Insertion and removal of inflatable pipeline flow stopper bags

An apparatus for fluid flow control in a pipe comprising:

• a saddle fitting having an axially extending outer launch tube;
• a coaxially aligned inner launch tube longitudinally split into two inner launch tube halves which are adjustable between an insertion position and a withdrawal position disposed within said axially extending outer launch tube;
• at least one inflatable flow stopper bag having a front end and a back end disposed within said inner launch tube for stopping flow of a fluid through a pipe with which said saddle fitting is connected;
• an inner launch tube control rod connected with each of said inner launch tube halves;
• a flow stopper bag control rod connected with each of said inflatable flow stopper bags;
• and
• an end closing element closing off an end of said axially extending tubular outer launch tube distal from said saddle fitting, said end closing element forming a plurality of openings receiving each of said control rods.