Pipes and tubular conduits – With closures and plugs – Inflation stem type
Patent
1995-05-30
1998-05-12
Brinson, Patrick F.
Pipes and tubular conduits
With closures and plugs
Inflation stem type
1510405, 1041382, B05B 704
Patent
active
057493979
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a self-going pipe tractor for use internally in channels, particularly oil wells.
Often, it is necessary to perform inspection, maintenance and other work within pipes and channels where it is impossible for people to reach. In connection with inspection, maintenance and operation of an oil well, log equipment and devices such as plugs and valves are lowered down into the oil well.
Gradually, it has been common to drill oil wells having long horizontal or approximately horizontal courses, so that it is no longer possible to lower down necessary equipment in the entire length of the well by means of gravity alone.
It is known to use pole pipes in order to carry equipment through horizontal or approximately horizontal courses, and this is a commonly used method. Various hydraulic methods for pumping the equipment forward have also been tried.
The use of pole pipes has several disadvantages. Firstly, several kilometers of continuous pipe are required, usually in the form of a large coil or stored on a drum, requiring substantial space. Secondly, special equipment is required in order to handle the pipe coil or drum during operation. Pumping is only possible when circulation can be established. Normally, this is not the case; however, upon installation of special circulation pipes, circulation may be provided in some relations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a pipe tractor which by means of its own propulsion can convey tools and equipment internally in channels.
In accordance with the invention, the object is achieved through features as defined in the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following, two embodiment examples of the invention are described, reference being made to the attached diagrammatical drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows, in side elevational view and partly in section, a pipe wherein a pipe tractor has been placed;
FIG. 2 shows substantially the same as FIG. 1, but seen from one end;
FIG. 3 shows, on a larger scale, parts of a well tractor together with motor and transmission, as seen in a side elevational view, partly in section;
FIG. 4 shows, in a simplified view, a drive arrangement for the well tractor's one end piece, as seen from one end;
FIG. 5 shows, in a simplified view, a drive arrangement for the well tractor's other end piece, as seen from the other end;
FIG. 6 shows, on a larger scale, a portion of a well tractor having two motors and transmissions, as seen in a side elevational view, partly in section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pipe wherein is placed a pipe tractor 2, which has an intermediate section 3 and two counterrotary end pieces 4 and 5. To each end piece 4, 5, a number of resilient arms 6 are attached, to which inclined wheels 7 have been attached, said wheels 7 being urged against the internal face of the pipe 1. A cable 8 carries electric power control signals to the pipe tractor 2 through a tubular, centrically positioned shaft 9. Due to the inclination of the wheels 7, the pipe tractor 2 will run along the pipe when the end pieces are rotated, using mutually opposite rotational directions. Upon alteration of rotational direction of the end pieces 4, 5, the pipe tractor 2 may be brought to run along the pipe in an optional direction. When running within pipes 1 having a uniform internal cross-section, the end pieces 4, 5 will rotate with the same speed, but in opposite directions, when passing through cross-sectional changes within the pipe 1, the arms 6 will resile more or less outwardly. In order to achieve equal transport speed on all wheels 7, the rotational speed of the end pieces 4, 5 may be controlled at the same pace as the resilient movements of the arms 6 by means of a variator, not shown. Equal transport speed on all wheels 7 is necessary in order to prevent rotation of the intermediate section 3.
In FIG. 3, the pipe tractor 2 has been shown sectioned in a side elevational view, arms 6
REFERENCES:
patent: 3089434 (1963-05-01), Andreasen
patent: 3890905 (1975-06-01), Clavin
patent: 4012677 (1977-03-01), Rist et al.
patent: 4055315 (1977-10-01), Gvelesiani et al.
patent: 4763376 (1988-08-01), Sprulock, Jr. et al.
patent: 4862808 (1989-09-01), Hedgcoxe et al.
patent: 4941511 (1990-07-01), Johansen et al.
patent: 5146644 (1992-09-01), Crocco
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