Patent ID: 7856997
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A removable automatic insertion apparatus with an extendable segmented drainage shaft for draining unwanted liquids from a pressurized pipeline comprising: the extendable segmented drainage shaft being formed from a plurality of independent hollow drainage shaft segments which engage each other, the extendable drainage shaft further including a segmented hollow actuation tube being formed from a plurality of independent hollow actuation tubing segments, each being slightly longer than the length of each drainage tube segment, each actuation tube segment being connected to the other, the drainage shaft and the actuation tube being extended on a segment by segment basis into the pipeline and being withdrawn on a segment by segment basis; a connector positioned proximate the pipeline through which the extendable drainage shaft is inserted into the pipeline, the connector sealing against the escape of pipeline pressure and further including a locking assembly to selectively secure the extended drainage shaft inside the pipeline to the connector, after each drainage shaft segment has been inserted into the pipeline to prevent unwanted expulsion of the extended drainage shaft from the pipeline due to pipeline pressure; the removable automatic insertion apparatus for the extendable drainage shaft having: the segmented hollow actuation tube in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and connected on the other end to the termination assembly, the source of pressurized fluid forcing fluid through the segmented hollow actuation tube into the drainage valve actuation assembly to move the drainage valve element from the normally closed position to the open position allowing liquids to be forced past the drainage valve element through the hollow extendable drainage shaft and out of the pipeline due to pipeline pressure.