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Knuckle-jointed lance for internal cleaning and inspection of tubulars

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-04-03
THOMAS ENG SOLUTIONS & CONSULTING L L C
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The disclosed MLI provides a machine for cleaning the interior of pipes more efficiently and effectively than conventional methods. It uses multiple lances that can be extended and retracted into a stationary tubular for cleaning. The lances can hold various tools and also act as a drift to protect the equipment and keep the lance stable during use. The machine can also include a data acquisition structure, such as sensors or video cameras, to inspect the interior of the pipe while it is cleaning. Overall, the MLI reduces the amount of space required for cleaning and improves the quality and reliability of inspection.

Problems solved by technology

However, nothing in this disclosure should be interpreted to limit the Scorpion System to any particular rotational speed of the Work.

Method used

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  • Knuckle-jointed lance for internal cleaning and inspection of tubulars
  • Knuckle-jointed lance for internal cleaning and inspection of tubulars
  • Knuckle-jointed lance for internal cleaning and inspection of tubulars

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Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0040]Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 13 and FIGS. 8 through 11 in describing the currently preferred embodiment of the MLI.

[0041]It will be understood that the MLI, in a currently preferred embodiment, has a number of cooperating parts and mechanisms, including the Knuckle Jointed Lancer (KJL). FIGS. 1 and 2 are a functional cross-sectional representation of some of the main components included in a currently preferred embodiment of the MLI, and depict how such components cooperate in the MLI assembly. As functional representations, they will be understood not to be to scale even in a general sense. Rather, it will be appreciated that a primary purpose of FIGS. 1 and 2 is to illustrate cooperating aspects of the MLI in a conceptual sense (rather in a more structurally accurate sense), in order to facilitate better understanding of other, more structurally accurate illustrations of the MLI and KJL in this disclosure.

[0042]FIG. 1 illustrates MLI assembly 100 generally in cro...

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Abstract

A knuckle jointed lance (KJL) including a plurality of KJL segments concatenated into a string thereof. A tool head is connected to one end of the lance. Each KJL segment has a hollow body, open at both ends, with a generally trapezoidal profile. The string further comprises a plurality of articulated joints connecting neighboring KJL segments together at about a mid-point between the top side and base side of their respective trapezoidal profiles. Embodiments of the articulated joints include lug pins on the end of one of a neighboring pair of KJL segments connected to corresponding lug holes on the end of the other of the neighboring pair.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 707,780, filed Sep. 28, 2012.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This disclosure is directed generally to technology useful in tubular cleaning operations in the oil and gas exploration field, and more specifically to cleaning and inspecting the internals of tubulars such as drill pipe, workstring tubulars, and production tubulars.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Throughout this disclosure, the term “Scorpion” or “Scorpion System” refers generally to the disclosed Thomas Services Scorpion brand proprietary tubular management system as a whole.[0004]In conventional tubular cleaning operations, the cleaning apparatus is typically stationary, while the tubular is drawn longitudinally past the cleaning apparatus. The tubular is rotated at a relatively slow speed (in the range of 50 rpm, typically) while stationary, spring-loaded air motors drive spinning ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B08B9/043G01M99/00B08B9/032
CPCB08B9/043G01M99/00B08B9/0321E21B37/00E21B19/22Y10T74/2186Y10T82/2514Y10T408/381G01N33/00B65G47/14B65G47/34B08B9/02B23Q7/042B23Q7/003B23Q1/76E21B19/14B08B9/023
Inventor THOMAS, WILLIAM C.THOMAS, III, WILLIAM J.DECUIR, JR., PERRY J.
Owner THOMAS ENG SOLUTIONS & CONSULTING L L C
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