Pre-Machined Window Weld for Breached Tubing
OwnerJohn Graham Johnston, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example apparatus for replacement of a breached pipe section includes a first cylindrical pipe fitting having a first surface defining a first aperture, a middle pipe member, and a second cylindrical pipe fitting having a second surface defining a second aperture, and first and second aperture caps. A first end of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded to opposite ends of the middle section, and a second end opposite of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded through the respective first and second apertures to opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached pipe section. The first and second aperture caps are welded to the apertures of the first and second pipe fittings to close the respective first and second apertures.
Claims20
An apparatus for replacing a breached section of pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a first pipe fitting having a first end, a second end, and a first surface defining a first aperture at the second end of the first pipe fitting;
- a middle pipe member;
- a second pipe fitting having a first end, a second end, and a second surface defining a second aperture at the second end of the second pipe fitting;
- and
- first and second aperture caps;
- wherein the first end of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded to opposite ends of the middle pipe member, and the second end of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded through the respective first and second apertures to opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached pipe section;
- and
- wherein the first and second aperture caps are welded to respective ones of the first and second apertures of the first and second pipe fittings to close the respective first and second apertures.
A method of replacing a breached section of pipe, the method comprising:
- removing a section of pipe surrounding the breached section;
- fabricating a length of replacement pipe having a cross-sectional area similar to the section of removed pipe;
- welding a first end of pre-fabricated first and second pipe fittings to opposite ends of the replacement pipe, wherein the first pipe fitting includes a first surface defining a first aperture and the second pipe fitting includes a second surface defining a second aperture;
- welding a second end of the first and second pipe fittings to opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached section through the respective first and second apertures;
- and
- welding pre-fabricated first and second aperture caps to the first and second apertures to close the respective apertures.
A method of creating a multi-piece kit for replacing a breached section of pipe in a network of pipework, the method comprising:
- machining a plurality of end pipe fittings;
- selecting a plurality of preferred aperture cap geometries for the plurality of machined end pipe fittings;
- machining an aperture cap for each of the selected preferred aperture cap geometries;
- and
- creating an inventory of end pipe fittings and corresponding window section combinations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.