Patent US4081990A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4081990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic pipe testing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-12-29
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the hydrostatic testing of pipe and pipe connections is provided. The apparatus features an elongated tool body which can be inserted into the interior portion of a connected series of pipe joints or the like. The device is inserted into a pipe joint in proximity to a connection between two joints which has been "made up" by means of, for example, a threaded connection. The device utilizes a pair of expanding flexible packing seals which expand and sealably contact the pipe wall forming a pressure test area between the seals and at the pipe joint to be tested. Fluid pressure supplied through a central conduit in the tool body flows into the pipe between the packing seals through a nozzle injector in the tool body in proximity to the joint which is to be tested. The test fluid then first expands the pair of flexible seals and fills the pipe with water upon which a desired test pressure is exerted. The apparatus utilizes a single source of test fluid to both expand the seals which close off the central test area therebetween, and to apply the necessary "fill" water which pressurizes the test area between the seals and thus pressure tests the desired joint.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Chatagnier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A pipe testing apparatus, comprising: a. an elongated body attachable to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, said body being insertable into the inner portion of a section of pipe to be tested; b. a pair of seal means on said body for forming substantially fluid tight pressurized seals between said body and the walls of a pipe in which said testing apparatus is placed, each of said seal means being a flexible expandable section of said body and said flexible expandable section is compressed by the action of a pair of hydraulic pistons cooperatively connected to said flexible section, said pistons being slideable on said elongated body, and said pistons being simultaneously urged towards said flexible expandable section when pressurized fluid is conveyed to said pipe testing apparatus; c. nozzle injector means on said body between said pair of seal means for introducing pressurized fluid into the space created between said pair of seal means when said seal means are activated by the introduction of pressurized fluid into said body, said nozzle injector means comprising a reduced orifice opening in said elongated body; d. channel means in said body for simultaneously transmitting pressurized fluid to said nozzle injector means and to said pair of seal means; and e. a plurality of fluid conduits providing a fluid connection between said channel means and each of said hydraulic pistons, the pressure of fluid within said channel means and each of said fluid conduits being substantially the same whereby each of said hydraulic pistons is urged to expand its respective flexible expandable section with substantially equal force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A pipe testing apparatus, comprising: a. an elongated body attachable to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, said body being insertable into the inner portion of a section of pipe to be tested; b. a pair of seal means on said body for forming substantially fluid tight pressurized seals between said body and the walls of a pipe in which said testing apparatus is placed, each of said seal means being a flexible expandable section of said body and said flexible expandable section is compressed by the action of a pair of hydraulic pistons cooperatively connected to said flexible section, said pistons being slideable on said elongated body, and said pistons being simultaneously urged towards said flexible expandable section when pressurized fluid is conveyed to said pipe testing apparatus; c. nozzle injector means on said body between said pair of seal means for introducing pressurized fluid into the space created between said pair of seal means when said seal means are activated by the introduction of pressurized fluid into said body, said nozzle injector means comprising a reduced orifice opening in said elongated body; d. channel means in said body for simultaneously transmitting pressurized fluid to said nozzle injector means and to said pair of seal means; and e. a plurality of fluid conduits providing a fluid connection between said channel means and each of said hydraulic pistons, the pressure of fluid within said channel means and each of said fluid conduits being substantially the same whereby each of said hydraulic pistons is urged to expand its respective flexible expandable section with substantially equal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle orifice hydraulically connects said channel means and the outer face of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is further provided within said channel means reduced section means for limiting the rate of flow of fluid through said channel means to one of said seal means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said reduced diameter orifice has a diameter greater than the diameter of said nozzle injector means and smaller than the diameter of said channel means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is comprised of a plurality of sealably connectable sections, each of said seal means forming one of said connectable sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said nozzle injector means forms one of said connectable sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said each of said seal means is substantially identical and interchangeable with the other of said seal means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plurality of connectable sections are threadably connectable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there are three of said sealably connectable sections, two of said connectable sections are said seal means, and one of said connectable sections is said nozzle injector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is comprised of a plurality of sealably connectable sections, and said nozzle injector means forms one of said connectable sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nozzle hydraulically connects said channel means and the outer face of said body, and said reduced orifice has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said fluid conduits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is further provided within said channel means reduced section means for limiting the rate of flow of fluid through said channel means to one of said seal means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said reduced section means is a plug provided with a reduced diameter orifice therein, and said plug is insertable within said channel means between said nozzle injector means and the seal means fartherest from the point of attachment of said source of pressurized fluid to said elongated body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said reduced diameter orifice has a diamter greater than the diameter of said nozzle injector means and smaller than the diameter of said channel means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
274 words
A pipe testing apparatus, comprising: a. an elongated body attachable to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, said body being insertable into the inner portion of a section of pipe to be tested; b. a pair of seal means on said body for forming substantially fluid tight pressurized seals between said body and the walls of a pipe in which said testing apparatus is placed, each of said seal means being activated respectively by pressurized fluid transmitted to a pair of hydraulic pistons, and said pair of seal means are activated to form the pressurized fluid tight seal when said pair of hydraulic type pistons are simultaneously urged toward each other, compressing each of said seal means respectively therebetween; c. a central fluid conveying conduit in said body for transmitting pressurized fluid throughout the length of said body; d. nozzle injector means on said body between said pair of seal means for introducing pressurized fluid into the space created between said pair of seal means when said seal means are activated by the introduction of pressurized fluid into said body, said nozzle injector means providing a reduced orifice perforation in said body, which perforation hydraulically connects said fluid conduit and the outer face of said body; 3. a plug provided with a reduced diamter orifice, said plug insertable within said fluid conduit between said nozzle injector means and the end portion of said tool body opposite the point of attachment of said source of pressurized fluid, the diameter of said reduced diameter orifice having a diameter greater than the diameter of said nozzle injector means and smaller than the diameter of said fluid channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
274 words
A pipe testing apparatus, comprising: a. an elongated body attachable to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, said body being insertable into the inner portion of a section of pipe to be tested; b. a pair of seal means on said body for forming substantially fluid tight pressurized seals between said body and the walls of a pipe in which said testing apparatus is placed, each of said seal means being activated respectively by pressurized fluid transmitted to a pair of hydraulic pistons, and said pair of seal means are activated to form the pressurized fluid tight seal when said pair of hydraulic type pistons are simultaneously urged toward each other, compressing each of said seal means respectively therebetween; c. a central fluid conveying conduit in said body for transmitting pressurized fluid throughout the length of said body; d. nozzle injector means on said body between said pair of seal means for introducing pressurized fluid into the space created between said pair of seal means when said seal means are activated by the introduction of pressurized fluid into said body, said nozzle injector means providing a reduced orifice perforation in said body, which perforation hydraulically connects said fluid conduit and the outer face of said body; 3. a plug provided with a reduced diamter orifice, said plug insertable within said fluid conduit between said nozzle injector means and the end portion of said tool body opposite the point of attachment of said source of pressurized fluid, the diameter of said reduced diameter orifice having a diameter greater than the diameter of said nozzle injector means and smaller than the diameter of said fluid channel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |