Reusable Tubular End Protector With Resilient Pipe Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protectors for non-threaded pipes used in midstream operations suffer from high failure rates, inefficiency, and generate significant waste due to their single-use nature, leading to mechanical damage and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A protector comprising a rigid portion with a flexible portion featuring resilient members, allowing secure attachment and reusability, compatible with non-threaded pipes, and equipped with a check valve to control internal environment and reduce detachment risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece rigid protector is used, then the structure is simple, but the reliability is low due to high failure rate and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is divided into a rigid portion and a flexible portion with resilient members. The resilient members can deform to engage with the pipe surface, providing secure attachment while maintaining structural simplicity of the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector incorporates materials with different elastic moduli - a rigid portion for structural integrity and a flexible portion with resilient members for adaptation. This parameter differentiation allows the protector to maintain reliability while keeping the design straightforward.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid single-piece protector is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the waste generation is high due to single-use nature
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is designed to be reusable rather than single-use. The resilient members can be compressed during installation and then recover their shape, allowing the protector to be removed and reused multiple times, significantly reducing waste generation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient members automatically engage with the pipe surface through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for complex fastening mechanisms. This self-securing feature simplifies manufacturing while enabling reusable operation that reduces waste.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment is achieved, then the protection reliability improves, but the mechanical force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion is made from material with lower elastic modulus than the rigid portion, allowing it to deform under minimal force to engage with the pipe. This material parameter differentiation enables secure attachment with reduced mechanical force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient members are pre-configured to deform and engage with the pipe surface before full installation is complete. This preliminary engagement through elastic deformation secures the protector with minimal force, preventing detachment during use.
4Strength
If the protector is made fully rigid, then the protection against mechanical damage is strong, but the adaptability to different pipe sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protector combines rigid and flexible portions with different local properties. The rigid portion provides strong mechanical protection, while the flexible portion with resilient members provides adaptability to different pipe sizes and surfaces, achieving both strength and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector is constructed as a composite structure with a rigid portion for strength and a flexible portion made from material with lower elastic modulus for adaptability. This composite design enables the protector to maintain mechanical protection strength while adapting to various pipe dimensions.
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 protector provides enhanced protection against mechanical damage, reduces waste, and maintains the internal environment by preventing debris and moisture ingress, with a secure, reusable design that simplifies application and detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible portion which is formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus. The flexible portion has one or more resilient members
Data Source
AI summary
A protector is proposed for an end of an elongate member, such as an end of a pipe or tube. The protector comprises a rigid portion which has a body portion for insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member, and a cover portion extending from the body portion. The protector further comprises a flexible portion provided on an outer surface of the body portion. The flexible portion comprises one or more resilient members. When the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the resilient members engage the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member.