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...When G.G. Hubbard learned of his future son-in-law's invention, he called it "only a toy." His daughter was engaged to a young man named Alexander Graham Bell.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8151817 | Apparatus for isolating elbow fittings An apparatus for isolating elbow fittings includes a fluid containing elbow housing with cooperating components. The elbow housing has a first opening for a first branch of an elbow, a second opening for a second branch of an elbow and a tool insertion opening in ax... | 04/10/2012 |
| 8127784 | Filter draining device Disclosed herein is a device for draining a screw-on fluid filter which comprises a hollow body member movably engaged with a puncturing member. The hollow body member is dimensioned and arranged to at least partially engage a threaded attachment portion of the scre... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8118048 | Apparatus and method for forming an opening in a storage tank An apparatus and method for forming an opening through a storage tank (3) containing a flammable and/or combustible fluid, for example petrol. The storage tank (3) includes a hollow column (7) extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the ... | 02/21/2012 |
| 7938137 | Method of direct hot tapping into a multiple production string without removing outer layers of casing A method of hot tapping into a multiple string configuration for obtaining access to the production tubing without removing outer layers of casing by providing a multiple casing string that includes at least an outer casing and an inner casing or production string; ... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7437815 | Systems adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool and methods Systems and methods are provided wherein a tube insert is at least partially disposed within the end portion of a tube. An alignment fixture can be used to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7350533 | Method for accessing a pipe and apparatus therefor Method and apparatus for accessing the inside of a pipe includes a valve which connects to the pipe, a riser pipe, and an operating rod for selectively opening and closing the valve. The apparatus further includes a 5.25 inch cylindrical housing having a removable c... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7252459 | Method and device for positioning a branch connection on a pipeline The following operations are carried out: a) digging an exploration hole (8), b) using a branch connection (10) which includes a main plate (12) and a fixing plate (22) which are held together, c) us... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7243959 | Reactor water isolation devices A seal clamp assembly for sealing an opening in a piping system includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base having a first side, a second side and an aperture extending therethrough from the first side to the second side, and a brace coupled to the base. The brace ... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7077177 | Clamp with canister entry and method of use in providing liquid exchange A fluid exchange is provided through the wall of a canister using a clamp having a pair of jaws enabled for gripping the canister. The pair of jaws provides a tubular entry device positioned for penetrating the canister when the jaws are tightened on the canister. T... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7018137 | Apparatus and process for installing âTâ couplings on underground pipe A tool assembly and a process for using it is provided, wherein a single elongate handle member may be used, through a small hole at the ground surface, to reach underground pipes for installing different sized strap âTâ couplings on different sized pipes, and f... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6976498 | Method of fitting a cable into a pipe A method of installing a cable or conduit into at least one plastic pipe of a fluid carrying pipeline system, comprises attaching a first saddle fitting at a first location on said plastic pipe by electro-fusion, opening the pipe at the first location, introducing t... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6957761 | Inertia or friction welding of conical components into elliptically-shaped holes in a pipe or tube A method of joining tubular structures using friction welding is disclosed. The invention provides a method of joining a first tubular structure having a conical contact surface to a second tubular member with an elliptical contact orifice by placing the conical sur... | 10/25/2005 |
| 6832624 | Plumbing tool and method for repairing a pipe therewith A plumbing tool includes an elongated hollow shaft and a resilient member attached to the shaft adjacent a shaft end. The resilient member extends radially outward and is sized to closely fit within a pipe inner diameter. Once the pipe has been cut, the tool is forc... | 12/21/2004 |
| 6748968 | Method and apparatus for combined conduit/electrical-conductor junction installation A combination junction provides a fluid, electrical-power and control-signal connections. A combination tap comprises a flow probe that pierces a main conduit when it is attached to it. It thereby provides fluid communication between a tap conduit and the main condu... | 06/15/2004 |
| 6739352 | Self-piercing radiator drain valve A self-piercing radiator drain valve which is implemented in a radiator requiring the coolant therein to be drained, particularly a radiator having no integrated drain valve. A radiator foot has a blind bore. A self-piercing valve body including a piercing tip and a... | 05/25/2004 |
| 6698444 | Freeing of seized valves In order to free a seized valve, an inspection port is formed in a wall of the valve body and the areas where the valve is seized are determined. One or more injection ports are formed in the valve body adjacent to the seized portions of the valve, pressu... | 03/02/2004 |
| 6536463 | Method and system for installing cable in pressurized pipelines A method of introducing a fiber optic conduit into a pressurized gas pipeline includes the step of introducing a translating member into the pressurized gas pipeline via an entry port in a first drilling nipple attached to the pressurized gas pipeline. To... | 03/25/2003 |
| 6142165 | Method and apparatus for installing a branch connector from the top of an excavation The invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing a branch connector on a buried pipe for transporting a fluid, and to do so by means of a multi-purpose long handle from the top of an excavation. The apparatus comprises a bottom saddle positi... | 11/07/2000 |
