Pig detector
US6357384B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/48
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for indicating the passage of a pig beyond a predetermined location in a pipeline comprising a pig detector connected to a pipeline and communicating with the interior of the pipeline through an opening at the location, a trigger slidably mounted in the pig detector and adapted to project downwardly into the interior of the pipeline through the opening, an indicator housing associated with the pig detector, a cylindrical indicator being vertically slidably mounted within the indicator housing, a plurality of catch fingers pivotally mounted in the housing for pivotal movement toward and away from the central axis of the housing, a catch spring for urging the fingers pivotally towards the central axis, an indicator spring mounted within the housing for resiliently urging the indicator upwardly beyond the indicator housing so as to be visible and to provide an indication that a pig has passed by, a lock pin attached to the lower surface of the indicator, an actuator connected to the trigger and having a portion bearing against the fingers, whereby, when the indicator is pushed downwardly, the lock pin will pry the catch fingers apart and thereafter the catch fingers will enga…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.