Abstract: The present invention provides a pipeline pig (10) comprising an elongate body (12) and annular front and rear supports (26,30) projecting radially from the body (12). Each support (26,30) has an upstream side and a downstream side, with the front support (26) including at least one first fluid passage (18) permitting fluid flow from the upstream side to the downstream side. and the rear support (30) including at least one second fluid passage (22) permitting fluid flow from the upstream side to the downstream side. The pig further comprises a launch valve (50) adapted to move from an open position to a closed position to close the at least one first fluid passage (18), and a control means adapted to control the closing of the launch valve (50). A launch trap for launching pigs into a pipeline is also provided.

Abstract: A pipeline pig and pig launching apparatus which allow the automatic launching of multiple pigs into a pipeline are claimed. The pipeline pig comprises an elongate body having first and second ends and a fluid passage defined therein. The fluid passage has an inlet at the first end of the body and an outlet at the second end of the body. At least two support members project radially outwardly from the body and are spaced longitudinally from one another along the body. A valve means is located within the passage and adapted to selectively move between a first position in which fluid is free to flow through the outlet and a second position in which fluid cannot flow through the outlet. A projecting member extends longitudinally from the first end of the body.

Abstract: A pipeline pig and pig launching apparatus which allow the automatic launching of multiple pigs into a pipeline are claimed. The pipeline pig (30,32,34) comprises an elongate body (40) having first and second ends (46,44) and a fluid passage (42) defined therein. The fluid passage (42) has an inlet (47) at the first end (46) of the body (40) and an outlet (49) at the second end (44) of the body (40). At least two support members (48,50) project radially outwardly from the body (40) and are spaced longitudinally from one another along the body (40). A valve means (52) is located within the passage (42) and adapted to selectively move between a first position in which fluid is free to flow through the outlet (49) and a second position in which fluid cannot flow through the outlet (49). A projecting member (54) extends longitudinally from the first end (46) of the body (40).

Abstract: The present invention provides a support sleeve for supporting an internal pipeline apparatus in a pipeline. The sleeve is provided with a number of deformable splines around its circumference which keep the pipeline apparatus centralized in the pipeline during operation. The leading edges of the splines have chamfers so that, when the sleeve encounters a reduction in the diameter of the pipeline, the splines deform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. It this way, less force is required to move the apparatus and sleeve through a portion of pipeline of reduced diameter than is the case with conventional disc supports.