Pipeline Plugging Robot With Through-Flow Control for Precise Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline plugging robots face challenges with precise positioning, stability, and control accuracy, leading to inefficiencies and economic losses during long-distance oil and gas pipeline maintenance and repair, due to complex communication modes and speed control issues.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent plugging robot equipped with a through-flow governor, flow-blocking mechanism, and telescopic mechanism, which enables precise positioning and stable interaction with the pipeline, allowing for accurate control and adjustment of the robot's speed and position within the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual drilling and plugging method is used, then plugging operation can be performed, but it consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, causes pipeline damage, and results in long interruption of oil and gas transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual drilling operations with a robotic system that uses magnetic positioning and automated plugging mechanisms. The intelligent plugging robot navigates through the pipeline using magnetic field guidance and performs plugging operations without requiring manual drilling, thereby eliminating pipeline damage and reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugging robot is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities using magnetic positioning systems and self-propulsion mechanisms. The robot can independently locate target positions, navigate to them, and perform plugging operations without continuous human intervention, enabling self-service operation that improves efficiency and reduces transportation interruptions.
2Measurement precision
If existing plugging robot driven by oil and gas flow is used, then the robot can move in the pipe, but it cannot perform completely accurate positioning, causing displacement deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary for positioning and navigation. The intelligent plugging robot uses magnetic positioning systems that interact with magnetic markers or magnetic field gradients in the pipeline to achieve accurate location determination, eliminating the positioning errors associated with flow-driven movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple flow-driven propulsion mechanism with an intelligent control system that combines magnetic positioning, electronic sensors, and automated propulsion control. This substitution enables precise positioning and accurate control of the robot's movement and plugging operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex communication mode and speed control method are used, then control functionality is comprehensive, but the operation becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal magnetic field-based communication and positioning system that serves multiple functions: positioning, navigation, and control signaling. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate complex communication systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
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 intelligent plugging robot achieves precise positioning and stable operation, reducing maintenance time and improving the efficiency and reliability of pipeline repairs by ensuring accurate anchoring and sealing, while maintaining smooth signal transmission and flow control.
Implementation Method 1
the through-flow governor can not only clean the pipe wall, but also ensure that the signal transceiver and the pipe wall can be kept in smooth connection. It can also control the flow rate of oil and gas to ensure that the speed of the plugging robot in the pipe can be adjusted.
Implementation Method 2
the intelligent plugging robot for pipeline is used for operation, the robot moves in the pipe to the two ends of the pipeline section that needs to be maintained to perform effective and rapid plugging
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses an intelligent plugging robot and method thereof for rerouting, maintaining and repairing long-distance pipelines. The intelligent plugging robot includes a through-flow governor, a flow-blocking mechanism and a telescopic mechanism, wherein the through-flow governor and the flow-blocking mechanism are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the device. The invention can realize remote, fast, safe and accurate plugging during maintaining and repairing the long-distance pipeline, wherein the telescopic mechanism cooperates with the flow-blocking mechanism to move autonomously in the pipe to achieve precise positioning, the through-flow governor can not only adjust the plugging robot but also ensure the cleaning of the pipe wall, make it stable contact with the signal transceiver, and realize the stable communication between the robot in the pipe and the remote monitoring machine.