US 6,190,090 B1Granted

Apparatus for use in a pipeline

AssigneeTuboscope Pipeline Services Canada, Inc.

InventorsDouglas Clinton Campbell, Brian Varney

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a pipeline is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing through which pipeline fluids may enter from the rear of the housing, pass through the housing and subsequently exit from the housing. A first bonnet, having several openings, is mounted at the front of the housing on a shaft which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A second bonnet is mounted on the housing and fits over the first bonnet. The second bonnet has openings which, when aligned with the openings in the first bonnet, permit the flow of pipeline fluid out of the housing in various directions. The first bonnet is movable in relation to the second bonnet so as to vary the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets. By varying the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets, the flow of fluids through the housing is regulated so as to control the speed of the apparatus.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for use in a pipeline (1), the pipeline (1) having an interior surface in contact with the apparatus, the apparatus being propelled within the pipeline (1) by pipeline fluids flowing therein, the apparatus comprising:

a housing (3) having a front end, a back end, a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis, an entry opening adjacent the back end through which pipeline fluids may enter the housing (3) and an exit opening adjacent the front end through which pipeline fluids may exit the housing (3), the exit opening being in fluid communication with the entry opening;
means disposed peripherally of the housing (3) for sealing engagement of the housing (3) with the interior surface of the pipeline (1);
at least two bonnets (77, 82) having openings, the at least two bonnets (77, 82) extending from the front end of the housing (3);
wherein at least one of the bonnets (77) is movable in relation to another of the at least two bonnets (82);
and
means for variably aligning the openings (78, 79, 83, 84) in the bonnets (77, 82) so as to permit the exit of pipeline fluids through the exit opening, through the aligned openings and from the housing (3) at an acute angle to the vertical axis.

3 more elements

a first housing (97) having a front end and a back end;
a second housing (103) having a front end, a back end, a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis;
means disposed peripherally of the first housing (97) for sealing a first exterior annulus between the interior surface of the pipeline (1) and the first housing (97);
means disposed peripherally of the second housing (103) for sealing a second exterior annulus between the pipeline (1) and the second housing (103);
a shaft (66) mounted to the control module (139) and extending from the front end of the second housing (103) and oriented such that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second housing (103);
a first bonnet (133) of generally cylindrical shape, open at one end, mounted on the shaft (66) the first bonnet (133) having a plurality of first circumferential openings (135) disposed around its curved surface;
a second bonnet (136) of generally cylindrical shape, open at one end, mounted on the back end of the first housing (97) for fitting about the first bonnet (133), the second bonnet (136) having a plurality of second circumferential openings (137) disposed around its curved surface;
a third bonnet (112) of generally cylindrical shape, open at one end, mounted on the back end of the second housing (103), the third bonnet (112) having a plurality of third circumferential openings (113) disposed around its curved surface;
sensor means for producing first signals indicative of the speed of the apparatus;
control means responsive to the first signals to produce control signals;
drive means responsive to the control signals;
the first bonnet (133) being removable by the drive means in response to the control signals in relation to the second bonnet (136) so as to vary the degree of alignment between the first openings (135) and the second openings (137).

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.