Patent ID: 8950438
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method of delivering a concentrated quantity of sealing elements to a leak site in a vessel, the method comprising: deploying a flexible body of material and at least one sealing element into fluid flowing within the vessel upstream of the leak site; the body of material transporting the at least one sealing element through the vessel to the leak site where the body of material is drawn to a leak of the leak site by fluid flow created by a pressure differential at the leak site; wherein the at least one sealing element is constrained by the body of material at the leak site such that the sealing element(s) become(s) entrained within the leak; and wherein the body of material is contained within a frangible membrane and the method further comprises rupturing the membrane upon impact with the leak site to deliver the at least one sealing element directly to the leak site.