Abstract:
Disclosed are a method and a device for tapping and tracing a conduit that is obstructed from view such as a subterranean pipe. The invention allows the conduit to be traced while the conduit continues to function. The device includes a tapping tee for tapping into a conduit with an entry port at an acute angle to the conduit, a flexible fiberglass rodder that includes a conductor, a stuffing box removably attached to the tapping tee for inserting the rodder into the tapping tee, a signal transmitter operably attached to the rodder, and a signal receiver that receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter through the rodder and through the obstruction.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of, expressly incorporates by reference, and claims the benefit of and priority to co-pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/713,346 filed on Dec. 13, 2012. Both the present application and the &#39;346 application claim the benefit of and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0104447 filed on Sep. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of construction conduits. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of tracing ducts and piping such as in subterranean and hidden or difficult to reach locations. 
         [0003]    Fluid carrying conduits make up a vital portion of modern mechanical systems. Piping conduits make possible the delivery of natural gas, water, and other liquids to residential and commercial construction and sewage piping carries away waste products from such systems. Additionally, conduits may be used to contain electrical and communications wiring. Ductwork can be used to deliver conditioned air to living environments and specialized piping can be used to circulate refrigerant and other chemicals in particular closed systems. Indeed, the industrial and manufacturing applicability of modern conduits is virtually boundless and includes various materials encompassing metals, polymers, ceramics, fibers, and other composites. 
         [0004]    Such broad use and applicability of conduits and, in particular, piping has made their use so profligate that, in order that modern society not be visually and aesthetically completely overwhelmed with pipes, the pipes are very often concealed. Such concealment offers both aesthetic appeal and also protection from the environment. For instance, pipes may be buried underground, hidden within a wall, or located under a floor or above a ceiling. Pipes may also be encased within various types of insulation, housings, and other coverings. 
         [0005]    However, despite the need to conceal and protect pipes, it is often the case that pipes require maintenance. Similarly, it is often the case that the structures around pipes may require maintenance or other construction and in such situations it is desirable to know where the piping is located so that the pipes are not negatively impacted. For all of these reasons, locating the pathway of pipes can be both a critical and a difficult task. Often times, the fluid flow through the pipes must be stopped and large portions of the pipes excavated in order to determine where the pipes are located. Such stoppages in flow and excavations can be quite costly and time consuming. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need in the art to easily and quickly locate and trace the path of a pipe while at the same time being minimally invasive to both the pipe and the surrounding environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and device for tapping and tracing the pathway of a conduit. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and device that allows an existing network of conduit such as underground pipe to be tapped and traced without the need to excavate the pipe or to first clear the pipe of its contents. That is, the conduit may remain online and in full service while the conduit is being traced via the present invention. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide the ability to locate a distinct point along the path of the pipe in addition to the continuous length. This point location ability may be beneficial in locating blockages or junctions within a conduit. 
         [0010]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a tapping-tee that facilitates a connection to the existing pipe, a traceable rodder for tracing the path of a pipe, and a stuffing box for inserting the rodder into the tapping-tee. The tapping tee has a saddle, a tee, and an open port. The open port may be considered as a branch pipe from the main pipe or conduit. The stuffing box includes an orifice through which the traceable rodder passes. The stuffing box is designed to removably attach to the open port of the tapping-tee. The stuffing box allows the traceable rodder to enter the tapping-tee and thus the pipe while at the same time preventing the fluid contained within the pipe from escaping or otherwise leaking into the environment via the orifice. The stuffing box includes a lubrication port for applying a lubricant to the traceable rodder. The stuffing box may also include a shutoff valve on the end that connects to the open port. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for tapping and accessing a buried pressurized conduit includes a tapping tee assembly that is operatively connected to the conduit. The assembly has a saddle for attaching to the conduit, a tee carried by the saddle defining a pathway into the conduit, and a port for permitting access to the conduit via the pathway. The device also includes a stuffing box defining a void having an entrance and exit, and a lubrication port for dispensing lubrication into the void. The device includes a connection between the stuffing box and the tapping tee assembly that connects the exit of the stuffing box to the port of the tapping tee assembly. The device further includes a flexible rodder adapted to be received into and through the void and into the conduit in a pressure-tight sealing state for maintaining pressurization in the conduit during tapping, and for receiving lubrication from the lubrication port sufficient to permit movement of the rodder through the void and into and out of the conduit. 
