GB2481220A

GB2481220A - Leaking well/pipe cap device

Info

Publication number: GB2481220A
Application number: GB201010015A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Campbell Hastie; Niall Campbell Hastie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-16
Filing date: 2010-06-16
Publication date: 2011-12-21
Also published as: GB201010015D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a manufactured metal containment and channelling device 4 which is placed over and attached to a damaged pipe to help capture and channel any escaping fluids to a secure repository via a vent pipe. The device may have a variable size aperture or iris mechanism (6,7,8 Figure 2) fitted internally which allows a variety of sizes of pipe to be clamped and secured inside the device, before a series of valves internally can then control the flow of fluids to the pipe. The device is capable of being hydraulically, mechanically or remotely operated and has necessary fixings to allow connection to these systems. The protective framework also helps in placing the device accurately and has fixings for additional ballast, as well as deployable flanges or bolts to assist in securing it in position.

Description

Title: Well/Pipe Capture and Controlling Device

Background:

This invention relates to a device designed to capture and channel oil (or other liquid) from a leaking well or pipe. When wells and pipes leak they release large quantities of oil/fluids into the natural habitat, causing ecological damage and financial costs.

Statement of Invention:

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a manufactured device, which is transportable, and is placed over the leaking pipe, enabling a seal to be made around and over the pipe and the fluid(s) to be channelled to a safe repository.

Advantages: The device has a design that can be varied in size and scope depending on the situation it is to be deployed in, thus being effective in different circumstances and environments.

Preferably it is made out of stainless steel or carbon steel or other material suitable for the environment in which it is to be used.

Preferably it has an aperture' type seal for closing onto the oil pipe.

Preferably is has compressed air, hydraulic or mechanically activated opening/closure mechanisms.

Preferably the framing is fitted with skids and remotely operated flanges or bolts to secure it into position to the ground/sea-bed etc. Preferably it has non-return valves fitted to allow injection of chemicals or other substances to facilitate the flow of oil/liquid.

Introduction to Drawings:

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the following drawings: Fig. 1 shows the device from a side-on view without framework attached.

Fig. 2 shows detailing of the adjustable aperture style' pipe sealing unit fitted internally to the device.

Fig. 3 shows the device from a side on view, including the external framework attached.

Fig. 4 shows the device with the framework attached, from an underside view.

Detailed Description:

At Figure 1: A manufactured bottle shape' cylinder is made from suitable stainless (or other) steel. It is manufactured of a gauge and strength of metal to be suitable for use in its intended environment. A pipe collar assembly 1 sits at the top enabling a variety of sizes and lengths of piping 2 to be fitted to the unit. Below this is a valve assembly unit 3, which contains more than one valve, which can be opened and closed hydraulically and/or mechanically and/or remotely. This enables the device to be sealed at the topside once a secure fit has been made onto the pipe etc that is leaking. 4 shows the main body of the device, circular and bottle shaped with an open end at the bottom. The part marked 5 is a control and attachment point for hydraulic lines which are used to supply pressure to enable the internal sealing device (described in Figure 3] to function once the entire device is in position.

At Figure 2: A manufactured circular steel unit welded and secured inside the bottle shape' device approximately halfway through its length. It is manufactured in a similar way as the aperture device found on camera lenses. Providing an open-able and close-able, circular shaped hole in the centre 7. This variable aperture would be capable of being placed over the end of a leaking pipe and then by applying hydraulic pressure (or other as mentioned at 2 in Fig. 1) the opening would close around the pipe grasping it firmly and sealing or at least partly sealing around it, thus stopping the majority of the leaking fluid from escaping backwards. The petals 6 on the device overlap one another providing reinforcement and extra strength.

The outside ring 8 contains the sliding, variable mechanism that allows the petals to be opened up or closed together, gripping the pipe once in position. This action is controlled either remotely or from the control panel as described at 5 on Fig.1. once hydraulic or electrical power is connected.

At Figure 3: This shows an external view of the complete unit including the external metal framework that is fitted to the outside of the device to provide protection and also to enable easier manoeuvring and positioning of the device. Indicated at 9 are two of the legs, which are positioned in a square or rectangular shape away from the body of the device 4. The legs are mounted and fixed bolted or welded to the device and each other creating a rigid structure. They are secured by their own and interconnecting spars shown at 10 and 11 by example.

At Figure 4: This shows the device from the end view or underside with the metal framework attached. For ease of reference the numbering is the same as at Figure 3. The framework also has fixing points 12 around the structure for attaching additional ballast in order to help secure the device in position using additional weight.

Claims

Claims: 1. A metal containment device which can be made in varying sizes to be placed over and attached to a leaking pipe either undersea or on land enabling the channelling and controlling of any escaping fluids to a safe repository via a variable length and sized vent pipe.
2. A device according to claim 1 which has at least one control valve fitted to control the flow of fluids once it is attached which can be operated by compressed air, hydraulically, mechanically and/or remotely.
3. A device according to claim 2 which has a hydraulically or mechanically or remotely operated variable size aperture or iris mechanism fitted internally to permit fixing around the circumference of the leaking pipes of different diameters/sizes and to permit fluids upwards through the vent pipe and restrict the backflow of fluids.
4. A device according to claim 3 which has an external framework structure that can be sized to suit application allowing for ease of manoeuvring and placement and which provides protection to the device.
5. A device according to claim 4 which has deployable flanges or bolts and hooks fitted to the legs to allow it to be secured in position.
6. A device according to claim 5 which has fixings for ballast to be applied in order to help stabilise the device in-situ.
7. A device according to claim 6 which has designed non-return valves to allow the insertion of chemicals or fluids to facilitate and help control the flow of liquids.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims: 1. A metal containment device which can be made in varying sizes to be placed over and attached to a leaking pipe either undersea or on land, either horizontally or vertically, by use of the separately manufactured and independently available variable size aperture device described at Figure 2 which is then fitted internally, enabling the channelling and controlling of any escaping fluids to a safe repository via a variable length and sized vent pipe.2. A device according to claim 1 which has at least one control valve fitted to control the flow of fluids once it is attached which can be operated by compressed air, hydraulically, mechanically and/or remotely.3. A device according to claim 2 which has the hydraulically and/or mechanically and/or electrically and/or remotely operated variable size aperture or iris mechanism, which is of separate construction as described at Figure 2 and can be utilised in this application or can also be used as a stand-alone device or in conjunction with others, and used in/for other applications and situations, horizontally or vertically, fitted to it internally to permit fixing around the circumference of the leaking pipes of different diameters/sizes and to permit fluids upwards through the vent pipe and restrict the backflow of fluids.4. A device according to claim 3 which has an external framework structure that can be sized to suit application allowing for ease of manoeuvring and placement and which provides protection to the device.5. A device according to claim 4 which has deployable flanges or bolts and hooks fitted to the legs to allow it to be secured in position.6. A device according to claim 5 which has fixings for ballast to be applied in, order to help stabilise the device in-situ.7. A device according to claim 6 which has designed non-return valves to allow.the insertion of chemicals or fluids to facilitate and help control the,flowof liquids.*
8. A device according to any of the preceding claims where the variable size aperture or iris mechanism/device in Figure 2 and Al is a separate * component and is also suited for use in other applications on its own or together and in conjunction with others of its type.
9. A device according to Claim 8 where the component described in Figure 2 and Al of the description is manufactured separatelyas a single, or combinable unit, and is able to be deployed in different fitments, situations, and conditions including horizontal, angled or vertical installations.
10. A device/component according to Claim 9 where the component described in Figure 2 and Al is designed to be utilised either singly or in multiples within the annulus space inside an oil well drilling column, shown at Figure A2 for the purposes of flow restriction and well/casing stabilisation and integrity.
11. A device/component according to Claim 10 which is designed to operate in similar locations to those shown by example in Figure A2 inside an oil well drilling column.
12. A device/component according to Claim 11 which can be used as an Annulus flow restrictor and/or a well casing stability and integrity device, and/or casing and pipe centralisation device, and/or multiple stage cement job sectioning tool.
13. A device/component according to Claim 12 which may or may not have movable closure blades or sections.
14. A device/component according to claim 13 which also may or may not have a solid or perforated centre section design. -.S 555.5 * SSS..... * SS I.... * S S... * S 55.5 * SS SS S S*