Valve and tapping tee apparatus and method

An apparatus for tapping an associated member comprising;

• a first elongated cylindrical member having a bore communicating between a first outer end and a second cutting end;
• said first end having an exteriorly threaded portion and said second cutting end having an annular cutting surface adapted to form an opening in the associated member, and an aperture intermediate said first and second ends extending through said first member into communication with said bore;
• a tapered surface disposed on the exterior of said first member between said aperture and said exterior threaded portion, said tapered surface including a first minimum radial dimension adjacent said second end and a second maximum radial dimension spaced toward said threaded portion adapted to spread the formed opening in the associated member;
• and,
• a land having a dimension less than said tapered surface maximum radial dimension and greater than said tapered surface minimum radial dimension disposed between said tapered surface and said threaded portion, said land adapted to sealingly engage the associated member after said second radial dimension passes through the opening, and said second radial dimension adapted to abuttingly engage the interior of the associated member

A combination valve and cutting apparatus for tapping an associated tubular member comprising first and second members, said first member including:

• an annular cutting surface at one end adapted to cut an opening and retain a coupon from a sidewall of the associated tubular member, said cutting surface having a first predetermined dimension;
• a generally conical flange having an exterior radial dimension progressivly increasing from said first predetermined dimension to a second predetermined dimension greater than said first dimension as it extends axially toward a first member other end, said conical flange adapted to spread the opening in the associated tubular member as the first member advances through the sidewall of the associated tubular member;
• a sealing land interposed between said conical flange and said other end having a third predetermined dimension, said third dimension intermediate said first and second dimensions and adapted for sealing relationship with the associated tubular member after said second dimension passes through the opening, and said first member includes a shoulder formed between said generally conical flange and said sealing land, said shoulder adapted for retaining engagement with an associated internal wall of the tubular member;
• a bore axially extending through said first member and operatively communicating with a sidewall aperture interposed between said cutting surface and said conical flange;
• and,
• said second member adapted for movement relative to said first member, said second member having an extending end portion adapted for selective sealing relation with said first member central bore whereby said second member is adapted to regulate fluid flow through said central bore.

A method for tapping a tubular member, comprising the steps of:

• rotatably advancing a cutting tool in a first direction toward an exterior surface of the tubular member;
• cutting a predetermined aperture through said exterior surface by means of said cutting tool;
• advancing said cutting tool into the tubular member;
• radially spreading said predetermined aperture to a larger dimension;
• releasing said aperture from further radial spreading after said cutting tool has advanced into the interior of the tubular member a predetermined distance;
• and
• rotatably retracting said cutting tool only partially from the tubular member for engaging an internal wall of the tubular member.

A method for tapping a tubular member comprising the steps of:

• positioning a support collar about a predetermined circumferential area of the tubular member, said support collar having a cutting tool operatively associated therewith;
• cutting a predetermined aperture with said cutting tool through a sidewall of the tubular member;
• radially spreading said predetermined aperture to a larger dimension;
• releasing said aperture from further radial spreading after advancing said cutting tool into the tubular member a predetermined distance and partially retracting it therefrom for engaging an inner diameter area of the tubular member;
• and,
• opening a continuous passage from the tubular member through said cutting tool.