Abstract: A method for operating a conduit inspection tool in a conduit includes positioning a conduit inspection tool in the conduit, the conduit inspection tool including a body that includes one or more wheels, at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems; moving the body through and in contact with the conduit through the one or more wheels; generating electrical power by at least one of the at least two power generating sub-systems by the movement; and providing at least a portion of the generated electrical power to the at least one energy storage device to store the portion of the generated electrical power.

Abstract: A conduit inspection tool system includes a conduit inspection tool that includes a body that includes one or more wheels configured to move the body through and in contact with a conduit; at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, each of the at least two power generating sub-systems configured to generate electrical power to operate the one or more wheels to move the body through and in contact with the conduit; and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems, the at least one energy storage device configured to store electrical power generated by the at least two power generating sub-systems; and a control system communicably coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems and the at least one energy storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a fluid sampling conduit disposed within the body. The body is configured to be disposed within a pipe flowing a fluid. The fluid sampling conduit is configured to obtain a sample of the fluid flowing in the pipe. The apparatus includes an odometer wheel coupled to the body and an elastomeric ring surrounding at least a portion of the body. The elastomeric ring is configured to remove material disposed on an inner wall of the pipe as the apparatus travels through the pipe. The apparatus includes a solid sampling subsystem coupled to an external to the body. The solid sampling subsystem includes a capsule, an inlet valve, and a tubing. The inlet valve, when opened, allows at least a portion of the material removed from an inner wall of the pipe to flow through the tubing and into the capsule.

Abstract: A multi-piece ball valve includes a body, a first closure piece attached to the body, the first closure piece and the body together defining an interior cavity. A ball is disposed in the interior cavity, the ball defining a bore extending through the ball. A load sensor ring is disposed in an annular cavity defined in an outer surface of the body between the body and the first closure piece. A pressure sensor is operable to sense fluid pressure between the body and the first closure piece. An electronic control system is in communication with the load sensor ring and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A ball valve trim apparatus for high differential pressure service that is resistant to erosion includes elements selected from a plurality of stacked impedance trim plates positioned in the passage of the ball portion of the valve; the plates being independently adjustable along transverse axes that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the ball: one or more of the plates having a convex upstream contour, each plate provided with a predetermined pattern of variously sized fluid passageways, the pattern varying from plate-to-plate in the stack; erosion-resistant bushings inserted into the trim plate holes can be independently rotationally adjustable to control the rate of the flowing fluid, the upstream surface of the plate surrounding the orifice of the bushing defining a raised toroidal body.

Abstract: A seat leak measurement system for a ball valve is described. The system includes: a ball valve with a cavity drain line, the ball valve including a cavity pressure sensor; a valve seat leak measurement apparatus including: a cable with a connector, the connector having an external grounding cable; an apparatus electronic control system in communication with the valve sensor retrieval fitting and with valves of the valve seat; an fluid inlet line with a quick pipe coupler, the fluid inlet line having an apparatus drain valve and an isolation valve; a pressure indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the pressure indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; a temperature indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the temperature indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; and a flow elements manifold receiving fluid from the fluid inlet line.

Abstract: A conduit inspection tool system includes a conduit inspection tool that includes a body that includes one or more wheels configured to move the body through and in contact with a conduit; at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, each of the at least two power generating sub-systems configured to generate electrical power to operate the one or more wheels to move the body through and in contact with the conduit; and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems, the at least one energy storage device configured to store electrical power generated by the at least two power generating sub-systems; and a control system communicably coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems and the at least one energy storage device.

Abstract: A ball valve for use in industrial pipelines is described. The ball valve includes: a valve body; an inlet closure piece attached to the valve body; an outlet closure piece, the valve body, the inlet closure piece, and the outlet closure piece together defining an interior cavity; a ball disposed in the interior cavity, the ball defining a bore extending through the ball; a valve seat adjacent the ball; a first strain sensor mounted on the inlet closure piece; a second strain sensor mounted on the outlet closure piece; a seat misalignment sensor system including a ring sensor and a magnetized insert ring disposed in the valve seat; and an electronic controller system in communication with the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor, the electronic control system configured: to estimate the position of a pig passing through the valve; and to identify valve seat misalignment.

Abstract: A seat leak measurement system for a ball valve is described. The system includes: a ball valve with a cavity drain line, the ball valve including a cavity pressure sensor; a valve seat leak measurement apparatus including: a cable with a connector, the connector having an external grounding cable; an apparatus electronic control system in communication with the valve sensor retrieval fitting and with valves of the valve seat; an fluid inlet line with a quick pipe coupler, the fluid inlet line having an apparatus drain valve and an isolation valve; a pressure indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the pressure indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; a temperature indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the temperature indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; and a flow elements manifold receiving fluid from the fluid inlet line.

