Pneumatic Plug Sealing Layer for Leak-Tight Pipeline Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic plugs used for sealing pipelines suffer from fluid leakage due to gaps formed by heat tape during the curing process, which compromises their sealing capability during operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomeric band that continuously extends circumferentially and axially on the outer surface of the pneumatic plug, forming a single unitary body that minimizes gaps and enhances contact with the pipeline's inner surface, thereby reducing leakage and improving sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If heat tape is used during the curing process to form the tubular body, then the plug can be manufactured with a defined shape, but gaps and impressions are formed on the outer surface that compromise sealing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heat tape from the curing process entirely. Instead of using heat tape to form the tubular body, the invention uses a mandrel that is removed after curing, leaving no gaps or impressions on the outer surface. This extraction of the problematic element (heat tape) eliminates the source of sealing failures while maintaining the ability to form the required tubular shape during curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, the tubular body is cured around a mandrel to achieve the desired shape; second, the mandrel is removed to create a hollow plug. This segmentation allows the shaping function and the final plug formation to be separated, eliminating the need for heat tape that causes defects.
2Ease of manufacture
If heat tape is wrapped around the outer surface during curing, then the tubular body can be formed, but fluid leakage occurs through gaps and impressions in the cured surface
Solution Approach 1:
The heat tape is completely removed from the manufacturing process. The tubular body is instead formed by curing rubber material around a removable mandrel, then extracting the mandrel to create the final plug. This eliminates the gaps and impressions that cause fluid leakage while maintaining ease of manufacture through the simplified curing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel is placed in position before curing begins, serving as a temporary form that defines the internal shape of the plug. This preliminary action allows the rubber to cure around a solid support, and after curing, the mandrel is removed to create the hollow plug structure without requiring heat tape or creating surface defects.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the outer surface has impressions from heat tape, then the curing process can be completed, but the sealing capacity decreases during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat tape that causes surface impressions is removed from the process. The curing is performed around a smooth mandrel that leaves no impressions on the outer surface. After curing, the mandrel is extracted, leaving a smooth outer surface that maintains full sealing capacity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel serves as a temporary copy or model of the final internal cavity shape. By curing around this perfect copy and then removing it, the final plug achieves the desired hollow shape without the defects introduced by heat tape, maintaining both curing completeness and sealing reliability.
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 elastomeric band creates a substantially fluid-tight seal when the plug is inflated, allowing for effective pressure retention and enabling reliable pipeline maintenance and repair by preventing air leakage and accommodating a range of pipeline diameters.
Implementation Method 1
curing the tubular member and the elastomeric band positioned on the top surface of the rubber layer to form a vulcanized plug
Data Source
AI summary
An pneumatic plug for sealing a pipeline. The pneumatic plug includes a tubular member that extends in an axial direction from a first end to a second end. The tubular member includes a rubber layer and an elastomeric band. The rubber layer extends from the first end to the second end of the tubular member. The elastomeric band is disposed on a top of the rubber layer. The elastomeric band is positioned between the first end and the second end of the tubular member.