(19)
(11)EP 2 746 638 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
27.02.2019 Bulletin 2019/09

(21)Application number: 13188397.7

(22)Date of filing:  11.10.2013
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F16L 55/48(2006.01)
H01H 23/00(2006.01)
F16J 15/02(2006.01)
F16J 15/06(2006.01)
H01H 1/00(2006.01)
B08B 9/027(2006.01)
G01D 13/00(2006.01)

(54)

Pipeline pig signal trigger cavity seal

Hohlkammerdichtung für Rohrmolchsignalauslöser

Joint à cavité pour contact de passage de racleurs de pipeline


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 06.11.2012 US 201213669989

(43)Date of publication of application:
25.06.2014 Bulletin 2014/26

(60)Divisional application:
19151750.7

(73)Proprietor: TDW DELAWARE, INC.
Wilmington Delaware 19801 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • Klemm, Nathan
    Tulsa, OK Oklahoma 74112 (US)
  • Logan, Matt
    Broken Arrow, OK Oklahoma 74014 (US)
  • Vaughn, Michael
    Ketchum, OK Oklahoma 74349 (US)

(74)Representative: inCompass IP Europe Limited 
51 Paddock Mead
Harlow, Essex CM18 7RR
Harlow, Essex CM18 7RR (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
US-A- 5 263 220
US-A1- 2008 276 859
US-A- 5 279 251
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Background



    [0001] This invention relates generally to signals mounted on pipelines and used to indicate the passage of pipeline pigs. More particularly, the invention relates to pipeline pig signals that make use of magnet arrangements to trigger the release of a spring-loaded indicator flag. This type of pig signal is commonly referred to as a magnetic intrusive pig signal. An example of this type of signal is described in US 7,861,665 to Rankin.

    [0002] A magnetic intrusive pig signal typically includes a plug assembly and nipple combination, or a plug assembly and flange combination, that places the nipple in fluid communication with the interior of the pipeline. An o-ring or other equivalent sealing means is used to contain the pipeline pressure. Located within a cavity of the plug assembly is a trigger mechanism having polar opposite magnets. The trigger mechanism is in communication with the release mechanism of an indicator assembly that includes a flag or other device that indicates the passage of a pipeline pig. As a pipeline pig moves along the interior of the pipeline and past the magnetic intrusive pig signal, the pig urges against the trigger. This causes the lower magnet of the trigger mechanism to travel upward toward the upper magnet. As the upper magnet is repelled by the lower magnet, its mounting shaft urges against a release mechanism which activates the flag of the indicator assembly.

    [0003] Although magnetic intrusive pig signals provide a number of advantages, this type of signal can be negatively affected from time-to-time by ferromagnetic debris such as metal flakes which are attracted to the lower repulsive magnet of the trigger mechanism. The debris can cause the trigger mechanism to jam because of the close fit and tolerances within the trigger cavity. Additionally, heavy waxy sludge sometimes enters the cavity and causes the trigger mechanism to jam. This can be particularly troublesome in the magnet area of the trigger cavity.

    [0004] US5279251 discloses a pipeline pig signal having a trigger in communication with an interior space of a pipeline, the pipeline pig signal comprising: a trigger cavity internal to the pipeline pig signal and housing at least a portion of the trigger; a sealing means located toward an end of the trigger cavity and above the housed portion of the trigger, the sealing means arranged to prevent the debris from entering a portion of the trigger cavity located above the sealing means.

    [0005] US5263220 discloses a pipeline pig signal in which a seal sleeve provides pressure isolation so that fluid in the pipeline does not penetrate into the tool and seal rings prevent leakage of pipeline fluid past the seal sleeve.

    [0006] The prior art uses fluid sealing means hampering the pipeline fluid to pass through the sealing means and enter a portion of the trigger cavity located above the sealing means.

    General



    [0007] A pipeline pig signal made according to this invention has a trigger cavity internal to the signal which houses at least a portion of a trigger that protrudes into an interior space of the pipeline. A sealing means is located toward a lower end of the trigger cavity and above the housed portion of the trigger. The sealing means prevents pipeline debris from entering a portion of the trigger cavity located above the sealing means.

    [0008] The sealing means move between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. This movement may come in the form of flexing to maintain fluid containment in the magnet area portion of the trigger cavity. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.

    [0009] Objects of this invention are to (1) prevent ferromagnetic debris, dirt, heavy waxy sludge, and other contaminants from entering the magnet area of magnetic intrusive pig signal's trigger cavity; and (2) provide a sealing means that can be installed in and used to retrofit existing pig signal designs.

    [0010] The invention is characterized in that the sealing means is arranged to filter debris from a pipeline fluid, but permit the pipeline fluid to pass through the sealing means and enter a portion of the trigger cavity located above the sealing means.

    Brief Description of the Drawings



    [0011] 

    FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a pig signal which includes a trigger cavity sealing means not made according to this invention. The sealing means includes a rubber boot having convolutes which provides containment of a pre-injected, incompressible fluid that prevents any pipeline product, debris and sludge from entering the magnet area of the trigger cavity.

    FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a pig signal which includes an embodiment of a trigger cavity sealing means made according to this invention. The sealing means includes a sliding filter pack which allows fluid to pass through it - while blocking debris - as the trigger mechanism strokes up and down as a pipeline pig passes the signal.

    FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the sliding filter pack of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 4A is a cross-section view of another pig signal not made according to this invention, shown in its relaxed or non-triggered state. The sealing means includes a sliding piston.

    FIG. 4B is a cross-section view of the pig signal of FIG. 4A in its triggered state. The sliding piston moves downward in response to the signal being triggered.

    FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of yet another pig signal not made according to this invention.

    FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the pig signal of FIG. 5 taken along section line 5-5. The sealing means includes a sliding shelf design.

    FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the sliding shelf of FIG. 6.

    FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the sliding shelf of FIG. 6 taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

    FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the magnet holder of the pig signal of FIG. 5.

    FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the magnet holder of FIG. 5 taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

    FIG. 11 is still yet another pig signal not made according to this invention. The sealing means is a sliding piston design.


    Elements and element numbering used in the drawings and detailed description



    [0012] 
    20 Pipeline pig signal 91 Filter pack
    22 Indicator assembly 93 Filtering material
    24 Plug assembly 95 Plastic washers
    26 Nipple/lower body 97 Flow-through holes
    27 Inner wall of 29 101 Sliding piston
    28 Internal cavity/trigger cavity 103 Shaft
    29 Magnet area 105 Magnet holder
    30 Trigger 107 Inner O-ring
    31 Lower end 109 Outer O-ring
    32 First magnet 111 Bleed screw
    33 O-ring 121 Floating shelf
    35 Plunger 123 Wear ring
    37 Lower end 125 Wear ring
    38 Groove 127 Inner O-ring
    39 Wall of 35 129 Outer O-ring
    40 Flag 131 O-ring washer
    44 Indicator assembly body 133 Outer circumferential surface
    48 Second O-ring 135 O-ring
    50 Set screws 137 Ring back-up
    56 Second magnet 141 Sliding piston
    57 Upper end 143 Inner O-ring
    71 Shaft 145 Outer O-ring
    73 Magnet holder 147 Shaft
    80 Sealing means 149 Magnet holder
    81 Seal 151 Bleed screw
    83 Upper end    

    Detailed Description



    [0013] Each pig signal depicted herein includes a sealing means which prevents ferromagnetic debris, dirt, heavy waxy sludge and other contaminants from entering the magnet area of the signal.

    [0014] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, a pipeline pig signal 20 is illustrated which includes an indicator assembly 22 received by and releaseably secured to a plug assembly 24. The pig signal is mounted to a pipeline and the indicator assembly 22 positioned in a desired clock orientation relative to the plug assembly 24 so that flag 40, when released, is visible to a pipeline operator. Set screws 50 engage a groove 38 and, when tightened against the groove, hold signal 20 in the desired orientation. (Each pipe signal described herein provides this adjustable orientation means).

    [0015] Plug assembly 24 receives a nipple or lower body 26 which, in turn, receives a trigger 30. Once pig signal 20 is secured to a pipeline, trigger 30 extends into the interior of the pipeline, thereby placing the interior cavity 28 of the lower body 26 in fluid communication with the interior of the pipeline. Pipeline pressure within the plug assembly 24 may be sealed off using an O-ring 33 or equivalent sealing means. O-ring 33 can include a back-up ring 137, preferably made of a TEFLON or equivalent material. A second O-ring 48 may be included which provides a seal between the nipple 26 and indicator assembly body 44 to prevent moisture and debris from entering the interior of the indicator assembly body 44 and causing corrosion or contamination of the release mechanism for flag 40. Alternatively, a breathable seal may be used in place of O-ring 48.

    [0016] Trigger 30 resides within the internal cavity 28 of lower body 26. This internal cavity 28, which is fluid filled and may also be referred to as the trigger cavity 28, has a first magnet 32 located toward its lower end 31 and a second magnet 56 located toward its upper end 57. The area above first magnet 32 and below second magnet 56 is, for descriptive purposes, the magnet area 29 of trigger cavity 28. The magnets 32, 56 are opposite in polarity to one another.

    [0017] As the pig moves along the pipeline and past the pipeline pig signal 20, the pig urges against the trigger 30 and causes the trigger 30 to move in axially upward within the plug assembly 24 and, therefore, the first magnet 32 to move between a first and second position toward the second magnet 56. As first magnet 32 moves toward second magnet 56, the second magnet 56 moves between a first and second position, upward and away from the first magnet 32. As the second magnet 56 continues its upward travel, flag 40 is released and pivoted into its activated position.

    [0018] To prevent pipeline product, debris, and sludge from entering the trigger cavity 28, and particularly from entering the magnet area 29, sealing means 80 are provided toward the lower end 31 of the trigger cavity 28. Sealing means 80 may be a seal 81 which contains a pre-injected fluid (incompressible to balance pipeline pressure). Seal 81 prevents any pipeline product, debris and sludge from entering the magnet area 29 of the trigger cavity 28.

    [0019] Seal 81 is preferably complementary in shape to the plunger 35 that moves the first magnet between the first and second position when a pipeline pig encounters trigger 30. In a preferred embodiment, plunger 35 is a frusto-conical shaped plunger whose lower end 37 urges against the opposing upper end 83 of seal 81, causing seal 81 to flex in sealing engagement with the opposing interior wall surface 27 of the trigger cavity 28 and the wall 39 of plunger 35. This flexing helps to maintain fluid containment in the magnet area 29. Seal 81 remains in sealing engagement as the plunger 35 moves between the first and second positions. No pipeline product, debris or sludge can pass through seal 81 and enter the magnet area 29. In another embodiment, seal 81 is a polymer or rubber boot with convolutes.

    [0020] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 disclosing an embodiment of the invention, the sealing means 80 is a sliding filter pack 91 arranged about the shaft 71 of magnet holder 73. Preferably, filter pack 91 is a stack of felt-type fabric layers 93 located between plastic washers 95 having flow-through holes 97. This arrangement allows pipeline fluid to pass through the filter pack 91 but not debris and sludge as plunger 35 moves between the first and second positions as trigger 30 is activated.

    [0021] FIGS. 4A & B illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of sealing means 80, namely, a sliding piston 101. Sliding piston 101 is arranged about the shaft 103 of magnet holder 105. When pig signal 20 is triggered, the piston 101 slides downward as the magnet 32 moves upward. A pair of inner and outer O-rings 107, 109 provide, respectively, sealing means against the shaft 103 and the inner wall 27 of the fluid-filled magnet area 29. A bleed screw 111 allows insertion of fluid in area 29. The magnet area 29 is pre-filled with fluid and bleed screw 111 is used to bleed off the fluid until it reaches a desired level.

    [0022] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 10, sealing means 80 is a floating shelf 121. The shelf 121 includes an external O-ring 135 with optional ring back-up 137 preferably made of TEFLON or equivalent material. A wear ring 123 is positioned to surround the shaft 103 of magnet holder 105 and a wear ring 125 is positioned about the outer circumferential surface 133 of shelf 121. An inner O-ring 127 provides sealing means between shaft 103 shelf 121. An outer O-ring 129 provides sealing means between shelf 121 and the inner wall 27 of fluid-filled magnet area 29. When pig signal 20 is triggered, the floating shelf 121 moves downward as the magnet 32 moves upward. A bleed screw 111 controls the amount of fluid in area 29. An O-ring washer 131 provides sealing means for the screw 111.

    [0023] Last, FIG. 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment in which sealing means 80 is an inverted sliding piston 141. As with the other sliding designs, when pig signal 20 is triggered, piston 141 moves downward as the magnet 32 moves upward. A pair of inner and outer O-rings 143, 145 provide, respectively, sealing means against the shaft 147 of the magnet holder 149 and the inner wall 27 of the fluid-filled magnet area 29. A bleed screw 151 operates similar to that of bleed screw 111.

    [0024] The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims, including elements of the claims which a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider to be equivalent to, or no more than a trivial difference relative to, the elements listed in the claims.


    Claims

    1. A pipeline pig signal (20) having a trigger (30) able to be put in communication with an interior space of a pipeline, the pipeline pig signal comprising:

    a trigger cavity (28) internal to the pipeline pig signal (20) and housing at least a portion of the trigger (30);

    a sealing means (91) located toward an end (31) of the trigger cavity (28) and above the housed portion of the trigger (30), the sealing means (91) being arranged to prevent the debris from entering a portion of the trigger cavity (28) located above the sealing means (91), the sealing means (91) being characterized in that it is arranged to filter debris from a pipeline fluid, but permit the pipeline fluid to pass through the sealing means (91) and enter a portion of the trigger cavity (28) located above the sealing means (91).


     
    2. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 1 further comprising the sealing means (91) moving between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger (30) moving between a non-triggered and triggered position.
     
    3. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 1 wherein the sealing means is a filter arrangement (91).
     
    4. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 3 wherein the filter arrangement (91) is a stack of felt washers (93) placed adjacent to one another.
     
    5. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 1 further comprising the pig signal (20) including at least one magnet (32/56) in the portion of the trigger cavity (28) located above the sealing means (80).
     
    6. A pipeline pig signal (20) according to claim 3, including a filter arrangement (91) housed within the trigger cavity (28) and located below a magnet area (29) of the trigger cavity (28).
     
    7. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 4 further comprising the two or more felt washers (93) being located between a pair of plastic washers (95) having flow-through holes (97).
     
    8. A pipeline pig signal according to claim 3 further comprising the filter arrangement (91) being located between a pair of plastic washers (95) having flow-through holes (97).
     
    9. A pipeline pig signal (20) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is further a filter arrangement (91) including a stack of two or more felt washers (93) sized to span a width of the trigger cavity (28) and placed adjacent to one another and sandwiched between a pair of plastic washers (95) having flow-through holes (97), one of the plastic washers (95) in the pair being located at the uppermost end of the filter arrangement (91) and the other plastic washer (95) in the pair being located at the lowermost end of the filter arrangement (91), the filter arrangement (91) being located toward a lower end of the trigger cavity (28) and above the housed portion of the trigger (30) and arranged to prevent pipeline debris from entering a portion of the trigger cavity (28) located above the filter arrangement (91) but permitting pipeline fluid to pass through the filter arrangement (91) and enter the portion.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Pipeline-Molch-Signal (20), das einen Auslöser (30) aufweist, der mit einem Innenraum der Pipeline in Verbindung gebracht werden kann, wobei das Pipeline-Molch-Signal umfasst:

    eine Auslöser-Kavität (28) innerhalb des Pipeline-Molch-Signals (20), in der mindestens ein Teil des Auslösers (30) aufgenommen ist;

    ein Dichtmittel (91), das sich in Richtung zu einem Ende (31) der Auslöser-Kavität (28) und oberhalb des aufgenommenen Teils des Auslösers (30) befindet,

    wobei das Dichtmittel (91) so angeordnet ist, die Rückstände daran zu hindern, in einen Teil der oberhalb der Dichtmittel (91) befindlichen Auslöser-Kavität (28) einzudringen,

    wobei das Dichtmittel (91) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass es so angeordnet ist, Rückstände aus einem Pipeline-Fluid zu filtern, dem Pipeline-Fluid jedoch zu erlauben, das Dichtmittel (91) zu durchqueren und in einen Teil der oberhalb des Dichtmittels (91) befindlichen Auslöser-Kavität (28) einzudringen.


     
    2. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 1, weiter umfassend das Bewegen des Dichtmittels (91) zwischen einer ersten Dichtposition und einer zweiten Dichtposition als Reaktion auf das Bewegen des Auslösers (30) zwischen einer nicht-ausgelösten und einer ausgelösten Position.
     
    3. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 1, worin das Dichtmittel eine Filteranordnung (91) ist.
     
    4. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 3, worin die Filteranordnung (91) ein Stapel Filzscheiben (93) ist, die nebeneinander platziert sind.
     
    5. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 1, weiter umfassend das Molch-Signal (20) beinhaltend mindestens einen Magneten (32/56) in dem Teil der oberhalb des Dichtmittels (80) befindlichen Auslöser-Kavität (28).
     
    6. Pipeline-Molch-Signal (20) nach Anspruch 3 beinhaltend eine Filteranordnung (91), die innerhalb der Auslöser-Kavität (28) angeordnet ist und sich unterhalb eines Magnetbereichs (29) der Auslöser-Kavität (28) befindet.
     
    7. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 4, weiter umfassend die zwei oder mehr Filzscheiben (93), die sich zwischen einem Paar Kunststoffscheiben (95) mit Durchflussöffnungen (97) befinden.
     
    8. Pipeline-Molch-Signal nach Anspruch 3, weiter umfassend die Filteranordnung (91), die sich zwischen einem Paar Kunststoffscheiben (95) mit Durchflussöffnungen (97) befindet.
     
