Patent Description:
This disclosure relates to changing the direction of fluids flowing inside piping, for example, inside a tee pipe fitting. More specifically, this disclosure relates to depressurizing a branch pipe of a tee pipe fitting.

Some pipes under high pressure need to be depressurized. Some pipes are depressurized by using gas flaring methods or by discharging the fluid into sum pits. Some fluids can be harming to the environment. Methods and systems for improving the process of depressurizing pipes are sought.

<CIT> describes a system for controlling the mixture of an airflow and an exhaust gas flow in an engine.

<CIT> describes an ejector for powder ejection.

The invention is defined in the claims. Implementations of the present disclosure include a method that includes forming, by an ejector assembly and inside a tee pipe fitting, a seal between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting, the first pipe flowing a first fluid at a first pressure, the second pipe flowing a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector assembly includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid flowing in the first pipe, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber including an outlet that, with the seal formed, is in fluid communication with the second pipe. The method also includes flowing the first fluid from the first pipe into the ejector assembly through the nozzle, wherein the first pressure of the first fluid decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure drawing the second fluid from the second pipe into the mixing chamber.

According to the invention, forming the seal includes moving, by a moving assembly, the ejector assembly from a first position inside an ejector housing to a second position at an interface between the first pipe and the second pipe to form the seal, the ejector housing extending away from the first pipe adjacent the interface.

According to the invention, the ejector assembly is, in the first position, fluidically decoupled from the first fluid in the first pipe.

In some implementations, moving the ejector assembly from the first position to the second position includes actuating the moving assembly from outside the ejector housing.

In some implementations the mixing chamber includes a first sealing ring and an inlet of the second pipe includes a second sealing ring, and wherein forming the seal includes engaging the first ring with the second ring.

In some implementations, flowing the first fluid into the ejector assembly includes opening a valve of the ejector assembly. In some implementations, opening the valve includes actuating a valve mechanism from outside the tee pipe fitting.

In some implementations, the method also includes, after drawing the second fluid from the second pipe into the mixing chamber, undoing the seal between the first pipe and the second pipe. In some implementations, undoing the seal includes isolating the second pipe interrupting the flowing of the first fluid into the ejector assembly, and moving the ejector assembly away from an interface between the first pipe and the second pipe.

Further implementations of the present disclosure include a system that includes an ejector moving gearbox assembly, and a movable ejector coupled to the ejector moving gearbox assembly. The ejector is configured to be moved by the ejector moving gearbox assembly to form a seal, inside a tee pipe fitting, between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting. The first pipe is configured to flow a first fluid at a first pressure and the second pipe is configured to flow a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid to decrease the pressure of the first fluid to a third pressure lower than the second pressure, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber including an outlet that, with the seal formed, is in fluid communication with the second pipe such that flowing the first fluid from the first pipe through the nozzle to the mixing chamber draws the second fluid from the second pipe into the mixing chamber.

In some implementations, the system also includes a housing extending away from the first pipe adjacent the interface, the housing configured to house the ejector moving gearbox assembly.

In some implementations, the ejector housing extends orthogonally, with respect to the first pipe and the second pipe, away from the first pipe.

In some implementations, the system further includes a guiding rail inside the housing and configured to guide the outlet of the mixing chamber to an inlet of the second pipe to form the seal between the first pipe and the second pipe.

According to the invention, the ejector is movable between a first position, inside the housing, and a second position at an interface between the first pipe and the second pipe to form the seal.

According to the invention, the ejector is fluidically decoupled from the first fluid in the first pipe in the first position.

In some implementations, the ejector moving gearbox assembly includes a gearbox disposed inside the housing, the ejector moving assembly configured to be actuated, through the gearbox, from outside the housing to move the ejector.

In some implementations, the ejector moving gearbox assembly is configured to be actuated by applying torque, through the gearbox, to the ejector moving gearbox assembly, the torque applied by at least one of a motor and a handwheel.

In some implementations, the ejector moving gearbox assembly includes a threaded rod including a first end coupled to the ejector and a second end disposed inside and threadedly coupled to a threaded sleeve, the threaded sleeve rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod to move the first end toward and away from the threaded sleeve.

