Sliding pipe plug
US7137308B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sliding pipe plug for working on and testing pipes is presented. The sliding pipe plug includes a center portion and a gasket disposed about the central portion. When towed through the pipe, the sliding pipe plug maintains a substantial seal against water flowing through the pipe. In some embodiments, a flexible gasket can be utilized to allow for substantial sealing while the sliding pipe plug is traversing obstacles in the pipe. The sliding pipe plug according to the present invention can be utilized in pipes where conventional plugs are inconvenient. For example, in FELL testing a sewage line, a sliding pipe plug can be attached to a sonde cable and the testing can proceed without plugging and surcharging all of the section of pipe to be tested. In some embodiments, the sliding pipe plug includes a break-away section that allows the seal against water flowing through the pipe to be broken when the sliding pipe plug is pulled in a direction opposite the towing direction. In some embodiments, the sliding pipe plug includes a centering section that keeps the sliding pipe plug essentially in the center of the pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.