Pneumatic plug device
US5234034A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L55/124
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elongated pneumatic plug is provided for sealing pipelines. The pneumatic plug has a body structure with a first end cap element, a second end cap element and an expandable elastomeric sleeve with a fixed outer diameter. A fluid ingress and egress valve is located in the first end element which is positioned adjacent the first segment of the sleeve structure. The elastomeric sleeve structure has a specified length and varying wall thicknesses at specified segments along its length. The segmented lengths comprise a middle segment having a predetermined wall thickness, a first segment having a thickness in a range of approximately 50-65% of the middle segment thickness and a second segment having a thickness in a range of approximately 65-80% of the middle segment thickness. The segmented sleeve structure provides an ordered and staged inflation and deflation of the pneumatic plug body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.