Abstract: Apparatus for launching and receiving a pig into or from a pipeline, comprising an extension having an internal space with an access point, into the internal space, located at the end, and an exit point in the direction of the pipeline or entering into the latter, in which the internal space can be fluidically connected to the pipeline, in which in the internal space there is arranged a guiding element, for receiving the pig, that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the extension and in the internal space, and arrangement for launching or receiving a pig in a pipeline.

Abstract: A pig segment for actively propelling a pig in elongated hollow bodies, preferably in gas and oil pipelines. The segment includes a drive comprising at least one motor, at least one supporting element by which the pig segment can be supported on an inner surface of the hollow body, and at least one bearing element that is movable along a longitudinal axis of the pig segment by the motor. The supporting element is pivotably arranged on the bearing element such that the supporting element can adopt a supporting position In the supporting position, a supporting force is produced relative to a force exerted on the bearing element in a longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a pig with a pig segment of this type.

Abstract: Apparatus for launching and receiving a pig into or from a pipeline, comprising an extension having an internal space with an access point, into the internal space, located at the end, and an exit point in the direction of the pipeline or entering into the latter, in which the internal space can be fluidically connected to the pipeline, in which in the internal space there is arranged a guiding element, for receiving the pig, that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the extension and in the internal space, and arrangement for launching or receiving a pig in a pipeline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pig segment for actively propelling a pig in elongated hollow bodies in particular, preferably in gas and oil pipelines, said segment having a drive comprising: at least one motor; at least one supporting element by means of which the pig segment can be supported on an inner surface of the hollow body; and at least one bearing element that can be moved along a longitudinal axis of the pig segment by means of the motor. The supporting element is pivotably arranged on the bearing element such that said supporting element can adopt a supporting position, in which position a supporting force is produced relative to a force exerted on the bearing element in a longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a pig with a pig segment of this type.

Abstract: A trailing pig cleaning device is adapted to be dragged by a pig towing device. The cleaning device collects a predetermined quantity of debris. The cleaning device has a continuous outer surface portion of variable diameter urged into normal contact with the internal wall of the pipeline. The continuous outer surface portion presents a continuous upstream or leading edge portion for scraping debris from the cylindrical internal wall in advance of the outer surface portion. The device has a debris collecting surface portion extending radially inward from the outer surface portion for collecting the predetermined quantity of debris scraped from the cylindrical internal wall. The device has at least one debris and pipeline media bypass opening passing through the debris collecting surface portion permitting excess scraped debris to pass therethrough back into the pipeline and permitting media to pass thereby to propel the pig towing device.

Abstract: A pig towing device is adapted for movement through a conduit having bends and open T intersections. The pig has a front leading cup and a rear trailing cup adapted to seal with the conduit for propelling the device through the conduit. The leading and trailing cups are spaced apart a predetermined distance to maintain the seal with the conduit as the pig towing device negotiates past the open T intersections. The pig towing device has a flexible body interconnecting the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup. The flexible body is urged normally into a straight position extending along a central axis thereof to maintain the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup spaced apart by the predetermined distance. The flexible body has predetermined limited flexibility permitting it to bend relative to the central axis as the pig towing device negotiates through the bends in the conduit.

Abstract: A pig towing device is adapted for movement through a conduit having bends and open T intersections. The pig has a front leading cup and a rear trailing cup adapted to seal with the conduit for propelling the device through the conduit. The leading and trailing cups are spaced apart a predetermined distance to maintain the seal with the conduit as the pig towing device negotiates past the open T intersections. The pig towing device has a flexible body interconnecting the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup. The flexible body is urged normally into a straight position extending along a central axis thereof to maintain the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup spaced apart by the predetermined distance. The flexible body has predetermined limited flexibility permitting it to bend relative to the central axis as the pig towing device negotiates through the bends in the conduit.

Abstract: A pig towing device is adapted for movement through a conduit having bends and open T intersections. The pig has a front leading cup and a rear trailing cup adapted to seal with the conduit for propelling the device through the conduit. The leading and trailing cups are spaced apart a predetermined distance to maintain the seal with the conduit as the pig towing device negotiates past the open T intersections. The pig towing device has a flexible body interconnecting the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup. The flexible body is urged normally into a straight position extending along a central axis thereof to maintain the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup spaced apart by the predetermined distance. The flexible body has predetermined limited flexibility permitting it to bend relative to the central axis as the pig towing device negotiates through the bends in the conduit.

Abstract: A trailing pig cleaning device is adapted to be dragged by a pig towing device. The cleaning device collects a predetermined quantity of debris. The cleaning device has a continuous outer surface portion of variable diameter urged into normal contact with the internal wall of the pipeline. The continuous outer surface portion presents a continuous upstream or leading edge portion for scraping debris from the cylindrical internal wall in advance of the outer surface portion. The device has a debris collecting surface portion extending radially inward from the outer surface portion for collecting the predetermined quantity of debris scraped from the cylindrical internal wall. The device has at least one debris and pipeline media bypass opening passing through the debris collecting surface portion permitting excess scraped debris to pass therethrough back into the pipeline and permitting media to pass thereby to propel the pig towing device.

Abstract: A hollow universal joint having a first member, a second member and a first hollow yoke ring coupling the first member to the second member to transfer rotational motion between the first and second members. The first hollow yoke ring has a first central axis. The first hollow yoke ring has first pivot points pivotally coupled with the first member. The first pivot points define a first axis extending therebetween. The first pivot points are spaced from the first central axis. The first hollow yoke ring comprises second pivot points pivotally coupled with the second member. The second pivot points define a second axis extending therebetween. The second pivot points are spaced from the first central axis. The first axis extends orthogonal to the second axis and the first and second axes each extend orthogonal to the first central axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hollow universal joint having a first member, a second member and a first hollow yoke ring coupling the first member to the second member to transfer rotational motion between the first and second members. The first hollow yoke ring has a first central axis. The first hollow yoke ring has first pivot points pivotally coupled with the first member. The first pivot points define a first axis extending therebetween. The first pivot points are spaced from the first central axis. The first hollow yoke ring comprises second pivot points pivotally coupled with the second member. The second pivot points define a second axis extending therebetween. The second pivot points are spaced from the first central axis. The first axis extends orthogonal to the second axis and the first and second axes each extend orthogonal to the first central axis.

Abstract: A pig towing device is adapted for movement through a conduit having bends and open T intersections. The pig has a front leading cup and a rear trailing cup adapted to seal with the conduit for propelling the device through the conduit. The leading and trailing cups are spaced apart a predetermined distance to maintain the seal with the conduit as the pig towing device negotiates past the open T intersections. The pig towing device has a flexible body interconnecting the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup. The flexible body is urged normally into a straight position extending along a central axis thereof to maintain the front leading cup and the rear trailing cup spaced apart by the predetermined distance. The flexible body has predetermined limited flexibility permitting it to bend relative to the central axis as the pig towing device negotiates through the bends in the conduit.

Abstract: A device for moving a pig through a conduit, such as a pipeline, is proposed, comprising at least one pulling element with at least one sealing means. The sealing means comprises a supporting structure with variable circumference with at least one sealing element disposed on the circumference of the supporting structure. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure comprises supporting arms disposed substantially radially and being pivotable about axes, each perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the pulling element, and is mounted to the pulling element via the supporting structure and a central sleeve which can be fixed to the pulling element.