Apparatus for a sealing external surface of a tubular member

Claim 2

In apparatus for sealing a portion of the external surface of a tubular member, the combination comprising: a longitudinally segmented housing arranged for clamping about a tubular member; means connected to said housing for securing said housing in clamped position about said tubular member upon actuation thereof; at least one resilient packer mounted in said housing and adapted to sealingly engage a full circumferential portion of the external surface of said tubular member and to seal at least portions of the longituDinal spaces between the segments of said housing upon actuation thereof; a plurality of longitudinally aligned hydraulic cylinder and piston means mounted in said housing for applying an axial force to said packer to thereby axially compress and radially deform said packer into sealing engagement between said housing and said external surface of said tubular member and to seal said portions of said longitudinal spaces; and, means provided in said housing for applying hydraulic pressure to said piston means for actuation thereof.

Claim 3

The invention as claimed in claim 1 including: hinge means for hingedly connecting said segments of said housing; and means for hydraulically closing said segmented housing about said tubular member.

Claim 4

The invention as claimed in claim 1 including: a plurality of tapered slips slidably mounted in said housing and arranged to move into engagement with said tubular member in response to actuation of said piston means.

Claim 5

In apparatus for sealing a portion of the external surface of a tubular member, the combination comprising: a longitudinally segmented housing arranged for clamping about a tubular member; means connected to said housing for securing said housing in clamped position about said tubular member upon actuation thereof; a pair of resilient packers mounted in longitudinally spaced apart positions in said housing and each being adapted for sealingly engaging a full circumferential portion of the external surface of said tubular member and sealing at least portions of the longitudinal spaces between the segments of said housing upon actuation thereof; first and second pluralities of tapered slips mounted in said housing at longitudinally spaced apart positions and arranged for gripping said tubular member upon actuation thereof; hydraulic means provided in each of said segments of said housing for axially compressing and sealingly engaging said packers between said housing and said tubular member and sealing said portions of said longitudinal spaces and actuating said slips to the gripping position, each of said hydraulic means including at least one longitudinal hydraulic cylinder and a piston disposed in each of said cylinders; and means for providing a longitudinal seal between the adjacent surfaces of said segments of said housing in the closed position and extending between said packers.

Claim 6

In apparatus for sealing a portion of the external surface of a tubular member, the combination comprising: a longitudinally segmented housing arranged for clamping about a tubular member; means connected to said housing for securing said housing in clamped position about said tubular member upon actuation thereof; a pair of resilient packers mounted in longitudinally spaced apart positions in said housing and each being adapted for sealingly engaging a full circumferential portion of the external surface of said tubular member and sealing at least portions of the longitudinal spaces between the segments of said housing upon actuation thereof; first and second pluralities of tapered slips mounted in said housing at longitudinally spaced apart positions and arranged for gripping said tubular member upon actuation thereof; hydraulic means provided in each of said segments of said housing for axially compressing and sealingly engaging said packers between said housing and said tubular member and sealing said portions of said longitudinal spaces and actuating said slips to the gripping position, each of said hydraulic means including at least one longitudinal hydraulic cylinder and a piston disposed in each of said cylinders; and means for providing a longitudinal seal between the adjacent surfaces of said segments of said housing in the closed position and extending between said packers.

Claim 7

The invention as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said first and second pluralities of slips are arranged for movement in opposite axial directions to the gripping position, whereby said slips will withstand both tension and compression forces between said housing and said tubular member.

Claim 8

The invention as claimed in claim 4 including: a riser pipe connected to said housing and communicating with the interior of said housing at a point intermediate said packers, for use in tapping said tubular member.

Claim 9

The invention as claimed in claim 4 including: mating closure pads extending from the segments of said housing which are arranged for lateral opening; and, a retainer pin arranged to be inserted axially through said closure pads to secure said housing about said tubular member.

Claim 10

The invention as claimed in claim 7, including: means for hydraulically inserting said retainer pin into said closure pads.