Abstract:
A retractable sample scoop is shown that is mountable to a pipeline for taking samples from the pipeline. A retractable mounting mechanism mounts to the pipeline wall. A tubular is extendable into the opening of pipeline and retractable from the pipeline. A first seal creates sealing around the tubular portion with respect to said pipeline while permitting insertion, retraction and rotation of said first tubular portion with respect to said pipeline. A second seal comprises a tubular without threads to pipe connector with threads.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/769,896 filed Feb. 27, 2013. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    None. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to scoops for measuring the density of fluid in pipelines and, more specifically, in one or more embodiments to novel scoop configurations that provide improved flow and more accurate density readings of the fluid. 
         [0005]    (2) Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    Scoops have been utilized for decades to monitor the density of the fluids in pipelines. The density of the fluids relates to how much product is transported. Accuracy of the density readings is important because the result can affect the prices paid for shipping product through the pipeline, which prices can be significant. Therefore both the pipeline companies and the users of the pipelines desire to obtain the most accurate readings as possible. 
         [0007]    Despite the long felt need for accurate readings, prior art scoops have long had many problems that have not been resolved. Prior art scoops may not produce enough fluid flow to obtain a good sample. In some cases, differential pressure devices such as pumps are required when using prior art scoops. Differential pressure devices can introduce fluid contamination as well as increase the size and complexity of the density measurement systems. 
         [0008]    Scoops used to take samples can be inaccurate because fluid beneath the valve is static. Therefore the sample taken may not be representative of fluid in the pipeline at the moment the sample is taken and/or can be contaminated with fluid that has accumulated beneath the valve. 
         [0009]    In some cases, scoops are mounted utilizing a threaded receptacle that may be secured and sealed to the pipeline utilizing one of three sanctioned connections 1) pipe threads &amp; sealant; 2) socket weld or 3) butt-weld. The threads in the threaded receptacle provide a seal with the threaded receptacle. However, mounting the scoop to the threaded receptacle can provide difficulties in orienting in the pipe in a manner that maximizes flow through the scoops. 
         [0010]    Another problem is that scoops must on occasion be removed from the pipeline to allow pigs to pass through the pipeline. Removing and reintroducing the scoops can be time consuming with corresponding lost use of the pipeline. 
         [0011]    Those of skill in the art have long sought a better scoop design and better scoop systems to provide more accurate readings. Consequently, those of skill in the art will appreciate the present invention, which addresses the above and/or other problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved scoop designs. 
         [0013]    Another possible object of the invention is to provide a scoop design that is compact and improves flow of product through the scoop. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scoop design that bends a pipe so the pipe remains straight but the face of the scoop is directed laterally into the flow. 
         [0015]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scoop design utilizing a tubular to pipe connector wherein the pipe connector threads onto a mating threaded connector on the pie but provides a compressible connection that allows rotation of the scoop for orientation of the scoop prior to tightening of the connector. 
         [0016]    Yet another object is providing a retractable pipe scoop design. 
         [0017]    Yet another object is to provide a compact bi-directional tandem scoop design. 
         [0018]    Yet another object is to provide an even more compact single scoop pipe bi-directional scoop design. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, of a scoop to obtain a product sample in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the scoop of  FIG. 1A  in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the scoop of  FIG. 1A and 1B  mounted to a pipe utilizing a tubular to pipe connection in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged elevational view, in cross-section, showing a tubular to pipe in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing a retractable scope and yoke design that in a retracted position with respect to a pipeline in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the retractable scope and yoke design of  FIG. 3A  in an extended position with respect to a pipeline in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing the retractable scoop and yoke design of  FIG. 3A and 3B  prior to mounting a threaded connector to the pipe connector in accord with one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a top view of a yoke component for a retractable scoop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing one type of compact sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view, partially in hidden lines, showing another type of compact sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a prover, sampling and/or densitometer loop with tandem scoops in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is side view, partially in hidden lines of a first type of bidirectional flow single tubular flow scoop that provides a sampling and/or densitometer and/or prover loop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a side view, partially in cross-section, showing a second type of bidirectional flow single tubular flow scoop with a mixing chamber in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view of wafer mounted tandem scoops that provides a sampling and/or densitometer and/or flow meter loop in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9A  along lines A-A in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show a bended scoop design  10  that comprises a single seamless pipe or tubular with first tubular portion  12  adjacent scoop end  14 . Second tubular portion  28  has a larger outer diameter  30  than outer diameter  26  of first tubular portion  12 . 
