Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a pig into a pipeline includes a support member for engaging the cylindrical pipeline outer surface to support the apparatus on the pipeline, a tubular reducer, a force-transmitting member with a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member that is attached to the support member and permits axial movement of the force-transmitting member relative to the reducer. The apparatus includes outer and inner pipeline-engaging members attached to the force-transmitting member and disposed to engage the pipeline outer surface and the pipeline outer and inner surfaces, respectively, to brace a portion of the attached force-transmitting member against the pipeline. The reducer may be removably attached to the support member so that it may be interchanged with another reducer having a different inner diameter, thus adapting the apparatus for pipelines having different wall thicknesses. A hydraulic cylinder may actuate movement of the force-transmitting member.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member for attachment to a cable and including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member for attachment to a cable and including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

Abstract: Two steel members are resistance welded using a filler therebetween in the form of either an insert or a metallized layer on the inner surface of one steel member. The steel members have respective compositions at least one of which comprises at least one alloying element having a concentration which contributes substantially to solidification cracking extensive enough to produce an unacceptable weld fracture. The filler has a composition which, during welding, melts and mixes with molten metal from the steel members, at the welding location, and dilutes the concentration there of one or more of the alloying elements which contribute substantially to solidification cracking. This reduces substantially the contribution, to solidification cracking, of each alloying element which has been so diluted. The cumulative dilution of these alloying elements is sufficient to produce an acceptable weld fracture.

Abstract: Two pieces of steel strip are welded together by a method employing projection resistance welding. A portion of one strip is formed with a series of aligned projections and arranged in superimposed relation with a portion of the other strip. The superimposed portions are moved through a welding zone located between upper and lower electrodes, typically a pair of rotatable welding wheels, through which a continuous electrical current flows. As the projections move into and through the welding zone, they are heated, flattened, melted and welded to the other of the two superimposed portions. The projections may be in the form of a continuous, elongated ridge (when the steel strips are uncoated) or in the form of spaced apart dimples (when the steel strips are coated or uncoated).