Abstract:
An enclosure and method of its use are disclosed. An inflatable body has a central opening at each end. First and second gloved armatures extend into the interior and for receipt of the hand of a human operator. A viewing section is disposed through the enclosure between the armatures for observing the operation. An inflation conduit may be received through the enclosure for initiating inflation. The openings are sealing secured against the conduit after the enclosure is inflated and the conduit properly inserted therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to an enclosure for sealingly securing an inflatable enclosure around a conduit which is to be heated, such as for welding repairs or the like. 
         [0003]    2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    During the installation and/or repair of oil field and/or gas transmission pipelines and the like, or at the sight of the drilling, workover or completion of a subterranean oil or gas well, it sometimes becomes necessary to repair a defect in the metal conduit forming a part of the gas or oil transmission line or the like. Additionally, it is frequently required that such conduits be affixed one to another, such as by welding operations, using known methods and devices. 
         [0005]    When such operations are required to be made, the welding operators frequently are exposed to sparks and other extremely hot debris being sprayed outwardly around the area of the welding operation. While the welder typically will wear a mask or other fire resistant clothing materials, such material may not protect the entire body from exposure to such detriments during the welding operation and may also interfere with operator agility due to the cumbersome nature of the protective materials. 
         [0006]    The present invention addresses these problems encountered in the past. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An enclosure and method for use during operations applying heat, such as in welding operations, to at least one conduit member, is provided. The enclosure includes an inflatable body having a central opening at each end. First and second fire-resistant gloved armature means are provided on the body extending into the interior of the inflatable body, for receipt of a hand of a human operator during the operations. A viewing section is disposed through and across the enclosure and between the means. Means are provided for receipt of an inflation conduit for inflating the body prior to the operations. Means are also provided for selectively sealingly securing the central openings around least one conduit member while the body is inflated and during the operations.
       In another alternate preferred embodiment, air pump means are provided for inflating the body prior to initiating welding or other operations. Air filter means may also be provided on the conduit downstream of the pump means.   A fume extractor suction pump means may also be provided in yet another alternate preferred embodiment including a second conduit means communicating between the interior of the body means and the pump means. An air filter may also be provided on the second conduit and disposed thereon downstream of the suction pump means for removal of the fumes or other gaseous or other particulate matter before exhaust into the atmosphere.       
 
         [0010]    The method of the present invention includes introducing the conduit into the enclosure through one of the openings. Thereafter, the body and the conduit are moved relative to one another such that a portion of the conduit extends through and out of the other of the ends of the enclosure body. The conduit is then oriented relative to the enclosure body to place the viewing section and the armature means into working proximity with operation to be performed on the conduit. The central openings of the body are sealing secured around the exterior of the conduit. A gas is introduced into the conduit and the filter and into the enclosure body to inflate the body, and the welding operation is initiated. The fume extractor pump means extracts and filters any metal or other particulates and/or fumes caused during the welding or other operation, and the fumes may be harmlessly discharged into the atmosphere. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention with the conduit inserted through the ends of the inflatable body, prior to the welding operation being initiated. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective, partial cross view of the device as illustrated in  FIG. 1  shown during a welding operation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1 , illustrating alternative preferred embodiments in the form of a filter means for the pump, as well as an exhaust fume extractor means. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Now with first reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the apparatus or enclosure  100 . A conduit A has been inserted through a first central opening  10 A of an inflatable body  10  such that an end of the conduit A protrudes out of a companion and horizontally aligned opposite second central opening  10 B. The conduit is placed on supporting tripods B and C, such that the body  10  does not touch the ground or floor during a welding operation to be performed. 
         [0015]    It will be appreciated that reference to a “conduit” herein includes a single conduit, or two separate conduits that are to be welded together within the body  10 , as hereinafter described. In instances in which two conduit members are to be placed within the body  10 , each conduit is inserted into the body  10  through a respective end or opening  10 A,  10 B and oriented herein, as necessary. 
         [0016]    The body includes first and second fire resistant gloved armature means  11 A and  11 B which each extend into the interior  12  and are formed to provide gloves contoured as shown as H 1  and H 2  in the form of hands of a human operator O. 
         [0017]    The body  10  also includes a circular viewing section  13 , typically made of Plexiglas or the like and secured to the body by a series of exteriorally introduced bolts inserted through a securing ring  13 B. The bolts are secured to the interior of the inflatable body  10  on the interior with individual threaded nuts (not shown). The ring  13 B may also be secured to the exterior of the body  10  with any one of a number of elastomeric substances, of known composition and commercially available from a number of sources for use with high temperature exposed materials which are described herein for use in forming the body  10 . 
         [0018]    Each of the first and second openings  10 A and  10 B may be sealingly closed around the exterior of the conduit. A subsequent to introduction and orientation within the interior of the body  10  by means of selectively sealing means  14 A and  14 B, including first and second sealing sleeves  14 C and  14 D extending outwardly from the body  10  and which may be fabricated from the same material as the body  10 . A selectively retractable compressing elastomeric or metal claim  14 E and  14 F may be secured around the sleeves  14 C and  14 D proximate each end or opening  10 A,  10 B after placement of the conduit A in the apparatus  100 . 
         [0019]    Likewise, a similarly fabricated means, such as air sleeve  15 , is provided at one side of the body  10  for receipt of a selective disengageable air line AL which, in turn, is in communication with an electric or other activatable air pump P. 
         [0020]    The inflatable body  10  may be made of a material comprising a member selected from the class consisting of: 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0021]    In Nomex the aromatic groups are all linked into the backbone chain through the 1 and 3 positions. This is called meta-linkage. 
         [0022]    Such a material is commercially available from the Dupont Chemical Company and is sold under the trademark NOMEX. In this product, the aromatic groups are all linked into the backbone chain through the 1 and 3 positions. This is typically referred to as meta-linkage. NOMEX is the registered brand name of a flame retardant meta-aramid material marketed and first discovered by DuPont in the 1970s. It can be considered an aromatic “nylon”. It is sold in both fiber and sheet forms and is used as a fabric wherever resistance from heat and flame is required. Nomex sheet is actually a calendared paper and made in a similar fashion. The paper is used in electrical laminates such as circuit boards and transformer cores as well as fireproof honeycomb structures were it is saturated with a phenolic resin. Both the firefighting and vehicle racing industries use NOMEX to create clothing and equipment that can stand up to intense heat. It is the meta variant of the para-aramid Kevlar. Both aramids are heat and flame resistant but Kevlar, having a para-orientation can be molecularly aligned and gives high strength. Meta aramid polymer cannot align during filament formation and has poor strength. 
         [0023]    Plastics are moldable chemically-fabricated (synthetic) materials derived mostly from fossil fuels, such as oil, coal or natural gas. The long molecules in plastics are composed of carbon atoms linked into chains. One type of plastic, polyethylene, is composed of extremely long molecules, each containing over 200,000 carbon atoms. These long molecule chains give plastics unique properties and distinguish plastics from material such as metal that have crystalline structures. Fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons, which provide the building blocks for long polymer molecules. The building blocks called monomers link together to form long carbon chains called polymers. The process of forming these long molecules from hydrocarbons is called polymerization. The molecules typically form viscous sticky substances known as resins which are the materials used to make plastic products or articles by heating the resins to their specific melting range and molding them into articles by various methods. 
         [0024]    The carbon backbone of polymer molecules often bond with smaller side chains consisting of other elements, including chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen and silicon, for example. These side chains give plastics distinguishing characteristics. For example, when chlorine atoms substitute for hydrogen atoms along the carbon chain, the result is polyvinyl chloride, one of the most versatile and widely used plastics in the world. 
         [0025]    The addition of chlorine makes the plastic harder and more resistant. The advantages and disadvantages of different plastics are associated with the unique chemistry of each plastic which determines the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the molded article. 
         [0026]    Examples of commonly used thermoplastics which may be sued in forming the body  10  are: polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide (PA) and polycarbonate (PC). In addition, many variations and hybrid engineered resins based on these are in use today. 
         [0027]    Many different processes can be used to make products from thermoplastics for use as the body  10  herein. Some of the more common of these processes are injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, blow film extrusion, calendaring, thermoforming, casting and expansion processes. In all these processes, the plastic must be softened or sufficiently liquefied in order to allow the resin to flow and create the shape of the article. For convenience, all these plastic resin forming processes will be simply referred to as “molding process” hereinafter. 
         [0028]    The body  10  and the sleeves  14 A,  14 B and  15  are made of fire resistant textile materials. Outer textile materials for fire fighting clothing are useful for the formation of the body  10  as well as the sleeves  14 A,  14 B and  15 . Such materials have previously been manufactured from 100% meta-aramid or polyamideimide blends of meta-aramid and para-aramid fibres or by use of core spun yarns or staple mixtures with polyparaphenylene terephthalamide copolymer or fibres comprising para-aramid cores with meta-aramid or polyamideimide covers. The combination of these fibres in the fabric enhances the non-break open protection of the product. However meta-aramid and polyamideimide fibres shrink, consolidate and thicken when exposed to a high temperature beat source. The presence of para-aramid or polyphenylene terephthalamide copolymer in either the fibre blend or as a core can be used to prevent fibre shrinkage and consequent breaking open of the garment. However the inclusion of para-aramid fibre in the blend has been found to be insufficient in tightly woven fabrics to prevent breaking open and does not increase the air gap between the wearer and the heat source. Consequently there is a need for improved textile materials for manufacture of fire fighting garments and the like. 
         [0029]    Fire fighting garments, which may be used in the manufacture of the body  10 , sleeves  14 A,  14 B and  15  have been made from a plurality of textile layers, including an outer layer of woven meta-aramid fibre, for example as manufactured under the trademark Nomex as previously stated. Break open protection may be afforded by blending with para-aramid fibres, e.g. as manufactured under the trademark Kevlar and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,966 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,990. 
         [0030]    PCT/GB00/01449 discloses a fire resistant textile material comprising a woven face fabric composed of fibres selected from meta-aramid, polyamdeimide and mixtures thereof, the fabric including a woven mesh of low thermal shrinkage fibres. Also useful for incorporation into the body  10  or sleeves  14 A,  14 B and/or  15  is a woven faced fabric composed of face fibres selected from meta-aramid, polyamideimide and mixtures thereof the fabric including a woven back of low thermal shrinkage fibres, wherein the overfeed of the lower thermal shrinkage fibres is selected so that the sum of the extension under load and take-up is approximately equal to the extension under load and take-up of the face fibres. Such product is known as Kevlar®. This product is a polyamide, in which all the amide groups are separated by para-phenylene groups, that is, the amide groups attach to the phenyl rings opposite to each other, at carbons 1 and 4. Kevlar® is shown as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0031]    In Kevlar the aromatic groups are all linked into the backbone chain through the 1 and 4 positions. This is called para-linkage. 
         [0032]    Novex® on the other hand, has meta-phenylene groups, that is, the amide groups are attached on the phenyl ring at the 1 and 3 positions. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0033]    In Nomex the aromatic groups are all linked into the backbone chain through 1 and 3 positions. This is called meta-linkage. 
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the armature means  11 A and  11 B comprises a meta-aramid or polyamideimide blend of a meta-aramid and para-aramid fibre, well known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, the armature means  11 A and  11 B may comprise a polyparaphenylene terephthalamide copolymer and/or a para-aramid core fiber having a meta-aramid or polyamideimide cover. Such armatures are commercially available as . . . available as material 6445-2-SN 60″ from Alpha Associates, Inc., of Woodbridge, N.J. 
         [0035]    The viewing section  13  may comprise a Plexiglass or other similar material and is secured to the body  10  by known means, such as sewing, bolting, or any other satisfactory mechanical means. 
         [0036]    In an alternate preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  10  further includes an air or other gas filter  200  on the conduit AL and downstream of the pump P. The filter  200  may be selected from a number of well known and commercially available air filter unites known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0037]    In yet another preferred embodiment, also shown in  FIG. 3 , a second conduit  200  is sealing engaged through a port or opening  25  on the apparatus  10  and communicates with a fume extractor pump means  301  which, in turn, has a second or fume extractor filter  302  downstream thereof, This filter is also well known to those skilled in the art and may be commercially obtained from a number of known sources. A section of conduit  300  is provided downstream of the filter means  302  with opening  300 A therein for harmless discharge into the atmosphere of gaseous components passed through the conduit  300 . 
         [0038]    Both the pump means P and the fume extractor means  301  may be electrically activated pumps, commercially available from a number of sources. 
       Operation 
       [0039]    When it is desired to repair a conduit A, or to weld two conduit members A together, the end of the conduit A is introduced into the open end  10 A, of the body  10  and the body  10  is moved horizontally along it until the area to be repaired, or joined if two conduits A are to be secured together by welding, is immediate the armatures  11 A and  11 B and such area is in alignment with the viewing section  13 . The conduit(s) are then placed on tripods B and C. Additional tripods may be used to support opposite ends of the conduits A in cases where two conduits are to be welded together within the interior  12  of the body  10 . The second conduit  300  is secured at the sealed opening  24  on the apparatus  10 . The fume extractor is secured to the conduit  300  and the filter means  302  is connected to the downstream side of the fume extractor pump means  301 , with a short section of conduit  300  extending there from for discharge into the atmosphere through opening  33 A any fumes occurring during the operation. 
         [0040]    The air line AL is scalingly secured to the sleeve and the pump P is activated to inflate the body  10 . Thereafter, the operator O may insert his hands into the respective armatures  11 A and  11 B, such the welding procedures may be performed without risk of sparks and other hot debris resulting from the welding operation contacting the operator O or being sprayed exteriorally of the interior  12  of the body  10 . 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that one of the benefits of the present invention is that its use will isolate the welding area, such as from flammable gases found exteriorally of the housing. Furthermore, it protects the area to be welded from wind or air currents. Its use also makes welding within an inert gas atmosphere possible in open areas at an actual pipeline or other operation. Also, it is possible to make simple and obvious modifications or additions for dry welding under water. 
         [0042]    Although the invention has been described in terms of the embodiments as shown, the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will readily perceive alternative embodiments once this specification is read and understood.