Pipeline vehicle
AssigneeBritish Gas Corporation
InventorAndrew Smart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in-pipe vehicle for carrying out at least one operation in a pipeline. The vehicle comprises a train of modules 11-16 interlinked by suspension units 17 to allow serpentine movement through pipe bends. The vehicle train has its own internal power supply and drive mechanism in respective modules. A detector module 14 determines the presence of a service junction and a manipulative module 13 allows the vehicle to be temporarily wedged in the pipeline whilst providing rotational movement to facilitate the desired operation at the junction. This can include drilling and welding of a service pipe to the main using appropriate modules.
Claims23
A pipeline vehicle comprising a plurality of linked modules forming a self powered and self controlled train for traveling within a pipeline without external control, at least one of the modules being capable of carrying out an operation on the pipeline, at a location of a branch pipeline;
- and
- wherein a module includes a hole forming tool provided to cause an aperture to be made through or into the pipe or a lining therein, at the location of the branch.
A pipeline vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of linked modules forming a self powered and self controlled train for traveling within a pipeline without external control, at least one of the modules being capable of carrying out an operation on the pipeline;
- and
- a traction module providing the driving power for the vehicle and including drive means for varying the degree of friction between the traction module and the pipe, dependent on slippage detection.
A pipeline vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of linked modules forming a self powered and self controlled train for traveling within a pipeline without external control, at least one of the modules being capable of carrying out an operation on the pipeline;
- wherein a module includes means for heating a plastic pipe to cause a fusion joint to be effected between a main pipe or liner and a smaller diameter plastic branch pipe extending therefrom.
A method of effecting an operation on a pipeline comprising the steps of
- passing a self powered and self controlled vehicle comprising a train of modules through a main pipeline liner to automatically detect the presence of a branch pipeline;
- automatically moving the vehicle to align a module with the branch pipeline without external control;
- and
- automatically aligning a sealing module in the pipe to seat a branch pipeline liner to the main pipe liner.
A method of effecting an operation on a pipeline comprising the steps of
- passing a self powered and self controlled vehicle comprising a train of modules through the pipeline to automatically detect the presence of a branch pipeline;
- automatically moving the vehicle to align a module with the branch pipeline without external control;
- and
- forming an aperture through or into the pipe or a lining therein, at the location of the branch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.