US 12,584,583 B2Granted

System for traction inside pipes, with flexible reservoir and with motorized pump for hydraulic power

AssigneesPetroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul—Ufrgs

InventorsHugo Francisco Lisboa Santos, Rafael Antônio Comparsi Laranja, Henrique Theissen Mendel, Eduardo André Perondi, Tiago Becker, Ney Robinson Salvi Dos Reis

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Abstract

The present invention provides a pulling system essentially consisting of two sets of feet (11) and a hydraulic cylinder (15). Each set is positioned on one of the sides of the hydraulic cylinder (15). The two sets of feet (11) have a self-locking mechanism. The self-locking mechanism allows each set of feet to act preferentially on one side and exert powerful forces. The invention further provides a flexible reservoir (21) capable of equalizing the pressures inside and outside the medium, allowing the operation of a hydraulic system in an environment that is subjected to any pressure value, provided that it is within the operating range of the components. In addition, the maintenance of a closed circuit ensures that no fluid contamination occurs.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for traction inside pipelines comprising:

at least one front traction module comprising:
a main hydraulic cylinder;
one or more main leg sets coupled to the main hydraulic cylinder, wherein the one or more main leg sets are configured to contact an internal surface of a pipe;
one or more guides coupled to the main hydraulic cylinder, wherein the one or more guides are configured to steer the main hydraulic cylinder within the pipe;
and
one or more auxiliary cylinders coupled to the one or more leg sets via a flexible coupling;
at least one motor pump assembly comprising one or more hydraulic pumps, the at least one motor pump assembly coupled to the at least one front traction module;
at least one manifold in fluid communication with the at least one motor pump assembly;
and
a rear traction module in fluid communication with the at least one manifold, the rear traction module comprising:
a rear main hydraulic cylinder:
one or more rear leg sets coupled to the rear main hydraulic cylinder, the one or more rear leg sets configured to contact the internal surface of the pipe;
one or more rear guides coupled to the rear main hydraulic cylinder, wherein the one or more rear guides are configured to steer the rear main hydraulic cylinder within the pipe;
and
a rear auxiliary cylinder coupled to the rear main hydraulic cylinder.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/260,137Filed 17 Dec 2021
Priority: BR 10 2020 027057 530 Dec 2020
Published: US 2024/0052962 A115 Feb 2024
Granted: 24 Mar 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

E21B 23/001
Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells: self-propelling systems or…
F16L 55/32
Of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables: being self-contained
B08B 9/049
Using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes: having self-contained propelling means for moving the cleaning devices along the…
F15B 13/027
Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors: check valves