Polyethylene pipe service system including quick connect means for polyethylene pipe tapping, plugging, and completion operations
Embodiments of a polyethylene (“PE”) pipe servicing system of this disclosure may include a fusible PE fitting (F) providing a branch connection to a PE pipeline section or run (P), a valve ( 10 ) connected to the fitting and including quick connect/disconnect means, and a machine connectable to the valve including complementary quick connect/disconnect means. The quick connect means provide for full scope of operation, including cleaning, fusion, cool down, hot tap, plugging, and completion. No squeezing is used. The quick connect/disconnect means may include a first portion 20 of a cam profile and a second portion 40 of the cam profile complementary to that of the first. The machine may be a drilling or hot tapping machine ( 30 T), a plugging machine ( 30 P), or a completion machine ( 30 C), and their associated tools. The valve and machine are more lightweight and faster and easier to use than the prior art.
1. A polyethylene pipe service system comprising:
a valve ( 10 ) including:
a disk ( 71 ) moveable in an axial direction between an open and a closed position;
a cylindrical-shaped lower end ( 11 ) located below the disk and configured for connection to a saddle branch fitting (F) of a polyethylene pipe (P);
a cylindrical-shaped upper end ( 13 ) located above the disk and including a first portion ( 20 or 40 ) of a cam profile located on an inner wall ( 23 ) of the cylindrical-shaped upper end; and
a polyethylene pipe service machine ( 30 T, 30 P, or 30 C) including:
a cylindrical-shaped lower end ( 33 ) containing a second portion ( 40 or 20 ) of the cam profile located on an outer wall ( 67 ) of the cylindrical-shaped lower end; and
a collar ( 37 ) having a diameter greater than the cylindrical-shaped lower end of the polyethylene pipe service machine and configured for connection to the cylindrical-shaped upper end of the valve;
wherein when the first and second portions of the cam profile engage with one another, rotation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve changes a vertical elevation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve and connects the machine to the valve.
2. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first portion of the cam profile includes a pair of tabs ( 21 ) located opposite one another; and
the second portion of the cam profile includes a pair of stair-stepped channels ( 41 ) sized to receive a corresponding tab of the pair of tabs.
3. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 2 , further comprising, each stair-stepped channel including an open end ( 45 ), a closed end ( 47 ), and at least two stairs ( 61 ) located between the open and closed ends.
4. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 3 , each stair-stepped channel including the open end at is lowest most elevation and the closed end at its highest most elevation.
5. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 3 , wherein the rotation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve causes an end ( 25 ) of the tab to contact the closed end of the stair-shaped channel.
6. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 1 , further comprising, the polyethylene pipe service machine including a wheel ( 69 ) located toward, and arranged about, the cylindrical-shaped lower end of the polyethylene pipe service machine.
7. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second portion of the cam profile includes a pair of tabs ( 21 ) located opposite one another; and
the first portion of the cam profile includes a pair of stair-stepped channels ( 41 ) sized to receive a corresponding tab of the pair of tabs.
8. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 7 , further comprising, each stair-stepped channel including an open end ( 45 ), a closed end ( 47 ), and at least two stairs ( 61 ) located between the open and closed ends.
9. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 8 , each stair-stepped channel including the open end at is lowest most elevation and the closed end at its highest most elevation.
10. The polyethylene pipe service system of claim 8 , wherein the rotation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve causes an end ( 25 ) of the tab to contact the closed end of the stair-shaped channel.
11. A method for securing a polyethylene pipe service machine ( 30 T, 30 C, or 30 P) to a valve ( 10 ) connected to a saddle branch fitting (F) of a polyethylene pipe run (P), the method comprising:
securing the valve to the branch access fitting, the valve including:
a disk ( 71 ) moveable in an axial direction between an open and a closed position;
a cylindrical-shaped lower end ( 11 ) located below the disk and configured for connection to the saddle branch fitting of the polyethylene pipe;
a cylindrical-shaped upper end ( 13 ) located above the disk and including a first portion ( 20 or 40 ) of a cam profile located on an inner wall ( 23 ) of the cylindrical-shaped upper end;
positioning the polyethylene pipe service machine above and directly over the valve; the polyethylene pipe service machine including:
a cylindrical-shaped lower end ( 33 ) containing a second portion ( 40 or 20 ) of the cam profile located on an outer wall ( 67 ) of the cylindrical-shaped lower end, and
a collar ( 37 ) having a diameter greater than the cylindrical-shaped lower end of the polyethylene pipe service machine and configured for connection to the cylindrical-shaped upper end of the valve;
aligning the first and second portions of the cam profile to one another;
lowering the polyethylene pipe service machine into the valve until its downward travel is arrested by the first portion of the cam profile;
rotating the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve until the rotation is arrested by the first portion of the cam profile; and
securing the collar to the cylindrical-shaped upper end of the valve.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the first portion of the cam profile includes a pair of tabs ( 21 ) located opposite one another; and
the second portion of the cam profile includes a pair of stair-stepped channels ( 41 ) sized to receive a corresponding tab of the pair of tabs.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising, each stair-stepped channel including an open end ( 45 ), a closed end ( 47 ), and at least two stairs ( 61 ) located between the open and closed ends.
14. The method of claim 13 , each stair-stepped channel including the open end at is lowest most elevation and the closed end at its highest most elevation.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the rotation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve causes an end ( 25 ) of the tab to contact the closed end of the stair-shaped channel.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising, the polyethylene pipe service machine including a wheel ( 69 ) located toward, and arranged about, the cylindrical-shaped lower end of the polyethylene pipe service machine, the rotation occurring by turning the wheel.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the second portion of the cam profile includes a pair of tabs ( 21 ) located opposite one another; and
the first portion of the cam profile includes a pair of stair-stepped channels ( 41 ) sized to receive a corresponding tab of the pair of tabs.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising, each stair-stepped channel including an open end ( 45 ), a closed end ( 47 ), and at least two stairs ( 61 ) located between the open and closed ends.
19. The method of claim 18 , each stair-stepped channel including the open end at is lowest most elevation and the closed end at its highest most elevation.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the rotation of the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve causes an end ( 25 ) of the tab to contact the closed end of the stair-shaped channel.