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IPC Subclass
F17D

PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:
STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
Subclass:
PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES

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

IPC subclass F17D recorded 52,497 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 2,008 in 2013 to 8,454 in 2023 (+321%). The most active applicants in class F17 are DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING COMPANY (1,622 applications), GAZ TRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ (1,588 applications) and L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE (1,470 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

distribution pipe systems for compressed AIR in generalCONVEYING of liquids through pipe-linesDAMPING of pulsations in pipelinesdistribution pipe systems for GAS(ES) in generalpreventing or locating LEAKS in pipe-linesdistribution pipe systems for LIQUID(S) in generalLOCATING leaks in pipe-linesMAINS systems for gases or liquidsPIPE(S) -linesdistribution pipe systems for STEAM in general

3 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F17, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING COMPANY KR 1,622
  2. GAZ TRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ FR 1,588
  3. L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE FR 1,470
  4. SAMSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES KR 1,287
  5. HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPANY KR 989
  6. TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 830
  7. LINDE DE 703
  8. SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 666
  9. ROBERT BOSCH DE 654
  10. BMW (BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE) DE 511