Patent classifications
F16L2101/12
Systems and methods for maintaining pipes
A motorized apparatus for use in maintaining a pipe includes at least one drive portion including a body assembly, a plurality of leg assemblies coupled circumferentially around the body assembly, a plurality of drive mechanisms coupled to the plurality of leg assemblies, and a drive portion coupling mechanism. The motorized apparatus also includes at least one maintenance portion including a body, at least one maintenance device coupled to the body, and a maintenance portion coupling mechanism configured to engage the drive portion coupling mechanism. The at least one drive portion is releasably coupled to the at least one maintenance portion by engaging the drive portion coupling mechanism with the maintenance portion coupling mechanism. The drive portion coupling mechanism and the maintenance portion coupling mechanism are each configured to engage another coupling mechanism when the drive portion coupling mechanism and the maintenance portion coupling mechanism are uncoupled from each other.
PIG LAUNCH AND RECOVERY APPARATUS AND PIG THEREFOR
A pig launch and recovery apparatus independently mountable to and removable from a water supply system including at least one water main and valve. The pig launch and recovery apparatus comprises a flow tube and a launch and recovery tube. The flow tube includes first and second flow ends and a main flow valve located between the first and second flow ends. The first flow end is removably mounted to a recirculating unit including a pump. The second flow end is removably mounted to a first point in the system. A launch and recovery tube further includes first and second launch ends, wherein the first launch end is fluidly connected to the flow tube between the first flow end and the main flow valve, and wherein the second launch end is fluidly connected to the flow tube between the main flow valve and the second flow end.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DECOKING A COKER FURNACE DURING A DELAYED COKING PROCESS
Systems and methods for efficient on-line pigging of a coker furnace without interruption of the delayed coking process, which will save time and money during the delayed coking process. This system can be retrofitted to existing coker furnaces.
GENERATING POWER WITH A CONDUIT INSPECTION TOOL
A conduit inspection tool system includes a conduit inspection tool that includes a body that includes one or more wheels configured to move the body through and in contact with a conduit; at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, each of the at least two power generating sub-systems configured to generate electrical power to operate the one or more wheels to move the body through and in contact with the conduit; and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems, the at least one energy storage device configured to store electrical power generated by the at least two power generating sub-systems; and a control system communicably coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems and the at least one energy storage device.
Diverting pigs in a pipeline or piping system
A pig diverter comprises a hollow housing having a flowline inlet port, a flowline outlet port, a pig entry opening, and a pig exit opening, all communicating with the interior of the housing. A tubular pig holder enclosed by the housing is pivotable between a receiving position and a launching position. In the receiving position, the pig holder is aligned with the pig entry opening to receive a pig and effects fluid communication between the pig entry opening and the flowline outlet port. In the launching position, the pig holder is aligned with the pig exit opening to launch a pig and effects fluid communication between the flowline inlet port and the pig exit opening.
PIG INCLUDING AN X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SENSOR
A pig for use in a pipeline is provided for determining the material of the pipeline in the context of an inline inspection. The pig includes a position determination unit and at least one braking arrangement for immobilizing the pig at a certain position in the pipeline. The pig also includes an X-ray fluorescence sensor.
Pipe oxidation removal tool
A pipe cleaning tool for cleaning pipe surfaces is configured for operative engagement with a drill motor. The cleaning tool includes a body having a sidewall extending between a first end and a second end of the body. Cleaning blades located in each of a plurality of slots which extend to respective openings in the sidewall of the body. The cleaning blades are biased to project past the sidewall and thereby contact a pipe surface positioned adjacent the sidewall to clean the pipe surface of oxidation and dirt when the body of the cleaning tool is rotated by the engaged drill motor.
Systems, methods, and apparatus for tracking location of an inspection robot
Systems, methods, and apparatus for tracking location of an inspection robot are disclosed. An example apparatus for tracking inspection data may include an inspection chassis having a plurality of inspection sensors configured to interrogate an inspection surface, a first drive module and a second drive module, both coupled to the inspection chassis. The first and second drive module may each include a passive encoder wheel and a non-contact sensor positioned in proximity to the passive encoder wheel, wherein the non-contact sensor provides a movement value corresponding to the first passive encoder wheel. An inspection position circuit may determine a relative position of the inspection chassis in response to the movement values from the first and second drive modules.
Pipeline sphere with tracking device
A pipeline sphere is shown which houses an electronics package. The sphere is formed as a hollow elastomeric body having a predetermined wall thickness and an initially void interior. A carrier tube is positioned within the initially void interior of the sphere and is supported by oppositely arranged carrier plates which are themselves embedded within oppositely arranged end openings of the sphere. A removable inflation valve is contained in one of the valve plates at a first end of the carrier tube. The carrier tube has a plurality of apertures formed through its wall to enable inflating or deflating the sphere. One electronics package that can be used is an electrical tracking device.
Sensor Apparatus Having an Embedded Optical Interrogator
A sensor apparatus is provided in which both an optical interrogator and an optical waveguide are embedded in the same component made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The optical interrogator and the optical waveguide thus form a unit with the component made of fiber-reinforced plastic, in which they are embedded. The optical interrogator and the optical waveguide are arranged in this case protected in the same component made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The optical waveguide does not have to be led out of this component and into the interrogator. The risk of damage to the optical waveguide is thus significantly reduced.