The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

Mechanical Research & Design, Inc.

Wayne W Beebe

David J Pech

Terry W Kleppe

Charles L Stecker

An apparatus and method for isolating the end of a segment of pipe, which includes a substantially cylindrical body, having first and second ends, and a circumference slightly less than the inner diameter of the pipe segment; a pair of spaced apart inflatable seals positioned around the wall of the body; means for introducing a fluid into the inflatable seals through separate lines under sufficient pressure so that the inflatable seals are inflated against the wall of the pipe segment defining an annular space between the inflated inflatable seals; a line for introducing a fluid into the annular space under pressure to test the integrity of the seal between the inflatable seals and the pipe wall, and having a dual function to capture fluid which may have entered the annular space as a result of a inflatable seal failure; a line through the body for allowing fluid to flow through the line at predetermined times and pressures; and a plurality of bolts on the first end of the body which would engage the inner wall of the pipe in order to provide a secure engagement between the body and the pipe in the event of high unexpected pressure within the pipeline.

Apparatus and method for isolating and testing a segment of pipelines

A ring for supporting a lift crane includes at least two ring segments each having two ends, the ends of the ring segments comprising at least one horizontal plate and at least one vertical plate. The horizontal plates and the vertical plates of adjacent ends of the ring segments are disconnectably secured to one another to form the ring support. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal plates are connected by a vertical pin and the vertical plates are connected by a horizontal pin.

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Manitowoc, WI, United States of America

Wayne W Beebe