Smartrepair

• US 20080255706A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TDW Offshore Services AS (T.D. Williamson)
• Original Assignee: TDW Offshore Services AS (T.D. Williamson)
• Inventors: Aleksandersen, Jostein, Syse, Harald
• Application Number:
  US12/088,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255706A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1283 Plugging pig
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/48 Indicating the position of the pig or mole in the pipe or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86566 Rotary plug

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and devices for positioning a plug train at a desired position within a pipeline with at least some gas in the fluid in the pipeline.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. Method for stopping at least one plug train, within a pipeline with at least some gas in the fluid in the pipeline at a desired location, said method comprising:

inserting the at least one plug train within the pipeline;

pigging the plug train in the pipeline by pressurizing the fluid at the back of the plug train;

locating the position of the plug train;

braking the speed of the plug train near the desired location; and

activating a gripping means to position the plug train by gripping the inner wall of the pipeline.

19. The method of claim 18 said locating of the plug train further comprising the plug train receiving a signal from a sender located outside the pipeline.

20. The method of claim 18 said locating of the plug train further comprising using an inertial navigational system located within the plug train.

21. Method according to claim 18, further comprising:

activating a tractor device within the plug train to move the plug train to the desired location.

22. Method according to claim 18, said locating the plug train further comprising:

the plug train passing a first position indicator and a second position indicator arranged outside the pipeline with a given intermediate distance;

a module within the plug train receiving a signal from the first and second indicators; and

the module calculating the traveling speed of the plug train within the pipeline.

23. Method according to claim 18, said locating the plug train further comprising:

the plug train is passing a first position indicator and a second position indicator arranged outside the pipeline with a given intermediate distance;

a module within the plug train receiving a signal from the first and second indicators; and

the module calculating the force needed to brake the plug train.

24. The method according to claim 18, said locating the plug train further comprising:

the plug train passing a first position indicator and a second position indicator arranged outside the pipeline with a given intermediate distance;

a module within the plug train receiving a signal from the first and second indicators; and

the module calculating the distance the plug train will continue to move within the pipeline after the pigging action is stopped.

25. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

pigging a second plug train after a first plug train within the pipeline;

determining the specific location within the pipeline for the first plug train;

stopping the first plug train at the desired location;

transmitting a signal between the first and second plug trains in the pipeline;

adjusting the speed of the second plug train in response to the signal; and

stopping the second plug train at a second desired location.

26. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

pigging a first plug train past a first sender and a second sender both arranged outside the pipeline;

the second sender sending a signal to the first plug train;

stopping the first plug train at the second sender;

pigging a second plug train past the first sender;

the first sender sending a signal to the second plug train; and

stopping the second plug train at the first sender.

27. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

a first and a second plug train each transmitting a signal and receiving a signal between each other;

stopping a first plug train;

the first plug train allowing fluid to pass the plug train until the second plug train is at a desired location;

the first plug train stopping the second plug train by sealing off the pipeline; and

creating a sealed area between the first and second plug trains by the second plug train sealing off the pipeline.

28. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

measuring the retardation of the braking at least twice;

calibrating the braking based on the measuring.

29. Method for determine the position of a plug train within a pipeline comprising:

providing an inertial navigational system for at least one axis; and

determining the position of the plug train using the inertial navigational system.

30. Method for stopping at least one plug train, within a pipeline at a desired location, said method comprising:

inserting the at least one plug train within the pipeline, pigging the plug train in the pipeline by pressurizing the fluid at the back of the plug train, when means for deciding the position of the plug train indicates the plug train to be at a given location;

stopping the pigging of the plug train;

activating a tractor device within the plug train;

moving the plug train to the desired position within the pipeline through use of the tractor device; and

gripping the inner wall of the pipeline.

31. A plug train for performing an activity within a pipeline at a desired location, said plug train comprising:

a means for pigging the plug train within the pipeline with at least a portion of gas in the pipeline fluid;

a means for braking the speed of the plug train when is comes a desired location;

a means for measuring speed of the plug train within the pipeline;

a means for measuring the location of the plug train within the pipeline;

a means for performing the activity within the pipeline;

a control module for operating the means within the plug train; and

a means for sealing said plug train against an inner wall of the pipeline.

32. A plug train according to claim 31, said control module comprising a means for receiving a signal.

33. A plug train according to claim 31, said control module further comprising a means for transmitting a signal.

34. A plug train according to claim 31, further comprising a pipeline tractor device for moving the plug train within the pipeline.

35. A plug train according to claim 31, further comprising a means to calibrate the effect of a means for braking during pigging.

36. A plug train according to claim 31, further comprising a plug module, a control module, a braking module, and a tractor device.

37. A plug train according to claim 36, said plug module comprising a means to allow fluid within the pipeline to pass the plug module when the plug module is set within the pipeline.

38. A plug train according to claim 36, said control module comprising an inertial navigational system for at least one axis which determines the position of the unit.