Patent ID: 9638336
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Claim:
1. A system for use with an existing pipe, the system comprising: a sealing housing having a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion, where the lower and upper housing portions are each dimensioned to partially surround an exterior surface of an existing pipe, where the upper housing portion extends to a coupling interface overlaying an opening, and where the sealing housing extends across at least two outer, spaced apart circumferences of the existing pipe; a plurality of sealing members that contact the existing pipe about at least two outer circumferences of the existing pipe at locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the existing pipe to enclose a part of the existing pipe in an airtight state; and an integral valve assembly disposed at least partially within an integral valve housing section of the upper housing portion, the integral valve assembly comprising a valve movable between an open position in which the valve provides an open pathway through the opening of the upper housing portion and a closed position in which the valve provides a seal adjacent to the opening, wherein the upper housing portion is adapted to selectively receive at the coupling interface overlaying the opening each of a cutting machine and a valve bonnet, the valve bonnet having a movable gate selectively movable between an open position in which flow is permitted through the existing pipe and a closed position in which flow is inhibited through the existing pipe, wherein the valve of the integral valve assembly remains present within the upper housing portion throughout operation of each of the cutting machine and the valve bonnet through the opening, wherein the lower and upper housing portions surround the exterior surface of the existing pipe after removal of the valve bonnet and the movable gate from the opening.