Pressure Pipeline Cable Laying via Floating Ball Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting pipeline issues in pressure pipelines require stopping transmission, which affects economic benefits and production, have limited functionality, are operationally complex, and are costly, and distributed fiber sensors cannot be continuously laid without excavation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving upstream and downstream bypasses with a floating ball and traction rope to lay a cable in a pressure pipeline without stopping transmission, using fluid pressure differences to guide the ball and rope through the pipeline, allowing continuous cable laying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intelligent ball detection method is used to detect pipeline problems, then detection capability is improved, but transmission must be stopped which affects economic benefits and production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary object that can be laid into the pipeline during normal transmission. The cable serves as both a detection medium and a communication conduit, allowing continuous monitoring without interrupting the flow of materials through the pipeline, thus resolving the contradiction between detection capability and transmission continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical intelligent ball system (which requires stopping transmission for operation) with an electrical/optical cable-based detection system. The cable can be deployed and used for detection while the pipeline continues to operate, substituting a mechanical detection approach with an electrical field-based approach that doesn't interrupt flow
2Reliability
If the intelligent ball is used for internal detection, then detection functions are enhanced, but the system becomes complicated to operate and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection functions from the complex intelligent ball system and integrates them into a simpler cable-based system. The cable can be laid using conventional methods and connected to external detection equipment, separating the deployment process from the detection function, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The cable serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural element for laying, a communication conduit, and a support for detection sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate intelligent balls and their complex operating procedures, simplifying the overall system while enhancing detection capabilities
3Productivity
If distributed fiber sensors are laid in the pipeline without excavation, then installation efficiency is improved, but existing methods require stopping transmission or excavation which increases cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary laying of the cable during normal pipeline operation or in conjunction with routine maintenance activities. The cable is installed in advance before detection needs arise, eliminating the need to stop transmission specifically for detection purposes, thus improving installation efficiency while minimizing loss of transmission time
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 continuous cable laying without stopping pipeline transmission, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs by using fluid pressure to guide a floating ball and traction rope, ensuring smooth cable deployment.
Implementation Method 1
placing the floating ball movable to the downstream bypass under an action of a fluid pressure difference in the pipeline between the first upstream valve and the second upstream valve
Implementation Method 2
opening the first upstream valve arranged on the upstream bypass and close to the pipeline, so that the floating ball enters the pipeline, and as the floating ball moves forward in the pipeline, the cable on the pay-off reel is dragged into the pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A method of laying a cable in a pressure pipeline without stopping transmission is provided. An upstream bypass and a downstream bypass are respectively arranged on the pipeline, the upstream bypass comprising first and second upstream valves, and the downstream bypass comprising first and second downstream valves. A hollow floating ball is inserted into the pipeline via the upstream bypass and first and second upstream valves, the floating ball containing a stowed section of a traction rope having a tail end attached to the cable. The floating ball is pushed downstream by a fluid pressure difference in the pipeline until it falls into the downstream bypass, whereupon it is removed via the downstream bypass and the first and second downstream valves. The stowed section of the traction rope is pulled out of the floating ball and fully out through the downstream bypass, thereby extending the cable within the pipeline.