Pipe repair apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A pipe repair apparatus comprising:
- at least first and second housings, each housing comprising respective first and second ends, and a pair of edges extending therebetween, said housings configured to mate at the edges;
a plurality of fasteners securing the first and second housings together to form a closed conduit extending between the ends, said conduit shaped to receive a pipe to be repaired;
a first seal mounted in the housing to extend around the conduit at the first ends of the housings, said first seal oriented to seal the housings against an outer circumferential surface of the pipe;
a second seal mounted to the housings to extend around the conduit at the second ends of the housings, said second seal oriented to seal the housings against a wall extending outwardly from the pipe;
a retainer coupled to the housings to clamp the second seal against the wall, said pipe comprising a longitudinal axis adjacent to the second ends of the housings, said retainer pressing the second seal along a direction having a substantial component aligned with the longitudinal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pipe repair apparatus includes first and second housings that are bolted together to form a closed conduit extending between the ends of the housings. This conduit is shaped to received a pipe to be repaired. A first seal is mounted in the housing to seal against an outer circumferential surface of the pipe, and a second seal is mounted to extend around the conduit at an end of the housings to seal the housings against a wall extending outwardly from the pipe. A retainer is coupled to the housings to clamp the second seal against the wall. This retainer can include a threaded rod that passes through the housings or a spring that biases the housings toward the wall. The disclosed pipe repair is well suited for repairing a supply pipe in an internal core spray system of a nuclear reactor. This pipe repair forms a permanent repair that structurally replaces the pipe and welds being repaired. It is well suited for remote installation with minimal as-built information and in a minimal time. The repair provides an effective leakage barrier, and it allows inspection access to adjacent welds that are not covered by the repair.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A pipe repair apparatus comprising:
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at least first and second housings, each housing comprising respective first and second ends, and a pair of edges extending therebetween, said housings configured to mate at the edges; a plurality of fasteners securing the first and second housings together to form a closed conduit extending between the ends, said conduit shaped to receive a pipe to be repaired; a first seal mounted in the housing to extend around the conduit at the first ends of the housings, said first seal oriented to seal the housings against an outer circumferential surface of the pipe; a second seal mounted to the housings to extend around the conduit at the second ends of the housings, said second seal oriented to seal the housings against a wall extending outwardly from the pipe; a retainer coupled to the housings to clamp the second seal against the wall, said pipe comprising a longitudinal axis adjacent to the second ends of the housings, said retainer pressing the second seal along a direction having a substantial component aligned with the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for repairing a core spray system comprising a core spray supply pipe in a nuclear reactor comprising a shroud which receives the pipe, said method comprising the following steps:
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a) securing at least first and second housings around the pipe such that the housings form a closed conduit around the pipe, said securing step comprising the step of sealing a first end of the housings to an outer surface of the pipe; and b) sealing a second end of the housings to the shroud, said sealing step comprising the step of clamping the second end against the shroud. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification