INLINE JET-SONDE

• US 20110203394A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey S. Tinlin
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey S. Tinlin
• Inventors: Tinlin, Jeffrey S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,095,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/866.5
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0495 Nozzles propelled by fluid jets
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/00 Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/20 Flexible or articulated drilling pipes , e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A sonde, inline sonde, or inline sonde and carrier, configuration for use in troubleshooting a pipe and providing precise location of the problem includes a sonde carrier having a first end adapted to attach to a line and a second opposite end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device. A sonde transmitter having a hollow core is mounted over a line or hose or inline with the sonde carrier between the first and second ends. The sonde carrier includes means for coupling first and second body portions of the carrier together and to a high pressure water line and cleaning nozzle. Means for generating power may be included within the sonde carrier or transmitter for electrically supporting operation of the sonde transmitter. Electrical storage means may also be included to allow for operation of the sonde transmitter hardware during a non-water flow event.

Claims

1. A sonde for use in troubleshooting, evaluating, or cleaning a pipe, comprising:

a sonde housing having a generally hollow core;

a sonde transmitter operable positioned within the sonde housing;

wherein the sonde housing is mounted at least partially surrounding a hose in connection with a troubleshooting, evaluation, or cleaning device.

2. The inline sonde of claim 1 further comprising a means for powering the sonde operable connected to the sonde and positioned within the sonde carrier.

3. The inline sonde of claim 2 wherein the sonde carrier includes a first end adjacent a threaded portion of the hose and an opposite second end.

4. The inline sonde of claim 3 further comprising a stop member positioned adjacent the second end of the sonde carrier at least partially surrounding the hose such that the stop member is adapted to prevent the carrier from moving along the hose.

5. An inline sonde and carrier configuration for use in troubleshooting, evaluating or cleaning a pipe comprising:

a sonde carrier having;

a. a first end adapted to attach to a line; and

b. a second opposite end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device;

a sonde transmitter having a hollow core; and

the sonde transmitter being mounted inline with the sonde carrier between the first and second end.

6. The inline sonde of claim 5 further comprising a sleeve separating the first and second ends.

7. The inline sonde of claim 6 wherein the sonde is received inline onto the sleeve by passing the sleeve through the hollow core.

8. The inline sonde of claim 5 wherein the first end is associated with a first body portion and the second end is associated with a second body portion.

9. The inline sonde of claim 8 further comprising means for removably coupling the first and second body portions together.

10. The inline sonde of claim 5 wherein the sonde transmitter further comprises an electrochemical cell for powering transmitting hardware.

11. The inline sonde of claim 10 wherein the electrochemical cell comprises:

a. an alkaline battery;

or

b. a rechargeable battery.

12. The inline sonde of claim 5 further comprising means for generating electricity for powering the sonde transmitter.

13. The inline sonde of claim 12 further comprising the means for generating electricity in combination with:

a. the sonde carrier;

b. the sonde transmitter;

or

c. the sonde carrier and transmitter.

14. The inline sonde of claim 5 wherein the line comprises:

a. a high pressure water hose; and

/or

b. a video communication line.

15. The inline sonde of claim 5 wherein the troubleshooting device comprises:

a. cleaning nozzle; and

/or

b. a camera.

16. The inline sonde of claim 5 further comprising a centering skid at least partially surrounding the sonde carrier, the centering skid comprising a sleeve and a plurality of arms extending from the sleeve adapted to aid in positioning the sonde carrier in the center of the pipe.

17. The inline sonde of claim 16 further comprising at least one runner positioned at a end of the plurality of arms of the centering skid, the at least one runner adapted to move in contact with a wall of the pipe.

18. An inline sonde and carrier configuration for use in troubleshooting, evaluating or cleaning a pipe comprising:

a sonde carrier adapted for connection to a high pressure waterline;

a sonde transmitter adapted for inline connection to the sonde carrier; and

means for generating electricity within the sonde carrier and/or transmitter for powering the sonde transmitter, said means generating electricity using water from the high pressure waterline.

19. The inline sonde of claim 18 wherein said electricity generating means comprises:

a. a turbine;

b. an electromagnetic generator;

or

c. an induction generator.

20. The inline sonde of claim 18 further comprising means for storing generated electricity within said sonde transmitter.

21. The inline sonde of claim 18 wherein the sonde carrier further comprises a water channel for communicating water from the high pressure waterline to a cleaning nozzle, said water channel passing through a core of said sonde transmitter.

22. An inline sonde and carrier system for use in troubleshooting, evaluating or cleaning a pipe, the system comprising:

a sonde carrier having a water passageway and a first end adapted for connection to a high pressure waterline and a second opposite end adapted for connection to a nozzle; and

a sonde transmitter having a body adapted for passing the water passageway of the sonde carrier there through so as to allow the sonde transmitter to reside inline with the sonde carrier.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising a high pressure waterline connectable to the first end of the sonde carrier for providing water to the nozzle.

24. The system of claim 22 further comprising a signal locator for detecting the precise location of the sonde carrier and transmitter within the pipe.

25. The system of claim 22 further comprising means for converting water flow through the water passageway into electricity for powering the sonde transmitter.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising an energy storage subsystem for storing electricity for powering the sonde transmitter during a non-water flow event.

27. A method for operating an inline sonde and carrier combination, comprising:

providing a sonde carrier having a water passageway for communicating water between a high pressure waterline and a nozzle;

connecting a sonde transmitter inline with the sonde carrier between the waterline and the nozzle; and

communicating water through the sonde carrier and transmitter for operating the nozzle.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of electrically powering the sonde transmitter using an electrical storage device within the sonde transmitter.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of generating electricity from water flow through the water passageway for powering the sonde transmitter.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of storing generated electricity for use in powering the sonde transmitter when water is not flowing through the water passageway.

31. The method of claim 27 further comprising eliminating the risk of the sonde transmitter separating from the sonde carrier by mounting the sonde transmitter inline with the sonde carrier.

32. An apparatus for carrying a troubleshooting, evaluation or pipe cleaning device inline, the apparatus comprising:

at least one carrier having a first end for connecting to a line originating at a remote source and a second end adapted to carry a pipe evaluation, troubleshooting or cleaning device; and

at least one sonde transmitting device connected inline between the first and second ends of the carrier.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the line comprises a high pressure water line and the cleaning device comprises a high pressure nozzle.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second end of the carrier comprises a high pressure nozzle.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a first carrier and a second carrier flexibly couple together;

the first carrier adapted for connecting to the line and the second carrier adapted for connecting the troubleshooting, evaluating or cleaning device.

36. A method of determining the location of an apparatus for troubleshooting, evaluation, or pipe cleaning in a pipe, comprising:

providing an apparatus including a sonde carrier having a first end adapted to attach to a line, a second end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device, and a sleeve therebetween, and a sonde transmitter having a hollow core mounted on the carrier such that the hollow core surrounds the sleeve;

positioning the apparatus in the pipe;

sending off signals from the sonde transmitter; and

determining the location of the apparatus by receiving the signals sent off by the transmitter.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a locator to receive the signals from the sonde transmitter to determine the location.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising attaching a high pressure water line to the first end of the sonde carrier.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising moving the sonde carrier and sonde transmitter through the pipe by passing water through the high pressure water line.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising updating the location of the apparatus by continuing to receive signals sent off by the sonde transmitter.