Patent ID: 8011052
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: B08B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A trailing pig cleaning device adapted to be dragged behind a pig towing device, the trailing pig cleaning device collecting a predetermined quantity of debris from a pipeline having a cylindrical internal wall, the trailing pig cleaning device comprising: a support member having a continuous outer surface portion of variable diameter urged into normal contact with the cylindrical internal wall, the continuous outer surface portion presenting a continuous leading edge portion for scraping debris from the cylindrical internal wall in advance of the outer surface portion; a debris collecting surface portion connected to the support member and extending radially inward relative to the outer surface portion, the debris collecting surface portion being configured to collect the debris scraped from the cylindrical internal wall; and, a collection chamber configured to collect the debris from the debris collecting surface portion, and having a second debris collecting surface portion with at least one frustum extending contrary to a towing direction to a debris and pipeline media bypass opening through which the scraped debris in excess of the predetermined quantity leave the collection chamber and falls back into the pipeline, said at least one bypass opening also permitting pipeline media to pass in the towing direction to propel the pig towing device.