Abstract: There is described a novel apparatus for use in connection with pipe cleaning and monitoring systems. The apparatus is a suspension system adapted to fit a pipeline pig shaft, the pig being provided with a plurality of wheels. The wheels are concentrically mounted around a biasing means which is operable in a direction coplanar with the pig shaft. There is also described a pipeline pig comprising the suspension system and a method of cleaning a pipeline.

Abstract: A resilient inspection brush used in electrically inspecting pipelines for abnormalities is described which employs highly conductive metals, such as nickel. Since bristles [330] made from these metals cannot be secured firmly by soldering or epoxy, they are folded over a retaining member [350], or wrapped around the retaining member [350]. The retaining member [350]is secured inside of a base housing [320]. The top [321] portion of the base housing [320] may be crimped or swedged to reduce the size of the opening, thereby physically holding the bristles [330]. This also insures that the retaining member [350] does not pass through the opening, securing the retaining member [350] inside of the base housing [320]. In another embodiment, an inner sleeve [810] is used to further secure the bristles [330] and simplify assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning bullet for use in a pipe or track includes a compressible body. In one embodiment, a sheet draped over the body is engageable with interior walls of the pipe or track to clean small contaminants. In another embodiment, the body is formed from an absorbent material that absorbs a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, that can clean and/or disinfect the interior walls of the pipe or track. In yet another embodiment, an alignment key extends radially from a body axis for guiding the cleaning bullet in an air conveyor track.

Abstract: A device for travelling along a pipeline having fluid flowing along it comprises means for extracting power from said fluid flow and using that power to move the device along the pipeline against the fluid flow. The device is arranged in a series of coupled modules.

Abstract: A closed loop continuous emulsion polymerization apparatus at least comprising a circulation pump, a reactor tube which connects the outlet of the circulation pump to its inlet, at least one feed for supplying raw materials, an outlet, and means for cooling the tube, characterized in that the reactor further comprises an additional tube for by-passing a pig around the circulation pump, a pig receiving station which is in parallel connection with the circulation pump or the reactor tube, and optionally means for directing a pig into the pig receiving station. The invention allows simple removal of the pig from the reactor, afforts great freedom in selecting the type of circulation pump and material and shape of the pig, and enables total control over the launching of the pig substantially independent of the reaction medium flow.

Abstract: There is described a novel apparatus for use in connection with pipe cleaning and monitoring systems. The apparatus is a suspension system adapted to fit a pipeline pig shaft, the pig being provided with a plurality of wheels. The wheels are concentrically mounted around a biasing means which is operable in a direction coplanar with the pig shaft. There is also described a pipeline pig comprising the suspension system and a method of cleaning a pipeline.

Abstract: A brush useful in pipeline pigs, for example, in magnetic flux leakage tools or cleaning tools, a method of making the brush and pipeline pig comprising the brush. The brush has a metal bristle holder and a plurality of bristles, the ends of which are held in the bristle holder by glue, swaging or a combination of glue and swaging. The glue may be an anaerobic glue. The brush and method of making avoid the use of heat to secure the bristles to the bristle holder, avoid the use of solder or weld metal, and are less labor intensive than soldering or welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device intended to be passed through a pipeline of variable diameter, propelled by a liquid flowing inside said pipeline. The device has an elongated cylindrical body (2) made of polymer foam, with a number of deep channels (5) equally spaced from each other, coiled around the length of the cylindrical body (2) of the pig (1), beginning close to one end of the body (2) and ending close to the other end. These ends have a basically bulled-nosed shape, conferring a symmetrical aspect. Structural cleaning elements (6), not interconnected, are inserted inside the cylindrical body (2) of the pig. They are made of elastomeric material and have a central core (7) with spiral scraping extensions (8) of the same number as the deep channels (5) in the body (2) of the pig (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a pig scraper for cleaning the inside wall of a coating agent conduit. The pig scraper includes a body insertable in the conduit and at least one sealing lip that seals against the inside wall of the conduit and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between the sealing lip and the body to form a pocket for enhancing the sealing of the sealing lip with respect to the conduit. The length of the sealing lip substantially prevents the lip from folding over on itself in response to a change in the direction of movement of the pig scraper in the conduit.

Abstract: A cleaning bullet for use in a pipe or track includes a compressible body. In one embodiment, a sheet draped over the body is engageable with interior walls of the pipe or track to clean small contaminants. In another embodiment, the body is formed from an absorbent material that absorbs a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, that can clean and/or disinfect the interior walls of the pipe or track. In yet another embodiment, an alignment key extends radially from a body axis for guiding the cleaning bullet in an air conveyor track.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a central vacuum system is provided for cleaning, deodorizing, disinfecting, adding fragrance and/or removing static electricity from the tubing network of the vacuum system. The treatment device is a cloth or other object that has been treated with a treating agent. The method includes the steps of placing the treatment device into an inlet of one of the tubes, and then actuating the vacuum of the central vacuum system so as to suck the device through the tube and into the vacuum so as to treat the tube as the object passes therethrough. One or more devices may be used for treating the network of tubes in the central vacuum system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pig scraper for cleaning the inside wall of a coating agent conduit. The pig scraper includes a body insertable in the conduit and at least one sealing lip that seals against the inside wall of the conduit and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between the sealing lip and the body to form a pocket for enhancing the sealing of the sealing lip with respect to the conduit. The length of the sealing lip substantially prevents the lip from folding over on itself in response to a change in the direction of movement of the pig scraper in the conduit.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a pipeline sphere, and more specifically a seamless pipeline sphere wherein said sphere presents a flexible, seamless outer layer surrounding an inflatable inner bladder portion which itself defines a hollow chamber. The outer layer and the inner bladder portion contain apertures which are aligned to form a channel connecting the hollow chamber to the outside environment. A weighted material may be added to the pipeline sphere, if desired.

Abstract: In a system for cleaning tubes of tube-bundle type heat exchangers including a plurality of tubes (5) arranged in parallel between two chambers (10a, 10b) and flown through by a fluid medium, in particular crude oil, at a temperature above 120° C., wherein, for cleaning the tubes (5), deposits on their inner walls, such as coking, dirt particles or the like, are detached by cleaning bodies passing through the tubes (5), and carried out of the tubes (5), for cleaning the inner wall of the plurality of tubes (5) of the heat exchanger during the operation of the heat exchanger (10), it is provided that the cleaning bodies (1a–1h) are formed in such a way that they are resistant to high temperatures (above 120° C.

Abstract: A method and a device for removing a hydrate plug (38) from a pipeline (16), wherein a pig (1), which is connected to an umbilical (2) extending to surface, is displaced down into the pipeline (16) until proximity of the hydrate plug (38), after which a fluid arranged with hydrate-plug-dissolving properties is pumped through the umbilical (2).

Abstract: Vehicle parts of a pipeline pig are connected by a pivotable joint. The joint comprises first and second part-spherical hollow shells joined together, each shell having an aperture therein, said apertures being aligned, said first shell being mounted in a curved recess in said first vehicle part to the pivotable therein part, said second shell being mounted in a curved recess in said second vehicle part to the pivotable therein, the first and second vehicle parts each having ducts leading to the joint and communicating with said apertures and wherein pipeline pig harnessing passes between the vehicle parts through said ducts and said apertures.

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 modular pipeline pig provides scraping cup having holes therethrough, adapted to retain a plurality of scraper studs. Positioned a well-defined distance behind the scraping cup is a driving cup defined by a slightly larger diameter than the scraping cup. The studs in the scraping cup may be of any appropriate shape or material, depending in the particular job. The driving cup is preferably mounted on the forward end of a mandrel, and another driving cup mounted to the back end of the mandrel. The pig is modular, so that other scrapers and or cups may be mounted to suit the needs of a particular job.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of an undesirable fluid, such as water, in a pipeline and for removing the undesirable fluid are disclosed. A detecting substance, for example, sugar, naphthalene or a pigmented solid is carried by a sweeping pig. The sweeping pig is inserted into the pipeline, propelled along the pipeline and recovered from the pipeline. The detecting substance is examined upon recovery of the sweeping pig to determine whether the undesirable fluid is present in the pipeline. The pipeline can be swept multiple times until examination of the detecting substance indicates that the undesirable fluid is not present in the pipeline.

Abstract: A metal brush useful in pipeline pigs, for example, in magnetic flux leakage tools or cleaning tools, a method of making the brush and pipeline pig comprising the brush. The brush has a metal bristle holder and a plurality of metal bristles, the ends of which are held in the bristle holder by being welded to each other and to the bristle holder by fusion welding. The bristle holder may be a tube, or a large metal structure with a hole or cavity. In one embodiment, the brush has a flat bottom surface, and is therefore particularly useful in MFL tools. The brush is not made with solder and therefore avoids many of the problems associated with using solder in pipeline applications, for both MFL and other pipeline applications.

Abstract: A tractor comprises a tractor module (10) coupled at opposite ends to a cleaning or inspection module (11) and a power generation module (12), the three modules being arranged in line within a pipeline (14) such that traction elements (15) on the tractor module (10) engage the wall of the pipeline (14). In operation within a pipeline along which fluid is flowing in the direction (16), drive is imparted to the power generation module (12) by the fluid flow, and the tractor module (10) is driven in the direction (17) by the power generation module (12) by way of a drive shaft (21) and appropriate step-down gearing (not shown). A speed governor is used to control the rotational speed of the drive shaft (21) such that the tractor speed is not directly related to the speed of the fluid flow, and is preferably substantially independent of the speed of the fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pig scraper for cleaning the inside wall of a coating agent conduit. The pig scraper includes a body insertable in the conduit and at least one sealing lip that seals against the inside wall of the conduit and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between the sealing lip and the body to form a pocket for enhancing the sealing of the sealing lip with respect to the conduit. The length of the sealing lip substantially prevents the lip from folding over on itself in response to a change in the direction of movement of the pig scraper in the conduit.

Abstract: A pipe conduit vehicle having a substantially cylindrical housing and with at least one ring-shaped sealing element disposed between the outer side of the housing and the inner wall of the pipe conduit can be moved in the pipe conduit via the transport fluid flow. The pipe conduit vehicle thereby comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening which form a bypass through the inner portion of the housing to reduce the pressure differential before and after the pipe conduit vehicle, wherein the at least one inlet opening is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: In a system for cleaning tubes of heat exchangers flown through by a fluid medium, in particular crude oil, having a temperature in excess of 120° C., wherein, for cleaning a tube, deposits such as dirt particles or the like adhering to its inner wall are detached by cleansing off and carried out of the tube, for cleaning the inner wall of the heat exchanger tubes during the operation of the heat exchanger, it is provided that cleaning bodies withstanding high temperatures (in excess of 120° C.

Abstract: The ability to pig a pipeline is considered necessary and vital to most pipeline operations. The present invention provides a pig inserting apparatus and method designed to satisfy the need to Insert pigs for large diameter gasoline pipelines that are made of concrete and weigh in excess of 400 pounds. In the past, the industry has used ineffectively manpower or motorized vehicles to insert the pigs. This pig launcher uses a means for propelling the pig that includes: a spool rotatably mounted. The pair of cables is connected to the spool and engage the ends of the cantilevered arms for propelling the pig a pair of cantilevered arms, and a pair of cables of sufficient strength to firmly fasten onto the end of a pipeline.

Abstract: The cleaning member for a medical tube is shaped like a spherical body having a porous fibrous structure formed of a large number of superfine fibers aggregated and intertwined three-dimensionally. The spherical body moves along a lumen surface of the medical tube together with a cleaning liquid, with the cleaning member wiping and cleaning the lumen surface of the medical tube. The porous member for cleaning the treatment appliance insertion lumen of the endoscope is formed approximately spherically by molding a large number of superfine fibers. The porous member can be swelled with an aqueous cleaning liquid. When the porous member swells, the outer diameter of the porous member becomes larger than the inner diameter of a treatment appliance insertion lumen of an endoscope to be cleaned. Further because the porous member deforms, the porous member can be inserted into the treatment appliance insertion lumen of the endoscope.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion (18) in the arch of a pipe (10) carrying a multiphase corrosive liquid containing a liquid phase (12) which flows off at the lower part of the pipe (10) and a gaseous phase (14) which flows off at the upper part of the pipe. The method includes the following: a scraper (16) is introduced into the pipe, a joint (27) is provided between the scraper (16) and the inner wall of the pipe in such a way that the scraper is moved along the pipe from top to bottom as a result of the effect of the pressure difference between the top and bottom, a liquid that inhibits corrosion is introduced into the scraper or the liquid is injected into the pipe where it is mixed with the liquid phase (12), the scraper is provided with an uptake and projection device (22) that enable the corrosion-inhibiting liquid contained in the scraper or the mixture contained in the pipe to be taken up, whereby the liquid is projected onto the inner wall of the arch of the pipe as the scraper advances in the pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle (210) for travel though a fluid-filled pipe (12) is disclosed, capable of using power derived from the fluid flow to drive the vehicle (210). Certain embodiments have drive means capable of variable pitch in order to adjust the speed and direction of the vehicle in the pipe. Certain embodiments have drive means comprising a helical arm that can vary in pitch and diameter to accommodate different sizes of pipe and/or different rates of travel along the pipe.

Abstract: A pipeline pig that is moved by pressurized gas flow and that provides for distribution of treating liquid subsisting in the lower portion of the pipeline, having a pig body with a nose cone at a foward end thereof, centralizers affixed to the pig body by which it is supported in the pipeline, a bypass passageway within the nose cone communicating with the pipeline interior, a siphon passageway within the nose cone communicating with a lower portion of the pipeline interior and therby with any liquid subsisting therein and having an outlet end, and a venturi in communication with the siphon passageway and the bypass passageway, gas flowing through the bypass passageway serving to draw liquid from the lower portion of the pipeline through the siphon passageway whereby the liquid is discharged form the siphon passageway outlet end onto ineterior surfaces of the pipeline.

Abstract: A cleaning device and method for making which is constructed from a flexible base member of thermoplastic material to which a plurality of fibers are fused and protrude therefrom, and formed into a curvilinear configuration such as a helix-like, or U-shaped-like configuration. The method includes the steps of heating the base until it is softened and bent to a U-shape like configuration and then cooling the base member, or helically winding the base onto a rotating mandrel; stopping the mandrel and severing an end of the base member; and cooling the base member so that it retains its U-shape or helical configuration. A core member may also be inserted through the opening in the helix-like configuration and attached at one or more points of the base member permitting the cleaning device to be pushed through tubular members.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing deposits from the interior surface of a conduit while being advanced through the conduit by virtue of pressurized upstream liquid includes front and rear assemblies interconnected in a manner to permit limited movement there between. The rear assembly contains a mechanism for receiving the upstream liquid and increasing its pressure. The liquid of increased pressure is fed to a rotating nozzle in the front assembly. High velocity water jets emergent from the nozzle strike the interior surface of the conduit to dislodge deposits. A resilient sidewall in one or both assemblies expands by virtue of the liquid of increased pressure to apply a controlled braking force against the interior surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for a pipeline pig includes a main valve and a mechanism for operating the main valve. The main valve comprises a valve body communicated to a fluid pipe, a main valve core movably disposed in the inner chamber of the valve body, and a main valve stem connected to the main valve core. The operating mechanism includes a hydrocylinder, which comprises a piston disposed in the cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod is transmissibly connected with the main valve stem so as to drive the main valve core by the main valve stem. A valve device includes a pilot valve, positioned in the pipeline which communicates the fluid pipe with the hydrocylinder, and an operator for controlling the actuation of the pilot valve so as to enable the piston to move reciprocally by the pressure of fluid in the fluid pipe.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a pipline by providing a filter or a number of filters adapted to reside in the pig launcher of the pipeline. The filters can be used to remove debris and impurities from the fluid flowing in the pipeline during a pigging operation. Alternatively, the filters may be retained in the pig launcher for extended periods of time.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a pipeline sphere, and more specifically a seamless pipeline sphere wherein said sphere presents a flexible, seamless outer layer surrounding an inflatable inner bladder portion which itself defines a hollow chamber. The outer layer and the inner bladder portion contain apertures which are aligned to form a channel connecting the hollow chamber to the outside environment. A weighted material may be added to the pipeline sphere, if desired.

