Patents Assigned to The Pipe Line Development Company
  • Patent number: 10816126
    Abstract: A fitting for encasing an extended length of pipe comprising a plurality of segments jointed end-to-end to axially extend over the length of pipe, each of the segments being formed by a pair of mating semi-cylindrical sections, the pairs of mating sections having arcuate ends forming longitudinally extending opposed faces mating at a diametral plane, the longitudinal opposed faces being sealed together, the adjacent axial ends of the segments being circumferentially sealed together, ends of the fitting having internal seals arranged to contact and seal onto the exterior of the pipe whereby the space between said internal seals within said fitting is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: THE PIPE LINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Jerry Tuck, Aaron Z. Louden, Glenn Beard
  • Patent number: 10571061
    Abstract: A pipe fitting comprising three annular coaxial sections including a grip section, middle section, and a seal section, the grip section and seal section being separately fixed to the middle section, an annular array of grips in the grip section, an annular semi-rigid seal in the seal section, a hydraulic grip actuator in the housing for radially constricting the grips into gripping engagement with an exterior of a pipe extending into the housing, and a hydraulic seal actuator hydraulically and mechanically independent of the grip actuator, for forcing the seal radially into engagement with an exterior of the pipe, a first mechanical lock for maintaining the grips in contact with the pipe and a second mechanical lock maintaining the seal in contact with the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: THE PIPE LINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Z. Louden, Glenn Beard, Shon Joseph George Meenathethil
  • Patent number: 8424925
    Abstract: A pipe repair fitting comprising a mating pair of generally semi-circular segments, each formed by an arcuate wall having arcuate ends, the segment walls carrying compressible seals for sealing two pairs of mating arcuate ends of the segments and sealing on the outer periphery of the pipe, at least one threaded hole in each arcuate wall end, a common bolt threaded into each of the threaded holes of each pair of mating arcuate ends and serving to sustain hoop forces in the fitting imposed by fluid leaking out of the pipe and contained by said seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Edward B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120306191
    Abstract: A pipe repair fitting comprising a mating pair of generally semi-circular segments, each formed by an arcuate wall having arcuate ends, the segment walls carrying compressible seals for sealing two pairs of mating arcuate ends of the segments and sealing on the outer periphery of the pipe, at least one threaded hole in each arcuate wall end, a common bolt threaded into each of the threaded holes of each pair of mating arcuate ends and serving to sustain hoop forces in the fitting imposed by fluid leaking out of the pipe and contained by said seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: THE PIPE LINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Edward B. Smith
  • Patent number: 5553898
    Abstract: A hot-tapping sleeve is provided for tapping a main pipe and attaching a branch pipe. The tapping sleeve includes a split sleeve having first and second sleeve members which together form a circular bore for receiving a portion of the main pipe. The first and second sleeve members each form approximately one half of the circular bore. A plurality of clamping members pass through associated holes in the first and second sleeve members to clamp the first and second sleeve members together with the main pipe therebetween. A side branch is attached to the first sleeve member which has an opening in fluid communication with the circular bore. A sheet type packing member is located around the opening and is only between the first sleeve member and the main pipe. A metal spray is located on the second sleeve within the circular bore and engages the main pipe for resisting axial displacement of the main pipe to permit tapping of the main pipe while the main pipe is under fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Elmer V. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4976372
    Abstract: A hydraulic gun for injecting sealant including an elongated barrel in which a floating piston separates a bore onto a material receiving chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. A manual hydraulic fluid pump assembly is mounted on the barrel in parallel juxtaposition. Mounting blocks serve to join the hydraulic pump assembly to the barrel and to provide support feet for the gun. The hydraulic pump is mounted on the barrel in a manner that permits the gun to be operated in a vertical orientation with continued supply of hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Elmer V. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4832379
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for mechanically coupling the plain end of a pipe, comprising a pair of standard forged flanges as basic components between which is disposed a wedge ring. One of the flanges is of the slip-on type and has associated with it a conical collet bore for receiving the wedge ring. When tension bolts assembled through the flanges are tightened the wedge ring is driven into the collet bore and tightly radially against the periphery of the pipe to thereby lock the coupling to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Smith, William B. Smith, Elmer V. Rogers Jr., John A. Spisak
  • Patent number: 4725082
    Abstract: A pipe coupling assembly for plain end pipe of the type in which a packing ring is compressed in an internal groove by a thrust ring to squeeze it against the outer surface of the pipe and effect a seal therewith. The thrust ring is made of a plurality of accurate segments which can be economically produced and assembled in the coupling body. The segments are mechanically interlocked in the body by cooperation with other elements of the assembly to avoid separate retainer members. The segments have a configuration which avoids significant circumferential gaps in the packing compression face of the ring and reduces the necessary axial length of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Leny W. Burkett
  • Patent number: 4535822
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a split fitting on an intermediate point of a pipeline. The apparatus includes remotely-controlled, power-operated manipulator elements operable to close segments of the fitting about the pipeline in the manner of a clamshell. The manipulator elements include cam means to initially close the fitting segments and C-clamp means to effect full closure of the fitting segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: Elmer V. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4355656
    Abstract: Apparatus adapted to be retrofitted on an existing live pipeline to plug off and isolate a section of the pipe while maintaining flow through an associated bypass circuit. The disclosed apparatus includes a housing to be secured around the pipe and elements operable in the housing to cut into the pipe and establish a closed flow path between one section of the pipe and the exterior of the housing while isolating such flow from a work chamber within the housing and remaining sections of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: The Pipe Line Development Company
    Inventor: William B. Smith