System and method for installing a manifold plug
The present disclosure relates to an insert and system of installing the same. The insert includes a tapered core and a cylinder. The core releasably secures to an installation device which includes a depth stop or a depth control to control the installation depth of the insert. The insert may be provided in a tray that allows for easier handling of the inserts and installation thereof in installation holes, for example in a hydraulic manifold. In some cases, the core includes a threaded hole to releasably secure the insert to the installation device, thus allowing the installation device to pull the core into the cylinder. The core and cylinder may be made of metallic materials such as steels, steel alloys and others. In some cases the insert can withstand blow out pressures of 40,000 psi or higher.
1 . A plug configured to be installed with a tool having a male threaded device, the plug for sealing a hole in a device and comprising:
a core having a height and an outer wall that includes a tapered section and a cylindrical section, the core having a core hole extending at least partially therethrough and a bottom portion of the core is solid with a depth of the core hole being less than the height of the core, at least a portion of the core hole being threaded,
a metallic sleeve having an inner surface defining a cylindrical void and having an outer surface, the core is connected to the metallic sleeve at a lower end of the metallic sleeve prior to retraction of the core into the metallic sleeve;
the plug configured to be inserted into the hole with the threaded portion of the core hole being accessible from outside the hole of the device; and
the core is configured to be retracted in an axial direction towards the outside of the hole of the device such that both the tapered and the cylindrical sections of the core are pulled into the cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve whereby the outer wall of the core seals with the cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve to retain the core within the metallic sleeve and wherein the plug is configured such that when the plug is installed in the hole of the device such that the core is in a position retracted into the metallic sleeve with the threaded hole facing outwards and such that the core exerts outward pressure on an inner surface of the metallic sleeve, the core is retracted into the metallic sleeve and seals the hole of the metallic sleeve with the threaded hole free from engagement with the male threaded device after installation of the insert in the hole of the device and removal of the male threaded device.
2 . The plug of claim 1 wherein both the cylindrical section and the tapered sections of the core exert outward pressure on an cylindrical inner surface of the metallic sleeve.
3 . The plug of claim 1 wherein the core is connected to the metallic sleeve at the lower end of the metallic sleeve with a press-fit connection.
4 . The plug of claim 1 wherein the core is metallic.
5 . The plug of claim 1 wherein the core and the metallic sleeve are made of a steel or steel alloy.
6 . The plug of claim 1 wherein the tapered section is at an angle of less than 10 degrees.
7 . The plug of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve is defined by a smooth cylindrical inner wall of the metallic sleeve.
8 . The plug of claim 7 , wherein the cylindrical section of the outer wall of the core is smooth.
9 . The plug of claim 8 , wherein the tapered section of the outer wall of the core is smooth.
10 . The plug of claim 9 , wherein the smooth tapered section of the outer wall of the core has a different taper angle than the smooth cylindrical inner wall of the metallic sleeve.
11 . The plug of claim 10 , wherein the smooth cylindrical section of the outer wall of the core is in contact with the lower end of the metallic sleeve prior to the smooth tapered section of the outer wall of the core being in contact with the lower end of the metallic sleeve.
12 . The plug of claim 11 , wherein, when the core is in a position retracted into the metallic sleeve, the smooth outer surface of the metallic sleeve is in contact with and seals with the hole in the device.
13 . The plug of claim 11 , wherein the outer surface of the metallic sleeve is smooth.
14 . The plug of claim 11 , wherein the outer surface of the metallic sleeve is ridged.
15 . The plug of claim 14 , wherein the ridged section of the outer surface of the metallic sleeve is spaced apart from the upper surface of the metallic sleeve by the smooth section of the outer surface of the metallic sleeve.
16 . The plug of claim 8 , wherein the tapered section of the outer wall of the core has ridges.
17 . The plug of claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the metallic sleeve includes a lip.
18 . The plug of claim 17 , wherein the lip at the upper portion of the metallic sleeve has a different diameter than the hole in the device.
19 . A plug configured to be installed with a tool having a male threaded device, the plug for sealing a hole in a device and comprising:
a core having a height and a smooth outer wall that includes a smooth tapered section and a smooth cylindrical section, the core having a core hole extending at least partially therethrough and a bottom portion of the core is solid with a depth of the core hole being less than the height of the core, at least a portion of the core hole being threaded,
a metallic sleeve having a smooth inner surface defining a cylindrical void and having a smooth outer surface, the core being connected to the metallic sleeve at a lower end of the metallic sleeve prior to retraction of the core into the sleeve;
the plug configured to be inserted into the hole with the threaded portion of the core hole being accessible from outside the hole of the device; and
the core is configured to be retracted in an axial direction towards the outside of the hole of the device such that both the smooth tapered and smooth cylindrical sections of the core are pulled into the smooth cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve whereby the outer wall of the core seals with the cylindrical void of the sleeve to retain the core within the sleeve and wherein the plug is configured such that when the plug is installed in the hole of the device such that the core is in a position retracted into the sleeve with the threaded hole facing outwards and such that the core exerts outward pressure on an inner surface of the metallic sleeve, first the tapered section of the core is retracted into the sleeve and seals the hole of the metallic sleeve and then the tapered section of the core is next retracted into the sleeve and also seals the hole of the metallic sleeve, with the threaded hole free from engagement with the male threaded device after installation of the insert in the hole of the device and removal of the male threaded device.
20 . A plug configured to be installed with a tool having a male threaded device, the plug for sealing a hole in a device and comprising:
a core having a height and an outer wall that includes a tapered section and a cylindrical section, the core having a core hole extending at least partially therethrough and a bottom portion of the core is solid with a depth of the core hole being less than the height of the core, at least a portion of the core hole being threaded,
a metallic sleeve having an inner surface defining a cylindrical void and having an outer surface having a smooth section and a ridged section, the core is connected to the metallic sleeve at a lower end of the metallic sleeve prior to retraction of the core into the metallic sleeve;
the plug configured to be inserted into the hole with the threaded portion of the core hole being accessible from outside the hole of the device; and
the core is configured to be retracted in an axial direction towards the outside of the hole of the device such that both the tapered and the cylindrical sections of the core are pulled into the cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve whereby the outer wall of the core seals with the cylindrical void of the metallic sleeve to retain the core within the metallic sleeve and wherein the plug is configured such that when the plug is installed in the hole of the device such that the core is in a position retracted into the metallic sleeve with the threaded hole facing outwards and such that the core exerts outward pressure on an inner surface of the metallic sleeve, the core is retracted into the metallic sleeve and seals the hole of the metallic sleeve with the threaded hole free from engagement with the male threaded device after installation of the insert in the hole of the device and removal of the male threaded device.