Pipes and tubular conduits – Repairing – Patches
Patent
1990-11-12
1992-05-19
Bryant, III, James E.
Pipes and tubular conduits
Repairing
Patches
138 97, F16L 5516
Patent
active
051139120
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a device for sealing damaged walls of containers or tubes that leak. It comprises an inflatable sealing cushion which covers the site of the leak. It is provided with a flexible counter plate which on opposite edges has fastening arrangements for a clamping device surrounding the container of the tube. It also embraces an inflatable inner space or ring on the side of the flexible counter plate which faces the leaking side of the tube. This space is accessible from a nipple located outside and is limited by at least one wall that is composed of a rubber-like reinforced material.
This device, designated throughout this document as a device for sealing leakages, is familiar from German Patent Document 27 45 506. In it the counter plate has ideally the shape of a rectangle, and metal rods are inserted into the shorter ends of the rectangle. These metal rods are embraced by a reinforcing that runs in the direction of the longer sides of the rectangle, the attachments of the clamping and reinforcing device being locked to these metal rods.
When employed, the device for sealing damaged and/or leaking sections is mounted by means of the clamping and reinforcing attachments over the leaking section and secured. The inner section of the device is then filled with compressed air or, alternatively, a liquid under pressure In this way the sealing cushion acquires a greater volume and it presses with its lower edge around the portion of the wall that surrounds the leaking section At the same time, it tightens the belts or ropes of the clamping and reinforcing device. Thus, when inflated, the device ensures that a sealing edge is created by the sealing device on the areas of the wall that surround the leaking section The leaking section is thereby sealed off. In this way, leakages of dangerous materials from containers or tubes that have been damaged can be stopped within a relatively short time Subsequent damage that might result--pollution of the environment or explosions--can thus be avoided.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,496,963 also pertains to a sealing device for tubes. In this device, the inflatable cushion that covers the leakage is surrounded on its outer surface by a matching piece that is constructed as a collapsible bell. This bell has a clamping device that is fitted with a moveable/rotatable threaded bolt By tightening the attached nut, the shell can be put under pressure, whereupon the device lies snugly on the tube. The inflatable cushion is firmly attached to its matching part. Essentially, this device is suited for application on cylindrical bodies, and then only for those of a certain diameter; it is unsuitable for general container shapes, for example, containers that are hauled by semi-trailers. One particular disadvantage of the sealing devices that are already in use is that they are used simply to seal a leak, but do not render it possible to extract in some way or pump off the liquid or the gas that is present at the leak site. But this is frequently necessary when accidents occur involving tanker loads A tanker that has been thrown off its wheels often lies in such a position that access to the actual tanker supports is not possible, access being perhaps blocked by other objects, for example, other vehicles or bridges or earthen walls or walls of houses. It is then difficult, and sometimes even impossible with the means that are at one's disposal, to empty the tank that has been sealed off by the sealing device In this way, further rescue attempts can be prevented or even appreciably delayed; especially if, for example, the tank of the vehicle that has suffered an accident contains a dangerous explosive liquid. The problems described here occur, for example, in accidents involving tankers that are transporting gasoline.
The invention addresses this problem. Its purpose is to develop the cushion that is noted in the introduction in such a way that, while the cushion still effects a good seal around the leaking section, a liquid or a gas can be pumped off
REFERENCES:
patent: 2520802 (1950-08-01), Hampton
patent: 2888717 (1959-06-01), Domitrovic
patent: 3550638 (1970-12-01), Smith
patent: 4448218 (1984-05-01), Vetter
patent: 4552183 (1985-11-01), Chick
patent: 4880035 (1989-11-01), Vetter
Bryant III James E.
Cornaby K. S.
LandOfFree
Inflatable cushion for sealing off leaks in containers and pipes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Inflatable cushion for sealing off leaks in containers and pipes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Inflatable cushion for sealing off leaks in containers and pipes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2412760