Pipe Sealing Tool with External Clamp

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing an open end of a pipe includes a clamp for frictionally being secured to the exterior of the pipe, a sealing plate for covering the open end of the pipe and being connectable to the clamp, and an urging mechanism for urging the sealing plate towards the clamp and for forming a seal between the sealing plate and the open end of the pipe. In one aspect, the clamp comprises an annular body formed by at least two sections that are radially tightened over the pipe exterior. In another aspect, the clamp comprises cooperating annular bodies, one capable of radially narrowing the other for frictionally engaging the pipe outer surface. In another aspect the method provides a method of sealing an end of a pipe. According to the invention, once the open end is sealed, the interior of the pipe may be pressurized, for example for testing the integrity thereof.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for sealing an open end of a pipe comprising:
 at least one generally annular shaped clamp for being frictionally secured to an outer surface of the pipe, adjacent and spaced from the open end thereof, the at least one clamp including a means for circumferentially gripping the outer surface of the pipe and preventing relative axial movement there-between;   a sealing plate, adapted to cover the open end of the pipe, the sealing plate including a means for sealing the open end of the pipe;   an urging means for urging the sealing plate axially towards the at least one clamp and against the open end of the pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plate includes a groove for receiving the open end of the pipe, the groove including the sealing means for forming a seal between the groove and the open end of the pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the urging means comprises a plurality of first connecting elements extending between the at least one clamp and the sealing plate, wherein said first connecting elements force the sealing plate towards the at least one clamp and against the open end of the pipe to form a sealing engagement between the sealing plate and the open end of the pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the at least one clamp includes a circumferential flange having a diameter greater than the pipe;   the sealing plate includes a circumferential flange having a diameter greater than the pipe;   and wherein the first connecting elements comprise sealing bolts with associated nuts, the circumferential flanges of the at least one clamp and the sealing plate including a plurality of bolt holes for receiving the sealing bolts.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an internal reinforcement assembly for insertion within the pipe and for radially bracing the wall of the pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the radial reinforcement assembly comprises a hub and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the hub to the inner wall of the pipe, when said assembly is in use. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the length of said arms is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plate includes at least one port for connection to a pressurizing means, a monitoring means or a combination thereof, for pressurizing, venting or monitoring the interior of the pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one clamp includes:
 a generally annular body having an inner diameter surface, at least a portion of the inner diameter surface including a first ramp extending from a first end to a second end of the annular body, the annular body having an inner diameter that is greater at the first end than at the second end;   a generally annular gripper ring, coaxial with the annular body, the gripper ring being comprised of two or more sections, and having an inner surface with an inner diameter for engaging the outer surface of the pipe, and an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface of the gripper ring including a second ramp, the second ramp extending from a first end of the gripper ring to a second end of the gripper ring, the second ramp being oppositely directed to the first ramp, wherein the second end of the gripper ring is insertable within an annular space between the first end of the annular body and the outer wall of the pipe; and,   a means for urging the gripper ring and the main body towards each other for forcing the second ramp under the first ramp, whereby, when the apparatus is in use, the first ramp bears against the second ramp wherein the inner diameter of the gripper ring is reduced resulting in a frictional engagement between the gripper ring and the outer surface of the pipe.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the means for urging the gripper ring comprises a plurality of bolts provided on the annular body, said bolts being arranged to apply an axial force against the first end of the gripper ring. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the means for urging the gripper ring comprises:
 a generally annular clamping ring, coaxial with the annular body and the gripper ring, and, when the apparatus is in use, positioned adjacent to the first end of the gripper ring; and,   a plurality of connecting elements extending between the annular body and the clamping ring for forcing the annular body and clamping ring towards each other, whereby the first end of the gripper ring is pressed by clamping ring thereby forcing the second end of the gripper ring under the first end of the first ramp of the annular body.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of annular bodies is provided in association with a plurality of gripper rings. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting elements comprise bolts and associated nuts, wherein tightening of the nuts forces the annular body and clamping ring towards each other. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing plate includes at least one port for connection to a pressurizing means, a venting means, a monitoring means or a combination thereof, for pressurizing, venting or monitoring the interior of the pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising an internal reinforcement assembly for insertion within the pipe and for radially bracing the wall of the pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the radial reinforcement assembly comprises a hub and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the hub to the inner wall of the pipe, when said assembly is in use. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the length of said arms is adjustable.