Tubing containment system

Description of the invention

The subject of the invention is a pipeline system.

Pipeline casing arrangements exist in the art for retaining fluids in the event of a pipeline leak. One existing pipeline casing arrangement is disclosed in US Patent 6,315,003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. While this system is well suited to its intended use, it can still be improved.

A piping system comprising a fluid impermeable sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal, spaced apart ribs formed on the inner surface of the sleeve, according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a metal corrugated fluid carrying pipeline positioned internally of the sleeve, a coupling having a first end and a second end. an end, the first end having an internal thread engaging the unthreaded outer surface of the sleeve, and the fitting has a vent in fluid communication with the inside of the sleeve and the outer surface of the sleeve, and a metal connector attached to the outer surface of the pipeline and engaged with the inner surface of the connector.

Preferably, the sleeve is polymeric.

Preferably, the connector is polymeric.

Preferably, the second end of the connector has a shoulder for forming a stop for the sleeve.

Preferably, the connector has a greater hardness than the sleeve.

Preferably the arrangement includes an O-ring on the inside of the coupler near said first end.

Preferably, the pipeline is a corrugated stainless steel pipeline.

Preferably, the coupler has a threaded extension and engages an interior surface of the coupler at said second end.

Preferably, the connector is made of metal.

Preferably, the system further comprises an O-ring disposed between the extension and the coupling.

Preferably the pipeline is jacketed.

Preferably the jacket is perforated.

Preferably the ribs have a triangular cross-section.

Preferably, the system further comprises a hose in communication with the vent.

Preferably, the system further includes a sensor monitoring the fluid from the vent.

Fig. 1 shows a side view, partly in section, of an exemplary arrangement of a pipeline casing, Fig. 2, a sectional view of 2-2 in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 - a side view of an exemplary pipeline, and Fig. Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section, of another exemplary pipeline casing arrangement.

Fig. 1 is a side view, partially sectioned, of the conduit arrangement 10. The pipeline casing system 10 includes a pipeline 12 (Fig. 3) which may be in a jacket 14. The pipeline 12 and jacket 14 are inside a sleeve 16. Sleeve 16 may be made of a fluid impermeable material such as polyethylene or other suitable polymers. which allow fluids (e.g., gases, fluids, etc.) to flow towards the ends of the sleeve 16 for ventilation. In fig. 2 shown is a cross section of the sleeve 16 showing the inside diameter of the sleeve 16 having a plurality of ribs 20 separated by spaces. In one embodiment, the fluid transported through pipeline 12 is natural gas. The ribs are elongated and run along the length of the sleeve 16. The ribs 20 in Figure 2 are triangular in cross-section, but it will be understood that other geometries may be used. In the event of a leak in the pipeline 12, the fluids will flow along the space between the fins 20 to exit through the fittings 18.

At each end of the sleeve 16 there is a coupler 18 having a first end 22 that covers the outer surface of the sleeve 16. A first end 22 may include a seal 24 (e.g., an "O-ring") to prevent fluid from flowing out of the coupler 18 at the first end. 22. Coupler 18 includes a shoulder 26 that serves as a stop to limit the depth that the sleeve 16 will enter the coupler 18. The sill 26 ends before contacting the mantle 14 to provide a channel to the vent 28.

The inner surface of the coupling is preferably threaded. A thread engages the outer surface of the sleeve 16 to secure the coupler 18 to the sleeve 16. The coupler 18 may be made of polyethylene or another polymer. In one embodiment, coupler 18 is made of a harder polymer (i.e., harder) than sleeve 16 to allow coupler 18 to be screwed onto sleeve 16. Alternatively, coupler 18 may be metallic depending on the application.

The coupler 18 has one or more vents 28 located toward the second end 30 of the coupler 18. The second end 30 has an inside diameter slightly larger than the shell 14, and a seal 32 (e.g., an O-ring) provides a fluid seal between the latter. end 30 and jacket 14.

The vents 28 allow the fluid that has leaked from the pipeline 12 to flow out in a controlled manner through the vent 28. A hose or other conduit may be connected to the vent 28 to divert the flow of the leaked fluid. A sensor may be in fluid communication with the vent 28 to provide automatic detection of leaks in the pipeline 12. Jacket 14 of pipeline 12 may be perforated or otherwise adapted to facilitate migration of leaked fluid into vent 28.

Sleeve 16 can be stamped into the pipeline 12 (whether or not jacket 14 is present) with a die to form ribs 20 on the inner surface of sleeve 16. As shown in Figure 3, the pipeline is an annular corrugated pipeline, but may be be a variety of pipeline types, including coiled piping. In one embodiment, the pipeline 12 is a corrugated stainless steel pipeline. Jacket 14 may be conductive to dissipate electric charge.

Figure 4 shows a side view, partly in section, of an alternate pipeline housing arrangement 40. The pipeline housing system 40 includes a pipeline 12, a jacket 14 (optional), and a sleeve 16 similar to those described above in connection with Figs. 1-3. A connector 42 is attached to one end of the pipeline 12. The connector 42 may be any known connector, such as those disclosed in US Patents. 5,799,989,6,079,749,6,276,728, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, with a threaded extension 44 at the end of the fitting that engages pipeline 12.

The threaded extension 44 is made of metal (e.g., brass) and engages the inner surface of the transition piece 46. Preferably, the transition piece 46 is made of a fluid impermeable material such as polyethylene or other suitable polymers that serve to hold fluids (e.g. gases, liquids, etc.). The inner diameter of the adapter 46 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 16, which results in a friction fit between the adapter 46 and the sleeve 16. A threaded extension 44 engages the inner surface of the adapter 46 to secure the adapter 42 to the adapter 46. A seal 48 ( e.g. O-ring and seal 50 (e.g. the O-ring seal provides a liquid-tight connection between the transition fitting 46 and the connector 42 and the sleeve, respectively. A vent 52 (optionally threaded) provides fluid discharge and / or monitoring of the leaking fluid by an automatic detection device.

The pipeline casing arrangement 40 functions in a manner similar to the piping system 10. If a leak occurs in the pipeline 12, the fluid is guided along the space between the pipeline 12 and the sleeve 16. The fluid is held in the adapter 46 and discharged through the vent 52.

Transition fitting 46 covers pipeline 12 all the way to fitting 42 and overlaps fitting 42 to eliminate any exposed pipeline 12. Preferably, transition fitting 46 and fitting 42 are reusable.

Pipeline casing systems can be used in a variety of applications including direct underground, exterior exterior, interior elevated pressure security applications, and other auxiliary security and detection systems in petrochemical pipelines.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the present invention has been described for purposes of illustration and not limitation.