CN110877321B

CN110877321B - Device for mounting valve and method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN110877321B
Application number: CN201910843063.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尤国强; 杨培正
Original assignee: Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-06
Filing date: 2019-09-06
Publication date: 2022-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-06
Also published as: CN110877321A; CN211278236U; HK1257469A2

Abstract

A device (100) for mounting a valve (5) to a mouthpiece (3) of a pipe fitting (2) or pipe portion of a pipe (1) initially closed by a closure member (4) by using a connector (6) without interrupting the supply of fluid to the pipe (1), comprises a housing (10) having a first opening (11) and a second opening (13), the first opening (11) being sealingly connected with the mouthpiece (3), the interior of the housing (10) forming a first sealed space (101) communicating with the mouthpiece (3), and operating means (20) for detaching the closure (4) from the mouthpiece (3) through the second opening (13) of the housing (10). The device further comprises sealing means (7), the sealing means (7) being adapted to be used at the free end of the valve (5) when the front end of the valve (5) is connected to the connector (6) to form a second sealed space within the valve (5), wherein the shaft (22) of the operating means (20) is disengaged from the connector (6) and removed after the valve (5) is closed.

Description

Device for mounting valve and method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for installing a valve, and more particularly, a pipe fitting or pipe portion of a pipe initially closed by a closure without interrupting the fluid supply.

Background

Piping is an important means of transporting fluids from one place to another. Pipes and pipe fittings are widely used in dwellings to form a network of pipes for distributing a fluid (e.g., gaseous fuel) to a plurality of households. In order to install a branch pipe into an existing piping network, it is often necessary to install a ball valve to a fluid delivery pipe connected to the branch pipe. Typically, the pipes in the network are pressurized fluids. Thus, installation of the branch pipe requires suspending the supply of fluid and draining the fluid in the pipe, which is impractical because it affects multiple occupants of the dwelling. This is especially true for densely populated buildings where a large number of households rely on the same piping to supply fluids.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems or at least alleviate the above disadvantages by providing a device and a method for mounting a valve to an interface of a pipe fitting or pipe portion of a pipe without interrupting the fluid supply.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for mounting a valve to a fitting or portion of a pipe by use of a connector to mount the valve to an interface of the pipe initially closed by a closure without interrupting the supply of fluid into the pipe, comprising

The shell is provided with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening is connected with the interface in a sealing mode, and a first sealed space communicated with the interface is formed in the shell;

an operating means for passing through the second opening of the housing and having an inner end and an outer end relative to the housing, the operating means comprising a tubular support for sealingly engaging the second opening of the housing and retaining the connector within the housing at the inner end of the operating means, the operating means further comprising a shaft extending through the tubular support for removing the closure from the port, the shaft sealing the internal passage of the connector prior to connection of the connector with the port through the tubular support; and

a sealing device for the free end of the valve when the front end of the valve is connected to the connector and sealingly engages the shaft to form a second sealed space in the valve, wherein the shaft is disengaged from the connector and removed after the valve is closed.

Preferably, the shaft is provided with a seal slidable within the internal passage of the connector.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an adapter having a first side adapted to be connected to the closure and a second side adapted to be driven by the shaft. Preferably, the adaptor is removably retained on the closure by magnetic means.

In another embodiment, the device further comprises fixing means for fixing said housing to said interface of said pipe fitting or said pipe section. Preferably, the fixing means are pipe clamps and/or chain slings.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises a compartment for accommodating the closure after removal from the interface, away from the path of movement of the operating means.

Preferably, the housing further comprises a check valve closed by a removable cap.

Preferably, a wrench face is provided on the outside of the tubular support to facilitate rotation by a wrench.

In one embodiment the rotation of the shaft relative to the tubular support is limited by a locking device arranged at the outer end of the operating device. Preferably, said locking means is a spanner bar inserted in holes obtained in said tubular support and in said shaft.

In another embodiment, an annular gasket is provided for facilitating sealing between the interface and the housing.

In one embodiment, an O-ring is provided at the second opening for facilitating sealing between the operation device and the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mounting a valve to an interface of a pipe fitting or pipe portion of a pipe by use of a connector, the interface being initially closed by a closure which does not interrupt the supply of fluid to the pipe, characterised by the steps of:

(a) Providing an apparatus according to the foregoing;

(b) Forming the first sealed space within the housing and in communication with the interface by the device;

(c) Replacing the closure with the connector in the first sealed space by operating means;

(d) Detaching the housing from the tubular support;

(e) Removing the tubular support from the first end of the connector while maintaining the internal passage of the connector sealed by the shaft;

(f) Connecting the valve to the first end of the connector, an

(g) Removing the shaft from the connector and through the valve; and

(h) The valve is closed and the shaft is then removed from the valve.

In one embodiment, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:

sealing the internal passage of the connector;

connecting said first end of said connector to said tubular support at an inner end of said operating means; and

the housing encloses the interface to form a first sealed space.

In another embodiment, the step in which the internal passage of the connector is sealed comprises the steps of:

coating lubricant on the outer surface of the sealing element; and

the shaft is inserted into the internal passage of the connector.

In yet another embodiment, the step of closing the interface comprises fixing the housing to the interface of the pipe fitting or pipe section by a pipe clamp and/or a chain sling.

In one embodiment, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of:

advancing the operating device to engage the shaft with the closure;

unscrewing the closure from the mouthpiece through the shaft;

advancing the operating device to threadably engage the second end of the connector with the interface; and

tightening the connector through the tubular support to reclose the interface.

Preferably, wherein step (f) comprises the steps of:

mounting the sealing device at the rear end of the valve; and

connecting a first end of the connector at a forward end of the valve, wherein the sealing device is adapted to sealingly engage the shaft to form the second sealed space within the valve, and performing step (g) therein.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of connecting the adapter to the closure prior to step (b).

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of checking for leakage of fluid from the housing between steps (b) and (c).

In one embodiment, the step of checking for fluid leakage comprises the steps of:

connecting an inspection scope to the check valve;

advancing the operation device until the pressure reaches a nominal pressure value of the fluid in the pipeline; and

the decrease in pressure over time was observed.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe fitting of a fluid conveying pipe having a mouth initially closed by a closure with a seal mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention for mounting a valve to the interface of the plumbing fitting of FIG. 1 through the use of a connector without interrupting the supply of fluid into the plumbing fitting;

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the connector and a sealed assembly in which an internal passage extending through the connector is formed;

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3a nested within a tubular support to form an operative device;

FIG. 3c is a perspective view of the resulting operating device;

fig. 4a is a perspective view of the insertion of the operating means into the housing forming means;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the entire device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of the adapter with the closure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device mounted on the nipple of a plumbing fitting;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the device mounted on the nipple of a plumbing fitting;

FIG. 8 is an internal side view of the device of FIG. 7 showing the closure removed by the operating means;

FIG. 9 is an interior side view of FIG. 8 showing the closure displaced into the compartment of the housing after separation;

FIG. 10 is an internal side view showing the step of installing the connector by the operating means;

fig. 11 is a side view showing a step in which the housing is removed;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the step of the tubular support being removed;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the steps of mounting a valve having a sealing device at the rear end;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the step of partially withdrawing the shaft to transfer the seal to the sealing device;

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the step of the sealing device with the shaft removed; and

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the valve in a closed state installed through the interface of the connector to the plumbing fitting.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, preferred embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely intended to describe the nature and spirit of the technical solution of the present invention.

Referring first to fig. 1, a tee-pipe fitting 2 is shown connected to a pipe 1 carrying a fluid, such as gaseous fuel. The pipe 1 forms part of a pipe network in a building. On the T-shaped pipe fitting 2 there is a connection 3, which connection 3 is closed by a closure 4, for example a pipe fitting connection. The pipe fitting 2 may be of other types, such as an elbow fitting or a straight fitting. Alternatively, the closure 4 may be an end cap for terminating the flow of fluid at the interface of the pipe sections.

In order to connect the branch pipe to the pipe 1, it is known to install a valve 5 at the interface 3 of the pipe fitting 2 to connect with the branch pipe. With the valve 5 installed and its valve gate 5a in the closed position, fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve 5, thereby preventing fluid from flowing out and providing a technician to perform work on connecting branches and associated plumbing. In order to install the valve 5, it is necessary to connect the connector 6 to the mouthpiece 3 instead of the closure 4. A connector 6 sealingly connects the valve 5 to the interface 3. Removal of the closure 4 and installation of the connector 6 is preferably performed in a fluid tight environment, such that fluid leakage to the atmosphere can be reduced or kept to a minimum.

Fig. 2 shows an apparatus 100 for mounting a valve 5 onto a port 3 of a plumbing fitting 2 without interrupting the supply of fluid into a pipe 1, where the plumbing fitting 2 may use a T-fitting. According to the invention, the device 100 comprises a housing 10, the housing 10 being in the form of a cylindrical container, and a rod-like handling device 20 partially enclosed by the housing 10. A first opening 11 for connection to the connection 3 of the pipe fitting 2 is provided at one end of the housing 10. An annular gasket 11a may be used to maintain a fluid seal between the housing 10 and the nipple 3 of the plumbing fitting 2. Preferably, a pipe clamp (not shown) may enhance the sealing by applying a radial pressure on the outer shell 10 outside the first opening 11. Optionally, an additional fastening means 12, i.e. an adjustable chain sling, may be used to prevent separation between the shell 10 and the interface 3.

A second opening 13 is provided at the opposite end of the housing 10. The operating device 20 is insertable through the second opening 13 and slides and rotates with respect to the housing 10. Preferably, a sealing ring (not shown) may be provided at the second opening 13 for achieving a fluid seal between the housing 10 and the operating device 20.

The handling device 20 comprises a tubular support 21, the tubular support 21 having an inner end 21a and an outer end 21b. The inner end 21a and the outer end 21b refer to their respective positions relative to the housing 10 when the device 100 is assembled. The inner end 21a of the tubular support 21 acts as a receptacle for supporting the connector 6, i.e. a pipe nipple, which will be used to replace the closure 4 at the interface 3 of the pipe fitting 2 for the installation of the valve 5.

Referring to fig. 3a, the connector 6 is a male-to-male coupling having two opposing threaded ends 6a, 6b and an internal passage 6c. Alternatively, the connector 6 may be a female-to-female connector fitting having internal threads at both ends. This type of connector fitting is adapted to be connected to one end of a pipe section having a male threaded end and closed by an end cap. The handling device 20 further comprises a shaft 22, which shaft 22 is insertable into the tubular support 21 and slidable therein. A seal 24 in the form of a rubber boot is fixedly disposed on the drive end 22a of the shaft 22. The shaft 22 with the seal 24 secured thereto is slidably inserted into the internal passage 6c of the connector 6. The shaft 22 forms a fluid seal in the connector 6.

With continued reference to fig. 3b, the connector 6 is connected to the inner end 21a of the tubular support 21 by threaded engagement or any other suitable method, while the shaft 22 remains within the connector 6 and seals the internal passage 6c. The first end 6a of the connector 6 is in threaded engagement with the inner end 21a of the tubular support 21. Duct tape may be used to facilitate a fluid seal between the connector 6 and the tubular support 21. Preferably, wrench faces are provided on the connector 6 and the inner end 21a to facilitate tightening by a wrench.

Fig. 3c shows the operating device 20 in an assembled state, wherein the connector 6 is connected to the tubular support 21 and the inner passage 6c is sealed by the shaft 22. Preferably, rotation of the shaft 22 relative to the tubular support 21 is prevented by inserting the trigger rod 23 through holes 23a provided respectively on the shaft 22 and through holes 23b located at the outer end 21b of the tubular support 21.

The operating device 20 shown in fig. 4a is inserted through the first opening 11 and the second opening 13 of the housing 10 with the outer end 21b extending outside the housing 10, wherein the inner end 21a is located inside the housing 10. The positions of the inner end 21a and the connector 6 within the housing 10 are shown in phantom in fig. 2. The operating means 20 can be operated from the outer end 21b through the second opening 13 of the housing 10. As shown in fig. 4b, the device 100 is ready for connection to the port 3 of the plumbing fitting 2.

The driving end 22a of the shaft 22 is adapted to engage with the closure 4 such that the closure 4 can be driven and thus unscrewed by the shaft 22. Typically, the closure 4 has a square-head drive type. Other common drive types for the closure member 4 may be used, not limited to hex head, hex socket, square socket, phillips, slotted or Torx, etc., which are also embodied in the present invention.

For closures 4 of the drive type, such as hexagonal or square heads, an adapter 30 is used, so that the drive movement of the shaft can be effected on the closure 4. Preferably, the adapter 30 is retained on the closure 4 by magnetic means which prevent the adapter 30 from being undesirably detached from the closure 4 during operation.

As shown in fig. 5, the adapter 30 has a first side 30a engaged with the closure 4 and a second side 30b adapted to be driven by the shaft 22. For example, according to fig. 3a to 3c, a corresponding slot 22b is provided at the driving end 22a of the shaft 22 for engagement with a tab 31 protruding from the second side 30b of the adapter 30. However, other suitable interengagement between the shaft 22 and the adapter 30 may be used. The driving end 22a of the shaft 22 is located within the internal passage 6c of the coupler 6 and the shaft 22 is extractable from the coupler 6. Based on the above, unscrewing of the closure 4 and connecting of the connector 6 can be effected manually by using the operating device 20.

