Abstract: A pressure tester for pipes including a frame supporting a pair of threaded pipe attachments which can be threaded to the threaded ends of a pipe and are provided with means for injecting liquid under pressure to ascertain the integrity of the pipe under pressure. One of the pipe attachments is axially and pivotally movable relative to the frame and another is vertically and pivotally movable relative to the frame. A tilt elevator can raise one end to tilt the pipe during the filling operation. A vent valve is provided to exhaust air from the pipe so that it can be completely filled with water. Other pipe handling components are also described.

Abstract: A hydrostatic testing apparatus for capping an open end of a pipe, tube or cylinder is disclosed.A seal is provided to facilitate a fluid-tight seal between the pipe and the body. The seal has relatively long lips which facilitate a sealing engagement upon dirty or rough pipe surfaces. The seal is pre-stressed by lugs to sealingly engage the pipe under low pressure conditions.Adaptors, a centralizer having replaceable cam pieces, and replaceable jaw tooth segments facilitate the testing of a variety of pipe sizes and shapes with a single apparatus. An air purge valve is provided, in cooperation with passageways, to facilitate the expungement of air and gas from the interior of the body and pipe.A jaw design is disclosed which permits the side of the jaw to evenly grip the pipe by providing a pivotal attachment between the jaw and translator that is parallel to the axis of the pipe.

Abstract: In order to locate a defective tube in a U-tube bundle of a steam generator so arranged that the tube ends are fixed in a tube plate which defines an internal space with the bottom end-wall of the steam generator shell, the entire tube plate is swept by at least one camera placed within the internal space and is visualized on a display screen placed externally of the steam generator. A luminous mark having an identification function is projected independently onto the tube plate at the point corresponding to the extremity of a defective tube and is displayed on the screen during the sweeping operation.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the locking apparatus for maintaining in closed condition the two halves of the casing sections of a high pressure leak-testing apparatus for pipe joints comprises a plurality of bifurcated links. The locking apparatus further comprises a substantial number of hooks having end portions pivotally connected to the bifurcated links, the connections being at relatively thin hook portions which nest with the links. With the described construction by which a bifurcated or yoke-shaped end of one element is nested relative to a relatively thin portion of another element, it is possible to achieve extremely strong locking of the casing sections in closed condition despite the great pressure contained within the tester.In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the packer of the leak-testing apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical mass of rubber which is split, and has insert elements molded therein.

Abstract: A vein holder assembly for use in the preparation of a vein segment during surgery comprises a base and a first vein support connected to the base and adapted to close off one end of the vein segment. A second vein support is connected to the base spaced from the first vein support. This second vein support is adapted to allow fluid to pass into the vein segment while the same is being supported. To accommodate different length vein segments, the spacing between the first and second vein supports is adjustable.

Abstract: A device for testing an elongated elastic sleeve or balloon. The device has a pair of clamp members which selectively grip opposed ends of the sleeve, and the device inflates the sleeve while retained by the clamp members. The device illuminates the inflated sleeve walls from the inside of the sleeve to permit visual inspection of the sleeve walls. The device also permits rotation of the clamp members and retained sleeve to permit visual inspection of the inflated sleeve walls circumferentially around the sleeve. The device permits submersion of the inflated sleeve into a testing liquid in order to determine whether the sleeve walls leak.

Abstract: Pressure test apparatus for testing heat exchanger tubing is disclosed, and the preferred embodiment includes pressure inlet and pressure outlet means for connecting to the open ends of heat exchanger tubing. The apparatus utilizes a quick disconnect mechanism for tubing which is pressure actuated by introducing water under pressure, the water flowing into the tube and maintaining continued pressure to thereby test the tubing for leakage. For fitting around the end of the tubing, the invention thus discloses a surrounding cylindrical body which is counterbored to an internal cavity which receives a set of collets which surround the end of the pipe. The collets collectively are abutted by a pressure transmission ring at the end, the ring being exposed to the water pressure. As the water pressure increases, the collets are driven into a wedged position, jamming against the pipe to be held in the test apparatus.

