Subsea Pig Launcher Selector for Single-Valve Multi-Pig Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pig launchers are complex and require multiple control valves for managing multiple pigs, making them cumbersome and less efficient for remote operation in subsea environments.
Innovation Solution
A simplified pig launcher system with a pig selector that uses a single control fluid source to activate multiple control lines, reducing the need for multiple valves and allowing remote operation through a rotatable selector element, enabling efficient launch of multiple pigs with a single valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple control valves are used to manage multiple pigs in subsea pig launchers, then each pig can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases and remote operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control valves are merged into a single control valve that can selectively direct control fluid to different control lines. The control valve has multiple outlets, each connected to a different control line, allowing one valve to perform the function of multiple valves while reducing overall system complexity and improving remote operability
Solution Approach 2:
The single control valve is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple pigs. It can selectively activate any one of several control lines by rotating its selector element, making a single component perform the work of multiple dedicated valves, thereby simplifying the control system while maintaining full operational capability
2Device complexity
If a single control valve is used to manage multiple pigs, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control multiple pigs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve incorporates a rotatable selector element that dynamically changes the active outlet. This dynamic mechanism allows the single valve to adapt its configuration to select different control lines as needed, maintaining versatility and independent control capability while using a single valve body, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability
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 system simplifies the pig launching process, reduces complexity, and allows for reliable remote operation, making it suitable for subsea environments by using a single control valve to manage multiple pigs, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a pig selector (5) having one inlet, two or more outlets and a rotatable selector element (18). The rotatable selector element (18) enables fluid communication from the inlet to one of the two or more outlets while closing the remaining outlets
Implementation Method 2
each of the two or more control lines providing control fluid to a preselected pig magazine inlet enabling the launch of one of two or more pigs positioned in the pig magazine (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
It is a pig launcher (l) comprising a pig magazine (2), launcher mechanism (3) and a connector (7) being connectable to a fluid flow line. The pig magazine (2) is able to hold a number of pigs arranged side by side, control lines (4) being connected to the pig magazine in such a way that each control line (4) is able to provide control fluid to manipulate a pig. The pig launcher further comprises a pig selector (5) being able to receive source control fluid from one control fluid source line (9) and to channel the control fluid to one of a number of control lines (4) being connected to the pig selector, thereby being able to launch one of the number of pigs by means of the control fluid.