US3695301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for pipeline testing
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an apparatus and method of freezing a section of fluid-filled pipeline. The apparatus disclosed herein consists of a cylindrical body which is pumped down the pipeline to the section to be frozen. The body so positioned reduces the volume of fluid required to be frozen while shaped discs attached to each end of the body prevents fluid circulation. Also disclosed is a tank positioned around the exterior of the pipe line which contains refrigerants to freeze the fluid within the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Forrest C Pittman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/103; G01M3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for use in freezing the fluid within a short section of a fluid-filled pipeline, which comprises: a. an elongated cylindrical body adapted to be positioned within said pipeline at said short section, said body having an annular, resilient disc at each end thereof, said discs contacting said pipeline forming a fluid-filled chamber between said pipeline and said body; and b. refrigerating means positioned at said short section around the exterior of said pipeline, said means operative to freeze the fluid in said fluid-filled chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for use in freezing the fluid within a short section of a fluid-filled pipeline, which comprises: a. an elongated cylindrical body adapted to be positioned within said pipeline at said short section, said body having an annular, resilient disc at each end thereof, said discs contacting said pipeline forming a fluid-filled chamber between said pipeline and said body; and b. refrigerating means positioned at said short section around the exterior of said pipeline, said means operative to freeze the fluid in said fluid-filled chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical body is filled with insulating material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cylindrical body of claim 2 wherein said insulating material is urethane rigid foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body includes concave ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body includes transmitting means thereon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for freezing the fluid in a section of pipeline, which comprises: a. a plurality of cylindrical bodies each connected to another in tandem, said bodies adapted to be positioned in said section of said pipeline, said bodies including resilient annular discs positioned at each end of each of said bodies; and b. refrigerating means adapted to be positioned around said section of said pipeline, said refrigerating means operative to freeze said fluid trapped between said resilient discs.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for freezing the fluid in a section of pipeline, which comprises: a. a plurality of cylindrical bodies each connected to another in tandem, said bodies adapted to be positioned in said section of said pipeline, said bodies including resilient annular discs positioned at each end of each of said bodies; and b. refrigerating means adapted to be positioned around said section of said pipeline, said refrigerating means operative to freeze said fluid trapped between said resilient discs.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of freezing fluid in a section of pipeline which comprises the steps of: a. positioning at least one cylindrical body having resilient annular outwardly projecting discs at each end thereof in said pipeline at said section thereof, said dIscs enclosing an annular space between said at least one body and said pipeline; b. positioning refrigerating means around said pipeline at said section thereof; and c. freezing fluid in said annular space by introducing refrigerants into said refrigerating means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of freezing fluid in a section of pipeline which comprises the steps of: a. positioning at least one cylindrical body having resilient annular outwardly projecting discs at each end thereof in said pipeline at said section thereof, said dIscs enclosing an annular space between said at least one body and said pipeline; b. positioning refrigerating means around said pipeline at said section thereof; and c. freezing fluid in said annular space by introducing refrigerants into said refrigerating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 further characterized by the additional step of circulating chilled fluids through said refrigerating means to maintain freezing temperatures in said annular space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said chilled fluids is a calcium chloride solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said refrigerants are CO2 ice and alcohol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said refrigerants are CO2 ice and acetone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3041850A
Cited
US3561490A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |