Speed Control Drive Section with Failsafe Valve

• US 20110036407A1
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TDW Delaware Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TDW Delaware Incorporated
• Inventors: Laursen, Paul, Ludlow, Jed, Warkentin, Jonathan, Glass, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/38 driven by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2574 Bypass or relief controlled by main line fluid condition

Abstract

A system and method for retrieving a pipeline tool from a pipeline includes a speed control drive section that includes a primary bypass flow valve and a failsafe valve located in a central bypass flow passageway of the drive section. The failsafe valve is placed under the control of a controller. The controller is programmed to release the failsafe valve under prescribed failure conditions. An actuating means moves the failsafe valve between a normally opened positioned and a closed position in response to the controller.

Claims

1. A system for retrieving a pipeline tool from an interior space of a pipeline, the system comprising:

a speed control drive section, said speed control drive section having a bypass flow passageway and a primary bypass flow control valve;

a failsafe valve located in said bypass flow passageway; and

a retaining means for holding said failsafe valve in an opened position;

said retaining means releasing said failsafe valve in response to a prescribed failure condition.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a controller, said controller controlling said retaining means.

3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising the prescribed failure condition being at least one of a timed event and a primary bypass flow control valve failure event.

4. A system according to claim 1 further comprising said primary bypass flow control valve is a plug type valve.

5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising said failsafe valve is a butterfly type valve.

6. For retrieving a pipeline tool from an interior space of a pipeline, a speed control drive section in communication with the pipeline tool comprising:

a longitudinal body having a central bypass flow passageway and at least one external circumferential sealing element;

a primary bypass flow control valve;

a failsafe valve; and

a means for deploying said failsafe valve between a first and second position, said means being responsive to a preset value.

7. A speed control drive section according to claim 6, the preset value is a predetermined total residence time of the pipeline inspection tool within the pipeline.

8. A speed control drive section according to claim 6 further comprising a means for holding said failsafe bypass flow valve in an opened position.

9. A speed control drive section according to claim 6, said failsafe bypass flow valve is located forward said primary bypass flow valve.

10. A speed control drive section according to claim 6, the first position being an opened position as said primary bypass flow valve regulates bypass flow through said central bypass flow passageway.

11. A speed control drive section according to claim 6 further comprising said primary bypass flow valve is a plug type valve.

12. A speed control drive section according to claim 6 further comprising said failsafe valve is a butterfly type valve.

13. A method for retrieving a pipeline inspection tool from the interior space of a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a performance parameter of a pipeline inspection tool located within an interior portion of a pipeline; and

actuating a failsafe valve between an opened position and a closed position in response to a performance state of the pipeline inspection tool.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the performance state is a total residence time of the pipeline inspection tool within the pipeline greater than a predetermined total residence time.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the performance state is a failed primary bypass flow valve.