Patent ID: 9605788
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of removing a valve having first and second valve ends with detachable connections that join the valve to first and second pipe spool piece sections, the first pipe spool piece including an expandable/retractable connecting device having first and second device ends and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second device ends can be controllably expanded and retracted relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, the first device end being attached to the first pipe spool piece section and the first valve end being detachably connected to second device end with a detachable connector, the second valve end being detachably connected to the second pipe spool piece with a detachable connector; (a) removing the detachable connectors of the first and second valve ends; (b) causing the first and second device ends of the expandable/retractable connecting device to retract relative to each other so that a gap is formed in between one of the first or second valve ends and one of the first or second pipe spool pieces, wherein the expandable/retractable device includes a first port that communicates with a first cavity and a second port that communicates with a second cavity and further comprising adding pressurized fluid to one of the cavities; (c) wherein, between steps “a” and “b”, there is at least one annular seal member forming a sealing interface between either: the first valve end and the second device end, or the second valve end and the end of the second pipe spool piece, and (d) after step “b” removing the valve from between the first and second pipe spool pieces.