US3835889A — Expandable pipeline plug

Claim 1

Independent Claim 189 words

Apparatus for plugging a pipeline against fluid flow comprising: a. a cylindrical axial member adapted to be placed longitudinally within a pipeline having fixedly attached to the exterior thereof a plurality of generally circular crosssection elastomeric sealing cups for engaging the entire cross-section of the pipeline, and having a bore passage therethrough; b. first valve means located in front of said cylindrical axial member and connected axially to the bore passage of said cylindrical axial member, said first valve means being closed until subjected to a predetermined fluid pressure; c. a flexible universal joint coupling located behind said cylindrical axial member and connected axially thereto; d. second valve means connected to said flexible universal joint coupling in longitudinal axial relationship, said second valve means being open until subjected to a predetermined fluid pressure; and e. differential pressure responsive anchor means connected to said second valve means in axial relationship, said anchor means containing a bore passage therethrough communicated with said second valve means so that when said second valve means is closed and a differential pressure applied to said anchor means said plugging apparatus is anchored in said pipeline.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 189 words

Apparatus for plugging a pipeline against fluid flow comprising: a. a cylindrical axial member adapted to be placed longitudinally within a pipeline having fixedly attached to the exterior thereof a plurality of generally circular crosssection elastomeric sealing cups for engaging the entire cross-section of the pipeline, and having a bore passage therethrough; b. first valve means located in front of said cylindrical axial member and connected axially to the bore passage of said cylindrical axial member, said first valve means being closed until subjected to a predetermined fluid pressure; c. a flexible universal joint coupling located behind said cylindrical axial member and connected axially thereto; d. second valve means connected to said flexible universal joint coupling in longitudinal axial relationship, said second valve means being open until subjected to a predetermined fluid pressure; and e. differential pressure responsive anchor means connected to said second valve means in axial relationship, said anchor means containing a bore passage therethrough communicated with said second valve means so that when said second valve means is closed and a differential pressure applied to said anchor means said plugging apparatus is anchored in said pipeline.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 168 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first valve means and said second valve means each comprise: a. a tubular shaped first housing, said first housing having a closed end, an open end, and an inner annular recess therein; b. a tubular shaped mandrel housing connected to said first housing, said second housing having an open bore portion therethrough, a plurality of ports through the wall, and an inner annular recess communicating with said ports; c. an inner piston mandrel located telescopically within said housings and containing an axial bore portion partially therethrough, a plurality of ports through the wall communicating with said partial bore portion, and an annular shoulder at one end adapted to slidably fit within said recessed portion of said first housing; and d. biasing means within said first housing and adapted to act against said closed end of said first housing and against said piston mandrel and tending to drive said piston mandrel into its most extended position from said first housing.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means in said first and second valves comprise a coil spring in each said valve.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 3 wherein said biasing means further comprises a compressed gas, and each of said valves further comprises seal means between said mandrel and said housings to prevent fluid or gas flow therein between.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises compressed nitrogen gas and each of said valves further comprises seal means between said mandrel and said housings to prevent flow of gas or fluid therein between.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means in said first valve exerts less force on said first valve mandrel than does said biasing means in said second valve on said second valve mandrel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

The pipeline plugging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical axial member is adapted to pull said plugging apparatus through a pipeline in response to a fluid pressure differential across said cylindrical axial member and said differential pressure responsive anchor means is arranged to provide a continuous fluidic seal in said pipeline.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 139 words

A pipeline leak locator plug capable of selectively fluidically isolating one section of pipeline from another an indefinite number of times in a repeatable sealing process said locator plug comprising: a. a first tubular member adapted to be interposed axially within a pipeline; b. a second tubular member connected to said first tubular member and also adapted to be interposed axially within a pipeline; c. means for providing motive force on said plug in response to fluid pressure in one end of the pipeline, for driving said plug down said pipeline; d. means for anchoring said plug in said pipeline in response to fluid pressure throughout the entire pipeline; and e. valve means adapted to actuate said motive means, and further adapted to deactivate said motive means and actuate said anchoring means at a predetermined location in the pipeline.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 139 words

A pipeline leak locator plug capable of selectively fluidically isolating one section of pipeline from another an indefinite number of times in a repeatable sealing process said locator plug comprising: a. a first tubular member adapted to be interposed axially within a pipeline; b. a second tubular member connected to said first tubular member and also adapted to be interposed axially within a pipeline; c. means for providing motive force on said plug in response to fluid pressure in one end of the pipeline, for driving said plug down said pipeline; d. means for anchoring said plug in said pipeline in response to fluid pressure throughout the entire pipeline; and e. valve means adapted to actuate said motive means, and further adapted to deactivate said motive means and actuate said anchoring means at a predetermined location in the pipeline.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 48 words

The locator plug of claim 8 wherein said valve means comprises two spring biased hydrostatic pressure operated telescopic mandrel valves and said seal means comprises elastomeric sealing cups attached to said first and second tubular members and sealingly contacting a full cross-section of the pipeline to be tested.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-09-16	1978-03-18	1978-09-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-09-16	1982-03-18	1982-09-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-09-16	1986-03-18	1986-09-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Expandable pipeline plug

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