Abstract: A catheter sheath device may include an elongate member and a moveable member. The elongate member may include a first lumen, and the moveable member may include a second lumen. The moveable member may be physically coupled to a portion of the elongate member to permit relative movement therebetween. A first relative movement between the moveable member and a portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a first location that permits delivery of at least a portion of a catheter into the second lumen but not into the first lumen from the second lumen. A second relative movement between the moveable member and the portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a second location that permits delivery of the at least the portion of the catheter through both the second lumen and the first lumen.

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: Provided is a flow rate control apparatus capable of being used continuously when the apparatus is used in equipment that operates continuously, and a flow rate control method for the flow rate control apparatus. A flow rate of a fluid is controlled via any one of control valves disposed in branch passages, respectively. When replacement of the one control valve is determined to be necessary on the basis of a signal outputted from a monitoring portion of the one control valve, the one control valve performing flow rate control is closed, and another control valve disposed in another one of the branch passages, is opened, to perform flow rate control with a flow rate equivalent to that before the replacement. Furthermore, on-off valves disposed at upstream and downstream sides of the closed control valve are closed.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a manifold includes a plurality of units disposed in a liquid flow channel including a hose. The unit includes a hollow tube body, three or more tube stubs communicating the inside of the tube body, and a connection fitting provided with each of the tube stubs and detachably connected to a connection target of same shape. The manifold forms a flow path communicating the tube stubs of the units while the units are detachably connected together with the connection fittings.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods and systems for a testing mechanism to be utilized when repairing and replacing a valve utilized on a tank car. The testing mechanism may comprise a pipe plug device configured to plug a siphon pipe located on a tank car and a pressure test device to conduct a leak detect test after the pipe plug device is removed from the siphon pipe. The pipe plug device may include a pipe plug bladder and a pipe plug pressure fitting to inflate and deflate the pipe plug bladder against a wall of the siphon pipe. The pressure test device may include a pressure test valve cap with a test valve bladder located on the pressure test valve cap, a bladder pressure fitting to inflate and deflate the test valve bladder, and a test pressure fitting to pressurize a valve, the test pressure fitting located on the pressure test valve cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for servicing a tank and/or a plug includes a valve having a first port sealingly couplable onto a tank port surrounding the plug, a second port, and a valve member operable between an open position providing a pathway between the first and second ports, and a closed position providing a sealed barrier between the first and second ports. The apparatus further includes an adapter sealingly couplable to the second port, and a plug displacement tool couplable to the adapter for displacing the plug relative to the tank when the first port is coupled to the tank port, the adapter is coupled to the second port, and the valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a valve assembly for preventing dead leg spaces in a container or tubing, the embodiments including a three-way valve system for controlling back-pressure in a fluid generating device, such as a single-use high pressure bioreactor. Also disclosed is a pressurized reactor system for bioprocessing, comprising a single-use container including a flexible wall or a semi-rigid wall.

Abstract: A leaking block valve isolation tool for insertion through a vent duct and blocking valve of a gas flow duct. The isolation tool includes an outer tube having proximal and distal ends, the outer tube having a diameter sized to extend through the vent duct and blocking valve. An inner tube having proximal and distal ends is arranged coaxially with and movable within the outer tube. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal end of the inner tube, wherein the isolation tool outer tube is insertable through the vent duct to an opening in the gas flow duct. The inner tube is slidably insertable through the outer tube until the balloon is situated within a bore formed through the gas flow duct and is inflatable therein to block any gas leak through the gas flow duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid flow control, including flow stoppage, in a pipe having a saddle fitting with an axially extending outer launch tube and a coaxially aligned inner launch tube longitudinally split into two inner launch tube halves disposed within the axially extending outer launch tube. At least one inflatable flow stopper bag is disposed within the inner launch tube for stopping flow of a fluid through the pipe with which the saddle fitting is connected. An inner launch tube control rod for manipulating each of the inner launch tube halves during the inflatable stopper insertion and removal processes is connected with each of the inner launch tube halves, and a flow stopper bag control rod for manipulating the inflatable flow stoppers is connected with each of the inflatable flow stopper bags.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of use of a plug assembly are disclosed herein. The plug assembly includes an expandable plug for use with a pipe having an annular wall defining an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.

Abstract: A low pressure directional stop bypass device including a saddle fitting having an axially extending tubular connection element having a connection element wall forming a lateral bypass port, a valve assembly connected with the axially extending tubular connection element having a first valve port in fluid communication with the lateral bypass port and having a second valve port, and a stuffing box connected with the second valve port. A launch tube assembly is inserted through the stuffing box and the valve assembly into the axially extending tubular connection element. The launch tube element includes an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member, and a stopper supply tube having a leading end and a trailing end and disposed within the inner tubular member. A flexible inflatable stopper plug connected with the leading end of the stopper supply tube.

Abstract: A system and method for inhibiting gas release while accessing a pressurized gas pipeline includes a magnetic plug holder for magnetically engaging a pipe plug to a rod. A housing is sealingly engaged to a valve attached to the pipeline, and the rod is movable through the housing in a sealing fashion such that the plug holder can be moved linearly and rotationally relative to the housing. The housing can be sealingly attached to a portion of the valve, the valve can be opened, and the plug holder with a threaded plug magnetically engaged thereto lowered through the valve. The rod can be rotated from outside the housing to thread the plug into the threaded hole in the pipeline.

Abstract: A plumbing tool and its method of use are disclosed wherein the plumbing tool includes a tube for insertion into a pipe beyond an area of such pipe that is to be soldered, such tube having an inflatable balloon structure at one end thereof. After the tube is inserted in the pipe and the balloon structure is positioned at the location where fluid stoppage is desired, the balloon structure is inflated to allow for soldering operations to be completed. A water bypass can be disposed within such tube for directing any fluid flow to the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of sealing a pipe and a device for sealing the pipe which prevents gas leakage out of a pipe stub plugged by a stopper disposed in a tee fitting, to allow a permanent cap to be welded onto the pipe. The device comprises an expandable plug comprising a pair of plates with a sealing member disposed between the plates. The plates can be squeezed together, for example by tightening nuts onto bolts extending through the plates to compress the sealing member and cause the periphery of the sealing member to expand against the inner wall of the pipe. Stabilizing means, for example a nut having a reverse thread and a complimentary tool, is provided for stabilizing the expandable plug radially within the pipe as the plates are squeezed together. The expandable plug is inserted into the pipe stub after the bypassed section of pipe has been removed, and lodged in the pipe by squeezing the plates together to expand the sealing member against the inner wall of the pipe stub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a valve, the valve being attached to a tank, the method including steps of providing a valve tool having a rigid tube and having an elastic air bladder, such bladder having a port, the port being connected to the tube, the valve tool further having a check valve; opening the valve in need of repair; extending the valve tool into such valve; injecting air into the rigid tube, causing the bladder to seal against the tank; detaching and withdrawing such valve; repairing such valve; reattaching such valve; opening the check valve to break the seal; and withdrawing the valve tool.

Abstract: A pressure flow stop for temporarily blocking flow of water from a main water supply line to a residence or business, in order to facilitate replacement of a damaged, defective or deteriorated water shutoff valve, or “curbstop”, of the residence or business. In a preferred embodiment the pressure flow stop is characterized by an elongated, typically cylindrical stem housing which is removably attached to the damaged, defective or deteriorated shutoff valve after the shutoff valve is closed and the water meter is removed from the shutoff valve, respectively. An elongated, flexible stem, terminated by an inflatable balloon, is slidably disposed in the stem housing, and the shutoff valve is opened to facilitate extension of the balloon end of the stem from the housing through the shutoff valve and into the water source pipe leading from the main water line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the in situ repair or replacement of a pipeline, such as, a natural gas pipeline is made up of a transition fitting having a tubular section with means for temporarily sealing off that section, an expansion tool having an elongated handle control and an expandable portion insertable through the transition fitting and into an upstream pipeline to form a seal which prevents the escape of gas from the pipeline while one end of the transition fitting is being joined to the upstream pipeline. After the expandable portion is removed from the pipeline and the transition fitting, the tubular section of the transition fitting is sealed to prevent the escape of gas into the atmosphere as the fitting is being joined with the downstream or replacement pipeline. Once joined, the seal on the transition fitting is removed and the gas in the pipeline is free to flow through the pipeline.