Pipeline Cleaning Apparatus Fluid Director Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accumulation of debris, deposits, and substances in pipelines restricts flow and causes undesired consequences, highlighting the need for advanced pipeline cleaning technologies.

Innovation Solution

A pipeline cleaning apparatus equipped with fluid directors that cause a cleaning fluid to repeatedly change direction, displacing through the pipeline via pressure differential and dislodging substances from the interior surface, utilizing a fluidic switch and feedback passages to alternate the fluid's discharge direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pipeline cleaning methods are used, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and flow restrictions remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid director is designed to dynamically change the discharge direction of cleaning fluid during apparatus movement through the pipeline. The fluid director includes movable components that can alter the angle and direction of fluid discharge to optimize cleaning effectiveness at different positions along the pipeline interior surface, transforming a static cleaning approach into a dynamic one that adapts to the cleaning progress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning apparatus employs periodic action through oscillating or reciprocating movement of cleaning elements, such as brushes or fluid directors, that repeatedly contact and dislodge deposits from the pipeline interior surface. This periodic motion enhances the dislodging effect compared to continuous or single-pass cleaning methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If high pressure fluid is used to dislodge substances, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstance dislodging effectivenessVSAvoidfluid pressure energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid director dynamically adjusts the direction of high-pressure fluid discharge to concentrate cleaning force on deposit-laden areas while minimizing waste. By changing fluid discharge direction during apparatus movement, the system maintains effective cleaning pressure on the pipeline interior surface without requiring continuously elevated pressure throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces purely mechanical high-pressure impact with a combined mechanical-fluid system where the fluid director guides and focuses fluid flow to enhance the mechanical action of cleaning elements. This substitution optimizes energy utilization by directing fluid energy only where needed rather than applying high pressure uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the apparatus moves quickly through the pipeline, then productivity increases, but cleaning quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus displacement speedVSAvoidcleaning quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid director is designed to move in coordination with the apparatus through the pipeline, dynamically adjusting fluid discharge direction to maintain optimal cleaning contact time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve effective cleaning even at higher displacement speeds by ensuring cleaning elements remain engaged with the pipeline interior surface throughout the movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning apparatus maintains continuous cleaning action through the pipeline by ensuring that cleaning elements, such as brushes or fluid directors, remain in constant contact with the pipeline interior surface during displacement. This continuous engagement prevents periods where cleaning action is interrupted, maintaining cleaning quality despite apparatus movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 cleans pipelines by dislodging and conveying substances through the pipeline, enhancing the efficiency of pipeline maintenance and preventing flow restrictions.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid director that causes fluid which flows through the fluid director to repeatedly change direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid oscillation:

Implementation Method 2

displacing through the pipeline via pressure differential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9498803B2Cleaning of pipelines

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A pipeline cleaning system can include a pipeline cleaning apparatus with at least one fluid director that causes fluid which flows through the fluid director to repeatedly change direction. A method of cleaning a pipeline can include inserting a pipeline cleaning apparatus into the pipeline, flowing a fluid, thereby causing the fluid to be discharged from the pipeline cleaning apparatus into the pipeline, and a fluid director of the pipeline cleaning apparatus repeatedly changing a direction of discharge of the fluid from the pipeline cleaning apparatus. A pipeline cleaning apparatus can include a housing adapted for insertion into a pipeline, and at least one fluid director that repeatedly changes a direction of discharge of fluid from the pipeline cleaning apparatus, in response to flow of the fluid through the apparatus.