Patent · US Expired

Method of sealing an outlet opening

US5740829A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
26References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 25, 1995
Grant dateApr 21, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 25, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/6123
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An outlet opening (14) to a branch line 40 in a pipeline 10 is sealed without interrupting the flow of gas in the pipeline 10 by cutting an access opening 60 in the wall 62 of the pipeline 10 opposite the branch line 40. A seal 100 is inserted through the access opening 60 using a sub-assembly 70, which consists of a flange 74 having a screw-threaded through aperture, an externally screw-threaded tube 82 received in the aperture and a rod 80 carrying a handle 72 at one end and the seal 100 at the other. The seal 100 has a sealing face 102 which is part-cylindrical in shape and is held in the correct orientation by the handle 72 while the tube 82 is screwed home. When work on the branch line 40 has been completed a temporary seal 160 is installed in the joint-flange 16 which is welded to the pipeline 10 allowing removal of the isolation valve 64 which is replaced by a blanking flange fitted to the joint-flange 16.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.