Activation system for pipeline plug
AssigneeTDW Delaware, Inc.
InventorsPaul Giles, Humon Glenn Fardsalehi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipeline plug includes a plug body. The plug body includes an outer housing. The interior of the outer housing defines a pressure vessel. The pipeline plug includes a pressure head coupled to the plug body, a seal assembly, a gripper assembly, a movable head, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a leadscrew, the leadscrew coupled to the movable head. The actuation mechanism includes a captive nut, the captive nut positioned within the pressure vessel. The actuation mechanism includes a motor, the motor operatively coupled to the captive nut and adapted to rotate the captive nut.
Claims19
A pipeline plug adapted for insertion by a running tool through a hot tap connection and into a pipeline under a pipeline operating pressure, the pipeline plug including a pivot link connectable to the running tool, and a seal assembly and a gripper assembly located between a pressure head and a moveable head, the pipeline plug further comprising:
- an actuation mechanism including:
- a roller screw coupled to the movable head;
- a captive nut;
- a motor, annular in shape, operatively coupled to the captive nut and adapted to rotate the captive nut, the motor including a stator mechanically coupled to an outer housing of the pipeline plug and a rotor positioned radially within the stator;
- and
- a gearset comprising harmonic gearing, the gearset operatively coupled between the motor and the captive nut;
- and
- wherein a shaft of the roller screw passes through the captive nut, the gearset, and the motor;
- and wherein the shaft is axially displaceable as the captive nut rotates.
An actuation mechanism adapted for use in a pipeline plug including an outer housing and a seal assembly and a gripper assembly located between a pressure head and a movable head, the actuation mechanism comprising:
- a roller screw adapted for connection to the movable head of the pipeline plug;
- a captive nut arranged about a shaft of the roller screw;
- a motor, annular in shape and arranged about the shaft of the roller screw, the motor operatively coupled to the captive nut and adapted to rotate the captive nut, the motor including a stator mechanically coupled to the outer housing of the pipeline plug and a rotor positioned radially within the stator;
- and
- a gearset comprising harmonic gearing, the gearset arranged about the shaft of the roller screw and operatively coupled between the motor and the captive nut;
- wherein the shaft is axially displaceable as the captive nut rotates and the axial displacement causes longitudinal movement of the movable head.
A pipeline plug adapted for insertion by a running tool through a hot tap connection and into a pipeline under a pipeline operating pressure, the pipeline plug including a pivot link connectable to the running tool and further comprising:
- a seal assembly adapted to engage a pipe wall and movable between an unset position and a set position;
- an actuation mechanism adapted to move the seal assembly between the unset and the set positions, the actuation mechanism including:
- a roller screw;
- a captive nut;
- a motor operatively coupled to the captive nut, the motor being annular in shape and including a stator mechanically coupled to an outer housing of the pipeline plug and a rotor positioned radially within the stator;
- and
- a harmonic gearset operatively coupled between the motor and the captive nut;
- wherein a shaft of the roller screw passes through the captive nut, the motor, and the harmonic gearset.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.