Tdw Delaware, Inc.

T. D. Williamson, Inc.

Buddy A Wilson

Eric N Freeman

Gene R Ralls

Tony R Garrison

Bill Dean Andrew

Mark A Morgan

Charles D Calkins

Coy D Osburn

Brian M Gresh

Randy B Billington

Bruce W Bingham

Harvey A Ugland

David L Blevins

Coy D Osborn

An improved machine-actuated removable safety closure made according to this invention includes a latch and central hub combination which permits a plug holder to self-align with the drive holes of the closure's cam plate so that an operator can retrieve the closure without having to lean directly over it. A bypass valve interferes with the cam plate when the bypass is in its closed position. This interference prevents the cam plate from actuating the locking leaves. Anti-rotation slots located on the plug body and the flange of the tubular member interlock and prevent rotation of the plug body beyond a certain rotational window during the setting process and when the plug body is in its final sealing position. The latch, along with means to secure the plug holder to the boring bar, allows the holder to be retrieved from the set plug.

Machine-actuated and removable safety closure with anti-rotation and machine-released holder

A method according to this invention employs a set of valves, a series of pressure checks, and a physical stop for verifying the closing of a locking system of a cylindrical passageway. The method may also employ an equalization piping. The valves isolate a tapping machine, a pipeline, and the equalization piping from one another so that product cannot flow from one to the other. The valves are then opened as a series of pressure checks are performed. A completion plug is then lowered into the passageway until the plug comes to rest within the passageway and is oriented so that a locking ring of the plug is in a filly expanded position. The expanded position is then confirmed by raising the plug until its upward travel is restricted. The plug is then released and pressure above the plug is reduced to 0 psi gauge.

Verifiable closing and locking system of a cylindrical passageway

A system and method of plugging a pipe including sealably securing onto the exterior of a pipe first and second spaced apart collars, each collar having a sealing face in a plane perpendicular the pipe axis, cutting and removing a length of pipe from between the collars leaving two open pipe ends, positioning first and second seal cups between the collars, each seal cup having a forwardly extending circumferential lip of internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the pipe, each seal cup having top and bottom cam followers, moving cam surfaces against the cam followers to guide the seal cups into sealing engagement with the sealing faces of the collars, and forcing a wedge between rearward surfaces of the seal cups.

Cam-assisted, wedge actuated, metal-to-metal seal, block and bleed plugging tool

A removable plug for an internally threaded opening has particular application in a system for closing an opening in the sidewall of a pipe. The system includes a nipple having an inner end attached, such as by welding, to a pipe, and an outer end having internal threads. A short length externally threaded cylindrical plug body is threadably positionable within the nipple outer end, the plug body having a recess in a top surface thereof. An insert is affixed within the plug body recess providing an operating space within the recess below the insert, the insert being formed of a metal plate having a tool receiving central opening therethrough and at least one integral tang portion extending downwardly into the plug body operating space, the insert being secured, such as by welding to the plug body. The insert central opening is shaped in a geometrical pattern, such as a square, to slidably and non-rotatably receive a plug engaging portion of a driver of matching cross-sectional configuration.

Removable threaded plug

An apparatus for plugging the interior of a pipe that is penetrated by an axis opening including an upright tubular plugger housing attachable at its lower end to have communication with the interior of the pipe through the opening. An elongated vertical cylindrical control bar is provided with a plugger at its lower end, the plugger being positioned through the opening into the interior of the pipe to close against further flow of fluid through the pipe. A jack is affixed to the plugger housing upper end and telescopically receives the control bar, the jack being pivotally affixed to the housing so that the control bar, having a plugger on the lower end thereof, can be pivoted relative to the housing and thereby relative to the pipe for proper positioning of the plugger in the pipe. The jack serving to axially downwardly or upwardly advance the control bar so that a plugger can be installed or removed from a pipe, the jack providing force to expand a sealing cup on the plugging head to seal the inside of the pipe. A control bar clamp and latch are used for locking the plugger head in the plugging position.

Device for plugging the interior of a pipe

A safety closure for use in a flange in which the flange has an internal circumferential groove in the passageway therethrough, the closure being formed of a cylindrical body slidably receivable within the flange passageway, the body having a reduced diameter opening therethrough, a plurality of leaves slideably supported to the body, the outer ends of the leaf being receivable in the flange groove, an elastomeric gasket to seal the periphery of the body to the flange passageway, and a pressure relief member slidably received in the body passageway, the upper end of the pressure relief member being of enlarged diameter and received between opposed inner ends of the leaves when the leaves are outwardly positioned within the flange groove to thereby prevent the leaves from being removed from the groove, the pressure relief member being downwardly displaceable to an open position permitting fluid flow through the cylindrical body prior to permitting the leaf to be retracted thereby assuring release of pressure before the leaves can be moved to the position permitting the closure member to be removed from the interior of the flange.

Growing community of inventors

Sapulpa, OK, United States of America

Buddy A Wilson