A pipeline isolation tool (10) with a circumferential seal (30) having a T-shaped cross section. The seal has a radially oriented lower seal profile (36) and an axially oriented upper seal profile (38). Pressure heads (40, 50) are located on either side (32, 34) of the lower profile. Overlapping structural elements (60, 80) are located on either side (32, 34) of the upper profile and include a concave area (70, 90) for receiving a portion of the upper seal profile. The inner face (64, 84) of the structural elements contact the outer surfaces (42, 52) of the pressure heads. Angle plates (100, 110) define an inner face (102, 112) that contacts an outer face (66, 86) of each of the structural elements. The tool may be configured as an intrusive tool or as a non-intrusive tool.
F16L 55/132 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing
F16L 55/105 - Closing devices introduced radially into the pipe or hose
F16L 55/124 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced radially into the pipe or hose
A pipeline plug includes a plug body. The plug body includes an outer housing. The interior of the outer housing defines a pressure vessel. The pipeline plug includes a pressure head coupled to the plug body, a seal assembly, a gripper assembly, a movable head, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a leadscrew, the leadscrew coupled to the movable head. The actuation mechanism includes a captive nut, the captive nut positioned within the pressure vessel. The actuation mechanism includes a motor, the motor operatively coupled to the captive nut and adapted to rotate the captive nut.
F16L 55/132 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing
E21B 33/128 - Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
F16L 55/12 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ
F16L 55/128 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose
F16L 55/44 - Constructional aspects of the body expandable
A pipeline plug includes a pressure head; a seal assembly; a seal expansion ring; a plurality of gripper bodies, a sliding gripper, and an actuator. Each gripper body is coupled to the seal expansion ring. Radial expansion of the gripper bodies supports radial expansion of the seal expansion ring. Additionally, radial expansion of the seal expansion ring supports radial expansion of the gripper bodies. The sliding gripper is slidingly coupled to a radially outer surface of the gripper body.
F16L 55/132 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing
4.
SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR PIPELINE ISOLATION TOOL AND METHODS OF USE
A seal assembly for a pipeline plug may include a pressure head including a forcing face. The seal assembly may include a primary tapered ring including an expansion face. The expansion face may abut the forcing face. The seal assembly may include primary seal ring. The seal assembly may include a squeezer assembly, the squeezer assembly including at least one seal face, the seal face abutting the primary seal ring. The seal assembly may include a secondary tapered ring, the secondary tapered ring including a wedge squeezer face, the wedge squeezer face abutting a wedge face of the squeezer assembly. The seal assembly may include a bowl, the bowl including a wedge face, the wedge face in abutment with an expansion face of the secondary tapered ring.
F16L 55/128 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose
E21B 33/128 - Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
F16L 55/136 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
5.
PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE, DEFORMABLE, SELF-INTEGRATING PIGGING ELEMENT FOR USE IN PIPELINE PIGGING APPLICATIONS
A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.
A pipeline inspection tool (10) including a cylindrical tool body (11) that includes a deformable portion (13) with a plurality of sensors (25) located near or on an external circumferential surface (12) of the deformable portion. A sealed unit (60) contains a corresponding signal source (25). Pipeline gauging relies upon the compressibility and elasticity inherent in the deformable portion as it encounters anomalies in pipeline geometry and moves between a first size and a second size, the signal strength of the source detected by the sensors changing as a result. The sensors may be arrayed in a circumferential band (47) about the deformable portion or along its length. In some embodiments, the sensors and source are magnetic or acoustic (e.g., transceivers or radar integrated chips). In other embodiments, the sensors and source are light or fiber optic.
A pigging device (10) includes at least one pipe wall contacting surface (34) and a wear indicator (30) configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of the pipe wall contacting surface. The pipe wall contacting surface may be any shape suitable, including but not limited to spherical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, cup-shaped, disc-shaped, conical-shaped. frusto-conical shaped, bowl-shaped, and bullet-shaped. In some embodiments, the pigging device is a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a spherical foam pig, cylindrical-shaped foam pig, or a bullet-shaped foam pig. In other embodiments, the pigging device is a component of a pipeline: pig such as but not limited to a cup (11) or disc arranged, about a body of the pipeline pig. The pigging device may also be a pigging disc element. The pigging device may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer such as urethane.
