Institute of Gas Technology

Southern California Gas Company

Narayan C Saha

James Emerson Huebler

Dennis L Sadowski

Gregory J Drzewiecki

Chi M Lei

John M Arnold

A removable apparatus for upgrade of an in-service pipeline without disrupting the flow of fluid within the in-service pipeline. The removable apparatus comprises at least one enclosure having a top section and a bottom section for temporarily enclosing a pipe section of the in-service pipeline. The top section and bottom sections are sealably disposable around the pipe section. A repairing mechanism for repairing the pipe section or an insertion mechanism for inserting and connecting a pipeline element to the pipe section is disposed within the enclosure.

Apparatus for upgrade or repair of in-service pipelines

An apparatus for hot tap cutting of plastic pipe comprising an electrode having a cutting edge, means for heating said electrode, and an insulating sheath, means for controlling movement of the electrode, and a housing containing the electrode, said housing sealingly securable to at least a portion of a plastic pipe whereby fluid pressure is maintained in the plastic pipe.

Hot tap cutter for plastic pipe

An electrode for an electric discharge machining apparatus comprising a wall which forms a hollow body open on at least one end, the open end having a shape of the opening to be cut in a structural member. The cutting edge of the electrode is formed by the wall at the open end of the electrode and has a contour which is complementary to the surface contour of the side of the structural member facing away from the electrode. The cutting edge has a thickness of about 0.005 inches to about 0.125 inches.

Electrode for an electric discharge machining apparatus

A reelable flow stopper for plugging fluid flow within a pipe having a guide housing with an enclosed guide channel. A guide housing sealably secures to at least one side of a full port gate valve and the opposite side of the full port gate valve is in communication with the inside of the pipe. The pipe has an access hole in a pipe wall of the pipe. The guide channel is in communication with the access hole. At least one guide prong of a fork extends into the pipe. The guide prong is secured to the guide housing. A roller bearing is rotably mounted to each guide prong of the fork. A take-up spool is secured to the bearing and the take-up spool rotates with respect to each guide prong of the fork. A stopper tape has a spool end secured to the take-up spool and an opposite end contacting the guide pins located within the guide housing. The guide pins route and guide the stopper tape into and out of the pipe. A crank is secured to a crank gear. A drive gear is secured with respect to the take-up spool. A chain is connected around the crank gear and the drive gear. Rotating the crank rotates the take-up spool and either coils or uncoils the stopper tape about the take-up spool located within the pipe.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Villa, IL, United States of America

Narayan C Saha