Abstract: A method of distributing liquid present in the lower portion of a gas pipeline to the interior upper surface of the pipeline including the steps of passing a pig having a venturi therein, the venturi being actuated by gas pressure taken from within the pig, siphoning liquid from the lower interior portion of the pipeline through the venture and distributing siphoned liquid onto the pipeline upper interior surface.

Abstract: A pig for use with a tubular bore wherein the pig is comprised of a body which supports a plurality of turbine blades wherein the blades mechanically break down and remove debris from the tubular bore. The blades have a profile which allows forward movement and rotation about a longitudinal axis when acted upon by a propulsion fluid traveling through the tubular. In an alternative embodiment the blades are mounted on a stabilizer body to allow simultaneous centralization and cleaning.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pig scraper for cleaning the inside wall of a coating agent conduit. The pig scraper includes a body insertable in the conduit and at least one sealing lip that seals against the inside wall of the conduit and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between the sealing lip and the body to form a pocket for enhancing the sealing of the sealing lip with respect to the conduit. The length of the sealing lip substantially prevents the lip from folding over on itself in response to a change in the direction of movement of the pig scraper in the conduit.

Abstract: A method of distributing liquid present in the lower portion of a gas pipeline to the interior upper surface of the pipeline including the steps of passing a pig having a venturi therein, through the pipeline, the venturi being actuated by gas pressure taken from within the pipeline, the pig being asymmetrically weighted providing a pig upper portion and a pig lower portion, siphoning liquid from a lower interior portion of the pipeline through the venturi, storing liquid drawn from a lower portion of the pipeline in a reservoir carried by the pig, distributing siphoned liquid from the reservoir onto the pipeline upper interior surface and wherein the gas pressure is taken from a rearward portion of the pig.

Abstract: In a system for cleaning tubes of tube-bundle type heat exchangers including a plurality of tubes (5) arranged in parallel between two chambers (10a, 10b) and flown through by a fluid medium, in particular crude oil, at a temperature above 120° C., wherein, for cleaning the tubes (5), deposits on their inner walls, such as coking, dirt particles or the like, are detached by cleaning bodies passing through the tubes (5), and carried out of the tubes (5), for cleaning the inner wall of the plurality of tubes (5) of the heat exchanger during the operation of the heat exchanger (10), it is provided that the cleaning bodies (1a-1h) are formed in such a way that they are resistant to high temperatures (above 120° C.

Abstract: In a system for cleaning tubes of heat exchangers flown through by a fluid medium, in particular crude oil, having a temperature in excess of 120° C., wherein, for cleaning a tube, deposits such as dirt particles or the like adhering to its inner wall are detached by cleansing off and carried out of the tube, for cleaning the inner wall of the heat exchanger tubes during the operation of the heat exchanger, it is provided that cleaning bodies withstanding high temperatures (in excess of 120° C.

Abstract: The cleaning member for a medical tube is shaped like a spherical body having a porous fibrous structure formed of a large number of superfine fibers aggregated and intertwined three-dimensionally. The spherical body moves along a lumen surface of the medical tube together with a cleaning liquid, with the cleaning member wiping and cleaning the lumen surface of the medical tube.

