WO2018176135A1

WO2018176135A1 - Pulsed flow equipment insertion method and apparatus for carrying out the method

Info

Publication number: WO2018176135A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/050371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter O. Paulson
Original assignee: Pure Technologies Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: KR20180109603A; KR102363054B1

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for deploying container inspection equipment from a conduit into a fluid container, comprising: filling the conduit containing the equipment with a first fluid at a first pressure; releasing a second fluid at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, wherein the release of the second fluid generates a sufficient force to move the fluid in the conduit past the equipment and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the moving fluid pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container. There is disclosed a apparatus for deploying equipment from a conduit into a fluid container, the conduit in fluid communication with the container, comprising: a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first portion including an aperture by which a second fluid at a second pressure, which is greater than the first pressure, can pass into the interior of the housing; wherein at rest, the equipment is received in the conduit and the conduit contains the first fluid, and wherein when it is desired to deploy the equipment into the container, a volume of the second fluid is released through the aperture and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the force generated by the movement of fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

Description

PULSED FLOW EQUIPMENT INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims priority to Korean application serial No. 10-2017-0039539 filed on March 28, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for deploying equipment into fluid containers or conduits.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The present invention relates to the deployment of equipment into fluid containers or conduits, especially pressurized fluid containers or conduits. The invention is useful for deploying equipment into a wide variety of different containers and conduits, including fluid tanks and pipes for inspection . The invention is particularly useful for deploying equipment into water mains.

[0004] Equipment to drill and tap into pressurized pipes is used routinely to enable connections to be made and to allow equipment to be inserted. It is usual, when creating a tapping in this way to install a gate valve or similar device to provide a method of shutting off the opening. [0005] At lower pressures and with smaller diameter devices it is possible to insert equipment through the tapping by mounting it on the end of a rigid or semi-rigid rod which passes through a sealing gland and pushing it, by hand, through the opening and into the vessel.

[0006] At high pressures the force required to push the rod becomes too high to hold easily raising the possibility of damage to the equipment or injury to the operator.

[0007] Various apparatus and methods have been developed to deploy equipment in pipes containing pressurized fluids. It is known that equipment can be deployed in a fluid container or conduit by moving a piston within a housing attached to the container or conduit, the piston being secured either to the equipment itself and/or to a guide for the equipment, whereby movement of the piston can move the equipment and/or the guide into the container or conduit. The piston is moved by means of a fluid pressure differential created across the piston, one side of the piston being in fluid communication with the container or conduit, and being at substantially the same pressure as the container or conduit.

[0008] Apparatus and methods requiring the use of pistons in the housing attached to the container or conduit takes up much of available port diameter that connects the housing to the container or conduit. The result places a limitation on the size and type of equipment that can be deployed in the container or conduit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION :

[0009] It is an embodiment of the present invention to provide a deployment apparatus for use with an equipment conduit for housing and deploying equipment into a fluid container. In one aspect, the deployment apparatus generates a fluid pressure which exceeds a fluid pressure in the equipment conduit and the fluid container and then expels the fluid under pressure into the equipment conduit and the force generated by the flow of the moving fluid pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0010] In one aspect, the deployment apparatus is configured so that it can be repeatedly filled using the fluid from the container carried to the deployment apparatus via the equipment conduit and is configured to reverse the flow and expel that fluid past the equipment and into the container, wherein the force generated by the flow of the moving fluid pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0011 ] In one aspect, increasing the rate of the moving fluid will increase the viscous drag of the equipment and this pushes the equipment in the direction of the fluid flow.

[0012] In one aspect, the generation of the force required to expel the fluid can be provided by using a gas compressor with appropriate valving. The gas could be pumped to a pressure higher than that within the equipment conduit and container, and then the gas could be suddenly released to move a piston to expel the fluid and create flow back into the container past the equipment, moving the equipment in the direction of the flow and into the container.

[0013] In aspects, there is provided deployment apparatus for deploying container inspection equipment from an equipment conduit into a fluid container, the conduit in fluid communication with the fluid container, the conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, the deployment apparatus comprising : a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first portion including an aperture by which a second fluid at a second pressure, which is greater than the first pressure, can pass into the interior of the housing; wherein at rest, the equipment is received in the conduit and the conduit contains the first fluid, and wherein when it is desired to deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, a volume of the second fluid is released through the aperture and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the force generated by the movement of fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

[0014] According to an aspect, wherein at rest, the housing is substantially filled with the first fluid.

[0015] According to an aspect, the apparatus further comprising a cushion secured to the first portion, or the second portion, or both the first and second portions, for minimizing the impact of the piston. [0016] According to an aspect, the apparatus further comprising a pump assembly for pumping the second fluid into the housing.

[0017] In aspects, there is provided a deployment apparatus for use with an equipment conduit for deploying container inspection equipment into a fluid container, the conduit having an outlet aperture, the conduit securable to the fluid container such that the outlet aperture is in fluid communication with an aperture in the container, the conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment through the outlet aperture into the container, the deployment apparatus comprising : a housing, the housing having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, the second end in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first end including an aperture by which a second fluid having a second pressure can pass into the interior of the housing; wherein at rest, the housing is substantially filled with a first fluid at a first pressure, and wherein it is desired to deploy the equipment into the container, a volume of a second fluid at a second pressure which exceeds the first pressure is forced into the housing through the aperture and a corresponding volume of the first fluid is expelled out of the housing and into the conduit, and wherein the force generated by the flow of the first fluid pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0018] According to an aspect, the apparatus further comprising a moveable piston dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and wherein, in response to the filling of the first fluid chamber with the volume of the second fluid, the piston is moved and the first fluid in the second fluid chamber is expelled out of the housing and into the conduit.

[0019] According to an aspect, the first fluid chamber is in fluid connection with a pump assembly for pumping the second fluid into the first fluid chamber.

[0020] According to an aspect, the pump assembly comprises a gas compressor and the second fluid is a gas.

[0021 ] According to an aspect, wherein an angle a formed between the conduit and the housing is from about 0 to about 180 degrees.

[0022] According to an aspect, the angle a is from about 0 to about 45 degrees.

[0023] According to an aspect, the angle a is about 45 degrees.

[0024] According to an aspect, the housing is removeably securable to the conduit.

[0025] According to an aspect, the apparatus further comprising a carrier configured to secure to the equipment and a protection sleeve configured to surround at least a length of the carrier, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to permit the carrier to freely slide therein, and wherein the sleeve protects the carrier from damage caused by contact with the walls of the container when the equipment is deployed into the container. [0026] According to an aspect, the sleeve comprises a leading region and trailing region and further comprises a flange at the trailing region which is adapted to rest abut against a stop provided in the equipment conduit to prevent the sleeve from completely exiting the equipment conduit when the equipment is deployed in the container.

[0027] According to an aspect, the deployment apparatus further comprising a carrier configured to secure to the equipment and a protection sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the carrier, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to permit the carrier to freely slide therein, and wherein the sleeve protects the carrier from damage caused by contact with the walls of the container when the equipment is deployed into the container.

[0028] According to an aspect, the sleeve further comprises a flange which is adapted to rest against a stop provided in the equipment conduit to prevent the sleeve from completely exiting the equipment conduit.

[0029] According to an aspect, the first fluid is a liquid flowed in from the container.

[0030] According to an aspect, the fluid container is a pipeline.

[0031] According to an aspect, the equipment conduit further comprises a hydrant.

[0032] In aspects, there is provided a method for deploying container inspection equipment from an equipment conduit into a fluid container, the method comprising : filling the conduit containing the equipment to be deployed with a first fluid at a first pressure; releasing a second fluid at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, wherein the release of the second fluid generates a sufficient force to move the fluid in the conduit past the equipment and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the moving fluid pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

[0033] In aspects, the method further comprising : filing a housing with the first fluid from conduit, the housing comprising : a first portion including an aperture configured to allow the second fluid to enter into the housing; and a second portion opposed to the first portion, wherein the second portion is in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit; and wherein the releasing of the second fluid is such that the second fluid released into the housing generates the sufficient force to move the fluid in the conduit past the equipment and in the direction towards the container.

[0034] According to an aspect, the housing further comprises a moveable piston dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, wherein the second fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, wherein the filling of the first fluid increases the volume of the second chamber and moves the piston towards the first portion which decreases the volume of the first fluid chamber, and wherein the releasing of the second fluid into the first fluid chamber moves the piston towards the second portion and expels the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit. [0035] According to an aspect, the method further comprising withdrawing the second fluid from the first fluid chamber; filling the second fluid chamber with the first fluid to move the piston towards the first portion and decrease the volume of the first fluid chamber; releasing the second fluid into the first fluid chamber to move the piston towards the second portion to expel the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit.

[0036] According to an aspect, the filling of the first fluid is done at a first rate of flow that is insufficient for moving the equipment in the conduit.

[0037] In aspects, there is provided a method for deploying inspection equipment housed from within an equipment conduit into a fluid container, the method comprising : arranging a housing having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and an aperture formed in the first end so that the second end is in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit; filling the housing with a first fluid; injecting into the housing through the aperture a volume of a second fluid, wherein the pressure of the second fluid is greater than the pressure of the first fluid in order to expel a volume of the first fluid out of the housing and into the conduit, and wherein the force generated by the movement of the first fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0038] According to an aspect, the housing further comprises a moveable piston in the housing dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, wherein the second fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, wherein the filling of the housing with the first fluid increases the volume of the second chamber and moves the piston towards the first end and decreases the volume of the first fluid chamber, and wherein the injecting of the second fluid into the first fluid chamber with a second fluid moves the piston towards the second end and expels the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit.

[0039] According to an aspect, the method further comprising the steps of emptying the second fluid from the first fluid chamber; filling the second fluid chamber with the first fluid at the first rate of flow in order to move the piston and decrease the volume of the first fluid chamber;

increasing the pressure of the second fluid to a pressure greater than the pressure of the first fluid; injecting the second fluid into the first fluid chamber to expel the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit, and wherein the force generated by the movement of the first fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment further into the container.

[0040] According to an aspect, the equipment conduit comprises a hydrant.

[0041] According to an aspect, the first fluid is a liquid flowed in from the container.

[0042] According to an aspect, the fluid container is a pipeline.

[0043] According to an aspect, the second fluid is a gas.

[0044] In aspects, there is provided a system for deploying container inspection equipment into a fluid container, the system comprising : a conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment into the fluid container, the conduit comprising : an inlet aperture configured to allow a carrier for securing the equipment to pass therethrough; an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the container configured to permit fluid and the equipment to pass between the conduit and the container; and an opening in the wall between the inlet and the outlet, the opening configured to direct a force from a moving fluid towards the equipment and in a direction of the container; and a pump assembly, in fluid communication with the opening, for generating the force sufficient to move a fluid in the conduit past the equipment, and wherein the moving fluid pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and the direction towards the container.

[0045] According to an aspect, the system further comprising a deployment apparatus, the apparatus comprising : a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion comprising the opening and in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first portion including an aperture by which another fluid can pass into the interior of the housing under pressure; and wherein when it is desired to deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, a volume of the another fluid is released under pressure through the aperture and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the force generated by the moving fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

[0046] In aspects, wherein at rest, the housing is substantially filled with the fluid from the conduit. [0047] In aspects, the conduit is removeably securable to the container.

[0048] In aspects, the system further comprising a moveable piston dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and wherein, in response to the filling of the first fluid chamber with the volume of the another fluid, the piston is moved and the fluid in the second fluid chamber is expelled out of the housing and into the conduit.

[0049] In aspects, wherein the another fluid is a gas.

[0050] In aspects, the conduit is removeably securable to the container.

[0051 ] In aspects, the system further comprising a protection sleeve configured to surround at least a length of the carrier, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to permit the carrier to freely slide therein, and wherein the sleeve protects the carrier from damage caused by contact with the walls of the container when the equipment is deployed into the container.

[0052] In aspects, wherein the sleeve comprises a leading region and trailing region and a flange at the trailing region which is adapted to abut against a stop provided in the conduit to prevent the sleeve from completely exiting the equipment conduit when the equipment is deployed in the container.

[0053] In aspects, there is provided a deployment apparatus for use with an equipment conduit for deploying equipment into a fluid container, the conduit having an outlet aperture, the conduit securable to the fluid container such that the outlet aperture is in fluid communication with an aperture in the container, the conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment through the outlet aperture into the container, the

deployment apparatus comprising : _a housing; a moveable piston in the housing dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers; the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and configured to receive a first fluid; wherein, in response to an increased fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber, the piston is moved and the first fluid in the second fluid chamber is expelled into the conduit and wherein the force generated by the flow of the first fluid pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0054] In aspects, there is provided a method for deploying an equipment into a fluid container, the method comprising : providing a deployment apparatus securable to an equipment conduit, the conduit having an outlet aperture, the outlet aperture in fluid communication with an aperture in the container when the conduit is secured to the fluid container, the conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment through the outlet aperture into the container, the deployment apparatus comprising : a housing, a moveable piston in the housing dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers; the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit; increasing the fluid pressure in the second fluid chamber with a first fluid at first rate of flow in order to move the piston and decrease the volume of the first fluid chamber; increasing the fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber with a second fluid in order to move the piston and expel the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber at a second rate of flow and into the conduit, wherein the second rate of flow is greater than the first rate of flow, and wherein the movement of the first fluid into the conduit pushes the equipment at least partially into the container.

