APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING A VALVE ON OR INTO AN EXISITING PIPE

摘要

There is provided an apparatus for installing and/or replacing a valve on an existing pipe which may be under fluid pressure. A first versionof the apparatus includes a main housing having a pair of separable housing members together defining a first bore extending along a first axis for receiving the pipe and embracing the same. These housing members also define a second bore extending along a second axis intersecting the first axis in transverse relation thereto. An annular cutter disposed in said second bore is capable of being advanced along said second axis for cutting and removing a section of the pipe located within said main housing. A further member is axially movable with said cutter along said second bore into a predetermined axial position adjacent the ends of said pipe after said pipe section has been removed by said cutter. The further member has a port means extending transversely therethrough causing flow through said pipe to be selectively enabled and disabled when said further member is selectively moved or positioned such as to bring said port means into and out of alignment with said first axis along which the pipe extends. A sealing means is located within said main housing for forming a fluid tight seal between the pipe and each of said housing members when in use and also around said further member when it is in said axial position for enabling and disabling flow through said pipe. A second version of the apparatus is also described hereafter.