Pipe End Plug Apparatus for High-Pressure Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe plug devices fail to securely and safely seal leaking pipes under high pressure and allow continued operation, leading to potential well blowouts and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A pipe plug device with a saddle surrounding the pipe, a platform with a blowout plate, and threaded rods for controlled insertion of a tapered plug, along with support bars for stability and an auxiliary pipe for fluid diversion, ensuring a secure seal and minimal downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pipe plug devices are used to seal leaking pipes under high pressure, then the sealing function is provided, but the devices fail to securely and safely seal the pipe and allow continued operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a saddle that surrounds and secures the pipe, a platform that positions the plug, and a plug itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve reliable sealing and operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform acts as an intermediary between the saddle and the plug, providing a stable base for positioning and inserting the plug into the pipe end. This intermediary structure ensures proper alignment and secure placement, enabling reliable sealing while allowing the pipe to resume operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If blowout preventer devices are used to prevent well blowouts, then safety is improved, but the devices are not completely foolproof and have been known to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the natural pressure differential and the tapered geometry of the plug to achieve self-sealing. The plug is drawn into the pipe end by the pressure difference between the high-pressure well interior and the external environment, creating a reliable seal without requiring complex external actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered geometry of the plug changes the pressure distribution and creates a sealing force through geometric transformation. As the plug enters the pipe end, the taper angle converts pressure differential into axial sealing force, ensuring reliable sealing under high-pressure conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a plug is inserted into a high-pressure pipe to seal a leak, then fluid leakage is stopped, but the pipe operation must be stopped for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle is pre-positioned around the pipe and secured before the plug insertion process begins. This preliminary action establishes a stable base and protects the pipe during the sealing operation, allowing the plug to be inserted and sealed quickly without requiring extended pipe shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to allow the pipe to resume operation immediately after plug installation. The saddle and platform structure supports continued fluid flow through the pipe while maintaining the seal, eliminating the need for extended downtime and allowing continuous productive operation.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a sealing structure is applied to a leaking pipe, then the leak is sealed, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from complex blowout preventer systems and concentrated into a simple, focused plug and saddle assembly. By removing unnecessary complexity and retaining only the essential sealing components, the device achieves effective leak sealing with minimal structural complexity and ease of operation.
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
Effectively seals leaking pipes under high pressure, reducing downtime and environmental impact by allowing continued operation while minimizing fluid dispersion and ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
a means for drawing the plug into the open pipe using a safe and reliable method
Implementation Method 2
A set of threaded rods are utilized to draw the platform towards the open pipe, slowly closing the gap between the plug and the open pipe
Implementation Method 3
an orifice to direct the leaking fluid into an attached pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An open-ended pipe engagement device with a saddle portion that attaches around an open pipe, a structural platform comprising a tapering plug, support bars to prevent dislodgement of the device and threaded rods to winch the platform and plug onto the pipe end to be sealed. The device provides a means to safely cap and plug a leaking pipe end and allow the pipe to resume normal activity thereafter. The saddle portion provides a structural a base from which the plug and associated platform are positioned and winched into place, counteracting any fluid pressure exiting the leaking pipe. The plug comprises a tapering and conforming structure with a centrally located through hole for which to direct fluid as the platform is lowered and once the plug is engaged. Above the plug and through the platform is a section of pipe for which to direct the leaking fluid after the apparatus has been secured to the end of the pipe, effectively controlling the leak and allowing normal operation of the well to resume.