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US 12,654,251 B1Granted
Methods of using induction heating and moisture barriers to perform in-service pipeline maintenance
AssigneeWeldfit LLC
InventorsFrede J. Maxwell, Paul Gonzalez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of using induction heating and moisture barriers to seam weld tee fittings onto pipelines are disclosed herein. Benefits of the methods can include reducing the duration of the process, avoiding hazardous site conditions, and reducing the risk of hydrogen induced cracking in the circumferential fillet welds.
Claims13
A method of welding a tee fitting to a pipeline, comprising:
- providing the pipeline, wherein the pipeline includes an upstream pipeline portion, a downstream pipeline portion, and the pipeline contains a product;
- and
- providing a tee fitting, wherein the tee fitting includes two or more tee fitting pieces, including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece includes a first piece nozzle including a first piece nozzle opening, a first piece bottom edge, a first piece upstream side edge, a first piece downstream side edge, and wherein the second piece includes a second piece top edge, a second piece upstream side edge, and a second piece downstream side edge, wherein the first piece bottom edge has a shape that fits or complements the second piece top edge;
- and
- forming an upstream circumferential seam by bringing the first piece upstream side edge and the second piece upstream side edge into contact with the upstream pipeline portion, and forming a downstream circumferential seam by bringing the first piece downstream side edge and the second piece downstream side edge into contact with the downstream pipeline portion;
- and
- forming a longitudinal seam by bringing the first piece bottom edge into contact with the second piece top edge;
- and
- positioning a moisture absorbing material between the first piece nozzle opening and the pipeline;
- and
- sealing the first piece nozzle opening with a nozzle moisture barrier;
- and
- heating at least a portion of the first piece bottom edge and the second piece top edge to a longitudinal instillation temperature by induction heating;
- and
- seam welding at least a portion of the longitudinal seam;
- and
- forming an upstream moisture seal by covering the upstream circumferential seam with an upstream moisture barrier;
- or
- forming a downstream moisture seal by covering the downstream circumferential seam with a downstream moisture barrier;
- or
- any combination thereof.
18 more elements
A method of welding a tee fitting to a pipeline, comprising:
- providing the pipeline, wherein the pipeline includes an upstream pipeline portion, a downstream pipeline portion, and the pipeline contains a product;
- and
- providing a tee fitting, wherein the tee fitting includes 2 or more tee fitting pieces, including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece includes a first piece bottom edge, a first piece upstream side edge, a first piece downstream side edge, and wherein the second piece includes a second piece top edge, a second piece upstream side edge, and a second piece downstream side edge, wherein the first piece bottom edge has a shape that fits or complements the second piece top edge;
- and
- forming an upstream circumferential seam by bringing the first piece upstream side edge and the second piece upstream side edge into contact with the upstream pipeline portion, and forming a downstream circumferential seam by bringing the first piece downstream side edge and the second piece downstream side edge into contact with the downstream pipeline portion;
- and
- forming a longitudinal seam by bringing the first piece bottom edge into contact with the second piece top edge;
- and
- heating at least a portion of the first piece bottom edge and the second piece top edge to a longitudinal instillation temperature by induction heating;
- and
- seam welding at least a portion of the longitudinal seam;
- and
- forming an upstream moisture seal by covering the upstream circumferential seam with an upstream moisture barrier;
- or
- forming a downstream moisture seal by covering the downstream circumferential seam with a downstream moisture barrier;
- or
- any combination thereof.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.