Subsea pig launcher and method of using the same
US6533032B1 · kind B1 · utility
16Cited by
9References
23Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/46
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A device and method are provided for storing pipeline pigs and launching the pigs into a subsea production pipeline. The device is installed in line with a pipeline and includes a frame, a magazine containing several rotatable trays for storing and sequentially launching the pigs, and a connector for directing the pigs into a pipeline. Each magazine tray holds several pigs and rotates to align the pigs with a launching tube. The pigs travel through the launch tube and connector and into the pipeline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.