IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,175,799

Granted Patent B2

US 9,175,799 · App. 13/448,109 · Granted Nov 3, 2015

System and method for modular repair of pipe leaks

Inventors: John W. Clark (Houston, TX); Jerry Robb (La Porte, TX)

Assignee: Colt Services, LP

F16L55/179 F16L55/172

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 9,175,799
App. No.: 13/448,109
Granted: Nov 3, 2015
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A modular pipe repair enclosure system includes first and second enclosure portions, and an enclosure attachment device. The first and second enclosure portions create an enclosure around the pipe for covering leaks. The enclosure has three openings for accommodating the pipe. The first and second openings are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other, and at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the third opening, such that a straight line section of pipe may be accommodated by the first and second openings, an elbow section of pipe by the first and third openings, and a T-section of pipe by the first, second, and third openings. The system may further include a blank, for closing one of the openings, for use with a straight or elbow section, and a sleeve, for reducing the inner diameter of an opening, for accommodating pipes of different diameters.

Claims (74)

1. A modular pipe repair enclosure system for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe, comprising:

a first enclosure portion;

a second enclosure portion;

an enclosure attachment device, for securing the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion; and

a strongback clamping unit, the strongback clamping unit being disposable around the pipe, being configured for connection to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion and having a strongback holder configured for holding a strongback rod for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe,

wherein the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion are so configured as to be disposable around a pipe so as to create an enclosure around the pipe and a void portion, the void portion constituting a void between the enclosure and the pipe and being for covering one or more leaks in the pipe, and the enclosure including three openings, each of the three openings being configured to accommodate the enclosed pipe.

2. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sleeve, configured for connection to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion and for accommodating the enclosed pipe when connected to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion.

3. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a blank, configured for connection to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion and for closing one of the openings of the created enclosure when connected to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion.

4. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , further comprising:

5. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 ,

wherein, of the three openings, a first opening and a second opening are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other, and a first opening and a third opening are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other, whereby a straight line section of pipe may be accommodated by the first and second openings, an elbow section of pipe may be accommodated by the first and third openings, and a T-section of pipe may be accommodated by the first, second, and third openings.

6. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second enclosure portions collectively include at least one injection point, configured for communication with the void portion and for injecting sealant through the injection point into the void portion.

7. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second enclosure portions includes three recessed portions configured such that, when the first and second enclosure portions are disposed around the pipe to create the enclosure around the pipe, the three recessed portions of the first enclosure portion are respectively aligned with the three recessed portions of the second enclosure portion, whereby the created enclosure has three pairs of aligned recessed portions, each pair of aligned recessed portions forming one of the three openings, respectively.

8. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 7 , wherein each of the recessed portions is an at least substantially semicircular portion, and each of the openings is at least substantially circular.

9. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure attachment device comprises a fastener, and wherein each of the first and second enclosure portions is provided with a hole for inserting the fastener therein, for securing the first and second enclosure portions.

10. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 2 ,

wherein each of the first and second enclosure portions is disposable axially along and partially circumferentially around a pipe, and the first and second enclosure portions are collectively disposable circumferentially around a pipe when oriented in opposition to one another, and

wherein the sleeve comprises two opposing sleeve portions, each of the sleeve portions being disposable axially along and partially circumferentially around a pipe, and the two opposing sleeve portions being disposable circumferentially around a pipe.

11. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 4 , wherein each of the sleeve and the blank is configured for mating connection to the first enclosure portion and/or the second enclosure portion.

12. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second enclosure portions includes three recessed portions configured such that, when the first and second enclosure portions are disposed around the pipe to create the enclosure around the pipe, the three recessed portions of the first enclosure portion are respectively aligned with the three recessed portions of the second enclosure portion, whereby the created enclosure has three pairs of aligned recessed portions, each pair of aligned recessed portions forming one of the three openings, respectively, and

wherein each of the recessed portions includes at least one first lip, and each of the sleeve and the blank includes at least one second lip, wherein each first lip and each second lip are configured for mating connection therebetween, whereby each of the sleeve and the blank may be matingly connected to a respective one of the recessed portions.