Abstract: A ball valve is described for use in industrial plants. The valve includes: a valve body; a valve stem extending from the valve body through a valve gland, a valve-actuator interface flange, and an actuator flange; a first magnet and a second magnet mounted on the valve stem; a first hall-effect sensor aligned with the first magnet and mounted in the actuator flange; a second hall-effect sensor aligned with the second magnet; and an electronic control system in communication with the first hall-effect sensor and the second hall-effect sensor, the electronic control system configured to estimate torque exerted on the valve stem.

Abstract: A ball valve for use in industrial pipelines is described. The ball valve includes: a valve body; an inlet closure piece attached to the valve body; an outlet closure piece, the valve body, the inlet closure piece, and the outlet closure piece together defining an interior cavity; a ball disposed in the interior cavity, the ball defining a bore extending through the ball; a valve seat adjacent the ball; a first strain sensor mounted on the inlet closure piece; a second strain sensor mounted on the outlet closure piece; a seat misalignment sensor system including a ring sensor and a magnetized insert ring disposed in the valve seat; and an electronic controller system in communication with the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor, the electronic control system configured: to estimate the position of a pig passing through the valve; and to identify valve seat misalignment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a fluid sampling conduit disposed within the body. The body is configured to be disposed within a pipe flowing a fluid. The fluid sampling conduit is configured to obtain a sample of the fluid flowing in the pipe. The apparatus includes an odometer wheel coupled to the body and an elastomeric ring surrounding at least a portion of the body. The elastomeric ring is configured to remove material disposed on an inner wall of the pipe as the apparatus travels through the pipe. The apparatus includes a solid sampling subsystem coupled to an external to the body. The solid sampling subsystem includes a capsule, an inlet valve, and a tubing. The inlet valve, when opened, allows at least a portion of the material removed from an inner wall of the pipe to flow through the tubing and into the capsule.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.

Abstract: A ball valve trim apparatus for high differential pressure service that is resistant to erosion includes elements selected from a plurality of stacked impedance trim plates positioned in the passage of the ball portion of the valve; the plates being independently adjustable along transverse axes that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the ball: one or more of the plates having a convex upstream contour, each plate provided with a predetermined pattern of variously sized fluid passageways, the pattern varying from plate-to-plate in the stack; erosion-resistant bushings inserted into the trim plate holes can be independently rotationally adjustable to control the rate of the flowing fluid, the upstream surface of the plate surrounding the orifice of the bushing defining a raised toroidal body.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.

Abstract: A valve actuator fault analysis system for detecting, analyzing and reporting valve actuator performance characterized as deviations, malfunctions and failures. The fault analysis system includes an expert system that monitors the valve actuator and related components, such as the power supply and signal line, for determining causal factors of degraded and/or defective performance; generation of fault-analysis reports in a readable text format file; and methods for characterizing deviations, malfunctions and failures, for generating and concatenating event messages and for detecting and characterizing events that take place in valve actuators, peripheral systems and devices and displaying the results on a display device.

Abstract: A fuel leakage detection system for an underground fuel piping system having fuel service pits installed at locations along the piping. Each pit has a pressure sensor and a reference electrode positioned external to the pit assembly for continuous and automatic monitoring of fuel pressure and pipe-to-soil potential measurements of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP), and each pit assembly includes a processor and a transceiver. The system provides simultaneous and synchronized pressure and ICCP potential measurements which are transmitted over a wireless network to a control station that performs accurate location of a leakage point in the underground piping and can detect pressure loss during fueling operations which produce strong pressure transients that normally mask detection of pressure loss in the fuel piping, and can determine a leak in the piping and its location by analyzing the pipe-to-soil potentials taken on the fuel piping and pressure losses occurring between transients.

Abstract: A fuel leakage detection system for an underground fuel piping system having fuel service pits installed at locations along the piping. Each pit has a pressure sensor and a reference electrode positioned external to the pit assembly for continuous and automatic monitoring of fuel pressure and pipe-to-soil potential measurements of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP), and each pit assembly includes a processor and a transceiver. The system provides simultaneous and synchronized pressure and ICCP potential measurements which are transmitted over a wireless network to a control station that performs accurate location of a leakage point in the underground piping and can detect pressure loss during fueling operations which produce strong pressure transients that normally mask detection of pressure loss in the fuel piping, and can determine a leak in the piping and its location by analyzing the pipe-to-soil potentials taken on the fuel piping and pressure losses occurring between transients.