US3785041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for plugging pipe
Assignee: PIPE LINE DEV CO US
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Filing: 1971-11-08
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for blocking a conduit or pipe carrying fluid under pressure. The apparatus comprises a fluid tight housing adapted to be secured to the exterior of an intermediate portion of the pipe, a cutter or shear within the housing, an actuator for moving the shear through the wall of the pipe, and a sealing surface engageable with a portion of the pipe while the shear extends into the pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 J Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/105; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0026; 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
145 words
A method of opening a pipe containing fluid under pressure comprising the steps of rendering the wall of the pipe weaker than adjacent areas at two spaced planes transverse to the axis of the pipe by modifying the effective wall thickness of the pipe at said planes, securing a fluid tight housing on the exterior of the pipe to enclose the axial section of pipe defined by the transverse planes, providing a shear having a pair of substantially parallel cutting edges with a spacing substantially equal to the spacing between said planes of weakness, and subsequently driving the shear radially through the pipe with an actuator operable externally of the housing to sever the axial section of pipe between said spaced planes from the remaining portions of the pipe whereby communication between both of said remaining portions and the interior of said housing is established.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of opening a pipe containing fluid under pressure comprising the steps of rendering the wall of the pipe weaker than adjacent areas at two spaced planes transverse to the axis of the pipe by modifying the effective wall thickness of the pipe at said planes, securing a fluid tight housing on the exterior of the pipe to enclose the axial section of pipe defined by the transverse planes, providing a shear having a pair of substantially parallel cutting edges with a spacing substantially equal to the spacing between said planes of weakness, and subsequently driving the shear radially through the pipe with an actuator operable externally of the housing to sever the axial section of pipe between said spaced planes from the remaining portions of the pipe whereby communication between both of said remaining portions and the interior of said housing is established.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of opening a pipe containing fluid under pressure comprising the steps of securing a fluid tight housing on the exterior of the pipe, providing an actuator operable externally from said housing, defining spaced planes of shear transverse to the axis of the pipe by rendering the wall of said pipe weaker at such planes than adjacent areas of said pipe by modifying the effective wall thickness of the pipe, and subsequently radially moving a shear mounted in the housing progressively through the wall of the pipe with said actuator to shear said wall simultaneously across said spaced planes to sever an axial section from the pipe and thereby open opposed portions of said pipe to communication with an interior of the housing.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of opening a pipe containing fluid under pressure comprising the steps of securing a fluid tight housing on the exterior of the pipe, providing an actuator operable externally from said housing, defining spaced planes of shear transverse to the axis of the pipe by rendering the wall of said pipe weaker at such planes than adjacent areas of said pipe by modifying the effective wall thickness of the pipe, and subsequently radially moving a shear mounted in the housing progressively through the wall of the pipe with said actuator to shear said wall simultaneously across said spaced planes to sever an axial section from the pipe and thereby open opposed portions of said pipe to communication with an interior of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the wall of said pipe is rendered weaker at said planes than at adjacent areas by welding reinforcing means on the outer periphery of said adjacent areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the wall of said pipe is rendered weaker at said planes than at adjacent areas by cutting grooves into the pipe wall at said planes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2983477A
Cited
US3170226A
Cited
US3248134A
Cited
US3370614A
Cited
US3385314A
Cited
US3590920A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |