Internal pipe slot tool

Abstract

An apparatus and method to internally cut vertical slots inside PVC, HDPE, or plastic pipe-riser (blank casing) in existing methane gas recovery wells (extraction wells) that have been installed at Municipal Solid Waste Facilities are described. Vertical slots cut in methane well risers allow methane gas, LFG derived from the decomposition of waste, to enter the existing riser and extraction system. This process saves time and cost associated with drilling additional wells to retrieve methane gas from subsequent layers of the waste body. The process assists in maintaining regulatory compliance by capturing LFG and preventing it from being emitted into the atmosphere.

1 . An internal slot cutting tool comprising:
 a) a power supply operatively coupled to a tool body ( 11 ),   b) said tool body ( 11 ) containing a motor ( 1 ) for use in a flammable or explosive environment,   c) wherein said motor ( 1 ) is driven by said power supply (a) and rotates a drive shaft ( 2 ),   d) wherein said drive shaft ( 2 ) is operatively coupled to two or more retractable cutting arms ( 26 ),   e) wherein said two or more retractable cutting arms ( 26 ) are each operatively linked to a cutting means ( 34 ) extending from one end of said tool body,   f) wherein said retractable cutting arms ( 26 ) expand placing the cutting means ( 34 ) in contact with the interior surface of a pipe when said motor ( 1 ) is engaged, thereby cutting two or more vertical slots through said pipe.   
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said power supply is selected from the group consisting of an electric power supply, a pressurized hydraulic source, or a compressed air supply. 
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body ( 11 ) is plastic, ceramic, metal, cast aluminum, stainless steel, or brass. 
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said motor ( 1 ) is a sealed electric motor, hydraulic motor, or compressed air motor. 
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool has 2 cutting means ( 34 ) at 180°, 3 cutting means ( 34 ) at 120°, 4 cutting means ( 34 ) at 90°, 5 cutting means ( 34 ) at 72°, 6 cutting means ( 34 ) at 60° apart, or more equally spaced cutting means ( 34 ). 
   
   
       6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting means ( 34 ) are selected from the group consisting of a circular saw, chain saw, hole saw, or grinding wheel. 
   
   
       7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said internal slot is between 1/10th inch and 1 inch wide. 
   
   
       8 . A method of ventilating plastic pipe comprising:
 a) inserting an internal slot cutting tool to a pipe to be vented, said internal slot cutting tool comprising:
 i) a power supply operatively coupled to a tool body ( 11 ), 
 ii) said tool body ( 11 ) containing a motor ( 1 ) for use in a flammable or explosive environment, 
 iii) wherein said motor ( 1 ) is driven by said power supply (i) and rotates a drive shaft ( 2 ), 
 iv) wherein said drive shaft ( 2 ) is operatively coupled to two or more retractable cutting arms ( 26 ), 
 v) wherein said two or more retractable cutting arms ( 26 ) are each operatively linked to a cutting means ( 34 ) extending from one end of said tool body, 
 vi) wherein said retractable cutting arms ( 26 ) expand placing the cutting means ( 34 ) in contact with the interior surface of a pipe when said motor ( 1 ) is engaged, thereby cutting two or more vertical slots through said pipe; 
   b) powering said internal slotting tool;   c) extending said cutting means ( 34 ) to slot said plastic pipe;   d) retracting said cutting means ( 34 ); and   e) removing power and retrieving said internal slot cutting tool.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said pipe is viewed or measured with a video camera before, during or after slotting said pipe. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the extended cutting means ( 34 ) is raised to increase the length of the slot. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said power supply is selected from the group consisting of an electric power supply, a pressurized hydraulic source, or a compressed air supply. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said tool body ( 11 ) is plastic, ceramic, metal, aluminum, stainless steel, or brass. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said motor ( 1 ) is a sealed electric motor, hydraulic motor, or compressed air motor. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said tool has 2 cutting means ( 34 ) at 180°, 3 cutting means at 120°, 4 cutting means ( 34 ) at 90°, 5 cutting means ( 34 ) at 72°, 6 cutting means ( 34 ) at 60° apart, or more equally spaced cutting means. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said cutting means ( 34 ) are a circular saw, chain saw, hole saw, or grinding wheel. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said internal slot is between 1/10th inch and 1 inch wide. 
   
   
       17 . An internal slot tool for plastic pipe as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   
   
       18 . The internal slot tool of  claim 17 , wherein said power supply is selected from the group consisting of an electric power supply, a pressurized hydraulic source, or a compressed air supply; said tool body ( 11 ) is plastic, ceramic, metal, stainless steel, cast aluminum or brass; and said motor ( 1 ) is a sealed electric motor, hydraulic motor, or compressed air motor. 
   
   
       19 . The internal slot tool of  claim 17 , said tool has 2 cutting means ( 34 ) at 180°, 3 cutting means ( 34 ) at 120°, 4 cutting means ( 34 ) at 90°, 5 cutting means ( 34 ) at 72°, 6 cutting means ( 34 ) at 60° apart, or more equally spaced cutting means; said cutting means ( 34 ) are a circular saw, chain saw, hole saw, or grinding wheel; and said internal slot is between 1/10th inch and 1 inch wide.