Method and apparatus for securing a conduit to a structure for the transfer of fluids

摘要

An apparatus and method is disclosed for transfer of fluids to or from a structure (S). The apparatus has a conduit (1) having an internal passage with a neck and a portion of the conduit is adapted to be received within a hole in the structure (S). An expander device (7) is adapted to be received within the internal passage of the conduit (1) and has at least one portion that has a larger dimension than the neck of the internal passage. A driving mechanism (3) is adapted to drive the expander device (7) through the internal passage of the conduit (1) to expand the neck of the conduit. The apparatus also has a perforating mechanism comprising a drill stem (5) and a cutting bit (6) mounted on the drill stem and adapted to form the hole in the structure (S). The expander device (7) is apertured to allow passage of the drill stem (5) through the aperture.