Pipeline Flow Stopper Balloon Connection With Shock Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow stopping tools for pipelines face issues with hose-balloon connection integrity, leading to potential damage and leakage due to high kinetic forces during inflation, especially in high-pressure and high-flow scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a shock absorber connecting the hose with the inflatable balloon-like element, which includes resilient members like helical springs and sealing rings to absorb and recoil kinetic forces, enhancing the connection's strength and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hose is used to connect the pressure rod with the balloon-like element for inflation, then the balloon can be inflated and positioned in the pipeline, but the hose may get damaged or ruptured due to large kinetic forces from high flow speed
Solution Approach 1:
A shock absorber is integrated into the connection between the pressure rod and the balloon-like element to cushion the impact of kinetic forces before they can damage the hose or rupture the connection. The shock absorber includes a piston moving within a cylinder, with the piston rod connected to the pressure rod and the cylinder connected to the balloon, creating a damping mechanism that absorbs shock loads during inflation in high-flow conditions
2Reliability
If the balloon-like element is inflated in high-flow conditions, then flow stopping is achieved, but the kinetic force may cause leakage of the inflation medium
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber cushions the kinetic forces before they can cause connection failure or leakage, preventing loss of inflation medium while maintaining the ability to stop flow in high-velocity conditions
3Ease of operation
If the balloon-like element is completely ruptured from the hose, then the connection is lost, but the balloon gets lost in the pipeline
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber prevents complete rupture by cushioning the kinetic forces that would otherwise cause the balloon to separate from the hose, ensuring the balloon remains attached even in high-flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber acts as an intermediary between the pressure rod and the balloon-like element, providing a buffered connection that reduces the direct transmission of kinetic forces and prevents catastrophic failure
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 shock absorber effectively resists kinetic forces up to 39,226.6 N (4000 kgf) or more, preventing balloon rupture and leakage, ensuring reliable flow stopping even in challenging pipeline conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A part connecting the hose with the inflatable balloon-like element comprises a shock absorber... which includes resilient members like helical springs... to absorb and recoil kinetic forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A flow stopping tool for pipelines is disclosed, wherein the flow stopping tool comprises an inflatable balloon-like element (6) that is in connection to a pressure rod (5). A hose (8) is used for inflating the balloon-like element (6) with a gas or a fluid, such that the balloon-like element can block a flow in a pipeline. A first end of the hose (8) is in connection to the pressure rod (5) and a second end of the hose is in connection to the balloon-like element (6). A part connecting the hose (8) with the inflatable balloon-like element (6), but outside said balloon-like element, comprises a shock absorber (13) for securing the hose-balloon connection.