Automated pipeline pig handling system
First Claim
1. An automated pig handling system comprising:
- an outer body;
an articulated arm attached to the outer body, the articulated arm configured to connect to a pipeline pig;
a transportation assembly attached to the outer body, the transportation assembly configured to receive the pipeline pig and to move the pipeline pig to one or more of a plurality of locations on the transportation assembly;
a plurality of sensors, at least one of the sensors attached to the outer body, the plurality of sensors configured to sense parameters associated with a location of the outer body relative to a pig trap door; and
a controller comprising processing circuitry, the controller connected to the articulated arm, the transportation assembly and the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to perform pipeline pig launching or retrieval operations by controlling motion and operation of the articulated arm and the transportation assembly based on the parameters sensed by the plurality of sensors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a method. A location of an entrance to a pipeline pig launcher configured to launch a pipeline pig into a pipeline is determined by an automated pipeline pig handling system positioned at a starting location. The pipeline pig is self-aligned with the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher by the automated pipeline pig handling system. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is open. The pipeline pig is inserted by the automated pipeline pig handling system into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher. The entrance to the pipeline pig launcher is closed by the automated pipeline pig handling system after the pipeline pig is inserted into the entrance. The automated pipeline pig handling system is self-returned to the starting location after inserting the pipeline pig into the entrance to the pipeline pig launcher.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An automated pig handling system comprising:
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an outer body; an articulated arm attached to the outer body, the articulated arm configured to connect to a pipeline pig; a transportation assembly attached to the outer body, the transportation assembly configured to receive the pipeline pig and to move the pipeline pig to one or more of a plurality of locations on the transportation assembly; a plurality of sensors, at least one of the sensors attached to the outer body, the plurality of sensors configured to sense parameters associated with a location of the outer body relative to a pig trap door; and a controller comprising processing circuitry, the controller connected to the articulated arm, the transportation assembly and the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to perform pipeline pig launching or retrieval operations by controlling motion and operation of the articulated arm and the transportation assembly based on the parameters sensed by the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification