Fluid handling – With repair – tapping – assembly – or disassembly means – Tapping a pipe – keg – or apertured tank under pressure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-09-11
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
Tapping a pipe, keg, or apertured tank under pressure
C137S318000, C137S553000, C405S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286542
ABSTRACT:
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS
This application is not related to any pending applications.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to pipe locating equipment and, more particularly, to an improved method and article of manufacture for introducing a locator wire to the interior portion of a pressurized, or non-pressurized, subterranean, or otherwise concealed, plastic pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beginning in the mid-1950's it was a common practice for utility companies, such as gas utility companies, to install plastic pipelines to transport gas to a consumer. In some instances, locating metal wires were installed along with the pipeline to aid in identifying the exact location of a newly laid pipeline. In time, such pipelines became brittle and required repair. Subterranean plastic pipelines buried with locating wires were, and continue to be, fairly easy to locate using magnetic detecting equipment. Plastic pipelines buried without locating wires or with inaccurately placed locating wires are next to impossible to locate with any degree of specificity, as they cannot be mapped via conventional electrical current, or magnetometer detection means.
A “dig-in” is a term used throughout the pipeline industry to refer to the unintentional hitting or breaking of a subterranean pipeline. As the exact location of buried pipelines is often poorly documented, it is estimated that over two million such “dig-ins” occur each year. The danger associated with damaging or breaking a gas pipeline is obvious.
A somewhat less obvious exposure exists for those parties precipitating an unintentional “dig-in”, namely, liability exposure. Typically, if a dig-in occurs within two feet of where a utility company indicates a pipeline resides, the cost of pipeline repair and “dig-in” related liability falls upon the excavating party. Should a “dig-in” occur outside of the two foot parameter established by the utility company, the utility company assumes liability and repair responsibility.
Consequently, what is needed is an improved method and apparatus for inserting a locator wire into a pre-existing plastic or other non-metallic based pipeline such that an accurate displacement and location of the pipeline can be assured. Thus, eliminating or greatly reducing the likelihood of inadvertent dig-ins.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus and methodology to feed a locator wire, or other electrical conductor, into a subterranean, or otherwise concealed, non-metallic based pipeline. It is an objective of the present invention to introduce a locator wire into a plastic pipe while simultaneously minimizing the potential for escape of a transported volume such as gas, water, sewerage or oil. Examples of plastic pipelines include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride and fiberglass compositions.
It is another objective of the instant invention to minimize the explosion hazard attendant to gas pipeline detection and repair operations. Within a gas pipeline, minute dust particles transported along with the pipeline's gas volume generate static electricity. The presence of such electricity, in turn, provides for explosion potential during pipeline detection and repair operations. The present invention facilitates the discharge of such static charges by grounding the invention's wire feeding component, in advance of pipeline detection and repair operations.
It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide for substantial cost savings over pipeline mapping innovations represented by the present art. Such cost savings are made realized in two ways. First, the invention is comprised of inexpensive, durable, materials not prone to damage in the field. Second, and more importantly, the invention eliminates the necessity of installing locator wire during initial pipeline laying operations. That is, the instant invention can be deployed and its locator wire inserted into a plastic pipeline, whenever the exact location of a pipeline section is required. It is estimated that locator wire can be installed at a cost of seven cents per foot when laying a new or replacement pipeline. Consequently, by eliminating the cost of laying locator wire for even a relatively short ten mile pipeline, a cost savings in excess of $3600. would be realized.
A further objective of the instant invention relates to its deployment versatility. Examples of such versatility would be the mapping of non-metallic based sewer lines, water lines, gas lines, or indeed, almost any other plastic pipeline. As the present invention minimizes loss of transported pipeline volume, its practice is equally applicable to pressurized and non-pressurized pipeline scenarios.
Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide for rapid deployment and ease of use in the field. The instant invention is easily transportable and absent technical, computer or other specialized training requirements. Mapping a pipeline section in a second direction is accommodated simply by retracting any previously fed locator wire, repositioning the direction of the invention's feeding unit and re-feeding the locator wire into the pipeline.
Consequently, given the deficiencies of the present art what is needed is an improved method and article of manufacture for inserting a locator wire into a subterranean, or otherwise concealed, pressurized plastic pipeline. The present invention, in a comprehensive and integrated manner, addresses the afore stated objectives while resolving inadequacies manifested in the present art.
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Jordan David S.
Morain Eldon W.
Continental Industries, Inc.
Head Johnson & Kachigian
Walton George L.
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