Packer Tool Bladder Pocket for Junction Liner Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packer tool assemblies face challenges in properly orienting and inflating bladders and connection liners at pipeline junctions, especially when introduced along branch lines, leading to curling or incorrect positioning due to lack of opposing ends for attachment, particularly when the junction is more accessible from the branch line.
Innovation Solution
A bladder with a pocket for rotational engagement with the packer tool at two distinct positions, allowing precise orientation and inflation of the bladder and connection liner by engaging the packer tool through a pocket and an intermediate bar, preventing curling and ensuring correct positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the packer tool assembly is introduced along the branch line to form a junction, then the junction can be accessed more easily, but the bladder and connection liner cannot be properly oriented due to lack of opposing ends for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is segmented into a main section and a branch section, with the branch section extending outwardly from the main section. This segmentation allows the bladder to be introduced along the branch line while maintaining proper orientation capability through the distinct structural divisions that can be independently positioned and oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate bar is introduced as a mediator between the packer tool and the bladder. The intermediate bar extends through the pocket and connects to the packer tool, enabling rotational engagement and orientation control of the bladder even when the packer tool is accessed through the branch line without opposing ends for direct attachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the packer tool is attached to opposing longitudinal ends of the bladder when introduced along the main line, then proper orientation is achieved, but this approach is not feasible when introduced along the branch line
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket structure provides a universal engagement mechanism that works regardless of the access path. The pocket can rotatably engage the end piece whether the packer tool is introduced through the main line or branch line, making the orientation system versatile and adaptable to different introduction paths while maintaining precise orientation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate bar serves as a mediator that transmits rotational and translational manipulation from the packer tool through the pocket to the bladder, enabling precise orientation control even when the packer tool cannot be directly attached to opposing longitudinal ends of the bladder.
3Productivity
If the bladder is inflated without proper rotational engagement, then inflation can proceed, but curling or twisting occurs causing incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
Rotational engagement through the pocket is achieved before inflation begins. The pocket rotatably receiving the end piece allows the bladder to be properly oriented and positioned in advance, preventing curling or twisting during inflation and ensuring accurate final positioning while maintaining efficient inflation progress.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a bladder for positioning a connection liner when forming a junction of a cured-in-place-pipeline. The bladder comprising a body defining a tubular main section and a tubular branch section extending outwardly from the main section, between opposing ends of the main section. A distal end of the branch section is open and an inside of the body is open between the main section and the branch section. The bladder comprises a pocket arranged on the inside of the body, on the tubular main section, the pocket defining a pocket volume configured for receiving an end piece of a packer tool, so as to rotationally engage therewith.