CPC F16K 3/246 (2013.01) [F16K 3/314 (2013.01); F16K 31/523 (2013.01); F16L 55/105 (2013.01); F16L 55/124 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A pipe stopper assembly comprising:
a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and
a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration;
wherein, in the open configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contracted configuration; and
wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fitting channel; and
the pressure assembly comprises a pressure housing defining a housing cavity;
the housing cavity defines an upper portion and a lower portion sealed off from the upper portion; in the open configuration, the upper portion is in fluid communication with an atmosphere external to the pipe stopper assembly;
in the closed configuration, the upper portion is sealed off from the atmosphere; and
the lower portion is in fluid communication with the fitting channel.
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