Abstract: External pipe testing apparatus is disclosed as comprising semi-cylindrical housing sections hingedly connected for swinging between an open position to permit the housing to be moved into and out of a position about a section of the pipe to be tested. When the pipe sections are locked to one another, seal strips mounted on the inside of each housing section are caused to sealably engage with one another and the ends of the pipe section to form an annular test chamber about the pipe section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fluid pressure testing of tubes or pipes is provided wherein the tube or pipe under test is sealed at the ends by a resilient O-ring between the inside diameter of the tube or pipe and convex, preferably conical faces at each end of the tube or pipe, with the conical faces being held firmly in place against the outward thrust of the test fluid pressure by hydraulic action utilizing the pressurized testing fluid.

Abstract: A condenser leak searching plug having a tapered body, a recess extending into the body from the larger end face thereof, a resiliently yieldable, non-protruding planar membrane covering and sealing the open side of the recess where the membrane forms the central part of a cap of elastic material which fits over the larger end of the body and a through duct extending from the recess to the smaller end face of the body.

Abstract: An external tester defines a sealed chamber around a pipe joint, such chamber then being filled with fluid under very high pressure. After introduction of fluid into the test chamber is terminated, a determination is made as to whether or not the pressure is reducing, any such reduction indicating that a leak is present in the pipe joint. To define a test chamber which is perfectly sealed so that fluid will not escape otherwise than through a leak in the pipe joint there are provided longitudinal sealing elements and arcuate sealing elements interrelated with each other and with an insert of the longitudinal elements. The inserts stiffen and mount the longitudinal elements, provide indexing of the casing sections, and prevent extrusion of the seal rubber, all in such a manner that no cracks remain through which the fluid may escape.

Abstract: A leakage analyzer method and apparatus for detecting faults in hollow structures such as polypropylene tubing and the like. The apparatus includes a hollow elongated test chamber through which the tubing is passed. At the outlet end of the chamber, a rear stop member prevents the tubing from passing completely through the test chamber as it is being fed thereto. When the trailing edge of the tubing passes a predetermined point, a rear stop member positions the structure in said chamber so that clamping means positioned at both the front and rear of the test chamber can be energized to clamp about the tubing and at the same time seal the respective ends of the test chamber. Plug members are positioned in the respective ends of the tubing and are expanded to seal the ends of the structure. A fluid such as air is introduced into the chamber and about the outside periphery of the tubing until the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, the amplitude of sinusoidal pressure varians in the test piece is adjustable even during operation by summing the sinusoidal volume variations in two piston assemblies whose relative phase is continuously adjustable. The eccentric drives for the piston assemblies may be coupled via a bevel gear arrangement whereby angular shifting of the intermediate gear about the common axis of the outer gears shifts the phase relation between the eccentric drives. A desired minimum resultant pressure may be maintained in the test piece by introducing a bias pressure value equal to or exceeding the amplitude of the pressure variation, and such bias pressure may be adjusted in response to any permanent deformation of the test piece to maintain the desired minimum resultant pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of testing the connections between the pipe segments comprising a string of pipe being snubbed into a well under pressure immediately before such connections are forced into the pressurized well. There is provided gripping means which is vertically movable with respect to the well to grip the additional segments of pipe to be added to the string. Force means are secured to the gripping means to provide the force necessary to force the gripping means downwardly and thereby force the string of pipe with the additional segment connected therein further into the pressurized well. A testing apparatus is secured to the gripping means for externally testing the connection between the pipe string and the additional segment of pipe connected thereto. If the connection has no leak therein, the external testing means is released and the gripping means is extended upwardly to grip the string of pipe at its upper end thereof and the string of pipe is driven further into the pressurized well.

Abstract: A combined test and isolation tool for sub-sea well equipment is used particularly for testing the integrity of internal sealing surfaces of sub-sea well head housings and also for testing casing hangers and their seals. The same tool is run on drill pipe in a sub-sea well to isolate a casing hanger seal from components of the well blow-out preventer to determine accurately and with finality where a detected leak originates. The use of the tool enables costly well head housings, casing hangers and seals normally discarded following a single usage to be reused with safety and efficiency and at a great savings in cost.

Abstract: A vein preparation and testing device has a rimmed base forming a shallow basin upstanding from which are a head block and a tail block. In the head block is a removable hollow chuck rotatable about an axis and connected to a liquid reservoir on the base and to a pump. The hollow chuck communicates with a hollow head grip having a tube adapted to lie inside a vein. A fastener holds the vein in place on the tube. In the tail block is a removable tail grip mounted to rotate about the same axis. The tail block is movable along the same axis.

Abstract: In a system employing flowing liquid metal as a heat transfer medium in contact with tubular members containing a working fluid, i.e., steam, liquid metal leaks through the wall of the tubular member are detected by dislodging the liquid metal compounds forming in the tubular member at the leak locations and subsequently transporting the dislodged compound in the form of an aerosol to a detector responsive to the liquid metal compound. In the application to a sodium cooled tubular member, the detector would consist of a sodium responsive device, such as a sodium ion detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the leakage of liquid sodium includes a cable-like sensor adapted to be secured to a wall of piping or other equipment having sodium on the opposite side of the wall, and the sensor includes a core wire electrically connected to the wall through a leak current detector and a power source. An accidental leakage of the liquid sodium causes the corrosion of a metallic layer and an insulative layer of the sensor by products resulted from a reaction of sodium with water or oxygen in the atmospheric air so as to decrease the resistance between the core wire and the wall. Thus, the leakage is detected as an increase in the leaking electrical current. The apparatus is especially adapted for use in detecting the leakage of liquid sodium from sodium-conveying pipes or equipment in a fast breeder reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting leaks in a member defining an internal confined space. The apparatus comprises a housing, and induction means operatively connected to the housing for selectively inducing a partial vacuum therein, and valve means operatively associating with the housing and selectively movable to positions permitting pneumatic communication between a source of compressed air and the housing and between the induction means and the confined space, with the valve means further being selectively movable to a closed position by forces generated within the housing such that the valve means seals off pneumatic communication between the confined space and the induction means to maintain the partial vacuum produced in the confined space so as to enable the measurement and monitoring of the confined space for fluidic leaks by observing the vacuum pressures therein.

Abstract: A method of making an accurate quantitative measurement of leakage in water mains or the like, ordinarily at the time of installation, and the functional arrangement in a simple, easily portable assembly of a powered pump, gauge and unique valve arrangement used to carry out the test.

Abstract: The present apparatus, method and seals relate to an external tester for defining a sealed chamber around a pipe joint, such chamber then being filled with fluid under very high pressure. After introduction of fluid into the test chamber is terminated, a determination is made as to whether or not the pressure is reducing --any such reduction indicating that a leak is present in the pipe joint. To define a test chamber which is perfectly sealed so that fluid will not escape otherwise than through a leak in the pipe joint, there are provided longitudinal sealing elements and arcuate seal segments of special construction. The longitudinal and arcuate sealing elements interrelate with each other and with extrusion-prevention and index elements in such manner that no cracks remain through which the fluid may escape.

Abstract: An apparatus for the hydrostatic testing of pipe and pipe connections is provided. The apparatus features an elongated tool body which can be inserted into the interior portion of a connected series of pipe joints or the like. The device is inserted into a pipe joint in proximity to a connection between two joints which has been "made up" by means of, for example, a threaded connection. The device utilizes a pair of expanding flexible packing seals which expand and sealably contact the pipe wall forming a pressure test area between the seals and at the pipe joint to be tested. Fluid pressure supplied through a central conduit in the tool body flows into the pipe between the packing seals through a nozzle injector in the tool body in proximity to the joint which is to be tested. The test fluid then first expands the pair of flexible seals and fills the pipe with water upon which a desired test pressure is exerted.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing a pipe under internal fluid pressure for leakage or structural integrity includes an elongate, hollow mandrel having one end sealed by a fixed seal. A shiftable seal is adapted to advance a pipe to be tested so that the other end of the mandrel is inserted through one end of the pipe to a testing position. The shiftable seal includes a pressure plate and a plug, the pressure plate sealing the other end of the pipe and the plug insertable within the other end of the mandrel for sealing it when the mandrel is in the testing position. The shiftable seal further includes a frame assembly movable along tension beam members, the assembly being selectively lockable thereto. The pressure plate is mounted on the assembly and is adapted to be selectively extended from or retracted toward the assembly.

Abstract: A service connection between a water main and a meter within a building has a service conduit within a leakage conduit. The leakage conduit has a sealed connection with a casing sealed to the main and enclosing a corporation stop to which the service conduit is connected. The leakage conduit is sealed to the service conduit within the building and adjacent the meter and includes an outlet extending outwardly through the building wall above the ground so that leakage within the corporation casing or a leak in the service conduit may be quickly detected. In the event of a leak, the service conduit may be removed and replaced through the leakage conduit with excavation limited to exposing the corporation casing and the end of the leakage conduit connected thereto.

Abstract: A manual thrust gauge is comprised of a frame having either a hand grip or a wrist strap, there being a weighted member movably mounted to the frame and restrained by a spring which moves relative to a fixed member, one of these members comprising a scale and the other being a pointer and the movable member being releasably detained in any one of several displaced positions so that the user may thrust his hand as in a boxing punch, a karate chop or the like and the pointer will register on the scale the relative acceleration or deceleration of the punch.

Abstract: A digital tachometer provided with a measuring shaft to be brought into contact with a rotating body to be measured for simultaneous rotation therewith. As the shaft is rotated the number of rotations of the rotating object is digitally indicated and the indication remains even after the measuring shaft has been moved out of contact with the rotating object under measurement.

Abstract: The casing of an external leak tester for joints in oil well pipes is greatly reinforced in a compact manner by a cage which is symmetrical about two planes oriented at right angles to each other -- each plane containing the axis of the pipe to be tested. Four parallel pins interconnect the components of the cage, and one such pin (a lock pin) is retractable by piston means in order to permit the cage and thus the casing to open wide for lateral reception of the pipe. A plurality of means are provided to effect precise and rapid alignment of apertures in the cage, in order that the piston-operated lock pin may be inserted without binding to thereby lock the cage in closed condition. Cylinder-operated hooks are provided to effect augmented sealing compression of the sealing means for the test chamber, and to close the cage to the position at which the lock pin may be inserted as indicated above.

Abstract: The immersed hoses of a floating plant for charging and discharging mineral oil products comprise means for the immediate indication of impacts, partial damages and rupture of the hoses themselves. Said means consist of a hollow space provided in the wall of the hoses, filled with a fluid under pressure and connected to means for monitoring its variations.Impacts, partial damages and ruptures, originating a variation in the pressure of the fluid inside the hollow space, can be detected immediately.

Abstract: A device and method for preparation and testing of a blood vessel such as the saphenous vein for use as a coronary bypass graft. The device includes a hollow body portion and a hollow stylet projecting therefrom. The stylet presents a peripheral flange facilitating temporary ligation of the vein upon the catheter. The body has a Luer fitting to accommodate coupling with a conventional syringe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided which are especially useful for leak testing seams such as an end closure or joint in an article. The test does not require an enclosed pressurized volume within the article or joint section to be leak checked. A flexible impervious membrane is disposed over an area of the seamed surfaces to be leak checked and sealed around the outer edges. A preselected vacuum is applied through an opening in the membrane to evacuate the area between the membrane and the surface being leak checked to essentially collapse the membrane to conform to the article surface or joined adjacent surfaces. A pressure differential is concentrated at the seam bounded by the membrane and only the seam experiences a pressure differential as air or helium molecules are drawn into the vacuum system through a leak in the seam. A helium detector may be placed in a vacuum exhaust line from the membrane to detect the helium.