Pipeline Pig Handling With Self-Alignment for Automated Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual insertion and retrieval of pipeline pigs in fluid transmission pipelines are inefficient and prone to human error, requiring significant operator intervention and time.
Innovation Solution
An automated pipeline pig handling system with an articulated arm, sensors, and a transportation assembly that self-positions and aligns the pipeline pig for launch or retrieval, enabling automated insertion and removal without human intervention, using sensors to control the arm and movement based on real-time parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual insertion and retrieval of pipeline pigs is performed by human operators, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pipeline pig handling system performs insertion and retrieval operations autonomously without human intervention. The system self-positioning mechanism automatically locates the pipeline, and the robotic arm executes pig handling tasks independently, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining high precision and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with gripper mechanism substitutes human hands, while sensors and control systems replace human decision-making and positioning abilities, achieving higher efficiency and eliminating human error in pig handling operations.
2Loss of time
If automated handling system is implemented, then operational time is reduced and error rate decreases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pipeline pig handling system is designed to perform multiple functions including self-positioning, pig detection, gripper activation, and coordinate transmission. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated unit, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensors as intermediary components that bridge the physical pipeline environment and the control system. These sensors automatically detect pipeline coordinates and transmit them to the robotic arm, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement and positioning mechanisms while reducing operational time.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and automated control are used, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the robotic arm's position and the pipeline's location. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to make real-time adjustments, ensuring high positioning precision without requiring overly complex mechanical guidance systems. The feedback loop enables automatic correction of positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors serve as intermediary devices that simplify the positioning task by automatically capturing coordinate information and transmitting it to the control system. This eliminates the need for complex manual measurement tools and procedures, achieving high measurement precision through automated data collection and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.