| 6012878 | Pressure balanced subsea tapping machine A machine for use underwater and therefor subject to ambient hydrostatic pressure for tapping a pressurized pipeline has an elongated tubular tapping machine body with a boring bar therein that receives a cutter at its lower end. A passageway in a lower e... | 01/11/2000 |
| 5964240 | Pipe tapping A pipe tapping device which includes a valve conduit having a longitudinal axis, a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, wherein the fluid inlet portion has associated therewith, a cutting edge; mounting apparatus for mounting the valve conduit ... | 10/12/1999 |
| 5381815 | Method for isolating a relief valve A method for isolating a relief valve, the relief valve being positioned in fluid communication with a pressurized vessel by positioning a gate valve body between and in fluid communication with the relief valve and the pressurized vessel, the gate valve ... | 01/17/1995 |
| 5291914 | Piercing valve assembly for pliers A fluid recovery tool for forming an opening in a pipe, tube, or other fluid-carrying conduit includes a pair of pliers having two handle portions pivotally attached and moveable with respect to each other. Each handle portion of the pliers terminates in ... | 03/08/1994 |
| 5186199 | Conduit stopper A conduit stopper is used for interrupting the flow of fluid through an elongated conduit. The conduit stopper has a nozzle sealingly mounted on the elongated conduit. The conduit has an aperture communicating with the nozzle. A deformable sealing element... | 02/16/1993 |
| 5170813 | Tapping bands A tapping band allowing for interconnection of fluid conduits without any interruption to fluid flow includes means (1A and 1B) adapted, in use, to be disposed around a first pipe (2) and having an outlet (3) extending substantially normally therefrom, th... | 12/15/1992 |
| 5152310 | In-line valve for fluid conduit An in-line valve for mounting within an existing fluid line to temporarily block the flow of fluid downstream from the valve without interrupting the flow of fluid upstream of the valve. Two valve half bodies create a cylindrical aperture therebetween whi... | 10/06/1992 |
| 5052431 | Pipeline repair method and apparatus A method is disclosed for cutting an opening in the side of a pipe carrying gas under pressure, providing a bypass through the cut, and terminating the bypass when the pipe has been repaired, along with apparatus for performing steps of the method. To pro... | 10/01/1991 |
| 5022421 | Fluid connection method and assembly A fluid connection is made to a conduit with a fluid connector by piercing a wall of the conduit. The connector includes a hollow nose portion. The connector is mounted on a tool having a punch pin extending through and beyond the nose portion. The wall i... | 06/11/1991 |
| 4978255 | Tapping fluid supply pipes A fluid supply pipe (1) is drilled and tapped using a saddle (2) adhered to its surface, the drilling and tapping tools being attached to the saddle. The saddle (2) comprises a sole plate (3) snugly fitting on the pipe, and an upstanding collar (4) with a... | 12/18/1990 |
| 4922951 | Service tee for connection to a gas or water main A service tee comprises a tubular T-piece 1 having a through-portion 2 with a flexible lower end 6 for connection to a gas or water main 70 by way of a hole in the wall of the main and a side branch portion 3 for connection to a service pipe. The end 6 of... | 05/08/1990 |
| 4832069 | Tapping subterranean pipes Subterranean service pipes, eg. water mains, are tapped by minimal excavation to expose the upper half of the main and then locating (with respect to the main) a conventional pipe-tapping device but without employing means encircling the pipe. Thus, a cla... | 05/23/1989 |
| 4719936 | Method of hot tapping type branching and split joint used therein The disclosed invention provides a novel method of perforating a main pipeline while in service, and split joints suited to this method, in order to connect a branch pipeline thereto. According to this method, perforating work is carried out from an oppos... | 01/19/1988 |
| 4691726 | Method and apparatus for valve assembly for a hot water tank A method of replacing an inlet valve for a hot water tank, comprising removing the existing valve and inserting a new valve particularly adapted for use in the present invention. The new valve is connected to the pipe end portion of the inlet pipe by mean... | 09/08/1987 |
| 4364406 | Method and device for establishing a flow connection with a pipe A method to establish flow communication with a tubular pipe (3), and a device for utilization of the method, whereby two housing members (6, 7) are joined in a sealing contact position embracing the tubular pipe (3), whereafter a piston member (1), movab... | 12/21/1982 |
| 4311164 | Valve handle retention system A simple but effective valve assembly is disclosed wherein a valve stem retaining spring clip is mounted within a valve stem removal aperture in the valve handle to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the valve handle from the valve stem. The valve assembl... | 01/19/1982 |
| 4270559 | Method for installing an adjustable flow restricting valve member in a tubular pipe, and a valve device for utilization of the method A method for installing an adjustable flow restricting valve member in a tubular pipe, and a valve device for utilization of the method, including the steps of cutting a slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular pipe, inserting a mainly ... | 06/02/1981 |
| 4184504 | Wellhead valve removal and installation tool A tool for removing and replacing wing valves or master valves on an operating wellhead under pressure includes an elongated housing with a fluid coupling on one end for connecting to the outlet end of a wellhead valve and a packing assembly extending fro... | 01/22/1980 |
| 4029118 | Tapping apparatus and method A tapping apparatus and method is provided whereby a sleeve having at least one annular groove around the circumference thereof and an outwardly extending flange at one end thereof is, during the cutting of an opening in the wall of a conduit, carried by ... | 06/14/1977 |
| 3974846 | Apparatus and method for gaining access to the contents of pressurized vessels and systems An apparatus and method for gaining access to the contents of pressurized vessels and systems and for discharging the contents safely under controlled conditions. The apparatus, comprised essentially of a ball valve and pressure tube assembly having a coa... | 08/17/1976 |