In some implementations, the threaded sleeve is disposed inside a sealed casing, the sealed casing affixed to the ejector housing and including bearings configured to reduce rotational friction between the sealed casing and the threaded sleeve.

In some implementations, the movable ejector further includes a valve configured to open a channel for the first fluid to flow into the nozzle.

Although the following detailed description contains many specific details for purposes of illustration, it is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many examples, variations, and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the example implementations described herein and provided in the appended figures are set forth without any loss of generality, and without imposing limitations on the claimed implementations. For example, the implementations are described with reference to a tee pipe fitting. However, the disclosure can be implemented with any appropriate pipe fitting that connects two or more pipes flowing fluids of different pressures.

The present disclosure describes a system and method for depressurizing and draining a branch pipe of a tee pipe fitting by changing the direction of the fluid inside the branch pipe toward and into a main pipe of the tee pipe fitting. When the main pipe flows a high-pressure fluid and the branch pipe flows a low-pressure fluid, the high-pressure fluid from the main pipe flows into the branch pipe to pressurize the branch pipe. An ejector assembly forming a seal between the main pipe and the branch pipe can depressurize the branch pipe. For example, a nozzle of the ejector assembly can receive a portion of the high-pressure fluid and decrease the pressure of the high-pressure fluid. The nozzle can decrease the pressure of the high-pressure fluid to a pressure lower than the pressure of the low-pressure fluid in the branch pipe.

When the fluid from the main pipe exits the nozzle at the new pressure, the low pressure at the exit of the nozzle can draw the low-pressure fluid from the branch pipe. As the low-pressure fluid is drawn into the ejector assembly, the low-pressure fluid mixes with the fluid of the main pipe to exit the ejector assembly into the main pipe.

Referring to <FIG>, a method and system <NUM> for depressurizing a branch pipe <NUM> is shown. The depressurizing system <NUM> includes an ejector moving gearbox assembly <NUM> and a movable ejector assembly <NUM> (for example, an ejector or an injector) coupled to the ejector moving gearbox assembly <NUM>. The moving assembly <NUM> is disposed inside a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is affixed to a tee pipe fitting <NUM> that is connected to a first pipe <NUM> (for example, a main pipe) and a second pipe <NUM> (for example, a branch pipe). The main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM> are fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting <NUM>. The depressurizing system <NUM> can be used to depressurize the branch pipe <NUM> without exposing a fluid <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM> to the environment.

The housing <NUM> protects the moving assembly <NUM> and the other components inside the housing. The housing <NUM> extends away from the main pipe <NUM> adjacent an interface <NUM> between the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM> (for example, an inlet <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM> and an outlet of the main pipe <NUM> form the interface <NUM>). In the example shown in <FIG>, the housing extends orthogonally, with respect to the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM>, away from the main pipe <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be permanently affixed to the tee pipe fitting <NUM> or can be a part of the tee pipe fitting <NUM>. In some implementations, the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM> can have different or similar diameters, with the main pipe <NUM> flowing a fluid of greater pressure than the fluid in the branch pipe <NUM>.

The main pipe <NUM> has a first fluid <NUM> that flows in a first direction and the branch pipe <NUM> has a second fluid <NUM> that, with the ejector assembly <NUM> engaged, can flow toward the main pipe <NUM>. For example, when the ejector assembly <NUM> is engaged with the interface <NUM> between the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM>, the fluid <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM> can flow in a direction toward the main pipe <NUM>. For instance, the housing <NUM> can have a handwheel <NUM> or a similar component to control the moving assembly <NUM>, which in turn moves the ejector assembly <NUM> to a position in which the branch pipe <NUM> can be depressurized. As further explained in detail below with respect to <FIG>, the handwheel <NUM> is connected to the moving assembly <NUM>. For example, the handwheel <NUM> is connected to a gearbox of the moving assembly <NUM>. The moving assembly <NUM> moves the ejector assembly <NUM> to form a seal, inside the tee pipe fitting <NUM>, between the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM>. For example, the ejector assembly <NUM> can form a seal between the two pipes <NUM> and <NUM> by engaging the interface <NUM> at the inlet <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM>. By forming the seal and then flowing the first fluid <NUM> through the ejector assembly <NUM>, a pressure differential inside the ejector assembly <NUM> can draw the second fluid <NUM> from the branch pipe <NUM> into the main pipe <NUM>, depressurizing the branch pipe <NUM>.

