CA2141956A1 - Test plug for pipes - Google Patents
Test plug for pipesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2141956A1 CA2141956A1 CA002141956A CA2141956A CA2141956A1 CA 2141956 A1 CA2141956 A1 CA 2141956A1 CA 002141956 A CA002141956 A CA 002141956A CA 2141956 A CA2141956 A CA 2141956A CA 2141956 A1 CA2141956 A1 CA 2141956A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- annular
- pipe
- shaft
- test plug
- internal diameter
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- IHPYMWDTONKSCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,2'-piperazine-1,4-diylbisethanesulfonic acid Chemical compound OS(=O)(=O)CCN1CCN(CCS(O)(=O)=O)CC1 IHPYMWDTONKSCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000007990 PIPES buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003348 petrochemical agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/022—Test plugs for closing off the end of a pipe
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
- G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
- G01M3/2853—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipe joints or seals
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
Abstract
A test plug assembly for testing the internal integrity of a segment of pipe having an internal diameter, the assembly comprising an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, a recess a pair of bosses, a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between a boss and an annular faces means for urging the bosses respectively against the resilient annular members so as to cause the same to frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the pipe segment and, means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now defined by said recess and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of the pipe segment may be determined.
Description
' 2~
TEST PLUG FOR PIPES
This invention relates to a test plug for pipes.
R A ~ ' K ~ K ~ li l l~l l ) TO ~HF INV~NTI ON -In the fabrication of fluid flow systems, whether they be for the purposes of conveying liquid such as petro-chemicals, or gases such as natural gas, or even f luidized cereals as is comn~on in the cereal processing industry, the 10 use of conauits or pipes is common and replete. From a fabrication point of view, pipes can only be manufactured to a finite length and therefore, various lengths or elbows must be connected together in order to structure the conduit fluid ~u~ nct! means . This is accompl i ~hP-l by 15 welding butt ends of pipes together or to elbows etc., or alternatively, to weld to the end of a pipe to a butt f lange and to ~uxtapose two butt f langes together by means commonly known, for example, use of bolts through each juxtaposed annular portions of each butt flange.
It is increasingly desired to have these welds tested for the purposes of det~rmi ni nq whether there is any leakage. Particularly, in the petro--h~m;~ ~l industry, it is now being mandated that the amount of f luid evaporating or escaping from any weld or flange/flange interface be reduced to allowable limits which, up to now, have been about 2 litres per annum to less than a ~ of a litre per annum per flange/flange or weld interface. When one nn~ rS that in petro-chemical plants there are thousands of such welds or butt flanges, the task of testing each of them becomes onerous and costly with prior art plugs.
THF JNv~NTInN
We have conceived a simplified test plug which is capable, in modif ication, to test pipes with an internal diameter of approximately ~ inch (1.75cm) to as great as what is desired, say even 6 to 10 feet (300cm), internal diameter .
It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified test plug which can be hand carried by one or 2 ~ a ~
two workers, assembled within the dianeter of a pipe to be tested, temporarily sealed therein so as to allow a testing step to take place which tests the integrity between an annular pipe segment and the test plug, the annular pipe 5 6egment generally including a welding interface or a flange interface, in order to determine if the same leaks at all, and i~ it does, to what extent.
The invention theref ore contemplates a test plug assembly for testing the internal integrity of a se~ment of 10 pipe having an internal diameter, the assembly comprising (a) an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, a recess, ~b) a pair of bosses ~c) a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between a boss and an annular 15 faces, ~d) means for urging the bos6es respectively against the resilient annular members so as to cause the same to frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the pipe segment, and, ~e) means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now def ined by said 20 recess and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of the pipe segment may be determined.
Particularly, the urging means ~d) is a shaft which extends between said bosses, one of the bosses being integral to the shaft, the opposite ends of the shaft being threaded so 25 as to provide means for urging the resilient annular members against the opposite ends of the annular faces in order to seal the same against the internal diameter of the plug. In one ~ L, the communicating means ~e) communicates through the shaft from its threaded end and 30 provides communication means to recess in the annular body, which preferably is an annulus.
In other: ' :'lr Ls, there may be a pair communicating means to the annular recess of the annulus and the urging means, a plurality of annularly oriented 35 circumferentially fl;1:posf~d bolts, in which case each boss is an annulus.
-21~1~a~
DF ~(~RTP~ION OF ~T~ nRP~WTr --.~
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the auculu~cllying drawings:
Figure l is an assembly perspective view of a 5 test plug, according to the invention, particularly suited for pipe diameters up to 3.5" ~8.9cml, approximately;
Figure 2 is a sectional view in prr-l i Tni nAry application of the plug of Figure 1 into a butt flange pipe weld interface, the integrity of which is to be tested.
Figure 2A is the same as Figure 2 showing the fitting of the plug in sealed positlon.
Figure 2B is an orthogonal cross-section to that of Figure 2 and 2A further showing testing;
Figure 3 is a cross section along lines III-III
of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partially axially cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of pipe plug with venting, particularly suitable for larger diameter pipes of up to aoout 8" ~125cm);
Figure 5 is a partial section illustrative of the testing sequence for testing the integrity of the pipe flange welded interface;
Figure 6 is an end plan view of yet a third -~i L oE test plug, allowing a central cavity through the plug and particularly adapted to test pipes of internal diameters of 8" or more;
Figure 7 is a section along line VII-VII of Figure 6, but in partial section.
~Referring to Figures l and 2, one ~ L of test plug is generally shown as (10~ and is suitable for testing the integrity, at the welding discontinuity ( 3 o ) of a flange (31) pipe (32) interface. The flange (31) is a standard butt flange, as will be apparent hereafter, while the pipe or conduit ( 32 ) is generally of a diameter up to approximately 18". The welding discontinui~y, generally shown as (30), is a weld which holds the flanged (31) to the end of the pipe (32) so that a corr~r~n~in~ flange pipe may be bolted to the butt annular surface (33) of the flange (31). It is the interface (30) whose integrity is to be detPrm;nrd; whether or not there are unseen fissures or apertures which may allow leakage of fluid passing through 5 the conduit (22) when in application as in the petro-chemical environment or otherwise.
The plug (10) includes a cylindrical shaft (11) that at one end has a threaded shank (12) and at the other end, an integral plug or disk (13) so as to form an integral 10 shaft f ^nt ( 14 ); the disk ( 13 ) has an inner bevelled or truncated cone-like surface (13'), as shown. The shaft (11) has an internal bore (15) with a flaring outer end (16) that acts as an atf~l L means to communicate the bore to a water pressure source that, during testing, acts 15 as a ~ S~ULe media as will be ~Y~l~in~d The bore (15) extends approximately mid-way into and along the longitudlnal axis of the shaft ( 11 ), as more clearly seen in phantom in Figure 2 and in the cross section Figure 2B, and communicates with a diametrically oriented ~h:~nn~
20 ~17~, that communicate to the outside diameter of the shaft ~11 ) - see Figure 2B .
me shaft (11) is adapted to pass through an annular piece, generally referenced as ( 20 ) having an internal bore ~21) sized larger than the external ~ r of the shaft 25 ~ll) and having at least a radial, shown in the figures as two radially oppositely disposed f-hs-nnl~ 22 ) that communicate between a stepped annular recess exteriorly CiL~:ul..~ Libing the centre portion of the annulus (20) and with the inner bore (21). The opposite ends of the annulus (20) are integral radially protruding disk6 ~24) and (25), with their re6pective outer surfaces (24') and ~25') being bevelled as outwardly protruding truncated annular conics.
In order to complete the other rigid ~ n~nts of the plug ~10), there is an annulus ~26) whose inner bore is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded shaft (12) so as to ~ te its passing therethrough with space, the annulus having an interface (26' ) as a reversibly -21~19~
bevelled annular conical surface, and its outerface preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bore and having a stepped bore of slightly larger diameter at the interface between this space and the inner bore of the 5 annulus so define a rhAnn~ ed race ~26r) which accommodates a smaller elastomeric ring (R3), aG will be explained. The obverse space ( 26 ' ) i8 a reversibly bevelled annular conical surface, all of which are clearly seen in Figures 2, 2A and 2B.
An annular collar (27) has its inner bore sized to accommodate the threaded shaf t, and f inal ly a threaded nut (28) which is adapted to thread onto the shaft and to compress all the components referenced in the (20) into one integral unit. In order to provide annular sealing ~etween 15 ~uxtaposed bevelled surfaces (13') and (24'), there is an elastomeric annular ring (R1); similarly, there is an elastomeric annular ring (Rl) juxtaposed between truncated conical annular surfaces (25') and (26'), the elastomeric annular seal (R3) which nests into the annular race (26r).
20 ~he inner diameter of the annular race is sized to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the shaft ( 11 ) so as to a sealing fit as will be explained.
In order to insert the assembled plug (10) into the pipe interface so as to test the integrity of the internal 25 diameter of the interface (30), and now referencing Figure 2, the assembled plug in its relaxed mode is placed into the pipe flange with the interface (30) occupying or communicating ~ith the area defined by the annular recess ( 23 ) . The nut ( 28 ) is turned down, as shown by the arrow 30 in Figure 2A, and the respective annular bevels (13' ) and (24' ) forced into closer proximity; and similarly, with juxlcl~used bevels (25') and (26'), respectively forcing the respective annular rings (Rl~ and (R,) outward in the direction of their respective arrows (Ra). At the same 35 time , f luid in the direction of the arrow ( F ), f loods the bore (15), the oppositely disposed radial rhAnn~l~ (17) communicating ~ater flow into the foreshaft regions ~ 21~ 6 referenced (40) in Figure 2B, out the radial channel (22 of the annulus (20) so as to flood the annular space (S) defined by the plug (10) in the internal diam~ter of the pipe flange interface. Some of the fluid would escape, flowing in the direction of arrows (60) during initial purging of any air within the space or plenum (S) while the nut (28) is turned down in the direction of the arrow (50) eventually sealing with the space (S). The annular ring (R,) isolates the annular space (S) between the internal bore (21) and the outside shaft diameter (11) so as to create a watertight environment.
Additional water pressure is applied so as to increase the pressure of water within space ( S ) . The pressure of water within space (S) can be measured by a I~YdLOt>~iC
device, not shown, while observing the outside of the weld interface ( 30 ) to see whether any leakage occurs .
In the ,~mho~l; m,~nt of Figures 4 and 5, which is particularly suitable for internal pipe diameters up to approximately 125cm because test plugs with larger diameter than aoout 9cm, Figures 1 through 3, become too heavy for workmen to carry thus, the same consists of a shaft (41) having an external end disk (42) at one end and a threaded portion (43) at the opposite end, the shaft and disk defining a central bore (44). The dis3c (42) is welded at (45) to an end disk plate (46) whose inner margin (46') is a bevelled annulus to A~ 'Ate 1~O~ ring (Rl). There is ~-an opposite end disk ( 47 ) with a similar inner annular bevel (47' ) to acc~ '~te annular ring (R~) but the disk ( 47 ) also has an aperture therethrough ( 48 ) which allows passage of a hydrostatic flooding and testing circuit, generally shown as (50) to eYtend th~L~lL~U~il. The plug (40) includes an annular piece (60) defining an inner bore (61) which A<'~ ' tes the shaft (41) and an outside circumferential race (62), the bottom of which communicates with a hydrostatic filling channel (63) communicating to the testing circuit (50) in the fashion shown. As such, the circuit ( 50 ) has a threaded hose ( 51 ) whose distal end ~ 21Jl~
threads into and sealingly mates with a corresponding thread (T) defined by the outer e~tremity of the bore (63) to make a fluid channel passing through the disk (47) and communicating with the race ( 62 ) . The bore ( 44 ) acts as a 5 venting channel to allow venting of the internal pipe (32) when the plug ( 40 ) is being inserted into the f langed pipe bounded by the peripheral weld (30) which is put in place to sealingly attach one to the other - see Figure 5. It may also be an advantage to conduct a second testing 10 circuit which is referenced (65) to test everything that is to the right of the plug (40), as shown in that figure.
Thus, the same bore ( 44 ) acts as the venting of the space to the right of the plug ( 40 ) as during insertion and removal into the pipe (33) or alternatively, to ~ ~e 15 a second circuit for testing the pipe from plug (40) onwards to the left thereof, if this be required, by Uti 1 i ~in~ testing circuit (65) .
I~ the space (S) which is bounded by the plug (40) and the internal pipe (33) flange (31) and circumferential weld 20 (30) is to be tested, then preferably threaded hose (51) iG
positioned so as to be verticQ1 over the bore (44) and the testing circuit (50) consist of a hydrostatic ~-es:,u~
gauge (P) communicating thereto and, to a venting valve (V), with turn-off and turn-on switches, '~C and a hydraulic 25 fluid control valve (H) with its COL r ~onding turn-on and turn-off (Hl). Water is periodically allowed to flow through valve (H) into space (S) by opening (H1) and closing (V1) and venting of the air within the space (S) is achieved by reversing valve positions (Hl) and (Vl) so air 30 vents out of valve (V) in accordance with the arrow thereabove. This cycling occurs until the space (S) is filled with water and then pressuring of the water takes place so that the pressure gauge (P) registers the ~IYdL~ aLiC ~JL~S;:~u'~;: on the circumferential weld seam (30) 35 to test the integrity of the same.
Referring Figures 6 and 7 and to the third ~
of the invention, the same consists of an annular plug ( 80 ) ~ 2i~
consisting of mirror end annular plates (81) and an annulus (82) with an outer circumferential race (83). The juxtaposed faces of the annular plates (81~ and the annulus (82) are respectively bevelled at (81' ~ and (82' ), as 5 shown, so as to a~ ~' te the seating of "0" rings (Rl) and (R2) therebetween. Each of the annular disks (81) have a plurality of ~P~L~UI t:S (83) therethrough circumferentially disposed so as to permit the passage therethrough of a nut-bolt aLL~ L, generally shown as (85) consisting of a bolt head (86) which is welded at (87) to the exterior face of each annular disk ( 81 ), the opposite end of the bolts (85) having a threaded shaft portion (86) ~ ting a nut (87) which can be turned down onto an underlying washer (88). The annulus (82) may have appropriate diameters, as may the disks ( 81 ) to ~c~~ ~` te internal pipe diameters over 8", as may be required .
The annulus (82) defines a filling and ~Lt~S~
channel (go) which communicates through the annulus (82) to the outside annular race (83), and diametrically opposite thereto a venting channel ( 91 ' ) . The plug ( 80 ) can be inserted into large diameter pipes exceeding 8", the bolts (87) tied down so as to force "0" rings (R1) and (R2) against the inner surfaces of the pipe flange interface.
Liquid media is ~hA~ led into the space (S) defined by the race (83) and the inner wall of the pipe flange interface while venting of any air exits the diametrically disposed venting channel (go"). Testing of the interface in a similar fashion occurs.
Because of the great weight of the annular plug ( 80 ), each annular plate (81) has four adjusting heads (95) diametrically paired and consisting of a protruding butt (96) having a threaded bore (97) ac~ ting a threaded bolt (98) which extends th~:r~ ,u~l- and whose distal end is adapted to turn against the internal diameter of the pipe (32), co-axial with the pipe. Each of the diametrically opposed pairs (95) are adjusted to position 21~19 ~ G
the flange (80) centrally in the pipe ~32); thereafter, the nuts (87) are turned down applying the ~ ,uLe on the "0"
rings (Rl) and (R2) and sealing them against the inner walls of the pipe flange interface :so that the annular 5 space (S) ls sealed. ~ Hydrostatic filling of t~e space (S) occurs as above noted, and pL~:fit.u~ e venting in the fashion, as earlier described, can take place.
TEST PLUG FOR PIPES
This invention relates to a test plug for pipes.
R A ~ ' K ~ K ~ li l l~l l ) TO ~HF INV~NTI ON -In the fabrication of fluid flow systems, whether they be for the purposes of conveying liquid such as petro-chemicals, or gases such as natural gas, or even f luidized cereals as is comn~on in the cereal processing industry, the 10 use of conauits or pipes is common and replete. From a fabrication point of view, pipes can only be manufactured to a finite length and therefore, various lengths or elbows must be connected together in order to structure the conduit fluid ~u~ nct! means . This is accompl i ~hP-l by 15 welding butt ends of pipes together or to elbows etc., or alternatively, to weld to the end of a pipe to a butt f lange and to ~uxtapose two butt f langes together by means commonly known, for example, use of bolts through each juxtaposed annular portions of each butt flange.
It is increasingly desired to have these welds tested for the purposes of det~rmi ni nq whether there is any leakage. Particularly, in the petro--h~m;~ ~l industry, it is now being mandated that the amount of f luid evaporating or escaping from any weld or flange/flange interface be reduced to allowable limits which, up to now, have been about 2 litres per annum to less than a ~ of a litre per annum per flange/flange or weld interface. When one nn~ rS that in petro-chemical plants there are thousands of such welds or butt flanges, the task of testing each of them becomes onerous and costly with prior art plugs.
THF JNv~NTInN
We have conceived a simplified test plug which is capable, in modif ication, to test pipes with an internal diameter of approximately ~ inch (1.75cm) to as great as what is desired, say even 6 to 10 feet (300cm), internal diameter .
It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified test plug which can be hand carried by one or 2 ~ a ~
two workers, assembled within the dianeter of a pipe to be tested, temporarily sealed therein so as to allow a testing step to take place which tests the integrity between an annular pipe segment and the test plug, the annular pipe 5 6egment generally including a welding interface or a flange interface, in order to determine if the same leaks at all, and i~ it does, to what extent.
The invention theref ore contemplates a test plug assembly for testing the internal integrity of a se~ment of 10 pipe having an internal diameter, the assembly comprising (a) an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, a recess, ~b) a pair of bosses ~c) a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between a boss and an annular 15 faces, ~d) means for urging the bos6es respectively against the resilient annular members so as to cause the same to frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the pipe segment, and, ~e) means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now def ined by said 20 recess and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of the pipe segment may be determined.
Particularly, the urging means ~d) is a shaft which extends between said bosses, one of the bosses being integral to the shaft, the opposite ends of the shaft being threaded so 25 as to provide means for urging the resilient annular members against the opposite ends of the annular faces in order to seal the same against the internal diameter of the plug. In one ~ L, the communicating means ~e) communicates through the shaft from its threaded end and 30 provides communication means to recess in the annular body, which preferably is an annulus.
In other: ' :'lr Ls, there may be a pair communicating means to the annular recess of the annulus and the urging means, a plurality of annularly oriented 35 circumferentially fl;1:posf~d bolts, in which case each boss is an annulus.
-21~1~a~
DF ~(~RTP~ION OF ~T~ nRP~WTr --.~
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the auculu~cllying drawings:
Figure l is an assembly perspective view of a 5 test plug, according to the invention, particularly suited for pipe diameters up to 3.5" ~8.9cml, approximately;
Figure 2 is a sectional view in prr-l i Tni nAry application of the plug of Figure 1 into a butt flange pipe weld interface, the integrity of which is to be tested.
Figure 2A is the same as Figure 2 showing the fitting of the plug in sealed positlon.
Figure 2B is an orthogonal cross-section to that of Figure 2 and 2A further showing testing;
Figure 3 is a cross section along lines III-III
of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partially axially cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of pipe plug with venting, particularly suitable for larger diameter pipes of up to aoout 8" ~125cm);
Figure 5 is a partial section illustrative of the testing sequence for testing the integrity of the pipe flange welded interface;
Figure 6 is an end plan view of yet a third -~i L oE test plug, allowing a central cavity through the plug and particularly adapted to test pipes of internal diameters of 8" or more;
Figure 7 is a section along line VII-VII of Figure 6, but in partial section.
~Referring to Figures l and 2, one ~ L of test plug is generally shown as (10~ and is suitable for testing the integrity, at the welding discontinuity ( 3 o ) of a flange (31) pipe (32) interface. The flange (31) is a standard butt flange, as will be apparent hereafter, while the pipe or conduit ( 32 ) is generally of a diameter up to approximately 18". The welding discontinui~y, generally shown as (30), is a weld which holds the flanged (31) to the end of the pipe (32) so that a corr~r~n~in~ flange pipe may be bolted to the butt annular surface (33) of the flange (31). It is the interface (30) whose integrity is to be detPrm;nrd; whether or not there are unseen fissures or apertures which may allow leakage of fluid passing through 5 the conduit (22) when in application as in the petro-chemical environment or otherwise.
