Foam-Supported Pipeline Pig for Deformation Detection Without Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline deformation detection PIGs are prone to getting stuck in severely deformed pipelines, which can disrupt oil-gas transportation and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline deformation detection PIG featuring a detection body arranged within a foam body, equipped with a pressure sensing element that includes a pressure sensor and a pressure coupling unit, allowing the PIG to deform under pressure and maintain contact with the pipeline, enabling effective deformation detection across the entire circumferential direction without getting stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact detection PIG with a rigid support is used, then the detection structure is simple and stable, but the PIG gets stuck easily when the pipeline is greatly deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid support structure with a flexible foam body that can dynamically adapt its shape to match pipeline deformations. The foam body's inherent flexibility allows it to conform to bends, dents, and other deformations without causing the PIG to get stuck, while still providing stable detection capabilities through the embedded pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a foam body as a flexible structure that can deform with the pipeline. This flexible foam body replaces the rigid support, allowing the PIG to navigate through greatly deformed sections of the pipeline without getting stuck, while maintaining contact with the pipeline wall for accurate deformation detection.
2Device complexity
If a rigid support with sensing element is used, then the detection mechanism is simple, but it cannot adapt to large pipeline deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the support structure from rigid to flexible. The foam body's ability to change its shape and conform to various pipeline deformations provides high adaptability without significantly increasing detection mechanism complexity. The pressure sensors embedded in the foam body continue to function effectively despite the flexible support.
3Measurement precision
If the detection PIG maintains rigid contact with the pipeline wall, then the detection precision is high, but the PIG cannot move forward in deformed sections
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam body allows the PIG to dynamically adapt to pipeline deformations while maintaining movement capability. The foam can conform to the pipeline wall shape changes, ensuring continuous contact for precise detection, while its flexibility prevents the PIG from getting stuck, allowing it to maintain forward movement through deformed sections.
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 solution allows for accurate detection of pipeline deformation pressure values and positions, preventing the PIG from getting stuck in large deformations, ensuring safe and uninterrupted oil-gas transportation.
Implementation Method 1
an outer side surface of the pressure coupling unit is configured to contact an inner wall of a pipeline to be detected
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor and a pressure coupling unit; an inner side surface of the pressure coupling unit is in contact with a force receiving surface of the pressure sensor
Implementation Method 3
a detection body and a foam body; the detection body is arranged in the foam body
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a pipeline deformation detection PIG, including: a detection body and a foam body; the detection body is arranged in the foam body, and the detection body includes: a pressure sensing element; and the pressure sensing element includes: a pressure sensor and a pressure coupling unit. The detection body of the pipeline deformation detection PIG of the present disclosure is provided in the foam body, the inner side surface of the pressure coupling unit is in contact with the force receiving surface of the pressure sensor, and the outer side surface is in contact with the inner wall of the pipeline to be detected, the pressure coupling unit can translate the pipeline deforms into pressure according to coupling deformation, and meanwhile solve the stuck problem of the existing detection PIG in a large deformation pipeline.