Importance

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Abstract

A pipe repair device has a tubular housing and an expandable seal. The tubular housing includes a central passageway extending along its longitudinal axis and opening on the opposite ends of the housing. A mechanism is provided at one end of the housing for attaching a conduit to the housing in fluid communication with the passageway. The expandable seals can comprise annular tubes of resilient material which are expanded to form a seal between the device and the pipe in which it is inserted by supplying fluid pressure to the tube interiors. A mechanism for supplying purge gas to the interior of the pipe adjacent the work area can be provided adjacent and downstream of the seals. When two seals are provided, an interstage volume is defined between the seals into which fluid may be conveyed and withdrawn. The device permits the fluid passing through the pipe to continue through and bypass the work area to avoid pressure build up at the seals, to completely isolate the work area from contamination from the pipe fluid and to permit continued operation or safe disposal of the pipe fluid.

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First Claim