A closure is provided for a pressure vessel or pipelines that can provide quick and easy access to the interior of a pressure vessel or pipeline, and means for a pressure tight seal between the hub and door. The closure can incorporate means for mechanically fastening the door to the hub using an external split clamp ring actuated by a toggle mechanism. A locking mechanism can be provided to safeguard against unintended closure actuation, and provides a layer of redundancy to the holding characteristics of the toggle mechanism. The locking mechanism can be interlocked to a pressure alert system to ensure any differential pressure condition contained within the closure is detected prior to disengaging the locking mechanism and actuating the toggle mechanism.

A method of sealing a hole in a wall of a hollow structure comprises providing a sealed chamber that is external to the structure and that is in fluid communication with an internal space of the structure via the hole. The structure may be a pipe-in-pipe structure and the internal space may be an annulus between outer and inner pipes. Fluid flows through the hole into or out of the chamber as the pressure and/or composition of fluid in the internal space is adjusted. Then, a plug is spun and friction-welded into the hole. The plug is inserted into the hole from within the chamber.

A first flow channel of a flow channel switching valve includes a first portion that is connected to a valve body and that is linear, a second portion that is connected such that the second portion is perpendicular to the first portion and that is linear, and a lid member that is joined such that the lid member covers an opening of a tip end of the first portion. The first flow channel also includes a pair of projecting portions that is disposed such that the projecting portions interpose the first portion therebetween in a radial direction and face each other, and a connecting portion that couples the pair of projecting portions with each other. The pair of projecting portions includes a planar surface portion that faces the valve body direction.

A method of sealing a hole in a wall of a hollow structure comprises providing a sealed chamber that is external to the structure and that is in fluid communication with an internal space of the structure via the hole. The structure may be a pipe-in-pipe structure and the internal space may be an annulus between outer and inner pipes. Fluid flows through the hole into or out of the chamber as the pressure and/or composition of fluid in the internal space is adjusted. Then, a plug is spun and friction-welded into the hole. The plug is inserted into the hole from within the chamber.

A pull off pipe cap (1) that fully seals the end of the pipe or pipe fitting to protect the pipe during construction especially while pouring concrete foundations around pipes. The pull off pipe cap is easily found under poured concrete and is easily removed from the pipe or pipe fitting without a need for demolition of the concrete slab and excavation around the pipe.

A pipe adapter with two or more plugs, each plug is inserted into an opening in a different pipe fitting. The adapter permanently isolates the fittings from each other, while keeping the fittings a fixed distance apart.

An insert device for sealing a conduit, wherein at least one component of the insert device is configured to separate and position at least one wire in the conduit in order to create a space or inner volume for a sealant to be introduced thereinto. The insert device can have a nozzle configured to allow precise injection of the sealant into the inner volume. The insert device can be operated for quick and reliably repeatable sealing of conduits.

A first flow channel of a flow channel switching valve includes a first portion that is connected to a valve body and that is linear, a second portion that is connected such that the second portion is perpendicular to the first portion and that is linear, and a lid member that is joined such that the lid member covers an opening of a tip end of the first portion. The first flow channel also includes a pair of projecting portions that is disposed such that the projecting portions interpose the first portion therebetween in a radial direction and face each other, and a connecting portion that couples the pair of projecting portions with each other. The pair of projecting portions includes a planar surface portion that faces the valve body direction.

A method of manufacturing a plug for a pipe system includes cutting a plug from a length of pipe, the length of pipe defining a pipe bore, the pipe bore defining an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of a main bore of the plug, the plug including a top portion defining a top diameter, a bottom portion defining a bottom diameter, and a web portion joining the top portion and the bottom portion.

Systems and methods include a system for installing insulation sleeves on pipelines. A portable welding robot is configured to weld a plug base longitudinally along a top edge of a pipeline. The plug base supports plugs configured to engage with holes in both overlapping sides of an insulation sleeve configured to insulate the pipeline. A portable pipeline insulation installation fixture is configured to lift the insulation sleeve and install the insulation sleeve around the pipeline including using electric hoists to lift ends of strands beneath and on either side of the pipeline. Each strand is enclosed in an external tube configured to contact and roll along the insulation sleeve and to rotate relative to the strand. The external tubes are configured to wrap the insulation sleeve around the pipeline.