Abstract: An automatic pipe testing unit adapted to be mounted on a goose-neck trailer and comprises a longitudinally extending rectangular tubing main trailer frame. A test fluid holding tank mounted on the frame has a screened opening to receive test fluid which is drained from each joint after it has been tested, so that the fluid can be continuously recirculated. Also included are hydraulically operated two lift arms and two pipe advance arms, the lift arms each having an integrally attached bevelled finger plate onto which a plurality of pipes can be rolled. The lift arms lift the pipes from one point to a slanted storage area on the top of the unit and herefrom automatically by operation of the hydraulic pipe advance arms, the pipe to be tested is advanced into a pipe gripping vise for testing. The hydraulically operated pipe advance arms can then be operated to eject the pipe therefrom into another area for draining the pipe of all of the test fluid so that the test fluid can be recirculated for subsequent use.

Abstract: A hydrostatic pipe tester is especially designed for testing pipe at high pressures safely. Threaded tension rods are supported on both sides of the pipe under test such that their axes are coplaner with the pipe under test, and coupling assemblies couple the pipe under test to the threaded tension rods within the plane. A novel bleeding assembly and a novel check valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in hydrostatically testing a length of pipe, wherein the pipe is closed at both ends, and a pin is provided for interchangeably connecting hoses leading from high volume, low pressure and low volume, high pressure pumps to one such end closure, whereby the pipe may be filled with water, the water pressurized, and then drained from the pipe following the test. A valve is mounted within the pin to which the pump hoses are connected so as to prevent the loss of water from the pipe, as the pressure hose replaces the fill hose, but nevertheless permit the water to be drained from the pipe through the end closure and hose connection with the pressure pump.

Abstract: A handle stem for a bicycle, comprising a stem body, a projecting portion extending from the top of said stem body radially outwardly thereof, and a holding portion for a handle bar, provided at the foremost end of the projecting portion, so that a hollow, which is provided therein, houses an indicator electrically displaying running conditions of the bicycle.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for hydrostatically testing a length of pipe wherein the pipe is adapted to be closed by plugs at each end, one of the plugs having a port to which a hose leading from a pump may be connected in order to fill the pipe with water, and the other plug having a bleed valve through which air may be vented from the pipe as it is filled. Pump pressure is applied to the water in order to test the pipe, and water is then drained from the pipe to permit the pump hose to be disconnected from one plug for use in testing another length of pipe.

Abstract: Method of an apparatus for pressure testing and cleaning pipe in which one or more pipes are secured to a treatment manifold (31). The or each pipe is then filled through one end with low pressure water via an inlet (40) in the manifold (31), the other end of the or each pipe including a self-bleeding valve (52) which closes once the air within the pipes has been evacuated. The pressure is held for a predetermined time and the pressure sensed by a visual gauge (14) and a paper read-out (16) so that any pressure drop indicative of failure is noted. The pressure is then released, the valve (52) removed and the high pressure water at a pressure between 500-8000 psi introduced through jets (35) to wash the pipes which are then dried with compressed air before removal.

Abstract: A method for determining the variations of the internal condition of a pipeline or tubing, by propelling a pig, which is sealed against the pipeline or tubing wall, through the pipeline by means of a constant flowing driving fluid comprising the steps of continuously measuring and recording the pressure of the driving fluid or the pressure differential across the pig during pigging of the pipeline or tubing and deriving from the recorded pressure signals a plurality of quantities representative for the pressure variations in selected successive intervals of the pipeline or tubing, each interval having a predetermined length, in such a way that the total length of the pipeline or tubing to be inspected is covered, and comparing the values of the quantities thus obtained with reference data of these quantities, and deriving from comparision information as to the internal diameter variations of the pipeline or tubing being inspected.

Abstract: The unit comprises a mobile chassis having an enclosure mounted thereon, in which enclosure are compactly and efficiently confined an air-operated hydraulic pump, a water conduit for admitting water to the pump and for discharging pressured water therefrom, and a compressed-air conduit, for admitting operative compressed air to the pump, together with a pressure regulator for the air. The enclosure has a control panel through the face of which are mounted air and water inlet connectors for the conduits, and a water outlet connector. Air and water inlet valves, interposed in the conduits, are also mounted on the control panel, as well as a water discharge valve; the latter is interposed in the discharge end of the water conduit. Finally, air and water pressure-indicators, which communicate with the respective conduits, are fixed in the panel, and a pressure-setting regulator, which communicates with the air conduit, is secured in the panel.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus subjects samples of pipe, preferably plastic pipe, to controlled internal hydrostatic pressure in order to test the ability of that sample to withstand such pressure without catastrophic failure. A hydraulic pressure source (10) which preferably includes a variable volume compensated pump (12) and pair of accumulators (17) and (18) and applies the source pressure through a servo controlled pressure control valve (22) to a water filled sample (S). The hydrostatic pressure of the water within sample (S) generates an electrical signal proportional thereto via pressure transducer (24) and amplifier (25). This first signal is compared to an electronically generated second signal from a function generator (27). This second signal is proportional to the desired pressure within the sample (S). These first and second signals are compared by differential amplifier (28) which generates a third signal proportional to the difference between the first and second signals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing the tightness of a threaded connection between an oilfield pipe and a tapped connector. An annular space along the threaded connection is sealed with a test head, and only the threaded connection is thus subjected to internal hydraulic pressure via this connection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydrostatically testing the seal integrity against leakage of the sealing face surface of the end of a pipe is disclosed. A test pad is engaged against a sealing face surface of a pipe and urged into tight contact with said sealing face surface. Fluid is applied under pressure to the juncture between said test pad and said sealing face surface to determine the seal integrity against leakage of the sealing face surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic chuck device for use with the inside of a tube. Included is a body defining a chamber and a piston slideably mounted in said chamber. An axially centered stem means is mounted at one of its end on said piston and has a passage along its axis, while sleeve means slideably cover said stem means and are mounted on said body. Collet means are operably connected to said stem means and said sleeve means such that relative movement of one with respect to the other causes activation of said collets. First fluid means are connected to said piston to cause relative movement between said stem and said sleeve, and second fluid means are connected to said stem means for passage of fluid through said passage of said stem means into the inside of said tube.

