The invention relates to a method to apply a material which assists in the maintenance of a crease (4) or other formation in a garment (2), such as a crease line in the leg of a pair of trousers. The material (15) which is applied is of a form which minimizes the opportunity for the material (15) to be visible at the time of application and/or during subsequent use of the garment (2). The material (15) is applied using a method and apparatus (100) in which the spacing of the apparatus nib (14) from which the material (15) is applied, from the garment (2) and/or contact of the nib (14) with the garment (2) is controlled by support members (112, 114) such that the material (15) is applied onto the garment (2) and adheres thereto in a manner in which the desired effect of the material (15) is achieved without the material subsequently causing discolouration and/or passing through the garment (2).
This invention relates to a device and method which can be used to detect the location of one or more leaks within a pipeline, by passing the device along the interior of the pipeline. The device includes audio detection means to detect the presence of leaks. Surface mounted apparatus is also provided to allow the passage of the device along the pipeline to be monitored and the position of the device with respect to the pipeline to be detected.
G01M 3/00 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures
G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
3.
System and method for the prediction of leakage in a pipeline
This invention relates to a method for assessing the condition of at least a portion of a pipeline to predict the possibility of occurrence of leakage from the pipeline. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one portion of the pipeline to be assessed, undertaking an assessment of the wall of the portion to identify defects located thereon and the assessment includes identifying the depth, width and length of identified defects and including reference to a value for the pressure of the fluid passing through the pipeline portion. This allows the condition of the pipeline at the portions of the same which are most critical to be identified and this is used to provide an indication of the pipeline as a whole without the need to investigate the entire pipeline.
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
G01N 27/87 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields using probes
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
G01N 17/00 - Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion or to light
G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
G01M 3/40 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges
4.
Apparatus and method for detection and monitoring of the condition of pipeline components
This invention relates to apparatus for the monitoring of the condition of a pipeline (8) which is provided to carry a liquid therealong and/or a component (4) fitted to and operable in communication with the pipeline. The apparatus including at least one detecting device fitted on, or adjacent to, the component (4) to detect a change in condition of the component (4) and/or pipeline (8).
F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
F17D 5/06 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
G01N 29/024 - Analysing fluids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
E03B 7/07 - Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
G01N 29/14 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object using acoustic emission techniques
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
5.
APPARATUS FOR ACOUSTIC MONITORING OF PIPELINE CONNECTED COMPONENTS
The invention relates to apparatus (6) and a method for the control of operation of one or more components (4) of a pipeline, such as a valve, in order to minimise the occurrence of potentially damaging and/or hazardous conditions occurring, such as surge pressures. The method and apparatus allows the detection of the change of condition of the pipeline to be monitored as the operation of the component is performed and compares the live data with predetermined data to determine whether this change in condition of the pipeline is within acceptable limits and, if not, indicates an alert to cause the operation of the component to be altered.
F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
F17D 5/06 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
6.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PREDICTION OF LEAKAGE IN A PIPELINE
The invention relates to a method for assessing the condition of at least a portion of a pipeline to predict the possibility of occurrence of leakage from the pipeline. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one portion of the pipeline to be assessed, undertaking an assessment of the wall of said portion to identify defects located thereon and the said assessment includes identifying the depth, width and length of identified defects and including reference to a value for the pressure of the fluid passing through the said pipeline portion. This allows the condition of the pipeline at the portions of the same which are most critical to be identified and this is sued to provide an indication of the pipeline as a whole without the need to investigate the entire pipeline.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
G01N 27/87 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields using probes
G01N 17/00 - Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion or to light
7.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND MONITORING OF THE CONDITION OF PIPELINE COMPONENTS
Apparatus for the monitoring of the condition of a pipeline (8) which is provided to carry a liquid therealong and/or a component (4) fitted to, and operable in communication with said pipeline, said apparatus including at least one detecting device fitted on, or adjacent to, the said component (4) in order to detect a change in condition of the component (4) and/or pipeline (8).
F17D 5/06 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
E21B 47/14 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves
G01M 3/00 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures
G01N 29/024 - Analysing fluids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the condition of a pipeline wall and analysis and estimate of the life of the pipeline by using an apparatus mounted externally of the pipeline and provided to be moved about and/or along at least a portion of the same. The apparatus includes at least one sensor array which includes a plurality of sensors axially offset to provide data for analysis and identification of pipeline defects.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
The invention to which this application relates is a device and method which can be used to detect the location of one or more leaks within a pipeline, by passing said device along the interior of the pipeline. The device includes audio detection means to detect the presence of leaks. Surface mounted apparatus is also provided to allow the passage of the device along the pipeline to be monitored and the position of the device with respect to the pipeline to be detected.
An apparatus and a method for detecting the condition of a pipeline wall and analysis and estimate of the life of the pipeline by using apparatus which is mounted externally of the pipeline and is provided to be moved about and/or along at least a portion of the same. The apparatus includes at least one sensor array which includes a plurality of sensors, preferably three wherein said sensors are offset by 90 degrees with respect to each other, and which are axially offset so as to provide data for analysis and identification of pipeline defects.
G01N 27/82 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
The current invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the condition of a pipeline and also predicting the future rate of deterioration and/or possible failure of the pipeline. The method includes the steps of selecting at least one portion of the pipeline for which the prediction is to be made and, for that portion, monitoring or inspecting and assessing the condition of the pipeline wall, and typically also assessing the condition of any coating of the pipeline at said portion as well as the condition of the soil adjacent the pipeline. The measurement is performed along the length of the portion and preferably around the circumference of the pipeline at said portion. Data is collected for each cell of a grid which represents the said portion and on the basis of the measured data and, selectively, previous data and or reference data, an accurate prediction can be made as to the future condition of the pipeline and also identify potential future problems or required remedial works.
The current invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the condition of a pipeline and also predicting the future rate of deterioration and/or possible failure of the pipeline. The method includes the steps of selecting at least one portion of the pipeline for which the prediction is to be made and, for that portion, monitoring or inspecting and assessing the condition of the pipeline wall, and typically also assessing the condition of any coating of the pipeline at said portion as well as the condition of the soil adjacent the pipeline. The measurement is performed along the length of the portion and preferably around the circumference of the pipeline at said portion. Data is collected for each cell of a grid which represents the said portion and on the basis of the measured data and, selectively, previous data and or reference data, an accurate prediction can be made as to the future condition of the pipeline and also identify potential future problems or required remedial works.
The invention relates to apparatus for detecting a parameter of a pipeline such as the leakage of fluid therefrom. The apparatus includes a device which is provided of at least two parts and with a smooth continuous outer surface so as to allow the device to be carried along the pipeline to be checked by the fluid of the flow alone with a minimum of contact and possible dislodgement of debris from the pipeline wall. The device includes a cavity in which detection apparatus is housed and allows signals indicative of its position to be sent to the surface. Apparatus is also provided for launching and retrieving the device to and from the pipeline.
patents
