In one aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided an apparatus (1) for providing access to pressurised pipes (24) and the like, the apparatus comprising: a body member (2) having attachment means for attachment of the body member to a pipe or vessel or a fitting coupled to a pipe or vessel, the body member having an internal barrel (6) that may be provided in fluid communication with the pipe or vessel or fitting when the body member is attached to the pipe or vessel or fitting; a hollow piston (3) slidable axially within the internal barrel, the apparatus being configured such that when an internal volume of the piston is pressurised by a fluid from the pipe or vessel a force exerted by pressurised fluid on the piston in a first axial direction is opposed by a force exerted by pressurised fluid on a counter-pressure portion (9, 10) of the piston, the apparatus being provided with a conduit orifice (15) adapted to allow a conduit (16) to be disposed therethrough so as to pass into the apparatus to an interior of the piston, wherein a pressure tight seal (15s) is formed between the conduit and conduit orifice, the apparatus being configured to allow a first end (3a) of the piston to be translated axially into the pipe, vessel or fitting, the piston having a port (21) arranged to allow egress of the conduit from the piston into the pipe, vessel or fitting.

Embodiments of the invention relate a valve fitting milling system and method for use with transmission pipes. One embodiment relates to a milling adaptor used with a valve housing having a temporary gate extending about the pipe and a mill. The milling adaptor includes a main adaptor plate removeably connected to the valve housing which defines at least one milling slot; a sliding gate cutting adaptor movably contacts the main adapted plate and defines at least one cutting hole; a cranking rod engages the sliding gate cutting adaptor and moves the sliding gate cutting adaptor with respect to the main adaptor plate; and a top retainer track removable connected to at least the main adaptor plate. The mill engages at least the sliding gate adaptor and mills a cross-cut hole in the pipe to receive a valve therein.

Embodiments of the invention relate a valve fitting milling system and method for use with transmission pipes. One embodiment relates to a milling adaptor used with a valve housing having a temporary gate extending about the pipe and a mill. The milling adaptor includes a main adaptor plate removeably connected to the valve housing which defines at least one milling slot; a sliding gate cutting adaptor movably contacts the main adapted plate and defines at least one cutting hole; a cranking rod engages the sliding gate cutting adaptor and moves the sliding gate cutting adaptor with respect to the main adaptor plate; and a top retainer track removable connected to at least the main adaptor plate. The mill engages at least the sliding gate adaptor and mills a cross-cut hole in the pipe to receive a valve therein.

Systems and methods for accessing and monitoring a fluid within a pressurized pipe include a nozzle coupled to a section of the pressurized pipe and defining an open proximal end fluidly communicating with the pressurized pipe through an access hole formed in the pressurized pipe, an open distal end, and an interior passage extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. A cover plate is coupled to the open distal end of the nozzle. A valve element is disposed in the interior passage and movable between an open position, in which the valve element is entirely disposed within the nozzle, and a closed position, in which a proximal section of the valve element is disposed in the pressurized pipe. A sensor port extends through a proximal end of the nozzle and positioned to fluidly communicate with the interior passage when the valve element is in the open position.

Systems and methods for accessing and monitoring a fluid within a pressurized pipe include a nozzle coupled to a section of the pressurized pipe and defining an open proximal end fluidly communicating with the pressurized pipe through an access hole formed in the pressurized pipe, an open distal end, and an interior passage extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. A cover plate is coupled to the open distal end of the nozzle. A valve element is disposed in the interior passage and movable between an open position, in which the valve element is entirely disposed within the nozzle, and a closed position, in which a proximal section of the valve element is disposed in the pressurized pipe. A sensor port extends through a proximal end of the nozzle and positioned to fluidly communicate with the interior passage when the valve element is in the open position.

This invention relates to an apparatus for adapting an existing pipeline. The apparatus includes a clamp portion adapted to fit around at least part of an existing pipeline in use and at least one neck or branch portion depending from the clamp portion, and a valve means.

A pipe fitting placement system includes a fitting holder including a bar defining a fitting bore proximate to a first end of the bar, the bar further defining a second end distal from the first end, the bar being elongated in a longitudinal direction extending from the first end to the second end; and a saddle coupled to the bar proximate to the second end of the bar, the saddle rotatable about a saddle pivot axis with respect to the bar; and a pipe fitting received within the fitting bore of the fitting holder.

A tapper for tapping a water main is disclosed. The tapper includes a tapping portion having an open first end for coupling to a saddle fitted on a water main. The tapping portion defines a first interior space to be fluidly connected to the water main. A coupling portion extends from the tapping portion and has a receiving end for receiving a service line. The coupling portion has a second interior space fluidly connecting the first interior space and the receiving end. A cutter is arranged in the first interior space. The cutter is advanceable from a starting position to a tapping position at the first end and retractable to the starting position. Related methods are also disclosed.

A tapper for tapping a water main is disclosed. The tapper includes a tapping portion having an open first end for coupling to a saddle fitted on a water main. The tapping portion defines a first interior space to be fluidly connected to the water main. A coupling portion extends from the tapping portion and has a receiving end for receiving a service line. The coupling portion has a second interior space fluidly connecting the first interior space and the receiving end. A cutter is arranged in the first interior space. The cutter is advanceable from a starting position to a tapping position at the first end and retractable to the starting position. Related methods are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a fluid introducer for a piping system that includes first and second piping sections. The fluid introducer provides a direct connection to the first piping section through a separator body configured to be positioned in an expansion gap between the first piping section and the second piping section such that a first end face of the separator body faces the first piping section and a second end face of the separator body faces the second piping section. The fluid introducer is configured to direct fluid from the fluid source through fluid introduction passaging into the first piping section and block the fluid from flowing into the second piping section.