Flowline components are assembled into high-pressure fluid transportation systems by a flange union. The flowline component comprises a body defining a substantially cylindrical central conduit. The conduit extends between first and second flat union faces and is adapted to conduct fluids through the body. The union faces are adapted to provide a mating surface for a flange union between the component and another flowline component. Accordingly, the union faces have a plurality of holes adapted to accommodate threaded connectors for forming the flange union. The holes are arranged in a defined array extending angularly around the conduit. Importantly, the array of holes on the first union face and the array of holes on the second union face are offset angularly relative to each other by an angle . It will be appreciated that such components may allow changes in the direction of a flow line.

Flowline components are assembled into high-pressure fluid transportation systems by a flange union. The flowline component comprises a body defining a substantially cylindrical central conduit. The conduit extends between first and second flat union faces and is adapted to conduct fluids through the body. The union faces are adapted to provide a mating surface for a flange union between the component and another flowline component. Accordingly, the union faces have a plurality of holes adapted to accommodate threaded connectors for forming the flange union. The holes are arranged in a defined array extending angularly around the conduit. Importantly, the array of holes on the first union face and the array of holes on the second union face are offset angularly relative to each other by an angle . It will be appreciated that such components may allow changes in the direction of a flow line.

A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.

A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.

A boring machine for boring a part of a fluid pipe in an uninterrupted flow state, includes: a shaft member having a leading end to which a cutter is attached; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the cutter and the shaft member around the shaft of the shaft member; and a forward and backward moving operation mechanism configured to move the cutter and the shaft member forward and backward in the axial direction of the shaft member by a handle that is manually rotated. The forward and backward moving operation mechanism is further configured to switch a feed amount of the cutter and the shaft member in the axial direction between at least two different feed amounts according to a rotational amount of the handle.

A boring machine for boring a part of a fluid pipe in an uninterrupted flow state, includes: a shaft member having a leading end to which a cutter is attached; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the cutter and the shaft member around the shaft of the shaft member; and a forward and backward moving operation mechanism configured to move the cutter and the shaft member forward and backward in the axial direction of the shaft member by a handle that is manually rotated. The forward and backward moving operation mechanism is further configured to switch a feed amount of the cutter and the shaft member in the axial direction between at least two different feed amounts according to a rotational amount of the handle.

An under-pressure tapping and access assembly is provided for use with a pressurized pipe. The under-pressure tapping and access assembly includes a multi-branch portion sealingly coupled to an outer surface of the pressurized pipe. A tapping branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a tapping branch axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to a pipe axis of the pressurized pipe. A first access branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a first access branch axis that is non-perpendicular relative to the pipe axis. A tool is sized for insertion through the first access branch.

An under-pressure tapping and access assembly is provided for use with a pressurized pipe. The under-pressure tapping and access assembly includes a multi-branch portion sealingly coupled to an outer surface of the pressurized pipe. A tapping branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a tapping branch axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to a pipe axis of the pressurized pipe. A first access branch of the multi-branch portion extending along a first access branch axis that is non-perpendicular relative to the pipe axis. A tool is sized for insertion through the first access branch.

A contoured branch fitting for reducing stress in a header pipe caused by acoustic induced vibration that includes a maximum width, a maximum length, a thickness that is greater along the maximum length and a constant radius between the branch connection and the header connection.

A contoured branch fitting for reducing stress in a header pipe caused by acoustic induced vibration that includes a maximum width, a maximum length, a thickness that is greater along the maximum length and a constant radius between the branch connection and the header connection.