Patent ID: 7828904

Claim:
A method for cleaning an interior of a pipeline through which passes a fluid containing water and solids, said method comprising: (1) locating a cleaning apparatus in the interior of the pipeline to move said solids in a direction of fluid flow, wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises a platform with runners attached to the platform's underside, and wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid interrupter attached to the platform and disposed against fluid flow such that fluid flowing through the pipeline is interrupted by the fluid interrupter and directed into a channel formed from the underside of the platform, the runners, and the pipeline; (2) constricting fluid flowing through the channel such that the flow rate of the constricted fluid is increased; (3) utilizing flow of uninterrupted fluid in said pipeline to assist in moving the cleaning apparatus in the direction of fluid flow; and (4) utilizing the increased flow rate of constricted fluid of step (2) to move said solids in the direction of fluid flow.