Hydrant tool

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for removing a fitting installed on a pipe for the purpose of maintenance, replacement or the like. The apparatus comprises a main body defining a chamber, a valve member housed within the chamber, the valve member being movable from a first retracted position to a second sealed position in which the valve member divides the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber. At least one access opening is provided in a wall of the main body, the access panel allowing access to the chamber. An access panel closes the at least one access opening. The main body has a tool mounting area to which a tool is mountable. The apparatus further includes a sealing device adapted for providing sealing engagement of the main body with the pipe. 2019271897 25 Nov 2019 91 / Fig. 1 1 Fig. 2 110 28 74 33 54 53 130 60 38 50 5554 58 53 64 30 34 45 150 25 26 26 33 30 37 95 94 93 60 90 130 64 58 54 38 50 53 74 34 36 28 25 1 20 19 27 18 97 2 5 N ov 2 01 9 55 50 94 37 93 54 33 60 1 / 9 110 53 53 1 53 130 130 64 30 28 34 36 45 74 50 58 54 2019271897 25 Nov 2019

Description

"Hydrant removal apparatus" Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for use with fittings installed on pipes, and in particular to an apparatus for use with fittings, for example, hydrants, installed on pipes which carry a fluid under pressure. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for removing a fitting, such as a hydrant, from a pipe, for the purpose of maintenance, repair or the like. The disclosure further relates to a method of removing a fitting from a pipe. Background

[0002] Pipes can be used to deliver fluids, for example, water, from one place to another. Typically, in order for the fluid to flow through the pipe it is subject to some level of pressure. This is the case with water pipes which are used to supply water to spring hydrants, such as fire hydrants. In such cases, the pressure within the pipes needs to be high enough to reliably delivery water in sufficient volume and at sufficient pressure to meet the demands required to fight fires.

[0003] Systems for spring hydrants may include a network of main water supply pipes with risers extending from the water supply pipes and spring hydrants installed on each riser. Pressure is maintained across the system so that water can be reliably delivered to all hydrants if necessary. There is a problem that if it is necessary to carry out maintenance on, replace, or test an individual hydrant in the system or it is necessary to access the riser or water supply pipe, it is necessary to shut off water to at least part of the network such that part of the network is unavailable while that work is done. Regular maintenance and testing of all hydrants on a system may require ongoing disruption to the network and may in fact be impractical due to the need to maintain water supply throughout the network.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

[0005] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary

[0006] According to one aspect, an apparatus for removing a fitting from a pipe comprises: a main body defining a chamber; a valve member housed within the chamber, the valve member being movable from a first retracted position to a second sealed position in which the valve member divides the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber; at least one access opening in a wall of the main body which allows access to the chamber; an access panel which closes the at least one access opening; the main body having a tool mounting area to which a tool is mountable; and a sealing device adapted for providing sealing engagement of the main body with the pipe.

[0007] In some embodiments, the access panel is configured to engage an interior surface of the wall of the main body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the access panel is removably engageable with the main body.

[0009] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes two of the access panels which may be disposed on opposite sides of the main body. The at least one access panel or the two access panels may be provided in the wall of the main body at a position corresponding to the first sub- chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the valve member comprises a plate adapted for movement between the first retracted position and the second sealed position. In the first retracted position, the valve member may be disposed in a first plane, and in the second sealed position, the valve member may be disposed in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel. The second sub-chamber may be disposed vertically above the first sub-chamber.

[0011] In some embodiments, the main body has a tool insertion opening disposed adjacent the tool mounting area, through which one or more tools are insertable into the chamber. The tool insertion opening may be in the wall of the main body at a position corresponding to the second sub chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a fitting opening through which the fitting is receivable. The main body may further comprise an attachment surface adjacent the fitting opening, the attachment surface being configured for attachment directly or indirectly to the pipe. The sealing device may be adapted for attachment to the attachment surface and to the pipe. The sealing device may include a mounting bracket attachable to the pipe, wherein the attachment surface of the main body is attachable to the mounting bracket to fix the main body in position relative to the pipe.

[0013] In some embodiments, the apparatus has a longitudinal axis and the tool insertion opening and the fitting opening are aligned along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a transparent panel in the wall of the main body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a tool configured for mounting on the tool mounting area of the apparatus. The tool may be extendible through the chamber of the apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the chamber. The tool may be a clamping tool which is extendible through the chamber of the apparatus to clampingly engage the fitting and hold it in place on the pipe. Alternatively, the tool may be a camera mounting tool adapted for mounting a camera thereon.

[0015] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of removing a fitting from a pipe to which the fitting is releasably installed for maintenance, replacement or the like, the fitting including a releasable attachment mechanism by which it is releasable from the pipe, the method including: installing the apparatus described above over the fitting such that the fitting is housed within the chamber of the apparatus; attaching the apparatus to the pipe so that the apparatus is fixed in sealed engagement relative to the pipe; applying a force to the fitting via a clamping tool to maintain the fitting in position relative to the pipe while the releasable attachment mechanism is released; releasing the releasable attachment mechanism to disconnect the fitting from the pipe; removing the force applied to the fitting via the clamping tool such that the fitting is movable with respect to the pipe and the apparatus; moving the fitting away from the pipe into the second sub-chamber; moving the valve member from the first position to the second position to isolate the second sub-chamber from the first sub-chamber; and removing the fitting from the second sub-chamber while the valve member is maintained in the second position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method is carried out while the pipe contains a fluid under pressure.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method comprises removing the at least one access panel from the main body prior to releasing the releasable attachment mechanism, and reattaching the access panel into the access opening prior to removing the force applied to the fitting via the clamping tool. In some embodiments, reattaching the access panel into the access opening comprises engaging the access panel with an interior surface of the main body. In some embodiments, applying a force to the fitting via a clamping tool comprises advancing the clamping tool through the main body such that it extends into the chamber to clampingly engage the fitting. In some embodiments, the method further comprises reinstalling the fitting or a replacement fitting on the pipe.

[0018] In this description, maintenance includes removal, repair or replacement of a fitting, for example a spring hydrant. Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] One or more embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of specific example(s), with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0023] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0024] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0025] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0026] Fig. 7 is a right side view of the lower housing of the apparatus of Fig 1 with the valve member in the first position;

[0027] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional front view of the lower housing of Fig. 7;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a right side view of the lower housing of Fig. 7 with the valve in the second position;

[0029] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing of Fig. 9;

[0030] Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the lower housing of Fig. 7; Fig 12 is an exploded perspective view of the lower housing of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0031] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an upper housing and clamping tool of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0032] Fig. 14 is a front view of the upper housing and clamping tool of Fig. 12;

[0033] Fig 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the upper housing and clamping tool of Fig. 12;

[0034] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 installed over a riser pipe and connected to a fitting;

[0035] Fig. 17a is a sectional view through a sealing assembly; and

[0036] Fig. 17b is a plan view of the sealing assembly of Fig. 17a. Description of Embodiments

[0037] Figs. 1 to 16 show an apparatus 1 for removing a fitting 5 (seen in Fig. 16), such as a hydrant, installed on a pipe 10 (seen in Fig. 16). The apparatus 1 is adapted for placing over the fitting 5 and for attachment to the pipe 10 and includes a main body 20 defining a chamber 22.