Abstract: In the embodiment shown, the Plug comprises an elongate body which has a throughgoing passage formed therein and an external ramp surface. A plurality of jaws are independently engaged with the body, and constrained thereon, for movement along the ramp surface to cause the jaws to extend and grip the inside surface of a to-be-tested tube. The body is externally threaded and receives an internally-threaded nut which is used to move the jaws along the ramp surface. One end of the body has land surfaces formed thereon to accommodate a quick-disconnect coupling thereat of a tube. The opposite end of the body has an expandable seal, for sealingly engaging the inside surface of the to-be-tested tube. The seal comprises a nosepiece, centrally bored, with a hexagonal socket formed therein, and a hollow shaft, externally threaded, which threadedly engages an internal thread formed in the mating end of the body.

Abstract: A high pressure pipe tester plug for insertion into a pipe having a joint such as a weld to be tested includes a stem terminating in a fixed tapered washer, a plurality of grip segments arranged about the stem, an annular floating mandrel positioned about the stem and having an upper retaining section, a cylindrical section and a tapered entry section, an O-ring positioned in an internal recess of the floating mandrel and a ring-shaped seal, rectangular in cross section, positioned about the cylindrical section of the floating mandrel and retained by the upper retaining section. When tightened by a nut, the floating mandrel is forced into the top end of the grip segments, the washer is forced into the bottom end of the grip segments and the ring-shaped seal engages the pipe interior to isolate the joint to be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which are suitable for detecting leakage from manholes. The apparatus of the invention comprises a rim upon which an inflatable tube is mounted, a pressure gauge for measuring gas pressure, and a valve through which air or a similar gas may be introduced through the apparatus into the manhole is included. The apparatus may further include a duct which passes entirely through the assembly and which includes a chain or cable attached to the apparatus or the cap of the duct and the other end of which may be secured within the manhole itself. In the practice of the method of this invention, the apparatus is inserted into the manhole with the safety cable attached (if such is provided) and the tube portion of the apparatus is inflated to provide an airtight seal.

Abstract: A vehicular hazard warning system has an indicator on the vehicle that is energizable to yield a warning signal. The onset of a hazardous condition is detected and, as a result, a control signal is developed which has a variable parameter the amount of which is proportional to the degree of hazard represented by the condition. In response to that condition, the indicator is energized in a manner which quantitatively has a magnitude that is proportional to the amount of hazard. The system primarily responds to abrupt deceleration. It also preferably is responsive to such other inputs as brake pressure, wheel speed change, inertial forces and operator-controlled pedal movement.

Abstract: A resilient packer that may be mounted on a high pressure hydraulic testing unit to permit the unit to be moved axially through a string of tubular members connected end to end by collars. The tubular members have flat ring-shaped end surfaces that are disposed as pairs within the collars connecting the tubular members. The end surfaces of each of the pairs are longitudinally spaced a substantial distance. The packer is of such structure that a portion thereof is radially compressed into fluid sealing contact with the interior surface of the tubular member in which it is disposed, but which packer will not hang up on one of the end surfaces when it traverses the longitudinal space between a pair thereof as the testing unit is axially moved through the string of tubular members.

Abstract: A cylinder gripping apparatus having a jaw, a body and a floating interfacing assembly having a curved surface bearing against an opposing surface or groove, the interfacing assembly being operable to generate a proportional gripping force in response to an axial force upon the cylinder to be gripped. The jaw is not connected to the body. The interfacing assembly is operable to permit a transverse displacement of the jaw.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for injecting hydraulic test fluid into a length of pipe is disclosed. Test fluid under low hydraulic pressure axially displaces a cylindrical fill valve against a retaining force. The test fluid fills the pipe through discharge ports in the side of the fill valve. The retaining force retracts the fill valve and closes the discharge ports when the pipe is full. A conduit through the fill valve then supplies high pressure hydraulic fluid for testing the internal strength of the pipe.

Abstract: A pig trap closure is disclosed which includes a collar adapted to be attached to the end of a pipe, a door for opening and closing the end of the pipe, means for clamping the door to the collar and sealing means for preventing communication between the interior of the pipe and the atmosphere when the door is clamped to the collar. A testing valve is provided for indicating the presence of pressurized fluid in the pipe and means connects the testing valve to a handle used to unclamp the door for preventing movement of the handle until after the presence of pressurized fluid within the pipe has been checked by the testing valve.

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 tester having a pair of bolsters connected together by a tension framework and adapted to receive therebetween a pipe to be tested. One of the bolsters is movable along the framework to accommodate pipes of different lengths and locking pins are provided to secure the movable bolster at select positions along the length of the framework. The pins are received in openings having enlarged portions to facilitate pin insertion and reduced portions to provide confronting surface-to-surface contact between the pins and the openings upon test loading. The movable bolster carries its own pumping facility to withdraw water from a sump disposed beneath the tester and pump the water through a charging conduit on the bolster and into the pipe being tested. A stripper extends through the charging conduit to selectively remove a pipe from the movable bolster upon completion of a test. Vertically adjustable carriages are provided to support pipes of different diameter in a condition aligned with the bolsters.

Abstract: A tool for pressure testing flow conductors. The tool can engage the inside wall of a flow conductor at any location and form a pressure barrier to allow hydrostatic testing of the flow conductor on one side of the tool for leaks. The tool can be used to test either vertical or horizontal flow conductors. The tool is particularly adapted for use with pumpdown or through the flowline (TFL) servicing equipment for hydrostatic testing of tubing in wells. The tool is initially inserted into the flow conductor in a retracted condition. The tool can be moved through the conductor as desired until activated at a selected position within the flow conductor.

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 hose testing system comprising a source of pressurizing fluid, a distribution system for supplying the fluid from the source to a hose under test, a pump for pumping fluid through the distribution system into the hose under test, a regulator for maintaining a constant volume flow rate for the fluid being pumped into the hose and a gauge for indicating the fluid pressure existing in the hose at any specific time. Because of the constant volume flow rate provided by the test system, the monitored pressure vs. time of the hose under test is indicative also of its pressure vs. volume. Consequently, the system can be used to dynamically measure the internal pressure vs. volume characteristic of a given hose which measurements can in turn be employed to predict its structural integrity.

Abstract: An arrangement in a testhead of an hydrostatic pipe testing apparatus for tripping a limit switch, which is connected to a control for a main hydraulic piston cylinder assembly for the testhead, upon the pipe's contact with the arrangement thereby interrupting the travel of the testhead. This tripping action is indicative that an end of the pipe is in proper engagement with a seal in the testhead prior to the introduction of the pressurized testing fluid into the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: In an apparatus for pressure testing open-ended pipes or the like there is provided a novel sealing means to form an air-tight seal between the open end of a pipe to be tested and an end plate of a pipe supporting test fixture. The sealing means comprises a continuous, annular, yieldable sealing member of triangular cross-section supported on the end plate. A pneumatically expandable annular actuator is associated with the continuous sealing member. The sealing member is normally spaced radially and axially from the junction area of the pipe end and test fixture end plate. The pneumatically inflatable actuator is operative to expand the continuous yieldable sealing element radially and simultaneously to advance it longitudinally, whereby the triangular sealing member is tightly wedged into said junction area to form a preliminary seal. When test pressure is applied, it acts upon the triangular sealing member to increase the seal effectiveness.

Abstract: A distance-warning system in motor vehicles which is equipped with measuring and evaluating devices for determining the distance of the vehicle with respect to an obstacle disposed in front thereof and for determining the approach velocity to this obstacle; the brake deceleration which is required for avoiding a collision is obtained by means of a computer from the values determined by the measuring and evaluating devices; the brake deceleration thus determined is then reproduced as a desired value indication on a scale having deceleration values marked thereon.

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 pipe pressure testing device for testing the strength of a pipe specimen hydrostatically. The device receiving fluid under pressure and applying the fluid against the inner circumference of the pipe specimen and along the length thereof.

Abstract: A supporting fixture for pipe to be pressure-tested. The fixture includes a cage-like structure to receive an elbow, the structure being composed of opposing cage-like cradle segments defining a pipe elbow enclosure. The ends of the segments have respective semicircular flange portions to which is bolted a disc for sealing the end of a pipe elbow received in the enclosure. In the case where the elbow has a length of pipe attached thereto, a two-segment retaining cage structure is employed for the free end portion of the pipe section, also having a disc bolted thereto for sealing the pipe, the segments of the said latter retaining cage structure being connected to the elbow cage by tie rods. In the case where two elbows are joined by an intervening length of pipe, two elbow-retaining cage structures are employed, connected by tie rods. The elbow cage segments may be hinged together.

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.