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EP0367633A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Temporary plug for pipeline

Assignee: SHAFFER DIVISION OF BAROID Ltd
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Filing: 1989-11-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-11-06
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Abstract

Abstract A temporary pipeline plug comprises a pipeline seal unit (140) and a detachable coupled pipeline pig for propelling the seal unit along the pipeline (12). The pipeline pig is a self propelling pig capable of propelling itself along the pipeline independently of any fluid medium corred by the pipeline. The seal unit is self anchoring being provided with anchoring means (154) to seal the unit against movement along the pipeline.

Inventors

  • 👤 John Leishman Sneddon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 12:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/12; F16L55/128; F16L55/1283

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 29 words
A temporary pipeline plug characterised in that said plug comprises a self-anchoring pipeline seal unit and a detachably coupled pipeline pig for propelling the self-anchoring seal along the pipeline.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 29 words
A temporary pipeline plug characterised in that said plug comprises a self-anchoring pipeline seal unit and a detachably coupled pipeline pig for propelling the self-anchoring seal along the pipeline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pipeline pig is a self-propelling pig capable of propelling itself along the pipeline independently of any fluid medium carried by the pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the self propelling pig propels itself along the pipeline by a crawling or differential stepping movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 81 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the pipeline seal unit includes a circumferential chamber which is inflatable and thereby expansible by the differential pressure of fluid medium in the pipeline on one side of the seal unit in excess of the pressure on the other side of the seal unit, the exterior of the chamber being adapted to grip the pipeline when so inflated, preferably by the provision of friction shoes secured thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 52 words
A temporary pipeline plug a claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the pipeline seal unit includes a circumferential anchor seal which is mechanically actuable selectively to engage or disengage the pipeline so as both to seal the pipeline and to anchor the seal unit against movement along the pipeline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the pipeline seal unit includes a parking brake operable to hold the seal unit against movement along the pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 45 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the pipeline seal unit includes a fluid passage through the seal unit from one end to the other end, and closable at the low pressure end by a double-acting check valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 44 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the pipeline seal unit includes power and/or signal coupling means for coupling the seal unit to the pig for transmission of hydraulic or pneumatic or electrical power and/or signals therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 53 words
A temporary pipeline plug as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the anchor seal is operatively coupled to an anchor seal actuator within the seal unit, the actuator taking the form of a motor-driven screw actuator selectively operable to cause radial expansion of the anchor seal into sealing and anchoring contact with the pipeline.

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