidates sealing functions into fewer, strategically placed sealing points rather than using multiple sealing members at every connection. By merging sealing requirements into critical locations only, the system maintains effective sealing while reducing the total number of potential leak paths and associated environmental risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11454100B1Adjustable fracturing system and method

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 AXE CAP HLDG LLC

AI summary

An adjustable fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the adjustable fracturing system includes a fracturing flow control unit and a fracturing tree. A fracturing fluid conduit is coupled between the fracturing flow control unit and the fracturing tree to enable receipt of fracturing fluid by the fracturing tree from the fracturing flow control unit. Further, the fracturing fluid conduit is an adjustable fracturing fluid conduit composed of coupled offset pipe sections. The offset pipe sections are adjustable, allowing the offset pipe sections of the fracturing fluid conduit to vary a dimension of the fracturing fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the fracturing fluid conduit between the fracturing flow control unit and the fracturing tree. Additional mechanisms, systems, and methods are also included.