US4643855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealing joints and leaks
Assignee: British Gas PLC
•
Filing: 1984-05-22
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Granted: 1987-02-17
•
Expires: 2004-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Joints and leaks in pipelines or mains are sealed by injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by means of an expandible tubular pig which is moved endwise through the pipeline or main. The sealant is in the form of an anaerobically curable monomer which cures in the relatively air free conditions in the joint or leak. The pig forms within the pipeline or main an air-free space which communicates with the joint or leak and which is isolated from the fluid in the main. Nevertheless the pig is hollow to permit the flow of fluid therethrough while the joint or leak is sealed. The sealant is injected into the joint or leak by way of the space so that the sealant cures in situ in the joint or leak.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrian S. Parkes
- 👤 Gordon J. Corbett
- 👤 Peter S. Clough
- 👤 Colin N. H. Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/16; F16L55/162; F16L55/1645; F16L55/16455; F16L55/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49718; Y10T29/49746
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for sealing a joint or leak in a fluid transporting pipeline or main, the method comprising the steps of: isolating from the fluid which flows along the pipeline or main an annular space about the joint and also causing the annular space to be substantially free of the fluid in the pipeline, the annular space communicating with the joint or leak while allowing the fluid to continuously flow inside the pipeline or main past the joint or leak and injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by way of the fluid-free space to seal the joint or leak while still allowing the fluid to continuoulsy flow inside the pipeline or main past the joint or leak.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for sealing a joint or leak in a fluid transporting pipeline or main, the method comprising the steps of: isolating from the fluid which flows along the pipeline or main an annular space about the joint and also causing the annular space to be substantially free of the fluid in the pipeline, the annular space communicating with the joint or leak while allowing the fluid to continuously flow inside the pipeline or main past the joint or leak and injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by way of the fluid-free space to seal the joint or leak while still allowing the fluid to continuoulsy flow inside the pipeline or main past the joint or leak.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the space is substantially air-free.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the sealant comprises an anaerobically curable chemical composition which is allowed or caused to cure in the joint or leak.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |