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US 2022/0080473 A1Published application
Pipeline pigging apparatus and methods of use
OwnerBrian Bellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved apparatus and methodologies of use for cleaning debris and contaminants from an interior surface or sidewall of a fluid-carrying conduit, such as a pipeline, are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and methodologies of use are provided, wherein the apparatus or ‘pipeline pig’ operates bi-directionally and comprises counter-rotating cleaning elements that are operative to enhance removal of debris and contaminants from the pipeline.
Claims20
An apparatus for cleaning an inner sidewall of a fluid-carrying conduit, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular shaft, having a first end and a second end;
- one or more cleaning elements, each cleaning element forming a centrally disposed hub for rotatably mounting the cleaning elements onto the shaft between the first and second end, and each hub having at least one blade extending radially therefrom and frictionally contacting the sidewall of the conduit;
- wherein when the apparatus traverses through the conduit, the frictional contact between the at least one blade and the sidewall imparts rotation of the one or more cleaning elements about the shaft to clean the sidewall of the conduit.
A method of cleaning an inner sidewall of a fluid-carrying conduit, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus for cleaning the sidewall into the conduit, the apparatus having
- a tubular shaft, having a first end and a second end;
- one or more cleaning elements, each cleaning element rotatably mounted onto the shaft between the first and second end, and each cleaning element having at least one blade extending radially therefrom for frictionally contacting the sidewall of the conduit;
- positioning the apparatus within the conduit at a first position;
- allowing fluid flow within the conduit to impart a force on the apparatus to move the apparatus to a second position within the conduit;
- wherein movement of the apparatus causes the one or more cleaning elements to frictionally engaged with the sidewall and rotate about the shaft and clean the sidewall.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.