Pipe testing tool with magnetic clamps
AssigneeCAR-BER Investments Inc.
InventorGlenn Carson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for sealing a section of a pipe interior includes a clamp having a magnetic engagement means for axially positioning the clamp within the interior of a pipe and preventing relative axial movement there-between and a sealing plate securable thereto. Movement of the sealing plate against the clamp results in deformation of a resilient sealing member thereby forming a seal between the apparatus and the pipe. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with another oppositely oriented apparatus or other sealing means to form a sealed space within the tube. Pressurization of the sealed space allows for a radial and/or axial force being applied to the sealed section of the pipe.
Claims22
An apparatus for insertion within a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a circumferential clamp for engaging the inner surface of the pipe;
- a sealing plate securable to the clamp, said plate having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the pipe;
- said clamp comprising at least one first electro magnet for forming a magnetic attraction force between the clamp and the inner surface of the pipe thereby preventing relative movement between said pipe and said clamp;
- a power source for activating said at least one first magnets;
- a means for forcing said sealing plate towards said clamp;
- and
- a resilient sealing member, provided between said plate and said clamp, for forming a sealing engagement between said apparatus and said pipe inner wall upon said plate being moved towards said clamp.
An apparatus for frictionally engaging the outer surface of a pipe and for sealing an end of the pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a generally annular shaped clamp adapted to fit over the outer surface of the pipe;
- said clamp including a means for forming a frictional engagement with the surface of the pipe;
- and
- said apparatus further including a sealing plate securable to the clamp, said plate including a means for sealingly engaging an end of said pipe;
- wherein said means for forming a frictional engagement comprises at least one electromagnet provided on said clamp for magnetically engaging said pipe outer surface.
A method for sealing a section of a pipe comprising:
- providing an apparatus within said pipe, the apparatus including:
- a) a magnetically activated clamp;
- b) a sealing plate;
- c) a resilient sealing member between the clamp and the plate, said sealing member being capable of radially outward deformation;
- activating magnets on the clamp to prevent relative movement between the clamp and the pipe;
- and,
- advancing the plate towards the clamp to thereby deform the resilient sealing member and to form a seal with the inner surface of said pipe.
An assembly for sealing an internal section of a pipe, said assembly comprising:
- a pair of apparatuses positioned axially spaced apart within said pipe, each of said apparatuses comprising:
- a) a circumferential clamp for engaging the inner surface of the pipe;
- b) a sealing plate securable to the clamp, said plate having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the pipe;
- c) said clamp comprising at least one first electro magnet for forming a magnetic attraction force between the clamp and the inner surface of the pipe thereby preventing relative movement between said pipe and said clamp;
- d) a power source for activating said magnets;
- e) a means for forcing said sealing plate towards said clamp;
- and
- f) a resilient sealing member, provided between said plate and said clamp, for forming a sealing engagement between said apparatus and said pipe inner wall upon said plate being moved towards said clamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.