Isolation tool with enhanced monitoring unit

An isolation tool for positioning in a pipe bore and providing a sealing barrier extending transversely across the bore for isolating a section of the bore during replacement of a section of the pipe, the tool comprising a linear assemblage of components including:

• a front plate for securely engaging a front seal element, and defining recesses housing gripper inserts moveable from unactuated positions within the recesses to actuated positions extending outwardly from the recesses to contact and grip the inner surface of the pipe to hold the tool stationary during operation;
• a back plate defining an annular bevel for securely engaging a back seal element, and carrying support leg assemblies for assisting installation, centering, and removal of the tool within the pipe bore;
• a central annular ring positioned between the front plate and the back plate, and defining annular bevels for cooperating with and spacing apart the front seal element and the back seal element;
• the front seal element and the back seal element being resilient, deformable and annular, wherein when the front plate, the back plate, and the central annular ring are compressed together, the front seal element and the back seal element are prevented from dislodging into the interior of the tool, and are compressed and deformed outwardly into sealing engagement with the pipe, and combine with the outer surface of the tool and the inner surface of the pipe to form a sealed annular space;
• wherein elongated studs extend through apertures defined by the front plate and the back plate, and are secured by complementary hex nuts for compressing the components together, wherein each support leg assembly comprises a substantially L-shaped body having a vertical wall perpendicular to a horizontal base, and defining openings for receiving attachment means for attaching the support leg assembly to the back plate, the horizontal base defining an aperture for mounting an adjustable bolt and roller ball.