Method of fixing a broken oil pipe

Abstract

The usual safety feature of oil pipes is the shut-off valve. Whenever there is a need, such a valve can be closed, and oil is prohibited from spilling into the surroundings. However, the shut-off valve may sometimes be inaccessible. It may be buried deep in the mud, or even worse, there may be no shut-off valve. Such an oil spill could prove disastrous. Fortunately, our invention would provide a solution to just such a situation. We would need to send submarine robots to the scene of the accident. These robots, controlled from the ship on the surface, would insert our specially designed hydraulic head into the pipe. This head would then seal the pipe, stopping any further oil spill.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The usual safety feature of oil pipes is the shut-off valve. Whenever there is a need, such a valve can be closed, and oil is prohibited from spilling into the surroundings. Different kinds of shut-off valves are used for pipes with relatively big diameter, and different for pipes with relatively small diameter. In both cases such valves not only stop the oil from spilling, but they also provide the possibility of replacing the broken section of the pipe. Further, if such a valve was well designed and installed in a proper location, the replacement of the broken section can be quick and easy.

SUMMARY

Suppose an oil pipe gets broken, due to an explosion, a collision with another body, erosion, or anything else, but it is rather easy for the mechanical crew to get to the broken section, along with their specific equipment. In such case the repair should not become complicated, and problem ought to be fixed quickly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Suppose the broken section of the oil pipe is deep at the bottom of the ocean where working conditions for humans are harsh (low visibility, extreme pressure, very low temperature, strong ocean currents, etc). Further, suppose that the shut-off valve is inaccessible, may be buried deep in the mud, or even worse, that there is no shut-off valve. Such an oil spill could prove disastrous, and likely unfixable for a longer period of time. However, our invention would provide a relatively quick and easy solution to just such a situation. We would need to send submarine robots to the scene of the accident. These robots, controlled from the ship on the surface, would insert our specially designed hydraulic head into the pipe. This head would then seal the pipe, stopping any further oil spill.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The goal of our invention is to make it considerably easier and faster to stop an oil spill, specifically in the case of a burst pipe. An uncontrollable oil spill can potentially cause an environmental disaster. It can also significantly contribute to worsening economical condition of the communities living in the close proximity of this spill. It may take a long period of time for both the environment and the economy to heal.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1. shows how the oil spill can be dealt with: into a broken pipe (FIG. 1A) our hydraulic head is inserted (FIG. 1B) and then the oil leak is stopped (FIG. 1C).

FIG. 2 shows the structure of our hydraulic head, including the main core, the shut-off valves, cylinders, side plates, and canals for the hydraulic fluid.

FIG. 3, in addition to the main core of the hydraulic head, shows the “pillow,” which completely seals the broken pipe.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

• 1. Broken pipe
• 2. Main core of the hydraulic head
• 3. Center shut-off valve
• 4. Movable side plates
• 5. Movable hydraulic cylinders
• 6. Pillow
• 7. Side shut-off valve
• 8. Circular Gasket
• 9. Hydraulic fluid canals
• 10. Foam/gel canal

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 2 AND 3—THE HYDRAULIC HEAD

Please refer to FIG. 2. The main core (2) of the hydraulic head provides the barrier against the pressure of the oil. It should be made out of an extra-fine steel. Within this core there are canals (9) through which hydraulic fluid is transferred to the hydraulic cylinders (5). Onto the main core, from the top, two shut-off valves are mounted: the center shut-off valve (3), which is connected to the cylinders (5), and a side shut-off valve (7), which is connected to the bottom element (6) called “the pillow.”

Hydraulic cylinders (5) are allowed to move back and forth within the main core. The movement of these cylinders is controlled by the pressure in the hydraulic fluid. These cylinders are attached to the side plates (4). Side plates are also allowed to move within the core. Their movement is controlled by the hydraulic cylinders, which push these plates outward. As a result, side plates are squeezed against the pipe, and the hydraulic head is firmly attached to the pipe.

Side plates (4), on their outer surfaces, have cut out numerous, small teeth. These greatly increase frictional forces which keep the whole head inside the pipe.

To briefly summarize the above description, it suffices to write the following. With robots, our hydraulic head is inserted into the broken pipe. Using a regular hydraulic pump, the hydraulic fluid pushes cylinders (5), which in turn push the side plates (with their sharp teeth) (4) against the inside walls of the broken pipe. Thus our hydraulic head is secure inside the pipe. Next step is to activate the pillow (6).

Please refer to FIG. 3. The pillow is glued onto the semispherical cavity, located at the front/bottom of the hydraulic head. This pillow needs to be made out of an elastic polymer, chemically strong enough to resist oil. Initially, the pillow is partially empty on the inside, and connected with a canal (10) to the side shut-off valve (7). Through this valve (7) and canal (10), a special foam or gel, is injected into the pillow, stretching it and sealing the pipe. Thus the oil leak is stopped.

Claims

1. The main core (2) of the hydraulic head along with canals (9).

2. Hydraulic cylinders (5) mounted within the main core.

3. Side plates (4) mounted within the main core.

4. The pillow (6).