Pipeline Pig Loading Reducer With Braced Low-Friction Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently loading pigs into pipelines due to significant frictional forces, which can damage coatings and hinder smooth insertion.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus comprises a support member, a tubular reducer, a force-transmitting member, and pipeline-engaging members that engage the pipeline surfaces to limit deformation and prevent scraping, allowing the pig to be pushed through the reducer and into the pipeline interior while minimizing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pig is pushed directly into the pipeline without support members, then the loading operation is simpler, but the frictional forces increase and cause damage to pipeline coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces support members, pipeline-engaging members, and a force-transmitting member as intermediary elements between the pig and the pipeline. These components distribute the loading forces, prevent direct scraping contact, and reduce frictional forces on the pipeline coating, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and coating protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the loading process by using a tubular reducer to control the pig's movement and by distributing forces through multiple engagement points. This transforms the concentrated frictional force into distributed contact forces, reducing the harmful effects on the pipeline coating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pipeline-engaging members are added to brace the force-transmitting member, then friction and coating damage are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members and pipeline-engaging members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, distribute loading forces, prevent coating damage, and guide the pig's movement. By combining multiple functions into single components, the patent reduces the need for additional separate elements, thereby managing device complexity while achieving protection goals.
3Device complexity
If the force-transmitting member is allowed to deform during pig insertion, then the apparatus structure is simpler, but scraping occurs against pipeline surfaces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members and pipeline-engaging members are positioned in advance to establish proper alignment and bracing before the force-transmitting member makes contact with the pipeline surfaces. This preliminary positioning prevents scraping damage by ensuring the force-transmitting member remains properly constrained throughout the pig insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for loading a pig into a pipeline includes a support member for engaging the cylindrical pipeline outer surface to support the apparatus on the pipeline, a tubular reducer, a force-transmitting member with a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member that is attached to the support member and permits axial movement of the force-transmitting member relative to the reducer. The apparatus includes outer and inner pipeline-engaging members attached to the force-transmitting member and disposed to engage the pipeline outer surface and the pipeline outer and inner surfaces, respectively, to brace a portion of the attached force-transmitting member against the pipeline. The reducer may be removably attached to the support member so that it may be interchanged with another reducer having a different inner diameter, thus adapting the apparatus for pipelines having different wall thicknesses. A hydraulic cylinder may actuate movement of the force-transmitting member.