Patent ID: 7757642

Claim:
A retaining tube plug for insertion into a hole, resulting from removal of a failed boiler tube, in a drum wall of a power boiler comprising: a tube-shaped body portion, wherein the circumference of the cross sectional area of the tube-shaped body portion is constant along the length of the body portion; a closed-end portion at one end of said tube-shaped body portion, wherein said tube plug is closed at said closed-end portion, and wherein said closed-end portion is continuous with said tube-shaped body portion; a lip portion at the other end of said tube-shaped body portion, wherein said lip portion is continuous with said tube-shaped body portion, wherein said lip portion comprises an opening, which is continuous with the interior of said tube-shaped body portion, and wherein said lip portion extends radially out from said tube-shaped body portion; wherein said tube-shaped body portion, said closed-end portion and said lip portion are made from a single piece of metal; wherein said retaining tube plug is inserted into the hole, resulting from removal of the failed boiler tube, in the drum wall of the power boiler, wherein said retaining tube plug is inserted into said hole from a side interior of said drum wall with the closed-end portion inserted first until said lip portion is in contact with the drum wall; wherein the lip portion of the retaining tube plug is rigid and does not collapse when pressure is applied to the tube plug; wherein said retaining tube plug is expanded to form a mechanical seal with the surface of said hole.