Abstract: An improved pipeline caliper pig for providing a record of the deviations of the interior wall of a pipeline including a pig body assembly having a longitudinal axis and support members so that the pig body assembly is supported within a pipeline, the support members impeding the flow of fluid therepast so that the pig body is propelled by fluid flow along the pipeline interior, an integrator plate carried by the pig body assembly, arms extending from the pig body assembly for responding to deviations in the interior wall of the pipeline and coupling members to transfer the deviations to the integrator plate, a plurality of axially positionable shafts affixed at one end to the integrator plate, and electrical transducers at the other end of each shaft so that movement of the integrator plate relative to the pig body is transmitted into electrical signals, an orientation detection member and a signal receiver and recorder to record the electrical signals of the transducers and the orientation detection member

Abstract: A method of making a foam pig having a highly textured and tough surface for use in cleaning the interior wall of a pipe line, the pig being formed by heating a metallic mold which defines the exterior configuration of the pig, injecting urethane base foam mixture into the heated mold, and curing the injected urethane foam before removing the cured pig from the mold. The mold should be heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a tough surface texture on the completed pig defined by closely spaced indentations of about one-half to three millimeters in depth, the indentations being formed by bubbles in the urethane foam base mixture on the surface of the mold.

Abstract: A pipeline pig device comprises a longitudinal housing of given length, having adjacent each end a substantially centralizing packer or seal by which pipeline fluids may be used to propel the device. Intermediate the longitudinal housing are a plurality of outwardly extending feeler arms which ride against the pipeline interior. Movement of the feeler arms caused by the pig traversing bends, miters or other deviations from straight, round pipe are transmitted to a recording system which, in combination with odometers, will provide information and/or changes in such bends.

Abstract: A cleaning pig for use in a pipeline to be moved through the pipeline by the flow of fluid therethrough, the pig being formed of a cylindrical body having shallow depth channels formed in paralleled spiral patterns on the cylindrical surface, and an elongated, narrow, brush member positioned in each of the channels, each of the brush members having bristles which extend generally radially outward from the pig body, the width of the brush members being less than the width of the channels providing fluid flow passageways within each of the channels permitting fluid to flow past the pig as it is moved through a pipeline to thereby flush debris which has been brushed from the pipeline sidewall forwardly of the pig so that the debris will be carried out of the pipeline.

Abstract: A safety closure for use in a flange in which the flange has an internal circumferential groove in the passageway therethrough, the closure being formed of a cylindrical body slidably receivable within the flange passageway, the body having a reduced diameter opening therethrough, a plurality of leaves slideably supported to the body, the outer ends of the leaf being receivable in the flange groove, an elastomeric gasket to seal the periphery of the body to the flange passageway, and a pressure relief member slidably received in the body passageway, the upper end of the pressure relief member being of enlarged diameter and received between opposed inner ends of the leaves when the leaves are outwardly positioned within the flange groove to thereby prevent the leaves from being removed from the groove, the pressure relief member being downwardly displaceable to an open position permitting fluid flow through the cylindrical body prior to permitting the leaf to be retracted thereby assuring release of pressure b

Abstract: An adapter flange by which precise alignment may be achieved including a tubular member having a first alignment plate affixed to the exterior surface in a plane perpendicular to the tubular axis and having spaced apart openings adjacent to the plate peripheral edge, a flange member and a clamping apparatus by which the flange member may be sealably connected to the tubular member, a second alignment plate affixed to the exterior peripheral surface of the flange member perpendicular its tubular axis, and alignment bars extending from the second alignment flange to engage openings in the first alignment flange when the flange is oriented precisely relative to the tubular member so that a workman attaching the flange to the tubular member is assured of the exact orientation of the flange and tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting on a pipeline to signal the passage of a pipeline pig through the pipeline. A tubular body is mounted on the pipeline. A flag arm is hinged to the body member and pivotal between a set and an actuated position. A plunger rod is slideably supported on the body and engages the flag arm when both are in the set position. A connecting linkage displaces the plunger rod upon the rotation of a shaft within the body and an engagement member pivotally extends from the lower end of the body into the pipeline for displacement as a pig moves through the pipeline. The engagement members serves to rotate the shaft when it is displaced to thereby withdraw the plunger rod to permit the flag arm to move to the actuated position, indicating the passage of the pipeline pig.

Abstract: An underwater tapping machine having a body equipped for attachment to a fitting secured to a pipeline and a rotatable boring bar within the body, a gear case affixed to the body to activate the boring bar, a containment vessel supported by the tapping machine body having a first opening communicating with the vessel exterior and thus to the pressure of fluid in which the tapping machine is employed, the containment vessel having a second opening and a fluid barrier pressure transmitting member dividing the interior of the vessel into a first portion having the first opening therein and a second portion communicating with the second opening, the second portion having liquid lubricant therein, and conduits extending from the containment vessel second opening to the interior of the tapping machine body and gear case so that the pressure of fluid in which the tapping machine is employed is applied by way of the pressure transmitting member to the liquid lubricant and thus to the interior of the tapping machine t

Abstract: A method of detecting inadequately supported sections or overloaded points in a pipeline including the steps of traversing the interior of the pipeline with an instrumentation pig, sequentially striking or vibrating the wall of the pipeline by means carried by the pig to introduce vibratory signals into the pipeline, receiving said signals from within the pipeline by listening to the sounds generated as a consequence of the striking of the interior wall, and detecting preselected characteristics of received sound which are indicative of unsupported sections or of points of load and stress concentration in the pipeline.

Abstract: A safety lock for a pivoted door (16) closing an opening in a pressure vessel (10) to prevent the door from being opened when pressure in the vessel is above a selected level. A handle (44) is pivotably supported relative to the opening and movable to a locked position in which the door cannot be opened. A pressure lock housing (50) extends from the pressure containment vessel, the housing having a cylindrical opening therein, the axis of which intersects the plane of pivotation of the handle. A piston member (102) is received in the cylindrical opening (98) and has a portion extending externally of the housing. A tubular member (122) carried by the handle is engaged by the piston member when the handle is in the locked position, and pressure within the containment vessel forces the piston member outwardly to thereby prevent the handle from being moved towards the unlocked position. The piston member is automatically retracted when the pressure in the containment vessel is below a safe level.

Abstract: A closure for a cylindrical opening having improved venting means including a plug body for removably positioning within and sealing a cylindrical opening, the body having an axial opening therethrough and having means when the plug is within the cylindrical opening to seal against pressure, a tubular valve element slidably received in the plug body opening, the element having at least one radial opening adjacent to and spaced from its closed inner end, a spring normally biasing the tubular element towards the plug outer end so that the radial opening is sealed by the wall of the plug member axial opening and a push rod for displacing the tubular element inwardly to expose the radial opening to the interior of the plug body to vent fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pipeline pig having improved means of sensing changes in the internal configuration of the pipeline through which the pig passes is provided by the invention which employs a pipeline pig body, a radial cup of elastomeric material supported to the body having a circumferential edge which engages the interior of the pipeline, a longitudinally positionable stylus shaft supported coaxially of the body and the cup, the inner end of the shaft providing means to actuate an instrumentation recording device, a transfer plate affixed in a radial manner to the outer end of the shaft rearwardly of the cup, and a plurality of spaced apart sensor members, each formed of a metal rod, the inner end of each of the sensor members being affixed to the body and the outer ends being affixed to the transfer plate, the intermediate portion of the sensor members having an integral coil portion which resiliently deflects the outer ends outwardly, the coil engaging the inner circumferential surface of the cup lip portion so that as

Abstract: An improved pig for use in a pipeline is provided in which the basic structure including a body and the cup portions integrally formed of a unitary design, the body being of an elongated cylindrical configuration, including at least a forward and rearward cup extending from the body, the diameter of the cups being at least two and not more than five times the diameter of the body, the normal diameter of the cups in non-used condition being slightly greater than the internal diameter of the pipeline for which the pig is dimensioned and the length of the body being at least 11/2times the normal diameter of the cups. In a preferred arrangement the body is hollow or tubular for a substantial portion of its length and has an insert of a tubular rigid material; the thickness of the cups is less adjacent the body and the increases in thickness towards the peripheral surface; and the rearward cup has pressure equalizing openings.

Abstract: A branch fitting for providing access to the interior of a pipe, the fitting having first and second body portions each having a semi-cylindrical surface adapted to sealably engage the pipe, the body portions being secured together and to the pipe in a pressure retaining relationship, one body portion having a first and second integral cylindrical barrel portion extending in the plane of the tubular axis of the pipe, the cylindrical axii of the barrel portions intersecting each other at a point at or adjacent the pipe wall, a cutter within one of the barrel portions having a shaft extending sealably exteriorly of the barrel portion whereby the cutter may be rotated and axially advanced to form an opening in the pipe, the opening being coincident with the cylindrical axis of the second barrel portion. The second barrel portion may contain a plugging member and means of delivering it into the interior of the pipe through the formed opening.

Abstract: A flange closure formed of a flange body having a cylindrical opening therethrough and having in the opening a concentric internal groove, a cylindrical closure plate for removably closing the opening in the flange body, the closure plate being removable and sealably positionable in the flange opening, a pair of cam plates each hingedly affixed to the closure plate, each of the cam plates having a peripheral edge portion configured as a segment of a circle substantially equal to the diameter of the flange internal groove, and a cam plate actuator removably attachable to said closure plate, the cam plate actuator engaging said cam plates, the actuator is rotated in one direction to forceably retract the cam plates so that the segmented circular edges are within the diameter of the closure plate and when the actuator is rotated in the other direction to extend the cam plates so that the semi-circular edges extend within the flange groove to retain the closure plate in position within the flange opening.

Abstract: A pig trap closure is disclosed which includes a collar adapted to be attached to the end of a pipe, a door for opening and closing the end of the pipe, means for clamping the door to the collar and sealing means for preventing communication between the interior of the pipe and the atmosphere when the door is clamped to the collar. A testing valve is provided for indicating the presence of pressurized fluid in the pipe and means connects the testing valve to a handle used to unclamp the door for preventing movement of the handle until after the presence of pressurized fluid within the pipe has been checked by the testing valve.

Abstract: A side outlet fitting is provided for a pipeline wherein the fitting includes a tubular member which can be welded onto the pipeline. It also includes an adapter which can be flush bolted to the fitting while at the same time providing a circle of bolt holes for receiving the studs of a standard tapping valve.

Abstract: A pipeline pig is provided which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with laying offshore pipelines in that it detects and indicates dents, and other disconformities in the nominal cross-sectional configuration of the pipeline which may occur as a result of the laying of the pipeline. It employs a plurality of prolate spheroid rollers arranged to secure substantially full circle coverage of the pipeline and yet only a minor portion of the length of the rollers will be normally in contact with the pipeline thereby reducing the wear on the remaining portions of the rollers and increasing the ease with which the pig can be towed along the pipeline. In another aspect, a system is provided in which a pig includes with a means of sensing a condition along the pipeline and a memory means for storing the output of the detecting means.