[0038] The main body 20 has an upper housing 25 and a lower housing 30 that bolt together to form the main body 20. The upper housing 25 has a cylindrical cross-section and a mainly flat top that accommodates a tool mounting area 26 at which a tool, such as a clamping tool 100, can be mounted. The upper housing 25 has an attachment flange 28 at a lower end thereof that is bolted to the lower housing 30 using a number of bolts 33. The lower housing has a generally semi-cylindrical cross section at a front thereof, that expands to a rectangular cross-section at a rear of the lower housing 30. The lower housing 30 includes two removable access panels 50 (one of which is best seen in Fig. 12) located at opposing sides of the lower housing 50. The access panels 50 are each housed in an access opening 55 in the lower housing 30 that is formed in an access flange 58. An upper end 34 of the lower housing 30 has a short cylindrical cross- section, at the top of which is an annular attachment flange 36 that in use attaches to the attachment flange 28 of the upper housing 20. An annular main body upper gasket 45 (best seen in Fig. 12) is provided between the two flanges 28, 36 to seal the upper housing 25 and the lower housing 30 together. At a base of the main body 20 is an annular base flange 60 that is adapted for placing over the pipe as shown in Fig. 16.

[0039] A valve member 70 comprising of a circular disc or plate, is mounted inside the chamber 22, more particularly at an upper part of the lower housing 30. The valve member 70 is moveable between a first retracted position (see e.g. Fig. 8, Fig. 16) in which it lies in a first plane generally parallel with a rear wall 37 of the lower housing 30 and a second sealed position (see e.g. Fig. 10, Fig. 11) in which it lies in a generally horizontal plane relative to the lower housing 30 of the main body 20. The valve member 70 is mounted on a swing arm assembly 72 that is pivotably received in a side wall 38 of the lower housing 30. Fig. 12 is a schematic exploded view of the lower housing 30 of the apparatus 1 in which the valve 70 and the swing arm assembly 72 are shown externally of the lower housing 30, for clarity of explanation. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that these components reside internally of the lower housing 30 as described herein and as shown in Figs. 8, 10 and 16. The swing arm assembly 72 passes through an aperture in the side wall 38 and is attached at the opposite end thereof to a handle 74 for rotational movement therewith such that user rotation of the handle 74 outside of the main body 20 causes the swing arm assembly 72 and the valve member 70 also to rotate within the lower housing 30. When in the second sealed position shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the valve member 70 seals against a cylindrical interior wall 40 of the lower housing 30. With the valve member 70 in the second sealed position, the chamber 22 is divided into a first sub-chamber 22a beneath the valve member 70 and a second sub-chamber 22b above the valve member 70.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 12, the access panel 50 consists of a metal generally rectangular plate that is sized to be larger than the access opening 55 but having a height dimension that is shorter than a width of the access opening 55 such that the access panel 50 can be passed through the access opening 50 and into the chamber 22. A rubber gasket 52 is attached to an outer edge of a front surface of the access panel 50. The access panel 50 has a threaded shaft 51 protruding from the front surface thereof, and an elongate retaining bar 53 mounted on the threaded shaft 51. The retaining bar 53 is an elongate metal bar that is sized to extend the width of the access flange 58. A butterfly nut 54 is threadedly mounted over the retaining bar for threaded engagement with the threaded shaft 51. The butterfly nut 54 is used to clamp the retaining bar 53 over the access flange 58 to retain the access panel 50 in position over the access opening 55 from the inside of the main body 20. The access flange 58 of the main body 20 has an interior surface 56 that faces the chamber 22 and an exterior surface 57, see Fig. 10. When the access panel 50 is clamped against the interior surface 56 of the access flange 58, the rubber gasket 52 seals against the interior surface 56. Accordingly, the access panel 50 engages the interior surface 56 of the access flange 58 of the main body 20 when the butterfly nut 54 is fully tightened against the retaining bar 53, however the butterfly nut 54 can be unthreaded from the retaining bar to release the access panel from its engagement with the interior surface 56 to allow it to be rotated 90 degrees inside the lower housing 30 and passed through the access opening 55 to remove it from the main body 20. With the access panel 50 removed, the access opening 55 provides user access to the chamber 22.

