Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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].

Abstract: 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 a series of impulses caused by start-and-stop movement of the pipeline pig. 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.

Abstract: An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arm (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 maintains contact with the pipe wall to detect dents, wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anomalies in the pipe wall.

Abstract: A pig trap of this disclosure may include one or more injectors or nozzles located along a sidewall of the barrel and oriented to deliver a jet of fluid toward a back side of a vertical member of a pig or tool. The nozzle may be part of an assembly that includes a longitudinally extending pipe having a flat-profile flange at an inlet end, a curved-profile flange at the nozzle end, and a bend in between the two ends. When the assembly is installed in a sidewall opening of a pig trap, the nozzle delivers a jet of fluid toward the back side of a vertical member of the pig. A leak path may be provided through flanges or formed between the sidewall opening and a periphery of the curved-profile flange. Launch forces of more than 10 to 15 times that of a conventional launcher may be achieved.

Abstract: 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 © 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.

Abstract: A pigging device of this disclosure includes a wear indicator configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of a pipe wall contacting surface. The material loss may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. 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 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.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-diameter foam pig include a first set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a nose end of the pig and a second set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a tail end. Each set of slots ends at a band section of the pig so that, together, the two sets of slots do not traverse the entire length of the pig. A standard-length unit version of the foam pig includes only the first set of slots. A set of shorter, intermediate slots, offset in a circumferential direction from the first and second set of slots and partially overlapping those slots, may be included on the band section. Because of the slots, and because of open cell foam, the foam pig decreases or increases in diameter as it enters a different diameter run than the run just traveled.

Abstract: A mechanical lock unit with a shaft lock assembly and method of achieving a self-lock mode for, e.g., hydraulically activated isolation plug module. The shaft lock assembly includes a teeth-form ring that surrounds a shaft. The teeth-form ring defines a plurality of teeth. A teeth-form split gripper assembly is positioned to surround the teeth-form ring. The teeth-form split gripper assembly has at least a first teeth-form split gripper and a second teeth-form split gripper with a spring therebetween for biasing the first teeth-form split gripper away from said second teeth-form split gripper. The first teeth-form split gripper and the second teeth form split gripper having an inner surface that defines a plurality of teeth for cooperative engagement with the plurality of teeth of the teeth-form ring.

Abstract: A re-settable pipeline gauging tool (10) of this disclosure includes 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A metal seal fitting for use on a pipe or pipeline includes at least one metal seal ring having a C-profile which houses a spring and is arranged concentric to, and outside of, a tap diameter of the access connection. The seal ring is double-curved so that it conforms to a pipe-facing side of the fitting. A surface of the pipe is prepared to receive the seal and, as the fitting is being secured to the pipe, the seal is activated and spring-energized. In its final sealing state, the seal is not compressed passed its deformation point and maintains its spring-back capability. After the fitting is removed from the pipe, the seal may be re-used. The metal seal fitting is suited for applications requiring a high integrity seal and can be used in high pressure, high temperature, and highly corrosive environments which are not well-suited for elastomeric seals.

Abstract: A method for limiting fitting distortion when welding a fitting to an in-service pipeline—where the fitting includes a thick, longitudinally extending, seam located between fitting halves—involves welding, on each side of the fitting, a middle third section of the seam in a pyramid-like fashion using an inward progression starting from an end of the middle third section along a profile of a seam bevel, and welding outer third sections of the seam using an outward progression from an end adjacent to the middle third section along a profile of the seam bevel. 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.

Abstract: 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 (30 C), and their associated tools. The valve and machine are more lightweight and faster and easier to use than the prior art.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 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 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.

Abstract: A pig trap of this disclosure may include one or more injectors or nozzles located along a sidewall of the barrel and oriented to deliver a jet of fluid toward a back side of a vertical member of a pig or tool. The nozzle may be part of an assembly that includes a longitudinally extending pipe having a flat-profile flange at an inlet end, a curved-profile flange at the nozzle end, and a bend in between the two ends. When the assembly is installed in a sidewall opening of a pig trap, the nozzle delivers a jet of fluid toward the back side of a vertical member of the pig. A leak path may be provided through flanges or formed between the sidewall opening and a periphery of the curved-profile flange. Launch forces of more than 10 to 15 times that of a conventional launcher may be achieved.

Abstract: A mechanical lock unit with a shaft lock assembly and method of achieving a self-lock mode for, e.g., hydraulically activated isolation plug module. The shaft lock assembly includes a teeth-form ring that surrounds a shaft. The teeth-form ring defines a plurality of teeth. A teeth-form split gripper assembly is positioned to surround the teeth-form ring. The teeth-form split gripper assembly has at least a first teeth-form split gripper and a second teeth-form split gripper with a spring therebetween for biasing the first teeth-form split gripper away from said second teeth-form split gripper. The first teeth-form split gripper and the second teeth form split gripper having an inner surface that defines a plurality of teeth for cooperative engagement with the plurality of teeth of the teeth-form ring.