Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a venturi and a modulating valve located rearward of the inlet side of the venturi. When the valve is in the open position, a predetermined maximum bypass flow is allowed through the venturi. The closed position allows a predetermined minimum bypass flow. The valve may be a poppet-style valve or a frusto-conical shaped stopper. The stopper has sufficient mass and/or aerodynamic drag to overcome the spring force holding the valve in the open position. When the pig stalls, the valve closes and the stopper chokes bypass flow through the venturi. When the pig starts running again, the valve opens as inertia forces the stopper away from the inlet side of the venturi. Also, as friction of the pig increases due to changes in the internal diameter of the pipeline or accumulation of debris ahead of the pig, increased airflow across the valve creates drag sufficient to partially overcome the spring force, thus keeping the pig moving at a desirable rate of travel.

Abstract: A pipeline pig signal made according to this invention houses one or more shielded magnetometer sensors and a microcontroller with adaptive thresholding detection means for reducing the likelihood of false alarms. The adaptive thresholding detection means removes outlier data from the magnetic flux data stream and then passes the outlier-free data stream through four low pass filters. A smoothed magnitude of the data stream is compared to detection limits and, if a passage event has occurred, a recent detection is indicated, a counter of a display unit is incremented, a time of passage is recorded, and both statistics are displayed on the display unit. Because a single object may produce multiple magnetic fields, the detector may be locked-out for a predetermined period of time after the passage event to prevent a second detection of the same object as it passes the detection device.

Abstract: A bidirectional bristle pig provides a means for collapsing or restraining the bristles so that the pig may be used in a reciprocating manner or, when the pig becomes stuck, the pig may be easily retrieved in a direction opposite that of the initial direction of travel. The bristle pig has at least one set of outwardly projecting cleaning wires or bristles located toward one end of the pig body and a sliding collar. The sliding collar moves between a first position and a second position to restrain the bristles at the desired leading end of the pig and forces the bristles downward and away from the inner wall surface of the pipeline. In the restrained state, the bristles no longer interfere with the movement of the pig in the desired direction. The sliding collar may move in response to pipeline pressure or may include a tether line.

Abstract: A closure device includes a door carrying a series of interconnected shear blocks and a keystone shear block designed to transfer stresses created by pressure acting on the door to a surrounding hub. Each interconnected shear block has a limited rotation relative to its adjacent blocks. A holding band operating handle is in communication with a driving link which, in turn, is in communication with the keystone shear block. Actuating the handle causes the keystone shear block to move in an upward vertical direction. The linear movement of the keystone shear block allows the limited rotation of the interconnected shear blocks to occur, thereby causing the circumferential holding band to collapse within itself from an expanded-engaged position to a contracted-removed position relative to said hub. A pressure warning lock provides a safety device and prevents actuation of the holding band operating handle when the pressure chamber is under pressure.

Abstract: A method for progressively dewatering a pipe or pipeline includes the use of a loose-fitting spherical- or quasi-spherical shaped pig body which rolls forward through the interior space of the pipe and temporarily captures and redistributes a portion of the volume of liquids available for capture and redistribution as the pig body rolls on past. Preferably, the portion captured is less than the volume available for capture. A part of the captured liquid may be redistributed to an upper quadrant of the pipe. Capture and redistribution are accomplished by way of a first bypass pathway and a second bypass pathway. One of the pathways may be a through-body pathway. The pig body may be a hollow pig body with a plurality of spaced-apart ports, a solid pig body with a plurality of paddle-like structures, or a cube-sphere type pig body with recessed external wall surfaces.

Abstract: A method for progressively dewatering a pipe or pipeline includes the use of a loose-fitting spherical- or quasi-spherical shaped pig body which rolls forward through the interior space of the pipe and temporarily captures and redistributes a portion of the volume of liquids available for capture and redistribution as the pig body rolls on past. Preferably, the portion captured is less than the volume available for capture. A part of the captured liquid may be redistributed to an upper quadrant of the pipe. Capture and redistribution are accomplished by way of a first bypass pathway and a second bypass pathway. One of the pathways may be a through-body pathway. The pig body may be a hollow pig body with a plurality of spaced-apart ports, a solid pig body with a plurality of paddle-like structures, or a cube-sphere type pig body with recessed external wall surfaces.

Abstract: A method and system for launching a pipeline pig includes the steps of compressing a modulating bypass valve of a pipeline pig and installing a locking means to temporally maintain the bypass valve in the compressed state. Once the pig has travelled a predetermined distance through the pipeline, the locking means is released and retrieved through the launch trap door. The locking means is preferably a launching pin having a clip attachment that receives the clips of a retractable lead. The lead is housed by a retraction device that is detachably secured to the launch trap door. The modulating valve has sufficient mass and aerodynamic drag to overcome the force of a gas spring. The valve moves between a retracted and compressed position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig stalling and between the compressed and retracted position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig accelerating.

Abstract: A bidirectional bristle pig provides a means for collapsing or restraining the bristles so that the pig may be used in a reciprocating manner or, when the pig becomes stuck, the pig may be easily retrieved in a direction opposite that of the initial direction of travel. The bristle pig has at least one set of outwardly projecting cleaning wires or bristles located toward one end of the pig body and a sliding collar. The sliding collar moves between a first position and a second position to restrain the bristles at the desired leading end of the pig and forces the bristles downward and away from the inner wall surface of the pipeline. In the restrained state, the bristles no longer interfere with the movement of the pig in the desired direction. The sliding collar may move in response to pipeline pressure or may include a tether line.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for inserting a larger diameter foam pig into a tubular member, such as a pipe or pipeline, through a smaller diameter access connection when the tubular member contains a pressurized product flow. A foam pig sized appropriately for the tubular member is reduced in size so as to reside within a canister or vacuum-packed bag within the canister. The canister is located above an access connection to the tubular member. The reduced size foam pig is then injected from the canister through the small diameter access connection. As the foam pig enters into the interior space of the tubular member, the pig expands and turns and travels downstream of the access connection. The expanded foam pig has a diameter substantially equal to that of the tubular member and a volume substantially greater than that of the foam pig prior to its injection.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the passage of an object in a pipeline includes a non-intrusive detection device that houses one or more shielded magnetometer sensors and a microcontroller with adaptive thresholding detection means. The adaptive thresholding detection means removes outlier data from the magnetic flux data stream and then passes the outlier-free data stream through four low pass filters. A smoothed magnitude of the data stream is compared to detection limits and, if a passage event has occurred, a recent detection is indicated, a counter of a display unit is incremented, a time of passage is recorded, and both statistics are displayed on the display unit. Because a single object may produce multiple magnetic fields, the detector may be locked-out for a predetermined period of time after the passage event to prevent a second detection of the same object as it passes the detection device.

Abstract: A method and system for launching a pipeline pig includes the steps of compressing a modulating bypass valve of a pipeline pig and installing a locking means to temporally maintain the bypass valve in the compressed state. Once the pig has travelled a predetermined distance through the pipeline, the locking means is released and retrieved through the launch trap door. The locking means is preferably a launching pin having a clip attachment that receives the clips of a retractable lead. The lead is housed by a retraction device that is detachably secured to the launch trap door. The modulating valve has sufficient mass and aerodynamic drag to overcome the force of a gas spring. The valve moves between a retracted and compressed position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig stalling and between the compressed and retracted position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig accelerating.

Abstract: A closure device includes a door carrying a series of interconnected shear blocks and a keystone shear block designed to transfer stresses created by pressure acting on the door to a surrounding hub. Each interconnected shear block has a limited rotation relative to its adjacent blocks. A holding band operating handle is in communication with a driving link which, in turn, is in communication with the keystone shear block. Actuating the handle causes the keystone shear block to move in an upward vertical direction. The linear movement of the keystone shear block allows the limited rotation of the interconnected shear blocks to occur, thereby causing the circumferential holding band to collapse within itself from an expanded-engaged position to a contracted-removed position relative to said hub. A pressure warning lock provides a safety device and prevents actuation of the holding band operating handle when the pressure chamber is under pressure.

Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a venturi and a modulating valve located rearward of the inlet side of the venturi. When the valve is in the open position, a predetermined maximum bypass flow is allowed through the venturi. The closed position allows a predetermined minimum bypass flow. The valve may be a poppet-style valve or a frusto-conical shaped stopper. The stopper has sufficient mass and/or aerodynamic drag to overcome the spring force holding the valve in the open position. When the pig stalls, the valve closes and the stopper chokes bypass flow through the venturi. When the pig starts running again, the valve opens as inertia forces the stopper away from the inlet side of the venturi. Also, as friction of the pig increases due to changes in the internal diameter of the pipeline or accumulation of debris ahead of the pig, increased airflow across the valve creates drag sufficient to partially overcome the spring force, thus keeping the pig moving at a desirable rate of travel.

Abstract: A plug for closing an opening in the sidewall of a pipe, including a base member having a radial flange portion, a tubular portion and an annular elastomeric seal member slideably received on the base member tubular portion and in engagement with the flange portion. A rigid compression member is slideably received on the base member tubular portion and in contact with the elastomeric member and has a frusto-conical circumferential surface. A plurality of rigid segmented slips are received on the compression member and have teeth for biting into the cylindrical sidewall when displaced on the frusto-conical surface. An actuation member is received on the base member tubular portion providing a surface in engagement with the segmented slips. A tightening nut can be tightened to cause the segmented slips to lock the plug in position and to sealably close the pipe cylindrical sidewall.

Abstract: A method of hydrostatic testing a selected section of a pipeline having fluid flow therethrough, including the steps of introducing into the pipeline a pig train including a leading seal pig, a supply liquid slug, a first isolation tool, a test liquid slug and a second isolation tool; permitting the train to traverse the pipeline interior by the force of fluid flow until the lead isolation tool is forwardly of and the second isolation tool is rearwardly of the selected selection of the pipeline; securing the position of the pig train by applying exteriorly of the pipeline appropriate signals to actuate the isolation tools to each engage and seal the interior of the pipeline trapping the test liquid slug therebetween; and pumping liquid from the supply liquid slugs into the test liquid slug to a hydrostatic testing pressure. In addition to testing, the pipeline can be repaired by moving the pig train into position where a defective area can be isolated by additional isolation tools.

Abstract: A method of providing access to the interior of a cross-line that intersects with a primary pipeline of equal or greater diameter, including the steps of attaching a branch fitting to the exterior of the primary pipeline on the side thereof opposite the point of intersection of the cross-line, affixing a full opening valve to the branch fitting, securing a hot tap machine to the valve, by use of the hot tap machine, cutting an opening in the primary pipeline diametrically opposite of the cross-line and of a diameter at least equal to the internal diameter of the cross-line, and removing the hot tap machine leaving an access through the valve and diametrically through the primary pipeline into the interior of the cross-line.

Abstract: A method of plugging a pipeline includes the steps of welding onto the exterior of the pipeline (10) first (12) and second (14) spaced apart collars, each having a sealing face (26,26A) in a plane perpendicular the pipeline (10) axis. A containment housing (34,36) is affixed by welding to the collars (12,14) to fully encompass a section of the pipeline (10) between the collars (12,14). A tapping (60) machine is then removably attached to an open top of the containment housing (34). Using the tapping machine (60) a short length of the pipeline (10) is cut and removed from between the collars (12,14) leaving two open exposed pipe ends (78,80). First and second seal elements (92,94) are positioned between the collars (12,14), Each having a forward sealing face. The seal elements (92,94) are forced apart from each other into sealing engagement with the collar sealing faces thereby closing the open, exposed ends (78,80) of the pipe (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for plugging the interior of a pipe that is penetrated by an axis opening including an upright tubular plugger housing attachable at its lower end to have communication with the interior of the pipe through the opening. An elongated vertical cylindrical control bar is provided with a plugger at its lower end, the plugger being positioned through the opening into the interior of the pipe to close against further flow of fluid through the pipe. A jack is affixed to the plugger housing upper end and telescopically receives the control bar, the jack being pivotally affixed to the housing so that the control bar, having a plugger on the lower end thereof, can be pivoted relative to the housing and thereby relative to the pipe for proper positioning of the plugger in the pipe.