Multi-dimensional pig including wiper disk permitting passage through
OwnerKenneth M. Knappinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure sets forth a pipeline pig which is formed of two primary dimensions and two primary components. It is made with a set of N disks where N is preferably 6, 7, or 8 and the disks are all provided with a common thickness and common diameter. The thickness is about 10% of the pipe ID while the diameter is about 105% to about 110% of pipe ID. The excess size enables wiping of the inside surface of the pipeline. Importantly, when the disks are folded back, they are spaced sufficiently along the pig so that folded back disks each individually flatten and do not overlap so that folded disks are doubled; this avoids building up the diameter excessively during transition through a small ID opening.
Claims13
A pipeline pig adapted for transmission through a pipe having a specified ID and capable of passing through a reduced ID section of pipe wherein the pipeline pig comprises:
- (a) an elongate pig body having at least N disks extending radially outwardly therefrom wherein N is a whole number integer in the rage of about 3 to about 12, wherein the pig body has a diameter of about 40% to about 50% of the pipe ID, and wherein each disk defiines an outer diameter and a width between the outer diameter and the pig body, wherein the width is about 25% to 30% of the pipe ID extending beyond the body thereof, and wherein the width is less than the spacing between the disks;
- (b) wherein said disks have a diameter of about 105% to about 110% of the pipe ID and said disks have a thickness of about 7% to about 15% of the pipe ID;
- (c) wherein said disks fold behind during forward motion of the pig against the body of said pipeline pig;
- and
- (d) wherein said disks are spaced along said body with sufficient spacing that disks do not overlap when folded back during pig passage through the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.