Abstract: A piston pig for pushing pigs from a larger diameter conduit into a smaller diameter conduit, where one embodiment includes a cylindrical body with a first sealing disc attached to the body and adapted to seal against the larger diameter conduit and maintain a pressure differential across the body of the piston pig. The piston pig also includes a second sealing disc attached to the body and capable of sealing against the smaller diameter conduit and maintain a pressure differential across the body. Certain embodiments also include a pressure control device, such as a resilient flapper disc, to limit the differential pressure across the body. Some piston pig embodiments may also include an end cap attached to, and slidable relative to, the body, where the end cap has a closed position in which fluid cannot bypass the end cap and an open position in which fluid can bypass the end cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and removing deposits from internal walls of ducts for conveying fluids of any kind, comprising at least a propulsion head which is constituted by an elongated stem and by an impeller which is mounted freely on the stem and is suitable to produce an uninterrupted vibration and a series of hydraulic shocks or hammerings in order to cause the advancement of the head in the duct and a cleaning and/or removal element which is provided with means for rigid fixing to the front end of the stem or with means for engagement to the front or rear of the stem.

Abstract: An applicator for cleaning the inside of pipes and hoses is disclosed. The applicator comprises a pressure chamber and a lid which is adjustable between open and closed positions, sealing the pressure chamber in the closed position. A sealed plane interfaces is provided between the pressure chamber and the lid which is guided for displacement transversely of the axis of the nozzle between the open and closed positions and is connected to a valve controlled double acting pneumatic cylinder for effecting the displacement. A nozzle to be connected to the pipe or the hose, is provided on the lid and in the closed position thereof communicates with the pressure chamber to be connected to a compressed air source through a valve for propulsion of a rinse projectile inserted into the nozzle, when the lid is open, through the pipe or the hose by means of compressed air being supplied to the pressure chamber with the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: A two-directional scraping device (1;25) intended for a fluid carrying pipe includes at least one thin disk (6) made of polymer stiffened by reinforcing means (8) secured to the disk. The disk, including the reinforcement, is divided into petals by at least two radial slots (11) whose length is smaller than the radius of the disk, the radius of the disk being substantially greater than the inside diameter of said pipe.

Abstract: A method of cleaning tubing in an operating heater, in which the tubing has an inlet and an outlet. While the heater is in operation, a hollow, metallic and/or tubular mesh pig is run through the tubing from the inlet to the outlet. Cleaning should be done before contaminant has hardened. An improved pipe pig, preferably hollow, metallic and/or made from tubular mesh, has scraping edges made from longitudinal edges of a wire. The tubular mesh may be a knit, weave or may be knotted. The pig is preferably radially expandable up to twice its fully compressed radius, and may have an expander to force it radially outward. The pipe pig is preferably made of a resilient wire having a polygonal cross-section.

Abstract: A fiber optic communication cable is deployed in a pipeline from a static coil drawn from a rearwardly facing exit of a cassette carried by a pipeline pig as the pig is driven along the pipeline from a launcher having a drive fluid inlet and a cable anchorage with a pressure penetrator for connecting an instrumentation cable to the deployed cable.

Abstract: A method to set a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to displace a hollow device to a point where a stop means halts a displacement of said hollow device, thereby setting said hollow device into position. A method to retrieve a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into said flow pipe to retrieve said hollow device from a location where said hollow device operates halted by a stopping means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipeline interior surface cleaning device that is propelled through the pipeline by the operational properties of the transported medium. A speed regulator controls the rate of forward motion of the device and a series of off-axis wheels enables the device to travel in a spiraling motion through the pipeline. A series of sealing members, scraping elements, brushes and magnets loosen and collect particles on the interior pipeline surface as the cleaning device spirals through the pipeline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipeline cleaning apparatus adapted to connect to a body of a fluid-propelled pig. The apparatus includes a front end, a back end, a generally circular rim extending around the outer periphery of the apparatus, and a plurality of jetting channels extending through the apparatus and arranged at the rim such that when the apparatus is inside the pipe, some of the propelling fluid received at the back end is discharged under pressure from the front end towards the pipe wall in front of the apparatus, clearing away any debris that has accumulated on the pipe wall. The rim has a diameter that is sufficiently large to contact an inner wall of the pipe, and at least a portion of the apparatus is made of a resilient material.