Pipe Inner Wall Roundness Testing Using Vacuum-Driven Drift
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods in the oil field industry are inadequate for efficiently testing the roundness and clearance of the inner walls of pipes to ensure they are free of obstructions and meet specific diameter tolerances, leading to inefficiencies in pipe usage and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two actuators with couplers, extension tubes, and valves connected to a vacuum source, which uses a back-and-forth process with a drift to test the inner walls of pipes for obstructions and roundness by applying suction, allowing for efficient identification and removal of pipes requiring cleaning or repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual drift testing methods are used (pushing, pulling, or dropping drifts through pipes), then the testing process is simple to implement, but the efficiency and systematic identification of pipe issues are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pipe testing process into discrete segments by using individual actuators for each pipe. Each actuator independently controls a drift through its associated pipe, allowing parallel processing of multiple pipes while maintaining simple individual unit design. This segmentation enables systematic testing without requiring complex integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator design serves multiple functions: it holds the drift, applies vacuum suction to draw the drift through the pipe, and provides a standardized interface for pipe connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each operation, improving overall testing efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If drifts are pushed or pulled through pipes manually, then equipment cost is low, but the ability to systematically identify and test multiple pipes for roundness and obstructions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vacuum suction (pneumatics) to draw drifts through pipes in a controlled manner. This pneumatic mechanism provides consistent, repeatable force that improves the reliability of roundness detection compared to manual pushing or dropping. The standardized vacuum application across multiple actuators enables systematic testing while maintaining relatively simple device design.
3Productivity
If individual pipe testing is performed without a systematic method, then setup is simple, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the testing system into independent actuator-pipe units, the system enables parallel processing of multiple pipes. Each actuator can simultaneously test its associated pipe while other actuators test their pipes, dramatically increasing throughput without requiring complex coordination between units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares drifts in advance within the actuators before insertion into pipes. This preliminary positioning and preparation of drifts eliminates setup time during the actual testing sequence, allowing rapid sequential or parallel testing of multiple pipes without repeated manual preparation.
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
This method enables efficient testing of multiple pipes for obstructions and roundness, ensuring they meet predetermined standards, thereby improving pipe usage and maintenance efficiency by systematically identifying and addressing issues within the pipe network.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum is applied to the first actuator, the drift is drawn through the pipe from the first end towards the second end
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum is applied to the second actuator, and the drift is drawn through the second pipe from the second end towards the first end
Data Source
AI summary
A drift is inserted into a first end of a first pipe and a first actuator is pressed against a second end of the first pipe. A valve in the first actuator is opened and a valve in a second actuator is closed. When a vacuum is turned on, suction is applied to the first actuator, drawing the drift through the first pipe. The drift is removed from the second end and inserted into a second end of a second pipe. The second actuator is pressed against a first end of the second pipe. The valve in the first actuator is closed, the valve in the second actuator is opened, and suction is applied, drawing the drift through the second pipe. The back-and-forth process is repeated for each of a number of pipes. If the drift encounters an obstruction, the pipe can be set aside for further inspection.