A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.

A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.

A sealing assembly for use downhole may include a plug having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The plug may have an expandable sealing member positioned between the first end and the second end of the plug. The expandable sealing member having a run-in-hole diameter and an expanded diameter that is greater than the run-in-hole diameter. A support device may extending at least partially between a first end of the plug and the expandable sealing member. The support device may include a recess. An elastomeric material may be positioned at least partially within the recess of the support device. A cover may be positioned at least partially over the support device for reducing extrusion of the elastomeric material from within the recess of the support device in the expanded diameter.

A weld test plug has a flange; an actuator rod mounted to the flange, the actuator rod having: a part expander; an annular seal; and an axial stop; in which the actuator rod is connected to, during use, cause the part expander to actuate: the axial stop to move in a radially outward direction relative to the actuator rod; and the annular seal to radially expand and abut the axial stop. A method includes inserting an actuator rod into an open end of a vessel, the actuator rod carrying an annular seal, and an axial stop; sealing the open end of the vessel around the actuator rod; operating the actuator rod to actuate: the axial stop to move in a radially outward direction relative to the actuator rod; and the annular seal to radially expand to abut the axial stop and seal against an inner circumferential surface of the vessel.

A mechanical plug includes first and second plug portions and an elongate member. The first plug portion includes a first endwall and a first sidewall. The first sidewall includes a female section extending in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the mechanical plug. The second plug portion is movable relative to the first plug portion. The second plug portion includes a second sidewall, a second endwall coupled to the second sidewall, and a seal. The second sidewall includes a male section extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The seal surrounds a portion of the male section in a region along the longitudinal axis between the second endwall and the female section. The elongate member is coupled to the first and second plug portions. Actuation of the elongate member moves the first plug portion and the second plug portion toward each other to compress the seal.

A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.

A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.

The present invention relates to a compression seal (1) for insertion into and sealing of an opening (2), having an elastomer body (5) and a tensioning bolt (7), wherein the elastomer body (5) can be deformed by tightening the tensioning bolt (7) and can thus be made to press in a sealing manner in directions perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (14) of the tensioning bolt (7), and wherein a tensioning element (8) having oblique faces (9a, b) set at an angle to one another is provided for the purpose of tensioning the elastomer body (5) and is braced between the tensioning bolt (7) and the elastomer body (5) such that, by displacement in its tapering direction (11) or an opposite direction, it can be brought into a tensioning state and thus the tensioning bolt (7) can be tightened and the elastomer body (5) can be deformed.

The present invention relates to a compression seal (1) for insertion into and sealing of an opening (2), having an elastomer body (5) and a tensioning bolt (7), wherein the elastomer body (5) can be deformed by tightening the tensioning bolt (7) and can thus be made to press in a sealing manner in directions perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (14) of the tensioning bolt (7), and wherein a tensioning element (8) having oblique faces (9a, b) set at an angle to one another is provided for the purpose of tensioning the elastomer body (5) and is braced between the tensioning bolt (7) and the elastomer body (5) such that, by displacement in its tapering direction (11) or an opposite direction, it can be brought into a tensioning state and thus the tensioning bolt (7) can be tightened and the elastomer body (5) can be deformed.

A mechanical lock unit with a shaft lock assembly and method of achieving a self-lock mode for, e.g., hydraulically activated isolation plug module. The shaft lock assembly includes a teeth-form ring that surrounds a shaft. The teeth-form ring defines a plurality of teeth. A teeth-form split gripper assembly is positioned to surround the teeth-form ring. The teeth-form split gripper assembly has at least a first teeth-form split gripper and a second teeth-form split gripper with a spring therebetween for biasing the first teeth-form split gripper away from said second teeth-form split gripper. The first teeth-form split gripper and the second teeth form split gripper having an inner surface that defines a plurality of teeth for cooperative engagement with the plurality of teeth of the teeth-form ring.