Pipe pressure testing method and apparatus

Abstract

A sealing device is provided for use with a fitting. The fitting has circular port and a flow path with a longitudinal axis. A circular port encircles a portion of the flow path opposite the port with the sealing device inserted into the port. The sealing device has a circular top with two opposing surfaces depending therefrom but inclined so the surfaces are closer at the top. A continuous sidewall joins the periphery of the two surfaces. The opposing surfaces are inclined and spaced apart further at the top than at an end opposite the top. A cylindrical hole through the opposing surfaces encircles the flow path during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure testing assembly for use in testing the pressure in a pipe line, the pressure testing assembly comprising:
 a fitting having outer and inner fitting walls that together define a flow path along a longitudinal axis, the fitting including:
 a port on the outside of the fitting, the port forming a circular opening around a central axis that extends toward and interests the longitudinal axis; 
 a recess that opens into the port, the recess at least partially encircles the flow path and intersects the fitting walls; 
 a upstream wall that forms a flat inside the port; and 
 a downstream wall that has a circular cross-sectional shape that forms a crescent shaped flat inside the recess; 
   a removable pressure testing device configured to be inserted into the recess during use to block fluid flow through the fitting for testing, the removable pressure testing device including:
 an upstream face with a ring seal to provide a fluid tight seal within the fitting, the upstream face defining an upstream opening; 
 a flange having a flat on an upstream side formed by the upstream face; 
 a sidewall that extends between opposing sides of the upstream face to form a continuous curve that is configured to mate with the downstream wall of the fitting to block the flow path when the removable pressure testing device is inserted into the fitting, a downstream opening being formed in the sidewall of the removable pressure testing device; 
 at least two flats adjacent the sidewall; and 
 a slotted recess formed by slotted walls on the sidewall, the slotted recess being aligned parallel to the central axis; 
   a retaining ring removably fastened to the fitting to hold the pressure testing device within the fitting.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure testing device further comprises a valve assembly having a manually actuatable valve in fluid communication through a fluid passage in the pressure testing device, the fluid passage placing the upstream and downstream openings in fluid communication. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert that is configured to fit between the pressure testing device and the fitting during use, the insert configured to abut and form a fluid tight seal with the recess in the fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure testing device further comprises a tube that extends from the upstream face, an end of the tube being tapered to form a valve seat. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upstream opening is centered in the valve seat and along the central axis. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the downstream opening is in fluid communication with the inside of the tube and the slotted recess. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the downstream opening is located above the upstream opening along the central axis 
     
     
         8 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem with threads that engage threads on the tube to move the valve along the central axis to control fluid flow through the upstream opening and the downstream opening. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the valve comprises a rotary valve located in the valve stem. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure testing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the valve stem is rotated to translate within the tube between a closed position that blocks fluid flow through the downstream opening and further having an open position allowing fluid flow through the upstream opening. 
     
     
         11 . A removable pressure testing device for use in testing the pressure in a pipe line having a fitting with a flow path therethrough along a longitudinal axis, the fitting having a port and a recess encircling a portion of the flow path opposite the port and into which the testing device is inserted to block fluid flow through the fitting for testing, the pressure testing device sized to removably fit through the port during use, the pressure testing device comprising:
 an upstream face with a ring seal to provide a fluid tight seal within the fitting, the upstream face defining an upstream opening;   a flange having a flat on a upstream side formed by the upstream face;   a sidewall that extends between opposing sides of the upstream face to form a continuous curve that is configured to mate with the downstream wall of the fitting to block the flow path when the removable pressure testing device is inserted into the fitting, a downstream opening being formed in the sidewall of the removable pressure testing device;   at least two flats adjacent the sidewall; and   a slotted recess formed by slotted walls on the sidewall, the slotted recess being aligned parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         12 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 11 , further comprising a valve assembly having a manually actuatable valve in fluid communication through a fluid passage in the pressure testing device, the fluid passage placing the upstream and downstream openings in fluid communication. 
     
     
         13 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 11 , further comprising an insert that is configured to fit between the pressure testing device and the fitting during use, the insert configured to abut and form a fluid tight seal with the recess in the fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure testing device further comprises a tube that extends from the upstream face, an end of the tube being tapered to form a valve seat. 
     
     
         15 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 11 , wherein the upstream opening is centered in the valve seat and along the central axis. 
     
     
         16 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 14 , wherein the downstream opening is in fluid communication with the inside of the tube and the slotted recess. 
     
     
         17 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 16 , wherein the downstream opening is located above the upstream opening along the central axis 
     
     
         18 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 11 , wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem with threads that engage threads on the tube to move the valve along the central axis to control fluid flow through the upstream opening and the downstream opening. 
     
     
         19 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 18 , wherein the valve comprises a rotary valve located in the valve stem. 
     
     
         20 . The removable pressure testing device of  claim 18 , wherein the valve stem is rotated to translate within the tube between a closed position that blocks fluid flow through the downstream opening and further having an open position allowing fluid flow through the upstream opening.