TOOL, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR IN-LINE INSPECTION OR TREATMENT OF A PIPELINE

• US 20150330551A1
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rontgen Technische Dienst B.V. (Applus Services SA)
• Original Assignee: Rontgen Technische Dienst B.V. (Applus Services SA)
• Inventors: VAN NIE, Ronald Antonie, EVERS, Ruud, DROOGERS, Gerrit Jan
• Granted Patent: US 10,060,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2101/30 Inspecting, measuring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/18 Appliances for use in repairing pipes F16L55/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/265 specially adapted for work at or near a junction between a main and a lateral pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/38 driven by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/40 of the body
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 57/00 Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear protection under water F16L1/123; supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 58/04 Coatings characterised by the materials used F16L58/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0234 Metals, e.g. steel
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0258 Structural degradation, e.g. fatigue of composites, ageing of oils
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02854 Length, thickness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/044 Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2636 cylindrical from inside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/043 in the interior, e.g. by shear waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/225 Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation

Abstract

A tool, method, and system for in-line inspection or treatment of a pipeline, with the tool including a first traction module on a first longitudinal end, and a second traction module on a second end. The tool includes at least one work module, such as an encoder module and/or an ultrasonic testing module, which is positioned between the first and second traction modules. A plurality of flexible connecting elements each interconnect one of the first and second traction modules for articulation to the at least one work module. Each of the first and second traction modules has at least one sealing element that causes propulsion in response to a fluid flow in a pipeline to be inspected or treated in one direction and allows relatively unhindered passing of the fluid flow in an opposite direction.

Claims

1. A tool for in-line inspection or treatment of a pipeline, including:

first and second longitudinal ends;

a first traction module on the first longitudinal end;

a second traction module on the second end;

at least one work module positioned between the first and second traction modules; and

a plurality of flexible connecting elements each interconnecting one of the first and second traction modules for articulation to the at least one work module, wherein each of the first and second traction modules has at least one sealing element adapted to cause propulsion in response to a fluid flow in a pipeline to be inspected or treated in one direction and to allow relatively unhindered passing of the fluid flow in an opposite direction, and wherein the at least on sealing element of the first traction module has an orientation functionally opposite to the at least one sealing element of the second traction module.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the first and second traction modules includes a further sealing element in addition to the at least one sealing element, which further sealing element is adapted to cause propulsion in response to a fluid flow in a pipeline to be inspected or treated in the same direction as the at least one sealing element

3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the further sealing element is positioned on a side of the at least one sealing element facing the at least one work module, and is spaced therefrom at a distance, which in length corresponds substantially to a diameter dimension of the at least one sealing element.

4. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the further sealing element is flexibly connected to the at least one sealing element by a flexible connection.

5. The tool according to claim 4, wherein the flexible connection has an inherent bias to return to a straight configuration.

6. The tool according to claim 4, wherein the flexible connection includes an elongate helical spring surrounded by an elongate metal covering, which is flexible but capable of transmitting traction forces.

7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein an outer end of at least one of the first and second traction modules, on a side of the at least one sealing element remote to the at least one work module, has a nose cone.

8. The tool according to claim 7, wherein the nose cone has a rounded tip.

9. The tool according to claim 7, wherein the nose cone has a hollow interior arranged for accommodating items of equipment.

10. The tool according to claim 7, wherein the nose cone has a longitudinal length that does not substantially exceed a value of √

(D2/4+R*D), in which D is an inner diameter of a pipeline to be inspected, and R is a radius of curvature of a smallest bend in a pipeline to be inspected or treated.

11. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sealing element of the second traction module allows the fluid flow to pass, while the at least one sealing element of the first traction module is effective to move the tool in one fluid flow direction, and vice versa in an opposite fluid flow direction, such that traction is only by the at least one sealing element that is leading in a direction of movement of the tool.

12. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sealing element includes a relatively rigid disc on a side remote from the at least one work module, and a relatively flexible disc on a side that faces the at least one work module.

13. The tool according to claim 12, wherein the relatively rigid disc has a diameter that is equal to or smaller than a diameter of the relatively flexible disc.

14. The tool according to claim 12, wherein the relatively rigid disc has radially extending tongues, wherein the relatively flexible disc has radially extending slits, and wherein the radially extending tongues at least partially overlap with the radially extending slits.

15. The tool according to claim 12, wherein the relatively flexible disc has a diameter that is equal to or smaller than a largest or average diameter of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool.

16. The tool according to claim 12, wherein the relatively rigid disc has a diameter that is smaller than a smallest diameter of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool, by an amount exceeding a thickness of the relatively flexible disc.

17. The tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flexible connecting elements includes an elongate helical spring surrounded by an elongate metal covering, which is flexible but capable of transmitting traction forces, and wherein at least one concentric bristle is connected around one longitudinal end of the elongate metal covering.

18. The tool according to claim 17, wherein a flexible tubular hose is interposed between the elongate helical spring and the elongate flexible metal covering.

19. The tool according to claim 17, wherein a further concentric bristle is connected around an opposite longitudinal end of the elongate metal covering.

20. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one work module is an encoder module arranged for measuring a travel distance of the tool in a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool.

