APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF VESSELS

摘要

A method of maintaining a sealing element within a leak site in a vessel comprises the steps of introducing a radially compressible hollow elastic tube, held under axial tension or radial compression into the vessel, the tube being radially compressed from an at rest condition to a contracted condition, the method further including the step of releasing the tension or compressive force on the tube such that the tube expands radially from the contracted towards the at rest condition against the wall of the vessel to trap the sealing element within the leak site between the outer surface of the tube and the inner wall of the vessel. A clamp apparatus for use in the sealing of a vessel comprises a hollow, flexible, elastic tube (1), said tube being radially compressible from an at rest condition to a contracted condition when held under axial tension or radial compression.