An apparatus for sealing a pipe

Abstract

A sealing device for sealing a free end of a generally tubular object, the sealing device comprising: a main body comprising either a sleeve which may, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of a generally tubular object, surround the free end of the generally tubular object, or a protrusion which may, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, be inserted into the interior of the free end of the generally tubular object; a grip arrangement which is connected to or supported by the main body, and positioned to lie against or adjacent a surface of the generally tubular object when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, wherein the grip arrangement is radially moveable with respect to a central axis of the main body; and a grip drive arrangement operable to drive the grip arrangement radially with respect to the central axis of the main body, towards the surface of the generally tubular object.

1 .- 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . A sealing device for sealing a free end of a generally tubular object, the sealing device comprising:
 a main body comprising either a sleeve which may, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of a generally tubular object, surround the free end of the generally tubular object, or a protrusion which may, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, be inserted into the interior of the free end of the generally tubular object;   a grip arrangement which is connected to or supported by the main body, and positioned to lie against or adjacent a surface of the generally tubular object when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, wherein the grip arrangement is radially moveable with respect to a central axis of the main body; and   a grip drive arrangement operable to drive the grip arrangement radially with respect to the central axis of the main body, towards the surface of the generally tubular object.   
     
     
         69 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , further comprising a seal element which is connected to, or supported by, the main body, and which is adapted to form a fluid-tight or substantially fluid-tight seal between the main body and a surface of the generally tubular object. 
     
     
         70 . A sealing device according to  claim 69  wherein, in a first configuration, the seal element is relatively uncompressed and lies at a first radial distance from the central axis of the device, and in a second configuration is relatively compressed, and extends further radially inwardly towards, or further radially outwardly from, the central axis of the device. 
     
     
         71 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , further comprising a tapered deflection surface which is positioned to interact with the grip arrangement, wherein the grip arrangement and the deflection surface are axially moveable relative to each other. 
     
     
         72 . A sealing device according to  claim 71 , wherein the deflection surface comprises a plurality of separate, spaced apart deflection surfaces. 
     
     
         73 . A sealing device according to  claim 71 , wherein the deflection surface comprises two or more turns of a helical or substantially helical track, and wherein the grip arrangement comprises a corresponding helical surface against which the track may bear. 
     
     
         74 . A sealing device according to  claim 71  wherein, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, if a force is exerted on the main body to remove the main body from the free end of the generally tubular object, the force will tend to move the deflection surface with respect to the grip arrangement so that the grip arrangement is moved further radially inwardly towards the central axis of the main body, if the grip arrangement is positioned to lie against or adjacent the outer surface of the generally tubular object, or further radially outwardly away from the central axis of the main body, if the grip arrangement is positioned to lie against or adjacent the inner surface of the generally tubular object. 
     
     
         75 . A sealing device according to  claim 71 , further comprising a holding arrangement which is operable selectively to prevent axial movement of the grip arrangement. 
     
     
         76 . A sealing device according to  claim 71 , further comprising an adjustable axial limiting arrangement, operable to prevent axial movement of the grip arrangement or of the deflection surface beyond an adjustable limit. 
     
     
         77 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , further comprising a retaining arrangement that is operable selectively to hold the grip arrangement at a certain radial distance from the central axis of the main body, and prevent the grip arrangement from moving radially closer to the central axis of the main body than the certain distance, if the grip arrangement is positioned to lie against or adjacent the outer surface of the generally tubular object, or to prevent the grip arrangement from moving radially further from the central axis of the main body, if the grip arrangement is positioned to lie against or adjacent the inner surface of the generally tubular object. 
     
     
         78 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , comprising two axially spaced-apart grip arrangements. 
     
     
         79 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , wherein the main body has an aperture formed therethrough, to allow fluid or a tool or work string to pass through the main body from one end thereof to the other. 
     
     
         80 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , wherein the main body has a pressure gauge or valve arrangement extending therethrough, to allow pressure within the to be monitored from outside the device, or to allow fluid to be pumped into or removed from the interior of the generally tubular object, and preferably wherein who pressure gauges or valve arrangements extend through the main body. 
     
     
         81 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , wherein the main body comprises a protrusion which may be inserted into the interior of the free end of the generally tubular object, and wherein the grip arrangement is positioned on or around the exterior of the protrusion. 
     
     
         82 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , for use with a hollow outer casing with an inner casing positioned within the outer casing, wherein the outer casing is the generally tubular object, and wherein the sealing device further comprises a flow diverter to prevent fluid within the sealing device from entering the inner casing. 
     
     
         83 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , comprising both a sleeve which may surround the free end of the generally tubular object, and a which may be inserted into the interior of the free end of the generally tubular object, wherein the sleeve and the protrusion are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         84 . A sealing device according to  claim 68 , further comprising a stop member, arranged so that, when the sealing device is engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, the stop member arrests relative motion of the generally tubular object with respect to the sleeve or the protrusion of the sealing device, and when the grip drive arrangement is operated to drive the grip arrangement radially towards the surface of the generally tubular object, the stop member allows further relative movement of the generally tubular object with respect to the sleeve or the protrusion of the sealing device. 
     
     
         85 . A sealing device according to  claim 84 , wherein the stop member is a resilient member, arranged so that, when the sealing device is engaged with a first level of force with the free end of the generally tubular object, the resilient member arrests relative motion of the generally tubular object with respect to the sleeve or the protrusion of the sealing device, and when the grip drive arrangement is operated to drive the grip arrangement radially towards the surface of the generally tubular object, the resilient member deforms to allow further relative movement of the generally tubular object with respect to the sleeve or the protrusion of the sealing device. 
     
     
         86 . A method of sealing the free end of a generally tubular object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sealing device according to any preceding claim;   engaging the device with the free end of the generally tubular object; and   activating the grip drive arrangement to drive the grip arrangement radially with respect to the main body, and with respect to the central axis of the main body, towards the surface of the generally tubular object.   
     
     
         87 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein, when the sealing device is fully engaged with the free end of the generally tubular object, the free end of the generally tubular object contacts a part of the sealing device at a first longitudinal position, and the method further comprises the step, before activating the grip drive arrangement, of engaging the sealing device with the free end of the generally tubular object so that the free end of the generally tubular object is spaced apart from the part of the sealing device, in a second longitudinal position which is spaced at a distance from the first longitudinal position.