F17D PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06)
Description
F17D covers the design, construction, and operation of pipeline systems used for transporting gases and liquids over distances. This includes piping networks, conduits, connections, joints, supports, and infrastructure for distribution and storage applications. The class encompasses materials, structural integrity, layout configurations, and protective measures for pipelines carrying various fluids including oil, natural gas, water, and chemicals. Related classes F17C (pressure vessels) and F17B (gas or liquid handling apparatus) address storage containers and individual handling equipment rather than the pipeline distribution networks themselves.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass F17D recorded 22,254 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,147 in 2013 to 3,181 in 2023 (+177%). The most active applicants in class F17 are GAZ TRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ (1,718 applications), L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE (1,633 applications) and DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING COMPANY (1,570 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
3 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F17D 1/00 Pipe-line systems (conveying articles or materials through a pipe- line by means of a fluid carrier B65G51/00, B65G53/00; liquids B67D; special devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers into vehicles or boats or vice versa, e.g. loading or unloading vehicles or portable containers B67D7/00; conveying material which has been excavated by a dredger or soil shifter through a pipe-line E02F7/10; sewer pipe-line systems E03F3/00; thermal insulation of pipe-lines F16L59/00; central heating systems F24D)
- F17D 3/00 Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations
- F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations (arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00)
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F17, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- GAZ TRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ FR 1,718
- L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE FR 1,633
- DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING COMPANY KR 1,570
- SAMSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES KR 1,174
- HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPANY KR 988
- LINDE DE 757
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 696
- BMW (BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE) DE 523
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION JP 515
- KAWASAKI HEAVY IND JP 456