Method and apparatus for sealing high pressure tubes
OwnerMichael E. Fryinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plug for sealing high pressure tubes is made from a memory-shape alloy. The plug is formed having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tube and is shaped by cooling to its martensite finish temperature and bending its wings in opposing directions such that at a later time, it will fit within the tube. After insertion into the tube, the plug is heated to its austenite finish temperature, restoring its wings to almost their original shape, thereby exerting force onto the tube walls, sealing the tube from leakage.
Claims15
A device for sealing a tube, the tube having an inner diameter, the device comprising:
- a plug having at least two annular plug wings, the plug made of a shape-memory alloy;
- and
- the at least two annular plug wings formed substantially perpendicular to an axis of the plug and having an unbent diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tube, the at least two annular plug wings are bent in opposite directions when in a martensite phase, the at least two annular plug wings having a bent diameter less than the inner diameter of the tube wherein the plug substantially restores to an unbent state when heated above an austenite finish temperature of the alloy.
A method for sealing a tube, the tube having an inner diameter, the method comprising:
- selecting a plug having at least two annular plug wings, the plug made of a shape-memory alloy, the at least two annular plug wings formed substantially perpendicular to an axis of the plug, the at least two annular plug wings having an unbent diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tube, the at least two annular plug wings are bent in opposite directions when in a martensite phase, the at least two annular plug wings having a bent diameter less than the inner diameter of the tube;
- inserting the plug into an open end of the tube with the plug wings bent in opposite directions;
- and
- heating the plug to a temperature corresponding to the plug's austenite finish temperature, wherein the plug substantially restores to the unbent diameter.
An apparatus for plugging a tube, the tube having an inner diameter, the apparatus comprising:
- a plug means having at least two annular plug wings, the plug means made of a shape-memory alloy;
- and
- the at least two annular plug wings formed substantially perpendicular to an axis of the plug means and having an unbent diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tube, the at least two annular plug wings are bent in opposite directions when in a martensite phase, the at least two annular plug wings having a bent diameter less than the inner diameter of the tube wherein the plug substantially restores to an unbent state when heated above an austenite finish temperature of the shape-memory alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.