Multiport Pod Missile With Angled Inlets for Low-Turbulence Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-pressure manifold systems used in hydraulic fracturing face challenges such as complex flow paths, high stress due to harsh environments, and inefficiencies in fluid merging, leading to turbulence, energy loss, and resonance issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular monobore multiport pod missile system is introduced, featuring pods with radially angled input ports that merge high-pressure fluids at angles less than 90 degrees, reducing turbulence and energy loss, and optimizing fluid flow directionally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional high-pressure manifold systems are used with multiple pumps, then fluid aggregation capability is improved, but turbulence and energy loss increase due to complex flow paths and high-angle merging
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into multiple modular pods, each handling a subset of pump connections. This segmentation allows for optimized flow paths within each pod while maintaining overall aggregation capability, reducing turbulence by preventing excessive flow convergence in a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional perpendicular (90-degree) flow merging to angled flow merging at approximately 45 degrees. This dimensional change in flow path geometry reduces flow interference and turbulence when multiple high-pressure streams converge, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining aggregation capability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional perpendicular flow merging is used in manifold pods, then ease of connection is improved, but turbulence and resonance issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow merging angle parameter from 90 degrees (traditional perpendicular connection) to approximately 45 degrees. This parameter change reduces flow interference and resonance while maintaining ease of connection through standardized angled ports and flexible coupling mechanisms that accommodate the angled configuration.
3Quantity of substance
If complex flow paths are used to aggregate fluids from multiple pumps, then fluid aggregation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pod assemblies are merged into a single integrated manifold structure that aggregates fluids from all pumps. This combining approach maintains aggregation capability while simplifying the overall device by consolidating multiple flow paths into a unified structure with standardized connections, reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular design reduces the number of turbulent flow regions, increases laminar flow areas, optimizes energy flow, and minimizes wave interference and resonance, resulting in a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective high-pressure fluid delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
The input ports are angled such that, when connected to a high-pressure line, high-pressure fluid flowing through the input ports merges with the fluid in the conduit generally in the same direction of travel as the fluid in the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A modular multiport pod missile includes a plurality of pipe sections securable together to form a conduit for transporting a fluid in a generally horizontal direction of travel, and at least one pod secured between two of the pipe sections forming the conduit. Each pod has a plurality of input ports extending radially outwardly at an angle from a perimeter of the pod. Each of the input ports is configured for connection to a high-pressure line for delivering a high-pressure fluid from a pump to the conduit. The input ports are angled such that, when connected to a high-pressure line, high-pressure fluid flowing through the input ports merges with the fluid in the conduit generally in the same direction of travel as the fluid in the conduit.