Pipeline Plug Seal and Gripper Assembly for Secure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline isolation technologies face challenges in effectively isolating sections of pipelines for maintenance, repair, or pressure testing, as existing solutions often struggle to provide reliable fluid isolation and secure positioning within the pipeline.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline plug system comprising a pressure head, seal assembly, gripper bodies, and an actuator, which includes a seal expansion ring and a two-stage gripper assembly to radially expand and securely engage the pipeline, ensuring fluid isolation by using a combination of seal rings and tapered interfaces to maintain position and prevent fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipeline plug is used to isolate sections of the pipeline, then fluid isolation is achieved, but reliable positioning and secure engagement within the pipeline is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline plug incorporates a two-stage gripper assembly that can dynamically adjust its engagement with the pipeline. The first stage provides initial gripping when the plug is pushed into position, while the second stage engages to provide additional securing. This dynamic, multi-stage engagement mechanism allows the plug to reliably maintain its position within the pipeline while accommodating variations in pipeline geometry and installation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper assembly features a nested structure where the second stage gripper is positioned within or alongside the first stage gripper. This nested arrangement allows both gripping stages to be integrated into a compact plug design, enabling sequential engagement without requiring excessive space or complexity in the overall plug structure.
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 pipeline plug system effectively isolates sections of the pipeline by radially expanding to securely engage the pipeline, preventing fluid leakage and maintaining position, thus enabling reliable maintenance, repair, and pressure testing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a seal assembly, a seal expansion ring
Implementation Method 2
tapered interfaces to maintain position
Data Source
AI summary
A pipeline plug includes a pressure head; a seal assembly; a seal expansion ring; a plurality of gripper bodies, a sliding gripper, and an actuator. Each gripper body is coupled to the seal expansion ring. Radial expansion of the gripper bodies supports radial expansion of the seal expansion ring. Additionally, radial expansion of the seal expansion ring supports radial expansion of the gripper bodies. The sliding gripper is slidingly coupled to a radially outer surface of the gripper body.