Patent ID: 6581642
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
Pipe testing apparatus comprising an elongate tester body on a longitudinal axis having resiliently deformable pipe sealing means at an end portion thereof and actuator means arranged to deform said sealing means radially outwardly on activation thereof, characterised in that said sealing means has a first thrust face inwardly angled from the longitudinal axis and an oppositely arranged second thrust face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said actuator has a co-operating actuating thrust face outwardly angled from the longitudinal axis to engage the first thrust face on said sealing means in operation, said apparatus including a seal carrier having a carrier thrust face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the carrier thrust face engages the second thrust face on said sealing means such that the sealing means resiliently deforms by the combined interaction of the actuator thrust face and the carrier thrust face on activation of the actuator means, the actuator means is a hydraulically operated piston assembly and further resilient means are provided to bias said actuator axially away from said sealing means on deactivation of said actuator means.