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US3659305A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flexible pipeline pigs

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-06
•
Granted: 1972-05-02
•
Expires: 1990-04-06
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Abstract

Abstract A flexible pipeline pig adapted for removing liquids and debris from pipelines. The pig includes at least one plug having a deformable peripheral wall formed of resilient material. The wall defines a peripheral surface which establishes a movable seal with the adjacently surrounding portion of the inner cylindrical wall of the pipe. An arcuate channel defined by the pipe''s inner cylindrical wall, on one side, and a spiral groove in the outer peripheral wall of the plug, on the other side, establishes fluid communication between the upstream and downstream sections of the pipeline. Through the fluid communication channel is controllably routed a fraction of the pig-propelling fluid which sweeps the pipe''s inner wall between the ends of the pig as it moves through the pipeline. The liquids and debris which exist in said channel or on said portion of the pipe''s inner cylindrical wall are cleared through said channel and discharged downstream in front of the pig.

Inventors

  • 👤 Marvin D Powers

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 12:49
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/053; B08B9/055; B08B9/0553; B08B9/0558; F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/26; F16L55/28; F16L55/30; F16L55/38

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
A pipeline pig for removing liquids from pipelines, said pig comprising: at least one plug having a resilient member with an outer surface which, in use, engages the inner wall of a pipeline and forms a movable sealing surface therewith, a groove in said outer surface of said resilient member, said groove including at least an arcuate portion and defining with said inner wall of said pipeline a fluid flow channel, a first bore extending into a portion of the body of said plug from the end facing said upstream section, a second bore extending into a portion of the body of said plug from the end facing said downstream section, and fluid passage means providing fluid communications between said bores and said channel to enable a portion of a pig-propelling fluid to be supplied through said first bore from the upstream section of the pipeline into said channel, whereby any liquids which are contained on said engaged inner wall of said pipeline become ejected through said second bore into the pipeline''s downstream section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
A pipeline pig for removing liquids from pipelines, said pig comprising: at least one plug having a resilient member with an outer surface which, in use, engages the inner wall of a pipeline and forms a movable sealing surface therewith, a groove in said outer surface of said resilient member, said groove including at least an arcuate portion and defining with said inner wall of said pipeline a fluid flow channel, a first bore extending into a portion of the body of said plug from the end facing said upstream section, a second bore extending into a portion of the body of said plug from the end facing said downstream section, and fluid passage means providing fluid communications between said bores and said channel to enable a portion of a pig-propelling fluid to be supplied through said first bore from the upstream section of the pipeline into said channel, whereby any liquids which are contained on said engaged inner wall of said pipeline become ejected through said second bore into the pipeline''s downstream section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The pig of claim 1 and further including, a first hollow shaft in said first bore, and a second hollow shaft in said second bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The pig of claim 2 wherein each of said hollow shafts has a flexible outer wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The pig of claim 1 and further including, fluid discharge means coupled to said second bore and facing said downstream section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The pig of claim 4 wherein, said discharge means include at least one nozzle for discharging the fluids from said channel into said downstream section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 12 words
The pig of claim 5 wherein, said nozzle is a conical nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The pig of claim 5 wherein, said nozzle includes at least one radially extending hollow tube.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1713895A Cited
US2188959A Cited
US3530523A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-05-02 1975-11-01 1976-05-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-05-02 1979-11-01 1980-05-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-05-02 1983-11-01 1984-05-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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