Pipe Intervention Tool With Integrated Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing and welding pipes under pressure are complex, costly, and often require interrupting fluid circulation, leading to economic losses and safety concerns, as they necessitate external decompression systems and partial pipe blockage.
Innovation Solution
A tool equipped with a pressure reduction module that allows for decompression without tapping into the pipe wall, using a pipe segment with a smaller diameter to create a Venturi effect and a pump for fluid evacuation, along with motorized rollers for precise positioning and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If external decompression systems and tapping of pipe wall are used to reduce pressure for repair, then pressure reduction is achieved, but device complexity and intervention time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the decompression function directly into the intervention tool itself, merging the sealing modules, pipe segment, and decompression system into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate external decompression systems and pipe wall tapping operations, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving pressure reduction in the external part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reservoir as an intermediary component that temporarily stores fluid from the external part. The reservoir acts as a mediator between the high-pressure external part and the low-pressure interior, allowing pressure reduction without direct connection to the pipe wall, thus simplifying the decompression system.
2Productivity
If complex temporary bypass systems are used to maintain fluid flow during repair, then fluid circulation is maintained, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bypass function into the intervention tool by incorporating a pipe segment that allows fluid to continue flowing through the tool during intervention. This integrated approach eliminates the need for separate external bypass systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid circulation and productivity.
3Reliability
If internal tube with expandable component is used to seal defect from inside, then defect sealing is achieved, but pipe remains partially blocked and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the internal tube approach and implements it through sealing modules that create a seal in the external part without leaving bulky components inside the pipe. The sealing modules can be retracted or removed, allowing the pipe to remain fully open and unblocked after intervention, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining defect sealing reliability.
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
Enables efficient and safe pipe repair or welding without interrupting fluid circulation, reducing intervention time and complexity, and improving safety by maintaining fluid flow and reducing the need for external decompression systems.
Implementation Method 1
using a pipe segment with a smaller diameter to create a Venturi effect
Implementation Method 2
a pump for fluid evacuation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
Disclosed is a tool for intervention on the wall of a fluid pipe, comprising a duct segment (100) through which the fluid is intended to flow when the tool is in the pipe, and at least first and second modules (120, 125, 130, 135) for creating a seal between the wall of the pipe and the duct segment, in order to isolate the fluid flowing in an outer part (320) of a section of the pipe, between the first and second sealing modules. The tool comprises a module (160) for reducing the pressure of the fluid present in the external part.