Shared Surge-Relief Piping with Dual-Pilot Pressure Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipeline surge-relief systems are inefficient due to excessive redundancy and high costs, as they require multiple spare subsystems running parallel to each piping run, which increases complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize dual-pilot operated surge-relief valves in parallel pipe runs with a common header, allowing one subsystem to act as a spare, reducing the number of spare runs and implementing a test subsystem to ensure functionality, thereby minimizing redundancy and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple spare subsystems run parallel to each piping run, then pipeline rupture prevention is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipeline rupture preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple spare subsystems into a single shared spare subsystem that can substitute for any failed piping run. Instead of having dedicated spare subsystems for each pipe run, the invention consolidates redundancy resources, allowing one spare subsystem to protect multiple active subsystems through selective substitution when failures occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spare subsystem is designed with universal functionality to perform the surge relief function for any of the multiple piping runs. The subsystem can be dynamically assigned to different pipe runs based on failure conditions, making it a multi-functional component that serves multiple protection roles rather than being dedicated to a single function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple spare subsystems run parallel to each piping run, then pipeline rupture prevention is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipeline rupture preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple spare subsystems run parallel to each piping run, then pipeline rupture prevention is improved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipeline rupture preventionVSAvoidmaintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single shared spare subsystem is used, then system complexity and costs are reduced, but surge relief capability may be insufficient during simultaneous failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidsurge relief capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining a shared spare subsystem in standby readiness before failures occur. The spare subsystem is pre-configured and tested to immediately substitute for any failed active subsystem, providing advance preparation for potential failures without requiring multiple simultaneous spare subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automatic detection and substitution mechanisms where the control system automatically identifies failed subsystems and redirects flow to the shared spare subsystem without requiring manual intervention. This automated response ensures rapid restoration of surge relief capability while minimizing the need for human operation and multiple spare components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11555551B2Systems and methods for providing surge relief

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 CELEROS FLOW TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to protect flows in piping systems using minimal spare components. Some embodiments may provide: a first piping subsystem configured to receive a portion of the input flow; a second piping subsystem configured to receive the portion of the input flow by substituting for the first subsystem; a test subsystem configured to detect whether each of the first and second subsystems is able to vent when at least one, in the each subsystem, of a respective pressure and a respective pressure rate satisfies first and second criteria, respectively; and first and second pilots configured to detect a maximum pressure and a maximum pressure rate, respectively, of the portion of the first and second subsystems.