The plug (10) includes a cylindrical shaft (11) that at one end has a threaded shank (12) and at the other end, an integral plug or disk (13) so as to form an integral 10 shaft f ^nt ( 14 ); the disk ( 13 ) has an inner bevelled or truncated cone-like surface (13'), as shown. The shaft (11) has an internal bore (15) with a flaring outer end (16) that acts as an atf~l L means to communicate the bore to a water pressure source that, during testing, acts 15 as a ~ S~ULe media as will be ~Y~l~in~d The bore (15) extends approximately mid-way into and along the longitudlnal axis of the shaft ( 11 ), as more clearly seen in phantom in Figure 2 and in the cross section Figure 2B, and communicates with a diametrically oriented ~h:~nn~
20 ~17~, that communicate to the outside diameter of the shaft ~11 ) - see Figure 2B .
me shaft (11) is adapted to pass through an annular piece, generally referenced as ( 20 ) having an internal bore ~21) sized larger than the external ~ r of the shaft 25 ~ll) and having at least a radial, shown in the figures as two radially oppositely disposed f-hs-nnl~ 22 ) that communicate between a stepped annular recess exteriorly CiL~:ul..~ Libing the centre portion of the annulus (20) and with the inner bore (21). The opposite ends of the annulus (20) are integral radially protruding disk6 ~24) and (25), with their re6pective outer surfaces (24') and ~25') being bevelled as outwardly protruding truncated annular conics.
In order to complete the other rigid ~ n~nts of the plug ~10), there is an annulus ~26) whose inner bore is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded shaft (12) so as to ~ te its passing therethrough with space, the annulus having an interface (26' ) as a reversibly -21~19~
bevelled annular conical surface, and its outerface preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bore and having a stepped bore of slightly larger diameter at the interface between this space and the inner bore of the 5 annulus so define a rhAnn~ ed race ~26r) which accommodates a smaller elastomeric ring (R3), aG will be explained. The obverse space ( 26 ' ) i8 a reversibly bevelled annular conical surface, all of which are clearly seen in Figures 2, 2A and 2B.
An annular collar (27) has its inner bore sized to accommodate the threaded shaf t, and f inal ly a threaded nut (28) which is adapted to thread onto the shaft and to compress all the components referenced in the (20) into one integral unit. In order to provide annular sealing ~etween 15 ~uxtaposed bevelled surfaces (13') and (24'), there is an elastomeric annular ring (R1); similarly, there is an elastomeric annular ring (Rl) juxtaposed between truncated conical annular surfaces (25') and (26'), the elastomeric annular seal (R3) which nests into the annular race (26r).
20 ~he inner diameter of the annular race is sized to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the shaft ( 11 ) so as to a sealing fit as will be explained.
In order to insert the assembled plug (10) into the pipe interface so as to test the integrity of the internal 25 diameter of the interface (30), and now referencing Figure 2, the assembled plug in its relaxed mode is placed into the pipe flange with the interface (30) occupying or communicating ~ith the area defined by the annular recess ( 23 ) . The nut ( 28 ) is turned down, as shown by the arrow 30 in Figure 2A, and the respective annular bevels (13' ) and (24' ) forced into closer proximity; and similarly, with juxlcl~used bevels (25') and (26'), respectively forcing the respective annular rings (Rl~ and (R,) outward in the direction of their respective arrows (Ra). At the same 35 time , f luid in the direction of the arrow ( F ), f loods the bore (15), the oppositely disposed radial rhAnn~l~ (17) communicating ~ater flow into the foreshaft regions ~ 21~ 6 referenced (40) in Figure 2B, out the radial channel (22 of the annulus (20) so as to flood the annular space (S) defined by the plug (10) in the internal diam~ter of the pipe flange interface. Some of the fluid would escape, flowing in the direction of arrows (60) during initial purging of any air within the space or plenum (S) while the nut (28) is turned down in the direction of the arrow (50) eventually sealing with the space (S). The annular ring (R,) isolates the annular space (S) between the internal bore (21) and the outside shaft diameter (11) so as to create a watertight environment.
Additional water pressure is applied so as to increase the pressure of water within space ( S ) . The pressure of water within space (S) can be measured by a I~YdLOt>~iC
device, not shown, while observing the outside of the weld interface ( 30 ) to see whether any leakage occurs .
In the ,~mho~l; m,~nt of Figures 4 and 5, which is particularly suitable for internal pipe diameters up to approximately 125cm because test plugs with larger diameter than aoout 9cm, Figures 1 through 3, become too heavy for workmen to carry thus, the same consists of a shaft (41) having an external end disk (42) at one end and a threaded portion (43) at the opposite end, the shaft and disk defining a central bore (44). The dis3c (42) is welded at (45) to an end disk plate (46) whose inner margin (46') is a bevelled annulus to A~ 'Ate 1~O~ ring (Rl). There is ~-an opposite end disk ( 47 ) with a similar inner annular bevel (47' ) to acc~ '~te annular ring (R~) but the disk ( 47 ) also has an aperture therethrough ( 48 ) which allows passage of a hydrostatic flooding and testing circuit, generally shown as (50) to eYtend th~L~lL~U~il. The plug (40) includes an annular piece (60) defining an inner bore (61) which A<'~ ' tes the shaft (41) and an outside circumferential race (62), the bottom of which communicates with a hydrostatic filling channel (63) communicating to the testing circuit (50) in the fashion shown. As such, the circuit ( 50 ) has a threaded hose ( 51 ) whose distal end ~ 21Jl~
threads into and sealingly mates with a corresponding thread (T) defined by the outer e~tremity of the bore (63) to make a fluid channel passing through the disk (47) and communicating with the race ( 62 ) . The bore ( 44 ) acts as a 5 venting channel to allow venting of the internal pipe (32) when the plug ( 40 ) is being inserted into the f langed pipe bounded by the peripheral weld (30) which is put in place to sealingly attach one to the other - see Figure 5. It may also be an advantage to conduct a second testing 10 circuit which is referenced (65) to test everything that is to the right of the plug (40), as shown in that figure.
Thus, the same bore ( 44 ) acts as the venting of the space to the right of the plug ( 40 ) as during insertion and removal into the pipe (33) or alternatively, to ~ ~e 15 a second circuit for testing the pipe from plug (40) onwards to the left thereof, if this be required, by Uti 1 i ~in~ testing circuit (65) .
I~ the space (S) which is bounded by the plug (40) and the internal pipe (33) flange (31) and circumferential weld 20 (30) is to be tested, then preferably threaded hose (51) iG
positioned so as to be verticQ1 over the bore (44) and the testing circuit (50) consist of a hydrostatic ~-es:,u~
gauge (P) communicating thereto and, to a venting valve (V), with turn-off and turn-on switches, '~C and a hydraulic 25 fluid control valve (H) with its COL r ~onding turn-on and turn-off (Hl). Water is periodically allowed to flow through valve (H) into space (S) by opening (H1) and closing (V1) and venting of the air within the space (S) is achieved by reversing valve positions (Hl) and (Vl) so air 30 vents out of valve (V) in accordance with the arrow thereabove. This cycling occurs until the space (S) is filled with water and then pressuring of the water takes place so that the pressure gauge (P) registers the ~IYdL~ aLiC ~JL~S;:~u'~;: on the circumferential weld seam (30) 35 to test the integrity of the same.
Referring Figures 6 and 7 and to the third ~
of the invention, the same consists of an annular plug ( 80 ) ~ 2i~
consisting of mirror end annular plates (81) and an annulus (82) with an outer circumferential race (83). The juxtaposed faces of the annular plates (81~ and the annulus (82) are respectively bevelled at (81' ~ and (82' ), as 5 shown, so as to a~ ~' te the seating of "0" rings (Rl) and (R2) therebetween. Each of the annular disks (81) have a plurality of ~P~L~UI t:S (83) therethrough circumferentially disposed so as to permit the passage therethrough of a nut-bolt aLL~ L, generally shown as (85) consisting of a bolt head (86) which is welded at (87) to the exterior face of each annular disk ( 81 ), the opposite end of the bolts (85) having a threaded shaft portion (86) ~ ting a nut (87) which can be turned down onto an underlying washer (88). The annulus (82) may have appropriate diameters, as may the disks ( 81 ) to ~c~~ ~` te internal pipe diameters over 8", as may be required .
