Sealing Hollow Structures
AssigneeAcergy France SAS
InventorGregory Alexandre Toguyeni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of sealing a hole in a wall of a hollow structure comprises providing a sealed chamber that is external to the structure and that is in fluid communication with an internal space of the structure via the hole. The structure may be a pipe-in-pipe structure and the internal space may be an annulus between outer and inner pipes. Fluid flows through the hole into or out of the chamber as the pressure and/or composition of fluid in the internal space is adjusted. Then, a plug is spun and friction-welded into the hole. The plug is inserted into the hole from within the chamber.
Claims22
A method of sealing a hole in a wall of a hollow structure, the method comprising:
- providing a sealed chamber that is external to the structure and that is in fluid communication with an internal space of the structure via the hole;
- causing fluid to flow through the hole into or out of the chamber to adjust the pressure and/or composition of fluid in the internal space;
- and
- friction-welding a spinning plug into the hole, the plug being inserted into the hole from within the chamber.
Apparatus for sealing a hole in a structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a fitting defining a chamber, the fitting having an opening that communicates with the chamber;
- an attachment system for removably attaching the fitting to the structure with the opening facing the structure;
- a control system arranged to control the pressure and/or composition of fluid in the chamber;
- and
- a friction plug welding machine, which machine is arranged to advance a plug from the chamber and through the opening to seal the hole in the structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.