Key information

Title
DEPLOYING FLEXIBLE ELONGATE MEMBERS IN WATER PIPELINES
Application number
20200026
Case type
National
Status
16.08.2021 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
09.01.2020
Effective date
09.01.2020
Publicly available
12.07.2021
Next annual fee due
31.01.2027
Applicant
LEAK DETECTOR AS (NO)
Owner
LEAK DETECTOR AS (NO)
Inventor
John Helvik (NO) et al.
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
16.08.2021
Patent number
345813
Expiry date
09.01.2040

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
In various examples, apparatus configured to be deployed inside an underground water pipeline includes a flexible elongate member and a block of ice which is coupled to the flexible elongate member. The block of ice can be located inside a pipeline which is transmitting water and urged along the inside of the pipeline to position the flexible elongate member.

Publications

B1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (21)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 06.06.2023 11-01 Saksbehandling 20200026(345813) UT PT Påminnelse om ikke betalt årsavgift (3329) (PT20200026) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 06.12.2021 10-01 Saksbehandling 20200026(345813) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20200026)
23.08.2021 09-01 Saksbehandling 20200026(345813) UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15) (PT20200026)
12.05.2021 08-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 UT Intention to grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-06 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN P29350NO00 Tranlsated claims HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-05 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN P29350NO00 Response letter HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-04 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN P29350NO00 Formal drawings HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-03 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN P29350NO00 Amended description and claims HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-02 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN P29350NO00 Additional sheets amendments in mark-up HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 27.01.2021 07-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 29.07.2020 06-02 Saksbehandling 20200026 UT PT report 10:03:35
29.07.2020 06-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 UT Realitet patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2020 05-02 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Fullmakt HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2020 05-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 21.01.2020 04-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.01.2020 03-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 UT Formal Examination 1 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.01.2020 02-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 UT Infobrev til oppfinner HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 09.01.2020 01-04 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Beskrivelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 09.01.2020 01-03 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Erklæring Søkers rett til oppfinnelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 09.01.2020 01-02 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Patenttegninger HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 09.01.2020 01-01 Saksbehandling 20200026 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
DEPLOYING FLEXIBLE ELONGATE MEMBERS IN WATER PIPELINESTechnical fieldThe present invention relates to deploying flexible elongate members in water pipelines.Background and prior artPipelines are commonly employed for transmitting fluid, such as water in a domestic water supply network. From time to time, it can be desirable to perform an inspection or survey of an underground water pipeline.Problems in surveys include: undesired dislodging of rust, scale, or other build-ups of solids material from a wall of the pipeline where doing so may contaminate the water; and insufficient access to sections of the pipeline that may be obstructed by material on the interior wall of the pipeline.US patent number 5244624 describes installing a pipe inside an existing conduit, which pipe is expanded and rounded by moving a plug through the pipe and injecting hot steam under pressure behind the plug.SummaryThe inventors have identified a need for solutions that better address the above problems, and an aim of the invention in general is to obviate or at least mitigate one or more drawbacks of prior art.According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus configured to be deployed inside an underground water pipeline, the apparatus comprising: a flexible elongate member; and a block of ice which is coupled to the flexible elongate member.Preferably, the block of ice is disposed or contained in a structure, e.g. a containing structure, which is coupled to the flexible elongate member. The structure may have one or more holes or apertures for letting melt water out of the structure into the pipeline. The structure may be flexible for contracting around the block of ice upon melting. The structure may comprise a balloon or a bag. The structure typically comprises walling of flexible material. The flexible material may comprise resilient or elastic material. The resilient or elastic material may be rubber, or comprise another suitable elastomer material. The walling preferably forms a thin membrane around the block of ice.The flexible elongate member typically comprises a rope or a cable, e.g. wireline, slickline, or similar. The elongate member may comprise a flexible rod.The flexible elongate member may comprise an optical fibre. The optical fibre may be an optical sensing fibre for sensing one or more properties of contents of the pipeline in proximity to the fibre.The optical sensing fibre may be configured to detect one or more temperatures of contents of the pipeline at a plurality of detection locations along the fibre.According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of deploying a flexible elongate member, the method comprising the steps of: providing a block of ice which is coupled to the flexible elongate member; locating the block of ice inside a pipeline, the pipeline transmitting water; urging the block of ice along the inside of the pipeline, to position the flexible elongate member.The method may further comprise applying a pressure in the pipeline to urge the block of ice along the inside of the pipeline. The pressure applied may be obtained by increasing a pressure upstream.The method may include inserting the block of ice through a side entrance in the pipeline line wall. The method may include unspooling the flexible elongate member from a storage drum at surface, e.g. conveniently above ground.The method may be a method of deploying the flexible elongate member in a survey or inspection of a pipeline.The pipeline may have internal restrictions or deposits of material or corrosion on the internal wall of the pipeline. The method may include allowing the block of ice to melt to reduce in size to allow passage through at least one restriction in the pipeline. The flexible elongate member may be deployed in at least one horizontal or near-horizontal section of the pipeline. Any of the above aspects may further comprise features as described in relation to any other aspect wherever described herein.Various advantages will be apparent from the application throughout.Drawings and specific descriptionThe various aspects above will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a representation of apparatus to be deployed inside an underground water pipeline;Figure 2 is a sectional representation of the apparatus of Figure 1; andFigures 3A and 3B are schematic representations of the apparatus, in smaller scale, in use, at different times during deployment.Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, apparatus 1 includes a flexible elongate member in the form of a rope 2 and a block of ice 3. The block of ice 3 is contained in a containing structure in the form of flexible balloon 4. The balloon 4 has apertures 5 that penetrate through flexible walling 6 of the balloon 4.The apparatus 1 is configured to be deployed inside a water pipeline, as will be described further below. The block of ice can then be located in the pipeline and urged along the pipeline by applied pressure to bring the rope to the desired position. The use of the block of ice can be advantageous because the ice when located in the pipeline melts, allowing it to adapt its size to pass through restrictions. The melt water from the ice is advantageously clean, thereby avoiding contamination of the water being transmitted and supplied by the pipeline.The material of the walling is flexible and comprises resilient rubber material. To produce the block of ice, the containing balloon 4 is filled with water which is then frozen, e.g. by locating it in a freezer chamber. The walling 6 of the balloon 4 expands upon filling and to the volume change of the water as it freezes. A fill tube 8 is provided for filling water into the interior of the balloon 4. In an alternative, a block of ice is formed separately, then flexible walling is fitted around the block to form the containing structure.The balloon 4 in the present example is connected to an end portion 2e of the rope. The end portion 2e of the rope 2 is provided with a connector 7 which connects the balloon 4 securely to the rope 2.The rope 2 in this example has an optical fibre 9 extending along the rope 2. The optical fibre 9 is usable for communication with sensors in different locations along the fibre. In one variant, the optical fibre 9 is an optical sensing fibre for detecting temperature or for detecting acoustic waves in the pipeline. The optical temperature sensing fibre can comprise gratings to allow temperature to be detected at several discrete detection locations along the fibre.Turning now to additionally refer to Figures 3A and 3B, a system 100 including the apparatus 1 is depicted. The apparatus is being deployed in a section of a water pipeline 104 which is buried under the ground 102. The block of ice 3 in the balloon 4 is located inside the pipeline 104. The rope 2 is spooled out from storage drum 110. The pipeline 104 contains a flow of water, which is being transmitted through the pipeline 104 under pressure differential P1 greater than P2. The block of ice 3 is located in the water in the pipeline 104. The block of ice 103 is urged along the pipeline by the flow of water.The water in the pipeline 104 exerts at least one component of force against the balloon and the block of ice to urge the apparatus along the pipeline 104. The rope 2 is preferably buoyant in the water to help to keep the rope away from the lower side of the pipeline 104.In Figure 3A, at an early point in time, the balloon 4 containing the block of ice 3 has a large diameter d1. The upstream pressure P1 urges the block of ice 3 along the pipeline in the direction of the arrow F. The rope 2 simultaneously is moved along the pipeline into desired position. The rope 2 spools out as it advances along the pipeline 104 along with the block of ice 3.In Figure 3B, at a later point in time, the block of ice 3 has partially melted due to exposure to temperature of contents of the pipe 104 well above the freezing temperature. The block of ice 30 has therefore reduced in size, and the melt water from the ice block escapes out of the apertures 5 of the balloon 4 into the flow of water in the pipeline. The walling of the balloon 4 contracts around the solid block of ice, and the balloon 4 containing the block of ice 3 obtains a much smaller diameter d2. The reduction in diameter from d1 to d2, makes it possible for the ice block 3 and rope 2 to go through the restriction 108 in the pipe, upon further travel along the pipeline in the flow. With the larger diameter d1, the ice block would be too big to pass through the restriction. This facilitates deployment of the rope in pipes that suffer from restrictions and deposits. Furthermore, if encountering a restriction during a survey of the pipeline, it is merely a matter of waiting until the ice block has reduced to an appropriate size before it then can progress onward along the pipeline 104. It is not necessary to raise pressure in the pipeline or apply high force against deposits or nodules to drive the rope further into the pipe. The solution is therefore gentler on deposits and structure on the wall of the pipe, and can facilitate performing a survey while keeping the interior intact. This can reduce risk of contamination.In other variants, other flexible elongate members are used and deployed using a block of ice in similar manner.In yet other variants, equipment or instruments, such as one or more sensors and tools, are carried into the pipeline on the flexible elongate member. Such equipment or instruments can facilitate performing a survey or inspection of the pipeline, e.g. to detect a presence or location of a leak.Although the block of ice is contained in a containing structure in the examples above, one can appreciate that the containing structure might not necessarily be required, and could be connected to the rope by other means. The block of ice may also have other forms, e.g. may be ring-shaped and fitted around a core which in turn is connected to the rope.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1) configured to be deployed inside an underground water pipeline, the apparatus comprising:a flexible elongate member (2); andbeing characterised by further comprising:a block of ice (3) which is coupled to the flexible elongate member (2).2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block of ice (3) is contained in a containing structure (4) which is coupled to the flexible elongate member (2).3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the containing structure (4) has one or more holes or apertures (5) for letting melt water out of the containing structure (4) into the pipeline.4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the containing structure (4) is flexible for contracting around the block of ice (3) upon melting.5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the containing structure (4) comprises a balloon or bag.6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the containing structure (4) comprises walling (6) of flexible material.7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flexible material comprises elastic material.8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elastic material is rubber.9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible elongate member (2) comprises a rope or cable.10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible elongate member (2) comprises an optical fibre (9).11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the optical fibre (9) is an optical sensing fibre for sensing a property of contents of the pipeline in proximity to the fibre.12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the optical sensing fibre (9) is configured to detect temperature of contents of the pipeline (104) at a plurality of detection locations along the fibre (9).13. A method of deploying a flexible elongate member (2), the method comprising the steps of:providing a block of ice (3) which is coupled to the flexible elongate member (2);locating the block of ice (3) inside a pipeline (104), the pipeline (104) transmitting water; urging the block of ice (3) along the inside of the pipeline (104), to position the flexible elongate member (2).14. A method as claimed in claim 13, which further comprises applying a pressure in the pipeline (2) to urge the block of ice (3) along the inside of the pipeline (104).15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the pipeline (104) has internal restrictions (108) or deposits of material (107) or corrosion on the internal wall of the pipeline (104).PATENTKRAV1. Apparat (1) konfigurert for å utplasseres i en underjordisk vannrørledning, hvor apparatet omfatter:et fleksibelt langstrakt element (2); oger k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d at det videre omfatter:en isblokk (3) som er koplet til det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2).2. Apparat som angitt i krav 1, hvor isblokken (3) inneholdes i en beholderkonstruksjon (4) som er koplet til det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2).3. Apparat som angitt i krav 2, hvor beholderkonstruksjonen (4) har ett/én eller flere huller eller åpninger (5) for å slippe smeltevann ut av beholderkonstruksjonen (4) og inn i rørledningen.4. Apparat som angitt i hvilket som helst av krav 1 til 3, hvor beholderkonstruksjonen (4) er fleksibel for å trekke seg sammen rundt isblokken (3) ved smelting.5. Apparat som angitt i krav 4, hvor beholderkonstruksjonen (4) omfatter en ballong eller en pose.6. Apparat som angitt i hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor beholderkonstruksjonen (4) omfatter en vegg (6) av fleksibelt materiale.7. Apparat som angitt i krav 6, hvor det fleksible materialet omfatter elastisk materiale.8. Apparat som angitt i krav 7, hvor det elastiske materialet er gummi.9. Apparat som angitt i hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2) omfatter et tau eller en kabel.10. Apparat som angitt i hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2) omfatter en optisk fiber (9).11. Apparat som angitt i krav 10, hvor den optiske fiberen (9) er en optisk følefiber for føling av en egenskap ved innhold i rørledningen i nærheten av fiberen.12. Apparat som angitt i krav 11, hvor den optiske følefiberen (9) er konfigurert for å detektere temperatur i innhold i rørledningen (104) på en flerhet detekteringssteder langs fiberen (9).13. Fremgangsmåte for å utplassere et fleksibelt langstrakt element (2), hvor fremgangsmåten omfatter trinnene:å tilveiebringe en isblokk (3) som koples til det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2); å plassere isblokken (3) inne i en rørledning (104), hvilken rørledning (104) leder vann;å drive isblokken (3) langs innsiden av rørledningen (104), for å posisjonere det fleksible langstrakte elementet (2).14. Fremgangsmåte som angitt i krav 13, som videre omfatter å påføre et trykk i rørledningen (2) for å drive isblokken (3) langs innsiden av rørledningen (104).15. Fremgangsmåte som angitt i krav 13 eller 14, hvor rørledningen (104) har innvendige innsnevringer (108) eller materialavsetninger (107) eller korrosjon på rørledningens (104) innervegg.
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesF16L 55/162F16L 1/26B29C 63/00CPC classesF16L 55/162F16L 1/26B29C 63/00

Citations

US 5244624 A (A)JP H06226201 A (A)JP H11156941 A (A)US 4685983 A (A)US 2006278290 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
LEAK DETECTOR AS
Koppholen 25 4313 SANDNES NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 924358882Inventors
John Helvik
Cora Sandels gate 14 4021 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)
Morten Talgø
Snekkerveien 8 4321 SANDNES NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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Postboks 9 4068 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)
Org. number: 918752900
Reference: P29350NO00

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