Importance

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Abstract

A generally cylindrical tube repair assembly (26,80) having an outer diameter approximately equal to the tube inner diameter. The assembly includes three main components, one of which is compressed and expanded by the other two into sealing engagement with the tube wall. The components include an elongated tension member (28) having an enlarged head portion (30) at its upper or lead end, and a stem portion (34) at the other end. A generally cylindrical expander ring member (40) is disposed about the lower portion of the tension member, and a ferrule-type, radially expandable compression member or sleeve (44) is interposed between the enlarged head and the ring. Means (42) are included for immobilizing the ring member against the tube sheet (12) while drawing down the tension member head. Tapered surfaces (46,48,50,52) on the sleeve, the head, and the ring produce a wedge-like interaction therebetween, such that the upper and lower surfaces of the sleeve expand outwardly into sealing engagement (70,74) with the adjacent tube wall (16').

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First Claim