Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Minton

Joseph R. Minton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5457841
    Abstract: A non-metallic pipeline cleaning pig for cleaning a variable diameter pipeline comprises an elongated cylindrical body, front and back cups coupled to the body, and a plurality of generally circular wiping discs coupled to the body between the cups. The wiping discs are disposed in pairs spaced apart from one another. Each disc has plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers respectively separated by a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots. Each finger has a peripheral surface of a given arc length. The number and configuration of the fingers and slots is chosen so that the sum of the arc lengths is approximately equal to the internal circumference of the smallest diameter pipe section encountered.An abrasive may be applied to the fingers to enhance the cleaning action. In addition, cleaning solvent may be jetted from behind the pig to the internal surface of the pipeline in front of the pig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Continental Emsco Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. Minton