Patent US3690348A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3690348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traveling valve
Assignee: Lone Star Steel Co LP
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Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a novel pipeline valve transportable by pipeline fluid adapted for isolating pipeline sections to permit location of a leak, and to stop the flow of pipeline fluid. The invention also concerns a novel process for isolating sections of a pipeline to permit location of a leak. The novel valve contains means for controlling the flow of the pipeline fluid in the valve and for stopping the valve when desired. A drop in pipeline fluid pressure shows a leak in the pipeline section traversed by the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy R Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/12; F16L55/128; F16L55/1283; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2807; G01M3/2823; F16L2101/00; F16L2101/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
387 words
A traveling pipeline valve adapted to isolate sections of a pipeline to permit location of a leak in said pipeline and to stop the flow of pipeline fluid comprising: 1. a carrier shaped to fit the inside of said pipeline and having a high pressure end and a low pressure end; 2. means for passage of said pipeline fluid through said carrier to furnish actuating power for controlling movement of said valve; 3. flow control means including a command signal actuator device for controlling the flow of said pipeline fluid through said carrier from the high pressure end thereof and an automatic actuator device preventing flow of pipeline fluid through said carrier from the low pressure end thereof; 4. means for receiving remote signals From an outside source to actuate said command signal actuator device; 5. flexible sealing means comprising a cup facing axially outwardly from the high pressure end of said carrier and a cup facing axially outwardly from the low pressure end of said carrier, said flexible sealing means each being capable of conforming to the inside diameter of said pipeline and being in constant contact with said inside diameter; 6. a flexible elastic means surrounding said carrier and between said flexible sealing means; 7. said command signal actuator device being adapted to allow pipeline fluid from the high pressure end of said carrier into said elastic means to stop and hold said valve in place within said pipeline through expansion of said elastic means by said pipeline fluid; 8. said command signal actuator device being adapted to release said pipeline fluid from said elastic means to deflate said elastic means by discharge of said pipeline fluid from said elastic means and out of the low pressure end of said carrier to permit movement of said valve; 9. means within said valve for transmitting a repeating signal to continuously show the location of said valve in said pipeline; 10. said sealing means at the high pressure end of said carrier isolating the outside diameter of said elastic means from the pipeline fluid; and 11. said sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve supporting said valve when in transit and providing means for reversing the direction of movement of said valve when pressure is applied to said low pressure end of said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
387 words
A traveling pipeline valve adapted to isolate sections of a pipeline to permit location of a leak in said pipeline and to stop the flow of pipeline fluid comprising: 1. a carrier shaped to fit the inside of said pipeline and having a high pressure end and a low pressure end; 2. means for passage of said pipeline fluid through said carrier to furnish actuating power for controlling movement of said valve; 3. flow control means including a command signal actuator device for controlling the flow of said pipeline fluid through said carrier from the high pressure end thereof and an automatic actuator device preventing flow of pipeline fluid through said carrier from the low pressure end thereof; 4. means for receiving remote signals From an outside source to actuate said command signal actuator device; 5. flexible sealing means comprising a cup facing axially outwardly from the high pressure end of said carrier and a cup facing axially outwardly from the low pressure end of said carrier, said flexible sealing means each being capable of conforming to the inside diameter of said pipeline and being in constant contact with said inside diameter; 6. a flexible elastic means surrounding said carrier and between said flexible sealing means; 7. said command signal actuator device being adapted to allow pipeline fluid from the high pressure end of said carrier into said elastic means to stop and hold said valve in place within said pipeline through expansion of said elastic means by said pipeline fluid; 8. said command signal actuator device being adapted to release said pipeline fluid from said elastic means to deflate said elastic means by discharge of said pipeline fluid from said elastic means and out of the low pressure end of said carrier to permit movement of said valve; 9. means within said valve for transmitting a repeating signal to continuously show the location of said valve in said pipeline; 10. said sealing means at the high pressure end of said carrier isolating the outside diameter of said elastic means from the pipeline fluid; and 11. said sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve supporting said valve when in transit and providing means for reversing the direction of movement of said valve when pressure is applied to said low pressure end of said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A traveling pipeline valve according to claim 1 wherein said flexible elastic means is made of a hard rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for passage of said pipeline fluid through said carrier to furnish actuating power for controlling movement of said valve;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for passage of said pipeline fluid through said carrier to furnish actuating power for controlling movement of said valve;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
flow control means including a command signal actuator device for controlling the flow of said pipeline fluid through said carrier from the high pressure end thereof and an automatic actuator device preventing flow of pipeline fluid through said carrier from the low pressure end thereof;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
flow control means including a command signal actuator device for controlling the flow of said pipeline fluid through said carrier from the high pressure end thereof and an automatic actuator device preventing flow of pipeline fluid through said carrier from the low pressure end thereof;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A traveling pipeline valve according to claim 1 wherein said command signal actuator device is a solenoid valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A traveling pipeline valve according to claim 1 wherein said automatic actuator device is a check valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for receiving remote signals From an outside source to actuate said command signal actuator device;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for receiving remote signals From an outside source to actuate said command signal actuator device;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
flexible sealing means comprising a cup facing axially outwardly from the high pressure end of said carrier and a cup facing axially outwardly from the low pressure end of said carrier, said flexible sealing means each being capable of conforming to the inside diameter of said pipeline and being in constant contact with said inside diameter;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
flexible sealing means comprising a cup facing axially outwardly from the high pressure end of said carrier and a cup facing axially outwardly from the low pressure end of said carrier, said flexible sealing means each being capable of conforming to the inside diameter of said pipeline and being in constant contact with said inside diameter;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A traveling pipeline valve according to claim 1 wherein a single radio means is used for receiving the remote signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A traveling pipeline valve according to claim 1 wherein said carrier has mounted thereon housing means containing said flow control means and said means for transmitting a repeating signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
a flexible elastic means surrounding said carrier and between said flexible sealing means;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
a flexible elastic means surrounding said carrier and between said flexible sealing means;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
said command signal actuator device being adapted to allow pipeline fluid from the high pressure end of said carrier into said elastic means to stop and hold said valve in place within said pipeline through expansion of said elastic means by said pipeline fluid;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
said command signal actuator device being adapted to allow pipeline fluid from the high pressure end of said carrier into said elastic means to stop and hold said valve in place within said pipeline through expansion of said elastic means by said pipeline fluid;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
217 words
A process for isolating sections of a pipeline transporting pipeline fluid to permit location of a leak in said pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of said pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealing means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline, (4) determining the position of said valve within said pipeline, (5) determining the pressure of said pipeline fluid within the pipe section traversed by said valve, (6) contracting said flexible elastic means on said valve, and (7) reversing the direction of transport of said valve by applying pressure to a flexible sealing means on the low pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
217 words
A process for isolating sections of a pipeline transporting pipeline fluid to permit location of a leak in said pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of said pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealing means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline, (4) determining the position of said valve within said pipeline, (5) determining the pressure of said pipeline fluid within the pipe section traversed by said valve, (6) contracting said flexible elastic means on said valve, and (7) reversing the direction of transport of said valve by applying pressure to a flexible sealing means on the low pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
222 words
A process for isolating sections of a pipeline transporting pipeline fluid to permit location of a leak in said pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of said pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealIng means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) systematically stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline, (4) systematically determining the position of said valve within said pipeline, (5) systematically determining the pressure of said pipeline fluid within the pipe section traversed by said valve, (6) systematically contracting said flexible elastic means on said valve and (7) systematically reversing the direction of transport of said valve by applying pressure to a flexible sealing means on the low pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
222 words
A process for isolating sections of a pipeline transporting pipeline fluid to permit location of a leak in said pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of said pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealIng means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) systematically stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline, (4) systematically determining the position of said valve within said pipeline, (5) systematically determining the pressure of said pipeline fluid within the pipe section traversed by said valve, (6) systematically contracting said flexible elastic means on said valve and (7) systematically reversing the direction of transport of said valve by applying pressure to a flexible sealing means on the low pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
said command signal actuator device being adapted to release said pipeline fluid from said elastic means to deflate said elastic means by discharge of said pipeline fluid from said elastic means and out of the low pressure end of said carrier to permit movement of said valve;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
said command signal actuator device being adapted to release said pipeline fluid from said elastic means to deflate said elastic means by discharge of said pipeline fluid from said elastic means and out of the low pressure end of said carrier to permit movement of said valve;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
means within said valve for transmitting a repeating signal to continuously show the location of said valve in said pipeline;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
means within said valve for transmitting a repeating signal to continuously show the location of said valve in said pipeline;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
161 words
A process for stopping the flow of pipeline fluid in a pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of the pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealing means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) reversing the direction of movement of said valve by applying pressure to the flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, and (b 4) stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
161 words
A process for stopping the flow of pipeline fluid in a pipeline comprising the steps of (1) inserting into said pipeline a traveling pipeline valve, (2) transporting said valve within the interior of the pipeline by means of a differential pressure created across said valve by a flexible sealing means on the high pressure end of said valve, said flexible sealing means being in contact with the inside diameter of said pipeline and said valve being further supported when in transit by a flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, (3) reversing the direction of movement of said valve by applying pressure to the flexible sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve, and (b 4) stopping said valve and the flow of said pipeline fluid by causing the expansion of a flexible elastic means on said valve and between said flexible sealing means, by said pipeline fluid, against the inside diameter of said pipeline.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
said sealing means at the high pressure end of said carrier isolating the outside diameter of said elastic means from the pipeline fluid; and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
said sealing means at the high pressure end of said carrier isolating the outside diameter of said elastic means from the pipeline fluid; and
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
said sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve supporting said valve when in transit and providing means for reversing the direction of movement of said valve when pressure is applied to said low pressure end of said carrier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
said sealing means at the low pressure end of said valve supporting said valve when in transit and providing means for reversing the direction of movement of said valve when pressure is applied to said low pressure end of said carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |