Systems and methods for pipeline device propulsion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9709204-B2
Application number	US-201414533707-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2014
Priority date	Jul 31, 2013
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

Abstract

A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of moving a pipeline device through a pipeline, comprising:
positioning a pipeline device within the pipeline, the pipeline device including a propulsion device; and
propelling the pipeline device through the pipeline using the propulsion device by:
directing a portion of a fuel traveling through the pipeline separate from the pipeline device to a combustion chamber of the propulsion device;
directing an oxidizer from an oxidizer source to the combustion chamber; and
combusting the fuel with the oxidizer within the combustion chamber.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oxidizer source is provided at least partially within a housing of the pipeline device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oxidizer source includes a conduit configured to direct the oxidizer to the propulsion system from a remote storage container.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the remote storage container is provided to an exterior of the pipeline.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system includes a jet engine.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system includes a propeller engine.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pipeline device is configured to fly within the pipeline.

8. The method of claim 7 , further guiding flight of the pipeline device through contact of a contact guide with an interior wall of the pipeline.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising guiding flight of the pipeline device within the pipeline through use of a non-contact guide.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising engaging an inner surface of the pipeline with a plurality of wheels, wherein the internal combustion engine is configured to power the plurality of wheels.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising engaging an inner surface of the pipeline with a rotating track, wherein the internal combustion engine is configured to power the rotating track.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein an accessory device is coupled to the housing.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the accessory device includes a sensor configured to acquire data regarding a condition of the pipeline.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the accessory device includes a sealing device.

16. A method of moving a pipeline device through a pipeline, comprising:
directing a portion of a fuel traveling through the pipeline separate from a pipeline device to a combustion engine of the pipeline device;
directing an oxidizer from an oxidizer source to the combustion engine; and
combusting the fuel with the oxidizer within the combustion engine to propel the pipeline device through the pipeline in an airborne manner.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the oxidizer source is provided at least partially within a housing of the pipeline device.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the oxidizer source includes a conduit configured to direct the oxidizer to the combustion engine from a remote storage container.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the remote storage container is provided to an exterior of the pipeline.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the propulsion system includes a jet engine.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the propulsion system includes a propeller engine.

22. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pipeline device is configured to fly within the pipeline.

23. The method of claim 22 , further guiding flight of the pipeline device through contact of a contact guide with an interior wall of the pipeline.

24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising guiding flight of the pipeline device within the pipeline through use of a non-contact guide.

25. The method of claim 16 , wherein an accessory device is coupled to the housing.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the accessory device includes a sensor configured to acquire data regarding a condition of the pipeline.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the accessory device includes a sealing device.

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Cheatham Iii Jesse R
• Duncan William D
• Gates William
• Hyde Roderick A
• Ishikawa Muriel Y
• Kare Jordin T
• Myhrvold Nathan P
• Pan Tony S
• Petroski Robert C
• Tegreene Clarence T
• Wood Jr Lowell L
• Wood Victoria Y H

Classifications

• F16L55/32 Primary

  being self-contained · CPC title

• G01M3/2823

  using pigs or moles traveling in the pipe · CPC title

• G01M3/2807

  for pipes (G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01M3/38

  by using light (G01M3/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L55/1283 Primary

  Plugging pig · CPC title