Patent ID: 8967234
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: F16L,F28F

Abstract:
1. A tube plug adapted to be driven into and then plug an open end of a heat exchange tube that extends transversely through and is secured in a tubesheet of a heat exchanger, where said heat exchange tube has bore diameter D 1 , said tube plug comprising: a. an elongated shaft having a lead part adapted to be introduced into said open end of said heat exchange tube and an opposite rear part, and b. a fluid seal situated on said lead part, said seal comprising: said gasket having a relaxed outer diameter greater than D where said rear part comprises an axial segment tapered from larger to smaller diameter in the rear-to-lead direction, said segment's smaller diameter being less than D 1 and its larger diameter being larger than D 1 , so that said segment can develop a tight fit when driven into said tube bore.