Pipeline pig extractor and transport apparatus with wind guard

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transporting a pipeline pig provides a housing having an interior. A jacking mechanism is contained within the housing interior. A carriage is supported by the jacking mechanism for movement between an upper extended and a lower retracted position. The carriage has a concave surface that generally cradles a pipeline pig to be transported. A pulling device on the housing enables a pipeline pig to be pulled from a location that is not on the carriage to a position that is on the carriage. The position that is not on the carriage can be for example a pig trap. As part of the method of the present invention, the pulling device pulls the pig from the pig trap or other location to the carriage and then the carriage is retracted into the housing for transport to a remote location.

1 . A pipeline pig transport apparatus comprising:
 a) a housing having a bottom wall providing a foundation, side walls, an open top, and an interior, wherein the housing enables containment of fluid material;   b) a jacking mechanism contained within the housing interior, the jacking mechanism resting upon the bottom wall foundation;   c) a carriage that is supported by the jacking mechanism for movement between upper extended and lower retracted positions, the carriage having a concave surface that generally cradles a pipeline pig to be transported, wherein in the extended position, the carriage is placed above the side walls of the housing;   d) a winch on the housing having a drum with a wound cable;   e) wherein the winch drum and cable are positioned on the housing or carriage to enable the cable to pull the pipeline pig from a location outside the housing to a position on the carriage when the carriage is in the upper, extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing has a lower section and a cover. 
     
     
         3 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables intake of the pipeline pig along a generally linear path. 
     
     
         4 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables intake of the pipeline pig along a generally horizontal path. 
     
     
         5 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables intake of the pipeline pig by sliding the pig using the winch and winch cable. 
     
     
         6 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing provides a walled reservoir that enables containment of fluid material. 
     
     
         7 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing provides a walled reservoir that enables containment of solid material. 
     
     
         8 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing has upper and lower sections, and wherein the carriage occupies the lower section in the lower, retracted position. 
     
     
         9 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing is wheeled. 
     
     
         10 . A pipeline pig transport apparatus comprising:
 a) a housing having a bottom wall that provides a foundation, side walls, an interior and an open top, wherein the housing enables containment of fluid material;   b) a lifting mechanism contained within the housing interior and resting upon the bottom wall foundation;   c) a carriage that is supported by the lifting mechanism for movement between upper extended and lower retracted positions, the carriage having a surface that is shaped to generally cradle a pipeline pig to be transported, wherein in the extended position, the carriage surface extends above the housing side walls;   d) a pulling device on the housing or carriage that enables the pipeline pig to be pulled from a location that is not on the carriage to a position that is on the carriage;   e) wherein the pulling device is positioned to pull the pipeline pig to the carriage when the carriage is in the upper, extended position.   
     
     
         11 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing has a lower section and a cover. 
     
     
         12 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables intake of the pipeline pig along a generally linear path. 
     
     
         13 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables intake of the pipeline pig along a generally horizontal path. 
     
     
         14 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the carriage has an open end portion that enables loading of the pipeline pig to the carriage by sliding the pig using the pulling device. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing provides a walled reservoir that enables containment of solid material. 
     
     
         17 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing has upper and lower sections, and wherein the carriage occupies the lower section in the lower, retracted position. 
     
     
         18 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing is wheeled. 
     
     
         19 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A pipeline pig transport apparatus comprising:
 a) a housing having an interior and a lifting mechanism foundation, wherein the housing enables containment of fluid material;   b) a lifting mechanism contained within the housing interior and supported by the foundation; and   c) a carriage that is supported by the lifting mechanism for movement between upper extended and lower retracted positions, the carriage having a surface that is shaped to generally cradle a pipeline pig to be transported; and   d) the carriage surface extending above the housing in the extended position.   
     
     
         45 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the housing has a lower section and a cover. 
     
     
         46 . The pipeline pig transport apparatus of  claim 44  further comprising a pulling device on the housing or carriage that enables the pipeline pig to be pulled from a location that is not on the carriage to a position that is on the carriage. 
     
     
         47 - 132 . (canceled)