Multi-diameter cleaning pig

Abstract

The present invention discloses a pig with improvement in the suspension and centralization system, allowing it to behave properly in any diameter within a design range. The seals in the shape of petals and overlapping discs, responsible for the pressure differential that causes displacement of the pig inside the pipe, were designed to close gradually when necessary, until reaching the minimum internal diameter of the pipe. In this configuration, the face of the seals normally generates a lot of friction with the inner wall of the pipe, making it difficult to move. Metal wafers (11) were developed and applied to the seals to reduce friction. A coupling element (4) was also developed to interconnect the different modules of the pig allowing wide movement of the pig inside the pipe, facilitating its passage by sharp curves and inside the equipment. The pig has petal and disk type seals, mechanical centralization and cleaning module (5) and interconnecting tubes (4).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.