Jeffrey M Mcbee

US Patent:

7591484, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/275776

Inventors:

Jeffrey W. McBee - Cincinnati OH, US
Dean A. Berberich - Ft. Wright KY, US
Mitra Thunga - Mason OH, US

Assignee:

Cincinnati Test Systems, Inc. - Cleves OH

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

285101

Abstract:

A fitting for sealing against the outer surface of an inlet includes a housing comprising a base and a closure defining a cavity within the housing. A resilient bushing is disposed within the cavity and is positioned between the closure and a piston slidably disposed in the cavity. The fitting has a first condition wherein the inlet can be received within an inner diameter of the bushing through an aperture in the closure. The fitting can be actuated to a second condition wherein the piston axially compresses the resilient bushing against the closure, thereby causing the inner diameter of the bushing to expand radially inwardly to sealingly engage the outer surface of the inlet. When the inlet is sealingly engaged by the resilient bushing in the second condition, fluid may be admitted to the inlet through a fluid passage in the housing.

US Patent:

20070176415, Aug 2, 2007

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/275779

Inventors:

Jeffrey McBee - Cincinnati OH, US
Dennis Stutz - Lawrenceburg IN, US

Assignee:

CINCINNATI TEST SYSTEMS, INC. - Cleves OH

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

285101000

Abstract:

A fitting for sealing against the inner surface of an inlet includes an elongate mandrel and one or more resilient bushings supported on the mandrel. The fitting has a first condition wherein the resilient bushing can be received within the inlet. The fitting can be actuated to a second condition the resilient bushing expands radially to sealingly engage the inner surface of the inlet. When the inlet is sealingly engaged by the resilient bushing in the second condition, fluid may be admitted to the inlet through an axial bore in the mandrel. When the fitting is used to fill a pipe system, fluid supplied to the inlet may be pressurized to facilitate monitoring the pipe system for leaks. The fitting may include a sealing member configured to seal against a terminal end of the inlet when the bushing is radially expanded to seal against the inner surface of the inlet in the second condition.