Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With means to pass a solid cleaning agent and a fluid...
Reexamination Certificate
2004-06-25
2008-08-05
Karls, Shay L (Department: 3723)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With means to pass a solid cleaning agent and a fluid...
C015S104061, C015S104067
Reexamination Certificate
active
07406738
ABSTRACT:
A thruster pig for sending through a pipe from an entrance facility to a receiving location, for servicing or monitoring, by pumping a thrusting fluid into the pipe to force the pig forward is disclosed. The thruster pig includes a body having a front end and a back end, where the back end includes a reaction surface to which said the thrusting fluid applies a motive force. The body is slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe. The pig also includes a seal circumferentially arranged on the pig to seal between said body and said pipe. A desired differential pressure is maintained over the pig to urge said pig forward through the pipe by pumping a fluid into the annulus between the pipe and the return flow line while returning fluid through said return flow line utilizing connected servicing or monitoring equipment. A connector releasably connects a return flow line to the pig. The connector includes a shifting mandrel that may be activated to open the connector by a ball pumped through the return flow line, where the ball is retained in the return flow line after releasing the connector. A blanking device is then provided to blank the bore within the pig that is left after the return flow line is disconnected.
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Crawford Jim Bob
Kinnari Keijo
Labes-Carrier Catherine
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Crawford Technical Services, Inc.
Karls Shay L
Statoil ASA
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