PLUG, INSTALLATION/REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLUGGING A LATERAL LINE

摘要

A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. A tool such as a ratchet assembly is mounted on a robot sized and configured for navigating the main pipeline for installing the plug. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by the tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.