US 12,442,454 B2
Flow control in pipelines
Haitham Aljuaydi, Kharj (SA); Mustafa Kidwai, Dhahran (SA); and Mohammed Ahmed Kaki, Jeddah (SA)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/373,952.
Prior Publication US 2025/0103067 A1, Mar. 27, 2025
Int. Cl. F16K 7/07 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 7/07 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flow control system, comprising:
a conduit comprising an interior surface; and
a flow control device connected to the interior surface of the conduit and disposed along the interior surface of the conduit for a first length, the flow control device comprising an expandable element comprising an outer surface and an inner surface having a hollow cylindrical shape, the expandable element configured to expand inwardly from the interior surface from a retracted position to an expanded position, the expandable element defining at least a portion of a flow path configured to control a flow of fluid through the conduit, wherein, in the expanded position of the flow control device, the inner surface is cylindrical along the first length and defines the at least a portion of the flow path.