Robert F Strong

US Patent:

8052801, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Jan 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/350335

Inventors:

Eric N. Freeman - Kiefer OK, US
Robert F. Strong - Collinsville OK, US
Charles Culver Gidden Cooper - Arvada CO, US
Scott Douglas Nelson - Denver CO, US
Mark Russell Henault - Westminster CO, US

Assignee:

TDW Delaware, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B08B 9/055
B08B 9/027
B08B 9/04

US Classification:

134 8, 15 35, 15 352, 15104061, 15104062, 134 6, 134 221

Abstract:

A method and system for launching a pipeline pig includes the steps of compressing a modulating bypass valve of a pipeline pig and installing a locking means to temporally maintain the bypass valve in the compressed state. Once the pig has travelled a predetermined distance through the pipeline, the locking means is released and retrieved through the launch trap door. The locking means is preferably a launching pin having a clip attachment that receives the clips of a retractable lead. The lead is housed by a retraction device that is detachably secured to the launch trap door. The modulating valve has sufficient mass and aerodynamic drag to overcome the force of a gas spring. The valve moves between a retracted and compressed position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig stalling and between the compressed and retracted position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig accelerating.

US Patent:

8151483, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Jul 6, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/830939

Inventors:

Charles Culver Gidden Cooper - Arvada CO, US
Mark Russell Henault - Westminster CO, US
Robert F. Strong - Collinsville OK, US
Eric N. Freeman - Kiefer OK, US

Assignee:

TDW Delaware, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F26B 3/00

US Classification:

34513, 34437, 34467, 166423, 166383, 138 89, 134 8

Abstract:

A method for progressively dewatering a pipe or pipeline includes the use of a loose-fitting spherical- or quasi-spherical shaped pig body which rolls forward through the interior space of the pipe and temporarily captures and redistributes a portion of the volume of liquids available for capture and redistribution as the pig body rolls on past. Preferably, the portion captured is less than the volume available for capture. A part of the captured liquid may be redistributed to an upper quadrant of the pipe. Capture and redistribution are accomplished by way of a first bypass pathway and a second bypass pathway. One of the pathways may be a through-body pathway. The pig body may be a hollow pig body with a plurality of spaced-apart ports, a solid pig body with a plurality of paddle-like structures, or a cube-sphere type pig body with recessed external wall surfaces.

US Patent:

20100000037, Jan 7, 2010

Filed:

Jul 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/167664

Inventors:

Rick D. Pruett - Oologah OK, US
Robert F. Strong - Collinsville OK, US
Eric N. Freeman - Kiefer OK, US
Charles Culver Gidden Cooper - Arvada CO, US
Scott Douglas Nelson - Denver CO, US
Mark Russell Henault - Westminster CO, US

International Classification:

B08B 9/04

US Classification:

15104061

Abstract:

A pipeline pig includes a venturi and a modulating valve located rearward of the inlet side of the venturi. When the valve is in the open position, a predetermined maximum bypass flow is allowed through the venturi. The closed position allows a predetermined minimum bypass flow. The valve may be a poppet-style valve or a frusto-conical shaped stopper. The stopper has sufficient mass and/or aerodynamic drag to overcome the spring force holding the valve in the open position. When the pig stalls, the valve closes and the stopper chokes bypass flow through the venturi. When the pig starts running again, the valve opens as inertia forces the stopper away from the inlet side of the venturi. Also, as friction of the pig increases due to changes in the internal diameter of the pipeline or accumulation of debris ahead of the pig, increased airflow across the valve creates drag sufficient to partially overcome the spring force, thus keeping the pig moving at a desirable rate of travel.

US Patent:

20120017386, Jan 26, 2012

Filed:

Jul 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/840049

Inventors:

William J. Rankin - Sapulpa OK, US
Matthew W. Logan - Broken Arrow OK, US
Robert F. Strong - Collinsville OK, US

International Classification:

B08B 9/04

US Classification:

15104061

Abstract:

A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.

US Patent:

20160184872, Jun 30, 2016

Filed:

Jul 27, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/810082

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Matthew W. Logan - Broken Arrow OK, US
Robert F. Strong - Collinsville OK, US

International Classification:

B08B 9/055

Abstract:

A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.