Pipe tester plug

{
  "publication_number": "US4381800A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Pipe tester plug",
  "abstract": "A high pressure pipe tester plug for insertion into a pipe having a joint such as a weld to be tested includes a stem terminating in a fixed tapered washer, a plurality of grip segments arranged about the stem, an annular floating mandrel positioned about the stem and having an upper retaining section, a cylindrical section and a tapered entry section, an O-ring positioned in an internal recess of the floating mandrel and a ring-shaped seal, rectangular in cross section, positioned about the cylindrical section of the floating mandrel and retained by the upper retaining section. When tightened by a nut, the floating mandrel is forced into the top end of the grip segments, the washer is forced into the bottom end of the grip segments and the ring-shaped seal engages the pipe interior to isolate the joint to be tested.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A high pressure plug for insertion into a pipe having a joint to be tested comprising: A. a stem having a threaded section and a smooth section and terminating at a first end in a fixed tapered washer; B. a plurality of grip segments arranged in cylindrical form about the stem and having aligned tapered openings at a bottom end and a top end, said tapered bottom end adapted to cooperate with the washer; C. an annular floating mandrel positioned about the stem and comprised of an upper retaining section, an adjacent cylindrical section, a tapered entry section adapted for cooperation with the top end of the grip segments, a central bore and an internal annular recess communicating with the central bore; D. an O-ring positioned in the internal recess of the floating mandrel and adapted for sliding sealable engagement with the smooth section of the stem; E. a ring-shaped seal rectangular in cross section positioned about the cylindrical section of the floating mandrel and retained by the upper retaining section; and F. a nut for threadably engaging the threaded portion of the stem and engageably forcing the floating mandrel into the top end of said grip segments, whereby said O-ring sealably engages said stem and said seal engages the pipe interior to isolate the joint and define a small volume for testing.",
    "2. The plug of claim 1, said grip segments including at least one external annular recess, accommodating an O-ring for sealable engagement with the pipe interior.",
    "3. The plug of claim 1, said grip segments being externally grooved with each groove formed of two intersecting sidewalls, said sidewall nearest the top end forming a substantially greater included angle with a radial plane than the sidewall nearest the bottom end.",
    "4. The plug of claim 1, said tapered washer being integrally welded to said stem.",
    "5. The plug of claim 1, said stem terminating in a knurled section at a second end.",
    "6. The plug of claim 1, said internal annular recess positioned in the area of the tapered entry section.",
    "7. In combination a pipe joined to a pipe flange or the like by a weld and a high pressure test plug sealably positioned within said pipe interior immediately downstream of the weld to define a small volume in the area of the weld for hydrostic testing, said test plug comprising: A. a stem having a threaded section and a smooth section and terminating at a first end in a fixed tapered washer; B. a plurality of grip segments arranged in cylindrical form about the stem and having aligned tapered openings at opposing ends with one end cooperating with the washer and at least one extended annular recess accommodating an O-ring in sealable engagement with the pipe interior; C. an annular floating mandrel positioned about the stem and comprised of an upper retaining section, an adjacent cylindrical section, a tapered entry section in cooperation with the other end of the grip segments, a central bore and an internal annular recess communicating with the central bore; D. an O-ring positioned in the internal recess of the floating mandrel in sealable engagement with the smooth section of the stem; E. a ring-shaped seal rectangular in cross section positioned about the cylindrical section of the floating mandrel and retained by the upper retaining section and the grip segments in sealable engagement with the pipe interior; and F. a nut threadably engaging the threaded portion of the stem and the mandrel and retaining the plug in assembled condition."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "My invention relates to pipe stoppers and, more particularly, to high pressure pipe tester plugs which are inserted into a pipe so as to isolate a particular joint such as a weld for hydrostatic testing.\n\nPipe stoppers have been used heretofore in the testing of pipe, tubing, boilers, heat exchangers and other types of pressure vessels. Generally, the entire pipe length including the joint is sealed at both ends by an appropriate pipe stopper and hydrostatic pressures up to 3000 psi and greater are introduced through the pipe stopper to test the adequacy of the joint of the pipe connection.\n\nA typical high pressure pipe tester plug includes a fixed mandrel attached to a stem which is surrounded by a plurality of steel grips. A washer engages a steel grip at the end opposite the mandrel and a nut forces the washer onto the grips which hold against the inside wall of the pipe when the nut is tightened. At the same time a seal cup attached to the fixed mandrel is compressed to make a tight seal. Since both ends of the pipe are closed, the stem includes a clearthrough passage for filling and venting.\n\nOther forms of general pipe stoppers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,613,936; 3,494,504; 3,291,156; 3,667,640; 2,993,616; 3,370,614; 2,835,404; 1,600,137; 3,749,131; 3,618,811; 2,855,003; and 1,335,117.\n\nMy high pressure pipe tester plug eliminates the need to test whole sections of pipe containing the joint to be tested. In addition, my invention eliminates the need for welding plugs or nipples onto standard socket weld openings in order to conduct pressure tests.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01N 3/12",
    "F16L 55/136"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16L 55/136",
    "G01N 3/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Thaxton Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Bruce E. Leslie"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1981-08-31",
  "publication_date": "1983-05-03",
  "grant_date": "1983-05-03",
  "priority_date": "1981-08-31",
  "application_number": "US-29757881-A",
  "family_id": "23146891",
  "cited_by_count": 86,
  "citations": [
    "US2873764A",
    "US3886977A",
    "US4114654A",
    "US4282982A"
  ]
}