Apparatus for testing lengths of pipe
AssigneeCAR-BER Investments Inc.
InventorGlenn Carson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe testing apparatus includes a mandrel adapted for insertion within the pipe and two sealing devices connected to the mandrel and adapted to seal opposite ends of the pipe to create an annular space between the mandrel, the pipe, and the sealing devices. The apparatus further includes one or more ports for filling the annular space with a pressurized fluid and a pressure gauge for monitoring the pressure within the annular space. At least one of the sealing devices includes a combination of a sealing ring and a force applying ring, which forces the sealing ring to bear against one end of the pipe to from a seal. The mandrel is provided with stops for preventing the at least one sealing device from moving axially away from the pipe.
Claims22
An apparatus for testing the integrity of a pipe, said pipe having a length and first and second openings, the apparatus comprising:
- a mandrel adapted to be inserted into the pipe;
- said mandrel having first and second ends, wherein said first end is proximal to the first opening of said pipe and said second end is proximal to the second opening of said pipe;
- a first sealing device adapted to be secured to the first end of said mandrel and for sealing said first opening of the pipe;
- a second sealing device adapted to be secured to the second end of said mandrel and for sealing said second opening of the pipe;
- said second sealing device comprising:
- (a) an annular sealing ring, coaxially provided over said mandrel adjacent the second opening of said pipe, said sealing ring having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the said second opening;
- and, (b) a means for urging the sealing ring in an axial direction against the second opening of the pipe;
- wherein said annular sealing ring includes:
- a first seal adapted to form a seal between said sealing ring and said second opening of the pipe;
- and, a second seal adapted to form a seal between said sealing ring and the outer surface of said mandrel;
- wherein the means for urging the sealing ring includes two or more circumferentially spaced force applying means adapted to apply a force against said sealing ring in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe;
- whereby, when in use, a generally annular space is created between said mandrel, said pipe, and said first and second sealing devices;
- one or more ports for filling said annular space with a pressurizing fluid or for voiding said annular space of air or said fluid;
- and,
- a means for monitoring the pressure within said annular space.
An apparatus for testing the integrity of a pipe, said pipe having a length and first and second openings, the apparatus comprising:
- a mandrel adapted to be inserted into the pipe;
- said mandrel having first and second ends, wherein said first end is proximal to the first opening of said pipe and said second end is proximal to the second opening of said pipe;
- a first sealing device adapted to be secured to the first end of said mandrel and for sealing said first opening of the pipe;
- a second sealing device adapted to be secured to the second end of said mandrel and for sealing said second opening of the pipe;
- a frame for supporting the mandrel and at least one of the first and second sealing devices;
- whereby, when in use, a generally annular space is created between said mandrel, said pipe, and said first and second sealing devices;
- one or more ports for filling said annular space with a pressurizing fluid or for voiding said annular space of air or said fluid;
- and,
- a means for monitoring the pressure within said annular space.
A method for testing the integrity of a pipe, said pipe having a length and first and second openings, the method comprising:
- providing a mandrel with a first end and second end and an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the pipe;
- the first end of the mandrel including a first sealing means;
- supporting the mandrel and the first sealing means on a frame;
- coaxially providing the pipe over the mandrel thereby forming an annular space between the pipe and the mandrel
- advancing the pipe over the mandrel until the pipe overlaps the mandrel;
- providing a second sealing means adjacent the second opening of the pipe;
- securing said first and second sealing means to the pipe and the mandrel to seal the annular space formed there-between;
- pressurizing the sealed annular space;
- and,
- monitoring the pressure within the sealed annular space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.