Apparatus for effecting operations on a fitting on a high pressure gas main

Claim 2

Apparatus for effecting operations on a fitting on a high pressure gas main, the fitting extending away from the main and a service conduit extending from the fitting and terminating with an end having a circular shoulder, said apparatus comprising mounting means adapted for rigid clamping to said main at the location of the fitting, conduit means supported by said mounting means to form a concentric sealed connection with the shoulder of the fitting, said conduit means including an access conduit providing a sealed conpartment enclosing the end of the fitting, valve means disposed in said conduit means and adapted to be opened and closed to provide access to the fitting through said sealed compartment, tool mounting means having a sealed connection with said conduit means and forming in combination with said conduit means a second sealed compartment in communication with said first mentioned sealed compartment through said valve means, and a tool means operated by said tool mounting means and movable through said first and second compartments when the valve means is opened for access to the fitting for effecting operations thereon.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said mounting means includes a pair of clamps adapted to be disposed on the main on opposite sides of the fitting, said conduit means including a rigid plate extending between and supported on said clamps, said plate being provided with an opening therethrough in concentric registry with the end of the fitting and communicating With said first mentioned sealed compartment, and a sealing ring concentrically disposed in said opening peripherally and concentrically to engage the shoulder of the fitting.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 in which each of said clamps includes a saddle clamp adapted to be rigidly fastened about the main, a mounting pad rigidly supported on said saddle clamp, and fastening means for connecting the adjacent portion of said plate to said pad.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said pads and said fastening means are disposed, when said fastening means are tightened, to pull said mounting plate and said sealing ring securely against the shoulder of the fitting.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 in which each of said clamps includes a post for rigidly supporting its mounting pad, said post extending generally parallel to the fitting away from the main.

Claim 7

Apparatus for effecting operations on a fitting extending outwardly from a high pressure gas main, the fitting terminating with a distal end having a circular shoulder and a removable plug concentrically disposed therein, the fitting defining an internal space in communication with the interior of the main through an aperture in the wall of the main and with a service line leading away from the fitting, said apparatus comprising, a pair of clamps proportioned and designed rigidly to engage the main on opposite sides of the fitting, conduit means including a mounting platform mounted on said clamps and having a through opening therein concentrically to receive the distal end of the fitting, sealing means disposed in the opening sealably to engage the shoulder of the fitting, said conduit means providing a sealed compartment in communication with said opening at the end of the fitting, valve means disposed in said conduit means and adapted to be opened and closed to provide access to the internal space of the fitting through the sealed compartment, tool mounting means having a sealed connection with said conduit means and forming with said conduit means a second sealed compartment axially outwardly from said first mentioned sealed compartment and in communication therewith through said valve means, and tool means cooperatively associated with said tool mounting means and movable through said first and seond compartments when said valve means is opened for access to the fitting and the interior space thereof.

Claim 8

Apparatus for effecting operations on a fitting extending outwardly from a high pressure gas main, the fitting terminating with a distal end having a circular shoulder and a removable plug concentrically disposed therein, the fitting defining an internal space in communication with the interior of the main through an aperture in the wall of the main and with a service line leading away from the fitting, said apparatus comprising, a pair of clamps proportioned and designed rigidly to engage the main on opposite sides of the fitting, conduit means including a mounting platform mounted on said clamps and having a through opening therein concentrically to receive the distal end of the fitting, sealing means disposed in the opening sealably to engage the shoulder of the fitting, said conduit means providing a sealed compartment in communication with said opening at the end of the fitting, valve means disposed in said conduit means and adapted to be opened and closed to provide access to the internal space of the fitting through the sealed compartment, tool mounting means having a sealed connection with said conduit means and forming with said conduit means a second sealed compartment axially outwardly from said first mentioned sealed compartment and in communication therewith through said valve means, and tool means cooperatively associated with said tool mounting means and movable through said first and seond compartments when said valve means is opened for access to the fitting and the interior space thereof.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 including means for mounting said platform on said clamps, said mounting means including a mounting pad rigidly attached to each clamp, and fasteneing elements for securing said platform to said pads.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 in which said pads and fastening elements are disposed such that, when said fastening elements are tightened, said platform is pulled against the fitting to accomplish a tight seal between said platform and the shoulder of the fitting.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 in which said tool means includes a magnetic wrench for removing the removable plug from the end of the fitting to provide access to the interior space thereof.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 in which said tool means includes drill and tap means for forming a tapped opening in the wall of the main.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 in which said tool means includes drill and tap means for forming a threaded opening in the throat of the fitting adajcent the main.