Method and apparatus for rapidly plugging a leak from a container
AssigneeTrident Technologies, Inc.
InventorBuren T. Palmer II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A framework of magnet pods and beams or strongbacks can be quickly and easily assembled to plug a leak in a ferromagnetic container wall. The magnet pods are located on either side of the leak. One or more beams extend between the magnet pods. Each magnet pod has a yoke with plural holes therethrough. The yoke loosely receives the beam. Each beam has lines of holes therethrough all along the beam length. The plurality of holes in the yokes and beams simplifies the alignment of at least one set of holes between the yoke and beam, wherein a pin is inserted to couple the beam to the magnet pod. A clamp is pinned to the beam so as to be adjacent to the leak. The clamp is tightened to exert removable pressure on a patch over the leak.
Claims28
An apparatus for use in stopping a leak in a ferromagnetic wall of a container, comprising:
- a) at least two magnet pods, with each magnet pod comprising a magnet having a surface that is structured and arranged for contacting the container wall, and a member rotatably coupled with the magnet, the member having plural holes therethrough;
- b) a beam having plural holes therethrough, the beam being coupled to each of the members when one of the holes of the respective one of the members aligns with one of the holes in the beam so as to receive a pin through the aligned holes;
- c) a clamp having a foot and being coupled to a selected location along the length of the beam, the position of the foot with respect to the beam being adjustable so as to apply clamping pressure to the wall when the apparatus is installed on the wall.
An apparatus for use in stopping a leak in a ferromagnetic wall of a container, comprising:
- a) at least two magnet pods, with each magnet pod comprising a magnet having a surface that is structured and arranged for contacting the container wall, and a member rotatably coupled to the magnet;
- b) first and second beams with each of the first and second beams having two ends, one of the ends of the first beam being coupled to one of the magnet pods and one of the ends of the second beam being coupled to another of the magnet pods, the first and second beams being coupled together;
- c) a clamp having a foot and being coupled to a selected location along the length of one of the first or second beams, the position of the foot with respect to one of the first or second beams being adjustable so as to apply clamping pressure to the wall when the apparatus is installed on the wall.
A method of stopping a leak in a ferromagnetic wall of a container, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least two magnet pods, with each magnet pod having a member extending therefrom, each member having plural holes therethrough;
- b) providing a beam having plural holes therethrough, the beam holes being located along a length of the beam;
- c) contacting one of the magnet pods with the container wall on one side of the leak and contacting another of the magnet pods with the container wall on another side of the leak;
- d) placing the beam between the magnet pods;
- e) at each magnet pod, aligning at least one of the holes in the respective member with at least one of the holes in the beam and inserting a pin through the aligned holes to couple the beam to the respective magnet pod;
- f) coupling an extendible arm to the beam, the extendable arm having a foot thereon, the foot being located adjacent to the leak;
- g) locating a patch on the leak;
- h) extending the arm from the beam so that the foot applies pressure to the patch.
An apparatus for use in stopping a leak in a ferromagnetic wall of a container, comprising:
- a) at least two magnet pods, with each magnet pod comprising a magnet having a surface that is structured and arranged for contacting the container wall, and a member rotatably coupled with the magnet, the member having two spaced apart wall surfaces;
- b) a beam comprising two end portions, with each portion having two spaced apart wall surfaces, each of the end portions of the beam being removably coupled to a respective one of the magnet pod members at a connection;
- c) at each connection, either one of the member wall surfaces or the beam end portion wall surfaces having a cavity therebetween for receiving the other of the member wall surfaces where the beam end portion wall surfaces;
- d) at each connection, either of the member wall surfaces or the beam end portion wall surfaces having plural sets of holes therethrough, with the other of the member wall surfaces or the beam end portion wall surfaces having at least one set of holes therethrough, the member and the beam end portion being coupled together by a pin extending through aligned holes in the member and the beam end portion;
- e) a clamp that is sealingly coupled to the beam at a location that is between the magnet pods, the clamp being rotatably coupled to a foot, the foot being structured and arranged to contact a patch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.