Inventors:
Felix P. Mummolo - Spring City PA
Assignee:
Smart Technology Inc. - Pottstown PA
International Classification:
F16L 5518
F16K 4300
Abstract:
A process for servicing a live pipeline does not require the preexistence of isolation valves or access components or the use of special enclosures. No special components remain in the serviced pipeline. The invention is particularly useful for servicing hospital medical gas distribution pipelines or other pipelines having restrictions on components, connections, and contamination. The process comprises steps of isolating a pipeline section, severing the pipeline in the isolated section, plugging the pipeline upstream of the severed open end using a fluid-tight seal, removing a pipeline section downstream of the fluid-tight seal, connecting a first replacement section having a first valve to the pipeline proximate to the fluid-tight seal, moving the fluid-tight seal into the replacement section and downstream of the first valve, closing the first valve, repeating the procedure on the downstream side so as to connect a second replacement section and close a second valve located therein, interconnecting the first and second replacement sections, and then opening the first and second valves to permit fluid flow through the first and second replacement sections.
