Robert L Goad

US Patent:

52975843, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Mar 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/846159

Inventors:

Robert L. Goad - Woodstock IL
Ronald G. Marotta - Antioch IL

Assignee:

Northern Illinois Gas Company - Aurora IL

International Classification:

F16L 55168

US Classification:

138 99

Abstract:

Apparatus for covering an opening in a pipe and sealing a gas or fluid leak includes first and second pipe engaging blocks coupled to a frame. With the second block fixedly mounted to the frame and the first block movable along the frame by means of a hydraulic cylinder coupled thereto, the first block is positioned over and seals the leak under the force of hydraulic pressure. The frame includes first and second mounting arrangements for attaching an articulated boom such as on a backhoe to either an end of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in a generally upright orientation) or to an intermediate portion of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in an inclined orientation). The position of the second block along the length of the frame is adjustable depending upon the diameter of the pipe. A guide rod couples the movable first block to the frame to ensure linear displacement of the first block and proper alignment between the first and second blocks during engagement of the pipe.

US Patent:

53659775, Nov 22, 1994

Filed:

Dec 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/160485

Inventors:

Robert L. Goad - Woodstock IL
Ronald G. Marotta - Antioch IL

Assignee:

Northern Illinois Gas Company - Aurora IL

International Classification:

F16L 55168

US Classification:

138 99

Abstract:

Apparatus for covering an opening in a pipe and sealing a gas or fluid leak includes first and second pipe engaging blocks coupled to a frame. With the second block fixedly mounted to the frame and the first block movable along the frame by means of a hydraulic cylinder coupled thereto, the first block is positioned over and seals the leak under the force of hydraulic pressure. The frame includes first and second mounting arrangements for attaching an articulated boom such as on a backhoe to either an end of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in a generally upright orientation) or to an intermediate portion of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in an inclined orientation). The position of the second block along the length of the frame is adjustable depending upon the diameter of the pipe. A guide rod couples the movable first block to the frame to ensure linear displacement of the first block and proper alignment between the first and second blocks during engagement of the pipe.