Apparatus to pierce a fluid-transport pipe and control the fluid-flow therefrom

Claim 1

Apparatus for piercing and controlling fluid-flow from a pipe, comprising: a. pipe connection means; b. a fluid-conducting pipe extending through said pipe connection means, said pipe connection means including at least one fluid-flow channel having an end portion opening to the outer surface of said fluid-conducting pipe where it is to be pierced, said pipe connection means including a guide channel intersecting said one fluid-flow channel and merging therewith at the outer surface of said fluid-conducting pipe, said fluid-flow channel extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of said fluid-conducting pipe; c. a percussion-operated, piercing member recipricably supported in said guide channel and including a lower, transversely inclined end surface defining a lower piercing edge and point for penetrating the fluid-conducting pipe and displacing a portion therein comprising a flow-controlling flap extending angularly from the end of said fluid-flow channel into angular relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said fluid-conducting pipe; d. percussion-chamber means communicating with the upper end of said guide channel for accommodating an explosive charge for imposing a percussive force on the piercing member to drive it through the pipe, said displaced portion being complementary to the lower end surface of said piercing member and forming a valve seat when engaged by the lower end surface of said piercing member, said valve seat including said flow-controlling flap and said flap extending transversely and angularly into the direction of fluid-flow through the pipe; e. spring means interposed between said piercing member and said pipe connection means for limiting movement of said piercing member through the pipe to cause the valve seat to be formed and normally urging the piercing member away from said pipe; and f. an adjusting member including a manually-adjustable stem means engaged with said piercing member for adjusting the lower end surface of said piercing member relative to said flow-controlling flap for controlling fluid flow from the pipe to said one channel of the connection member.