Abstract:
A probe structure for inserting into and operating upon an object within a pipeline, especially a high pressure pipeline carrying liquid or gas, is characterized by two coaxial cylinders that can be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. A primary cylinder is adapted to be mounted onto a pipeline tee and/or valve, and includes a movable primary piston to which is fixedly attached a primary lower hollow shaft that moves with the primary piston and preferably a primary upper hollow shaft that also moves with the primary piston. The primary lower hollow shaft is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline while the primary upper hollow shaft extends above the primary cylinder and is fixed to a secondary cylinder, such that the secondary cylinder moves with the primary piston. The secondary piston includes a secondary piston that moves independently of the first and second cylinders. A secondary hollow shaft is fixedly attached to the secondary piston and coaxially extends through the primary upper and lower hollow shaft, and a central bore in the primary piston, and is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline. In this manner, an object attached to the primary lower hollow shaft may be inserted into the pipeline, while the secondary hollow shaft provides for a second operation to be performed on the object. Wires may extend through the secondary hollow shaft or air may be circulated therethrough for pneumatic purposes. As an alternative embodiment the automatic insertion device can comprise a removable primary cylindrical housing utilized for inserting the primary insertion tool and a secondary cylindrical housing for telescopically inserting a hollow tube.

Description:
This application, under 37 CFR 1.53 (b), is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of application Ser. No. 09/026,200, filed Feb. 19, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,777. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to insertion apparatuses for placing various devices into a pipeline of flowing gaseous or liquid products and, more particularly, to insertion apparatuses for the insertion and manipulation and/or operation of various devices within the pipeline. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Pipelines carry flowing gaseous or liquid product from one place to another. In many instances it is desirable, if not necessary, to measure, sample or generate data from such flowing product. It is also desirable to control flow such as by regulators or valves. This measurement or flow control can be accomplished by inserting a measuring device, sensor, valve, plug, or various other types of devices into the flow of product within the pipeline. In order to enable such insertion, pipelines are normally fitted with tees. The tees provide an opening into the pipeline and generally a mounting flange or fitting. 
     One exemplary type of measurement is flow volume as measurable by a turbine flow meter. Another type of measurement is pressure as measurable by a pressure sensor. Since the total value of the product flowing within the pipeline is, in part, dependent on the temperature of the flowing material, sometimes a thermometer is utilized. Still other types of devices that require insertion into the pipeline are sampler devices, regulator valves, orifices and flow diffusers. 
     It is known to be able to insert such devices into the pipeline by using an insertion apparatus, even under pressure conditions, through a tee. The insertion apparatus is mounted onto the mounting flange or fitting of the tee. The device to be inserted is carried by the insertion apparatus for selective insertion into the pipeline through the tee. 
     Such an insertion apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,676 issued to Robert H. Welker on Dec. 11, 1979. The &#39;676 patent describes a hydraulically operated meter mounting mechanism that is adapted to insert and position a meter transducer in a high pressure environment such as a pipeline. The meter mounting mechanism utilizes a single, movable piston structure having a central, hollow piston rod that reciprocates within the cylinder portion of the piston structure. The piston rod extends beyond the cylinder portion and carries the meter transducer. Wires from the meter transducer may be fed through the piston rod. The piston rod may be selectively locked against rotation by a locking mechanism. 
     Another insertion apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,611 issued to Robert H. Welker on Aug. 31, 1982. The &#39;611 patent describes an insertion apparatus especially adapted to insert a probe into the pipeline. The insertion apparatus includes a single cylinder/piston arrangement to which is coupled a piston rod. The probe is attached to one end of the piston rod external of the cylinder. Pressure from the pipeline is directed into the piston to position the probe into the pipeline. 
     Still another insertion apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,967 issued to Robert H. Welker on Dec. 30, 1986. The &#39;967 patent describes an automatic insertion apparatus that will insert a portion of a piston rod into a pressurized fluid pipeline, usually an end of the piston rod to which is attached a measuring device. The piston rod is actuated by a single cylinder/piston, mounted on the pipeline. Reciprocating movement of the piston rod selectively places the measuring device into the pressurized fluid pipeline flow. 
     While there are examples in the prior art of insertion apparatuses, such apparatuses perform only a single task, namely, the simple insertion and retraction of the measuring device or sensor into and from the pipeline. There are times where it may be desirable to perform another task once the device or sensor has been inserted into or retracted from the pipeline. For instance, it may be necessary to insert then expand a plug in the pipeline in order to stop or control product flow. Additionally, it may be necessary to insert a device such as a miniature video camera into the pipeline, then activate a switch on the device or perform another function relative to the device. Also, it may be desirable to insert a capsule device, having a protective capsule around a sensitive device, into the pipeline, then open the capsule to expose the device. 
     In order to perform a “dual” task or operation, the prior art utilized a hand crank device to insert a device into the pipeline and then perform the next operation. Such is not efficient and does not allow for remote control, which for safety reasons is often desirable. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an insertion device that is capable of performing two independent operations, insertion/retraction and then manipulation once inserted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pipeline insertion/probe device is adapted to perform a first and second operation upon an inserted object. The insertion device is characterized by a dual coaxial cylinder/piston structure with dual coaxial, reciprocating hollow shafts. The shafts may be actuated by their respective pistons independently of each other. A primary cylinder and piston structure carries an object to be inserted into the pipeline by its shaft, while a secondary cylinder and piston structure allows a second operation on the inserted object through its shaft. The secondary cylinder and piston structure is coupled to and carried by the primary piston to move therewith. 
     More particularly, the primary cylinder, adapted to be attached to a pipeline, has a first hollow shaft that is fixedly attached to the primary piston, and is adapted to extend into the interior of the pipeline upon selective movement of the primary piston. The first hollow shaft is retractable from the interior of the pipeline upon selective movement of the primary piston. The secondary cylinder is fixedly attached to the primary piston by a second hollow shaft that extends from the primary cylinder housing. Thus, the secondary cylinder and piston moves with the primary piston. A third hollow shaft is attached to the secondary piston and extends through and is coaxial with the first and second hollow shafts and a bore in the primary piston. In this manner, while the secondary cylinder is carried by and moves with the primary piston, the secondary piston controls the movement of the third hollow shaft. 
     Alternately, the secondary piston could serve as the holder/insertion tool and the primary piston could perform the later manipulation. 
     In a further modification, the second hollow shaft is stationary and the first hollow shaft moves on the third hollow shaft. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the cylinders are adapted to be actuated pneumatically or hydraulically, either through external means or by use of the pipeline pressure. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention can comprise a primary cylindrical housing having a primary interior volume that is divided into a pressurized primary upper chamber and a primary lower chamber by a primary piston that is adapted to reciprocate within the interior chamber. The primary piston establishes a reciprocating sealable contact with the interior side wall of the primary interior chamber. Attached to the primary piston is an insertion tool that extends therefrom and the insertion tool is adapted with a mechanism for locking the insertion tool in its lower most lock down position. The primary cylindrical housing is removably mounted to a lower lock down end cap that seals one end of a secondary cylindrical housing having a secondary interior chamber that is communicable with a pipeline tee through an opening of the secondary cylindrical housing. When the insertion tool is reciprocated towards the pipeline to its lower most lock down position it can be fixedly locked down to a flush relationship with the lower lock down end cap by way of lock down bolts. Once the insertion tool has been fully inserted into the pipeline to its lower most lock down position and has been fixedly locked down, the primary cylindrical housing can be dismounted from the lower lock down end cap. Removal of the primary cylindrical housing allows the insertion tool to be readily accessed. It is at this point that a secondary piston disposed within the secondary cylindrical housing which divides the secondary interior chamber into a secondary upper chamber and a secondary lower chamber can be reciprocated toward the insertion tee of the pipeline. The secondary piston has a telescopic extension attached thereto that is coaxilly about the insertion tool. The telescopic extension is aligned such that it can be inserted through the opening of the secondary cylindrical housing into the tee of the pipeline. This embodiment allows for a two stage extension into the pipeline system and also allows for a portion of the mechanism specifically the primary cylindrical housing to be removed such that the insertion tool can be readily accessed for further operations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the exemplary preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the present dual cylinder insertion device mounted onto a valve that is attached onto a tee of a pipeline; and 
     FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the dual cylinder insertion device. 
     FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the dual automatic insertion device. 
     FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the dual automatic insertion device with the primary cylindrical housing and piston removed. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are alternate embodiments of lock down collar. 
     FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the insertion tool. 
    
    
     It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only a preferred embodiment of the invention. The drawings are therefore not to be considered the exclusive or only version or unduly limiting. The invention may admit to other equally effective structurally or functionally equivalent embodiments within the broad scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, there is depicted the present dual cylinder/probe insertion device generally designated  10 . The dual cylinder insertion device  10  includes a first, primary, or lower cylinder structure  26  and a second, secondary, or upper cylinder structure  28 . It should be generally understood that the preferential material for most of the present dual cylinder insertion device  10  is a metal such as steel, however, other suitable materials may be used. The secondary cylinder structure  28  is operably coupled to the primary cylinder structure  26  by a hollow shaft  30 . 
     The primary cylinder structure  26  includes a primary housing  11  retained between an upper cylinder head  31  and a lower cylinder head  32 . A series of bolts  37  extend through bores (not shown) in the upper cylinder head  31 , project axially along the exterior of the primary housing  11 , and are threadedly received in threaded bores (not shown) in the lower cylinder head  32 . Nuts  38 , placed on the threaded ends of the bolts  37  that extend axially beyond the upper surface  42  of the upper cylinder head  31 , are used to axially compress the primary housing  11  between the upper and lower cylinder heads  31  and  32 . 
     The lower cylinder head  32  has an integral, radically outwardly extending mounting flange  12  adapted to be coupled via a plurality of bolts  13  to a like radially outwardly extending upper mounting flange  14  of a valve  16 . The valve  16  is typically a ball valve, the construction of which is well known to those skilled in the art. However, it should be understood that the valve may be a gate valve or any other type of valve generally used in the oil and gas industry which has an axial bore through the center thereof. The valve  16  has an axial bore therethrough (not shown) that is opened and closed through movement of a handle  17 . The valve  16  further includes a radially outwardly extending lower mounting flange  18  that is adapted to be coupled via a plurality of bolts  15  to a like radially outwardly extending mounting flange  21  of a tee  20 . The tee  20  is attached to a pipeline  22  in a known manner and includes an axial bore (not shown) to allow communication between the interior  23  of the pipeline  20  and the valve  16 . 
     The valve and tee arrangement as described above is a standard arrangement known in the pipeline industry for allowing access to the interior or contents of a pipeline. It should be understood that other arrangements are possible and usable with the present structure  10 . The secondary cylinder structure  28  includes a secondary housing  72  retained between an upper cylinder head  46  and a lower cylinder head  48 . The cylinder heads  46 ,  48  may be affixed upon the respective ends of the secondary housing  72  in any suitable manner such as by adhesive or a complementary threading system. As indicated above, secondary cylinder structure  28  moves with respect to the primary cylinder structure  26  by shaft  30  and thus forms the dual cylinder insertion device  10 . However, the secondary cylinder  28  and shaft  30  could be made stationary by sealing and threading them into upper cylinder head  31  and allowing piston  52  (described below) to move on shaft  84  (described below) independently of shaft  30 . 
     Referring more specifically now to FIG. 2, the present dual cylinder/probe insertion device  10  is shown in greater detail. With respect to the primary cylinder structure  26 , the cylinder assembly is as follows. The upper cylinder head  31  has a shelf portion  40  that defines a peripheral ledge  41 . At least the corresponding end of the primary housing  11  is shaped to surround adjacently the peripheral edge of the shelf portion  40  and contact the ledge  41 . An O-ring  39 , disposed in the peripheral edge of the extended portion  40 , provides a seal therebetween. The lower cylinder head  32  has a shelf portion  50  that defines a peripheral ledge  36 . Again, at least the corresponding end of the primary housing  11  is shaped to surround adjacently the peripheral edge of the extended portion  50  and contact the ledge  36 . An O-ring  51 , disposed in the peripheral edge of the extended portion  50 , provides a seal therebetween. The bolts  37  and corresponding nuts  38  hold the primary cylinder structure  26  together. 
     Disposed within the interior of the housing  11  is an axially movable piston  52  having a shape corresponding to the interior of the housing  11 . The piston  52  includes O-rings  53  on a peripheral end thereof to create a seal between the interior surface of the housing  11  and the piston  52 . The piston  52  also divides the interior cavity of the housing  11  into an upper variable volume chamber  54  and a lower variable volume chamber  56 , each of whose volume is dependent upon the axial position of the piston  52  within the interior space of the housing  11 . 
     The lower variable volume chamber  56  is in fluid communication with atmosphere via a conduit  29  and an outlet  34  in the lower cylinder head  32 . Coupled to and in fluid communication with the outlet  34  is a valve  35 . The conduit  34  and valve  35  allow the exhaustion or filling of the chamber  56 , such as with a pressurized fluid. A conduit  57  in the upper cylinder head  31  provides fluid communication between the variable volume chamber  54  on one end thereof, and an outlet  58 . A valve  59  is coupled to and in fluid communication with the outlet  58 . The lower cylinder head  32  further includes a conduit  60  that provides fluid communication between an exterior of the lower end of the head  32  on one end thereof and an outlet  61  on another end thereof. Coupled to and in fluid communication with the outlet  61  is a valve  62 . Generally, the conduit  60  provides fluid communication with the pipeline interior. 
     The lower cylinder head  32  includes a first axial bore  64  providing communication between the lower chamber  56  and a second, larger diameter axial bore  33 . Fixedly attached to an O-ring lined opening  68  in the end of the piston  52  facing the lower chamber  56  is a hollow shaft  66 . The hollow shaft  66  extends through the first axial bore  64  and into the second axial bore  33 . The shaft  66  is axially dimensioned such that when the piston  52  is in an uppermost position, a portion of the shaft extends into the axial bore  33 , and when the piston  52  is in a lowermost position the shaft extends into the pipeline interior. Because the shaft  66  is fixed to the piston  52 , axial movement of the piston  52  effects axial movement of the shaft  66 . Positioned peripherally relative to the first axial bore  64  are O-rings  65  or other packing means that provide a high pressure seal. 
     A second hollow shaft  30  has one end fixedly attached to an O-ring lined opening  69  in an upper end of the piston  52 , extends through an O-ring lined opening  63  in the upper head  31  of the primary cylinder  26 , and has the other end fixedly attached in an O-ring lined opening  67  in the lower head  48  of the secondary cylinder  28 . Thus, as the piston  52  axially reciprocated, the hollow shafts  66  and  30  axially reciprocate therewith along with the entire secondary cylinder  28 . As noted above, shaft  30  could be made stationary by sealingly affixing it to cylinder head  31  and letting piston  52  move independently of shaft  30 . However, the movement of shaft  30  is a visible indication of movement of shaft  66  when the two are both connected to piston  52 . This visible indication is usually desired for ready indication that shaft  66  is or is not inserted into the pipeline  22 , 23 . 
     With respect to the secondary cylinder  28 , the cylinder structure assembly is as follows. The upper cylinder head  46  has an O-ringed opening  70  in which is disposed an end of the cylinder housing  72 . The lower cylinder head  48  has an O-ring lined opening  73  in which the other end of the cylinder housing  72  is received. A secondary piston  80 , having a peripheral O-ring  81 , is disposed within the cylinder housing  72  and thus divides the interior of the cylinder housing  72  into an upper variable volume chamber  82  and a lower variable volume chamber  83 . The volume of each chamber  82 ,  83  is variable depending on the axial position of the piston  80  within the cylinder housing  72 . 
     The upper cylinder head  46  includes a conduit  74  terminating in an opening  75  at one end thereof that provides fluid communication between the upper variable volume chamber  82  and atmosphere through valve  76  which is coupled to the opening  75 . The lower cylinder head  48  includes a first conduit  77  terminating in an opening  78  at one end thereof that provides fluid communication between the lower variable volume chamber  83  and atmosphere through a valve  79  which is coupled to the opening  78 . The lower cylinder head  48  further includes a second conduit  85  terminating in an opening  86  at one end thereof that provides fluid communication between atmosphere and the interior of the hollow shaft  84  through a valve  87  which is coupled to the opening  86 . The upper and lower variable volume chambers  82  and  83  may be filled and exhausted through selective control of the valves  76  and  79 . The secondary cylinder  28  may be pneumatically or hydraulically operated in similar manner to that shown and described immediately below for cylinder  26 . 
     Optionally, an external tank  90  may be used in conjunction with the present dual cylinder device  10  such that the primary piston  52  is actuated or assisted by, or operated with the pipeline fluid pressure. The external tank  90  is characterized by a housing  89  defining an internal chamber  91 . A first opening  92  in one end of the housing  89  provides communication between the internal chamber  91  and atmosphere through a filter or screen  98 . A conduit  93  is coupled to and in communication with the first opening  92  and the valve  62 . The housing  89  also has a second opening  94  that provides communication between a conduit  95  and the internal chamber  91  through a filter or screen  99 . A conduit  95  is coupled to and in communication with the opening  94  and the valve  59 . The housing  89  further includes a third opening  96  which provides communication between atmosphere and the internal chamber  91  through a valve  97  which is coupled to the third opening  96 . The valve  97  may be used as a vent or may be coupled to another conduit for any purpose. 
     When the valve  62  is open, the fluid pressure from the pipeline is allowed to flow into the conduit  93  and into the tank  90 . If the valve  97  is open, the tank  90  will be vented. If the valve  97  is closed, and the valve  59  is open, either the upper variable volume chamber  54  will expand or contract depending on the pressure difference between the upper variable volume chamber  54  and the pipeline pressure. 
     The present dual cylinder/probe structure  10  operates in the following manner. Reference should specifically be made to FIG.  2 . An object to be inserted into the pipeline, such as a plug, sensor, transducer or the like, collectively referred to as an insertion object (not shown), is attached to the end  100  of shaft  66  or end  101  of shaft  84 . In the retracted position as depicted in FIG. 2, the piston  52  of the primary cylinder structure  26  is in an uppermost position within the cylinder housing  11 . This causes the upper variable volume chamber  54  to be at a minimum volume, while the lower variable volume chamber  56  is at a maximum volume. The insertion object is thus sheltered within the bore  33 . In order for the piston  52  to axially move into this position, the valve  59  is opened to allow the exhaustion of the variable volume chamber  54  while the valve  35  is opened, and coupled to a suitable pressure source, to allow the filling of the variable volume chamber  56 . 
     Placement of the insertion object, if attached to end  100 , into the pipeline is accomplished by filling the upper variable volume chamber  54  while exhausting the lower variable volume chamber  56 . Thus the valve  35  is open to allow exhaustion and valve  59  is open and coupled to a suitable pressure source. If the pipeline pressure is used for this operation, and the external tank  90  is coupled as depicted in FIG. 2, the valve  62  is opened and valve  97  of the tank is closed to allow the pressure from the pipeline to enter the tank  90  and into the valve  59  via the respective conduits. If the tank  90  is used, then is during exhaustion of the upper variable volume chamber  54 , the valve  62  is closed and the valve  97  is opened. 
     During the placement operation, the upper variable volume chamber  54  is filled so that it is at a maximum volume and the lower variable volume chamber  56  is at a minimum. This causes the piston  52  to move axially downwardly within the cylinder housing  11 . Since the lower shaft  66  is attached to the piston  52 , the lower shaft  66  also moves axially downwardly, carrying the insertion object therewith and into the pipeline. As the piston  52  moves axially downwardly, the upper shaft  30  which is also attached to the piston  52  moves axially downwardly and carries with it the secondary cylinder structure  28 . Of course, as the piston  52  moves axially upwardly, if the secondary cylinder is attached to piston  52 , the secondary cylinder structure  28  moves axially upwardly as well. Thus, as the piston  52  moves, so does the secondary cylinder structure  28 . The piston  80  and associated shaft  84  moves as well with the secondary cylinder structure  28 . 
     The secondary cylinder structure  28  controls the axial movement of the shaft  84  in like manner to the primary cylinder structure  26  controls the movement of the shaft  66 . The valve  76  controls the filling and exhaustion of the upper variable volume chamber  82  while the valve  79  controls the filling and exhaustion of the lower variable volume chamber  83 . When the piston  80  is in the uppermost position, the upper variable volume chamber  82  is at a minimum while the lower variable volume chamber  83  is at a maximum. Conversely, when the piston  80  is in a lowermost position, the upper variable volume chamber  82  is at a maximum while the lower variable volume chamber  83  is at a minimum. Axial movement of the piston  80  effects axial movement of the shaft  84  since the shaft  84  is coupled to the piston  80 . 
     After the primary piston has moved the insertion object into the pipeline, and the secondary cylinder structure  28  has moved into a lowermost position relative to the primary cylinder structure  26 , the shaft  84  can be axially positioned by movement of the piston  80 . This can effect a second operation upon the insertion object. Wires can extend through the hollow shaft or the shaft may be pressurized. In FIG. 1 the end  101  of shaft  84  is shown extending from the end  100  of shaft  66  while piston  81  is in an upper position. It will be recognized that end  101  could be much higher and well up within shaft  66  when piston  81  is in its uppermost position depending on the desired use for the tool. 
     It can thus be seen that when the secondary cylinder structure  28  moves with the primary piston  52 , the operation of the shaft  84  is nevertheless controlled by the secondary piston  80 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the insertion apparatus is shown and is referred to as the dual automatic insertion device  300 . This embodiment is preferred over the embodiment shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 because the overall height of the device is shortened by eliminating the secondary upper cylinder structure  28  as shown in FIG.  1 . Also the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 allows for more ready direct access to the insertion tool for controlling the tool operation. It should also be noted that the insertion tool  302  in FIGS. 3 thru  7  is a specific insertion tool design that can readily be utilized with the dual automatic insertion device  300 . However, other insertion tools can be utilized as well. 
     The insertion system is primarily contained within the primary cylindrical housing  304  and the secondary cylindrical housing  306 . The primary cylindrical housing is sealed on the upper end by an upper end cap and on the lower end by a lower lock-down end cap  308  and  310 , respectively. The upper end cap is sealed to the primary cylindrical housing by a threaded interface  312  and an O-ring seal  314 . The primary cylindrical housing is mounted on the lower lock-down end cap by lock-down bolts  316 . The lower lock-down end cap is mountably sealed on the secondary cylindrical housing by a threaded interface  318  and is also sealed by O-ring  320 . 
     The secondary cylindrical housing is, in turn, mounted on a ball valve  322  by bolts  324 . The internal cylindrical chamber  326  of the primary cylindrical housing is divided into a primary upper chamber  328  and a primary lower chamber  330  by a primary piston  332 . The primary piston maintains a reciprocating sealable contact with the interior wall  334  of the interior chamber. The sealable contact is maintained by a primary O-ring seal  336  which circumferentially surrounds the primary piston. The top-most portion of the insertion tool is fixedly attached to the underside of the primary piston. Therefore, as the primary piston reciprocates within the interior chamber  326  of the primary cylindrical housing, the insertion tool reciprocates as well. 
     The insertion tool  302  has a primary body  338  and an elongated tubular extension  340 . Attached around the upper portion of the tubular extension is a lock-down collar  342 , having collar bores  344 . In FIG. 3, the primary piston is shown in its upper position. The primary piston can be made to reciprocate downward toward the pipeline by inputting a fluid or gas under pressure into the primary upper chamber  328  thereby forcing the primary piston  332  downward and increasing the volume of the upper chamber. The primary piston is forced downward until the lock-down collar makes a flush contact with the washers  346  that are threaded around the lock-down bolts  348 . The lock-down collar  342  is aligned such that the collar bores  344  there through are aligned with the cylindrical axis of the lock-down bolts  348  such that when the lock-down collar is lowered sufficiently, the lock-down bolts are coaxially inserted through said collar bores. The primary cylindrical housing has an access opening  350  through the side wall of the primary cylindrical housing. This access opening allows a user to insert nuts and an appropriate tool through said opening in order to tighten said nuts around the bolts thereby locking down the insertion tool in its lower-most position such that it is fully inserted into the pipeline. 
     Once the insertion tool has been locked down appropriately, the primary cylindrical housing can be removed by loosening the mounting bolts  316  that attach the primary cylindrical housing to the lower lock-down end cap. Once the primary cylindrical housing has been removed, ready access can be made to the insertion tool main body to perform any necessary functions. FIG. 4 shows the insertion tool in its lower-most lock-down position whereby the insertion tool is fully inserted through the ball valve and through the pipeline tee  402 . 
     The secondary cylindrical housing  306  contains a secondary hollow tubular extension  354  that can be further extended through an opening of the secondary cylindrical housing and through the ball valve  322  into and through the tee of the pipeline system  358 . This is accomplished by a secondary piston  360  that is fixedly attached to the hollow tubular extension  354 . The secondary cylindrical housing has a secondary interior chamber  362  that is divided into a variable secondary upper chamber and a variable secondary lower chamber by said secondary piston. The secondary piston reciprocates within the interior volume of the secondary cylindrical housing thereby increasing and decreasing the volume of the secondary upper and lower chambers. He secondary piston reciprocates within the interior chamber and makes a reciprocating sealable contact with the interior wall  363  of the secondary cylindrical housing. There sealable contact is cylindrically contained by a secondary O-ring  364  that circumferentially surrounds the secondary piston. The secondary piston is forced downward along with the hollow tubular extension by forcing fluid or gas under pressure into the secondary upper chamber, thereby forcing the piston downward toward the pipeline and said hollow tubular extension downward. The insertion tool and the hollow tubular extension extend through an opening  356  of the secondary cylindrical housing and into the ball valve through a channel between the interior volume of the secondary cylindrical housing and the ball valve. The lower valve  366  is opened to input a gas or fluid under pressure into the lower outlet  368  through the end cap conduit  370  and into the secondary upper volume thereby forcing the secondary piston  360  downward and, in turn, forcing he hollow tubular extension downward into the pipeline. To reverse the reciprocation of the piston, valve  372  can be opened to apply pressure. 
     At this point, the system is fully operational for examining the interior of a pipeline system. The full insertion of the insertion tool and the hollow tubular extension is shown in FIG.  4 . The hollow tubular extension and the secondary piston can be retracted by inputting a gas or a liquid under pressure into the secondary lower chamber by way of the lower outlet valve  372  which is in communication with the secondary lower chamber. As the secondary piston is forced upward, the volume of the secondary upper chamber is reduced by evacuating said chamber through the lower valve. The ball valve can be opened or closed by a valve control. The ball valve is mounted onto a pipeline tee by a plurality of bolts and said pipeline tee has an axial bore such that the ball valve and the interior of the pipeline are in fluid communication. Also shown in FIG. 3 is an optional external tank that can use the pipeline pressure to assist the movement of the secondary piston. 
     Referring to FIG. 4 the dual automatic insertion device  300  is shown fully inserted into the pipeline  358 . Utilizing the lock down collar  342  the insertion device has been locked down and mounted on the lower lock down end cap  310 . The lock down collar  342  is aligned such that the bolts  348  are threaded through the bores  344  of the lock down collar. The nuts  406  have been tightened onto the bolts  348  to lock the automatic insertion device in its lower most position such that the insertion device is fully extended into a pipeline area. FIG. 4 reflects the insertion device with the primary cylindrical housing removed such that the insertion device  302  can be readily accessed for additional operations. The secondary cylindrical housing  306  is also shown in FIG.  4  and is shown mounted on the ball valve  322 . In this figure the secondary piston is shown fully reciprocated toward the pipeline. This position of the piston fully extends the hollow cylindrical extension  354  into the pipeline. The secondary upper chamber is shown at its maximum volume capacity when the secondary piston is fully reciprocated toward the pipeline. This figure also shows the ball valve in the open position as controlled by ball valve handle  404 . The tubular extension  340  of the insertion device extends through the opening  356  of the secondary cylindrical housing and continues through the ball valve  322  and on through the opening of the pipeline tee  402  and into the pipeline  358 . This position of the piston  360  also extends the hollow tubular extension  354  along the same path and into the pipeline. This embodiment provides for two insertion means as well as providing ready access to the insertion tool  302  and finally reduces the overall size of the insertion device. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 alternative embodiments of the lock down collar  342  are shown. FIG. 7 shows a front cross-section of a type of insertion device  302  that can be utilized with this dual automatic insertion device system. However, as noted previously other insertion devices can be utilized with this system.