         [0037]    One possible method of the present invention involves machining the single tubular pipe to reduce the original pipe stock diameter to outer diameter  30  of second tubular portion  28 . Then further machining reduces the outer diameter of first tubular portion  12  to outer diameter  26 . Shoulder  32  is formed between first tubular portion  12  and second tubular portion  28 . The scoop end is then bent as shown to provide scope face  16  that is oriented laterally and preferably perpendicular with respect to centerline  24  as indicated by line scoop face centerline  19 . 
         [0038]    Accordingly, the bending of first tubular portion  12  of scoop design  10  results in forming scoop face  16 . In one embodiment, scoop face  16  provides opening  22  (See  FIG. 1A ) that is preferably perpendicular and at least angled with respect to tubular centerline  24  as indicated by the perpendicular scoop face centerline  20 . At least a portion and preferably the centerline of scoop face  16  is coaxial with a surface of the straight portion of first tubular portion  12 . Scoop face  16  comprises outline  36  that preferably defines a plane that is parallel to axis  24 . Outline  36  can be elliptical or substantially elliptical in shape. A smaller axis  21  of the ellipse of outline  36  is substantially equal to an internal diameter  38  of scoop design  10 . The larger axis of the ellipse varies with respect to the bend radius. 
         [0039]    First tubular portion  12  is bent to provide bend radius  18  as shown in  FIG. 1B . Bend radius  18  is between two times and four times of scoop  10  and preferably two and four times that of outer diameter  30  of second tubular portion  28  although conceivably between two and four times outer diameter  26  of first tubular portion  12 . In another embodiment, bend radius  18  may be between two and three times outer diameter  28 . In another embodiment, bend radius  18  may be between 2.3 and 2.7 times outer diameter  28  and/or may be within a smaller range or larger range or outside these ranges. The bend radius may vary depending on the outer diameter of first tubular portion  12 . The bend radius affects the fluid flow characteristics and these ranges have been found to provide the best fluid flow through bended sample scoop design  10 . 
         [0040]    While the features of the scoop face  16  are defined herein in terms of geometrical features such as planes, ellipses, perpendicular, and so forth, it is understood that the features are not geometrically perfect and could have variations, e.g., with 2 and/or to 5 and/or to 10 and/or to 20 range degree variations and any range there between. However, the design may fall outside these ranges and may include corresponding non-linearities. 
         [0041]    Scoop  10  provides mark  34  shown in  FIG. 1A  that is aligned with the center of scoop face  16 . This allows alignment of scoop face  16  with respect to the center line of the pipeline as discussed with respect to  FIG. 2 . In other words, scoop  10  can be rotated to provide that mark  34  is in-line with the axis of the pipeline, whereupon the scoop is fixed in that orientation as discussed hereinbefore. 
         [0042]    Scoop design  10  is preferably provided in three different sizes with outer diameter  30  ranging from one inch to one and one-half inches. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2A  shows the scoop design  10  mounted in an orientable or alignable sampling assembly  200  that permits alignment of scoop face  16  with respect to the pipeline axis and flow arrow  218 . In this way, flow or fluid pressure into scoop face  16  can be maximized. Orientable sampling assembly  200  is believed to be yet another significant improvement over the prior art. 
         [0044]    Alignable or orientable sampling assembly  200  preferably utilizes tubular to pipe connector  202 , which is commercially available off the shelf, in a highly unique manner. As used herein, tubulars do not have threads. On the other hand pipe connectors require threads. Tubular to pipe connector  202  comprises a tubular pipe connection with ferrule seals  218 ,  220  and threaded pipe connection with threads  208 . Accordingly a tubular to threaded connection comprises a connection from a non-threaded cylinder to a threaded connection. Tubular to pipe connector  202  comprises compression nut  204 , which is threadably securable to pipe connector  206  utilizing threads  222 . Pipe connector  206  provides pipe connection with threads  208  to receptacle  210 , which is provided on pipe  212 . Receptacle  210  utilizes seal  214  with pipe  212 , which can be one of three sanctioned connections 1) pipe threads &amp; sealant; 2) socket weld or 3) butt-weld. Valve  216  may be secured to an upper end of scoop design  10  and may be utilized to provide samples of the pipe fluid as desired. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2B  shows an enlarged view of tubular to pipe connector  202 . It will be seen that compression nut  204  can be utilized to compress ferrules  218  and  220  for sealing around the tubular body of scoop design  10 . As compression nut  204  is tightened by rotation on threads  222 , a seal is formed, which may be referred to as a first seal in the claims, around the tubular body of scoop design  10 . Further, threads  208 , which may be referred to as a second seal in the claims, are tightened to provide a seal between receptacle  210  and pipe connector  206 . Shoulder  32 , shown in  FIG. 1A and 1B , seats onto seat  232  formed within tubular to pipe connector  202 . 
         [0046]    In operation of one embodiment of alignment or orientation, scoop  10  is placed in tubular to pipe connector  202  until shoulder  32  of scoop  10  engages seat  232  in tubular to pipe connector  202 . Scoop  10  can then be rotated to orient scoop face  216  within pipe  212  for receiving flow in pipe  212  as indicated by arrow  218 . This is accomplished utilizing mark  34  shown in  FIG. 1A  that is aligned with the center of scoop face  216 . Once scoop face  216  is aligned with respect to pipe  212 , then compression nut  204  can be tightened to seal around the tubular body of scoop  10 . Two scoops like that of  FIG. 2A  may be used to provide a measurement loop for bi-directional flow out of pipe  212  and then retum the flow to the pipe after measurements are made as discussed hereinafter. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3D  show aspects of retractable scoop and yoke design pipeline scoop  300  in accord with one embodiment of the present invention. Retractable pipeline scoop  300  preferably utilizes scoop design  10 , which allows easy movement into and out of pipeline  304  because scoop design  10  has the same OD as a single tubular. While other types of scoops could possibly be utilized, scoop design  10  is probably the best type of scoop for use in retractable pipeline scoop  300 . 
         [0048]    As discussed herein with other embodiments of the invention, two retractable pipeline scoops could be connected together to form a flow loop for to measure pipeline fluid with a densitometer, flow meter, prover, and/or takes samples as desired. 
         [0049]    Unlike prior art scoops which may be time consuming to remove when a pig is sent down the pipeline, retractable pipeline scoop  300  can be easily retracted from the pipeline and inserted into the pipeline without requiring loss of the seal. Pipeline downtime is therefore greatly reduced. 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, upper yoke  305  and lower yoke  304  are mounted on yoke screws  306  and  308 . Yoke screws  306  and  308  extend through openings  310  and  312  in overall yoke design  302  shown in  FIG. 3D . Scoop  10  extends through but is fixed to opening  314  in upper yoke  305 . Openings  311  and  313  in upper yoke  305  are threaded. The corresponding openings  316 ,  318  are not threaded. Opening  320  in lower yoke  304  allows scoop  10  to slidably move therethrough as seen in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B , and  FIG. 3   c.    
         [0051]    Accordingly, one main difference between upper yoke  302  and lower yoke  304  is that openings  311  and  313  are threaded whereas openings  316  and  318  are not. As well, upper yoke  305  is secured to scoop  10  whereas lower yoke  304  allows scoop  10  to move therethrough and includes an O-ring seal when the tubular to pipe connector sealing is not yet connected (See  FIG. 3C ) prior to operation as shown in  FIG. 3A  (scoop removed from pipeline) and  FIG. 3B  (scoop extended into pipeline). 
         [0052]    As yoke screws  306  and  308  are rotated, yoke  305  is urged to move. For manual operation, a few turns can be applied to one yoke screw and then applied to the other yoke screw. The operation could be automated. 
         [0053]    The sealing of  FIG. 2  is utilized during operation as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  but utilizes O-rings at  320  prior to connection of the tubular to pipe seals as indicated in  FIG. 3C . O-rings may comprise suitable resilient O-ring seal material. The O-ring seal preferably utilizes a smoother finish on the scoop pipe surface. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3D  shows the general plan layout of upper yoke  305  and lower yoke  304  with the differences discussed hereinbefore for openings  310 ,  312 , and  315 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 9A , and  FIG. 9B  show various compact tandem scoop configurations that utilize two scoops oriented in opposite directions on a single flange in the pipeline for sampling and/or densitometer and/or flow meter fluid flow loops. The measurement flow loops discussed hereinafter provide sufficient flow of fluid from the pipeline without the need for differential pressure devices (such as pumps or the like), thereby significantly reducing the size, complexity, and fluid contamination. In a preferred embodiment, the compact sampling loops utilize scoop  10  discussed hereinbefore but the present invention is not limited to those scoop designs. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 4  there is shown flow axis aligned tandem scoop system  400  mounted to a single flange  406 . Scoops  402  and  404  extend through top flange  406 , which may be a typical 3″-600# mounting flange. Scoops  402  and  404  are sealed by top flange  406 , which itself is sealingly mounted to the pipeline. Flow proceeds through flow loop  416  as indicated by arrows  408 ,  410 ,  412 , and  414  whereby flow is taken out of the pipeline and then returned to the pipeline. Well known configurations of the flow loop may comprise densitometer  418 , sampling valves  420 ,  422 , and flow control valves  424 ,  426 , and  428 . As per standard API requirements, scoops  402  and  404  are designed to have a length that access the middle ⅓ rd  of flow. 
         [0057]    In tandem scoop system  400 , scoops  402  and  404  are positioned upstream and downstream of each other in line with the axis of the pipe and oriented in opposite directions. Scoops  402  and  404  are mounted into a single flange  405  and secured together at a lower end by mounting member  430 . Bends  432  and  433  are provided to allow the various connections to be made to valves  426  and  424 . Accordingly, an entire sampling system can extend through a single flange mounting. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of flow axis aligned scoops  602  and  604  with connections to densitometer  606  and prover  608 . A half portion of pipeline  610  is provided with flange  612  secured to flange mounting  614  provided on pipeline  610 . Valves  616 ,  618 ,  620 , and/or other valves can be used to control fluid flow through the measurement flow loop. Fluid samples can be taken at  622  and  624 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , perpendicular mount tandem scoop system  500  provides scoops  502  and  504  positioned side by side or perpendicular with respect to the axis of the pipeline. In this embodiment flange  506  may comprise a 2″-150# mounting flange. Bends  508  and  510  permit connection to flow loop  506 , which in this embodiment comprises densitometer  516  and valves  518 ,  520 . Flow may proceed into and out of the pipeline in a direction through flow loop  509  with flow direction indicated by arrows  512  and  514 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  show wafer mount tandem scoop system  900 . In two possible examples, wafer flange  902  may comprise a 12″ 150# or 10″ 900# wafer flange. The wafer flange can be mounted between flanges in the pipeline so that wafer flange  902  surrounds the flow area going through the pipeline. In this example, scoops  904  and  906  are axially aligned with respect to the pipeline axis and extend from opposite directions and from opposite sides of wafer flange  902 . Scoops  904  and  906  are sealed and mounted within wafer flange  902  as indicated at  908  and  910  and are essentially in-line with plane  912  defined by wafer flange  902 . 
         [0061]    In wafer mount system  200 , it is not necessary to provide a bend in scoops  904  and  906 . Flow loop  914  can comprise densitometer  916 , sampling valves  918 ,  920 , flow meter  926 , and control valves  922 ,  936 ,  928 . Fluid flows through loop  914  in the direction indicated by arrows  928  and  930 . As indicated in  FIG. 9B , flow proceeds out of the pipeline in the direction shown by arrow  934  and into the pipeline in the direction indicated by arrow  932 . Scoop faces  938  and  940  are axially aligned with pipeline centerline  942 . 
         [0062]    Accordingly, the present invention provides three compact tandem scoop system  400 ,  500 , and  900  that mount two scoops to a single flange. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  show bi-directional flow scoops formed within a single pipe. Bi-directional flow loop scoop  700  provides a single tubular scoop that can be utilized to provide a flow loop for density, proving, sampling, and the like as discussed hereinbefore. Bi-directional mixing scoop  800  provides a single tubular scoop that can be utilized to provide a mixing chamber with continually refreshed fluid so that the sample is representative of fluid in the pipeline at the time the sample is taken avoiding the problems of trapped sample at the sampling valve as discussed hereinbefore. 
         [0064]    Bi-directional flow loop scoop  700  utilizes single pipe  702  with two separate internal flow paths  704  and  706 . The external shape of single pipe  702  is similar or the same as described by scoop  10  discussed hereinbefore so tubular to pipe connector can be utilized for sealing and orientation. Flow proceeds from the pipeline into scoop face  708  as indicated by arrow  710 . Fluid then flows as indicated by arrow  712 . As indicated by arrow  714 , flow goes through a measuring loop, which may be similar to that discussed hereinbefore including a densitometer, prover, sample connections, valves, and the like. Flow then returns as indicated by arrow  716  through tube  718  which enters pipe  702  and is sealed at seal  720 . Flow then continues through flowline  706  as indicated by arrow  718  and exits back into the pipeline through opening  722  as indicated by arrow  720 . The sealing can be the same as discussed hereinbefore with respect to  FIG. 2  utilizing a compression nut that allows orientation of scoop face  708 . Bi-directional scoop  700  could also be utilized with the retractable yoke design  300  discussed hereinbefore to provide a retractable bi-directional measurement flow loop. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  provides a single pipe bi-directional scoop  800  that provides a mixing chamber  802  which is continuously refreshed. Prior art sampling systems that utilize a scoop suffer from the problem that stale fluid accumulates therein. Thus, fluid taken at a particular moment may not be representative of fluid in the pipeline. Since the samples are often timed, this could be problematic in verifying that the sample is valid. 
         [0066]    Scoop  800  is comprised of single pipe  804 . Scoop  800  may be sealed/oriented as discussed with respect to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  as discussed with respect to  FIG. 7  or using other seals as desired. Fluid enters scoop face  806  from the pipeline as indicated by arrow  812 . The fluid travels up flow path  808  and enters mixing chamber  802  as indicated by arrow  814 . The fluid in mixing chamber  802  is thereby continuously refreshed. Fluid exits mixing chamber  802  via tube  820  and flows in the direction of arrow  816  through flow path  810 . Fluid exits single pipe  804  as indicated by arrow  888  through opening  822 . 
         [0067]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a highly desirable scoop design  10  as indicated in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , a seal and orientation apparatus as indicated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , a retractable scoop design shown in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3D , compact single flange bi-directional tandem mounted scoops as indicated by  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 9A , and single pipe bi-directional scoops as indicated by  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
         [0068]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.