21. The tool according to claim 20, wherein the encoder module has a substantially cylindrical body and at least one encoder wheel is mounted on an axially extending leaf-spring for movement between a radially innermost and a radially outermost position with respect to the body.

22. The tool according to claim 21, wherein the axially extending leaf-spring provides an outward bias to the at least one encoder wheel.

23. The tool according to claim 21, wherein opposite ends of the axially extending leaf-spring are each pivotally connected to a confronting axial part of the substantial cylindrical body.

24. The tool according to claim 21, wherein an additional covering leaf extends laterally from each opposite side of the axially extending leaf-spring, to prevent the encoder wheel from extending too deeply into off-takes at pipe junctions of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool.

25. The tool according to claim 21, wherein the structure of the encoder wheel mounted on an axially extending leaf-spring for radial movement between innermost and outermost positions is duplicated on a diametrally opposite side the body.

26. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one work module is an ultrasonic testing module arranged for determining wall thickness of or cracks in the wall of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool.

27. The tool according to claim 26, wherein the ultrasonic testing module includes an elongate substantially cylindrical housing for accommodating any one of transducers or multiplexers, and at least one set of centering springs on a first axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing, at least one set of centering springs includes a plurality of radially expanding wire springs.

28. The tool according to claim 27, wherein each wire spring has a first part axially extending with respect to the substantially cylindrical housing, having a free end pivotally connected to an outer circumference of the substantially cylindrical housing, and a radially extending second part with an end part pivotally connected to a rotatable ring on the first axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing.

29. The tool according to claim 28, wherein the axially extending first part and the radially extending second part of each wire spring are connected by a substantial right-angle bend.

30. The tool according to claim 28, wherein the axially extending first part and the radially extending second part of each wire spring are curved.

31. The tool according to claim 30, wherein the axially extending first part is outwardly curved to define an enclosing outer contact diameter that corresponds to an inner diameter of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool, thereby ensuring that a longitudinal axis of the substantially cylindrical housing is concentric with the inner pipeline diameter.

32. The tool according to claim 27, wherein the structure of a set of centering springs including a plurality of radially expanding wire springs, each having an axially extending first part pivotally connected to the substantially cylindrical housing, and a radially extending second part connected to a rotatable ring, is duplicated on an opposite second axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing.

33. The tool according to claim 26, wherein the ultrasonic testing module is pressure compensated by an oil filling.

34. An ultrasonic testing module for an in-line inspection or treatment tool, such as the tool of claim 1, arranged for determining wall thickness of or cracks in the wall of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool, wherein the ultrasonic testing module includes an elongate substantially cylindrical housing for accommodating any one of transducers or multiplexers, and at least one set of centering springs on a first axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing, at least one set of centering springs includes a plurality of radially expanding wire springs.

35. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 34, wherein each wire spring has a first part axially extending with respect to the substantially cylindrical housing, having a free end pivotally connected to an outer circumference of the substantially cylindrical housing, and a radially extending second part with an end part pivotally connected to a rotatable ring on the first axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing.

36. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 35, wherein the axially extending first part and the radially extending second part of each wire spring are connected by a substantial right-angle bend.

37. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 35, wherein the axially extending first part and the radially extending second part of each wire spring are curved.

38. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 37, wherein the axially extending first part is outwardly curved to define an enclosing outer contact diameter that corresponds to an inner diameter of a pipeline to be inspected or treated by the tool, thereby ensuring that a longitudinal axis of the substantially cylindrical housing is concentric with the inner pipeline diameter.

39. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 34, wherein the structure of a set of centering springs including a plurality of radially expanding wire springs, each having an axially extending first part pivotally connected to the substantially cylindrical housing, and a radially extending second part connected to a rotatable ring, is duplicated on an opposite second axial end of the substantially cylindrical housing.

40. The ultrasonic testing module according to claim 34, wherein the ultrasonic testing module is pressure compensated by an oil filling.

41. A system including a tool according to claim 1, and a pipeline having a longitudinal pipe axis, and at least one bend therein with a radius of curvature of the longitudinal pipe axis that is substantially the same dimension as a diameter of the pipeline at the at least one bend, wherein when at least one of the first and second traction modules is positioned in the at least one bend, the at least one sealing element of that at least one first or second traction module remains substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal pipe axis.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein an outer end of the relevant at least one first or second traction module, on a side of the at least one sealing element remote to the at least one work module, has a nose cone that is in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of the at least one bend.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the nose cone has a rounded tip.

44. The system according to claim 42, wherein the nose cone has a longitudinal length that does not exceed a value of √

(D2/4+R*D), in which D is an inner diameter of the pipeline, and R is a radius of curvature of the at least one bend.

45. A method of inspecting a pipeline, including:

providing the tool of claim 1;

introducing the tool into the pipeline;

causing the tool to be propelled in response to a fluid flow generated in the pipeline in a first direction;

collecting and recording data with respect to position and wall thickness of or cracks in the wall of the pipeline during propelling in the first direction;

generating a fluid flow opposite to the first direction causing the tool to move in a second direction;

collecting and recording data with respect to position and wall thickness of or cracks in the wall of the pipeline during propelling in the second direction;

removing the tool from the pipeline;

retrieving the collected and recorded data from the tool; and

processing and analyzing the collected and recorded data to determine and identify locations of the pipeline in need of treatment.