Misaligned Pipe Connector Guide Sleeve Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing misalignment ball joints in subsea pipelines create obstructions that can damage intelligent pigs during passage, due to the apparent obstruction from the projection of the bore of the ball, which inhibits smooth surface passage and leads to potential inspection data loss.
Innovation Solution
A misalignment ball joint design featuring a guide sleeve coaxial with the ball passage and a recessed area on the ball, providing a smooth transition and minimizing gaps between the sleeve and the ball's inner surface, allowing for unobstructed passage of intelligent pigs at any angle of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide sleeve is used to remove the apparent obstruction, then the smooth surface for pig passage is improved, but an opening between the sleeve end and ball funnel is exposed that may damage sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve is nested within the ball structure, with its end extending into the recessed area. This nesting arrangement allows the sleeve to provide a smooth surface while the recessed area contains the sleeve end, preventing exposure of the opening to sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed area acts as an intermediary structure between the guide sleeve and the ball funnel. It provides a transition zone that accommodates the sleeve end, eliminating the harmful opening while maintaining the smooth surface function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ball joint allows misalignment articulation, then tie-in flexibility is improved, but the projection of the bore creates an apparent obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed area is created locally on the ball surface at the funnel opening. This localized modification provides a smooth transition zone specifically where needed, without affecting the overall ball joint articulation capability for misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed area introduces a dimensional feature into the ball surface geometry. By creating a recess rather than a protrusion, the design transforms the surface topology to eliminate the apparent obstruction while preserving the conical funnel's articulation function.
Data Source
AI summary
A misalignment ball joint fitting includes first and second body portion coupled together and having spherical inner surfaces. A ball secured inside the body portions has a passage therein. The passage has a funnel shaped portion in a first end portion of the ball. The ball is allowed to at least partially rotate when secured inside the first and second body portions. A guide sleeve is coupled to the first body portion. The guide sleeve is coaxial with the ball passage. A recess is in an inner surface of the ball near a center of the ball. An end of the guide sleeve extends into at least a portion of the recess when the ball is in a neutral position with walls of the passage in the ball parallel to walls of the guide sleeve.