Rotatable Diverter Wye Connector for Subsea Pigging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea pipeline fittings, such as piggable wye fittings, do not allow for efficient passage of pigs in reverse flow directions, leading to pipeline shutdowns when pigs are run in reverse, which is becoming a common issue due to increasing reverse flow requirements in offshore pipeline systems.
Innovation Solution
A subsea fitting with a rotatable longitudinal diverter that can be selectively positioned to align with either of the passages, allowing for the passage of pigs in both normal and reverse flow directions by rotating the diverter using a drive mechanism, ensuring that pigs can be directed into the appropriate passage for efficient pipeline cleaning and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a piggable wye fitting with shallow intersect angles is used to allow smooth passage of pigs in normal flow conditions, then pigging capability in normal flow is improved, but the fitting cannot accommodate reverse flow pigging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a rotatable diverter component that can change its orientation between different positions. The diverter rotates to align with either the first or second passage, dynamically adapting the flow path configuration. This allows the fitting to switch between accommodating pigs from different inlet bores, enabling both normal and reverse flow pigging operations with the same physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single wye fitting that can handle multiple pigging scenarios. By combining the fixed wye body with a rotatable diverter, the fitting becomes multi-functional: it can accept pigs from either inlet bore and direct them through the appropriate passage, whether in normal or reverse flow conditions. This eliminates the need for separate fittings for different flow directions.
2Device complexity
If a fixed wye fitting configuration is used to maintain simple structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the fitting cannot be reconfigured for reverse flow operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing a rotatable diverter that adds minimal complexity while maximizing adaptability. The diverter can rotate between defined positions to accommodate different flow scenarios. The rotation mechanism is constrained to specific orientations, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling reverse flow capability. This dynamic element transforms a static, single-function fitting into an adaptable, multi-function device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fitting into distinct functional components: a fixed wye body that provides the basic flow paths and a separate rotatable diverter that controls pig direction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the body maintains structural simplicity while the diverter provides the necessary adaptability for reverse flow operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A body includes two separate openings on a first side of the body that correspond to separate passages that converge to a common passage. An opening on a second side of the body couples to the common passage. A bore in the body is concentric with the common passage. A diverter has at least a part of the diverter in both the bore and the common passage. A tubular portion of the diverter has an open end in fluid communication with the common passage. One or more seals are positioned circumferentially around the part of the diverter located in the bore. The diverter is selectively rotated with the drive mechanism during use to align a diverter wall opening with a selected separate passage such that an object moving from the common passage through the tubular portion of the diverter is directed into the selected separate passage during use.