Patent Publication Number: US-2018051831-A1

Title: Combined-pipeline systems

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid transmission and more specifically relates to combined-pipeline systems. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Pipeline transport is a common way to transport fluid materials such as water, petroleum products/fuels, food materials, chemicals, and waste. Generally, the fluids may be liquid, gas, slurry or any combination thereof. Pneumatic tubes using compressed air may also be used to transport solid capsules. 
     Oil and petroleum pipelines are generally made from steel or plastic which are usually buried, or may be suspended/supported above the ground. The material is usually moved through pipelines by pump and/or gravity. Pipelines conveying flammable or explosive material, such as natural gas or oil, pose special safety concerns. 
     In many cases, more than one material is desired to be transported via pipeline. In this case, a dedicated pipeline for each fluid material is needed. By using multiple pipelines a larger footprint is needed to place each pipe, as the pipes generally require spacing between pipes for safety and stability. Also, when pipes are buried, adequate backfill is required, also increasing the footprint and the cost of construction. Therefore a suitable solution is desired. 
     Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. and Foreign Pat. and Pub. Nos. US 2006/0207673 to O&#39;Brien et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,401 to Langner et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,551 to Payne; U.S. Pat. No. 8,959,499 to Critsinelis et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,855 to Johal et al.; CA 2,495,647 to Gramme et al.; CA 1,290,263 to Ziu; and CA 2,611,115 to Dinon et al. This art is representative of fluid transmission. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Preferably, a combined-pipeline system should provide a means to transport two different fluids by use of a single pipeline system therefore reducing pipeline construction time and conserving space needed when compared to a two-pipeline system and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable combined-pipeline system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fluid transmission art, the present invention provides a novel combined-pipeline system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a system useful for allowing the transport of two separate fluids using a single pipeline system, where a two-pipeline system would otherwise be required. 
     A combined-pipeline system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising a plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies in both functional and structural combination. The combined-pipeline assemblies preferably comprise an outer-conduit, an inner-conduit, and a plurality of carrier-supports. 
     The outer-conduit preferably comprises an inner-circumference, an outer-circumference, a first-end, and a second-end in functional and structural combination. The inner-conduit preferably comprises an inside-circumference, an outside-circumference, a primary-end, and a secondary-end in functional and structural combination. The outside-circumference of the inner-conduit supports is preferably located adjacent to and supported by the inside-surface of said plurality of carrier-supports. 
     Additionally, each of the plurality of carrier-supports preferably comprises a retaining-ring (the retaining-ring comprising an inside-surface and an outside-surface) and a plurality of standoffs in functional and structural combination; each of the retaining-rings of the carrier-supports comprises the inside-surface, and outside-surface in functional and structural combination. The plurality of standoffs of the carrier-supports are preferably located adjacent to, and supported by, the inner-circumference of the outer-conduit. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the inner-conduit and the plurality of carrier-supports are contained within the outer-conduit. Also, a first-flow-space may be located, and defined by and between, the inner-circumference of the outer-conduit and the outside-circumference of the inner-conduit such that the first-flow-space is structured and arranged to carry and transport a first-fluid. Similarly, a second-flow-space is preferably defined by a volume encapsulated by the inside-circumference of the inner-conduit; and is structured and arranged to carry and transport a second-fluid. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each of the combined-pipeline assemblies are structured and arranged to carry the first-fluid and the second-fluid in a single-pipeline-system in order to reduce a need for a multiple pipelines required to carry multiple fluids (preferably two) from one location to another. Here, the first-fluid and the second-fluid are able to remain isolated from each other within the combined-pipeline system. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the combined-pipeline assembly further includes an outer-valve to provide access to the first-fluid, and includes an inner-valve to provide access to said second-fluid. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the retaining-ring(s) is/are constructed of multiple units, such that a plurality of the retaining-rings are able to be placed upon (and secured to) the inner-conduit individually by securing each of the multiple units together to form the (continuous) retaining-ring. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each retaining-ring(s) further comprises a plurality of bumpers, each of the plurality of bumpers may be affixable to each of the standoffs in order to increase friction to reduce (and preferably eliminate) lateral movement of the retaining-ring(s) within the combined-pipeline system. 
     Structurally speaking, each of said plurality of combined pipeline assemblies are preferably combined via a welding-process and each inner-conduit are preferably constructed from a metallic material to enhance strength and durability during use. Similarly, each outer-conduit is preferably constructed from a metallic material to enhance strength and durability during use. Also, each (of the plurality of) carrier-supports are constructed from a non-ferrous material to prevent conduction of static electricity between the outer-conduit and the outer-conduit. 
     Also disclosed herein, is a combined-pipeline kit. The kit may include a combined-pipeline assembly. The preferred embodiment of the combined-pipeline assembly includes (at least) one conduit-length of the outer-conduit, one length of the inner-conduit, and a plurality of carrier-supports, and a set of user instructions. 
     A method of using a combined-pipeline system is also disclosed, including the steps of: providing a plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies (comprising an outer-conduit, an inner-conduit, and a plurality of carrier-supports), coupling the plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies together to form a closed conduit, conveying two fluids (a first-fluid and a second-fluid) through the combined-pipeline system, delivering the first-fluid and the second-fluid from a first-location, and receiving the first-fluid and the second-fluid at a second-location. Additional steps preferably include removing the first-fluid and the second-fluid from the combined-pipeline system at the second-location, and decoupling the plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies from one another. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a combined-pipeline system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, combined-pipeline systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a combined-pipeline system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing the combined-pipeline system used to transport more than one fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating a combined-pipeline assembly of the combined-pipeline system comprising an outer-conduit, an inner-conduit, and a plurality of carrier-supports according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the outer-conduit, the inner-conduit, and the plurality of carrier-supports of the combined-pipeline assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4A-4C  includes a perspective view, an axial view, and a side view, illustrating one of the plurality of carrier-supports of the combined-pipeline assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for a combined-pipeline system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4C . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid transmission and more particularly to a combined-pipeline system as used to improve the ease of construction and the conservation of use of land required to transport multiple fluids via pipeline. 
     Generally speaking, a combined-pipeline system includes a plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies. Each of the plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies may include an outer-conduit, an inner-conduit, and a plurality of carrier-supports. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , combined-pipeline system  100  during ‘in-use’ condition  150  being used to transport fluid materials. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , combined-pipeline system  100  may comprise outer-conduit  120 , inner-conduit  130 , and plurality of carrier-supports  160 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4A-4C , outer-conduit  120  may comprise inner-circumference  122 , outer-circumference  124 , first-end  126 , and second-end  128  in both functional and structural combination. The outer-conduit  120  may have a circular-type cross-section. Inner-conduit  130  may comprise inside-circumference  132 , outside-circumference  134 , primary-end  136 , and secondary-end  138  in both functional and structural combination. Similar to outer-conduit  120 , inner-conduit  130  may also be circular in cross-section. 
     Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 4A-4C , plurality of carrier-supports  160  may (each) comprise retaining-ring  162 . Retaining-ring  162  may comprise inside-surface  164 , outside-surface  166 , and a plurality of standoffs  168 , all of which may be functionally and structurally combined. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4C , standoffs  168  of carrier-support  160  may each be located adjacent to, and supported by, inner-circumference  122  of outer-conduit  120 . Also, outside-circumference  134  of inner-conduit  130  may be located adjacent to, and supported by, inside-surface  164  of plurality of carrier-supports  160 . Inner-conduit  130  and plurality of carrier-supports  160  may be contained within outer-conduit  120 . 
     First-flow-space  190  may be located, and defined by the generally annular region between the inner-circumference  122  of outer-conduit  120  and the outside-circumference  134  of inner-conduit  130  and may be structured and arranged to carry and transport first-fluid  172 . Second-flow-space  192  may be located and defined by a generally cylindrical volume bound by inside-circumference  132  of inner-conduit  130 , and may be structured and arranged to carry and transport second-fluid  174 . Some embodiments may further include outer-valve  182  to provide access to first-fluid  172  and inner-valve  184  to provide access to second-fluid  174 . 
     Each of combined-pipeline assemblies  110  may be structured and arranged to carry first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  in a single-pipeline-system in order to reduce a need for multiple pipelines to carry multiple fluids from one location to another. Moreover, first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  are able to remain isolated from each other. 
     Retaining-ring  162  may be constructed of a single unit such that a plurality of retaining-rings  162  may be able to be placed upon inner-conduit  130  one at a time, in a coaxial fashion. In other embodiments, retaining-ring(s)  162  may be constructed of separable units, such that retaining-ring(s)  162  are able to be placed upon inner-conduit  130  individually by securing each of the separable units together to form a single retaining-ring  162 . 
     Retaining-ring  162  may further include a plurality of bearings, each of plurality of bearings affixable to each of plurality of standoffs  168  to reduce friction when retaining-ring  162  is inserted into outer-conduit  120 . Alternately, each retaining-ring  162  may further comprise bumper(s)  170  affixable to each standoff  168  to increase friction in order to reduce radial movement of retaining-ring  162  within combined-pipeline assembly  110 . 
     During construction, assembly, deconstruction, or disassembly, combined-pipeline system  100  may include plurality of combined pipeline assemblies  110 , combined via flanges. Alternately, or cumulatively, each of plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies  110  may also be combined via a welding-process. Also, combined-pipeline assemblies  110  may combined via threaded-coupling. Friction-fit (e.g., bell and spigot, gasket, ring-lock, etc.) may also be a suitable method for adjoining combined-pipeline assemblies  110 . 
     When considering construction materials, inner-conduit  130  may be constructed from a metallic material to enhance strength and durability during use, and outer-conduit  120  may be constructed from a similar metallic material to enhance strength and durability during use. Alternately, inner-conduit  130  may be constructed from plastic-material to provide corrosion resistance during use, and outer-conduit  120  may also be constructed from plastic-material to provide corrosion resistance during use. Plurality of carrier-supports  160  may be constructed from a non-ferrous material to prevent conduction of static electricity between outer-conduit  120  and inner-conduit  130 . 
     It should be noted that combined-pipeline system  100  may be sold as a kit  145  comprising the following parts: at least one combined-pipeline assembly  110  (including: at least one at least one conduit-length of outer-conduit  120 , at least one length of inner-conduit  130 , and at least one carrier-support  160 ); and at least one set of user instructions  146 . The kit  145  has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). 
     Combined-pipeline system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements (for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different fastening combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc.) may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for combined-pipeline system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4C . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , providing plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies  110  (including outer-conduit  120 , inner-conduit  130 , and carrier-supports  160 ); step two  502 , coupling combined-pipeline assemblies  110  together to form a closed conduit; step three  503 , conveying two fluids through combined-pipeline system  100 ; step four  504 , delivering first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  from a first-location; step five  505 , receiving first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  at a second-location (first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  remaining isolated from each other); step six  506 , removing first-fluid  172  and second-fluid  174  from combined-pipeline system  100 ; and step seven  507 , decoupling plurality of combined-pipeline assemblies  110  from one another. 
     It should be noted that step six  506  and step seven  507  are optional steps and might not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.