Patent GB-1460493-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for securing in and for sealing a pipeline
IPC: F16L55/00
Filed: 1974-04-03
Abstract: 1460493 Pipe Stopper SAIPEM SpA 3 April 1974 [13 April 1973] 14892/74 Heading F2P An apparatus for securing in and for sealing a pipeline 1 e.g. an underwater pipeline comprises a housing having a first cylindrical portion 2 which is introduced into the pipeline and a second portion 3 which remains outside the pipeline end; an actuable locking device within portion 2 having shoes 28 which when the device is actuated move between a retracted position and a radially projecting position against the inner wall of pipeline 1 securing the apparatus in the pipeline and vice versa; seals 36, 37 moved by an actuating device between a retracted position and a radially projecting position against the inner wall of the pipeline and vice versa; eyes 4, 6 on portion 3 to which cables may be attached; a duct 9 extending axially through portion 2 and terminating at a surface and outlet in portion 3, the duct being provided with a controllable valve 11; controls for operating the locking and seal actuating devices. In operation an apparatus A is lowered from a surface vessel by a cable attached to eye 6 and assumes a horizontal position by adjusting the amount of ballast in tank 8 within portion 3. Simultaneously valve 20 is opened allowing hydraulic fluid to pass from pressure accumulators 7 via conduit 19 to chambers 17, 40 of the locking device and seal actuating device respectively to retract shoes 28 and seals 36, 37. Portion 2 is then introduced into underwater pipeline 1 and control valve 22 is opened connecting pressure accumulators 7 to chamber 18 of the locking device thus moving slider 15 with its associated wedges 23 to the left on duct 9 as shown in the Fig. and simultaneously slider 16 with its associated wedges 24 moves to the right on slider 15 forcing stems 27 connected to wedges 23, 24 radially outwards causing shoes 28 attached to the outer ends of stems 27 to abut the inner surface of pipeline 1. On opening valve 22 hydraulic fluid also enters chamber 39 moving slider 31 to the right causing elastically deformable, toroidal seals 36, 37 to be compressed, moved radially outwards and pressed against the pipeline wall by the inclined faces of the triangular cross-section ring 38 and inclined faces 32, 33 of slider 31 and fixed part 34 respectively. To empty pipeline 1 of water, valve 11 in duct 9 is opened and an emptying ball is forced through the pipeline by compressed air from the distant end to expel water through duct 9 and when the pipeline is empty valve 11 is closed. To release the apparatus and unseal pipeline 1 valve 20 is opened allowing hydraulic fluid to enter chambers 17, 40. Simultaneously an exhaust valve (not shown) in duct 21 is opened to discharge hydraulic fluid from chambers 18, 39 allowing the pressure in chambers 17, 40 to move sliders 14, 16, 31 from the posisions shown in the Fig. causing shoes 28 to retract into housings 30 and seals 36, 37 to reduce in diameter. The valves of the apparatus may be remotely controlled by a single "frogman" operating two position levers on control panel 43 situated on the outer surface of portion 3.