A method for sealing an opening extending radially from an outer circumferential surface to an inner circumferential surface of a tubular object in a nuclear power plant includes inserting a stopper from outside of the outer circumferential surface through the opening into the tubular object; and actuating a fastener from the outside of the circumferential surface to force the stopper radially outward to seal the opening. A mechanical seal assembly for plugging an opening in a tubular object by contacting an inner circumferential surface of the tubular object includes a stopper configured for insertion into an interior of the tubular object for plugging the opening. The stopper includes a surface configured for matching the inner circumferential surface of the tubular object. The mechanical seal assembly also includes a fastener passing through a hole in the stopper such that the fastener is actuatable from outside of the tubular object to force the surface of the stopper against the inner circumferential surface of the tubular object.

A sealing plug system for sealing a hole in a flexible pipe. A shaft extends through a hole in a conduit. A seal couples to the shaft. The seal sealingly engages an interior surface of the conduit. A reaction collar couples to the shaft. A locking system couples to the shaft. The locking system blocks movement of the shaft in a first direction and allows movement of the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

A leak-sealing device for sealing a leak in a container, a tank and/or a pipe includes a housing-type carrier unit, at least one expandable sealing member provided on an end region of the carrier unit, which does not expand, or only a little, in the storage position thereof, and at least one fluid connection and/or at least one fluid-release unit which is coupled to the carrier unit in such a way that, during the supply of fluid, the leak-sealing member is at least partially filled and expanded with the fluid in the sealing position thereof by means of a fluid supply. A method for sealing a leak using the leak-sealing device and to a system including the leak-sealing device and a fluid-supply device utilizes a release unit for fluid release.

A sealing element (10) for use in a fluid-carrying pipeline (16) comprising a substantially central core (14) surrounded by a coating (12). The outer coating (12) is adapted to perform a partial extrusion through an opening (15) in a pipeline wall (16) to seal the opening (15). The density of the sealing element (10) is substantially the same as the density of the fluid (11) in the pipeline (16). The coating (12) comprises a two-part epoxy putty, and the core (14) is formed from a deformable material. A method of making the sealing element is also disclosed.

A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the conduit, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the conduit, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the conduit, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the conduit.

A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the vessel, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the vessel, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the vessel, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the vessel.

An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The first seal is in two portions, and the second seal is in two portions.

An intervention method for acting on a wall of a fluid pipeline using a tool includes moving the tool inside the pipeline until a pipe segment of the tool is positioned facing a zone of the wall of the pipeline. The method also includes creating sealing upstream and downstream from the zone using first and second seals of the tool so as to seal off an outer portion of a segment of the pipeline around the zone. The method further includes acting on the zone of the wall. The sealing by the first and second seals occurs in two portions of the pipeline so as to define a sealing lock between the two portions of the pipeline. The tool further includes an adjustable propulsion system configured to make use of movement of the fluid in order to move the tool.

A sleeve is provided with an upstream end a downstream end each fitted with inflatable bladders. Rigid rings are provided inboard of these inflatable bladders to keep the sleeve open when the bladders are expanded against a surface of a fluid transport line. The ends of the sleeve preferably include cuffs thereon with the rings residing within these cuffs. Spreader bars can be provided between the rings at the upstream and downstream ends of the sleeves, to keep the sleeve in an elongated form. Sleeve support trolleys can be provided for supporting the sleeve and resisting sagging thereof at points between ends of the sleeve. Portions of the rings and sleeve support trolley can be collapsible to facilitate placement through limited size entry ports into the fluid transport line. Flow thus continues through the sleeve while maintenance is done on portions of the fluid line adjacent to the sleeve.

A hermetically sealing device has a sealing main-body and a rubber seal adhered to the sealing main-body. The rubber seal includes an inner lip, a slit and an outer lip. The inner lip extends along a periphery of the bored opening, and includes an outer-circumference surface that extends forward and inclines toward an inner-circumference side. The slit is formed on an outer-circumference side relative to the inner lip. An outer-surface-side edge of the bored opening enters the slit. The outer lip is formed on an outer-circumference side relative to the slit that is formed on an outer-circumference side relative to the inner lip, and transforms in such a manner that the outer lip extends toward an outer-circumference side to be hermetically in contact with an outer surface of the periphery of the bored opening.