# US 10,605,397 B2 · Tool for working on the wall of a pipe and related method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,605,397 B2 - Document ID: US10605397B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/178,097 - Filed: 2018-11-01 - Published: 2019-03-07 - Granted: 2020-03-31 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-28 - Assignees: Engie - Applicants: Engie - Inventors: Benoit Acker; Maxime Lecchi; Charles Francois-Albert Fernandez; Roland Nierhoff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10605397B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/1283: {Plugging pig} - F16L 55/1612: {by means of a plug} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The tool further includes an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool, the method comprising: moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline; creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone; and acting on the zone of the wall; wherein the sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline; and wherein the tool further comprises an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seals comprise expandable and retractable sealing gaskets that are actuated in expansion to create the sealing and that are retracted after action has been taken. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable propulsion system comprises at least one adjustable component configured to make use of the movement of the fluid in order to move the tool within the pipeline. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the tool in the pipeline and the creation of the sealing are remotely controlled. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein: positioning of the tool in the pipeline is performed using an abutment placed inside the pipeline; and the method further comprises hot tapping the pipeline in order to put the abutment into place. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein: the outer portion of the segment of the pipeline is decompressed using a valve; and the method further comprises hot tapping the pipeline in order to put the valve into place. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seals are used to brake the movement of the tool by rubbing against the wall of the pipeline. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seals are used to hold the tool in position facing the zone by making contact with the wall of the pipeline. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein acting on the zone of the wall comprises making a repair with a welded patch, a repair by build-out welding, or a repair by welding on an outside surface of the pipeline. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, further comprising: decompressing the sealing lock using a valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable propulsion system comprises one or more flaps, one or more diaphragms, or one or more adjustable grids installed in the pipe segment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, further comprising: braking the tool until the pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing the zone of the wall of the pipeline. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The intervention method according to claim 1, further comprising: holding the tool in position by contact with the wall of the pipeline. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The intervention method according to claim 13, wherein holding the tool is performed by a system that is distinct from the first and second seals. ### Claim 15 An intervention tool for taking action on a wall of a fluid pipeline, the intervention tool comprising: a pipe segment configured to be positioned inside the pipeline; and first and second seals configured to create sealing between the wall of the pipeline and the pipe segment in order to isolate an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline from fluid; wherein the first and second seals are configured to be positioned in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline; and wherein the tool further comprises an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, wherein the first and second seals comprise expandable and retractable sealing gaskets. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, further comprising: a guide system configured to guide movement of the tool inside the pipeline. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The intervention tool according to claim 17, wherein the guide system comprises at least one wheel or deformable disk at each end of the pipe segment. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, further comprising: a braking system configured to brake the tool. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, further comprising: a system configured to hold the tool in position by contact with the wall of the pipeline. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The intervention tool according to claim 20, wherein the system configured to hold the tool in position is distinct from the first and second seals. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, further comprising: a system configured to enable the tool to be located and controlled remotely. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The intervention tool according to claim 15, wherein the adjustable propulsion system comprises one or more flaps, one or more diaphragms, or one or more adjustable grids installed in the pipe segment. ### Claim 24 An apparatus comprising: a pipe segment configured to be positioned inside a pipeline; first and second seals separated from each other and configured to create sealing between a wall of the pipeline and the pipe segment in order to isolate a portion of the wall of the pipeline from fluid; and an adjustable propulsion system comprising at least one adjustable component and being configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the apparatus within the pipeline.