Hemispherical Clamp With Drill Rods for Pipeline Leak Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to incrementally block fluid flow from a ruptured underwater or underground pipeline, making it difficult to manage leaks effectively due to extreme depths and high pressures, and lack the ability to deploy without human presence.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline repair apparatus with pivotally coupled hemispherical clamp members and drill insertion rods that can be incrementally rotated to block fluid flow, allowing for the insertion of rocks or cement to permanently seal the leak, and can be operated with minimal human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional valves or sleeves are used to control fluid outflow from a ruptured pipe, then the device can be deployed to the location, but it cannot incrementally block the flow of fluid and requires complex deployment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is divided into multiple discrete drill insertion rods that can be inserted individually through apertures in the clamp member. Each rod acts as an independent segment that can be deployed sequentially to progressively block fluid flow, allowing incremental control rather than requiring a single complex valve mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The drill insertion rods are designed to be rotatable within the clamp member apertures. By rotating the rods into different positions, the degree of flow blockage can be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic positioning capability enables incremental flow control without requiring multiple separate components or complex deployment procedures
2Extent of automation
If equipment is deployed to extreme depths for pipeline repair, then the rupture can be addressed, but it becomes difficult to move equipment to the location and requires human presence
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member is designed with self-aligning hemispherical portions that automatically position themselves around the ruptured pipe section. The drill insertion rods are configured to be inserted and rotated without requiring precise manual positioning, allowing the apparatus to largely self-deploy and self-adjust at depth without extensive human intervention or presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary deployment mechanism where the clamp member with pre-configured apertures serves as a mediator between the drill insertion rods and the ruptured pipe. This intermediary structure simplifies the deployment process by providing predetermined insertion paths and positioning features, reducing the complexity of moving equipment to extreme depths
3Reliability
If drill insertion rods are rotated to block fluid flow, then leakage is reduced, but the structural complexity of the clamp member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill insertion rods serve multiple functions: they can be inserted through the apertures to physically block fluid flow, rotated to adjust the degree of blockage, and potentially removed or repositioned if needed. This multi-functionality is achieved with a simple cylindrical rod design rather than requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving reliable flow blocking
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex valve mechanism to control flow, the patent inverts the approach by using simple rods that can be rotated from an open position to a closed blocking position. The rotation action, which is mechanically simple, achieves the flow control function that would otherwise require complex valve components
Data Source
AI summary
A pipeline repair apparatus for use with a pipe having a rupture includes a clamp member having a hemispherical first portion complementary to a hemispherical second portion being pivotally coupled to the first portion. The second portion is pivotally movable between an open configuration allowing the clamp member to be removed from the ruptured pipe and a closed configuration preventing the clamp member from being removed from the ruptured pipe. The clamp member defines an open top and bottom through which the ruptured pipe extends when the first portion and the second portion are attached thereto. The first portion and the second portion define a plurality of first portion apertures and second portion apertures, respectively, each first portion aperture being aligned in association with a second portion aperture. The apparatus includes a plurality of drill insertion rods, each rod having a configuration selectively received through first and second portion apertures.