Tool for working on the wall of a pipe and related method
US10605397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/1612
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The tool further includes an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.