An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arrn (50) having a sensor head (30) located at its distal end (51), the sensor head including an arched- shaped pipe contacting portion (33) between its forward, and rearward ends (32, 34), the pipe contacting portion having a radius R and a width Wc and at least one triaxial sensor element (31) having at least a portion located directly below the arched-shaped pipe contacting portion and having a width Ws, Wc < Ws, During the tool's travel through a pipeline, contact, of the sensor head with the pipe wall lies along a single line of travel substantially equal to the width Wc. Because of its shape, the sensor head better traces and rnaintains contact with the pipe wail to detect dents. wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anornalies in the pipe wail
G01N 27/87 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields using probes
F16L 55/26 - Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
9.
PIPELINE TOOL WITH COMPOSITE MAGNETIC FIELD FOR INLINE INSPECTION
Embodiments of an inline inspection ("ILI") tool (10) of this disclosure include a plurality of composite field systems (20) arranged circumferentially about the body of the ILI tool, each composite field system including multiple magnetic circuits (60) to produce a composite or resultant angled field C relative to the target, along with a sensor array or circuit (40) configured for magnetic flux leakage ("MFL") or magnetostrictive electro-magnetic acoustic transducers ("EMAT") implementations. In embodiments, the pole magnets (61) of the magnetic circuits are oriented in the axial direction of the tool body rather than in the direction of the resultant angled field. The same is true of the sensors (43). This composite field system approach provides options to design geometries that were not previously possible in prior art single- circuit helical MFL designs and EMAT designs.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
G01N 27/83 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields
10.
POLYETHYLENE PIPE SERVICE SYSTEM INCLUDING QUICK CONNECT MEANS FOR POLYETHYLENE PIPE TAPPING, PLUGGING, AND COMPLETION OPERATIONS
Embodiments of a polyethylene ("PE") pipe servicing system of this disclosure may include a fusible PE fitting (F) providing a branch connection to a PE pipeline section or run (P), a valve (10) connected to the fitting and including quick connect/disconnect means, and a machine connectable to the valve including complementary quick connect/disconnect means. The quick connect means provide for full scope of operation, including cleaning, fusion, cool down, hot tap, plugging, and completion. No squeezing is used. The quick connect/disconnect means may include a first portion 20 of a cam profile and a second portion 40 of the cam profile complementary to that of the first. The machine may be a drilling or hot tapping machine (30T), a plugging machine (30P), or a completion machine (30C), and their associated tools. The valve and machine are more lightweight and faster and easier to use than the prior art.
F16L 41/06 - Tapping pipe walls, i.e. making connections through the walls of pipes while they are carrying fluids; Fittings therefor making use of attaching means embracing the pipe
11.
SHAFT MECHANICAL LOCK FOR PIPELINE ISOLATION TOOLS
A mechanical lock unit (10, 100, 210, 410) with a shaft lock assembly (12) and method of achieving a self-lock mode for, e.g., hydraulically activated isolation plug module. The shaft lock assembly (12) includes a teeth-form ring (30, 130, 230) that surrounds a shaft (14, 114, 214). The teeth-form ring (30, 130, 230) defines a plurality of teeth (38, 138, 238). A teeth-form split gripper assembly (340) is positioned to surround the teeth-form ring (30, 130, 230). The teeth-form split gripper assembly (340) has at least a first teeth-form split gripper (342) and a second teeth-form split gripper (344) with a spring (346) therebetween for biasing the first teeth-form split gripper (342) away from said second teeth-form split gripper (344). The first teeth-form split gripper (342) and the second teeth form split gripper (344) having an inner surface (348) that defines a plurality of teeth (350) for cooperative engagement with the plurality of teeth (38, 138, 238) of the teeth-form ring (30, 130, 230).
E21B 33/128 - Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
E21B 33/129 - Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
F16L 55/128 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose
F16L 55/132 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing
F16L 55/136 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
A pipeline isolation tool (10) and method of its use includes a plugging head (20) having a seal (30) to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder (64) located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments (40) located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion (45), a portion (35) of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion (33) of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.
F16L 55/132 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing
13.
VESSEL CLOSURE DEVICE WITH FAIL SAFE FAILURE DETECTION MEANS
A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block [40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].
A system and method for detecting passage of a pipeline pig, the system and method including a passive impulse detector (10) having a housing (13); a non-intrusive connection (15) of the housing to an exterior wall (17) of a pipeline (P), at least one vibration sensor (11) housed by the housing,; and signal processing (23) including at least one band pass filter (27) configured to receive data collected by the vibration sensor, the vibration sensor and band pass filter configured to monitor frequencies in a predetermined range indicating the impulse. The selected frequencies should be those more easily detectable above the baseline (signature or natural resonance) frequency of the section of pipeline being monitored. In some embodiments, the selected frequencies are lower frequencies. No portion of the passive pipeline pig signal intrudes into an interior of the pipeline.
