Method and apparatus for assembling and testing a fluid conduit
US7159450B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53783
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for assembling a fluid conduit assembly and testing the fluid conduit for leaks. Clipping devices support fasteners at a position remote from the conduit. According to the invention the fasteners can be loaded into clip nests provided by the clipping devices while leak testing of the conduit is performed. The performance of these steps simultaneously effectively eliminates the conventional requirement of pre-loading installation fasteners into the leak testing apparatus, and thus reduces the overall time required for the testing and assembly of fluid conduits by approximately one third. If the leak test is successful, all of the fasteners are then moved to the conduits and closed to integrate the conduit assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.