[0041] A transparent viewing panel 80 is provided in a lower front portion of the lower housing 25. As shown in the exploded view of Fig. 12, he viewing panel 80 is a square of transparent acrylic plate having a rubber gasket 82 affixed to a perimeter of a front surface of the acrylic plate. The viewing panel 80 is fitted into a metal viewing panel frame 84. The lower housing 20 includes a viewing panel flange 86 that includes a viewing panel opening 88 over which the viewing panel 80 is placed. The viewing panel frame 84 is fastened to the viewing panel flange 86 using a number of fasteners, for example hex screws, sufficient to ensure that the gasket 82 is sealingly engaged with the viewing panel flange 86 when the fasteners are tightened.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower housing 30 also includes a rear access panel 90 that is structurally and functionally similar to the access panel 50. The rear access panel 90 closes a rear access opening 95 in the rear wall 37 of the main body 20. The rear access panel 90 has a threaded shaft 91 protruding from the front surface thereof, and an elongate retaining bar 93 mounted on the threaded shaft 91. The retaining bar 93 is an elongate metal bar that is sized to extend over the width of the access opening 95 to the rear wall 37. A butterfly nut 94 is threadedly mounted over the retaining bar 93 for threaded engagement with the threaded shaft 91. The butterfly nut 94 is used to clamp the retaining bar 93 over the access opening 95 to retain the rear access panel 90 in position over the rear access opening 95 from the inside of the main body 20.

[0043] Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, 13 to 15 and Fig. 16 in particular, the tool mounting area 26 of the upper housing 25 has an elongate annular cylindrical cross section extending vertically above the flat top of the upper housing 25 of the main body 20. As seen in Fig. 15, an interior surface 27 of the tool mounting area 26 is threaded for threaded engagement with a tool 100. A pair of handles 29 extends either side of the tool mounting area for the ease of grip by a user. The tool mounting area 26 is adapted for receiving a tool therein, for example a clamping tool 100. The clamping tool 100 is shown in situ on the tool mounting area 26 in Figs. 1 to 6, Figs. 13 to 15 and Fig. 16. The clamping tool 100 comprises of an elongate threaded rod 105 of a corresponding thread to that of the tool mounting area 26 such that the threaded rod 105 is rotatable along the threaded interior surface 27 to move the tool 100 in and out of the main body 20. At an upper end of the elongate threaded rod 105 is a handle 110 for user grip and rotation of the tool 100. At a lower end of the threaded rod 105 is a fitting clamping plate 120. The fitting clamping plate 120 is a small circular metal plate that is sized to fit onto a flat upper surface of the fitting 5, in this case a spring hydrant. Immediately above the fitting clamping plate 120, a pair of short metal engaging arms 125 protrudes either side of the threaded rod 105 for engagement with a fixture of the spring hydrant, for example hooks 6 at an upper surface of the spring hydrant, shown only schematically in Fig. 16. The internal components of the spring hydrant are not shown in Fig. 16. The engaging arms 125 engage underneath the hooks 6 of the spring hydrant, ready for lifting the spring hydrant from the riser pipe 10. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and Fig. 16, the clamping tool 100 is shown fully extended through the main body 20 of the apparatus along a longitudinal axis thereof so that it can engage the spring hydrant. Bolts have already been removed from the spring hydrant by the user in preparation for lifting the spring hydrant from the riser pipe 10. The fitting clamping plate 120 of the clamping tool 100 can be tightened onto the upper surface of the spring hydrant by rotating the handle 110 to apply a force to the upper surface of the spring hydrant. Rotating the handle 110 in the opposite direction will cause the threaded rod 105 to move upwards in the threaded interior surface 27 of the tool mounting area 26 to release the clamping force from the clamping plate 120 and thereby from the spring hydrant.

[0044] The components of the clamping tool 100 can be dismantled for removal of the clamping tool 100 from the tool mounting area. Another type of tool such as a camera mounting tool (not shown) can be inserted into the threaded rod 105 instead. A camera can be affixed to the camera mounting tool via the access opening 55 or rear access opening 95. Alternatively a camera mounting tool may be simply inserted into the lower housing 30 whilst the upper housing 25 is removed from the lower housing 30.

[0045] The apparatus 1 includes a sealing device for sealing the base flange 60 of the main body 20 to the pipe 10. The sealing device is an assembly, best seen in Figs. 17a and 17b, that includes a hinged annular mounting bracket 130. The mounting bracket 130 is provided for mounting the main body 20 onto the pipe 10. The mounting bracket 130 consists of two semi- circular halves that can be placed around the pipe 10 and then hinged together to form an annulus. The mounting bracket 130 includes a number of threaded holes drilled into an upper surface thereof. The base flange 60 of the main body includes a corresponding number of apertures. Fastening means such as hex screws 64 are used to securely fasten together the base flange 60 and the mounting bracket 130. Optionally, a further annular inner riser bracket 140 may be mounted between the pipe 10 and the mounting bracket 130. Pipes come in various diameters and the inner riser bracket 140 may be used to bridge any gap between the exterior surface of the pipe 10 and the mounting bracket 130. The inner riser bracket 140 consists of two semi-annular halves that can be placed around the pipe 10. An o-ring seal 146 is provided between the mounting bracket 130 and the inner riser bracket 140. A further o-ring seal 148 is provided between the inner riser bracket 140 and the pipe 10. An annular base gasket 132 is fitted to the underside of the mounting bracket 130 and, where used, the inner riser bracket 140. The sealing assembly ensures that a water tight seal is created between the pipe 10 and the apparatus 1 once the apparatus 1 is installed onto the pipe riser 10.

[0046] The upper housing 25 includes an over flow pipe or tap fitting 150 for draining any water isolated in the upper housing by the valve member 70. The lower housing 30 similarly includes a tap fitting or hose fitting 160 to allow for draining of water out of the lower housing 30.

[0047] The apparatus housing and panel components are generally made of metal, preferably 316 stainless steel or similar unless stated otherwise. The o-ring seals and gaskets are made of rubber, preferably ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. These materials comply with the WaterMark™ certification standard. The viewing panel 80 is made of transparent acrylic.

[0048] Where the fitting 5 is a spring hydrant, the spring hydrant is attached to the riser pipe 10 via a number of bolts that can be undone to release the spring hydrant from the pipe 10. Use of the apparatus to remove the fitting 5 from the pipe 10 to which the fitting is releasably installed for maintenance, replacement or the like, is as follows. The apparatus 1 is installed over the fitting 5 such that the fitting 5 is housed within the chamber 22 of the apparatus 1. This step may involve placing the mounting bracket 130 around the pipe 10 and closing its two halves together. Optionally, the two halves of the inner riser bracket 140 may first be mounted around the pipe 10 if there is a gap between the pipe 10 and the inner diameter of the mounting bracket 130. The o- ring seals 146, 148 and base gasket 132 are fitted as necessary. The apparatus 1 is then attached to the pipe 10 so that the apparatus 1 is fixed in sealed engagement relative to the pipe 10. This involves attaching the base flange 60 of the lower housing 30 onto the mounting bracket 130 using the hex screws 64 to install the apparatus 1 over the pipe 10 and the fitting 5.

[0049] A force is then applied to the fitting 5 (i.e. the spring hydrant) via the clamping tool 100 in order to maintain the fitting 5 in position relative to the pipe 10 while the releasable attachment mechanism of the fitting 5 is released. To apply the force, the clamping plate 120 of the clamping tool 100 must bear down on the upper surface of the fitting 5. This is achieved by rotating the handle 110 of the clamping tool 100 until it is tight and cannot be rotated further. The engaging arms 125 of the clamping tool are wedged under the hooks 6 of the spring hydrant 5. If the access panels 50 are installed on the apparatus, one or both of the access panels 50 are removed from the apparatus 1 by unscrewing the butterfly nut 54 to release the retaining bar 53. The access panels can be turned through 90 degrees to allow them to be retracted from inside the lower housing 30. The user or operator of the apparatus 1 now has access through the access openings 55 to the chamber 22 and to the fitting 5 located inside it. The releasable attachment mechanism of the fitting 5 is then released to disconnect the fitting 5 from the pipe 10. In the example of the spring hydrant, a number of nuts are released from bolt shafts in order to release the spring hydrant from the pipe.

[0050] With the clamping tool 100 clampingly engaged with the fitting 5, the access panels 50 are re-fitted into their respective access openings 55 and the butterfly nut 54 re-tightened against the retaining bar 53 to seal the access panels 50 against the interior surface 56 of the access flange 58. The force applied to the fitting 5 via the clamping tool 100 is then removed such that the fitting 5 is movable with respect to the pipe 10 and the apparatus 1. This is achieved by rotating the handle 110 of the clamping tool in the opposite direction to release the clamping plate pressure on the spring hydrant 5. As the clamping force is released, the water pressure in the riser pipe 10 will cause water in the pipe 10 to flow out of the top of the riser pipe 10 and into the chamber 22. The chamber 22 fills with water from the pipe 10. The apparatus 1 is able to withstand the water pressure as the access panels, 50, rear panel 90 are fitted from the inside of the lower housing 90 such that the water pressure bearing on them serves to increase the effectiveness of the seal of the gaskets 52, 92 against the lower housing 30. The viewing panel 80 provides the user with a means of checking inside the lower chamber 30 to see the water filling up the chamber 22. With the chamber 22 filled with water, the fitting 5 is then moved away from the pipe 10 into the second sub-chamber 22b. That is, the spring hydrant 5 is moved upwardly through the lower housing 30 and into the sub-chamber 22b, by rotating the handle 110 of the clamping tool 100 to lift the threaded rod 105 of the clamping tool through the threaded surface 27 of the tool mounting area 26. The engaging arms 125 hooked underneath the hooks 6 ensure that the spring hydrant 5 is retained on the clamping tool 100 during this manoeuvre.

[0051] With the spring hydrant 5 located in the upper part of the lower housing 30, i.e. the lower part of the second subchamber 22b, the valve member 70 is operated using the handle 74. The handle 74 is rotated upwardly through 90 degrees. The valve member 70 is moved from the first retracted position to the second sealed position to isolate the second sub-chamber 22b from the first sub-chamber 22a. Any water in the second sub-chamber 22b can be drained out of the tap or hose fitting 150. The fitting 5 can then be removed from the second sub-chamber while the valve member 70 is maintained in the second position. This is achieved by releasing the bolts 33 to allow the upper housing 25 to be removed from the lower housing 30, together with the clamping tool 100 and the fitting 5.

[0052] Accordingly, the spring hydrant or other fitting 5 can be removed from the pipe 10 without closing down the water pressure in the pipe. It can be checked, repaired or its gasket replaced. Furthermore, with the fitting 5 removed from the pipe 10, maintenance inspections can be more easily conducted into the pipe riser 10. For example, a camera mounting tool may be inserted through the apparatus 1 and into the pipe 10 to inspect the pipe condition. Water may also be drained out of the tap or hose fitting 160 in the lower housing 30 for this purpose.

[0053] When it is desired to replace the fitting 5 or a replacement fitting 5 on the pipe 10, the procedure is undertaken in reverse. The fitting 5 is attached to the clamping tool 100, which is itself threaded into the upper housing 25. The upper housing 25 is replaced on the upper housing 30 and the bolts 33 re-fastened. The valve member 70 is placed into the retracted position. The clamping tool 100 is rotated and lowered through the main body 20 until the fitting is placed over the riser pipe 10. The fitting 5 is refastened to the pipe 10 and the apparatus 1 is dismantled from the site.