A method and system of high speed radio frequency communication between an outside of a metallic pipeline or vessel and an interior volume contained by the metallic pipeline or vessel includes passing a high speed radio frequency signal through a communication portal (10) having a high speed radio frequency permittive material exposed to the interior volume of the metallic pipeline and to the outside. The high speed radio frequency signal may be transmitted from the interior volume to the outside or from the outside to the interior volume. The communication portal (10) may be a cylindrical- or planar-shaped body connected to the metallic pipeline. A tool located within the interior volume may transmit, receive, or transmit and receive the high speed radio frequency signal. The high speed radio frequency signal may be configured according to a 2.45 GHz standard protocol.
A large-gap-seal ("LGS") assembly (30) and methods for its assembly and use are described. The LGS assembly (30) has an elastomer core (50) surrounded by adjoining structural segments (70). Non-adjoining gap segments (60) are located on the sidewall surfaces (55) of the elastomer core (50), with each gap segment (60) approximately centered beneath the edges of two adjoining structural segments (70). The gap segments (60) are exposed by the spaces that form between the structural segments (70) when the LGS assembly (30) is activated. Exposing the gap segments (60) rather than the elastomer core (50) protects the elastomer core (50) from damage and preserves the integrity of the seal between the isolation tool (20) and the inner wall of the pipeline.
A pig trap (10) of this disclosure may include one or more injectors or nozzles (81) located along a sidewall (12) of the barrel (1 1) and oriented to deliver a jet of fluid toward a back side (75) of a vertical member (71) of a pig or tool. The nozzle (81) may be part of an assembly that includes a longitudinally extending pipe (87) having a flat-profile flange (89) at an inlet end (99), a curved-profile flange (91) at the nozzle end, and a bend (105) in between the two ends. When the assembly is installed in a sidewall opening of a pig trap, the nozzle (81) delivers a jet of fluid toward the back side (75) of a vertical member (71) of the pig. A leak path (1 1 1) may be provided through flanges or formed between the sidewall opening and a periphery of the curved-profile flange (91). Launch forces of more than 10 to 15 times that of a conventional launcher may be achieved.
F16L 41/00 - Branching pipes; Joining pipes to walls
B08B 9/055 - Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
18.
THICK, LONG SEAM WELDING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTORTION CONTROL AND NON POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT OF PIPELINE HOT TAP FITTINGS
A method for limiting fitting distortion when welding a fitting (10) to an in-service pipeline where the fitting (10) includes a thick, longitudinally extending, seam located between fitting halves involves welding, on each side of the fitting, a middle third section (31) of the seam in a pyramid-like fashion using an inward progression starting from an end of the middle third section (31) along a profile of a seam bevel (19), and welding outer third sections (37) of the seam (20) using an outward progression from an end adjacent to the middle third section (31) along a profile of the seam bevel (19). The welding of each of the three sections per side includes a temper bead welding technique of at least two layers to provide stress relief in lieu of traditional post weld heat treatment.
B23K 31/00 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups
B23K 9/035 - Seam welding; Backing means; Inserts with backing means disposed under the seam
B23K 33/00 - Specially-profiled edge portions of workpieces for making soldering or welding connections; Filling the seams formed thereby
19.
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PREVENTING FLOW BLOCKING WHEN USING AN AUTOMATED PIG LAUNCHER
A flow assurance system and method includes procedures to query current valve states and determine the likely effect of new valve states on product flow when using an automated pig launcher. The system and method allows for modulating the mainline bypass valve, kicker valve, and isolation valve between fully opened and fully closed states; prevents flow blocking of the pipeline during this modulation; enables new and different, as well as a broader range of, pig launching options for an automatic pig launcher; and integrates with existing automatic pig launchers.
A pig launcher/receiver includes a fluid distribution grid arranged above a floor of the pig launcher/receiver's barrel to define a fluid chamber between the floor and the fluid distribution grid. The distribution grid has a plurality of ports arranged to form jets that discharge at least a portion of the fluid which enters the fluid chamber. A predetermined number of the ports are inclined relative to vertical and in a direction opposite a closure door of the barrel. The fluid distribution grid, which is preferably semi-circular shaped, can be a permanent weldment, bolted on, or removable. When used in launching a pig, the ports provide a differential pressure that lifts the pig and overcomes friction as the pig moves forward. Because a number of the ports are blocked by the sealing elements (cup or disc) of the pipeline pig, the number of pigs residing in the launcher/receiver can be determined.
