Patent ID: 6588455
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of blocking the bore of a pipe through which fluid flows, comprising:drilling an aperture in the wall of the pipe and inserting therethrough apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate shutter members pivotably mounted to an elongate support member, actuating means for pivoting said shutter members from an insertion configuration in which they are substantially aligned with said support member and a deployed configuration in which they are fanned out across the bore of the pipe to at least partially block said bore, wherein each shutter member is pivoted about a point located towards one end thereof and towards the insertion end of the support member so as in use to lie between the axis of the bore of the pipe and the wall of the pipe opposite the location of said aperture; deploying said apparatus in the bore of the pipe; and inserting an inflatable bladder through said aperture in the bore of the pipe following deployment of said apparatus, and subsequently inflating said bladder to form a blockage in the pipe adjacent to, and supported by, said apparatus.