A specific process of mounting the device 100 to the mouthpiece 3 of the pipe fitting 2 will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 7.

Referring back to fig. 1, the pipe fitting 2 of the pipe 1 is closed by a square-head drive type closing member 4. Preferably, the user places an annular gasket 11a around the periphery of the mouthpiece 3 of the pipe fitting 2 to effect installation of the valve 5. The annular gasket 11a facilitates sealing between the housing 10 and the mouthpiece 3.

With continued reference to fig. 3a, the user seals the internal passage 6c of the connector 6 by inserting the driving end 22a of the shaft 22 into the internal passage 6c with the seal 24 securing the shaft 22 at the driving end 22 a. A lubricant may be applied to the outer surface of the seal 24 to facilitate insertion and removal of the shaft 22. Referring to fig. 3b, the user inserts the shaft 22 into the tubular support 21. At the inner end 21a of the tubular support 21, the first end 6a of the connector 6 is engaged by screw-thread to the inner end 21a. The connector 6 is then tightened at the inner end 21a using a wrench. Preferably, a sealing tape, i.e. a PTFE or TEFLON tape, is used to facilitate the sealing between the connector 6 and the tubular support 21. Thus, the shaft 22, the tubular support 21 and the connector 6 form an assembly of the handling device 20, as shown in fig. 3 c.

According to fig. 4a, the user first inserts the operating device 20 through the first opening 11 and then through the second opening 13 of the housing 10. Preferably, a lubricant may be applied on the outside of the tubular support 21 to facilitate the sliding and rotational movement of the handling device 20 with respect to the housing 10. The operating device 20 is then moved to the retracted position, most of which and the outer end 21b extends outside the housing 10 through the second opening 13, as shown in fig. 4 b.

For example, the closing member 4 has a square-head drive type. Thus, the adapter 30 is required to engage the drive end 22a with the closure 4. The user connects the adapter 30 to the closure 4 in the manner shown in figure 5. Preferably, the adapter 30 may comprise adhesive means, i.e. magnets, for retention on the closure 4, so that undesired detachment of the adapter 30 from the closure 4 during operation may be prevented. With the annular gasket 11a installed at the interface 3, the device 100 is ready for installation.

Fig. 6 shows the device 100 installed at the interface 3 of the plumbing fitting 2. The user mounts the first opening 11 of the housing 10 on the mouthpiece 3 with the annular gasket 11a therebetween. The friction generated by the annular gasket 11a is sufficient to retain the device 100 at the interface 3, while the annular gasket 11a provides a seal therebetween. Preferably, the first opening 11 or the annular gasket 11a may be slightly tapered to achieve a better sealing effect.

Preferably, the housing 10 is fixed at the interface 3 by using a pipe clamp (not shown) surrounding the first opening 11. The use of the tube clamp also enhances the seal between the outer shell 10 and the interface 3. In an exemplary embodiment, an adjustable chain sling 12 is used to secure the device 100 to prevent the device 100 from separating from the interface 3. Specifically, the chain slings 12 have an adjustment mechanism and are mounted on one side of the housing 10, including a chain 12a connected to a clasp 12b for locking onto a hook 12c provided on the other side of the housing 10. As shown in fig. 7, the chain 12a is looped around the pipe fitting 2, and the hook 12b is locked to the hook 12 c. Increasing the tension of the chain 12a, i.e. by shortening the free length of the chain slings 12, exerts an axial force on the housing 10 towards the interface 3, preventing undesired separation of the device 100 from the plumbing fitting 2. With the device 100 properly installed, an enclosed space 101 is formed in the housing 10 in communication with the mouthpiece 3 of the plumbing fitting 2.

As shown in fig. 7, the shaft 22 is locked to prevent the shaft 22 from moving relative to the tubular support 21 by inserting the trigger lever 23 into a hole 23a provided on the shaft 22 and a hole 23b provided on the tubular support 21. The wrench lever 23 also facilitates the rotation of the handling device 20 for the disassembly of the closure 4 and the tightening of the connector 6 in a subsequent stage.

Before the closure member 4 is removed, an optional leak test may be performed on the device to ensure that the sealed space 101 within the housing 10 remains fluid-tight under pressure. Leak testing may be performed using a pressure gauge. To perform a leak test, the user removes the cap 26a over the check valve 26 and connects a pressure gauge (not shown) to the check valve 26. At this point, there should be no positive reading on the gauge because the pressure inside the housing 10 is equal to atmospheric pressure. Then, the user moves the operating device 20 inward to raise the pressure to a nominal pressure value for performing the leak test due to the reduction of the internal volume in the housing 10. Typically, the fluid pressure of the gaseous fuel in the conduit 1 is about 4kPa. Therefore, the pressure within the enclosure 10 should be raised to at least 4kPa for leak testing.

Once the pressure reaches or exceeds the nominal pressure value, the user observes whether the pressure within the gauge has dropped over a period of time, for example, 3 minutes. Any pressure drop over time indicates the potential for a leak. If a pressure drop is observed, it may be necessary to reinstall the device 100 or reseal the internal passage 6c of the connector 6. After the device 100 is properly installed and there is no leak, the cap 26a is reinstalled and seals the check valve 26. Thus, the closure 4 can now be disassembled.

To unscrew the closure 4, the user pushes the operating device 20 inwardly until the driving end 22a of the shaft 22 engages the adaptor 30 held on the closure 4, as shown in fig. 8. After engagement, the user turns the operating device 20 locked with the shaft 22 by the trigger lever 23 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby unscrewing the closure 4. Advantageously, before mounting the device 100, the closure 4 can be unscrewed slightly, i.e. rotated by half a turn, to reduce the effort required to turn the operating means 20.

As further shown in fig. 9, the closure 4 is completely detached from the mouthpiece 3 of the pipe fitting 2. Preferably, the casing 10 is provided at its lowermost portion with a compartment 101a for accommodating the closure 4. When the user retracts the operating means 20, the closure 4 falls from the mouthpiece 3 and settles in the compartment 101a of the housing 10, so that the closure 4 is distanced from the path of movement of the operating means 20. When the closure 4 is detached from the mouthpiece 3, the fluid in the pipe 1 fills the sealed space 101 and is contained therein.

Referring back to fig. 10, with the closure 4 removed, the user again pushes the operating means 20 inwardly to engage the second end 6b of the connector 6 with the nipple 3 of the pipe fitting 2. The connector 6 is then tightened by rotating the operating means 20 in a clockwise direction as shown in the figure. The duct tape may be pre-wound on the threads of the second end 6b to facilitate sealing between the connector 6 and the mouthpiece 3. Since the connector 6 is sealingly connected at the interface 3 and the inner passage 6c is sealed by the seal 24 of the shaft 22, the fluid flowing out of the interface 3 is blocked.

The housing 10 is ready to be removed from the nipple 3 of the pipe fitting 2. To remove the housing 10, the trigger lever 23 needs to be removed first. Then, according to fig. 11, the housing 10 is detached from the mouthpiece 3 and separated from the operating device 20 held by the connector 6.

Next, the user removes the tubular support 21 from the first end 6a of the connector 6, the shaft 22 remaining in the connector 6. Disassembly of the tubular support 21 may require the use of a wrench to secure the connector 6 while another wrench is used to loosen the tubular support 21. As shown in fig. 12, removal of the tubular support 21 reveals the first end 6a of the connector 6 and a substantial portion of the shaft 22. At this time, the user can further tighten the connector 6 at the mouthpiece 3 of the pipe fitting 2 by using a wrench.

With the shaft 22 retained in the connector 6 and sealing the internal passage 6c, the user connects the valve 5 to the first end 6a of the connector 6 on the shaft 22. The valve 5 is preferably a ball valve, the valve 5 allowing the shaft 22 to pass through when the valve gate 5a is in the fully open state. Preferably, the duct tape may be wound at the first end 6a of the connector 6 to facilitate sealing between the connector 6 and the valve 5. The valve 5 shown in fig. 13 is connected to the first end 6a of the connector 6 while blocking the outflow of the fluid by the shaft 22 held in the connector 6.

With the shaft 22 in place, the valve gate 5a cannot be closed unless the shaft 22 is removed from the valve 5. At this point, the user can withdraw shaft 22 from connector 6 and valve 5, leaving the valve gate closed. Undesirably, in the event that the seal 24 is removed from the internal passage 6c of the connector 6 and the valve gate 5a has not been closed, fluid may leak to the atmosphere.

To minimise leakage of fluid into the atmosphere, a further sealing means 7 may be used to form a second sealed space 102 within the valve 5 such that when the shaft 22 is withdrawn from the connector 6, fluid is contained within the second sealed space. The sealing means 7 may be a hollow end piece which is sealably connected to the free end of the valve 5. The internal passage of the sealing device 7 has the same diameter as the internal passage 6a of the connector 6 to achieve sealing with the shaft 22 and the seal 24. Alternatively, the same pipe joint or connector as used for connecting the interface 3 to the valve 5 may be used as the sealing means 7.

Fig. 14 shows the sealing device 7 connected to the free end of the valve 5. The user then withdraws the shaft 22 from the connector 6, thereby breaking the seal in the connector 6. Further withdrawal of the shaft 22 causes the seal 24 to slide past the valve 5 into the sealing device 7. With the shaft held in the sealing arrangement as shown, the outflow of fluid is blocked and the fluid is contained in the second sealed space 102.

As shown in fig. 15, removing the shaft 22 from the valve 5 provides the clearance required to close the valve gate 5a while the fluid is contained in the second sealed space 102. As mentioned above, the shaft 22 and the sealing means 7 are separated from the valve 5, as shown in fig. 16. When the valve gate 5a is now closed, the flow in the pipe 1 is blocked by the valve 5. Thus, a branch or pipe fitting may then be connected to the valve 5.

By means of the procedure and the device according to the invention, the mounting of the valve 5 to the interface of a pipe fitting or pipe section can be performed without interrupting the supply of fluid, while leakage of fluid into the atmosphere is kept to a minimum.

Although the foregoing has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example embodiments for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in many other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The invention relates to a method for preparing a high-performance composite material. While variations and modifications may be practiced, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installing a valve without interrupting the supply of fluid into a pipe by using a connector to install the valve into an interface of a pipe fitting or pipe portion of the pipe that is initially closed by a closure, comprising:

an operating device for passing through the second opening of the housing and having an inner end and an outer end relative to the housing, the operating device including a tubular support for sealingly engaging the second opening of the housing and retaining the connector within the housing at the inner end of the operating device, the operating device further including a shaft extending through the tubular support for removing the closure from the port, the shaft sealing the internal passage of the connector prior to connection of the connector with the port through the tubular support; and

a sealing means for the movable end of the valve when the front end of the valve is connected to the connector and sealingly engages the shaft to form a second sealed space in the valve, wherein the shaft is disengaged from the connector and is removed after the valve is closed,

wherein the housing further comprises a compartment for receiving the closure after removal from the interface, the closure being moved away from the path of movement of the operating means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is provided with a seal slidable within the internal passage of the connector.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adapter having a first side adapted to be connected to the closure and a second side adapted to be driven by the shaft.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the adaptor is removably retained on the closure by magnetic means.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising securing means for securing the housing to the interface of the pipe fitting or the pipe portion.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing device is a pipe clamp and/or a chain sling.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing further comprises a check valve closed by a removable cap.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a wrench face is provided on the outside of the tubular support to facilitate rotation by a wrench.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the rotation of the shaft relative to the tubular support is limited by a locking device provided at the outer end of the operating device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the locking device is a trigger lever inserted in a hole on the tubular support and the shaft.

11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an annular gasket is used to facilitate sealing between the interface and the housing.

12. A device according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that an O-ring is provided at the second opening for facilitating sealing between the operating device and the housing.

13. A method for installing a valve to an interface of a pipe fitting or pipe portion of a pipe by using a connector, the interface initially being closed by a closure which does not interrupt the supply of fluid to the pipe, comprising the steps of:

(a) Providing the apparatus of claim 1;

(c) Replacing the closure with the connector in the first sealed space by the operating means;

(d) Detaching the housing from the tubular support;

(f) Connecting the valve to the first end of the connector,

(g) Removing the shaft from the connector and through the valve; and

(h) The valve is closed and the shaft is then removed from the valve.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:

sealing the internal passage of the connector;

the housing encloses the interface to form the first sealed space.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of sealing the internal passage comprises the steps of:

coating lubricant on the outer surface of the sealing element; and

inserting the shaft into the internal passage of the connector.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of closing the interface comprises securing the housing to the interface of the pipe fitting or pipe section with a pipe clamp and/or a chain sling.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of:

advancing the operating device to engage the shaft with the closure;

unscrewing the closure from the mouthpiece through the shaft;

tightening the connector through the tubular support to reclose the interface.

18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein step (f) comprises the steps of:

mounting said sealing means at the rear end of said valve, and

19. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising the step of connecting an adaptor in the device to the closure prior to step (b).

20. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising the step of checking for leakage of fluid from the housing between steps (b) and (c).

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of checking for fluid leaks comprises the steps of:

a check valve connecting the inspection scope to said housing;

a decrease in pressure was observed over time.