Bidirectional Sphere Prover Reducer for Launch Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bidirectional sphere provers with horizontal launch tubes often fail to launch the sphere successfully during the first water draw test, especially in larger pipe diameters, due to issues with concentricity and abrupt angle of contact, leading to delays and potential loss of business.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an elongate concentric fabricated reducer, which is twice as long as the downstream piping diameter and presents a more gradual angle of contact, addresses the sphere launch problem by improving concentricity and reducing the likelihood of launch failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a short reducer is used in bidirectional sphere provers with horizontal launch tubes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sphere launch reliability deteriorates due to poor concentricity and abrupt contact angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the reducer by making it elongate (twice as long as the downstream piping diameter) and concentric, which improves the angle of contact and concentricity to ensure successful sphere launch while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate concentric fabricated reducer acts as an intermediary component that gradually transitions the flow direction and improves the angle of contact between the sphere and pipe wall, thereby enhancing launch reliability without requiring complex launch mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If the launch angle is made abrupt to simplify the launcher design, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sphere launch reliability deteriorates due to poor contact geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the launch geometry by creating an elongate reducer with a gradual, non-abrupt angle of contact. This changes the geometric parameters to improve sphere launch reliability while still using standard fabrication methods for the reducer itself
3Ease of manufacture
If concentricity is poor in the reducer, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sphere launch reliability deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the reducer be fabricated concentrically rather than eccentrically. This parameter change in the fabrication approach ensures proper alignment and successful sphere launch, while the elongate design compensates for any minor fabrication tolerances
Data Source
AI summary
During a water draw test, horizontal type bidirectional sphere provers with a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detector switches sometimes suffer from sphere launch failure which typically results in a failed water draw test. These types of provers, especially in larger pipe diameters will benefit from an elongate concentric fabricated reducer attached to the outlet of each launch tube. These elongate concentric fabricated reducers result in a successful sphere launch on the first attempt. Assuming all the other components of the prover are properly designed and assembled, a successful sphere launch will result in a successful water draw test on the first attempt saving time, money and reputation.