Method of attaching or replacing a plug assembly

Abstract

A plug assembly includes a plug stem having a plug stem base, a plug head, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the plug stem base to the plug head, the fastening mechanism comprising at least two retainer clamps that surround and provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head. A method of replacing or attaching a plug head to a plug stem includes providing a plug stem having a plug stem base, providing a plug head, providing a fastening mechanism comprising at least two retainer clamps, and coupling the fastening mechanism around the plug stem base and the plug head to provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of replacing or attaching a plug head to a plug stem comprising:
 providing a plug stem having a plug stem base, a plug head, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the plug stem base to the plug head, the fastening mechanism comprising at least two retainer clamps that surround and provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head; and   coupling the fastening mechanism around the plug stem base and the plug head to provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the interconnecting mechanism to comprise a sacrificial interconnecting mechanism adapted for destructive removal to release the plug head from the plug stem base. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the sacrificial interconnecting mechanism comprises bolts, pins, screws, welds, brazing, or clamps. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising cutting the sacrificial interconnecting mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug stem has a first beveled edge, the plug head has a second beveled edge, the at least two retainer clamps surround and provide an interference fit between the first beveled edge of the plug stem base and the second beveled edge of the plug head; and
 further comprising an interconnecting mechanism joining the at least two retainer clamps on at least one end of the at least two retainer clamps, wherein the at least two retainer clamps and the interconnecting mechanism are configured to form at least one gap between a first retainer clamp of the at least two retainer clamps and an adjacent retainer clamp of the at least two retainer clamps to which the first retainer clamp is joined, the at least one gap sized and configured to provide access to the interconnecting mechanism extending between the first retainer clamp and the adjacent retainer clamp.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to allow the plug head to move side to side to allow the plug head to find a natural center on a seat clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug head is made of a sacrificial material configured to be removed from the plug stem base and replaced with another plug head. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two retainer clamps are held in place by sacrificial bolts configured for removal from the fastening mechanism and from the plug stem base and replacement with another set of sacrificial bolts. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sacrificial bolts are held in place by nuts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two retainer clamps are held in place by sacrificial pins, screws, welds, brazing, or clamps. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism provides shock absorbing capabilities to the plug head. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug stem comprises at least one of titanium, zirconium, niobium, alloy steels, carbon steels, iron-based superalloys, stainless steels, nickel, nickel-based superalloys, copper-based alloys, cobalt alloys, cobalt-based superalloys, aluminum, magnesium alloys, tantalum, or any alloys thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug head comprises at least one of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten carbide, whisker-reinforced blends of ceramics, two-phase ceramics, and cermets. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises at least one of titanium, zirconium, niobium, alloy steels, carbon steels, iron-based superalloys, stainless steels, nickel, nickel-based superalloys, copper-based alloys, cobalt alloys, cobalt-based superalloys, aluminum, magnesium alloys, tantalum, or any alloys thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug stem base has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the plug head. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising washers, springs, or clamps positioned within or adjacent to plug stem base to provide cushioning and separation between the plug stem base and the plug head. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two retainer clamps are configured to be spaced apart from one another by the interconnecting mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . A method of replacing or attaching a plug head to a plug stem comprising:
 providing a plug stem having a plug stem base, a plug head, and at least two band sections that surround and provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head, the at least two band sections joined together with and spaced apart by a sacrificial interconnecting means; and   coupling the at least two band sections around the plug stem base and the plug head to provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sacrificial interconnecting means is configured for destructive removal from the fastening means and from the plug stem base and replacement with another sacrificial interconnecting means. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sacrificial interconnecting mechanism comprises bolts, pins, screws, welds, brazing, or clamps. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising cutting the sacrificial interconnecting mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plug stem base has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the plug head. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising washers, springs, or clamps positioned within or adjacent to plug stem base to provide cushioning and separation between the plug stem base and the plug head.