         [0012]    The position of the rodder inside of the stuffing box is an important aspect of the invention. The diameter of the rodder is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the void of the stuffing box. The respective diameters are so close, in fact, that the rodder may require the lubrication to enter the stuffing box. The lubrication may be provided by way of the lubrication port or via pre-saturated wipes. Because the rodder fits so tightly within the stuffing box, a pressure-tight sealing state is maintained. The pressure-tight sealing may be aided by the inclusion of an o-ring fitting within a cavity within the stuffing box. The depth and diameter of the cavity is specially sized to accommodate the o-ring and optimize sealing. The o-ring may be made of a high-durability natural gum rubber. The o-ring utilizes a precise compression force that optimizes sealing effectiveness with minimal friction to allow the rodder to slip past an interior diameter of the o-ring. This pressure-tight sealing state secures any fluid contents of the conduit and tapping tee assembly and keeps the fluid from escaping through the stuffing box and into the surrounding environment. Thus, the rodder and stuffing box maintain a pressure-tight sealing state while at the same time the rodder is able to move through the entrance and exit of the stuffing box in order to operate within the tapping tee and conduit. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, the device for tapping and tracing a buried conduit includes a tapping tee assembly that may be operatively connected to the conduit. The tapping tee assembly may include a saddle, a tee, and a port. The saddle may be attached to the conduit. The tee may be positioned at an angle that is approximately  90  degrees to the saddle and the tee may penetrate and open a pathway into the conduit. The port may be positioned at an acute angle to the conduit and to the tee in a plane defined by the tee and the conduit. The port permits access to the conduit via the pathway created by the tee. The device also includes a stuffing box which has an entrance end, an exit end, an inner housing defining a hollow void extending from the entrance end to the exit end, an outer housing surrounding the inner housing, and a lubrication port located proximate the entrance end. The device may also include a connection between the stuffing box and the tapping tee assembly that connects the exit end of the stuffing box to the port of the tapping tee assembly. The device further includes a flexible rodder which may have an internal conductor, a fiberglass rod covering the internal conductor, and a plastic sheath covering the fiberglass rod. The device may further include a signal transmitter which is operably connected to the internal conductor of the flexible rodder. The signal transmitter may be capable of transmitting a signal in the form of a pulse of electric current through the length of the flexible rodder. Finally, the device may further include a receiving antenna for receiving and detecting the signal transmitted by the signal transmitter through the flexible rodder. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the stuffing box is attached directly to the port. 
         [0015]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the stuffing box includes a shut-off valve located proximate the exit end. 
         [0016]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the lubrication port of the stuffing box may include a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant valve, and a cap. 
         [0017]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the saddle and the port are made from a polymer and the saddle is electro-fusible to the conduit. 
         [0018]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the saddle and the port are mechanically attached to the conduit. Mechanical attachment may be preferable in some situations where natural-gas is carried in conduits or where water is carried in conduit. 
         [0019]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the connection between the stuffing box and the tapping tee also includes a short piece of polymeric conduit attached to the exit end of the stuffing box and a coupler which may be electro-fused to the short piece of pipe and to the port of the tapping tee. 
         [0020]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the lubricant applied to the lubrication port is a lubricant that is applied to the rodder via the reservoir when the rodder is being extracted from the stuffing box. The invention may also include a plurality of pre-saturated wipes containing a water based lubricant (or other lubricant) for manually lubricating the rodder as it is inserted into the stuffing box. In such an embodiment, a human may manually apply the lubricant with the pre-saturated wipes. 
