Patent US3672383A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for tapping pipeline
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1970-05-25
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1990-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A generally T-shaped tap coupling is positioned in encircling relationship over a pipeline, and is heat shrunk thereover. The tap coupling includes a tap line portion receiving drilling apparatus therethrough which removes a coupon from the sidewall of the pipeline. The drilling apparatus with the coupon retained is partially withdrawn from the tap line portion. A clamping device collapses the sidewall of the tap line portion to prevent escape of conveyed material from the pipeline. The tap line portion is then permanently connected to a coupling of a tap line. The clamping device is removed thereby permitting material from the pipeline to flow through the tap coupling into the tap line.
Inventors
- 👤 John Omer Trimble
- 👤 Henry William Demler Sr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:47
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/66; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5224; B29C66/52241; B29C66/5229; B29C66/52291; B29C66/52292; F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; F16L47/26; F16L47/34; F16L47/345; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0009; B29C2793/0018; B29C66/70; B29C66/73; B29C66/737; B29C66/7371; B29C66/73715; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/0441; Y10T137/0458; Y10T137/0463; Y10T137/0469
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of tapping a pipeline, comprising the steps of: positioning a tap coupling on a pipeline, heat shrinking the tap coupling over said pipeline, removing a coupon from the pipeline sidewall, shutting off the flow of pipeline conveyed material at the tap coupling, connecting a tap line to the tap coupling, and turning on the flow of pipeline conveyed material at the tap coupling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of tapping a pipeline, comprising the steps of: positioning a tap coupling on a pipeline, heat shrinking the tap coupling over said pipeline, removing a coupon from the pipeline sidewall, shutting off the flow of pipeline conveyed material at the tap coupling, connecting a tap line to the tap coupling, and turning on the flow of pipeline conveyed material at the tap coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein, said step of removing a coupon further includes the steps of attaching a drilling apparatus to a portion of said tap coupling, and penetrating the sidewall of the pipeline by a portion of said drilling apparatus to remove the coupon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method as recited in claim 2, and further including the step of partially retracting a portion of the drilling apparatus immediately after removal of the coupon, and wherein the step of shutting off the flow of pipeline conveyed material further includes the step of clamping a portion of said tap coupling, and further including the step of, removing said drilling apparatus from said tap coupling immediately before coupling said tap line to said tap coupling, wherein the step of turning on the flow of pipeline conveyed material includes unclamping the tap coupling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of shutting off the flow of pipeline conveyed material includes clamping a portion of the tap coupling, and wherein the step of turning on the flow of pipeline conveyed material includes unclamping said tap coupling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as recited in claim 1, where the step of shutting off the flow of pipeline conveyed material includes the step of, collapsing a portion of the tap coupling, and wherein the step of turning on the flow of pipeline conveyed materials includes the step of restoring the uncollapsed configuration of said tap coupling.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |