US3726319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compression seal plug
Assignee: Lone Star Steel Co LP
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a compression seal valve plug for easy sealing of a pipe section during pressure testing of the pipe section. The plug contains a flexible, elastic sleeve surrounding its central body section. In testing, test fluid causes expansion of the sleeve and creates a frictional holding force between the sleeve and the inside wall of the pipe section. This frictional holding force, in turn, is transmitted indirectly to the body section of the plug. The test fluid within the pipe section is isolated from the outside diameter of the sleeve by a seal in continuous contact with the inside wall of the pipe section. The pressure of the test fluid against the inside wall of the pipe section is easily determinable using pressure gauges outside the pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 B Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/12; F16L55/128; F16L55/132; F16L55/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A pipe pressure sealing plug for sealing an end of a pipe during pressure testing of said pipe comprising: 1. a longitudinal body section having an elongated hollow opening for passage, under pressure, of a test fluid into said pipe and having at least one hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening; 2. a flexible, expandable, elastic means surrounding a portion of said bOdy section and adapted to receive pressurized test fluid from said body section through the hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening for expanding said elastic means from a position out of contact with the inside diameter of said pipe into a position in contact with said inside diameter to create a frictional holding force between the inside diameter of the pipe wall and said elastic means; 3. retainer means for positioning and holding said elastic means in place and for transmitting the frictional holding force, when sealing said pipe, from said elastic means to said body section; 4. a flexible sealing means which is in continuous circumferential contact with said inside diameter of said pipe to isolate the outside diameter of said elastic means from said pressurized test fluid passed into the pipe whereby said elastic means is free to expand and create said frictional holding force; and 5. retainer means for holding said flexible sealing means in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A pipe pressure sealing plug for sealing an end of a pipe during pressure testing of said pipe comprising: 1. a longitudinal body section having an elongated hollow opening for passage, under pressure, of a test fluid into said pipe and having at least one hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening; 2. a flexible, expandable, elastic means surrounding a portion of said bOdy section and adapted to receive pressurized test fluid from said body section through the hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening for expanding said elastic means from a position out of contact with the inside diameter of said pipe into a position in contact with said inside diameter to create a frictional holding force between the inside diameter of the pipe wall and said elastic means; 3. retainer means for positioning and holding said elastic means in place and for transmitting the frictional holding force, when sealing said pipe, from said elastic means to said body section; 4. a flexible sealing means which is in continuous circumferential contact with said inside diameter of said pipe to isolate the outside diameter of said elastic means from said pressurized test fluid passed into the pipe whereby said elastic means is free to expand and create said frictional holding force; and 5. retainer means for holding said flexible sealing means in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
a flexible, expandable, elastic means surrounding a portion of said bOdy section and adapted to receive pressurized test fluid from said body section through the hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening for expanding said elastic means from a position out of contact with the inside diameter of said pipe into a position in contact with said inside diameter to create a frictional holding force between the inside diameter of the pipe wall and said elastic means;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
a flexible, expandable, elastic means surrounding a portion of said bOdy section and adapted to receive pressurized test fluid from said body section through the hollow opening perpendicular to the elongated opening for expanding said elastic means from a position out of contact with the inside diameter of said pipe into a position in contact with said inside diameter to create a frictional holding force between the inside diameter of the pipe wall and said elastic means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sealing plug according to claim 1 containing means for encasing both ends of the flexible, expandable elastic means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sealing plug according to claim 1 wherein the flexible, expandable elastic means is a resilient material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
retainer means for positioning and holding said elastic means in place and for transmitting the frictional holding force, when sealing said pipe, from said elastic means to said body section;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
retainer means for positioning and holding said elastic means in place and for transmitting the frictional holding force, when sealing said pipe, from said elastic means to said body section;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
a flexible sealing means which is in continuous circumferential contact with said inside diameter of said pipe to isolate the outside diameter of said elastic means from said pressurized test fluid passed into the pipe whereby said elastic means is free to expand and create said frictional holding force; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
a flexible sealing means which is in continuous circumferential contact with said inside diameter of said pipe to isolate the outside diameter of said elastic means from said pressurized test fluid passed into the pipe whereby said elastic means is free to expand and create said frictional holding force; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
retainer means for holding said flexible sealing means in place.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
retainer means for holding said flexible sealing means in place.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |