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US 12,590,594 B2Granted
Pipeline actuation system
OwnerEdward G. Holtgraverinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system using pipeline fluid pressure to provide fluid pressure to an actuator which controls the opening and closing of a pipeline valve, without exhausting pipeline media to the atmosphere.
Claims16
A system for pressurizing an actuator which is operable to open and close a pipeline valve disposed within a pipeline carrying pressurized media, the system comprising:
- a pressure tank in open communication with said pipeline, said pressure tank containing hydraulic fluid;
- a four-way valve in open communication with said pressure tank and in open communication with said actuator;
- a return tank in open communication with said four-way valve;
- a pump operatively connected to said return tank;
- whereby pressurized media from said pipeline enters said pressure tank and drives hydraulic fluid from said pressure tank through said four-way valve and into said actuator to actuate the opening or closing of said pipeline valve;
- and
- whereby hydraulic fluid is exhausted from said actuator, through said four-way valve and into said return tank, and
- whereby said pump operates to pump hydraulic fluid from said return tank to said pressure tank.
5 more elements
A method for pressurizing an actuator which is operable to open and close a pipeline valve disposed within a pipeline carrying pressurized media, the method comprising:
- providing a pressure tank in open communication with said pipeline, said pressure tank containing hydraulic fluid;
- providing a four-way valve in open communication with said pressure tank and in open communication with said actuator;
- providing a return tank in open communication with said four-way valve;
- providing a pump operatively connected to said return tank;
- introducing pressurized media from said pipeline into said pressure tank such that it drives hydraulic fluid from said pressure tank through said four-way valve and into said actuator to actuate the opening or closing of said pipeline valve;
- and
- exhausting hydraulic fluid from said actuator, through said four-way valve and into said return tank, and
- using said pump to pump hydraulic fluid from said return tank to said pressure tank.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.