# US 10,119,647 B2 · Variable speed pipeline pig with internal flow cavity

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,119,647 B2
- Document ID: US10119647B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/629,292
- Filed: 2017-06-21
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-24
- Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
- Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
- Inventors: Mohamed Ahmed A. Soliman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119647B2

## CPC

- F16L 55/38: driven by fluid pressure
- B08B 9/0551: {Control mechanisms therefor}
- B08B 9/0553: {Cylindrically shaped pigs}
- F16L 2101/12: Cleaning
- F16L 2101/30: Inspecting, measuring or testing
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL

## Abstract

Embodiments provide a housing defining a trailing end, a leading end and longitudinal axis extending therebetween, at least one relief channel extending longitudinally through the housing between the trailing end and the leading end thereof, the at least one relief channel defining an annular wall, a closure member disposed within the annular wall, the closure member operable to engage a first seat to prohibit fluid flow through the relief channel and operable to disengage the first seat to permit fluid flow through the relief channel, and an annular space defined between the closure member and the annular wall, the annular space exhibiting a smaller cross-section than regions of relief channel upstream and downstream of the closure member such that the annular space represents a constriction for fluid flow and the relief channel defines a venturi.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pipeline pig, comprising:
a housing defining a trailing end, a leading end and longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
at least one relief channel extending longitudinally through the housing between the trailing end and the leading end thereof, the at least one relief channel defining an annular wall;
a closure member disposed within the annular wall of each relief channel, the closure member configured to move longitudinally through the relief channel and operable to move toward the trailing end to engage a first seat to prohibit fluid flow through the relief channel and operable to move toward the leading end to disengage the first seat to permit fluid flow through the relief channel; and
an annular space defined between the closure member and the annular wall, the annular space exhibiting a smaller cross-section than regions of relief channel upstream and downstream of the closure member such that the annular space represents a constriction for fluid flow and the relief channel defines a venturi.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pipeline pig according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is further operable to engage a second seat to prohibit fluid flow through the relief channel while the closure member is disengaged from the first seat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pipeline pig according to claim 1, further comprising:
an automated controller arranged within the housing, wherein the automated controller is configured to control, independent of an external control by a user, one or more actuators in response to an internal sensor of the pipeline pig.