Patent ID: 7665521

Claim:
A system for launching a cement plug from a cement head, the cement head including a first retaining device movable from a first position that retains a first cement plug in the cement head to a second position that allows the first cement plug to exit the cement head, the system comprising: a single pneumatic line to provide a pressurized gas to the system in order to automate the launching of the cement plug, wherein the automation is accomplished by varying a pressure of the pressurized gas in the single pneumatic line; a first device being in communication with the single pneumatic line, the first device being adapted to move the first retaining device from its first position to its second position, wherein the first device moves the first retaining device to its second position when the pressure within the single pneumatic line reaches a first designated amount; a first valve in communication with a first port in the cement head located below the first cement plug, the first valve being movable between an open position and a closed position; a second valve in communication with a second port in the cement head located above the first cement plug, the second valve being movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the second valve is biased to its closed position until the first retaining device has been moved to the second position; and wherein the first valve is biased to its open position until the second valve has been opened.