# US 10,309,569 B2 · Device and method for intervening on a branch of a fluid conduit

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- Number: US 10,309,569 B2
- Document ID: US10309569B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/537,417
- Filed: 2015-12-18
- Published: 2018-09-20
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2014-12-18
- Applicants: Grdf
- Inventors: Christophe Dunand; Jacques Sculteur
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309569B2

## CPC

- F16L 41/04: Tapping pipe walls, i.e. making connections through the walls of pipes while they are carrying fluids; Fittings therefor
- F16L 55/10: Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses (F16L29/00, F16L37/28 take precedence; valves F16K)
- F16L 55/115: Caps {(F16L55/1286 takes precedence)}
- F16L 55/1152: {fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A device (130) and method for intervening on a branch of a fluid conduit (20), the device comprising: a removable flange (105) comprising: two portions (110, 115) linked by a removable junction (120) having, when the two portions are linked, an opening surrounding the branch and a lock (130) for locking the flange around the branch such that the opening sealingly surrounds the branch, an inflatable airlock (135) comprising: an inflatable body (140) having at least one inflatable protuberance (145) and an attacher (150) for sealed attachment to the flange.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for intervening on a branch of a fluid conduit, comprising:
a removable flange comprising:
two portions linked by a removable junction having, when the two portions are linked, an opening surrounding a branch; and
a locking means for locking the flange around the branch such that the opening sealingly surrounds the branch;
an inflatable airlock comprising:
an inflatable body having at least one inflatable protuberance; and
a means for sealed attachment to the flange.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a means for attaching a cap closing an opening of the branch, the cap and the attachment means being positioned in the inflatable airlock before the airlock is attached to the flange.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a valve passing through one portion of the flange to inflate or empty the inflatable airlock when the valve is open.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, which comprises a means for inserting pressurized air into the inflatable airlock at a pressure lower than or equal to the pressure of the fluid of the conduit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the airlock is inflated to a pressure lower than or equal to 50 mbar.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a means for clamping one portion of the flange to the other portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable airlock is transparent.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a rigid base for parts and/or tools for the intervention.

### Claim 9

A method for intervening on a branch of a fluid conduit, comprising:
a step of attaching a removable flange, comprising:
a step of connecting two portions linked by a removable junction having, when the two portions are linked, an opening surrounding the branch; and
a step of locking the flange around the branch such that the opening sealingly surrounds the branch;
a step of sealingly attaching an inflatable airlock to the flange;
a step of opening the branch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, which comprises a step of checking that the airlock is sealed, achieved by inflating the airlock.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, for removing the branch, which comprises:
before the step of attaching the airlock, a step of depositing a cap and a means for attaching the cap closing an opening of the branch inside the inflatable airlock comprising an inflatable body having two inflatable protuberances; and,
before the opening step, a step of installing the cap over the opening of the branch.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, which comprises a step of inserting pressurized air through a valve passing through the flange to bring the pressure of the airlock below the pressure of the fluid in the conduit.