Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting an existing pipe carrying a fluid under pressure include using a cutting assembly having first and second linear cutters spaced by a lateral width. The cutters are moved from a retracted position to an extended position thereby to cut a coupon from the existing pipe. An insertion valve may then be installed on the existing pipe at the location where the coupon was removed. The insertion valve includes a valve element that is movable between open and closed positions. In some examples, the systems and methods include a check valve that moves from an open position to a closed position as the valve element moves from the closed position to the open position, thereby to facilitate repair and/or replacement of the insertion valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for protecting a tether line within a pressurized pipe. As the tether line is extended and retracted, portions of the tether line are prevented from directly engaging jagged profiles formed in the pressurized pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing and monitoring a fluid within a pressurized pipe include a nozzle coupled to a section of the pressurized pipe and defining an open proximal end fluidly communicating with the pressurized pipe through an access hole formed in the pressurized pipe, an open distal end, and an interior passage extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. A cover plate is coupled to the open distal end of the nozzle. A valve element is disposed in the interior passage and movable between an open position, in which the valve element is entirely disposed within the nozzle, and a closed position, in which a proximal section of the valve element is disposed in the pressurized pipe. A sensor port extends through a proximal end of the nozzle and positioned to fluidly communicate with the interior passage when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for protecting a tether line within a pressurized pipe. As the tether line is extended and retracted, portions of the tether line are prevented from directly engaging jagged profiles formed in the pressurized pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cleaning an interior surface of a pressurized pipe. A conduit having a suction end disposed inside the pipe and a discharge end outside the pipe uses a pressure differential to create a suction flow through the pipe. A scrubber may be attached near the suction end to increase the amount of debris dislodged from the interior surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A gate valve cartridge, valve housing and installation assembly as well as a completion plug for a line stop fitting and installation assembly. The gate valve cartridge comprises a gate, a paddle, a threaded valve stem and a completion plug. Both completion plugs include an outer circumferential slot for accommodating a circumferential seal and both completion plugs also accommodate a normally-closed check valve. The check valves have an open distal end for receiving a check valve actuator and an open proximal end in communication with fluid disposed proximally of the circumferential seal.

Abstract: A gate valve for a pressurized pipe includes a paddle member with a lower proximal portion and a pair of spaced-apart and leg portions that form an outer edge and an inner edge. A cartridge includes a valve stem channel extending through a distal portion and through a conduit and terminating at a proximal opening in a proximal portion of the cartridge. The proximal portion of the cartridge includes a slot for accommodating the inner edge of the paddle member. In a pre-compression configuration, the inner edge of the paddle member is spaced-apart from the proximal opening of the conduit and in a post-compression configuration, the inner edge of the paddle member engages and seals the proximal opening resulting in a built-in check-valve that is open when the paddle member is in the pre-compression configuration and closed when the paddle member is in the post-compression configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing and monitoring a fluid within a pressurized pipe include a nozzle coupled to a section of the pressurized pipe and defining an open proximal end fluidly communicating with the pressurized pipe through an access hole formed in the pressurized pipe, an open distal end, and an interior passage extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. A cover plate is coupled to the open distal end of the nozzle. A valve element is disposed in the interior passage and movable between an open position, in which the valve element is entirely disposed within the nozzle, and a closed position, in which a proximal section of the valve element is disposed in the pressurized pipe. A sensor port extends through a proximal end of the nozzle and positioned to fluidly communicate with the interior passage when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a cable attached to an inspection probe disposed in a pipe containing a fluid at an elevated pressure above an ambient pressure. The systems and methods include hot-tapping the pipe and attaching a launch housing to the pipe. The launch housing defines an interior chamber sized to receive the inspection probe and that fluidly communicates with the pipe, thereby placing the interior chamber at the elevated pressure. An uphole end of the cable is attached to a reel, and a cable drive mechanically engages the cable. The cable drive is operable in a forward direction, to advance the cable into the pipe, and a reverse direction, to retract the cable from the pipe.

Abstract: An under-pressure tapping and access assembly is provided for use with a pressurized pipe. The under-pressure tapping and access assembly includes a multi-branch portion sealingly coupled to an outer surface of the pressurized pipe. A tapping branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a tapping branch axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to a pipe axis of the pressurized pipe. A first access branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a first access branch axis that is non-perpendicular relative to the pipe axis. A tool is sized for insertion through the first access branch.

