Manifold Header Rod Connection for Fast, Reliable Fluid Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid conduit systems used in the oil and gas industry, particularly those involved in well treatments, require connections that are robust, reliable, and facilitate rapid assembly and disassembly, yet existing solutions often compromise on these aspects due to repeated use and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit connection system featuring a trunk line, manifold headers, and valves with arrays of holes and connection rods that allow for secure, flange-like connections while minimizing the number of bolts and flanges, enabling quick assembly and disassembly through a modular design that meets industry standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections are used to connect fluid conduits, then the connection is robust and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a connector with external threading and a receptacle with internal threading. This segmentation allows the connector to be quickly screwed into the receptacle, providing both robust connection and rapid assembly compared to traditional threaded fittings
Solution Approach 2:
The connector and receptacle are pre-configured with complementary threading patterns that align automatically during assembly. This preliminary preparation of the threading geometry enables fast connection without requiring precise manual alignment, reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability
2Reliability
If bolted flanged connections are used to connect fluid conduits, then the connection is robust and reliable, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of flanged connections (robust, reliable joining) and implements it through a simplified connector-receptacle interface. Instead of using full flanges with multiple bolts, the solution uses a compact connector with integrated threading that achieves similar reliability with fewer components, reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design merges the functions of multiple traditional connection elements (flange, bolts, sealing surfaces) into a single integrated component. The connector incorporates internal threading, sealing features, and structural strength in one piece, eliminating the need for separate flanges and multiple fasteners, thus reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
3Strength
If multiple flanges and bolts are used for secure connections, then the mechanical integrity is maintained, but the weight and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the critical function of mechanical strength from traditional multi-component flanged joints and concentrates it in a single connector component. The connector is designed with optimized geometry and material properties to provide sufficient mechanical integrity without the weight of multiple flanges and bolts
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural functions (strength, stiffness, sealing, positioning) that traditionally required separate flanges and bolts are merged into one integrated connector component. This consolidation reduces the total weight while maintaining the necessary mechanical integrity for fluid conduit connections
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid conduit system includes a trunk line and a manifold header coupled to the trunk line. The manifold header has a first bore in fluid communication with the trunk line and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A first manifold valve is coupled to the manifold header. A second manifold valve is coupled to the first manifold valve. A fracture header is coupled to the second manifold valve. A plurality of connection rods is coupled to the manifold header and to the fracture header. Each connection rod extends through a corresponding hole in the first manifold valve and a corresponding hole in the second manifold valve.