Abstract: A method of tube plug installation in a heat exchanger or pressure vessel is provided. The method includes verifying the suitability of a selected tube plug with a specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel before installation of the selected tube plug. The step of verifying being performed with a device having an app, software, or user interface and after having entered or accessed data concerning the selected tube plug and entering or accessing data concerning the specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel and operating parameters of the specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of tube plug installation in a heat exchanger or pressure vessel is provided. The method includes verifying the suitability of a selected tube plug with a specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel before installation of the selected tube plug. The step of verifying being performed with a device having an app, software, or user interface and after having entered or accessed data concerning the selected tube plug and entering or accessing data concerning the specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel and operating parameters of the specifically identified type of heat exchanger or pressure vessel.

Abstract: A pin and ring-type plug assembly for plugging a heat exchanger tube to provide a leak resistant seal is provided. The plug assembly is designed such that it can be used to form a high-pressure seal relative to a wide of range of tube inner diameters. The angle of taper of the pin varies along a length of the pin such that the angle of taper is steepest at or adjacent a nose section of the pin and is shallowest at or adjacent an end section of the pin.

Abstract: A pneumatic test gun for use in performing a leak test on a tube is provided. The pneumatic test gun has a handle for being manually gripped by an operator, a distal end portion for insertion into a tube to be tested, and a proximal end plate from which the distal end portion extends and which is adapted to be abutted against an open end of the tube to be tested. The distal end portion includes a support tube providing a flow path for compressed air into a tube to be tested, a longitudinally-compressible and radially-expandable annular seal located on the support tube, and a self-activating retaining element assembly adapted for radial-expansion into engagement with an inner diameter of the tube to be tested to improve retention of the distal end portion within the tube when the tube is pressurized during a leak test. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A test plug for insertion into and plugging of an open end of an elbow pipe is provided. The test plug includes a resilient sealing element and set of gripper segments carried on a shaft. The set of gripper segments are movable relative to the shaft between pipe-gripping and pipe-non-gripping positions such that, when the test plug is placed in sealing and gripping engagement relative to an inner diameter wall of an elbow pipe, the set of gripper segments are positioned in eccentric relation to at least one of the sealing element and the shaft.

Abstract: A gripper for a test or isolation plug is provided. The gripper includes at least one gripper segment having a pipe or tube confronting surface with a plurality of separate rows of gripper teeth longitudinally-spaced apart on the surface. Each of the separate rows of gripper teeth comprising an alternating array of individual tips and gaps such that each row is serrated along its length.

Abstract: A test plug assembly (10, 50, 90) includes a shaft (24, 56, 100) on which an annular elastic seal (22, 68, 94) and compression elements (32, 34, 62, 106, 110) are mounted. The compression elements (32, 34, 62, 106, 110) confront opposite axial sides of the annular seal (22, 68, 94) and are movable relative to one another for axially compressing and radially expanding the seal (22, 68, 94) into fluid-tight sealing engagement with an inner peripheral wall (38, 70, 96) of a pipe (16, 52, 92). A transducer (42, 80, 122) is mounted on the distal end of the shaft (24, 56, 100) and measures a condition within the pipe (16, 52, 92) at a location beyond the seal (22, 68, 94). As one example, the transducer (42, 80, 122) is a temperature compensation pressure transducer for obtaining pressure measurements within the downstream portion of the pipe (16, 52, 92) beyond the test plug (10, 50, 90).

Abstract: A test plug and method for isolating and testing a connection, such as a welded connection, which interconnects a wall of tank, vessel, or pipe to a branch pipe or nozzle. The test plug isolates the connection from the remainder of the tank, vessel or piping system and enables pressure/leak testing of the connection without requiring pressurization of the entire tank or vessel or a large section of the piping system. Further, the test plug can be utilized during welding operations to isolate harmful materials, vapors or fumes existing within tanks, vessels or piping systems from the weld location and to permit the flow of an inert gas to safely flush any potentially harmful vapors or the like away from the welding area.

Abstract: An inner diameter plug for sealing a pipe near an open end of the pipe. The plug is capable of being reused within a range of pipe inner diameter tolerances and of providing effective fluid-tight sealing over a range of internal pressures. The plug can be hand tightened and provides self-gripping and self-sealing features.

Abstract: An outer diameter plug is provided for sealing the open end of a pipe. The plug is capable of being reused on a range of pipe outer diameter tolerances and of providing effective fluid-tight sealing over a range of internal pressures. The plug is particularly suited for use in pressure testing pipes by means of pressure fluids admitted to the pipes through the plug.