Ips Corporation

Richard Larson

Steven R Cole

Stephen Peterson

Steven S Peterson

A pneumatic test plug and inflation assembly for the same are provided. The pneumatic test plug may include an inflatable bladder formed by a bladder wall that is elastically deformable, the bladder wall having at least one open end. A housing may be disposed in the open end of the bladder wall, the housing having a mounting surface. An inflation valve may be mounted to the mounting surface, with the inflation valve having an interior end in fluid communication with an interior area of the bladder. The inflation valve may define a main air passageway through which air is introduced into the interior area. The mounting surface may be recessed into the interior area of the bladder relative to the open end in the bladder wall such that the housing defines a cavity within the inflatable bladder.

Pneumatic pressure relief test plug

A plug having a pressure release valve for releasing excess pressure within a bladder of the plug. The release valve has a valve core with a pressure release passage therethrough with an inlet in fluid communication with an interior void of the bladder and an outlet in fluid communication with the external environment outside the bladder. An elastomeric seal under hoop stress about a portion of the valve core seals the outlet until overinflation of the bladder causes the seal to become elastically deflected and unseal the outlet, thereby allowing excess pressure to be released. When the overinflation no longer exists because of the pressure release, the hoop stress of the seal causes resealing of the outlet. An inflation valve may also be provided to inflate the bladder, and with the inlet opening into an inflation passageway into the bladder's interior.

Plug with pressure release valve

The present invention provides a test plug for use with a clean-out that extends at an angle from a pipe section of a pipe system. In general, the test plug includes a sealing assembly that is actuated by an actuating member extending at an angle from the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first plate, a second plate, a valve that is configured to draw the first and second plates together, and a ring-shaped sealing member located between the first and second plates. In various embodiments, the actuating member is configured to move the valve between an open position, in which test media may be communicated through at least one opening in the first plate and through at least one opening in the second plate, and a closed position, in which the valve seals the opening of the first plate and in which the sealing member extends outwardly to seal against an internal surface of the pipe section.

Mechanical clean-out test plug

The present invention provides a pneumatic test plug that seals a portion of a pipe section having a generally cylindrical internal pipe wall. In general, the pneumatic test plug includes an inflation valve mounted in the bladder wall of an inflatable bladder. The inflation valve includes a main air passageway through which air is introduced into the bladder and a separate release channel. The separate release channel includes an inlet disposed toward an interior end of the inflation valve and an outlet in fluid communication with an exterior environment outside the bladder. When in a sealed position, a sealing portion of the bladder engages the interior end of the inflation valve and sealingly closes the inlet of the release channel. When the sealing portion is elastically deflected by overinflation of the bladder, the sealing portion uncovers the inlet of the release channel to allow air to escape from the interior area of the bladder through the release channel to the exterior environment.

The present invention addresses provides a clean-out plug that seals a pipe system clean-out that includes a clean-out end and an inner surface, a portion of which is threaded. In general, the clean-out plug includes a compressible sealing member that is retained by the clean-out plug and that seals against an inner surface of the clean-out and/or the back side of the threaded portion of the clean-out. The clean-out plug may also include a cover plate that is secured to the clean-out plug via a second retaining member that engages a first retaining member of the clean-out plug. By sealing against the inner surface and/or back side of the threaded portion of the clean-out, various embodiments of the present invention do not seal within the treaded portion of the clean-out, which is often damaged by cross-threading from previous removals and reinsertions of threaded clean-out plugs. Additionally, by retaining the sealing member, the sealing member remains with the clean-out plug when the clean-out plug is removed from the clean-out.

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Victoria, MN, United States of America

Richard Larson