Invasive cryogenic tool and method for freezing the content of a pipe
US6141972A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D3/10
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cryogenic tool capable of freezing the pipe content which otherwise flows through a pipe is provided to permit isolation of a repair site in the pipe. The cryogenic tool comprises a tool body and a cryogenic device. The tool body has a tip which is adapted for insertion through a wall of the pipe. The tip is of sufficient length to extend entirely through the wall of the pipe and into the pipe content. The cryogenic device is connected to the tip. The cryogenic device is adapted to reduce the temperature of the tip sufficiently to freeze the content of the pipe in the vicinity of the tip. Also provided is a method of freezing the content of a pipe to prevent flow through the pipe. The method comprises the steps of: inserting a thermally conductive tip of a cryogenic tool through a wall of the pipe so that the cryogenic tool extends into the content; and applying a cryogenic fluid to the conductive tip so that heat from the content of the pipe is transferred through the tip to the cryogenic fluid, to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.