Multi-function pipeline weld removal apparatus
OwnerG. Gregory Penzainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipeline and tubular structure renovation apparatus facilitates rapid and economical removal of protrusions into the interior of pipelines and other tubular structures, particularly gas pipelines having excess weld or devices such as nipples, etc. The apparatus consists of a generally cylindrical carriage mounted on wheels or skids which substantially center the apparatus within a pipeline; a clamping device to clamp the carriage in position; and a centrifugal tool head which may perform grinding, cleaning, polishing and other operations. Grinding may be accomplished in both radial and plunge cutting modes. The apparatus is robust and of simple and economical construction. Weld removal speed is considerably faster than that achieved by conventional precision grinding tools.
Claims15
A method for renovating a pipeline having protruding weld metal within said pipeline, said method comprising:
- a) inserting a pipeline renovation apparatus into said pipeline, said apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical carriage having a maximum dimension transverse to its cylindrical axis less than the diameter of said pipeline;
- a plurality of transport facilitating and centering devices positioned such that at least upon application of power to said carriage the cylindrical axis of said carriage and the cylindrical axis of said pipeline substantially coincide;
- at least one activatable clamping device which when activated exerts sufficient force between the interior surface of said pipeline and said carriage to substantially prevent rotation of said carriage about its cylindrical axis;
- at least one power driven centrifugal tool head comprising a plurality of radially extendable shoes, an outer radial surface of said shoes defining a substantially circular shape having a diameter less than D, the center of said substantially circular shape substantially coinciding with the cylindrical axis of said pipeline when said cylindrical axis of said carriage and said cylindrical axis of said pipeline substantially coincide, said radially extendable shoes held to said diameter less than D by a spring force capable of being overcome by centrifugal force at a predetermined rotational speed such that upon rotation faster than said predetermined rotational speed, said shoes expand radially to an extended diameter equal to or greater than D such that an outer surface of said shoes or a tool affixed to said outer surface contacts the interior wall of said pipeline, said centrifugal tool head of said apparatus comprising a centrifugal grinding tool head, said pipeline renovation apparatus connected to one or more power sources suitable for providing power to power driven components of said apparatus, said centrifugal grinding tool head attached through the intermediary of a rotatable swivel to a cable sufficient to pull said renovation apparatus through a pipeline in need of renovation;
- b) inserting a pipeline observation means proximate to said renovation apparatus;
- c) positioning said renovation apparatus proximate a protruding weld by pulling said apparatus through said pipeline;
- d) clamping said renovation apparatus in said pipeline such that substantial rotation of said carriage in response to a rotational force generated by said grinding tool contacting said pipeline is prevented;
- e) applying power to said power source for said power driven centrifugal tool head such that said tool head rotates, said shoes expand and an abrasive surface of said shoes contacts said weld, grinding said weld, thereby reducing the amount of weld protruding into said pipeline;
- f) monitoring the depth of protruding weld;
- g) terminating said grinding when said protruding weld is substantially removed;
- h) unclamping said renovation apparatus;
- i) repositioning said apparatus such that a further protruding weld may be removed;
- and
- j) repeating at least steps d) through i) until the desired number of protruding welds have been removed.
A process for removing unwanted obstructions from within a pipeline having an internal diameter, said process comprising
- a) positioning a pipeline renovation apparatus proximate said obstruction, wherein said pipeline renovation apparatus has disposed thereon a centrifugally expandable obstruction removal tool having an outside diameter at rest less than said pipeline inner diameter, said expandable obstruction removal tool rotatingly driven such that said expandable obstruction removal tool can expand to said inside diameter of said pipeline;
- b) driving said expandable obstruction removal tool to form an expanded tool having an outside diameter greater than the diameter at rest;
- c) contacting said obstruction with said expanded tool;
- and
- d) removing some or all of said obstruction by an obstruction removal action of said tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.