    9. Pipeline-Molch-Signal (20) nach Anspruch 1, worin das Dichtmittel weiter eine Filteranordnung (91) beinhaltend einen Stapel von zwei oder mehr Filzscheiben (93) ist, die so bemessen sind, sich über die Breite der Auslöser-Kavität (28) zu erstrecken, und nebeneinander platziert und sandwichartig zwischen einem Paar Kunststoffscheiben (95) mit Durchflussöffnungen (97) angeordnet sind, wobei sich eine der Kunststoffscheiben (95) des Paars am obersten Ende der Filteranordnung (91) und die andere Kunststoffscheibe (95) des Paars am untersten Ende der Filteranordnung (91) befindet, wobei die Filteranordnung (91) sich in Richtung zu einem unteren Ende der Auslöser-Kavität (28) und oberhalb des aufgenommenen Teils des Auslösers (30) befindet und so angeordnet ist, Pipeline-Rückstände daran zu hindern, in einen Teil der oberhalb der Dichtmittel (91) befindlichen Auslöser-Kavität (28) einzudringen, einem Pipeline-Fluid jedoch zu erlauben, die Filteranordnung (91) zu durchqueren und den Teil einzudringen.
     


    Revendications

    1. Passage de racleurs de pipeline (20) ayant un contact (30) pouvant être mis en communication avec un espace intérieur d'un pipeline, le passage de racleurs de pipeline comprenant :

    une cavité pour contact (28) interne au passage de racleurs de pipeline (20) et logeant au moins une partie du contact (30) ;

    un dispositif d'étanchéité (91) se trouvant en direction d'une extrémité (31) de la cavité pour contact (28) et au-dessus de la partie logée du contact (30), le dispositif d'étanchéité (91) servant à empêcher les débris de pénétrer dans une partie de la cavité pour contact (28) se trouvant au-dessus du dispositif d'étanchéité (91), le dispositif d'étanchéité (91) étant caractérisé en ce qu'il sert à filtrer des débris provenant d'un fluide de pipeline, mais permet au fluide de pipeline de traverser le dispositif d'étanchéité (91) et de pénétrer dans une partie de la cavité pour contact (28) se trouvant au-dessus du dispositif d'étanchéité (91).


     
    2. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre le dispositif d'étanchéité (91) se déplaçant entre une première position d'étanchéité et une deuxième position d'étanchéité en réponse au déplacement du contact (30) entre une position non déclenchée et une position déclenchée.
     
    3. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif d'étanchéité est un agencement de filtre (91).
     
    4. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'agencement de filtre (91) est une pile de rondelles en feutre (93) placées les unes à côté des autres.
     
    5. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre le passage de racleurs (20) comportant au moins un aimant (32/56) dans la partie de la cavité pour contact (28) se trouvant au-dessus du dispositif d'étanchéité (80).
     
    6. Passage de racleurs de pipeline (20) selon la revendication 3, comprenant un agencement de filtre (91) logé à l'intérieur de la cavité pour contact (28) et se trouvant en dessous d'une zone d'aimant (29) de la cavité pour contact (28).
     
    7. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 4, comprenant en outre les deux rondelles en feutre (93) ou plus se trouvant entre une paire de rondelles en plastique (95) comportant des trous traversants (97).
     
    8. Passage de racleurs de pipeline selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre l'agencement de filtre (91) se trouvant entre une paire de rondelles en plastique (95) comportant des trous traversants (97).
     
    9. Passage de racleurs de pipeline (20) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif d'étanchéité est en outre un agencement de filtre (91) comportant une pile de deux rondelles en feutre (93) ou plus dimensionnées de manière à recouvrir une largeur de la cavité pour contact (28) et placées les unes à côté des autres, et interposé entre une paire de rondelles en plastique (95) comportant des trous traversants (97), l'une des rondelles en plastique (95) de la paire se trouvant au niveau de l'extrémité supérieure de l'agencement de filtre (91) et l'autre rondelle en plastique (95) de la paire se trouvant au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure de l'agencement de filtre (91), l'agencement de filtre (91) se trouvant en direction d'une extrémité inférieure de la cavité pour contact (28) et au-dessus de la partie logée du contact (30), et servant à empêcher des débris de pipeline de pénétrer dans une partie de la cavité pour contact (28) se trouvant au-dessus de l'agencement de filtre (91), mais permettant au fluide de pipeline de traverser l'agencement de filtre (91) et de pénétrer dans la partie.
     




    Drawing





























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description