APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING AND UPGRADING PIPES

• US 20190331281A1
• Filed: 02/10/2017
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NLB Engineering Limited
• Original Assignee: NLB Engineering Limited
• Inventors: Heffernan, John Francis Steeple
• Granted Patent: US 10,962,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2215/72 Tubes, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2222/21 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2222/84 Steel high speed steel B23B2222/32, stainless steel B23B2222/80
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2226/61 Plastics not otherwise provided for, e.g. nylon
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 51/04 Drills for trepanning
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/003 of the drill type
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/06 making use of attaching means embracing the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/16 the branch pipe comprising fluid cut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/124 introduced radially into the pipe or hose

Abstract

An apparatus for temporarily blocking fluid flow through a pipe comprises a housing configured to enclose a portion of a pipe and a flow blockage device. The housing includes a first part defining a housing chamber for receiving the pipe, and a second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber. The flow blockage device is movable through an aperture formed in one side of the pipe to an installed position in the housing chamber. The flow blockage device includes an outer sealing part that is configurable between an unexpanded configuration allowing the flow blockage device to pass through the aperture and allowing fluid flow through the pipe and an expanded configuration configured to block fluid flow through pipe by substantially preventing passage of fluid between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the pipe.

Claims

1. An apparatus for temporarily blocking fluid flow through a pipe, comprising:

a housing configured to enclose a portion of a pipe through which fluid flow is to be blocked, the housing comprising;

a first part defining a housing chamber configured to receive the portion of the pipe; and

a second part extending from the first part, the second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber;

a flow blockage device movable along an insertion axis from a stowed position in the stowage space through an aperture formed in one side of the pipe to an installed position in the housing chamber; and

wherein the flow blockage device includes an outer sealing part, the outer sealing part being configurable when the flow blockage device is in the installed position between an unexpanded configuration allowing the flow blockage device to pass through the aperture and allowing fluid flow through the portion of pipe in the housing chamber between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the portion of pipe and an expanded configuration configured to block fluid flow through the portion of pipe in the housing chamber by substantially preventing passage of fluid between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the portion of pipe.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer sealing part comprises a resilient outer layer.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outer sealing part comprises a pair of opposed inner surfaces configured to be radially outwardly displaced by an expansion pin advancing axially through the outer sealing part between the pair of opposed inner surfaces to cause radially outward expansion of outer surfaces of the outer sealing part.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the opposed inner surfaces has an inwardly curved profile.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow blockage device further comprises an expandable inner part.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the expandable inner part comprises an expandable cage structure.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow blockage device comprises an axial alignment member configured to maintain an axial alignment of the outer sealing part.

8. A flow blockage device comprising an outer sealing part, the outer sealing part being configurable when the flow blockage device is in an installed position in a pipe between an unexpanded configuration allowing fluid flow through the pipe between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the pipe and an expanded configuration configured to block fluid flow through the pipe by substantially preventing passage of fluid between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the pipe.

9. The flow blockage device according to claim 8, wherein the outer sealing part comprises a resilient outer layer.

10. The flow blockage device according to claim 9, wherein the outer sealing part comprises a pair of opposed inner surfaces configured to be radially outwardly displaced by an expansion pin advancing axially through the outer sealing part between the pair of opposed inner surfaces to cause radially outward expansion of outer surfaces of the outer sealing part.

11. The flow blockage device according to claim 10, wherein each of the opposed inner surfaces has an inwardly curved profile.

12. The flow blockage device according to claim 8, wherein the flow blockage device further comprises an expandable inner part.

13. The flow blockage device according to claim 12, wherein the expandable inner part comprises an expandable cage structure.

14. The flow blockage device according to claim 8, wherein the flow blockage device comprises an axial alignment member configured to maintain an axial alignment of the outer sealing part.

15. An apparatus for repairing or upgrading a pipe conveying a fluid, comprising:

a housing configured to enclose a portion of a pipe, the housing comprising;

a first part defining a housing chamber configured to receive the portion of the pipe; and

a second part extending from the first part, the second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber; and

an advanceable device movable along a device advancement axis from a stowed position in the stowage space to an advanced position at least partially in the housing chamber, the advanceable device comprising a body having a leading end defining a cutter for removing a section of the pipe enclosed by the housing as the advanceable device moves from the stowed position to the advanced position in order to form an opening in the pipe; and

a rotary mechanism for rotating the cutter;

wherein the apparatus further comprises an axial force applicator operative independently of the rotary mechanism to apply an axial force to urge the cutter toward the pipe.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the axial force applicator is operative to generate an axial force in response to a rotary input.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the axial force applicator comprises an outer sleeve defining a passageway for receiving at least a portion of the advanceable device, the outer sleeve and second part together defining a pair of interengaging screw-threaded portions for varying an axial position of the outer sleeve relative to the second part, whereby axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the second part in a first direction applies an axial force urging the advanceable device toward the pipe.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the axial force applicator further comprises a bearing mounted on the body of the advanceable device, wherein the bearing is movable along the body in an axial direction and operative to transmit an axial force generated by axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the second part to the body by engaging a shoulder portion of the body.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein:

the leading end of the body includes a peripheral wall defining a cutting surface for removing a section of the pipe enclosed by the housing as the apparatus moves from the stowed position to the advanced position in order to form an opening in the pipe, the cutting surface being configured to rotate relative to the housing about the insertion axis as the advanceable device moves from the stowed position to the advanced position;

the peripheral wall defines a central recess for receiving the cut section of pipe; and

the advanceable device further comprises a central pipe-gripping element operative to hold a section of pipe removed by the cutting surface.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pipe-gripping element comprises a leading end defining a pipe-puncturing part.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pipe-gripping element further comprises a screw-threaded part.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the screw-threaded part has a tapered profile having a diameter that increases with increased distance from the leading end.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the pipe-gripping element includes a pipe section collector.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the pipe section collector is configured to disrupt alignment of a screw-thread formed in the section of pipe relative to the screw-threaded part.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the pipe section collector comprises a groove or shaft having a diameter less than a root diameter of the screw-threaded portion.

26. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cutting surface includes an inner edge inclined relative to the insertion axis by an acute angle to define a leading cutting end and a trailing cutting end with the cutting surface extending radially inward relative to the insertion axis with increased axial distance from the leading cutting end.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the inner edge comprises at least one scalloped profile.

28. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pipe-gripping element is detachable from the advanceable device.

29. An apparatus for repairing or upgrading a pipe conveying a fluid, comprising:

a housing configured to enclose a portion of a pipe at a location where the opening is to be formed, the housing comprising;

a first part defining a housing chamber configured to receive the portion of the pipe; and

a second part extending from the first part, the second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber; and

an advanceable device movable along an insertion axis from a stowed position in the stowage space to an advanced position in the housing chamber, the advanceable device comprising a body having a leading end including a peripheral wall defining a cutting surface for removing a section of the pipe enclosed by the housing as the apparatus moves from the stowed position to the advanced position in order to form an opening in the pipe, the cutting surface being configured to rotate relative to the housing about the insertion axis as the advanceable device moves from the stowed position to the advanced position;

wherein;

the peripheral wall defines a central recess for receiving the cut section of pipe; and

the advanceable device further comprises a central pipe-gripping element operative to hold a section of pipe removed by the cutting surface.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the pipe-gripping element comprises a leading end defining a pipe-puncturing part.

31. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the pipe-gripping element further comprises a screw-threaded part.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the screw-threaded part has a tapered profile having a diameter that increases with increased distance from the leading end.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the pipe-gripping element includes a pipe section collector.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the pipe section collector is configured to disrupt alignment of a screw-thread formed in the section of pipe relative to the screw-threaded part.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the pipe section collector comprises a groove or shaft having a diameter less than a root diameter of the screw-threaded portion.

36. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cutting surface includes an inner edge inclined relative to the insertion axis by an acute angle to define a leading cutting end and a trailing cutting end with the cutting surface extending radially inward relative to the insertion axis with increased axial distance from the leading cutting end.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the inner edge comprises at least one scalloped profile.

38. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the pipe-gripping element is detachable from the advanceable device.

39. An apparatus for repairing or upgrading a pipe conveying a fluid, comprising:

a housing configured to enclose a portion of a pipe, the housing comprising;

a first part defining a housing chamber configured to receive the portion of the pipe; and

a second part extending from the first part, the second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber; and

an advanceable device movable along a device advancement path from a stowed position in the stowage space to an advanced position at least partially in the housing chamber, the advanceable device comprising a body having a leading end defining a cutter for removing a section of the pipe enclosed by the housing as the advanceable device moves from the stowed position to the advanced position in order to form an opening in the pipe;

wherein the housing comprises an access port for allowing passage of the advanceable device into the housing chamber and a sealing member configurable between a sealed configuration sealing the access port and an unsealed configuration unsealing the access port and allowing the advanceable device to enter the access port.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the access port is located in the first part.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the second part comprises a collar configured to form a sealed connection with the first part when the advanceable device is in the stowed position and to be removable from the first part when the advanceable device is in the advanced position.

42. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the apparatus includes a rotary actuator operative to move the sealing member between the sealed and unsealed position.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the rotary actuator comprises a rotary member connected to the sealing member by a linkage.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the linkage comprises a first part rotatably mounted in the sealing member and a second part slidably mounted in the rotary member.

45. The apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising:

a rotary mechanism for rotating the cutter; and

an axial force applicator operative independently of the rotary mechanism to apply an axial force to urge the cutter toward the pipe.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the axial force applicator is operative to generate an axial force in response to a rotary input.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the axial force applicator comprises an outer sleeve defining a passageway for receiving at least a portion of the advanceable device, the outer sleeve and second part together defining a pair of interengaging screw-threaded portions for varying an axial position of the outer sleeve relative to the second part, whereby axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the second part in a first direction applies an axial force urging the advanceable device toward the pipe.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the axial force applicator further comprises a bearing mounted on the body of the advanceable device, wherein the bearing is movable along the body in an axial direction and operative to transmit an axial force generated by axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the second part to the body by engaging a shoulder portion of the body.

49. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein:

the leading end of the body includes a peripheral wall defining a cutting surface for removing a section of the pipe enclosed by the housing as the apparatus moves from the stowed position to the advanced position in order to form an opening in the pipe, the cutting surface being configured to rotate relative to the housing about the insertion axis as the advanceable device moves from the stowed position to the advanced position;

the peripheral wall defines a central recess for receiving the cut section of pipe; and

the advanceable device further comprises a central pipe-gripping element operative to hold a section of pipe removed by the cutting surface.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the pipe-gripping element comprises a leading end defining a pipe-puncturing part.

51. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the pipe-gripping element further comprises a screw-threaded part.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the screw-threaded part has a tapered profile having a diameter that increases with increased distance from the leading end.

53. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the pipe-gripping element includes a pipe section collector.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the pipe section collector is configured to disrupt alignment of a screw-thread formed in the section of pipe relative to the screw-threaded part.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the pipe section collector comprises a groove or shaft having a diameter less than a root diameter of the screw-threaded portion.

56. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the cutting surface includes an inner edge inclined relative to the insertion axis by an acute angle to define a leading cutting end and a trailing cutting end with the cutting surface extending radially inward relative to the insertion axis with increased axial distance from the leading cutting end.

57. The apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the inner edge comprises at least one scalloped profile.

58. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the pipe-gripping element is detachable from the advanceable device.