초록 ▼

An apparatus and process for restricting fluid flow in a pipeline by inflation of an expandable flexible sleeve which is attached to a plug having a through hole for the inflation fluid. Several embodiments of flow restrictor cartridges are disclosed including cartridges having retainer arms which p

An apparatus and process for restricting fluid flow in a pipeline by inflation of an expandable flexible sleeve which is attached to a plug having a through hole for the inflation fluid. Several embodiments of flow restrictor cartridges are disclosed including cartridges having retainer arms which pivot outwardly against the interior wall of the pipeline restricting the axial expansion of the flexible sleeve upon inflation, thereby providing higher pressurization of the flexible sleeve for use in pipelines of pressures up to about 100 psi. The flow restrictor cartridges may be used in combination with an insertion assembly and by placement of a boring tip on the flow restrictor cartridge may be used with a disclosed cartridge insertion tool providing reduced loss of pipeline contents upon boring a hole in the pipeline followed by insertion and inflation of the flexible sleeve for restricting fluid flow in the pipe.

대표청구항 ▼

A flow restrictor cartridge for insertion through a hole in a pipeline side wall in combination with an insertion assembly wherein said flow restrictor cartridge comprises a substantially circular rear end plug, a cylindrical expandable flexible sleeve having an opening in the central portion of one

A flow restrictor cartridge for insertion through a hole in a pipeline side wall in combination with an insertion assembly wherein said flow restrictor cartridge comprises a substantially circular rear end plug, a cylindrical expandable flexible sleeve having an opening in the central portion of one end attached in substantially fluid-tight relation to the periphery of said rear end plug, said rear end plug having a through flow passage having one end in communication with the interior portion of said flexible sleeve and the other end adapted for communication with supply means providing fluid for inflating said flexible sleeve, the side of said rear end plug exterior to said flexible sleeve having attachment means for engagement with mating attachment means of said insertion assembly, said flow restrictor cartridge having a deflated length less than the inside diameter of the pipe in which it is to be used; and said insertion assembly comprising a cartridge elbow and a cartridge adapter cylinder; said cartridge elbow having a mating attachment means at one end mated with said cartridge rear end plug attachment means and a pivot means at the other end; said cartridge adapter cylinder having pivot receiving means at one end and a flanged adapter head at the other end, the pivot means of the cartridge elbow and the pivot receiving means of the cartridge adapter cylinder engaging; a spring means engaged with said pivot means and said pivot receiving means to provide rotation of the cartridge elbow from a position having its axis parallel to that of the cartridge adapter cylinder to a position extending perpendicular to the axis of the cartridge adapter; and a tube extending through the central portion of the cartridge adapter cylinder in communication, when the cartridge elbow and adapter cylinder are perpendicular, with a passage through the cartridge elbow in communication with said rear plug through flow passage.