         [0021]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the invention may also include a reel for holding and storing the flexible rodder. 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the signal transmitter may include an output lead and a ground lead attached to a ground stake inserted into soil surrounding the buried cable. In such an embodiment, the internal conductor of the flexible rodder is a single conductor and also includes a first end comprising an external conductive fitting that is inserted into the stuffing box and a second end comprising an external conductive fitting that is connected to the output lead of the signal transmitter. 
         [0023]    According to another embodiment, the signal transmitter may include a first output lead and a second output lead. In such an embodiment, the internal conductor of the flexible rodder is a dual conductor may also include a first conductor having an external fitting operably attached to the first output lead of the signal transmitter. The internal conductor may further include a second conductor comprising an external fitting operably attached to the second output lead of the signal transmitter. The internal conductor may further include a coil that splices the first conductor and the second conductor together at an end opposite the respective external fittings and that coils around the axis of the rodder. 
         [0024]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the internal conductor of the flexible rodder is a single conductor and terminated in a threaded fitting wherein a flexible spring-loaded leader can be attached. The coil formed by the flexible spring leader is oriented so that the coils are concentric with the axis of the rod. The pulses of applied current from the transmitter are carried along internal conductors and into the spring leader. The coils of the spring leader reorient the electromagnetic field to be at  90  degrees from the field generated by the conductor within the flexible rodder. This new field orientation allows the user to turn the receiver antenna  90  degrees to isolate this unique signal thus pinpointing the exact tip of the rod instead of the continuous length. 
         [0025]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the rodder includes a detachable passive marker attached to the tip of the rodder. The detachable passive marker is detachable from the rodder and includes a copper coil which is coiled around a ferrite core with an integrated capacitor. The detachable passive marker is encased in a protective plastic shell. The detachable passive marker may be attached via a threaded connection to the tip of the rodder. 
         [0026]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the traceable rodder may be inserted through the orifice of the stuffing box, through the open port of the tapping-tee, through the opening created by the tee of the tapping-tee, through the saddle of the tapping-tee, and into the pipe. The length of the traceable rodder may vary depending on the application and pipe to be traced. As such, the traceable rodder may be several feet long or several hundred yards long or more or anywhere in between depending on the particular application. The traceable rodder may include a continuous, flexible fiberglass rod which is spooled for storage and transport on a circular reel. The outer surface of the fiberglass rod may be coated with a plastic sheath to allow it to be handled safely. The traceable rodder has at least two embodiments including one embodiment using a single internal conductor integrated into the center core of the rodder and another embodiment using dual insulated internal conductors integrated into the center core of the rodder. 
         [0027]    According to an embodiment using the single conductor, the internal conductor is attached via an external fitting to a signal transmitter at the reel end of the rodder. The signal transmitter is also attached to a ground stake inserted into the surrounding soil. At the end of the rodder which is inserted into the stuffing box, the internal conductor is attached to an external fitting. This arrangement creates a continuous conductive path from one external fitting to another along the length of the rodder. In operation, the transmitter applies a pulse of electric current that travels along the length of the conductor within the rodder. This current generates an electromagnetic field that radiates outwardly from the rodder. This electromagnetic signal may then be detected by use of a receiving antenna from above ground. The antenna allows the user to identify the path of the fiberglass rod and thus the buried utility. 
         [0028]    According to the embodiment using the dual conductor, each of the internal conductors is secured individually to its own external conductive fitting at the reel end. These fittings are then attached to a transmitter. At the end of the rodder which is inserted into the stuffing box, the internal conductors are coiled around the axis of the rodder and are spliced together. This arrangement creates a continuous conductive path from one terminal to the other. This also creates an amplified transmitting beacon at the tip of the rodder where the conductor is coiled around the rod axis. In an alternate embodiment, the signal of the transmitting beacon can be further strengthened by use of a carefully selected capacitor installed in series with the coil. The value of the capacitor and the number of coils of the wire can be optimized to provide a signal with the highest amplitude allowing the beacon to be detectable at greater depths. In operation, the path may be traced just as with the embodiment using the single conductor. However, to locate only the tip of the rodder, the output and ground leads from the transmitter are attached to each. 
         [0029]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the device may further include a stab plug for disconnecting the stuffing box and for cutting and sealing off the short piece of polymeric conduit after the conduit has been tapped and traced. 
         [0030]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the connection between the stuffing box and the tapping tee may include a shutoff valve fixedly attached to the port of the tapping tee and removably attached to the stuffing box. 
         [0031]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the rodder is engraved via laser with indicia which relate to numerical values, such as footage, so that a user can determine how far into a section of conduit the rodder has been inserted. In addition, when retracting the rodder, the user can determine when the tip of the rodder has cleared the valve section so it may be closed and not damage the rodder. Laser engraving is preferable to mechanical stamping because the rodder can be deformed during the stamping which may cause fluids within the conduit to escape when the markings pass through the o-ring of the stuffing box. 
         [0032]    According to another embodiment of the invention, an additional 45 degree fitting may be attached to the open port portion of the tapping tee. Such a fitting will angle the tapping tee portion upward towards a grade surface. 
         [0033]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a gripping puck may be utilized when the rodder is being retracted. A gripping puck is a handheld rubberized puck with a shallow groove along the centerline. The groove allows the puck to be folded along the rod to improve grip during pulling of the rodder from the conduit and the tapping tee. 
         [0034]    According to one embodiment, the invention is a method of method of tapping and tracing a buried conduit. The first step of the method includes determining the location of an entrance point into a polymeric conduit to be traced. The second step of the method includes providing a tapping tee capable of being electro-fused to and creating an opening into the polymeric conduit and further including a single open port fixed at an acute angle relative to the polymeric conduit and having a shut-off valve. This second step also includes providing a stuffing box having an inner housing with an open cylindrical void and a lubrication port. This second step also includes providing a signal transmitter operably tied to a traceable rodder and a signal receiving antenna. A third step of the method includes electro-fusing the tapping tee to the conduit. A fourth step of the method includes attaching the stuffing box to the open port with the shutoff in a closed position. A fifth step of the method includes actuating the tapping thereby creating the opening into the conduit. A sixth step of the method includes inserting the rodder into the inner housing of the stuffing box. A seventh step of the method includes opening the shutoff valve and inserting the rodder through the shutoff valve, into the tapping tee, and into the conduit. An eight step of the method includes operating the signal transmitter. A ninth step of the method includes moving the signal receiving antenna over a section of ground thereby tracing the conduit. A tenth step of the method includes deactivating the signal transmitter. A final step includes removing the rodder from the conduit and shutting off the valve of the stuffing box after the rodder exits the valve but before the rodder completely exits the stuffing box housing. 
         [0035]    According another embodiment of the invention, an additional final step includes sealing off the single open port and removing the stuffing box. 
         [0036]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the single open is port sealed with a stab plug. 
         [0037]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the second step further includes providing a plurality of pre-saturated wipes and the seventh step further includes wiping the rodder with the pre-saturated lubricant wipes as the rodder is inserted into the stuffing box. 
         [0038]    According to another embodiment of the method, a further step includes installing an extension portion of pipe which brings the tapping tee to near grade level and installing a permanent valve box at grade which protects the assembly and affords access to the tapping tee assembly for future use. Such a valve box may extend from the surface grade to buried conduit. At the base of the valve box near the conduit, the valve box may have a dome base. The valve box may be made of metal and include a metal lid with appropriate markings to indicate the presence of the tapping tee. Such markings may state “Gas Insertion Locating Tee.” 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES 
         [0039]    Features, aspects, and advantages of a preferred embodiment of the invention are better understood when the detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is a side environmental view of the device installed on a subterranean conduit where an operator is utilizing the embodiment having twin conductors to trace the conduit; 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  is a side environmental view of the device installed on a subterranean conduit where an operator is utilizing the embodiment having a single conductor to trace the conduit; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled device with the twin conductor rodder inserted and passing through; 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the device showing the twin conductor rodder inserted and passing through; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  is a is a perspective view of the stuffing box with the rodder passing through; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a is a side view of the stuffing box with the rodder passing through; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the stuffing box with the rodder passing through; 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the rodder tip having a single conductor integrated into the center; 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the rodder tip having a twin conductor integrated into the center; 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the rodder tip having a twin conductor integrated into the center and having the conductor coiled at the tip; 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the rodder tip having a single conductor and a spring tip 
           [0051]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the rodder tip showing the detachable tip; 
           [0052]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the rodder tip showing the copper coil coiled around a ferrite core; and 
           [0053]      FIG. 14  is a cutaway environmental side view of the buried device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0054]    It is to be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention. The following example is provided to further illustrate the invention and is not to be construed to unduly limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention  10  allows for a subterranean conduit  70  to be traced while the pipe  70  remains in full operation. The invention  10  includes a tapping-tee  20 , a traceable rodder  50 , a stuffing box  40 , a quantity of lubrication contained in a lubrication port  42 , an antenna  60 , a signal transmitter  64 , and a conductor tip  52 . The invention may further include a rodder storage reel  64 . 
         [0056]    The tapping-tee  20  facilitates the connection of the invention  10  to conduit  70 . Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the tapping-tee  20  includes a saddle portion  22 , a tee portion  28 , and an open port portion  26 . The tapping-tee  20  may be made of a polymer. The saddle portion  22  of the tapping-tee  20  has a semi-cylindrical shape that corresponds to the curvature and the shape of the pipe  70  to which the tapping-tee  20  is being attached. The saddle portion  22  is designed to fixedly attach to a portion of pipe  70  via electro fusion. As such, the saddle portion  22  further includes at least two electro fusion contacts  24  for connection to an electro fusion welder. 
         [0057]    In an alternative embodiment, the saddle portion  22  may utilize a mechanical attachment means  25  in place of or, alternatively, in addition to the two electro fusion contacts  24 . The mechanical attachment means  25  may include a mechanical clamp or similar device that sufficiently attaches and seals the saddle portion  22  to the conduit  70 . 
         [0058]    The tee portion  28  of the tapping-tee is attached to the saddle portion  22 . The attachment of the tee portion  28  is at an angle that is  90  degrees relative to the section of pipe  70  to which the saddle  22  is to be attached. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the open port portion  26  is attached to the tee portion  28  and is at an angle less than  90  degrees relative to the pipe  70  to which the saddle  22  is to be attached. The open port portion  26  is cylindrical in shape and is located in the plane defined by the tee portion  22  and the pipe  70 . The tee portion  28  is cylindrical in shape and includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The outer portion houses the inner portion. The inner portion functions to pierce the pipe  70  and to create a pathway through which the rodder  50  may enter the pipe  70 . When actuated, though the contents of the pipe  70  may in a particular application flow through the open port portion  26 , the contents may not escape through the tee portion  28 . Further, the tee portion  28 , once actuated, is fixed and sealed. 
         [0059]    The stuffing box  40  is attached to the open port portion  26  of the tapping-tee  20  via a coupler  30  and pipe connection  32 . The coupler  30  is cylindrical and has an inside diameter slightly larger than the open port portion  26  of the tapping-tee  20 . The coupler  30  is attached to the open port portion  26  via an electro fusion connection and is also attached to a smaller section of pipe  32  via an electro fusion connection. The outside diameter of the smaller section of pipe  32  is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the coupler  30 . As such, the coupler  30  will have at least two electro fusion contacts  31  for connection to the open port  26  and to the small section of pipe  32 , 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , the stuffing box  40  connects to the small section of pipe  32  and facilitates the insertion of the rodder  50  which has a substantially cylindrical shape. The connection of the stuffing box  40  to the small section of pipe  32  may be via a threaded connection  34  or via a crimp-fitting connection. The stuffing box  40  comprises a shut-off valve  36 , a substantially cylindrical outer housing  44 , a cylindrical inner housing  46 , and a lubrication port  42 . The shut-off valve  36  is detachable. The shut-off  36  may be threadingly attached  38  to the stuffing box  40  outer housing  44 . The shut-off  36  is attached to the connector  34  that attaches to the small section of pipe  32 . The shut-off valve  36  operates from a closed position where the small section of pipe  32  is sealed to an open position where the rodder  50  may enter the small section of pipe  32 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 , the lubrication port  42  is designed to lubricate the rodder  50  when it is being extracted from the conduit  70  and through the stuffing box  40  after use. The lubrication port  42 , similar in construction to a traditional grease fitting, includes an opening  43  and a cap located on the outside of the outer housing  44  of the stuffing box  40  and an inner reservoir  48  that provides lubrication through the inner housing  46  of the stuffing box  40  to the rodder  50 . The inner housing  46  of the stuffing box  40  fits inside the outer housing  44  and has an inner diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the rodder  50 . The stuffing box  40  includes an o-ring cavity  45  which houses an o-ring  47 . The o-ring cavity  45  is a hollow and cylindrical and has a diameter sized with respect to the o-ring  47  so that optimal pressure is applied to seal the contents of the stuffing box when the rodder  50  is inserted yet also reduce friction between the rodder  50  and the o-ring  47 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 - 10 , the traceable rodder  50  is a continuous, flexible fiberglass rod  55  having one or more internal electrical conductors  58 ,  59  located in its core. The rodder  50  may be stored on a circular storage reel  62 , The rodder  50  may have a plastic covering  53  as an outer layer over the fiberglass  55 . The electrical conductor(s)  58 ,  59  may include one  59  or two  58  conductors.  FIG. 8  shows the embodiment having one conductor  58  and  FIGS. 9 and 10  show embodiments having two conductors  58 . Similarly,  FIG. 1  shows the environmental view of an implementation of the embodiment using two twin conductors  58  and  FIG. 2  shows the environmental view of tan implantation of the embodiment using a single conductor  59 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the 
         [0063]    In the embodiment having twin conductors  58 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  9 , and  10 , each one of the twin conductors  58  is individually attached to its own conductive fitting which is attached to the signal transmitter  64 . The terminals of the twin conductors  58  may also be attached to the storage reel  62  which may then be attached to the signal transmitter  64 . At the end of the rodder  50  opposite the transmitter  64  and reel  62 , the twin conductors  58  are spliced together to form a transmitting tip  52 . Transmitting tip  52  is protected by protective jacket  54 ,  56 . This transmitting tip  52 , releases a transmitting beacon  68  which is received by a receiving antenna  60  at the point of tip  52 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the twin conductors  58  are coiled around the axis of the rodder to form the transmitting tip  52 . The transmitting beacon signal  68  can be further strengthened by the use of a carefully selected capacitor installed in series with the coil transmitting tip  52 . The value of the capacitor and the number of coils of the tip  52  can be optimized to provide a signal with the highest amplitude, allowing the transmitting beacon signal  68  to be detectable by the antenna  60  at greater depths. 
         [0064]    In the embodiment having a single conductor  59 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  8 , and  11 , the conductors  59  is attached to a conductive fitting which is attached to the signal transmitter  64 . The terminal may also be attached to the storage reel  62  which may then be attached to the signal transmitter  64 . Additionally, a ground lead is attached to a ground stake  67  inserted into the surrounding soil  74 . At the end of the rodder  50  opposite the transmitter  64  and reel  62 , the single conductor includes a transmitting tip  52 . This transmitting tip  52  protected, by protective jacket  56 , releases a transmitting beacon  69  along the path of the conduit  70  which is received by a receiving antenna  60 . The signal transmitter  64  applies a pulse of electric current that travels along the length of the conductor  59  within the fiberglass rod  55  which is covered by plastic  53 . The current generates an electromagnetic field that radiates outwardly as a beacon  69 . The antenna  60  allows the user  70  to identify the path of the rodder  50  through the conduit  70  under the soil  74 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-12 , in an alternate embodiment of the invention, the coiled tip  52  may be detachable at a detachment point  57 . Further, the rodder may include a detachable passive marker  51 . The detachable passive marker  51  is detachable from the rodder and includes a copper coil  61  which is coiled around a ferrite core  63  with an integrated capacitor. The detachable passive marker  51  may be encased in a protective plastic shell. The detachable passive marker may be attached via a connection  65  which may be a threaded connection (not shown) to the tip of the rodder. 
