초록 ▼

A squeeze-off apparatus and method for at least partially locally interrupting the flow of a fluid in a resilient tube or pipe are described. Tubes may be accessed from a single direction, thereby eliminating the need for significant excavation around a buried tube. Squeeze-off is performed using tw

A squeeze-off apparatus and method for at least partially locally interrupting the flow of a fluid in a resilient tube or pipe are described. Tubes may be accessed from a single direction, thereby eliminating the need for significant excavation around a buried tube. Squeeze-off is performed using two pairs of jaws which close in a parallel manner, the closed distance between the jaws being adjustable depending on the wall thickness of the tubing, thereby permitting the tube to remain integral for at least one such crimping and release cycle. Embodiments of the squeeze-off apparatus may be locked in place once the tube is crimped, thereby permitting the flow to be reduced or shut off without continued application of force to the squeeze-off jaws of the apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tubing squeeze-off apparatus, comprising in combination: a first elongated base member having a flat first side and a flat second side;a second elongated base member having a flat first side and a flat second side, wherein the first side of said first base member is parallel to, spaced apart fr

1. A tubing squeeze-off apparatus, comprising in combination: a first elongated base member having a flat first side and a flat second side;a second elongated base member having a flat first side and a flat second side, wherein the first side of said first base member is parallel to, spaced apart from and faces the first side of said second base member;a drive block adapted to slide between said first base member and said second base member;a first inner jaw member rotatable about a first pivot centrally located on said first jaw member, and in the vicinity of one end of said first base member and said second base member;a second inner jaw member rotatable about the first pivot centrally located on said second jaw member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member rotating between said first base member and said second base member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member each having a leg portion on each side of the pivot thereof together forming a generally C-shaped opening capable of receiving said tubing;at least one pair of actuating bars, one end of each actuating bar pivotably attached to an end of said first inner jaw member on either side thereof and opposite the leg portion thereof, the opposite end of each actuating bar being pivotably attached to said drive block;a first squeeze-off jaw rotatable in the vicinity of a first end thereof about a second pivot location on the leg portion of said first inner jaw member;a second squeeze-off jaw rotatable in the vicinity of a first end thereof about a second pivot location on the leg portion of said second inner jaw member;a pair of first positioning bars, one end of each first positioning bar pivotably attached in the vicinity of a second end of said first squeeze-off jaw and a second end of said second squeeze-off jaw opposite the first end thereof, the second end of each first positioning bar being pivotably attached to said first base member;a third squeeze-off jaw rotatable in the vicinity of a first end thereof about a second pivot location on the leg portion of said first inner jaw member;a fourth squeeze-off jaw rotatable in the vicinity of a first end thereof about a second pivot location on the leg portion of said second inner jaw member;a pair of second positioning bars, one end of each second positioning bar pivotably attached in the vicinity of a second end of said third squeeze-off and said fourth squeeze-off jaw opposite the first end thereof, the second end of each second positioning bar being pivotably attached to said second base member; andmeans for moving said drive block between said first base member and said second base member;whereby a uniform gap is maintained between said first squeeze-off jaw and said second squeeze-off jaw and between said third squeeze-off jaw and said fourth squeeze-off jaw as said drive block is moved. 2. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for moving said drive block comprises a hydraulic cylinder attached to said first base member and said second base member, a piston actuated by said cylinder and attached to said drive block, and a source of hydraulic pressure. 3. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a coil spring through which said piston passes for returning said drive block to a position whereby said first squeeze-off jaw and said second squeeze-off jaw are separated, when the hydraulic pressure is reduced. 4. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a first drive block stopping plate perpendicular to and attached to said first base member and said second base member, having a first slot with a chosen length therein and having a forward end and a rearward end;a second drive block stopping plate perpendicular to and attached to said first base member and said second base member, spaced apart from and facing said first stopping plate, and having a second slot with a chosen length therein opposing the first slot and having a forward end and a rearward end;a cylindrical pin passing through said drive block and adapted to pass through the first slot and the second slot, whereby the motion of said drive block is limited by the chosen length of the first slot and the second slot at the forward end and the rearward end. 5. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 4, further comprising adjustable stops at the forward end of each of the first slot and the second slot for determining the minimum distance between said first squeezed-off jaw and said second squeeze-off jaw, and between the third squeeze-off jaw and the fourth squeeze-off jaw. 6. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pin has at least one flat longitudinal surface such that the motion of said drive block is limited in the forward direction by the at least one flat surface and said stops. 7. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 4, wherein said piston passes between said first stopping plate and said second stopping plate, and has a slot therein in the region of the first slot and the second slot, said tubing squeeze-off apparatus further comprising a tapered pin adapted to be inserted into the slot through either the first slot or the second slot and through the other slot, respectively, wherein said drive block is prevented from rearward motion when the hydraulic pressure is released. 8. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first curved insert having a chosen diameter and attached to the end of said first base member containing the first pivot, and a second curved insert having a diameter equal to that of the chosen diameter and attached to the end of said second base member containing the first pivot, said first insert and said second insert adapted for receiving the tubing to be crimped. 9. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first pivot block attached to the second side of said first base member, wherein the second end of each first positioning bar is pivotably attached to said first pivot block; and a second pivot block attached to the second side of said second base member, wherein the second end of each second positioning bar is pivotably attached to said second pivot block. 10. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tubing comprises resilient plastic tubing. 11. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plastic tubing comprises polyethylene tubing. 12. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an elongated handle attached to said cylinder at the end thereof opposite said piston. 13. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one squeeze-off retainer for maintaining said tubing in a squeezed-off condition. 14. The tubing squeeze-off apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance from the first pivot to the second pivot is equal to the distance between the pivotable attachment of each of said first positioning bars to said first base member and the pivotable attachment of each of said first positioning bars in the vicinity of the second end of said first squeeze-off jaw and said second squeeze-off jaw, and equal to the distance between the pivotable attachment of each of said second positioning bars to said second base member and the pivotable attachment of each of said second positioning bars in the vicinity of the second end of said third squeeze-off jaw and said fourth squeeze-off jaw. 15. A method for squeezing-off tubing having a puncture or break in the wall thereof, comprising: providing a tubing squeeze-off apparatus having a first pair of squeeze-off jaws and a second pair of squeeze-off jaws spaced apart from the first pair of squeeze-off jaws;providing a first squeeze-off retainer effective for maintaining the tubing in a squeezed-off condition, and a second squeeze-off retainer effective for maintaining the tubing in a squeezed-off condition;locating the squeeze-off apparatus such that the first pair of squeeze-off jaws straddles the tubing on one side of the puncture or break of the tubing, and the second pair of squeeze-off jaws straddles the tube on the side of the puncture or break opposite from the first pair of squeeze-off jaws;crimping the tubing on both sides of the puncture or break by simultaneously closing the first pair of squeeze-off jaws and the second pair of squeeze-off jaws;placing the first retainer on the tubing alongside the first pair of squeeze-off jaws;placing the second retainer on the tubing alongside the second pair of squeeze-off jaws;opening the first pair of squeeze-off jaws and the second pair of squeeze-off jaws; andremoving the squeeze-off apparatus from the tubing. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tubing comprises resilient plastic tubing. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plastic tubing comprises polyethylene tubing.