Linestopping system

US5934311A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Water Company, LLC · AU

Inventor

• Stephen Brown · Fremantle, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 20, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 10, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/87338
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A linestopping system for pipes includes first and second linestopping means, each linestopping means including an inflatable plug, an inflation means and an insertion means and first and second branch pipe supports each having an apertured flange with a pipe section mounted thereon at an acute angle, each pipe section containing a valve. In use, the pipe supports are disposed on a pipe in spaced apart locations with the pipe sections facing in opposite directions such that upon apertures being cut in the pipe at the pipe supports the inflatable plugs of respective linestopping means are inserted by the insertion means through the apertures in the pipe and subsequently inflated by the inflation means so as to seal off a section of the pipe. Each insertion means includes a plurality of sets of hydraulic clamps, a first set of clamps being fixed relative to the insertion means and a second set of clamps being movable relative to the insertion means, such that the first and second sets are relatively moveable so as to cause insertion of the respective inflatable plug into the pipe. A bypass pipe extends between the first and second linestopping means to allow fluid flow to be maintain…