Pipeline pig
US5113544A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/38
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A pig which may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline includes a cupped or hollow spherical head having an inside and an outside. The head has an opening for facing upstream and receiving fluid flow in the pipeline and has an outside for facing downstream and for contacting the inside walls of the pipeline. An elongate tail has a first end connected to the inside of the head and a second end extending out of the opening. The tail is of smaller diameter than the opening and has a length greater than about 1.5 times the largest internal diameter of the pipeline. A first fastener is provided on the outside of the head and a second fastener is provided on the second end of the tail. The fasteners are used to connect multiple pigs end-to-end and to attach objects, such as pipeline cleaning and maintenance equipment, to the pig.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.