Pipes and tubular conduits – Repairing – Patches
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-08
2011-11-22
Patel, Vishal (Department: 3674)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Repairing
Patches
C138S099000
Reexamination Certificate
active
08061389
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to the control of leakage from ducts, such as fluid-carrying pipework, without necessarily requiring direct access to the leakage site itself; since leakage sites are often difficult to locate with the necessary degree of precision to permit access to reliably be made thereto, and moreover, even if a site can be located, it is not always convenient or economically possible to secure access thereto. The invention provides an apparatus and methods for duct leakage control wherein a sealing element (1) is introduced into the duct and is automatically drawn or otherwise guided to the locality of a leak; the element being caused, by reason of a pressure differential attributable to the leak, to move into and stem or seal the leak. The sealing element may comprise a plurality of individual members of differing buoyancy, each capable of being carried along at a predetermined level in the duct by the flow of fluid therein. The sealing element may carry a tagging device which can be used to assist in locating the leakage site.
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patent: 6615875 (2003-09-01), Adolphs et al.
patent: 6931952 (2005-08-01), Rantala et al.
patent: 0 303 048 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 1 101 870 (1968-01-01), None
patent: 2 334 532 (1999-08-01), None
patent: 2 400 898 (2004-10-01), None
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, pp. 660, 724 and 1079.
Brinker Technology Limited
Patel Vishal
Woodcock & Washburn LLP
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