Pre-Machined Window Weld for Breached Tubing

Abstract

An example apparatus for replacement of a breached pipe section includes a first cylindrical pipe fitting having a first surface defining a first aperture, a middle pipe member, and a second cylindrical pipe fitting having a second surface defining a second aperture, and first and second aperture caps. A first end of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded to opposite ends of the middle section, and a second end opposite of each of the first and second pipe fittings is welded through the respective first and second apertures to opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached pipe section. The first and second aperture caps are welded to the apertures of the first and second pipe fittings to close the respective first and second apertures.

1 . A method of replacing a breached section of pipe, the method comprising:
 removing a section of pipe surrounding the breached section of pipe;   fabricating a length of a replacement pipe having a cross-sectional area similar to the section of pipe;   welding a first end of pre-fabricated first and second pipe fittings to opposite ends of the replacement pipe, wherein the first pipe fitting includes a first surface defining a first aperture and the second pipe fitting includes a second surface defining a second aperture;   welding a second end of the first and second pipe fittings to opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached section through the respective first and second apertures; and   welding pre-fabricated first and second aperture caps to the first and second apertures to close the respective apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a first circumferential beveled surface on each of the opposite ends of the length of the replacement pipe; and   forming, at each of the opposite ends of pipe surrounding the breached section, a primary facet and a secondary facet formed adjacent to and extending along a perimeter of a second opening and a third aperture.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising pre-fabricating the first end of each of the first and second pipe fittings to include a second circumferential beveled surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-fabricating the second end of the first and second pipe fittings to include a second window facet that is adjacent to an external surface and a first window facet that is adjacent to an internal surface and the second window facet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-fabricating each of the first and second aperture caps to include a first facet adjacent to a bottom surface and a second facet adjacent to a top surface and the first facet, wherein the first and second facets define a first edge periphery, a second edge periphery, and a third edge periphery. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising customizing the first and second aperture caps by varying one or more coefficients of a polynomial that defines each of the first, second, and third edge peripheries. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising welding the first and second aperture caps to the apertures of the first and second pipe fittings by welding in a groove that is formed between the second facet of the first and second aperture caps and a second window facet of each of the first and second pipe fittings. 
     
     
         8 . A method of creating a multi-piece kit for replacing a breached section of pipe in a network of pipework, the method comprising:
 machining a plurality of end pipe fittings;   selecting a plurality of preferred aperture cap geometries for the plurality of end pipe fittings;   machining an aperture cap for each of the plurality of preferred aperture cap geometries; and   creating an inventory of end pipe fittings and corresponding window section combinations.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising selecting a plurality of different diameters and lengths for the plurality of end pipe fittings.