CA1076979A - Plug - Google Patents
PlugInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076979A CA1076979A CA298,969A CA298969A CA1076979A CA 1076979 A CA1076979 A CA 1076979A CA 298969 A CA298969 A CA 298969A CA 1076979 A CA1076979 A CA 1076979A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- bore
- tapered member
- flange
- plug
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F11/00—Arrangements for sealing leaky tubes and conduits
- F28F11/02—Arrangements for sealing leaky tubes and conduits using obturating elements, e.g. washers, inserted and operated independently of each other
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/10—Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses
- F16L55/12—Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ
- F16L55/128—Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose
- F16L55/136—Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses by introducing into the pipe a member expandable in situ introduced axially into the pipe or hose the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
- Gasket Seals (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A bore plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a bore to be plugged, a tapered member interfitting with the sleeve at one end whereat the sleeve has an external rib, and an intercoupling of the sleeve and the tapered member to produce relative movement drawing the latter into the sleeve and spreading the ribbed end thereof into circumferential bore-wall engagement to deform the latter for suitable materials.
A bore plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a bore to be plugged, a tapered member interfitting with the sleeve at one end whereat the sleeve has an external rib, and an intercoupling of the sleeve and the tapered member to produce relative movement drawing the latter into the sleeve and spreading the ribbed end thereof into circumferential bore-wall engagement to deform the latter for suitable materials.
Description
107~;979 The invention relates to tube or bore plugging and has particular, but not exclusive, application to isolating defective heat exchanger tubes.
Heat exchangers are widely used in many processes having applications in the chemical and power supply industries. A conventional construction of heat exchangers may make use of a housing vessel having, or fitted with, flanging to which a plurality of U-shaped tubes are fitted to carry heat exchanger fluid. These tubes may have to withstand substantial pressures, say up to 2000 psi. Where such tubes develop leaks, whether due to corrosion or for other reasons, it has been a common practice to plug them with a wedge driven into an end of a defective tube, but with only moderate success.
I have worked on solving these problems of providing satisfactory plugging by way of a plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a tube to be plugged, two tapered members interfitting with the sleeve to engage opposite ends thereof, and an intercoupling of the tapered members whereby -they are drawn together to deform the sleeve into circumferential engagemeht with the interior of the tube at each end of the sleeve. Specifically, the sleeve has an external ridge at or near each of its ends shaped to co-act with the tube or bore wall on spreading of the sleeve by the tapers and assist in deforming the sleeve by buckling inwardly a-t i-ts mid-region.
A substantially central carrier member may have bores so as to allow injection of a flowable sealing compound therethrough 1~76979 and through apertures in the sleeve.
'I`he present invention arises from my development of this plug using corrosion resistant materials, such as stainless steel, and I have found that, such materials tending to be relatively hard, tooth-like formations of the sleeve ridges have themselves bitten into the material of the bore to be plugged and usually resulted in the achievement of a satisfactory seal without sealant introduction. Furthermore, only the sleeve-end furthest into the bore need be so formed and advantages!larise, by way of resistance to vibration-loosening, if a flange, which may be integral with the other end part of the sleeve, is provided to bear against the end of the bore to be plugged.
One preferred embodiment of this invention therefore : 15 comprises an inner member carrying or integral with a tapered : member for entering and spreading a tooth-section ridged end ; part of a surrounding sleeve having, preferably integral therewith, a flange at a spaced position, typically its other end. Then, means for acting between the inner member and the ~: 20 flange, such as a nut on a threaded end of the inner member where it protrudes through the flange on the non-sleeve side to bear against such flange, serves in drawing the tapered part into the sleeve. In such a structure, especially where the flange is integral with the sleeve, further protection against vibration loosening is provided where the nut enters a neck-like extension from the ' ,, ~ " , , :.
~ ~076979 flange which extension can be struck, say with a hammer, to deform into locking engagement with flats of the nut.
Such, or analagous provision is, of course, equally, applicable to other types of tube plug having relatively movable parts, for example that of our above-mentioned application.
One embofiment of the invention will now be specifically described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a tube plug;
Figure 2 is another sectional view similar to Figure 1 but showing the tube plug operated to seal a ` bore; and Figure 3 is an end view of the plug of Figure 1.
In the drawings, an end-spreadable sleeve 10 is, when unspread, capable of sliding inside a tube or bore 11 to be plugged. An inner member or spindle 12 has clearance 13 within the sleeve 10 except for a tapered head or end , 14 for spreading the sleeve 10 at its end 15 where an ,~ 20 external rib 16 has external surfaces converging towards the i end 15 from an edge 18. At its other endj the sleeve 10 has an exterior flange 20 beyond a sleeve part 21 exteriorly thickened, usually to the same initial diameter as that of the rib, but perhaps to the nominal diameter of the 25 tube or bore to be plugged, if different. The central, ;, thinner wall portion 22 of the sleeve materially assists inward buckling thereof when the sleeve-end 15 is spread and its rib-like rim 16 engages the bore 11 to be plugged.
The spindle 12 extends through the flange 20 and is threaded at 24 to be engaged by a nut 25 which, on seating on 'I , .
.:
. .
-~ 1076979 the flange 20, will serve in drawing the spindle into the sleeve and thus spreading end 15 thereof. The flange 20 provides ready seating against the end of the bore to be plugged, typically against a flange of a heat exchanger housing vessel, and is area of contact therewith ensures good stability and resistance to vibrations effects.
About the position at which the nut 25 seats on the flange the latter has a thin-walled neck or collar extension 28 that is deformable, say by hammer blows, to lock the nut 25 in a tightened position.
In fitting, see Figure 3, the spreading of the sleeve end 15 caused by tightening of the nut 25 causes, for a sufficiently hard material of the sleeve, the edged rib or rim 16 to bite into the interior surface of the material defining the bore or tube to be plugged. Such action is normally sufficient to provide a satisfactory seal. Where this does not occur say due to the interior of the bore being badly corroded, or the material defining itbeing too hard, provision may be made for injection of sealing compound such as one of the "Furmanite" Leak Sealing Compounds via apertures in the sleeve, either from a blind longitudinal bore of the inner member or spindle and intersecting ; cross-bores to the sleeve apertures as in our above-mentioned application, or by injecting through a nipple or other provision at the flange.
,`
Heat exchangers are widely used in many processes having applications in the chemical and power supply industries. A conventional construction of heat exchangers may make use of a housing vessel having, or fitted with, flanging to which a plurality of U-shaped tubes are fitted to carry heat exchanger fluid. These tubes may have to withstand substantial pressures, say up to 2000 psi. Where such tubes develop leaks, whether due to corrosion or for other reasons, it has been a common practice to plug them with a wedge driven into an end of a defective tube, but with only moderate success.
I have worked on solving these problems of providing satisfactory plugging by way of a plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a tube to be plugged, two tapered members interfitting with the sleeve to engage opposite ends thereof, and an intercoupling of the tapered members whereby -they are drawn together to deform the sleeve into circumferential engagemeht with the interior of the tube at each end of the sleeve. Specifically, the sleeve has an external ridge at or near each of its ends shaped to co-act with the tube or bore wall on spreading of the sleeve by the tapers and assist in deforming the sleeve by buckling inwardly a-t i-ts mid-region.
A substantially central carrier member may have bores so as to allow injection of a flowable sealing compound therethrough 1~76979 and through apertures in the sleeve.
'I`he present invention arises from my development of this plug using corrosion resistant materials, such as stainless steel, and I have found that, such materials tending to be relatively hard, tooth-like formations of the sleeve ridges have themselves bitten into the material of the bore to be plugged and usually resulted in the achievement of a satisfactory seal without sealant introduction. Furthermore, only the sleeve-end furthest into the bore need be so formed and advantages!larise, by way of resistance to vibration-loosening, if a flange, which may be integral with the other end part of the sleeve, is provided to bear against the end of the bore to be plugged.
One preferred embodiment of this invention therefore : 15 comprises an inner member carrying or integral with a tapered : member for entering and spreading a tooth-section ridged end ; part of a surrounding sleeve having, preferably integral therewith, a flange at a spaced position, typically its other end. Then, means for acting between the inner member and the ~: 20 flange, such as a nut on a threaded end of the inner member where it protrudes through the flange on the non-sleeve side to bear against such flange, serves in drawing the tapered part into the sleeve. In such a structure, especially where the flange is integral with the sleeve, further protection against vibration loosening is provided where the nut enters a neck-like extension from the ' ,, ~ " , , :.
~ ~076979 flange which extension can be struck, say with a hammer, to deform into locking engagement with flats of the nut.
Such, or analagous provision is, of course, equally, applicable to other types of tube plug having relatively movable parts, for example that of our above-mentioned application.
One embofiment of the invention will now be specifically described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a tube plug;
Figure 2 is another sectional view similar to Figure 1 but showing the tube plug operated to seal a ` bore; and Figure 3 is an end view of the plug of Figure 1.
In the drawings, an end-spreadable sleeve 10 is, when unspread, capable of sliding inside a tube or bore 11 to be plugged. An inner member or spindle 12 has clearance 13 within the sleeve 10 except for a tapered head or end , 14 for spreading the sleeve 10 at its end 15 where an ,~ 20 external rib 16 has external surfaces converging towards the i end 15 from an edge 18. At its other endj the sleeve 10 has an exterior flange 20 beyond a sleeve part 21 exteriorly thickened, usually to the same initial diameter as that of the rib, but perhaps to the nominal diameter of the 25 tube or bore to be plugged, if different. The central, ;, thinner wall portion 22 of the sleeve materially assists inward buckling thereof when the sleeve-end 15 is spread and its rib-like rim 16 engages the bore 11 to be plugged.
The spindle 12 extends through the flange 20 and is threaded at 24 to be engaged by a nut 25 which, on seating on 'I , .
.:
. .
-~ 1076979 the flange 20, will serve in drawing the spindle into the sleeve and thus spreading end 15 thereof. The flange 20 provides ready seating against the end of the bore to be plugged, typically against a flange of a heat exchanger housing vessel, and is area of contact therewith ensures good stability and resistance to vibrations effects.
About the position at which the nut 25 seats on the flange the latter has a thin-walled neck or collar extension 28 that is deformable, say by hammer blows, to lock the nut 25 in a tightened position.
In fitting, see Figure 3, the spreading of the sleeve end 15 caused by tightening of the nut 25 causes, for a sufficiently hard material of the sleeve, the edged rib or rim 16 to bite into the interior surface of the material defining the bore or tube to be plugged. Such action is normally sufficient to provide a satisfactory seal. Where this does not occur say due to the interior of the bore being badly corroded, or the material defining itbeing too hard, provision may be made for injection of sealing compound such as one of the "Furmanite" Leak Sealing Compounds via apertures in the sleeve, either from a blind longitudinal bore of the inner member or spindle and intersecting ; cross-bores to the sleeve apertures as in our above-mentioned application, or by injecting through a nipple or other provision at the flange.
,`
Claims (6)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A bore plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a bore to be plugged, a tapered member carrying the sleeve and interfitting with one end of the sleeve whereat the sleeve has a circumferentially continuous external rib, and an intercoupling of the sleeve and the tapered member via an inner member rigid with the tapered member and passing through the sleeve, which intercoupling includes means retaining the sleeve on the tapered member and serving to produce relative movement drawing the tapered member into the sleeve and spreading the ribbed end thereof to bite into the material of the bore-wall, and means for locking the sleeve and tapered member against relative movement thereafter.
2. A plug according to claim 1 wherein said locking means is integral with the sleeve.
3. A plug according to claim 2 wherein a free end of the inner member is threaded to carry a nut as said means retaining the sleeve on the tapered member and serving to produce their relative movement.
4. A plug according to claim 3 wherein said locking means is deformable onto the threaded nut.
5. A plug according to claim 4 wherein the sleeve has a flange both to position the rib in the bore and to act as an abutment for the threaded nut.
6. A bore plug comprising a deformable sleeve to fit inside a bore to be plugged, a tapered member carrying the sleeve and interfitting with one end of the sleeve whereat the sleeve has a circumferentially continuous external rib, and an intercoupling of the sleeve and the tapered member, which intercoupling includes a shank rigid with the tapered member and passing through the sleeve the shank having a threaded portion which carries a threaded nut which abuts against a flange on the sleeve, which flange is capable of seating against the bore end to position the rib in the bore, said nut retaining the sleeve on the tapered member and serving to produce relative movement drawing the tapered member into the sleeve in spreading the ribbed end thereof to bite into the material of the bore-wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB34249/77A GB1563762A (en) | 1977-08-16 | 1977-08-16 | Plug |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076979A true CA1076979A (en) | 1980-05-06 |
Family
ID=10363288
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA298,969A Expired CA1076979A (en) | 1977-08-16 | 1978-03-15 | Plug |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1076979A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1563762A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA781477B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4485847A (en) * | 1983-03-21 | 1984-12-04 | Combustion Engineering, Inc. | Compression sleeve tube repair |
| GB2265432A (en) * | 1992-03-26 | 1993-09-29 | Wask Rmf Ltd | A plug |
| GB9711872D0 (en) | 1997-06-10 | 1997-08-06 | Pierce David B | Bore plug and bore plugging method |
| US20220390056A1 (en) * | 2021-06-01 | 2022-12-08 | Jnt Technical Services, Inc. | Medium Pressure Greater Expansion Tube Plug For Heat Exchangers |
-
1977
- 1977-08-16 GB GB34249/77A patent/GB1563762A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-03-14 ZA ZA00781477A patent/ZA781477B/en unknown
- 1978-03-15 CA CA298,969A patent/CA1076979A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA781477B (en) | 1979-02-28 |
| GB1563762A (en) | 1980-04-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |