Pipeline turbine generator

• US 9,077,220 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2013
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inline Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Billy E. Pierce, Christopher L. Kyle
• Inventors: Kyle, Christopher L., Pierce, Billy E
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US14/063,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20140117669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/02 for gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/04 for distribution of gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 3/01 for controlling, signalling, or supervising the conveyance of a product
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/09 Machines characterised by the presence of elements which are subject to variation, e.g. adjustable bearings, reconfigurable windings, variable pitch ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines

Abstract

A pipeline turbine generator for generating electric power from fluid flowing in a pipeline, the pipeline associated with, and downstream of, a wellhead, and either the pipeline including a valve proximate a chemical injection pump for the pipeline or including secondary piping inserted into the fluid line between the wellhead and a downstream facility, the secondary piping in fluid communication with the turbine and creating a secondary fluid flow path for the turbine.

Claims

1. A pipeline turbine generator for generating electricity from fluid flowing in a fluid line, the line associated with, and downstream of, a wellhead and generally proximate a chemical injection pump, the pipeline turbine generator comprising:

a turbine and associated generator, structured and sized and scaled appropriate to charge a 12-volt battery;

the turbine having retractable and extendable blades structured, in contracted configuration, to insert into and remove from a valve, the valve located on the fluid line running from the wellhead toward a downstream facility and proximate the chemical injection pump.

2. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 including blades structured to contract upon insertion into and upon extraction from the valve and to expand upon full insertion through the valve into the flow line.

3. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 including the valve located proximate an elbow of the fluid flow line.

4. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes natural gas.

5. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes sour gas.

6. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a pre-existing valve structured for insertion of an instrument into the fluid flow line.

7. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 including an electric line from the generator to a battery associated with the injection pump.

8. The pipeline turbine generator of claim 1 including an electric line from the generator to the injection pump for communicating electric power.