US4170902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline inspection vehicles
Assignee: British Gas PLC
•
Filing: 1978-05-18
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Granted: 1979-10-16
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Expires: 1998-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A pipeline inspection vehicle for inspecting the internal wall of a pipeline wherein the vehicle is provided with a speed control system energized by hydraulic and turbine power obtained from pumps driven by wheels which are in engagement with the pipeline wall.
Inventors
- 👤 William Pallan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/26; F16L55/28; B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D63/00; B62D63/02; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; F17D5/02; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; F16L2101/00; F16L2101/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A pipeline vehicle for traversing a fluid-carrying pipeline comprising a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels mounted on the body for engagement with the wall of the pipeline, at least one hydraulic displacement device drivingly coupled to a respective wheel and connected in a hydraulic circuit, and means controlling flow in the hydraulic circuit thereby to control the speed of the vehicle, wherein each hydraulic displacement device is a hydraulic motor supplied with hydraulic fluid by a pump on the vehicle and wherein the pump is driven by a turbine which extracts power from the fluid in the pipeline flowing past the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A pipeline vehicle for traversing a fluid-carrying pipeline comprising a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels mounted on the body for engagement with the wall of the pipeline, at least one hydraulic displacement device drivingly coupled to a respective wheel and connected in a hydraulic circuit, and means controlling flow in the hydraulic circuit thereby to control the speed of the vehicle, wherein each hydraulic displacement device is a hydraulic motor supplied with hydraulic fluid by a pump on the vehicle and wherein the pump is driven by a turbine which extracts power from the fluid in the pipeline flowing past the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each hydraulic displacement device is a hydraulic pump which absorbs energy from the wheel to pump hydraulic fluid through a ballast valve to a reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit includes a motor which provides power for auxiliary equipment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, includes means for providing a controllable-area restriction for fluid flow in the pipeline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the controllable-area restriction means consists of a variable-diameter ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein one closed-loop system responsive to the turbine speed controls said restriction means to give coarse control of vehicle speed, and a second closed-loop system responsive to vehicle speed controls hydraulic fluid flow to give fine control of vehicle speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle to claim 6, wherein said control of hydraulic fluid flow is provided by variable-flow control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said control of hydraulic fluid flow is varied by variably dividing the flow between a ballast valve and a motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-15 | 1983-04-16 | 1983-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-15 | 1987-04-16 | 1987-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-15 | 1991-04-16 | 1991-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |