Inflatable apparatus for sealing a pipeline

A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow through the pipe, said pipe sealing apparatus comprising:

• a first end;
• a second end positioned opposite said first end;
• a flexible cylinder extending between said first and second ends, said cylinder including
• a first cylinder end;
• a second cylinder end;
• a cylinder bore defined between said first and second cylinder ends, said cylinder bore providing a fluid flow passage extending through said first and second ends of said pipe sealing apparatus;
• and
• an outer surface defined between said first and second cylinder ends;
• an elongated inflatable sleeve substantially surrounding said outer surface of said cylinder, said inflatable sleeve having
• a first inflatable sleeve end,
• a second inflatable sleeve end,
• an outer surface extending between said first and second inflatable sleeve ends, and
• an inner surface that is movable relative to said outer surface of said cylinder during inflation to substantially define an expandable inflatable space therebetween;
• a fluid supply inlet disposed in fluid communication with said inflatable space and for delivering fluid into said inflatable space to expand said inflatable sleeve radially outward with respect to said outer surface of said cylinder;
• an elongated outer sleeve substantially surrounding said inflatable sleeve, said elongated outer sleeve having
• a first outer sleeve end,
• a second outer sleeve end, and
• an inner surface, wherein said outer surface of said inflatable sleeve is shiftable relative to said inner surface of said outer sleeve during inflation of said inflatable space;
• a first means for supporting said first outer sleeve end and said first inflatable sleeve end about said first end of said pipe sealing apparatus, whereby a fluid tight closure is formed between said outer surface of said cylinder and said first outer sleeve end;
• a second means for supporting said second outer sleeve end and said second inflatable sleeve end about said second end of said pipe sealing apparatus, whereby a fluid tight closure is formed between said outer surface of said cylinder and said second outer sleeve end;
• and
• at least one elongated middle sleeve disposed between said inflatable sleeve and said outer sleeve.

A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow through the pipe, said pipe sealing apparatus comprising:

• a first support member disposed at a first end of said pipe sealing apparatus;
• a second support member disposed at a second end of said pipe sealing apparatus;
• an elongated inflatable sleeve constructed from an elastomeric material, said inflatable sleeve including
• a first inflatable sleeve end sealingly engaging said first support member to form a first ring of folds wrapped around said first support member when viewed in cross sections generally perpendicular to a first longitudinal axis of said first support member;
• a second inflatable sleeve end sealingly engaging said second support member to form a second ring of folds wrapped around said second support member when viewed in cross sections generally perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis of said second support member;
• an inner surface extending between said first and second inflatable sleeve ends, said inner surface substantially defining an expandable inflatable space therein;
• and
• an outer surface extending between said first and second inflatable sleeve ends;
• a fluid supply inlet disposed in fluid communication with said inflatable space and operable to deliver fluid into said inflatable space to inflate said inflatable space;
• and
• an elongated outer sleeve having
• a first outer sleeve end sealingly engaged around said first ring of folds to form a third ring of folds positioned radially outward from said first ring of folds when viewed in cross sections generally perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis;
• a second outer sleeve end sealingly engaged around said second ring of folds to form a fourth ring of folds positioned radially outward from said second ring of folds when viewed in cross sections generally perpendicular to said second longitudinal axis;
• an inner surface substantially surrounding said inflatable sleeve, wherein said outer surface of said inflatable sleeve is shiftable with respect to said inner surface of said outer sleeve during inflation of said inflatable space;
• and
• at least one elongated middle sleeve substantially surrounding said inflatable sleeve and disposed between said inflatable sleeve and said outer sleeve.

A pipe sealing apparatus insertable into a pipe and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow through the pipe, said pipe sealing apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable sleeve at least partially defining an inflatable space;
• an intermediate sleeve substantially surrounding said inflatable sleeve;
• and
• an outer sleeve substantially surrounding said intermediate sleeve and said inflatable sleeve;
• whereby said inflatable sleeve, said intermediate sleeve, and said outer sleeve are shiftable with respect to each other upon inflation of said inflatable sleeve.