PIPELINE PACKER IMPROVEMENTS

摘要

The pipeline packer described herein typically includes a main body adapted for propulsion through the pipeline in an axial direction. A brake shoe support assembly is located on the main body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced brake shoes capable of gripping the interior wall of the pipeline are mounted to the support assembly. Fluid pressure activated means are associated with the brake shoe support assembly for urging the brake shoes radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the pipeline to secure the main body in a desired location in the pipeline against the pipeline pressure forces acting thereon. A pair of annular wedging means are also mounted to the main body for axial movement toward each other as the fluid pressure activated means acts on the brake shoe support assembly to urge the brake shoes into gripping engagement. An annular sealing member of elastomeric material is located between the annular wedging means and is adapted to co-operate with same so as to expand radially outwardly as the annular wedging members move toward each other. The packer also includes fluid pressure supply and control means connected to the fluid pressure activated means so that on demand the brake shoes are urged into gripping relationship with the pipeline while at the same time the annular sealing member is expanded into sealing engagement with the pipeline wall.