Vessel and pipeline insertion tool

• US 6,357,470 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sentry Equipment Corporation
• Original Assignee: Accurate Tool Company (Accurate Tool)
• Inventors: Evans, Willie V., Evans, Gary K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US09/589,906
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 738/665, 738/638.1, 738/638.6, 73/86, 137/312, 137/317, 137/318, 137/315.01, 251/214, 251/368, 292/56, 292/63, 422/53, 436/3, 436/6
• US Class Current: 137/317
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/16 the branch pipe comprising fluid cut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/046 Means for supporting or introducing coupons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/612 Tapping a pipe, keg, or apertured tank under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53848 having screw operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53878 Tubular or tube segment forms work-engager

Abstract

A packer joint is provided for mounting on a vessel or pipeline entry valve which includes a stinger guide and seal. Clamping collet are mounted within the packer to retain the stinger in the desired position. Different metals within the guide body from those of the stinger rod prevent gaulding and damage. A lock-up the rod may be released via a bore hole providing tapping access to the collets.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inserting and removing a stinger in an interior of a pipeline or vessel, said stinger having an external end and an internal end comprising:

a packer assembly for sealable connection to an opening on said pipeline or vessel and adapted for sealing engagement to said stinger; and

a clamping collet mounted within a guide body within said packer assembly to releasably hold said stinger in the desired position after insertion;

wherein the improvement comprises providing a metal surface as a part of and within said guide body which is different from the metal of said stinger to inhibit instances of gaulding of the rod, compression freeze up of the rod, lock up of the rod, or the like.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the metal surface is the interior face of the guide body.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the metal surface is a bushing within said guide body.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the metal surface is brass and the stinger is stainless steel.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein a borehole provides access to tap said collet free.

6. An apparatus for inserting and removing a stinger in an interior of a pipeline or vessel, said stinger having an external end and an internal end comprising:

a packer assembly for sealable connection to an opening on said pipeline or vessel and adapted for sealing engagement to said stinger; and

a clamping collet mounted within a guide body within said packer assembly to releasably hold said stinger in the desired position after insertion;

wherein the improvement comprises;

providing a metal surface as a part of and within said guide body which is different from the metal of said stinger-to inhibit instances of gaulding of the rod, compression freeze up of the rod, lock up of the rod, or the like.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein the metal surface is the interior face of the guide body.

8. The improvement of claim 6 wherein the metal surface is a bushing within said guide body.

9. The improvement of claim 6 wherein the metal surface is brass and the stinger is stainless steel.

10. The improvement of claim 6 wherein a bore hole provides access to tap said collet to free said stinger.

11. A packer assembly for inserting a stinger into a pipeline or vessel comprising:

a guide body adapted to be mounted on a pipeline or vessel entry valve including an elongated housing and chamber within said housing in alignment with said entry valve;

a packer joint mounted on the upper end of said housing in alignment with the passage through said entry valve;

a packer joint mounted on the upper end of said guide body, including a packer joint body having a bore therethrough in axial alignment with said aperture and said chamber, said bore adapted to fit around said stinger, a collet clamp mounted within said packer joint body and adapted to fit snugly about said stinger, a collet clamp actuation means for securely but releasably tightening said collet clamp about said stinger;

wherein the improvement comprises;

providing a metal surface as a part of and within said guide body which is different from the metal of said stinger to inhibit instances of gaulding of the rod, compression freeze up of the rod, lock up of the rod, or the like.

12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein the metal surface is the interior face of the guide body.

13. The improvement of claim 11 wherein the metal surface is a bushing within said guide body.

14. The improvement of claim 11 wherein the metal surface is brass and the stinger is stainless steel.

15. The improvement of Claim 11 wherein a bore hole provides access to tap said collet to free said stinger.

16. An insertion apparatus for inserting and removing a stinger through a packer assembly on a pipeline or vessel, said stinger having an external end and an internal end, comprising an elongated housing defining a chamber, said housing having connecting means at one end for connecting said housing to an entry valve on said pipeline or vessel;

a guide body mounted on the other end of said housing having a bore in communication with said housing;

a rod received in said bore;

collet means positioned and arranged within said bore of said guide body to clamp said rod;

wherein the improvement comprises;

providing a metal surface as a part of and within said guide body which is different from the metal of said rod-to inhibit instances of gaulding of the rod, compression freeze up of the rod, lock up of the rod, or the like.

17. The improvement of claim 16 wherein the metal surface is the interior face of the guide body.

18. The improvement of claim 16 wherein the metal surface is a bushing within said guide body.

19. The improvement of claim 16 wherein the metal surface is brass and the rod is stainless steel.

20. The improvement of claim 16 wherein a bore hole provides access to tap said collet to free said rod.

21. An approval method of preventing lock-up or damage to the apparatus of claim 16 by making the guide body of a metal different from that of the rod.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the metal surface is that of a bushing within said guide body.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the metal surface is brass and the rod is stainless steel.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the collet may be tapped by means of a bore hole to free said rod.