| 摘要 |
A pipe sealing apparatus (15) is provided, together with a method of use thereof, for detecting and sealing leaks in a branch pipe (11) extending generally transversely from a main pipe (10), the main and branch pipes meeting at a flow communication interface in the form of a peripheral opening in the main pipe. The apparatus (15) comprises an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and adapted to be translated longitudinally through the main pipe, said elongated member having a pair of axially spaced hollow end sections (17, 19) and a hollow intermediate section (20) disposed between said end sections (17, 19) said intermediate section (20) having a peripheral egress opening defined therein, selectively inflatable bladder means (21, 23) disposed peripherally about each of said end sections, said bladder means (21, 23) having a deflated condition wherein their transverse cross-section is smaller than the cross-section of said main pipe (10), and an inflated condition wherein the bladder means are expanded into continuous peripheral contact with the main pipe (10) to define a sealed space between the end sections (17, 19) and about said intermediate section (20), means for selectively inflating said bladder means, means for selectively rotating said intermediate section (20) about said longitudinal axis relative to said end sections (17, 19) to permit angular alignment of said egress opening with said flow communication interface, a selectively inflatable elongated tube (47) secured at one end within said intermediate section (20) and having a collapsed condition wherein the tube resides substantially entirely within said intermediate section (20), and an inflated condition wherein said tube (47) projects transversely of said intermediate section (20) through said egress opening in said intermediate section (20) and into said branch pipe (11) when said egress opening and said flow communication interface are angularly aligned, said tube (47) having a distal portion (49) in its inflated condition which is expanded against the branch pipe (11) to seal a section of the branch pipe through which the tube extends, means for selectively inflating said tube (47) and means for selectively injecting fluid (50, 51) into the sealed space of the main pipe (10) and the sealed section of the branch pipe (11). |