After the branch pipe <NUM> has been depressurized, the ejector assembly <NUM> can be disengaged from the interface <NUM> to undo the seal between the main pipe <NUM> and the branch pipe <NUM>. To undo the seal, the branch pipe <NUM> can be isolated by closing a valve <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM> before the ejector assembly <NUM> is removed from the interface <NUM>. When the branch pipe <NUM> has been isolated such that the second fluid <NUM> does not flow into the tee pipe fitting <NUM>, the flow of the first fluid <NUM> into the ejector assembly <NUM> can be interrupted by closing a valve of the ejector assembly <NUM>. After the respective valves have been closed, the ejector assembly <NUM> can be moved away from an interface <NUM> to undo the seal and allow the first fluid <NUM> to flow through the tee pipe fitting <NUM>.

As further discussed below with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, the ejector assembly <NUM> is movable from an engaged position with the interface <NUM>, to a disengaged position above the periphery of the main pipe <NUM> (for example, inside the ejector housing <NUM>). When the ejector assembly <NUM> is inside the housing <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM> can flow normally along the main pipe <NUM> and into the branch pipe <NUM>. For example, the first fluid <NUM> in the main pipe <NUM> can have a first pressure and the second fluid <NUM> in the branch pipe <NUM> can have a second pressure lower than the first pressure. Such pressure differential causes the first fluid <NUM> in the main pipe <NUM> to flow into the branch pipe <NUM>, increasing the pressure of the fluid in the branch pipe <NUM>. For example, when the ejector assembly <NUM> is inside the housing (for example, the ejector assembly <NUM> is disengaged with the interface <NUM>), the first fluid <NUM> can flow, without interference, to the branch pipe <NUM>. When the pressure of the second fluid <NUM> is above a threshold, the depressurizing system <NUM> can be activated to depressurize the branch pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a front view of the depressurizing system <NUM> illustrating details of the ejector moving gearbox assembly <NUM> and of the ejector assembly <NUM> inside the housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows the ejector assembly <NUM> in a first position inside the housing <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the ejector assembly <NUM> in a second position at the interface <NUM> to form a seal <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the moving assembly <NUM> includes a first gearbox <NUM> and a second gearbox <NUM>, a sealed casing <NUM>, a first threaded sleeve <NUM> (for example, a wide metal sleeve) and a second threaded sleeve <NUM> (for example, a thin metal sleeve), a first threaded rod <NUM> and a second threaded rod <NUM>, and an attachment plate <NUM> secured to the ejector assembly <NUM>. The first gearbox <NUM> can be connected to an external handwheel <NUM> and to an external actuator <NUM> (for example, an electric motor). Either one of the handwheel <NUM> or the actuator <NUM> can apply torque to the gearbox which, in response, can transfer the torque onto the first threaded sleeve <NUM> to rotate the threaded sleeve <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can be activated by a manual switch or by an automatic mechanism. For example, a pressure sensor (not shown) can sense the pressure in the branch pipe <NUM> and transmit the pressure information to the actuator <NUM> for the actuator <NUM> to drive the gearbox <NUM>, which in turn connects and disconnects the ejector assembly <NUM> from the interface <NUM>.

The threaded sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> can be hollow tubes with their respective inner diameters having threads configured to threadedly connect with their respective threaded rods <NUM> and <NUM>. The first threaded rod <NUM> is fixed to the attachment plate <NUM>. As further described below with respect to <FIG>, the ejector assembly <NUM> can be engaged with a guiding rail that prevents the ejector assembly <NUM> from rotating along the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the first threaded rod <NUM>. Thus, the first threaded rod <NUM> is rotatably fixed with respect to the first threaded sleeve <NUM>. As the first threaded sleeve <NUM> rotates, a first end <NUM> of the threaded rod <NUM> attached to the plate <NUM> moves away from the first threaded sleeve <NUM> to position the ejector assembly <NUM> at the interface <NUM>. The first threaded sleeve <NUM> is disposed inside the sealed casing <NUM>. The sealed casing <NUM> is affixed to a plate <NUM> of the ejector housing to be rotatably fixed. The sealed casing <NUM> has internal bearings <NUM> configured to reduce rotational friction between the sealed casing <NUM> and the first threaded sleeve <NUM>. Additionally, the sealed casing <NUM> can include a first fixed end <NUM> and a second fixed end <NUM> that seal the casing <NUM> to prevent fluid from the tee pipe fitting <NUM> from entering the casing <NUM>. In some implementations, the casing <NUM> can include rotatable sealing ends <NUM> and <NUM> that rotate with the first threaded sleeve <NUM> and add an additional sealing layer to the casing <NUM>.

