Abstract: A device for repairing a pipe internally includes a body and a drill assembly mounted on the body. The drill assembly has upper and lower arms, pivotable between a closed position in which the arms occupy a radial area not substantially greater than a diameter of the body and an open position in which the arms bear against substantially opposing points of the pipe wall to stabilize the drill assembly within the pipe. In the preferred embodiment for repairing pipe joints a hydraulic drill head bears against the pipe wall when the arms are in the open position and drills a hole for a sealant nozzle mechanism mounted on the upper arm, which swings into position in front of the drill head to inject a sealant into the pipe joint through the drill hole and seal the joint.

Abstract: A tool and method for plugging a service connection to a gas main in preparation for removal of the service tee removes the perforator, mills the hole in the main to provide a smooth seat for a sealing plug, and inserts a gas-tight sealing plug into the hole. The tool of the invention is operable through a narrow "keyhole" excavation, which decreases the risk to service personnel and significantly reduces costs of repairing the excavation. In the preferred embodiment the tool is loaded with a milling bit and a sealing plug before attachment to the service tee. The tool head is engaged to the service tee in a gas-tight fit to prevent the escape of gas during the procedure, and an adapter plate is pivoted between three working positions to perform the three steps of the service connection plugging method.

Abstract: A system for feeding a cable into a pipeline or other conduit comprises a rotating turret and a local cable feeding mechanism for drawing the cable off of the turret reel and loading it thereon. A remote cable feeding mechanism for inserting the cable into or withdrawing it from the pipeline is attached to a launch saddle secured to the pipeline, and its feeding rate is synchronized with that of the local cable feeding mechanism. Where the cable acts as an umbilical cable carrying fluids and electrical power to a tool inside the pipeline, the fluid and power supplies may be located on the floor of the reel, connected to an operator station by an electrical cable which winds onto and off of the turret shaft and is kept taut by a spring-biased tensioning arm. A flexible fibreglass rod extends through the cable to prevent coiling or bunching up within the pipeline while permitting the cable to traverse bends and corners.

Abstract: A device for repairing cast iron pipe joints comprises a head having a motor for actuating a tool and a body, the head being pivotally connected to the body so that it can be pivoted from an axial position to a radial position within the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the head includes a motor driving a drill bit. A retractable foot is extended to force the head against the pipe wall to be pierced by the drill bit, following which sealant is injected into a hollow drill shaft and flows up the helical grooves of the drill bit into the pipe joint cavity. Preferably a pair of guide wings maintains the device centered in the pipe and raised off of the pipe floor, and the operator monitors progress of the device through a video monitor.

Abstract: A natural gas cylinder fitting and solenoid valve includes a solenoid-actuated poppet co-operating with an O-ring clamped to the floor of the valve cavity to selectively prevent or permit the passage of gas between a gas line and a natural gas cylinder. In an internally mounted embodiment, a fitting body adapted to be engaged in the neck of a cylinder isolates a low pressure region containing the electrical components of the solenoid.