Patent ID: 7281543
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of plugging a pipeline comprising the steps of: (a) welding onto the exterior of the pipeline first and second spaced apart collars, each collar having a sealing face in a plane perpendicular the pipeline axis; (b) affixing, by welding, a containment housing to said collars to fully encompass a section of the pipeline between said collars, the containment housing having an open top; (c) removably attaching a tapping machine to said containment housing in communication with said open top; (d) by use of said tapping machine, cutting and removing a length of the pipeline from between said collars leaving two open pipe ends; (e) positioning, by means of said tapping machine, first and second seal elements between said collars, each seal element having on a forward face a forwardly extending circumferential lip of internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the pipeline; and (f) moving said seal elements apart from each other to force each said circumferential lip into sealing engagement with a said collar sealing face closing said pipe.