[54] MAGNETIC CLEANING PIG
[75] Inventor: William Jack Rankin, Sapulpa, Okla.
[73] Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc., Wilmington, Del.
[21] Appl. No.: 773,696
[22] Filed: Dec 27,1996
[51] Int CI.6 B08B 9/04
[52] U.S. CI 15/104.061
[58] Field of Search 15/104.061; 209/215
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,292,197 12/1966 Stephens 15/104.06
3,460,028 8/1969 Beaver et al 324/37
3,546,642 12/1970 Frederick et al 335/305
3,600,736 8/1971 Smith et al 15/104.061
3,673,629 7/1972 Casey et al 15/104.061
4,057,081 11/1977 Jones 138/97
4,113,611 9/1978 Gohm 209/215
4,345,350 8/1982 Burd 15/104.061
4,524,526 6/1985 Levine 33/312
4,717,875 1/1988 Lara 324/220
4,767,603 8/1988 Byrd et al 15/104.061 X
4,945,306 7/1990 Lowther 324/220
5,035,021 7/1991 LeDevehat 15/104.061
5,461,746 10/1995 Banik et al 15/104.061
1417943 8/1988 Sweden .
956074 9/1982 U.S.S.R 15/104.061
Primary Examiner—Mark Spisich
Attorney Agent, or Firm—Head, Johnson & Kachigian
[57] ABSTRACT
A cleaning device for passing through a pipeline for removal of ferro-magnetic debris includes an elongated body having at least two spaced apart elastomeric cups that fit within a pipeline to be cleaned, the cups supporting the body so that its elongational axis is substantially co-axial with the pipeline cylindrical wall. A carrier is supported by the body and has a peripheral surface spaced adjacent to the pipeline internal wall. At least one permanent magnet is supported by the carrier peripheral surface and adjacent to the pipeline internal wall. A structure is provided to maintain the magnet oriented in the direction of, or parallel to, and adjacent the pipeline internal wall bottom portion so that the magnet attracts and retains ferro-magnetic debris. In one embodiment the carrier is free to rotate about the elongated body so that if the cleaning device rotates as it moves through a pipeline the magnet or magnets carried thereby are always positioned adjacent the pipeline bottom interior surface. In another embodiment, the carrier is fixed to the cleaning device body. A weight is attached to the body to prevent the cleaning device from rotating and to thereby maintain the peripheral surface of the carrier having the magnet therein adjacent the pipeline interior bottom.
23 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
