Methods for reducing fluid loss in fluid-bearing systems

Abstract

A plug made of a compressible and resilient material can be used in a method of reducing loss of fluid from a fluid-bearing system. The method can include locating an orifice in the fluid-bearing system, where said orifice is exposed by a disconnection of members of the fluid-bearing system; compressing the plug sufficiently so that at least the tip of the plug fits into the orifice, inserting the tip into the orifice; and then releasing the plug so that the plug expands to seal the orifice.

1 . A plug made of a compressible and resilient material, having a tip and a base greater in diameter than the tip, and configured so that the plug can be compressed and inserted tip first into an orifice exposed by disconnection of members of a fluid-bearing system, and the plug expands to seal the orifice when the plug is released. 
     
     
         2 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible and resilient material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyvinylchloride, or silicone, natural rubber, sponge rubber, ethylene acrylic, epichlorohydrin, ethylene propylene rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a diameter of from about 0.5 inches to about 6.0 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The plug of  claim 3 , wherein the base has a diameter of from about 2.0 inches to about 6.0 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The plug of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid-resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The plug of  claim 5 , wherein the liquid-resistant material is present as a coating on the plug. 
     
     
         7 . The plug of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the plug and extending from the base and configured to facilitate removal of the plug from the orifice. 
     
     
         8 . The plug of  claim 7 , wherein the handle comprises at least one of a post, a cord, a ring, a loop, a hook, and a knob. 
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing loss of fluid from a fluid-bearing system during repair of said system using a plug made of a compressible and resilient material and including a tip and a base, comprising:
 locating an orifice in the fluid-bearing system, where said orifice is exposed by a disconnection of members of the fluid-bearing system, and is smaller in diameter than the base;   compressing the plug sufficiently so that at least the tip of the plug fits into the orifice;   inserting the tip into the orifice; and   releasing the plug so that the plug expands to seal the orifice.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one of the members is selected from the group consisting of conduit, reservoir, cap, pump, manifold, and exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein one of the members is a conduit, and the orifice is an open end of the conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein one of the members is a reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the base has a diameter of from about 0.5 inch to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the compressible and resilient material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyvinylchloride, or silicone, natural rubber, sponge rubber, ethylene acrylic, epichlorohydrin, ethylene propylene rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plug further includes a liquid-resistant material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the liquid-resistant material is present, as a coating on the plug. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising removing the plug from the orifice using a handle extending from the base. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for reducing fluid loss from fluid-bearing systems, comprising a plurality of plugs made of a compressible and resilient material, each plug comprising a tip and a base greater in diameter than the tip, and configured so that the plug can be compressed and inserted tip first into an orifice exposed by disconnection of members of a fluid-bearing system, and the plug expands to seal the orifice when the plug is released, and wherein at least two plugs differ in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plugs further comprises a handle attached to the plug and extending from the base and configured to facilitate removal of the plug from the orifice. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the handle comprises at least one of a post, a cord, a ring, a loop, a hook, and a knob.