Patent ID: 9206937
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A method for simultaneous monitoring of a pressure differential across a friction pig and a position of the friction pig to predict movement of the friction pig when the friction pig is in stationary use in and sealing against a pipeline, the friction pig having at least one pair of resilient sealing elements, the method further comprising the steps of: using pressure sensors connected to the friction pig for acquiring data related to the differential pressure across the friction pig; operating in different operation modes where one is a communication mode and the other is a tracking mode, the communication mode enables said pressure sensors for acquiring data related to the differential pressure and the tracking mode enables means for sending signals related to identification and position of the friction pig; receiving instructions from a transponder of a remote control unit through a transceiver, said instructions comprises operation modes of the friction pig; carrying out said instructions, and transmitting said acquired data and signals to said remote control unit through said transceiver, thus enabling simultaneous monitoring of the differential pressure across the friction pig and the position of the friction pig to predict movement of the friction pig; and predicting the movement of the friction before an movement occurs based upon a change in the differential pressure when the friction pig is in stationary use and sealing against the pipeline; wherein the friction pig is a friction plug having no moving parts for use in pipeline isolation, the resilient sealing elements being the sole means of holding the friction plug in a stationary, sealing position within the pipeline.