Patents Assigned to The Safer Plug Company Limited
  • Patent number: 9400001
    Abstract: An hydraulic system for an autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool comprising an hydraulic piston; a pump for operating the pistons; an accumulator between each of the hydraulic pistons and the pump; and means for operating the pump. The system also comprises a manifold operable to control the flow of fluid in fluid pipelines to control the operation of the pistons which actuate gripping and sealing means of the autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool. The hydraulic system further comprises a controller comprising a number of operational modules which are positioned on a single printed circuit board. The advantage of this is that the size of the hydraulic system may be minimized thereby enabling use of the system within a pipeline having an inner diameter of the order of 0.15 m (6?) and upwards. The manifold of the hydraulic system is also provided with a triple fail safe redundancy mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Patent number: 9400076
    Abstract: The invention provides an all electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool for use in offshore and onshore pipeline isolation; the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being moveable relative to each other, the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool also comprising at least one sealing member which is moveable between an unset condition in which the sealing member is disengaged and the isolation tool is able to travel along inside a pipeline to a predetermined location; and a set condition in which the sealing member is engaged against an internal wall of a pipline such that a seal is formed between the sealing member of the isolation tool and the internal wall of the pipeline; the isolation tool being moveable between the unset condition and the set condition under action of the first part and the second part moving relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Patent number: 9353902
    Abstract: A self propelled propulsion device suitable for pushing, pulling or articulating other tools or equipment around bends within a pipe. The device comprises a first part and a second part, the first part being coupled to the second part by articulating means. The device also comprises a hydraulic system and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the device is moveable within the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Patent number: 9222325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine riser isolation tool in particular to an autonomous marine riser isolation tool having a robotic plug installation device that is adapted for positioning a pipeline isolation plug in a vertical pipe such as a marine riser, resulting in sealing of the marine riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Patent number: 9080708
    Abstract: A robotic unit for coupling to an internal buckle arresting pipeline isolation tool that is suitable for use in a pipeline that is being laid from a reeled pipeline vessel. The robotic unit having the ability to position the isolation tool either above or below the SAG bend or touchdown point of the pipeline. The robotic unit has first and second ends which are separable from each other and a hydraulic system having a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the robotic unit. The hydraulic system of the robotic unit being operable to returnably separate the first and second end of the robotic unit and to engage the pipeline engaging means with the interior surface of the pipeline. The robotic unit further comprising a control unit in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement such that the robotic unit propels the isolation tool along the inside of a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Patent number: 8950338
    Abstract: A self propelled autonomous pipeline tool for use in straight pipe comprising a first part and a second part, a hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic piston and means for operating the piston, and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the pipeline tool is moveable within a straight pipeline. The pipeline tool further comprises a communications module which enables the pipeline tool to utilize ELF communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Safer Plug Company Limited
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140020593
    Abstract: A self propelled autonomous pipeline tool for use in straight pipe comprising a first part and a second part, a hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic piston and means for operating the piston, and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the pipeline tool is moveable within a straight pipeline. The pipeline tool further comprises a communications module which enables the pipeline tool to utilize ELF communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: The Safer Plug Company Limited
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140020594
    Abstract: A self propelled propulsion device suitable for pushing, pulling or articulating other tools or equipment around bends within a pipe. The device comprises a first part and a second part, the first part being coupled to the second part by articulating means. The device also comprises a hydraulic system and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the device is moveable within the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140023440
    Abstract: A robotic unit for coupling to an internal buckle arresting pipeline isolation tool that is suitable for use in a pipeline that is being laid from a reeled pipeline vessel. The robotic unit having the ability to position the isolation tool either above or below the SAG bend or touchdown point of the pipeline. The robotic unit has first and second ends which are separable from each other and a hydraulic system having a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the robotic unit. The hydraulic system of the robotic unit being operable to returnably separate the first and second end of the robotic unit and to engage the pipeline engaging means with the interior surface of the pipeline. The robotic unit further comprising a control unit in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement such that the robotic unit propels the isolation tool along the inside of a pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: The Safer Plug Company Limited
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140020782
    Abstract: The invention provides an all electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool for use in offshore and onshore pipeline isolation; the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being moveable relative to each other, the electrical autonomous pipeline isolation tool also comprising at least one sealing member which is moveable between an unset condition in which the sealing member is disengaged and the isolation tool is able to travel along inside a pipeline to a predetermined location; and a set condition in which the sealing member is engaged against an internal wall of a pipline such that a seal is formed between the sealing member of the isolation tool and the internal wall of the pipeline; the isolation tool being moveable between the unset condition and the set condition under action of the first part and the second part moving relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: The Safer Plug Company Limited
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140013737
    Abstract: An hydraulic system for an autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool comprising an hydraulic piston; a pump for operating the pistons; an accumulator between each of the hydraulic pistons and the pump; and means for operating the pump. The system also comprises a manifold operable to control the flow of fluid in fluid pipelines to control the operation of the pistons which actuate gripping and sealing means of the autonomous multi-set pipeline isolation tool. The hydraulic system further comprises a controller comprising a number of operational modules which are positioned on a single printed circuit board. The advantage of this is that the size of the hydraulic system may be minimised thereby enabling use of the system within a pipeline having an inner diameter of the order of 0.15 m (6?) and upwards. The manifold of the hydraulic system is also provided with a triple fail safe redundancy mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: The Safer Plug Company Limited
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour
  • Publication number: 20140014355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine riser isolation tool in particular to an autonomous marine riser isolation tool having a robotic plug installation device that is adapted for positioning a pipeline isolation plug in a vertical pipe such as a marine riser, resulting in sealing of the marine riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: THE SAFER PLUG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ciaran Early, Gary Murray, Raymond Honour