IP Library Granted Patent US 10,094,508
Granted Patent B1
US 10,094,508 · App. 15/896,149 · Granted Oct 9, 2018

Pig ramp, system and method

Inventors: Danny Lee Dray (Jewett, OH); Bryan Anthony Crowe (Uhrichsville, OH); David Abraham Fitch (Bridgeport, WV); William Lee Sprowls (Washington, PA); John Charles Mollenkopf (Bow Mar, CO); Dustin Michael Howell (Barnesville, OH)
Assignee: MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
F16L55/46
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,094,508
App. No.
15/896,149
Granted
Oct 9, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.

Claims (19)

1. A pig ramp to receive and support a pig in a pig receiver, the pig ramp comprising:

a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of a pig; and

one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular, the one or more ramp segments each comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment coaxially arranged and coupled together, the second segment having a transition that positions a third segment surface at a lower elevation than a first segment surface.

2. The pig ramp of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ramp segments comprises a pair of ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the pair of ramp segments being coupled together by one or more ramp connectors.

3. The pig ramp of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ramp segments are arranged at a ramp segment angle relative to a radial axis of the ring to thereby position a respective surface of the one or more ramp segments for receiving and support the pig at an angle relative to the radial axis of the frame portion.

4. The pig ramp of claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises a lip positioned at a lower portion of the frame portion, the lip extending radially inward and having a lip thickness greater than a frame portion thickness.

5. The pig ramp of claim 1 , wherein the transition of the second segment has a reduced second segment thickness, the second segment thickness being greater proximate the first segment than proximate the third segment.

6. The pig ramp of claim 1 , further comprising one or more holes extending radially inward from an outer diameter of the frame portion and one or more fasteners extending through the respective one or more holes to couple a proximal seal to the frame portion, the frame portion being substantially ring-shaped.

7. The pig ramp of claim 1 , further comprising a groove formed along an outer diameter of the frame portion, the groove receiving a seal that extends radially outward from the frame portion and facilitates coupling the frame portion to an inside diameter of the tubular.

8. The pig ramp of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ramp segments comprise a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, the first segment having a first segment length that is substantially equal to a pig length.

9. A pig ramp to receive and support a pig in a pig receiver, the pig ramp comprising:

a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of a pig, the frame portion being substantially ring-shaped;

one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular;

one or more holes extending radially inward from an outer diameter of the frame portion; and

one or more fasteners extending through the respective one or more holes to couple a proximal seal to the frame portion.

10. A pig ramp to receive and support a pig in a pig receiver, the pig ramp comprising:

a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of a pig;

one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular; and

a groove formed along an outer diameter of the frame portion, the groove receiving a seal that extends radially outward from the frame portion and facilitates coupling the frame portion to an inside diameter of the tubular.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 8, 2026
From: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
To: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS LLC
Reel/Frame 074289/0388 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2018
From: DRAY, DANNY LEE; CROWE, BRYAN ANTHONY; FITCH, DAVID ABRAHAM; SPROWLS, WILLIAM LEE; MOLLENKOPF, JOHN CHARLES; HOWELL, DUSTIN MICHAEL
To: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 044922/0272 →
Continuity (2)
Division 15798479 · Oct 31, 2017
Provisional Application 62416646 · Nov 2, 2016
Cited By (13)
US 12,195,158 US 12,195,861 US 12,203,401 US 12,203,598 US 12,297,965 US 12,359,403 US 12,384,508 US 12,472,537 US 12,485,389 US 12,546,245 US 12,597,151 US 12,709,808 US 12,716,379