         [0066]    Practicing the method of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , the soil  74  covering a section of conduit  70  is removed to allow access from the surface to the conduit  70 . The saddle  22  of the tapping tee  20  is attached to the conduit  70  using the electro fusion contacts  24 . The coupler  30  is attached open port  26  of the tapping tee  20  and the short pipe  32  using electro fusion contacts  31 . The stuffing box  40  and shutoff valve  36  is attached to the short pipe  32  by threaded connection  34 . The shutoff valve  36  is secured in the closed position. The tee portion  28  of the tapping tee  20  is actuated to pierce into the conduit  70 . The rodder  50  is then inserted into the stuffing box  40  and the shutoff valve  36  is opened to allow the rodder to enter the tapping tee  20  and then the conduit  70 . As the rodder  50  enters the conduit  70 , the rodder  50  is un-spooled from the reel  62 . To trace the path of the conduit  70 , the signal transmitter  64  is attached to the twin conductors  58  terminals at the rodder  50  end nearest to the reel  62 . If the continuous path is of the conduit is to be traced, a ground stake  67  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) attached to a ground lead is inserted into the surrounding soil  74  and the path is traced. To locate only the tip  52  of the rodder  55 , the twin conductors  58  are attached to the signal transmitter  64  but the ground stake  67  is not used. This allows the electromagnetic signal beacon  68  to radiate from the coil  58  only, allowing the user  72  to pinpoint an exact location (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) by use of a locating antenna  60  from above ground. Because the electric current flows down the length of the rodder  50  to the coil  52 , and then returns back along the rodder  50  in the opposite direction, the electromagnetic signals in the twin conductors  58  cancel each other out, and only the coil  52  at the tip of the rodder  50  is detectable by the antenna  60 . 
         [0067]    Continuing practicing the method, once the conduit  70  has been traced and/or the particular points within the conduit  70  located, the rodder  50  is withdrawn from the conduit  70 . As the rodder  50  passes out of the shutoff valve  36 , the shutoff valve  36  is moved to the closed position. The rodder  50  is then extracted from the stuffing box  40 . As the rodder  50  is extracted from the conduit  70 , from the tapping tee  20 , and from the stuffing box  40 , it is lubricated with lubricant via the lubrication reservoir  46  of the lubrication port  42  of the stuffing box  40 . As the rodder  50  exits the stuffing box  40 , it is wound onto the storage reel  62  for later use. 
         [0068]    After the rodder  50  has been completely removed from the stuffing box  40 , the stuffing box may be removed from the shutoff valve  36 . Alternatively, the short pipe may be sealed with a stab plug (not shown), or other sealant mechanism available in the art, to permanently seal the tapping tee  20  and the conduit  70  to which the tapping tee  20  is attached. 
         [0069]    Alternatively, an extension portion of pipe may be installed which brings the tapping tee to near grade level  90 . Such an extension may utilize an angled connector piece of pipe such as an elbow at a  45  degree angle. Such an alternative includes the installation of a permanent valve box  80  extending to grade  90  which protects the assembly and affords access to the tapping tee assembly  20  and valve for future use. Such a valve box  80  may extend from the surface grade  90  to buried conduit  70 . At the base of the valve box  80  near the conduit  70 , the valve box  80  may have a dome base  84 . The valve box  80  may be made of metal and include a metal lid  82  with appropriate markings to indicate the presence of the tapping tee. Such markings may state “Gas Insertion Locating Tee.” 
         [0070]    A method and device  10  for tapping and tracing a conduit  70  according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.