Abstract: A core sampling and tapping assembly is disclosed that may be mounted to a cylindrical pipe. The assembly includes a nozzle having an interior portion extending between an open distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end sealed to an upper saddle member and the upper saddle member coupled to a lower saddle member to clamp the pipe in between. The assembly further includes a tapping mandrel including a mandrel plate, the tapping mandrel extending through the interior portion and a core cutter fixedly coupled to the mandrel plate. The assembly further includes a pilot bit coupled to the mandrel plate and disposed within an interior cavity of the core cutter. The tapping mandrel adjacently aligns the core cutter and the pilot bit with an outer surface of the pipe and subsequently rotates the pilot bit and core cutter to collect a core sample from the pipe.

Abstract: A gate valve cartridge, valve housing and installation assembly as well as a completion plug for a line stop fitting and installation assembly. The gate valve cartridge comprises a gate, a paddle, a threaded valve stem and a completion plug. Both completion plugs include an outer circumferential slot for accommodating a circumferential seal and both completion plugs also accommodate a normally-closed check valve. The check valves have an open distal end for receiving a check valve actuator and an open proximal end in communication with fluid disposed proximally of the circumferential seal.

Abstract: A gate valve for a pressurized pipe includes a paddle member with a lower proximal portion and a pair of spaced-apart and leg portions that form an outer edge and an inner edge. A cartridge includes a valve stem channel extending through a distal portion and through a conduit and terminating at a proximal opening in a proximal portion of the cartridge. The proximal portion of the cartridge includes a slot for accommodating the inner edge of the paddle member. In a pre-compression configuration, the inner edge of the paddle member is spaced-apart from the proximal opening of the conduit and in a post-compression configuration, the inner edge of the paddle member engages and seals the proximal opening resulting in a built-in check-valve that is open when the paddle member is in the pre-compression configuration and closed when the paddle member is in the post-compression configuration.

Abstract: A core sampling and tapping assembly is disclosed that may be mounted to a cylindrical pipe. The assembly includes a nozzle having an interior portion extending between an open distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end sealed to an upper saddle member and the upper saddle member coupled to a lower saddle member to clamp the pipe in between. The assembly further includes a tapping mandrel including a mandrel plate, the tapping mandrel extending through the interior portion and a core cutter fixedly coupled to the mandrel plate. The assembly further includes a pilot bit coupled to the mandrel plate and disposed within an interior cavity of the core cutter. The tapping mandrel adjacently aligns the core cutter and the pilot bit with an outer surface of the pipe and subsequently rotates the pilot bit and core cutter to collect a core sample from the pipe.

Abstract: This patent document discloses an improved series of nozzles and completion plugs for use in installing linestops in pressurized pipes. The improved nozzles are capable of accommodating two different types of completion plugs, including a threaded completion plug and a push-in type completion plug that is held in place within the nozzle by pins that extend through a flange of the nozzle. Lower edges of the nozzles are designed to facilitate the welding of the nozzle to an upper clamp or upper saddle member. Specifically, the lower or proximal beveled edge includes an inner lip that acts as a dam to prevent seepage of welding material between the proximal edge of the nozzle and the upper saddle member during the welding of the former to the latter.

Abstract: A gate valve assembly is disclosed that may be installed in a pressurized pipe or conduit. The gate valve assembly includes a nozzle that is connected perpendicularly to the pipe. The nozzle includes a distal end, a proximal end and a through passage extending therebetween. The through passage includes a proximal portion with a circular cross-sectional profile for sealingly engaging a wiper seal disposed on a valve cartridge. The passage also includes a distal portion with a non-circular cross-sectional profile that complements a non-circular cross-sectional profile of the cartridge. The non-circular cross-sectional profiles of the cartridge and passage prevent the cartridge from twisting or rotating within the nozzle or pipe. The proximal end of the nozzle also features an inner lip, which facilitates the welding of the proximal end of the nozzle to an upper saddle member, which is used to clamp the nozzle to the pipe prior to cutting or pressure tapping of the pipe.