Tapping apparatus and method
OwnerCharles W. Schulerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tapping apparatus and method for making connections to pipelines and vessels while they are in service and contain fluid under pressure. The tapping apparatus and method includes an explosively driven punch that is operated to penetrate the pipeline. A tensile force is applied to retract the punch, and allow the fluid to pass from the pipeline through the apparatus and into the service connection.
Claims18
A tapping apparatus for connecting a conduit to a pipeline containing a fluid comprising:
- a. body means connectable to the exterior of pipeline and connectable to the conduit;
- b. an explosively driven punch means operable in the body means to punch a hole in the pipeline;
- and
- c. retraction means insertable after the operation of the punch means, and operable by tensile force applied by gripping engagement with the punch to overcome the possibility of the punch sticking, to positively withdraw the punch from the pipeline and allow the fluid into the body and into the conduit.
A method of connecting a conduit to a pipeline containing a fluid comprising:
- a. connecting an apparatus body having an internal bore to the pipeline;
- b. connecting the conduit to the apparatus body and the bore;
- c. explosively forcing a punch through the bore in the body into contact with the pipeline, piercing the pipeline;
- and
- d. retracting the punch by tensile force applied in gripping engagement with the punch to overcome the possibility of the punch sticking and to positively withdraw the punch through the bore, to allow the fluid into the bore and into the conduit.
A tapping apparatus for connecting a conduit to a pipeline containing a fluid comprising:
- a. body means connectable to the exterior of pipeline and connectable to the conduit;
- b. an explosively driven punch means operable in the body means to punch a hole in the pipeline;
- c. retraction means insertable into the punch means after the punching operation of the punch means, and operable by tensile force to withdraw the punch from the pipeline and allow the fluid into the body and into the conduit, with the retraction means further operable to withdraw the punch means into a sealed wedge fit in a tapered section of the bore before the retraction means is removed;
- and
- d. seal means including a cap screw with a resilent seal pressed between the body and the cap screw by the action of threading the cap screw into the punch after the retraction means is removed.
A method of connecting a conduit to a pipeline containing a fluid comprising:
- a. connecting an apparatus body having an internal bore to the pipeline;
- b. connecting the conduit to the apparatus body and the bore;
- c. explosively forcing a punch through the bore in the body into contact with the pipeline, piercing the pipeline;
- d. retracting the punch by tensile force through the bore by means of a threaded bolt being threaded in the punch to allow the fluid into the bore and into the conduit;
- e. removing the threaded bolt and replacing it with capping means having a seal between the body and the capping means;
- and
- f. threadly engaging the capping means in the punch for further withdrawing the punch into a tight wedge fit in a taper in the bore and compressing the seal on the end of the bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.