Patent ID: 6446669
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
An inflatable plug assembly for plugging a pipe to restrict a flow of fluid through the pipe, the inflatable plug assembly comprising:a first inflatable plug including an inflatable middle section with a first end and a second end, a leading pipe section supporting said first end of said inflatable middle section, a trailing pipe section supporting said second end of said inflatable middle section, a first fluid port that extends through the wall of said leading pipe and is in fluid communication with said inflatable middle section, a second fluid port that extends through the wall of said leading pipe, a third fluid port that extends through the wall of said trailing pipe, a first fluid conduit housed at least partially within said leading pipe section and said trailing pipe section and extending between said second fluid port and said third fluid port, the first fluid conduit having a first pressure hose fitting at the interior end of said leading pipe section, a first tensile conduit continuous from said second fluid port to said first pressure hose fitting, a second pressure hose fitting at the interior end of said trailing pipe section, a flexible conduit that connects said first pressure hose fitting to said second pressure hose fitting, a second tensile conduit that is continuous from said second pressure hose fitting to said third fluid port; and a second inflatable plug connected to the first inflatable plug in spaced apart relation by an elongated flexible tensile member and by a fluid pressure hose.