In-line piggable wye fitting, apparatus and method
View Patent ↗A fitting for inserting a pig into a pipeline. The fitting comprises a cast body having a first end for connecting to a first end of a pipeline and a second end for connecting to a second end of the pipeline. The cast body further comprises a third end arranged at a predetermined angle to the first and second end of the cast body. A retractable guide within the cast body can be at least partially inserted into a run portion of the cast body for delivery or retrieval of the pig.
1. A fitting for inserting a pig into a pipeline, comprising:
a cast body having a first end and a second end, the first end for connecting to a first end of the pipeline and the second end for connecting to a second end of the pipeline;
a third end of the cast body arranged at a predetermined angle to the first and second end of the cast body; and
a retractable guide within the cast body for guiding the pig into a run portion of the cast body.
2. The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 45 degrees.
3. The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the pig is an in-line inspection tool.
4. The fitting of claim 3 , wherein the guide can be extended into the run portion of the cast body by a guide feed.
5. The fitting of claim 4 , wherein the guide feed comprises a feedscrew.
6. The fitting of claim 5 , wherein the feedscrew can be rotated to position the guide at least partially in the run portion of the cast body.
7. The fitting of claim 4 , wherein the guide feed is arranged in a housing external to a housing of the retractable guide.
8. The fitting of claim 3 , wherein the guide can be extended into the run portion of the cast body by a swing check valve.
9. The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the pig can be introduced into the pipeline through at least the run portion of the cast body.
10. The fitting of claim 1 , wherein the first end and second end of the cast body is in-line with the pipeline.
11. The fitting of claim 10 , wherein the first end and second end of the cast body is substantially parallel to the pipeline.
12. The fitting of claim 10 , wherein the third end is arranged for connecting to one of a (i) launch vessel or (ii) receiving vessel.
13. A method for inspecting a pipeline, comprising:
operatively connecting a wye fitting to a pipeline that is to be inspected, wherein the wye fitting comprises:
a cast body having a first end and a second end, the first end for connecting to a first end of the pipeline and the second end for connecting to a second end of the pipeline;
a third end of the cast body arranged at a predetermined angle to the first and second end of the cast body; and
a retractable guide within the cast body for guiding an inspection tool into a run portion of the cast body;
connecting a launch vessel to the wye fitting;
positioning the retractable guide at least partially into the run portion of the cast body;
inserting the inspection tool into the pipeline through the run portion of the cast body; and
inspecting the pipeline with the inspection tool.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first end and second end of the cast body is in-line with the pipeline.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the retractable guide is positioned by a feedscrew.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the retractable guide is positioned by a swing check valve.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing the inspection tool from the pipeline.
18. A fitting for positioning a pig in a pipeline, comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end, the first end for connecting to a first end of the pipeline and the second end for connecting to a second end of the pipeline, wherein the ends are in-line to the pipeline; and
a retractable guide within the body for positioning the pig in the pipeline.
19. The fitting of claim 18 , further comprising a third end of the body arranged for connecting to one of a (i) launch vessel or (ii) receiving vessel.
20. The fitting of claim 18 , wherein the retractable guide is positioned by a feedscrew.