A pipeline pig (10) that can traverse dual- or multiple-diameter pipes or pipelines has collapsible and expandable sealing elements (20) that support the pig, provide a sliding (dynamic) seal with the pipe wall, and maintain the necessary pressure for driving or cleaning as the elements collapse and expand. The sealing elements (20) each have an internal cavity (21) sized to house a first volume of a fluid and a reservoir (20) sized to house a second volume of the fluid. The cavity (21) and reservoir (29) are arranged so that a portion of the volumes of the fluid can move between each. An accumulator (30) maintains a pressure of the first and second volumes of the fluid so that regardless of the sealing element's current size, or whether the element (20) is transitioning between sizes, the element (20) can maintain a sliding seal engagement with the pipe wall (W) and perform the primary function of driving or cleaning (or both).
F16L 55/44 - Constructional aspects of the body expandable
B08B 9/055 - Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
22.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE, IN-SITU, POSITIVE MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION OF A PIPE
A system and method for non-destructive, in situ, positive material identification of a pipe selects three test areas that are separated axially and circumferentially from one another and then polishes a portion of each test area. Within each polished area, a non-destructive test device is used to collect mechanical property data and another non-destructive test device is used to collect chemical property data. An overall mean for the mechanical property data, and for the chemical property data, is calculated using at least two data collection runs. The means are compared to a known material standard to determine, at a high level of confidence, ultimate yield strength and ultimate tensile strength within +/- 10%, a carbon percentage within +/- 25%, and a manganese percentage within +/- 20% of a known material standard.
A pipeline pig signal (20) includes sealing means (80) located within a lower end of the trigger cavity (28) of the signal (20) which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity (28). The sealing means (80) moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means (80) may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pipeline pig signal (20) includes sealing means (80) located within a lower end of the trigger cavity (28) of the signal (20) which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity (28). The sealing means (80) moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means (80) may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement. Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-09
An improved machine-actuated removable safety closure made according to this invention includes a latch and central hub combination which permits a plug holder to self-align with the drive holes of the closure's cam plate so that an operator can retrieve the closure without having to lean directly over it. A bypass valve interferes with the cam plate when the bypass is in its closed position. This interference prevents the cam plate from actuating the locking leaves. Anti-rotation slots located on the plug body and the flange of the tubular member interlock and prevent rotation of the plug body beyond a certain rotational window during the setting process and when the plug body is in its final sealing position. The latch, along with means to secure the plug holder to the boring bar, allows the holder to be retrieved from the set plug.
F16L 55/136 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
F16L 55/07 - Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining
An improved machine-actuated removable safety closure made according to this invention includes a latch and central hub combination which permits a plug holder to self-align with the drive holes of the closure's cam plate so that an operator can retrieve the closure without having to lean directly over it. A bypass valve interferes with the cam plate when the bypass is in its closed position. This interference prevents the cam plate from actuating the locking leaves. Anti-rotation slots located on the plug body and the flange of the tubular member interlock and prevent rotation of the plug body beyond a certain rotational window during the setting process and when the plug body is in its final sealing position. The latch, along with means to secure the plug holder to the boring bar, allows the holder to be retrieved from the set plug.
F16L 55/136 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
F16L 55/07 - Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining
A system and method for retrieving a pipeline tool from a pipeline includes a speed control drive section that includes a primary bypass flow valve and a failsafe valve located in a central bypass flow passageway of the drive section. The failsafe valve is placed under the control of a controller. The controller is programmed to release the failsafe valve under prescribed failure conditions. An actuating means moves the failsafe valve between a normally opened positioned and a closed position in response to the controller.
A system and method for retrieving a pipeline tool from a pipeline includes a speed control drive section that includes a primary bypass flow valve and a failsafe valve located in a central bypass flow passageway of the drive section. The failsafe valve is placed under the control of a controller. The controller is programmed to release the failsafe valve under prescribed failure conditions. An actuating means moves the failsafe valve between a normally opened positioned and a closed position in response to the controller.
F16L 55/38 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables driven by fluid pressure
F17D 5/00 - Protection or supervision of installations
G01N 27/83 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields
A pipeline inspection tool has an even number of pole magnets, each spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each magnet is offset amount "a" relative to a first end. The rotation a applied to the magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the longitudinal body axis. In another aspect, the tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two magnets and oriented perpendicular to the axis. Each set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
F17D 5/00 - Protection or supervision of installations
G01N 27/83 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields
F16L 55/26 - Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
A pipeline inspection tool has an even number of pole magnets, each spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each magnet is offset amount "a" relative to a first end. The rotation a applied to the magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the longitudinal body axis. In another aspect, the tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two magnets and oriented perpendicular to the axis. Each set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
F17D 5/00 - Protection or supervision of installations
G01N 27/83 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields
F16L 55/26 - Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
A fusible completion plug and method for its use includes a cylindrical plug body having a lower portion that in-cludes a fusible element in communication with an electric power supply. The completion plug also includes an elastomeric seal that provides for a temporary seal. A pressure balancing port and equalization valve are provided to relieve the differential pressure across the completion plug as the plug is positioned in place. The pressure equalization valve also includes a fusible element for fusing the valve within the port, thereby preventing a leak path through the plug body. A blind flange may be installed above the completion plug in case the plug fusion fails. The blind flange may be a traditional blind flange or may be a fusible blind flange.
A pipe plug includes two or more pivotally connected plugging heads that work in combination to double block and bleed a pipe. At least one of the plugging heads has an expandable sealing element that is in communication with an inflation source. The sealing element may be an inflatable sealing element or a compression packer sealing element. A passageway-sections of which may pass through the pivotal connection and into the plugging head-carries the inflation medium from the source to the sealing element. A bleed port passageway is also provided that passes through the plugging head. The leading plugging head may include a cleaning element for sweeping away debris ahead of the plug. The plugging heads may also include a skid plate that slideably engages the interior surface of the pipe to properly orient the plugging heads within the pipe.
F16L 55/134 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing by means of an inflatable packing
F16L 55/12 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ
F16L 55/128 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose
F17D 5/00 - Protection or supervision of installations
33.
VERIFIABLE CLOSING AND LOCKING SYSTEM OF A CYLINDRICAL PASSAGEWAY
A method according to this invention employs a set of valves, a series of pressure checks, and a physical stop for verifying the closing of a locking system of a cylindrical passageway. The method may also employ an equalization piping. The valves isolate a tapping machine, a pipeline, and the equalization piping from one another so that product cannot flow from one to the other. The valves are then opened as a series of pressure checks are performed. A completion plug is then lowered into the passageway until the plug comes to rest within the passageway and is oriented so that a locking ring of the plug is in a fully expanded position. The expanded position is then confirmed by raising the plug until its upward travel is restricted. The plug is then released and pressure above the plug is reduced to 0 psi gauge.
F16L 55/136 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
F16L 41/04 - Tapping pipe walls, i.e. making connections through the walls of pipes while they are carrying fluids; Fittings therefor
F16L 55/10 - Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses
A pipeline pig-that moves by pressurized gas flow and provides for distribution of treating liquid subsisting in a lower portion of a pipeline-having a longitudinally extending nozzle located at a forward end of the pig, an array of helical-shaped louvers located on the discharge side of the nozzle and arranged circumferentially, and two perforated sealing elements that create a cavity that serves as a low pressure plenum. The louvers create a vortex effect and the perforated sealing elements allow vapor and liquid in front of the pig to be drawn into the cavity and discharged through the ports and back into the discharge of the nozzle. In this manner, liquid subsisting at a bottom portion of the pipeline is dispersed to achieve a complete 360° coating application of the interior cylindrical wall of the pipeline.
B05B 13/06 - Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups specially designed for treating the inside of hollow bodies
B05C 7/02 - Apparatus specially designed for applying liquid or other fluent material to the inside of hollow work the liquid or other fluent material being projected
B05C 7/08 - Apparatus specially designed for applying liquid or other fluent material to the inside of hollow work by devices moving in contact with the work for applying liquids or other fluent materials to the inside of tubes
B08B 9/055 - Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
F16L 58/02 - Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation by means of internal or external coatings
A pipe plug comprised of two, pivotally connected plugging heads, each plugging head having a sealing element, which work in combination to double block and bleed a pipe. The first sealing element prevents flow of product in the pipe and the second sealing element captures any leakage past the first sealing element and forces that leakage out through a fitting. A stabilization pad, connected to a flange on a nosepiece of each plugging head, prevents deformation of the sealing elements. A spring-loaded pivot arm connected to the second plugging head allows the yoke that connects the two plugging heads to rotate freely. An outward-facing raised taper projection on the pivot arm, along with a guide wheel connected to the first plugging head, prevent the yokes and plugging heads from becoming entrapped during their installation in or removal from the pipe.
An improved signal with adjustable mounting to allow the signal to be oriented to face any direction, without rotating the pressure-containing plug, and with integral seal to protect the outer threads of the mounting nipple.
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