Insertion valves and methods of installing insertion valves in pressurized pipes

An insertion valve assembly for use with an existing pipe containing a fluid under pressure, the insertion valve assembly comprising:

• an outer valve body defining an outer valve body chamber extending along an outer valve body axis from an outer valve body first end to an outer valve body second end, the outer valve body including an outer valve body first section and an outer valve body second section configured to be coupled to the outer valve body first section and around the existing pipe, wherein the outer valve body first section defines an access chamber fluidly communicating between the outer valve body chamber and a support flange;
• an insertion valve body sized for insertion through the access chamber of the outer valve body first section, the insertion valve body including an attachment portion sealingly coupled to the support flange of the outer valve body first section, a valve seat disposed adjacent the outer valve body second section and defining an insertion valve access chamber;
• a bonnet connected to the attachment portion and configured to sealingly engage with the support flange of the outer valve body first section;
• an insertion valve stem rotatably coupled to the bonnet;
• an insertion valve element coupled to the insertion valve stem and movable between a closed position, in which the insertion valve element extends entirely across the outer valve body chamber to engage the valve seat of the insertion valve body to block fluid flow along the outer valve body axis, and an open position, in which the insertion valve element at least partially unblocks the outer valve body chamber to permit fluid flow along the outer valve body axis;
• and
• a check valve movably connected to the attachment portion and extending across the insertion valve access chamber and configured to have an open position when the insertion valve element is in the closed position, and to move to a closed position blocking the insertion valve access chamber when the insertion valve element moves from the closed position to the open position.