Patent Publication Number: US-9416908-B2

Title: Deployable plug system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2015/000119, which was filed in the Canadian Receiving Office on Feb. 25, 2015. PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2015/000119 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/944,822, which was filed Feb. 26, 2014, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,623, which was filed Jun. 30, 2014, and claims the benefit of and priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,876,710, which was filed on Dec. 30, 2014. The entire disclosures of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2015/000119, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/944,822, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,623, and Canadian Patent Application No. 2,876,710 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention may relate to environmental remediation devices. For example, embodiments of the present invention may include plugs having inflatable bladders that may seal openings after a hazardous material spill. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bodies of water are highly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of exposure to oil and other hazardous chemical spills. While highly publicized hazardous chemical spills are usually associated with chemical spills into large bodies of water such as lakes or oceans, smaller spills occur far more frequently at locations such as drilling sites, factories, and tanker truck accidents. Such smaller hazardous chemical spills can quickly travel along roadside ditches into culverts and streams and from there into adjacent water supplies to cause even more damage and destruction. 
     Unfortunately, there are surprisingly few ways to stop or control hazardous chemical spills from traveling along ditches and culverts. Often, spilled hazardous chemicals disperse from a spill site before remediation efforts can be implemented. Accordingly, there exists a need for devices by which oil and other chemical spills can be prevented from dispersing to enable remediation efforts to be taken. In particular, a new system that contains and controls oil and other hazardous chemicals spills along culverts and other pipes would be beneficial. Ideally such a system would provide a quick, easy, and effective approach to containing oil and other hazardous chemicals spills to enable remediation. Preferably such a system could be quickly installed safely and efficiently by one man. In practice a rugged, reusable system would be particularly beneficial. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention include devices by which oil and other chemical spills can be prevented from dispersing to enable remediation efforts to be taken. In particular, embodiments of the present invention may contain and control oil and other hazardous chemicals spills along culverts to enable remediation. 
     According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a deployable plug system, comprising: an elongated handle assembly having a hollow conduit, a distal end with a conduit connector in fluid communication with the conduit and a hinge assembly having a handle mounting body, and a proximal end, wherein a gas control valve is affixed to the handle assembly at the proximal end, and wherein the gas control valve is configured to receive pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas, the gas control valve further including a valve trigger which selectively applies pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the conduit; and a bladder assembly having a bladder mounting body removably connectable to the handle mounting body, a bladder attached to the bladder mounting body, a check valve assembly for allowing pressurized gas from the conduit to enter the bladder, and a check valve assembly connector that selectively connects the check valve assembly to the conduit connector. 
     In some embodiments, the conduit connector is a junction block comprising a block. 
     In some embodiments, the block has a slot that extends along the block from a front opening, and the handle assembly includes a gas aperture that passes from the conduit into the slot. 
     In some embodiments, the check valve assembly connector includes a hose that selectively connects the check valve to the junction block to communicate pressurized gas from the conduit to the bladder. 
     In some embodiments, the hose selectively connects to the junction block using a disc-shaped sealing ring which slides into the slot. 
     In some embodiments, the hose connects to the sealing ring and forms a seal with the junction block when the hose fits over the gas aperture. 
     In some embodiments, the deployable plug system further includes a release rod slidingly affixed to the handle assembly which may extend into the junction block. 
     In some embodiments, the release rod can push the sealing ring out of the slot. 
     In some embodiments, the check valve assembly connects to the hose using a barbed fitting. 
     In some embodiments, the source of pressurized gas is a removable compressed-gas canister that can be retained by the gas control valve. 
     In some embodiments, the compressed-gas canister is threadably connectable to the gas control valve. 
     In some embodiments, the gas canister contains compressed CO 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the gas canister contains compressed N 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the check valve assembly includes a one way check valve that allows gas to enter but not leave the bladder. 
     In some embodiments, the check valve assembly further includes a relief valve to enable pressurized gas to escape the bladder. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge assembly includes a fastener assembly that locks the hinge assembly relative to the handle assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the handle mounting body and the bladder mounting body include interlocking features. 
     In some embodiments, the handle mounting body is a handle mounting plate and the bladder mounting body is a bladder mounting plate. 
     In some embodiments, the handle mounting plate includes a male feature, the bladder mounting plate includes a female feature, and the handle mounting plate can be locked into the bladder mounting plate by moving up and released by moving down. 
     In some embodiments, the male feature has a “T” cross-sectioned. 
     In some embodiments, the handle assembly has a handle on the proximal end of the handle assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the valve trigger is disposed adjacent the handle. 
     In some embodiments, the handle includes grip features. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder expands in length and width when filled with pressurized gas. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder includes ribs. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder is comprised of rubber. 
     In some embodiments, the handle mounting body and the bladder mounting body are configured to permit the handle assembly to be attached to and detached from the bladder assembly by sliding the distal end of the handle assembly relative to the bladder assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the conduit connector and the check valve assembly connector are configured to permit the conduit to be attached to and detached from the check valve assembly by sliding the distal end of the handle assembly relative to the bladder assembly. 
     A deployable culvert plug system according to another embodiment includes an elongated handle assembly having a hollow conduit, a distal end with a junction block in fluid communication with said conduit and a hinge assembly having a handle mounting plate, and a proximal end having a handle and a gas control valve for retaining a removable gas cylinder containing a pressurized gas. The gas control valve further includes a valve trigger which selectively applies pressurized gas to the conduit. The deployable culvert plug system further includes a bladder assembly having a bladder mounting plate that is removably connected to the handle mounting plate, a bladder that is attached to the bladder mounting plate, a check valve assembly for allowing pressurized gas to enter the bladder, and a hose that selectively connects the check valve assembly to the junction block. In use the handle assembly enables a user to deploy the bladder and the valve trigger selectively applies pressurized gas from a removable gas cylinder through the conduit, through the hose, through the check valve and into the bladder. 
     In some embodiments, the removable gas cylinder threads onto the gas control valve and the pressurized gas is CO 2 . In some embodiments, the check valve assembly connects to the hose using a barbed fitting and the check valve assembly includes a check valve that allows gas to enter but not leave the bladder. The check valve assembly in some embodiments further includes a relief valve to enable pressurized gas to escape from the bladder. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge assembly includes a fastener assembly that locks the hinge assembly relative to the handle assembly and the handle mounting plate and the bladder mounting plate include interlocking features. The handle mounting plate may include a male feature, the bladder mounting plate may include a female feature, and the handle mounting plate can be locked into the bladder mounting plate by moving up and released by moving down. The male feature may be “T” cross-sectioned. The valve trigger may be disposed adjacent said handle and the handle may include grip features. 
     In some embodiments, the junction block is comprised of a block having a slot that extends along the block from a front opening, and the handle assembly includes a gas aperture that passes from the conduit into the slot. The hose in some embodiments connects to the junction block using a disc-shaped sealing ring which slides into the slot. The sealing ring in some embodiments connects to the hose and forms a seal with the junction block when the hose fits over the gas aperture. In some embodiments, a release rod is slidingly affixed to the handle assembly and extends into the junction block. That release rod may push the sealing ring out of the slot. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder expands in length and width when filled with pressurized gas. In some embodiments, the bladder includes ribs and is comprised of rubber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some potential advantages and features of embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a deployable plug system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the deployable plug system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of parts of a bladder assembly  20  and handle assembly  60  used in the deployable plug system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up perspective view of a hose junction block  88  used in the deployable plug system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the hose junction block  88  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 4 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the proximal end of the handle assembly  60 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  deployable plug system 
               20  bladder assembly 
               22  bladder 
               24  ribs 
               26  bladder mounting plate 
               27  female locking feature 
               30  check valve 
               31  relief valve 
               32  first hose 
               34  sealing ring 
               60  handle assembly 
               62  handle 
               63  conduit 
               66  grip 
               67  finger relief 
               73  gas control valve 
               75  valve trigger 
               77  female threads 
               78  gas canister 
               79  male threads 
               80  guard cylinder 
               82  cylinder aperture 
               84  hose release rod 
               85  rod brackets 
               86  rod trigger 
               88  hose junction block 
               89  slot 
               90  front opening 
               91  gas aperture 
               92  rod aperture 
               100  handle mounting plate 
               102  hinge assembly 
               103  fastener assembly 
               106  male locking features 
               150  culvert pipe 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention is depicted within  FIGS. 1-6 . However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to what is specifically illustrated and described. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around also falls with the scope of this invention. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. In addition, unless otherwise denoted all directional signals such as up, down, left, right, inside, outside are taken relative to the illustration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively illustrate environmental and exploded views of a deployable plug system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. When installed the deployable plug system  10  prevents fluid flow into and out of a culvert pipe  150  after a hazardous material spill, although alternative embodiments may prevent fluid flow into or out of other openings such as openings of manholes, catch basins, or other pipes for example. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the deployable plug system  10  includes a bladder assembly  20  that is removably attached to a handle assembly  60 . As described in more detail subsequently the handle assembly  60  enables a user to stand above and beside the culvert pipe  150  while positioning the bladder assembly  20  into the opening of the culvert pipe  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-6  as required, the handle assembly  60  is configured to receive pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source, which in the embodiment shown is a threaded removable pressurized gas canister  78  in a threaded gas control valve  73 . The gas canister  78  may include a pressure regulator to regulate pressure of pressurized gas released from the gas canister  78 . Also, the gas canister  78  may contain compressed non-flammable, non-poisonous, inert, and environmentally-friendly gas, such as compressed carbon dioxide (“CO 2 ”) or compressed nitrogen (“N 2 ”) gas for example, and some or all of the compressed gas may be liquefied. In other embodiments, the handle assembly  60  may retain other gas cylinders, canisters, or containers, or may receive pressurized gas from still other pressurized gas sources. Also, in other embodiments, the compressed gas may include other non-flammable, non-poisonous, inert, and environmentally-friendly gases such as air, argon, helium, or neon, or any combination of two or more of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, argon, helium, and neon. Compressed gases are available from various commercial sources, such as Matheson and Air Liquide for example, and costs and potential health hazards may be considerations when choosing a gas or mixture of gasses. 
     When a user operates a valve trigger  75  of the gas control valve  73  pressurized gas in the gas canister  78  passes down a hollow center conduit  63  of the handle assembly  60  and into the bladder assembly  20 . This is described in more detail below. As the gas fills the bladder assembly  20  a bladder  22  expands in length and width. If the bladder  22  is inside the culvert pipe  150  the bladder  22  expands against the wall of the culvert pipe  150  to form a seal which prevents water as well as spilled hazardous materials from entering or leaving the culvert pipe  150 . As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, the material of the bladder  22  and of the wall of the culvert pipe  150  will have a coefficient of friction such that frictional force between the bladder  22  and the wall of the culvert pipe  150  will generally be proportional to the outward force that the bladder  22  exerts on the wall of the culvert pipe  150 , and the outward force that the bladder  22  exerts on the wall of the culvert pipe  150  will depend on the pressure of gas in the bladder  22 . Therefore, in general, the pressure of the pressurized gas from the gas canister  78  should be sufficient to cause the bladder  22  to exert a sufficient outward force on the wall of the culvert pipe  150  to maintain the seal between the bladder  22  and the wall of the culvert pipe  150  when under external pressure from water or other substance or substances that the bladder  22  blocks from entering or leaving the culvert pipe  150 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 1-3 , the bladder assembly  20  includes a unidirectional check valve  30  that is integral or attached to a bladder mounting body, which in the embodiment shown is a bladder mounting plate  26 . The check valve  30  allows gas to enter but not leave the bladder  22 . The bladder assembly  20  also includes an integral “poppet-type” relief valve  31  that enables gas inside the bladder  22  to be let out. The handle assembly  60  is attachable to and detachable from the bladder mounting plate  26  (as is discussed in more detail subsequently) to enable the inflated bladder assembly  20  to remain in the culvert pipe  150  while the handle assembly  60  is detached. When remediation is complete, the handle assembly  60  is re-attached to the bladder assembly  20  which is then deflated by depressing the relief valve  31 . When the bladder assembly  20  is sufficiently deflated it can be removed from the culvert pipe  150  to allow water to again flow through the culvert pipe  150 . 
     It is envisioned that the bladder assembly  20  and the bladder  22  would be made available in multiple sizes and shapes to fit corresponding sizes of culvert pipes or other openings such as openings of manholes, catch basins, or other pipes for example. In fact it is envisioned that the bladder assembly  20  and its bladder  22  can be used for applications that range from small culverts under residential driveways to those through highway bypasses. Furthermore, it is also envisioned that the deployable plug system  10  could be used to temporarily seal manholes and other similar structures, or more generally various different pipes for example. Thus the specific application of sealing culvert pipes  150  should not necessarily be interpreted as a limiting factor of the deployable plug system  10 . 
     Referring once again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the handle assembly  60  includes a hinge assembly  102  that enables adjustment of the relative angle between the elongation axis of the handle assembly  60  and the bladder assembly  20 . The hinge assembly  102  enables a user to be safely positioned along an embankment or other stable surface adjacent the culvert pipe  150  while installing the deployable plug system  10  into the culvert pipe  150 . The hinge assembly  102  is envisioned as having a pivot that is integrally-molded or otherwise affixed to a handle mounting body, which in the embodiment shown is a handle mounting plate  100 , such that the handle mounting plate  100  is pivotally connected to the handle  62 . Turning now specifically to  FIG. 2 , the handle mounting plate  100  is connected to the hinge assembly  102  by a fastener assembly  103  which selectively locks the hinge assembly  102  relative to the handle assembly  60 . The fastener assembly  103  can be as simple as a bolt and a nut. In use, the handle mounting plate  100  is rotated by the user to a desired angle with the handle  62  and is then locked in position by the user tightening the fastener assembly  103 . This rigidly connects the handle mounting plate  100  in place to allow it to be used to insert the bladder assembly  20  into the culvert pipe  150 . 
     Except for the bladder  22  (which is rubber in the embodiment shown) the other major components of the deployable plug system  10  are envisioned as being made of economic and light-weight plastic materials. However, other materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and the like may also be used with benefit based upon a user&#39;s preference and the requirements of a particular remediation. 
     Refer now primarily to  FIG. 3  for a perspective view of the bladder assembly  20  and the lower end of the handle assembly  60 . As previously noted the bladder assembly  20  includes the bladder mounting plate  26  and the handle assembly  60  includes the handle mounting plate  100 . In practice the bladder mounting plate  26  is adhesively or otherwise securely affixed to one end of the bladder  22 . The handle mounting plate  100  is attached to the handle assembly  60 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the bladder mounting plate  26  includes a pair of female locking features  27  and the handle mounting plate  100  includes a pair of interlocking male locking features  106 . The male locking features  106  are vertically parallel “T” cross-sectioned shapes that can be inserted into vertically parallel openings of the female locking features  27  in a tab-and-slot fashion. When inserted into the female locking features  27  the male locking features  106  can be slide upward to lock into place and then downward to release. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the bladder assembly  20  also includes a check valve assembly connector, which in the embodiment shown is a high-pressure hose  32 , that connects to the check valve  30  via a barbed fitting or by another highly reliable leak-proof attachment. The check valve  30  is a one way valve that allows gas to enter the bladder  22  but prevents gas leakage when the handle assembly  60  is removed as is described subsequently. The hose  32  enables the gas to pass into the check valve  30  and thus into the bladder  22 . 
     The bladder  22  is envisioned as being a generally cylinder-shaped structure made of a heavy-duty rubber that is capable of resisting damage from sharp features that might be found in the culvert pipe  150 . The bladder  22  has an exterior surface made up of generally parallel semi-circular ribs  24  which when inflated expand in overall length and diameter. This causes the ribs  24  to align with internal radial features of the culvert pipe  150  to form a seal. However, other embodiments may not include ribs  24 . For example, bladders intended to seal smooth inner surfaces of pipes, manholes, or catch basins bladders may have a smooth surface to seal such smooth inner surfaces. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the hose  32  also connects to a conduit connector, which in the embodiment shown is a hose junction block  88  that is located near the distal end of the handle assembly  60 . The hose junction block  88  is a boxlike structure integrally molded or otherwise permanently affixed to the handle assembly  60 . The hose  32  connects to the hose junction block  88  using an integrally-molded disc-shaped sealing ring  34  which slides into a slot  89  of the hose junction block  88 . The slot  89  extends between a rectangular front opening  90  to a circular rear rod aperture  92 . 
     The slot  89  is dimensioned to receive the sealing ring  34  to form a seal. The front opening  90  is dimensioned to allow the sealing ring  34  to enter the slot  89 . When fully inserted into the slot  89  the hose  32  and sealing ring  34  are located over a gas aperture  91  that passes through the conduit  63  of the handle  62  into the slot  89 . This enables gas injected into the conduit  63  to pass into the first hose and then into the bladder assembly  20 . Thus, the bladder assembly  20  and the handle assembly  60  are mechanically coupled together by the male locking features  106  and by the female locking features  27  and in fluid communications via the hose  32 . 
     Turning back to  FIGS. 1 and 2  as well as to  FIG. 6 , when the gas control valve  73  releases pressurized gas from the gas canister into the conduit  63  of the handle  62 , that gas fills the conduit  63 , passes through the gas aperture  91  into the hose  32 , then passes through the check valve  30 , and enters and inflates the bladder  22 . In addition, the sealing ring  34  provides a gas tight seal between the hose  32  and the gas aperture  91  and hose junction block  88  while the check valve  30  only allows to enter but not leave the bladder  22 . 
     The configuration of the hose junction block  88  with its slot  89  and the hose  32  with its sealing ring  34  enable a user to rapidly detach the hose  32  from the handle assembly  60 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , to that end the handle assembly  60  includes a sliding hose release rod  84 . That hose release rod  84  extends from near the top of the handle  62  into the rod aperture  92  of the hose junction block  88 . The hose release rod  84  is held to the handle  62  using linearly aligned rod brackets  85 . 
     The handle assembly  60  is detached from the hose  32  by the user pressing down on a rod trigger  86  of the hose release rod  84  (see  FIG. 6 ). This moves the hose release rod  84  down, causing its lower end to slide through the rod aperture  92  to contact and push the sealing ring  34  down the slot  89  and out the front opening  90 . The bladder mounting plate  26  and the handle mounting plate  100  can then be detached from each other by lowering and withdrawing the male locking features  106  from the female locking features  27 . The handle assembly  60  is then fully disconnected from the bladder assembly  20  and may then be removed. More generally, in various embodiments such as those described herein, the handle assembly may be fully decoupled from the bladder assembly by sliding the distal end of the handle assembly relative to the bladder assembly to disconnect the handle mounting body (the handle mounting plate  100  in the embodiment shown) from the bladder mounting body (the bladder mounting plate  26  in the embodiment shown), and to disconnect the conduit connector (the hose junction block  88  in the embodiment shown) from the check valve assembly connector (the high-pressure hose  32  in the embodiment shown), which may facilitate decoupling the handle assembly from the bladder assembly when compared to other devices. In other embodiments, the distal end of the handle assembly may slide relative to the bladder assembly in directions other than in the embodiment shown. 
     The bladder assembly  20  can remain within the culvert pipe  150  until the remediation project is complete. When remediation is complete the handle assembly  60  is re-attached to the bladder assembly  20  by inserting the male locking features  106  into the female locking features  27  and then locking the male locking features  106  in place by sliding them upward. The bladder assembly  20  is then deflated by pushing down on the relief valve  31  until the bladder assembly  20  can be removed from the culvert pipe  150 . Again, more generally in various embodiments such as those described herein, the handle assembly may be reattached to the bladder assembly to remove the bladder assembly from an opening by sliding the distal end of the handle assembly relative to the bladder assembly to connect the handle mounting body (the handle mounting plate  100  in the embodiment shown) from the bladder mounting body (the bladder mounting plate  26  in the embodiment shown), which may facilitate reattaching the handle assembly from the bladder assembly when compared to other devices. Again, in other embodiments, the distal end of the handle assembly may slide relative to the bladder assembly in directions other than in the embodiment shown. 
       FIG. 6  presents a more detailed view of the handle assembly  60  and its gas canister  78 . The proximal end of the handle assembly  60  receives the gas canister  78 . The handle assembly  60  includes a grip  66 , the gas control valve  73 , a spring-returned valve trigger  75 , and a guard cylinder  80 . The grip  66  enables the user to grasp the deployable plug system  10  securely while positioning the bladder assembly  20  within a culvert pipe  150 . The grip  66  is envisioned as being made of a soft high-friction rubber or plastic material having a plurality of recessed finger reliefs  67  to improve gripping and manipulative control. 
     The gas control valve  73  is envisioned as being integrally-molded or otherwise affixed to the handle assembly  60  adjacent the grip  66 . The gas control valve  73  regulates fluid communication into the conduit  63  of the handle  62 . The gas control valve  73  is manually activated via the valve trigger  75  to enable gas in the gas canister  78  to be released and to flow into the conduit  63 . The valve trigger  75  also closes the conduit  63  to prevent release of contained gas. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the gas control valve  73  includes female threads  77  and a guard cylinder  80 . The guard cylinder  80  extends parallel to the handle  62  and has a cylinder aperture  82  that receives the gas canister  78 . When inserting a gas canister  78  into the guard cylinder  80  male threads  79  of the gas canister  78  engage the female threads  77  of the gas control valve  73 . The guard cylinder  80  covers most of the gas canister  78  but leaves the gas canister  78  with a protruding bottom that enables a user to grasp and rotate the gas canister  78  as required to thread into the gas control valve  73 . 
     The gas canister  78  is envisioned as being a commercially-available product such as a twenty ounce (20 oz.) canister of compressed gas such as CO 2  or N 2 , and the compressed gas may be in a gaseous or liquefied state, or both, or another type of gas cylinder or canister or other gas source that is capable of delivering a volume of gas sufficient to inflate the bladder  22 . The gas canister  78  is envisioned as having an internal valve which is opened to deliver pressurized gas upon full engagement of the female  77  and male  79  threads. For larger bladders  22 , the check valve  30  of the bladder assembly  20  and the valve trigger  75  of the gas control valve  73  enable a plurality of gas canisters  78  to be attached and emptied without loss of gas in the bladder  22  and conduit  63 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of other embodiments the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of this disclosure. While only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition the deployable plug system  10 , it would be installed in a culvert tube  150  as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The method of preparing the deployable plug system  10  for use can be performing by: procuring a model of the deployable plug system  10  having a particular size and shape which corresponds to an intended culvert pipe  150  or other similar structure such as a manhole; evacuating gas from the bladder  22  using the relief valve  31  as and if required; joining the bladder assembly  20  to the handle assembly  60  by attaching the bladder and handle mounting plates  26 ,  100  together by inserting and lifting the male locking features  106  into the female locking features  27 ; inserting the sealing ring  34  of the hose  32  into the front opening  90  and up the slot  89  of the hose junction block  88  until the sealing ring  34  is centered over the gas aperture  91 ; inserting a gas canister  78  into the guard cylinder  80 ; and, engaging and tightening the male threads  79  of the gas canister  78  into the female threads  77  of the gas control valve  73 . The deployable plug system  10  is then ready to plug a culvert pipe  150 . 
     The method of installing the deployable plug system  10  within the culvert pipe  150  may be achieved by performing the following steps: safely positioning a user with respect to the culvert pipe  150 ; selecting a desired relative angle between the bladder assembly  20  and the handle assembly  60  by adjusting the hinge assembly  102  to the desired angle and then securing it in position by tightening the fastener assembly  103 ; inserting the deflated bladder  22  into the open end of the culvert pipe  150 ; inflating the bladder  22  by activating the valve trigger  75  of the gas control valve  73  to allow gas to flow through the handle  62  and into the bladder  22  until the bladder  22  is sufficiently expanded and sealed against the inner surfaces of the culvert pipe  150 ; releasing the valve trigger  75  to close the gas control valve  73 ; removing the handle assembly  60  from the bladder assembly  20  by detaching the hose  32  from the slot  89  by pushing the hose release rod  84  down; separating the female  27  and male  106  locking features of the bladder mounting plate  26  and the handle mounting plate  100 , and, allowing the bladder assembly  20  to remain within the culvert pipe  150  to prevent flow of water and/or contaminants through the culvert pipe  150  until completion of a remediation project. 
     The method of removing the deployable plug system  10  from the culvert pipe  150  may be achieved by: attaching the handle assembly  60  to the bladder assembly  20  by engaging the female  27  and male  106  locking features of the bladder mounting plate  26  and the handle mounting plate  100  together; pressing the relief valve  31  to release gas from the bladder  22  to deflate the bladder  22 ; removing the bladder  22  from the culvert pipe  150  using the handle  62  and grip  66 ; stowing the deployable plug system  10  by removing the gas canister  78  from the guard cylinder  80 ; washing contaminants from the deployable plug system  10  using appropriate cleaning chemicals and equipment; removing the handle assembly  60  from the bladder assembly  20  as previously described; and deflating the bladder  22  using the relief valve  31  to enable compact storage of the deployable plug system  10  until needed again. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.