A valve mechanism <NUM> can open and close a valve <NUM> (for example, a ball valve) of the ejector assembly <NUM> to allow a portion of the first fluid <NUM> to flow into the ejector assembly <NUM>. The valve <NUM> can be opened by actuating the mechanism <NUM> from outside the housing <NUM> using a handwheel <NUM> connected to a gearbox <NUM> that is connected to the valve mechanism <NUM>. The valve mechanism <NUM> includes a sleeve <NUM> with a shaped hole (for example, a square hole) that receives a shaped rod <NUM> (for example, a square rod) such that rotating the sleeve <NUM> rotates the rod <NUM>. Rod <NUM> slides within sleeve <NUM> as ejector assembly <NUM> is moved up and down. The rod <NUM> has one end coupled to the valve <NUM>. To open and close the valve <NUM>, sleeve <NUM> is rotated by hand wheel <NUM>, allowing fluid <NUM> to flow into ejector assembly <NUM>.

The ejector assembly <NUM>, in the first position, is fluidically decoupled from the first fluid <NUM> in the first pipe <NUM>. For example, when the ejector assembly <NUM> is inside the housing <NUM> above the circumference of the first pipe <NUM>, the fluid <NUM> in the first pipe <NUM> can flow freely along the pipe <NUM> without being interrupted by the ejector assembly <NUM>. Thus, by moving the ejector assembly <NUM> away from the fluid path of the first fluid <NUM>, the tee pipe fitting <NUM> can function under normal operation. Additionally, an isolating plate <NUM> or door inside casing <NUM> and above main pipe <NUM> can isolate the components inside housing <NUM> from the fluid <NUM> flowing in the tee pipe fitting <NUM>. Thus, movable design of the depressurizing system <NUM> can allow the components inside of the housing <NUM> to be maintained or replaced without interrupting the flow of fluids in the tee pipe fitting <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the ejector assembly <NUM> engaged with the interface <NUM> to form a seal <NUM> between the branch pipe <NUM> and the main pipe <NUM>. As described above with respect to <FIG>, the threaded sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> can be rotated to lower the ejector assembly <NUM> into engagement at the interface <NUM>. Once the ejector assembly <NUM> forms the seal <NUM> between the branch pipe <NUM> and the main pipe <NUM>, the valve <NUM> can be opened, by the valve mechanism <NUM>, to allow a portion of the first fluid <NUM> to enter the ejector assembly <NUM> through an inlet <NUM> of the ejector assembly. The ejector assembly has a nozzle <NUM> converging along a flow direction of the first fluid <NUM> to decrease the pressure of the first fluid <NUM> to a third pressure lower than the pressure of the second fluid <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the branch pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates in detail the components of the ejector assembly <NUM>. The ejector assembly <NUM> has the inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM>, the valve <NUM>, the nozzle <NUM>, the mixing chamber <NUM>, and a diffuser <NUM>. When the ejector assembly is engaged with the interface <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the valve <NUM> is opened, the first fluid <NUM> enters the ejector assembly <NUM> at the inlet <NUM>. When the first fluid <NUM> enters the ejector assembly <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM> flows into the nozzle <NUM>, where the fluid <NUM> decreases in pressure. More specifically, the ejector assembly <NUM> works under the Bernoulli's principle in lowering the pressure of the first fluid <NUM> to draw the second fluid <NUM> out of the branch pipe <NUM>. For example, as the flow rate of the first fluid <NUM> entering the nozzle <NUM> remains constant, the velocity of the first fluid <NUM> increases as the cross sectional area of the nozzle <NUM> decreases. As the velocity of the first fluid <NUM> increases, the pressure of the fluid <NUM> decreases directly proportional to the increase in speed of the first fluid <NUM>. At the outlet of the nozzle <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM>, now at the third pressure, enters a mixing chamber <NUM>. As the first fluid <NUM> enters the mixing chamber <NUM>, the low pressure at the mixing chamber draws the second fluid <NUM> from the branch pipe <NUM> to mix with the first fluid <NUM>. The mixing chamber <NUM> has an outlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the branch pipe <NUM> (see <FIG>) such that flowing the first fluid <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM> draws the second fluid <NUM> from the branch pipe <NUM> into the mixing chamber <NUM>. The first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> mix at the mixing chamber <NUM> to form a mixed fluid <NUM>. The mixed fluid <NUM> exits the mixing chamber through the outlet <NUM> of the ejector assembly <NUM> to mix with the rest of the first fluid <NUM> flowing in the first pipe. Thus, by drawing the second fluid <NUM> from the branch pipe <NUM>, the branch pipe <NUM> can be depressurized without exposing the second fluid <NUM> in the branch pipe <NUM> to the environment.

<FIG> show a guiding rail <NUM> of the depressurizing system <NUM>. The guiding rail <NUM> is disposed inside and coupled to the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the guiding rail <NUM> guides the outlet <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> downward in a straight line toward the interface <NUM> between the branch pipe <NUM> and the main pipe <NUM>. In other words, the guiding rail <NUM> guides the outlet <NUM> toward the interface <NUM> to form the seal <NUM> (see <FIG>) with the inlet <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a neck <NUM> of the outlet <NUM> extends from the mixing chamber of the ejector assembly <NUM> to be received by the rail <NUM>. The rail <NUM> also receives a flange of the outlet <NUM> to constrain the outlet <NUM> to movement up and down along the length of the rail <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the outlet <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> includes a first sealing ring <NUM> that connects with a second sealing ring <NUM> (<FIG>) at the inlet <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM>. Forming the seal <NUM> (See <FIG>) includes engaging the first sealing ring <NUM> with the second sealing ring <NUM>. In some implementations, the pressure in the first pipe <NUM> can increase the strength of the seal <NUM> by pushing the first sealing ring <NUM> toward the second sealing ring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a seat <NUM> is configured to support the outlet <NUM> of the mixing chamber <NUM> to connect the ejector assembly <NUM> to the interface <NUM> to form the seal <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is secured to a bottom end of the guiding rail <NUM> adjacent the inner wall of the main pipe, on a bottom end of the inlet <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM>.

Although the present implementations have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereupon without departing from the principle and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the following claims.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, or to about another particular value or a combination of them. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another implementation is from the one particular value or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range or a combination of them.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the words "comprise," "has," and "include" and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

Claim 1:
A method comprising:
forming, by an ejector assembly (<NUM>) and inside a tee pipe fitting (<NUM>), a seal (<NUM>) between a first pipe (<NUM>) and a second pipe (<NUM>) fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting (<NUM>), the first pipe (<NUM>) flowing a first fluid (<NUM>) at a first pressure, the second pipe (<NUM>) flowing a second fluid (<NUM>) at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, wherein forming the seal comprises moving, by a moving assembly, the ejector assembly from a first position inside an ejector housing to a second position at an interface between the first pipe and the second pipe to form the seal, the ejector housing extending away from the first pipe adjacent the interface, the ejector assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a nozzle (<NUM>) converging along a flow direction of the first fluid (<NUM>) flowing in the first pipe (<NUM>), and
a mixing chamber (<NUM>) at an outlet of the nozzle (<NUM>), the mixing chamber (<NUM>) comprising an outlet (<NUM>) that, with the seal (<NUM>) formed, is in fluid communication with the second pipe; and
flowing the first fluid (<NUM>) from the first pipe (<NUM>) into the ejector assembly (<NUM>) through the nozzle (<NUM>), wherein the first pressure of the first fluid (<NUM>) decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure drawing the second fluid (<NUM>) from the second pipe (<NUM>) into the mixing chamber;
characterized in that the ejector assembly is, in the first position, fluidically decoupled from the first fluid in the first pipe.