13. The modular pipe repair enclosure system of claim 4 , wherein the sleeve comprises two opposing sleeve portions, and each of the first and second enclosure portions, the sleeve portions, and the blank is made of a single solid steel piece.

14. A method for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe, using a modular pipe repair enclosure system, the modular pipe repair enclosure system including:

a first enclosure portion;

a second enclosure portion;

an enclosure attachment device, for securing the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion;

a securing device, for securing the strongback clamping unit,

wherein the first and second enclosure portions collectively include at least one injection point, configured for communication with the void portion and for injecting sealant through the injection point into the void portion, and

the method comprising:

disposing a first enclosure portion around a pipe;

disposing a second enclosure portion around the pipe, so as to create an enclosure around the pipe and a void portion, the void portion constituting a void between the enclosure and the pipe, and the enclosure including three openings each configured to accommodate the enclosed pipe;

securing the first and second enclosure portions, using an enclosure attachment device;

injecting sealant through an injection point of the first and second enclosure portions into the void portion;

connecting a strongback clamping unit to the first and second enclosure portions;

installing a strongback rod in a strongback holder of the strongback clamping unit; and

securing the strongback clamping unit, using a securing device,

wherein the void portion covers a leak in the pipe.

15. The method of claim 14 ,

wherein the modular pipe repair enclosure system further includes:

wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a sleeve to at least one of the first and second enclosure portions;

whereby the connected sleeve accommodates the enclosed pipe.

16. The method of claim 14 ,

wherein the modular pipe repair enclosure system further includes:

wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a blank to at least one of the first and second enclosure portions,

whereby the blank closes one of the openings of the created enclosure.

17. The method of claim 14 ,

wherein the modular pipe repair enclosure system further includes:

wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a sleeve to at least one of the first and second enclosure portions, whereby the connected sleeve accommodates the enclosed pipe; and

connecting a blank to at least one of the first and second enclosure portions, whereby the blank closes one of the openings of the created enclosure.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

adhering at least one of the sleeve and the blank to at least one of the first and second enclosure portions, using an adhesive.

19. The method of claim 16 ,

wherein, in the modular pipe repair enclosure system, of the three openings, a first opening and a second opening are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other, whereby a straight line section of pipe may be accommodated by the first and second openings, and

wherein, in the method, the pipe is a straight line section of pipe, and the disposing of the first and second enclosure portions around the pipe and the connecting of the blank are collectively performed such that the first and second openings accommodate the straight line section of pipe, and the blank closes the third opening of the created enclosure.

20. The method of claim 16 ,

wherein, in the modular pipe repair enclosure system, of the three openings, a first opening and a third opening are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other, whereby an elbow section of pipe may be accommodated by the first and third openings, and

wherein, in the method, the pipe is an elbow section of pipe, and the disposing of the first and second enclosure portions around the pipe and the connecting of the blank are collectively preformed such that the first and third openings accommodate the elbow section of pipe, and the blank closes the second opening of the created enclosure.

21. The method of claim 14 ,

wherein, in the modular pipe repair enclosure system, of the three openings, a first opening and a second opening are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other, and a first opening and a third opening are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other, whereby a T-section of pipe may be accommodated by the first, second, and third openings, and

wherein, in the method, the pipe is a T-section of pipe, and the disposing of the first and second enclosure portions around the pipe collectively comprise disposing the first and second enclosure portions such that the first, second and third openings accommodate the T-section of pipe.

22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the sealant is a solid or semi-solid sealant.

Assignments (8)

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 2, 2026

From: APOGEM CAPITAL LLC

To: COLT SERVICES, LLC

Reel/Frame 075881/0818 →

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2026

From: COLT SERVICES, LLC

To: COLT DEBTCO, LP

Reel/Frame 075827/0087 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2024

From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT