Hot tapping apparatus and method

An apparatus for hot tapping a conduit comprising:

• a first cavity having a first end and a second end;
• at least a second cavity;
• a sensor adapted to be disposed within said at least a second cavity, said sensor and said at least a second cavity having a locking device that fixes the location of said sensor within said conduit;
• a user activatable propellant adapted to be disposed in said first end of said first cavity;
• a plunger disposed in said first cavity, said plunger having a first end, a second end having a shearing surface, and an aperture disposed between said first and said second end, said plunger and said first cavity having a locking apparatus that fixes the location of said plunger within said first cavity, whereby in a first position proximate, said plunger is disposed proximate said first end of said first cavity, and whereby when activated, said user activatable propellant forces said plunger from said first position to a second position proximate said second end of said first cavity such that said shearing surface of said plunger shears off a portion of said conduit creating an aperture in said conduit and retains said portion of said conduit proximate said second end of said first cavity, and whereby in said second position said aperture in said plunger is aligned with said second cavity and said aperture in said conduit to form a channel;
• and
• at least one passageway fluidly connecting said first and said second cavity when said plunger is disposed in said second position such that said propellant forces said sensor through said channel and into said conduit.

A method of hot tapping a conduit and inserting a sensor into said conduit comprising:

• securing an apparatus to said conduit, said apparatus having a first cavity, at least a second cavity adapted to contain a sensor, and a plunger disposed in said first cavity;
• introducing a propellant into said first end of said first cavity;
• propelling said plunger from a first position, wherein said plunger is disposed proximate said first end of said first cavity, to a second position, wherein said plunger is disposed proximate a second end of said first cavity;
• shearing a portion of said conduit creating an aperture in said conduit as said plunger is propelled from said first position toward said second position;
• retaining said portion of said conduit proximate said second end of said first cavity;
• aligning an aperture in said plunger with said second cavity and said aperture in said conduit to form a channel when said plunger is in said second position;
• and creating a passageway fluidly connecting said first cavity and said second cavity when said plunger is in said second position such that said propellant flows from said first cavity into said at least a second cavity and propels said sensor through said channel and into said conduit.