Gripping apparatus and devices for plugging of pipes, orifices or connecting

A gripping plug for use in a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, comprising:

• a body of the gripping plug;
• an inboard seal mounted on the body towards an inboard end of the gripping plug and an outboard seal mounted on the body towards the outboard end of the gripping plug, wherein both the inboard seal and the outboard seal are each located between two clamping plates;
• at least one wedge cone mounted on the body between the inboard seal and the outboard seal;
• at least one discrete gripping device slidably engaged with the at least one wedge cone, wherein each of the at least one discrete gripping devices define an outer surface;
• an actuation-retraction mechanism configured to actuate the at least one discrete gripping device;
• and
• a second wedge cone mounted on the body between the inboard seal and the outboard seal, wherein each wedge cone comprises a base and a top, wherein each top has a smaller diameter than the base of each wedge cone.

A method for gripping a pipe, wherein the pipe defines an interior surface, and comprising the steps of:

• biasing a plurality of discrete gripping devices of a gripping plug beyond the interior surface of the pipe before insertion of the plurality of discrete gripping devices into the pipe, and wherein each discrete gripping device defines an outer surface;
• inserting the plurality of discrete gripping devices into the pipe;
• upon the insertion of the plurality of discrete gripping devices into the pipe, immediately engaging the interior surface of the pipe with the outer surface of the biased plurality of discrete gripping devices and simultaneously allowing further insertion of the gripping plug further into the pipe;
• preventing accidental ejection of the gripping plug from the pipe;
• actuating-retracting the plurality of discrete gripping devices toward the interior surface of the pipe;
• expanding a first seal at the inboard end of the gripping plug, and a second seal at an outboard end of the gripping plug, wherein the plurality of discrete gripping devices is located between the first and second seal;
• engaging the inside radius of the pipe with the first seal and the second seal;
• collectively extending-retracting the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
• reducing any sharp transition point by means of each outer surface having a transition surface upon insertion into the interior surface of the pipe with the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
• and
• keeping a second plurality of discrete gripping devices retracted during the steps of:
• biasing the first plurality of discrete gripping devices;
• and immediately engaging the interior surface of the pipe.