[0055] The detailed description herein is only intended to provide examples and representative embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The full scope of the inventions is presented in the specification as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the inspection assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for inspecting a pipeline;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of the assembly of Fig . 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail A in fig. 2 showing a

deployment apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention ;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the detail B in fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of the inspection assembly of figs. 1 and 2 showing the equipment deployed into the pipeline; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the detail C in fig. 5 showing the flange of the cable protection sleeve resting against the stop when the equipment is deployed into the pipeline;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of an inspection assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention for inspecting a pipeline via a hydrant;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the detail D in fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of the inspection assembly of fig. 7 showing the equipment deployed into the pipeline via the hydrant;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the detail E in fig. 9 showing the flange of the cable protection sleeve resting against the stop when the equipment is deployed in the pipeline;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of an inspection assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the detail F in fig. 11 showing a deployment apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13. is a fragmentary side elevation view, in section, of the inspection assembly of fig. 12 showing the equipment deployed into the pipeline; and Fig. 14 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the inspection assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention for inspecting a pipeline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary

embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.

[0058] Figs. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of an inspection assembly 100 for inspecting the interior of a fluid container 2. As depicted in Fig. 1, the container 2 is a pipeline. Pipeline 2 may be, for example, a water main, for carrying a pipeline fluid 4.

[0059] Assembly 100 comprises a winch assembly 6, an equipment 8 for inspecting the interior of pipeline 2. A carrier 10 operatively connects equipment 8 to winch assembly 6. Assembly 100 further comprises an equipment conduit 12 and a deployment apparatus 14 for deploying equipment 8 disposed in equipment conduit 12 into the fluid container 2.

[0060] Equipment conduit 12 is secured or removeably securable to pipeline 2. Equipment conduit 12, also commonly known as a stack tube, is dimensioned for receiving and then deploying equipment 8 into pipeline 2.

Equipment conduit 12 is provided with end walls 16 and 18, and a side wall

20 extending between the end walls 16 and 18. Provided in the end wall 16 is an inlet aperture 22 through which the equipment 8 can be introduced into the interior of equipment conduit 12. Inlet aperture 22 is a self-closing aperture. In order to provide for a fluid-tight compartment, inlet aperture 22 comprises a seal 24.

[0061 ] The end wall 18 includes an outlet aperture 26 through which the equipment 8 extends. The end wall 18 is also provided with a connector 28 which is adapted to be connected to a gate valve 30. The connector 28 may be integral with the end wall 18, and may be connected to the valve 30 by means of bolts (not shown). End wall 18 also includes a stop 32.

[0062] The gate valve 30 can be secured to the pipeline 2 by means of a tapping comprising various fasteners, such as for example, bolts (not shown). For example, the tapping may comprise an annular plug (not shown) disposed in an aperture 34 in the pipe 2.

[0063] Deployment apparatus 14 comprises a housing 36 having a first portion 38 and a second portion 40 opposed to the first portion 38. A piston 42 is provided and is moveable between portions 38 and 40. Piston cushions 44 can be secured to either or both portions 38 and 40 to minimize the force of impact of piston 42 against portions 38 and 40.

[0064] Piston 42 divides the volume of housing 36 into first and second fluid chambers 46 and 48. First fluid chamber 46 is disposed between the first portion 38 and the piston 42, and second fluid chamber 48 is disposed between second portion 40 and piston 42. The movement of piston 42 is controlled by adjusting the pressures of fluid chambers 46 and 48 on either side of piston 42. [0065] First fluid chamber 46 is in fluid communication with a pulse assembly 50 via a fluid line 52 operatively connected to first fluid chamber 46 by at least one aperture 53 formed in first portion 38 of housing 36.

[0066] Pulse assembly 50 comprises a pump 54 for pumping a second fluid 56 into first fluid chamber 46. Pulse assembly 50 further comprises a relief 58 for draining fluid 56 that is pumped into first fluid chamber 46.

Pulse assembly 50 can further comprise one or more appropriate valves 57 for controlling the direction of fluid flow into and out of first fluid chamber 46. Second fluid 56 may be a liquid or gas, depending on the circumstances, In a preferred embodiment, pump 54 is an air compressor and fluid 56 is a gas.

[0067] Second fluid chamber 48 is in fluid communication with the interior of equipment conduit 12, and by extension, the interior of pipeline 2. Accordingly, when valve 30 is opened, pipeline fluid 2 will fill both the interior of equipment conduit 12 and second fluid chamber 48 because conduit 12 and second fluid chamber 48 are in fluid communication . The filling of second fluid chamber 48 will increase the pressure in second fluid chamber 48, and if the pressure in second fluid chamber 48 exceeds the pressure in first fluid chamber 46 (i.e. relief 58 is open), this will cause piston 42 to move upwards and towards first portion 38.

[0068] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, deployment apparatus 14 and equipment conduit 12 may be arranged so as to form an angle a

therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the angle a is about 45 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the angle a may be from about 0 to about 180 degrees, preferably 0 to about 90 degrees, and even more preferably from about 0 to about 45 degrees. The deployment apparatus 14 and equipment conduit 12 are arranged in a manner such that when a fluid is expelled out of deployment apparatus 14, this fluid flows into equipment conduit 12, and then in the general direction towards container 2.

