Pipeline Pig Loading Barrel With Motorized Safe Handling

Solution Overview

Problem

Current pipeline pig handling processes pose hazards such as exposure to high-pressure gas, physical exertion, and risk of hydrocarbon gas ignition during loading and unloading, necessitating a safer and more efficient method.

Innovation Solution

A pipeline pig handling apparatus with a frame-mounted drive motor, power supply, and loading barrel featuring a concentric reducer, plunger chamber, and access hatch, designed for safe and efficient loading and unloading, including a spill retention bottom and hoist engagement members for secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual process valves and manual handling methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator safety and ease of operation deteriorate due to exposure to high-pressure gas and physical hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidhandling apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated motorized system. A drive motor mounted on the frame powers a drive shaft with a pigging device that automatically loads and unloads pipeline pigs. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually handle high-pressure valves and pigs, thereby improving safety while introducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated handling apparatus between the operator and the hazardous pipeline pig loading/unloading process. The motorized pigging device acts as a mediator that performs dangerous operations remotely, protecting operators from direct exposure to high-pressure gas and physical hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual handling techniques are used, then equipment cost and complexity are minimized, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to physical exertion and time-consuming operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepig loading efficiencyVSAvoidhandling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated motorized system. A drive motor mounted on the frame powers a drive shaft with a pigging device that automatically loads and unloads pipeline pigs. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually handle high-pressure valves and pigs, thereby improving safety while introducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The motorized pigging device is self-powered and performs the loading and unloading operations autonomously without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically controlling the pigging device's movement and operation, improving productivity while reducing the need for complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If operators directly handle pipeline pigs and valves, then ease of operation is maintained, but exposure to harmful factors such as high-pressure gas and hydrocarbon ignition risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure to high-pressure gasVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated handling apparatus between the operator and the hazardous pipeline pig loading/unloading process. The motorized pigging device acts as a mediator that performs dangerous operations remotely, protecting operators from direct exposure to high-pressure gas and physical hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the operator from the hazardous zone by implementing a motorized system that performs all operations within the launcher barrel area. The drive motor and pigging device are positioned to handle pigs without requiring operators to be near high-pressure gas sources or ignition risks, thereby reducing exposure while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240328562A1Pipeline pig handling apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 NICHOLS JEREMY

AI summary

A pipeline pig handling apparatus configured to provide loading and unloading of pipeline pigs and ensure a safe process thereof. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame wherein the frame is partitioned into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the frame houses the drive unit wherein the drive unit includes a drive motor, a power supply, an oil reservoir, a drive ram brace unit and a ram shaft. The drive motor is operably coupled to the ram shaft and configured to provide hydraulic movement thereof. The second portion of the frame houses the plunger chamber wherein the plunger chamber further includes a plunger movably disposed therein. The plunger chamber is contiguously formed with a concentric reducer wherein the concentric reducer has a portion thereof that extends beyond an end plate of the frame and is configured with a pipe clamp.