Sealing element
AssigneeQinov8 UK Ltd
InventorsMichael Quinn, Mark Quinn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealing element (10) for use in a fluid-carrying pipeline (16) comprising a substantially central core (14) surrounded by a coating (12). The outer coating (12) is adapted to perform a partial extrusion through an opening (15) in a pipeline wall (16) to seal the opening (15). The density of the sealing element (10) is substantially the same as the density of the fluid (11) in the pipeline (16). The coating (12) comprises a two-part epoxy putty, and the core (14) is formed from a deformable material. A method of making the sealing element is also disclosed.
Claims16
A sealing element for use in a fluid-carrying pipeline, the sealing element comprising a substantially central core surrounded by a coating which is adapted to perform partial extrusion through an opening in a pipeline wall to seal the opening, wherein the density of the sealing element is substantially the same as the density of the fluid in the pipeline, and wherein the coating comprises a two-part epoxy putty, and wherein in use the core does not come into sealing engagement with the opening.
A method of sealing a defect in a fluid-filled pipeline comprising the steps of:
- i) introducing a sealing element comprising a substantially central core surrounded by a coating which is adapted to perform partial extrusion through an opening in a pipeline wall to seal the opening, wherein the density of the sealing element is substantially the same as the density of the fluid in the pipeline, and wherein the coating comprises a two-part epoxy putty, and wherein in use the core does not come into sealing engagement with the opening into the pipeline upstream of the defect;
- ii) allowing the sealing element to be transported to the defect by the fluid contained within the pipeline;
- and
- iii) allowing the sealing element to at least partially extrude through the defect and to cure;
- wherein a part of the sealing element forms a solid plug located within the defect after extrusion through the defect and curing of the sealing element and wherein the core of the sealing element does not come into sealing engagement with the defect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.