[0069] Deployment apparatus 14 can be removeably secured to equipment conduit 12 or deployment apparatus 14 and equipment conduit 12 can be of unitary construction.

[0070] The way in which deployment apparatus 14 is used, according to one embodiment, will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 through 6. First, an appropriate tapping is made in pipeline 2, and gate valve 30 is secured to the tapping. For some containers and conduits, gate valve 34 is preinstalled. If equipment 8 is too large and cannot be pushed through seal 26, then carrier 10 can be passed through the seal 26, and the equipment 8 is then attached to the carrier 10, prior to securing connector 28 to gate valve 30. If equipment 8 can be pushed through seal 26, then connector 28 may be secured to gate valve 30, prior to pushing the equipment 8 and carrier 10 through the seal 26.

[0071 ] When the equipment 8 has been disposed within equipment conduit 12, and connector 28 has been secured to the gate valve 30, the valve 30 can be opened and fluid 4 from the interior of the pipe 2 will flow into and fill both equipment conduit 12 and second fluid chamber 48. The filing of second fluid chamber 48 can be done at a first rate of flow. The first rate of flow can be controlled so that the rate of flow of fluid 4 from pipeline 2 into equipment conduit 12 and second fluid chamber is sufficiently low so that the fluid movement past equipment 8 does not, or only negligibly, moves equipment 8 in any direction and especially not in a direction opposite the direction of pipeline 2.

[0072] With the filling of second chamber 48, the pressure in second chamber 48 may begin to exceed the pressure in the first chamber 46.

When this happens, piston 42 will begin to move further away from second portion 40 and towards first portion 38 of housing 36. Deployment apparatus 14 is said to ready when second chamber 48 is completely filled with fluid 4 and piston 42 is most adjacent to first portion 38 of housing 36.

[0073] When it is desired to begin the deployment of equipment 8 into pipeline 2, relief 58 is closed and pump 54 is pressurized. The pump 54 increases the pressure of fluid 56 to a level greater than the pressure of fluid 4 in equipment conduit 12 and second fluid chamber 48. Pump 54 rapidly injects the pressurized fluid 56 into first fluid chamber 46 at a second rate of flow. In response, piston 42 will move towards second portion 40 of housing 36 and fluid 4 will be expelled out of second fluid chamber 48 and into conduit 12. The second rate of flow is such that fluid 4 entering conduit 12, and flowing past equipment 8 and in the direction of pipeline 2, has a force with a magnitude and direction sufficient to push equipment 8 in the direction of the flow of fluid 4 and downwards toward pipeline 2. Without being limited, it may be understood that increasing the velocity of the moving fluid 4 will increase the viscous drag of equipment 8 and this drag force pushes equipment 8 in the direction of the fluid flow a distance in equipment conduit 12 and towards aperture 34 of pipeline 2. In

embodiments, the second rate of flow can be greater than about 10 times or more than the first rate of flow.

[0074] To move equipment 8 further into pipeline 2, the deployment procedure is repeated as many times as necessary to force equipment 8 completely into pipeline 2. In this regard, fluid 4 from pipeline 2 is permitted to flow back into equipment conduit 12 at the first rate of flow to refill second fluid chamber 48 and move piston 42 away from second portion 38 and towards first portion 36 whereby relief 58 is opened either before the refilling or simultaneously in order to permit fluid 56 to drain out of first fluid chamber 46. As discussed above, the first rate of flow is sufficiently low so that movement of fluid 4 back into the conduit 12 from pipeline 2 does not push the equipment 8 in a direction further into conduit 12 and away from pipeline 2.

[0075] When it is desired to begin another round of deployment of equipment 8 into pipeline 2, relief 58 is closed and pump 54 is pressurized. Pressurized fluid 56 is injected into first fluid chamber 46 and consequently, fluid 4 is expelled out of second fluid chamber 48 and into conduit 12 to move equipment 8 downwards some distance in conduit 12 and towards aperture 34 of pipeline 2. The amount of fluid 4 expelled out of second fluid chamber 48 and into conduit 2 with each fluid pulse can be relatively small, and therefore, any increased pressure would have negligible effect on the pressure of fluid 4 contained in pipeline 2.

[0076] As shown in Figs. 1 through 6 and as discussed above, inspection assembly 100 comprises carrier 10 which operatively connects equipment 8 to winch assembly 6. Carrier 10 is generally elongate, and may comprise a length of cable. Carrier 10 is adapted to be secured to

equipment 8, whereby equipment 8 can be deployed by pushing carrier 10 into equipment conduit 12 through inlet aperture 22. In some embodiments, carrier 10 is sufficiently stiff to be pushed into conduit 12, without buckling. However, carrier 10 is generally sufficiently flexible to allow it to bend when inserted into the pipeline 2. Preferably also, carrier 10 is neutrally buoyant when disposed in fluid 4 as this reduces the amount of drag experienced by carrier 10.

[0077] As shown in Figs. 1 through 6, a protection sleeve 60 can be provided to surround at least a region of carrier 10 for protecting carrier 10 from encountering sharp edges when equipment 8 is deployed into pipeline 2. Sleeve 60 is dimensioned allow carrier 10 to slide freely therein and comprises a leading region 62 and trailing region 64. A flange 66 can be provided at trailing region 64, where flange 66 which is adapted to abut against stop 32 in end wall 18 of equipment conduit 12. Stop 32 can be configured to selectably lock flange 66 to prevent unintended movement of sleeve 60. [0078] The operation of sleeve 60 will now be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. When fluid 4 is expelled from deployment apparatus 14 and fluid flows past equipment 8, equipment 8 which is secured to carrier 10 and sleeve 60 are displaced in the direction of fluid flow, which is downwards and in the direction of pipeline 2. Sleeve 60 will continue to move downward under the influence of the expelled fluid so that at least a portion of leading region 62 enters pipeline 2. Under the influence of fluid flow in pipeline 2, equipment 8 is carried out into pipeline 2 in the direction of fluid flow of pipeline 2 as shown in figure 5. When equipment 8 is substantially or completely inside pipeline 2, carrier 10 would bend and carrier 10 would otherwise encounter sharp edges in the pipeline 2 in the absence of the surrounding sleeve 60. Further movement of sleeve 60 into pipeline is inhibited when flange 66 is moved into a resting position against stop 32.

[0079] As shown in Figs. 1 through 6 and as discussed above, inspection assembly 100 comprises winch assembly 6. Winch assembly 6 comprises a cable winch 68 (drivable by a motor (not shown)) and cable spooling unit 70 for housing carrier 10. Winch assembly 6 can be configured to insert carrier 10 and equipment 8 into fluid conduit 12 and also to remove carrier 10 and equipment 8 subsequently (by reversing the direction of cable winch 68).

[0080] As shown in Fig. 5, a drogue 400 is attached to the free end of equipment 8. Drogue 400 is preferably collapsible, in order to facilitate insertion into and removal from pipeline 2. Drogue 400 may be designed to open automatically under the influence of the flow of fluid 4 within the pipe 2. When equipment 8 has been urged into pipeline 2 sufficiently far enough, the drogue 400 will be forced open by flow in the pipeline 2 and will tow equipment 8 in the direction of the flow of fluid 4. The use of drogue 400 can allow for deployment of equipment 8 several kilometres along pipeline 2 on the end of carrier 10.

[0081 ] Figs. 7 to 10 show another embodiment an inspection assembly

200 which is configured for deploying equipment 8 for inspecting the interior of pipeline 2 using a fluid hydrant 202 as a conduit to access pipeline 2. The assembly 200 is similar to assembly 100 and many of the parts may be substantially identical. Accordingly, like parts have been designated with like reference numerals. In this embodiment, deployment apparatus 14 is used to deploy equipment 8 into pipeline 2 using one or more pre-existing hydrants 202 commonly used in the industry and which may already be situated at various locations along the length of pipeline 2. As will be discussed, one additional advantage of deployment apparatus 14 is that it can be readily adapted to suit many different types of pipeline arrangements that may or may not include various access ports, such as fluid hydrants.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 10, deployment apparatus 14 is secured to hydrant 202 such that second fluid chamber 48 of housing 36 is in fluid communication with the interior of hydrant 202, and by extension, the interior of pipeline 2. As shown, hydrant 202 comprises an adaptor flange 204 at the upper end for securing to deployment apparatus 14, a riser spool 206 configured for receiving equipment 8 therein, and a king valve body 208 at the lower end. [0083] As shown in Fig. 7, an adaptor tube 212 can be provided to facilitate the securing of housing 36 of deployment apparatus 14 to adaptor flange 204 of hydrant 202. In this manner, any fluid that is expelled out of second fluid chamber 48 will first enter adapter tube 212 and then pass into the interior of hydrant 202 which houses equipment 8. Adaptor tube 212 may be made integral with the housing 36 or may be removeably securable to each other.

[0084] King valve body 208 comprises a stop 232 for receiving flange

66 on protection sleeve 60 and a cable sleeve guide 210 for directing equipment 8 and protection sleeve towards pipeline 2. King valve body 208 can be connected to pipeline 2 via a lateral "dry" conduit 214 comprising one or more isolation valves 216.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 10, equipment 8 can be preloaded to carrier 10 past the king valve body 208 and into the lateral "dry" conduit 214 and dropping carrier 10 and protection sleeve 60 into a seat of the king valve body 208 which is the point where a king valve (i.e. the valve which isolates the lateral conduit 214 from the portion of the hydrant which protrudes above ground) would sit in a hydrant casting of a conventional hydrant not being used as an entry point into fluid container 2. The seat would not require equipment 8 to pull back through it, avoiding any clearance issues. Retraction of equipment 8 (which can be accomplished using winch assembly 6, for example) would only be into the lateral 214 portion and extraction of equipment 8 would occur once the system is depressurized (after the closing of one or more valves, for example). [0086] The procedure for deploying equipment 8 for inspecting the interior of a container 2 using fluid hydrant 202 is generally similar to the procedure for deploying equipment 8 for inspecting the interior of fluid pipeline 2 as discussed above.

[0087] Figs. 11, 12, and 13 show another embodiment of an inspection assembly 300 for deploying equipment 8 for inspecting the interior of container 2. In many ways, the assembly 300 is similar to the assembly 100 and many of the parts can be substantially identical. Accordingly, like parts have been designated with like reference numerals.

[0088] Assembly 300 comprises a deployment apparatus 314 for deploying equipment 8 into pipeline 2. Deployment apparatus 314 comprises housing 36 having first portion 38 and second portion 40 opposed to the first portion 38. One difference between deployment apparatus 314 and deployment apparatus 14 is that deployment apparatus 314 does not include a piston moveable between first portion 38 and second portion 40.

[0089] Use of deployment apparatus 314 will now be described with reference to Figs. 11, 12, and 13. At rest, housing 36 of deployment apparatus 314 is substantially filled with pipeline fluid 4. Housing 36 may be filled using fluid 4 flowed up from pipeline 2 and the filling may be done at the first rate of rate of flow which will not appreciably move equipment 8 residing in conduit 12. When it is desired to move equipment 8 out of conduit 12 and into pipeline 2, the pressure of fluid 56 is increased. Once the pressure of fluid 56 exceeds that of the pressure of fluid 4, valve 57 is opened, and a volume of fluid 56 is injected into housing 36 via aperture 53 to expel the fluid 4 out of housing 36 at the second rate of flow and into conduit 12 and in a direction towards the pipeline 2, and wherein the force generated by the movement of fluid 56 past equipment 8 residing in conduit 12 pushes equipment 8 at least a distance and in the direction towards pipeline 2.

[0090] To move equipment 8 further into pipeline 2, the deployment procedure is repeated as many times as necessary to force equipment 8 sufficiently into pipeline 2. In this regard, fluid 4 from pipeline 2 is permitted to flow back into equipment conduit 12 to refill housing 36. Relief 58 is opened either before the refilling or simultaneously in order to permit fluid 56 to drain out of housing 36.

[0091 ] When it is desired to begin another round of deployment of equipment 8 into pipeline 2, relief 58 is closed (either automatically, such as for example, by using one or more float valves or manually, such as for example, after visual confirmation of venting of fluid out of relief valve 58 by an operator) and pump 54 is pressurized. A volume of pressurized fluid 56 is again injected into housing 36 and consequently, fluid 4 is expelled out and into conduit 12 to move equipment 8 downwards some distance in conduit 12 and further towards aperture 34 of pipeline 2.

[0092] As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, equipment conduit 12 may comprise a straight tube securable to pipeline 2. Shown in Fig. 14 is another embodiment of equipment conduit 12 which comprises side wall 20 having one or more curves along its length .

[0093] The embodiments of the present application described above are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present application . In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a

subcombination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and subcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. Any dimensions provided in the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

Claims

1. A deployment apparatus for deploying container inspection equipment from an equipment conduit into a fluid container, the conduit in fluid communication with the fluid container, the conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, the deployment apparatus comprising : a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first portion including an aperture by which a second fluid at a second pressure, which is greater than the first pressure, can pass into the interior of the housing; wherein at rest, the equipment is received in the conduit and the conduit contains the first fluid, and wherein when it is desired to deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, a volume of the second fluid is released through the aperture and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the force generated by the movement of fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at rest, the housing is substantially filled with the first fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a moveable piston

dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and wherein, in response to the filling of the first fluid chamber with the volume of the second fluid, the piston is moved and the first fluid in the second fluid chamber is expelled out of the housing and into the conduit.

4. The deployment apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a cushion

secured to the first portion, or the second portion, or both the first and second portions, for minimizing the impact of the piston.

5. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a pump assembly for pumping the second fluid into the housing.

6. The deployment apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pump assembly

comprises a gas compressor and the second fluid is a gas.

7. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein an angle a formed between the conduit and the housing is from about 0 to about 180 degrees.

8. The deployment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the angle a is from about 0 to about 45 degrees.

9. The deployment apparatus of claim 8 wherein the angle a is about 45 degrees.

10. The deployment apparatus any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the housing is removeably securable to the conduit.

11. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a carrier configured to secure to the equipment and a protection sleeve configured to surround at least a length of the carrier, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to permit the carrier to freely slide therein, and wherein the sleeve protects the carrier from damage caused by contact with the walls of the container when the equipment is deployed into the container.

12. The deployment apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sleeve comprises a leading region and trailing region and a flange at the trailing region which is adapted to abut against a stop provided in the equipment conduit to prevent the sleeve from completely exiting the equipment conduit when the equipment is deployed in the container.

13. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the first fluid is a liquid flowed in from the container.

14. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the fluid container is a pipeline.

15. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the

equipment conduit further comprises a hydrant.

16. The deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the

second fluid is a gas.

17. A method for deploying container inspection equipment from an equipment conduit into a fluid container, the method comprising : filling the conduit containing the equipment to be deployed with a first fluid at a first pressure; releasing a second fluid at a second pressure greater than the first

pressure, wherein the release of the second fluid generates a sufficient force to move the fluid in the conduit past the equipment and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the moving fluid pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising : filing a housing with the first fluid from conduit, the housing comprising : a first portion including an aperture configured to allow the second fluid to enter into the housing; and a second portion opposed to the first portion, wherein the second portion is in fluid

communication with the interior of the conduit; and wherein the releasing of the second fluid is such that the second fluid released into the housing generates the sufficient force to move the fluid in the conduit past the equipment and in the direction towards the container.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the housing further comprises a moveable piston dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, wherein the second fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, wherein the filling of the first fluid increases the volume of the second chamber and moves the piston towards the first portion which decreases the volume of the first fluid chamber, and wherein the releasing of the second fluid into the first fluid chamber moves the piston towards the second portion and expels the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising : withdrawing the second fluid from the first fluid chamber; filling the second fluid chamber with the first fluid to move the piston towards the first portion and decrease the volume of the first fluid chamber; releasing the second fluid into the first fluid chamber to move the piston towards the second portion to expel the first fluid out of the second fluid chamber and into the conduit.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the filling of the first fluid is done at a first rate of flow that is insufficient for moving the equipment in the conduit.

22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the equipment conduit further comprises a hydrant.

23. The method of any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein the first fluid is a liquid flowed in from the container.

24. The method of any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the fluid container is a pipeline.

25. The method of any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the second fluid is a gas.

26. A system for deploying container inspection equipment into a fluid

container, the system comprising : a conduit configured to receive and then deploy the equipment into the fluid container, the conduit comprising : an inlet aperture configured to allow a carrier for securing the

equipment to pass therethrough; an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the container

configured to permit fluid and the equipment to pass between the conduit and the container; and an opening in the wall between the inlet and the outlet, the opening configured to direct a force from a moving fluid towards the equipment and in a direction of the container; and a pump assembly, in fluid communication with the opening, for

generating the force sufficient to move a fluid in the conduit past the equipment, and wherein the moving fluid pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and the direction towards the container.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising a deployment apparatus, the apparatus comprising : a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion comprising the opening and in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first portion including an aperture by which another fluid can pass into the interior of the housing under pressure; and wherein when it is desired to deploy the equipment out of the conduit and into the container, a volume of the another fluid is released under pressure through the aperture and in a direction towards the container, and wherein the force generated by the moving fluid past the equipment pushes the equipment in the conduit at least a distance and in the direction towards the container.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein at rest, the housing is substantially filled with the fluid from the conduit.

29. The system of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a moveable piston

dividing the housing into first and second fluid chambers, the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and wherein, in response to the filling of the first fluid chamber with the volume of the another fluid, the piston is moved and the fluid in the second fluid chamber is expelled out of the housing and into the conduit.

30. The system of any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the another fluid is a gas.

31. The system of any one of claims 27 to 30 wherein an angle a formed between the conduit and the housing is from about 0 to about 180 degrees.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the angle a is from about 0 to about 45 degrees.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the angle a is about 45 degrees.

34. The system of any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein the conduit is

removeably securable to the container.

35. The system of any one of claims 26 to 34 further comprising a protection sleeve configured to surround at least a length of the carrier, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to permit the carrier to freely slide therein, and wherein the sleeve protects the carrier from damage caused by contact with the walls of the container when the equipment is deployed into the container.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the sleeve comprises a leading region and trailing region and a flange at the trailing region which is adapted to abut against a stop provided in the conduit to prevent the sleeve from completely exiting the equipment conduit when the equipment is deployed in the container.

37. The system of any one of claims 26 to 36 wherein the fluid container is a pipeline.