The annulus (82) defines a filling and ~Lt~S~
channel (go) which communicates through the annulus (82) to the outside annular race (83), and diametrically opposite thereto a venting channel ( 91 ' ) . The plug ( 80 ) can be inserted into large diameter pipes exceeding 8", the bolts (87) tied down so as to force "0" rings (R1) and (R2) against the inner surfaces of the pipe flange interface.
Liquid media is ~hA~ led into the space (S) defined by the race (83) and the inner wall of the pipe flange interface while venting of any air exits the diametrically disposed venting channel (go"). Testing of the interface in a similar fashion occurs.
Because of the great weight of the annular plug ( 80 ), each annular plate (81) has four adjusting heads (95) diametrically paired and consisting of a protruding butt (96) having a threaded bore (97) ac~ ting a threaded bolt (98) which extends th~:r~ ,u~l- and whose distal end is adapted to turn against the internal diameter of the pipe (32), co-axial with the pipe. Each of the diametrically opposed pairs (95) are adjusted to position 21~19 ~ G
the flange (80) centrally in the pipe ~32); thereafter, the nuts (87) are turned down applying the ~ ,uLe on the "0"
rings (Rl) and (R2) and sealing them against the inner walls of the pipe flange interface :so that the annular 5 space (S) ls sealed. ~ Hydrostatic filling of t~e space (S) occurs as above noted, and pL~:fit.u~ e venting in the fashion, as earlier described, can take place.
Claims (5)
1. A test plug assembly for testing the internal integrity of a segment of pipe having an internal diameter, the assembly comprising:
(a) an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, a recess;
(b) a pair of bosses;
(c) a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between a boss and an annular faces;
(d) means for urging the bosses respectively against the resilient annular members so as to cause the same to frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the pipe segment; and, (e) means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now defined by said recess and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of the pipe segment may be determined.
(a) an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, a recess;
(b) a pair of bosses;
(c) a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between a boss and an annular faces;
(d) means for urging the bosses respectively against the resilient annular members so as to cause the same to frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the pipe segment; and, (e) means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now defined by said recess and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of the pipe segment may be determined.
2. The test plug assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the urging means (e) is a shaft which extends between said bosses .
3. The test plug assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein one boss is integral to said shaft;
4. The test plug assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the end opposite to the integral boss defines an aperture which extends as a bore into the said shaft and communicates to a channel which extends to communicate with the outside diameter of the shaft.
5. The test plug assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the end opposite the integral boss is threaded.
Priority Applications (9)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002141956A CA2141956A1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-01-23 | Test plug for pipes |
| DK96900487T DK0753135T3 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | Test plug for pipes |
| AU44287/96A AU718949B2 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | Test plug for pipes |
| DE69625410T DE69625410T2 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | TEST PLUG FOR PIPES |
| ES96900487T ES2188740T3 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | PLUG FOR CHECKING TUBES. |
| EP96900487A EP0753135B1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | Test plug for pipes |
| AT96900487T ATE230107T1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | TEST PLUG FOR PIPES |
| PCT/CA1996/000032 WO1996023204A1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-01-19 | Test plug for pipes |
| US08/759,311 US5844127A (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-12-02 | Apparatus for isolating or testing a pipe segment |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002141956A CA2141956A1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-01-23 | Test plug for pipes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2141956A1 true CA2141956A1 (en) | 1996-07-24 |
Family
ID=4155193
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002141956A Abandoned CA2141956A1 (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-01-23 | Test plug for pipes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2141956A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6467336B1 (en) | 2000-06-27 | 2002-10-22 | Horst Gotowik | Apparatus for testing or isolating a segment of pipe |
| CN111022817A (en) * | 2019-12-05 | 2020-04-17 | 烽禾升医疗设备（昆山）有限公司 | Floating plugging type airtight mechanism for pipe structures |
-
1995
- 1995-01-23 CA CA002141956A patent/CA2141956A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6467336B1 (en) | 2000-06-27 | 2002-10-22 | Horst Gotowik | Apparatus for testing or isolating a segment of pipe |
| US6601437B2 (en) | 2000-06-27 | 2003-08-05 | United Testing Corp. | Apparatus for testing or isolating a segment of pipe |
| CN111022817A (en) * | 2019-12-05 | 2020-04-17 | 烽禾升医疗设备（昆山）有限公司 | Floating plugging type airtight mechanism for pipe structures |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20001023 |