[0054] The apparatus 1 provides a means of removing the entire fitting 5 from the riser pipe 10 whilst the pipe 10 is under fluid pressure by creating a sealed chamber around the pipe 10 and providing for the isolation of the second sub-chamber 22b to allow the removal of the fitting from the second sub-chamber 22b whilst the first sub-chamber 22a remains under pressure. Use of the apparatus 1 therefore eliminates the need to isolate the water supply in the pipe 10 and other pipes networked to it, avoiding the significant inconvenience associated with having to do this. The removable access panels 50 provide ease of working on the fitting 5 to release it from the pipe 10. When installed on the apparatus, the access panels 50 bear on the wall of the main body from inside, improving the seal of the panels against the wall and providing structural integrity of the main body under pressure. The viewing panel 80 allows a user of the apparatus 1 to see what is happening inside the apparatus at any time during the procedure. The entire fitting 5 can be removed from the pipe 10, for maintenance or repair, leaving the site free for inspection e,g, via a live camera tool whilst the fitting 5 is itself undergoing maintenance.

[0055] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing a fitting from a pipe for the purpose of repair,maintenance or the like, the apparatus comprising:a main body defining a chamber;a valve member housed within the chamber, the valve member being movable from a first retracted position to a second sealed position in which the valve member divides the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber;at least one access opening in a wall of the main body which allows access to the chamber;an access panel which closes the at least one access opening and is configured to engage an interior surface of the wall of the main body;the main body having a tool mounting area to which a tool is mountable; anda sealing device adapted for providing sealing engagement of the main body with the pipe.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access panel is removablyengageable with the main body.

3. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including two of theaccess panels.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the two access panels are disposed onopposite sides of the main body.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least oneaccess panel or the two access panels are provided in the wall of the main body at a position corresponding to the first sub-chamber.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valvemember comprises a plate adapted for movement between the first retracted position and the second sealed position.2019271897   29 Jun 2026position, the valve member lies in a second plane, and wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second subchamber is disposed vertically above the first sub-chamber.

9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main bodyhas a tool insertion opening disposed adjacent the tool mounting area, through which one or more tools are insertable into the chamber.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tool insertion opening is in the wallof the main body at a position corresponding to the second sub chamber.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising afitting opening through which the fitting is receivable.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body further comprises anattachment surface adjacent the fitting opening, the attachment surface being configured for attachment directly or indirectly to the pipe.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the apparatus has alongitudinal axis and the tool insertion opening and the fitting opening are aligned along the longitudinal axis.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealingdevice includes a mounting bracket attachable to the pipe;wherein the attachment surface of the main body is attachable to the mounting bracket to fix the main body in position relative to the pipe.

15. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising atransparent panel in the wall of the main body.2019271897   29 Jun 202617.     The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the tool is extendible through thechamber of the apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the chamber.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the tool is a clamping toolwhich is extendible through the chamber of the apparatus to clampingly engage the fitting and hold it in place on the pipe.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the tool is a cameramounting tool adapted for mounting a camera thereon.

20. A method of removing a fitting from a pipe to which the fitting is releasably installedfor maintenance, replacement or the like, the fitting including a releasable attachment mechanism by which it is releasable from the pipe, the method including:installing the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19 over the fitting such that the fitting is housed within the chamber of the apparatus;attaching the apparatus to the pipe so that the apparatus is fixed in sealed engagement relative to the pipe;applying a force to the fitting via a clamping tool to maintain the fitting in position relative to the pipe while the releasable attachment mechanism is released;attaching the access panel into the access opening prior to removing the force applied to the fitting via the clamping tool, wherein attaching the access panel into the access opening comprises engaging the access panel with the interior surface of the main body,releasing the releasable attachment mechanism to disconnect the fitting from the pipe;removing the force applied to the fitting via the clamping tool such that the fitting is movable with respect to the pipe and the apparatus;moving the fitting away from the pipe into the second sub-chamber;moving the valve member from the first position to the second position to isolate the second sub-chamber from the first sub-chamber; andremoving the fitting from the second sub-chamber while the valve member is maintained in the second position.2019271897   29 Jun 202621.     A method according to claim 20, wherein the method is carried out while the pipecontains a fluid under pressure.

22. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein applying a force to thefitting via a clamping tool comprises advancing the clamping tool through the main body such that it extends into the chamber to clampingly engage the fitting.

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising reinstalling thefitting or a replacement fitting on the pipe.

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