Mechanical plug

Abstract

A mechanical plug includes first and second plug portions and an elongate member. The first plug portion includes a first endwall and a first sidewall. The first sidewall includes a female section extending in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the mechanical plug. The second plug portion is movable relative to the first plug portion. The second plug portion includes a second sidewall, a second endwall coupled to the second sidewall, and a seal. The second sidewall includes a male section extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The seal surrounds a portion of the male section in a region along the longitudinal axis between the second endwall and the female section. The elongate member is coupled to the first and second plug portions. Actuation of the elongate member moves the first plug portion and the second plug portion toward each other to compress the seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of restricting fluid flow through a conduit having an inner wall, the method comprising:
 positioning a mechanical plug in the conduit with the mechanical plug in a disengaged configuration, the mechanical plug including a first plug portion having a female section, a second plug portion having a male section received in the female section, a threaded fastener extending through the first plug portion and engaging the second plug portion, and a seal supported on the male section of the second plug portion;   rotating the threaded fastener of the mechanical plug to move the first plug portion and the second plug portion toward each other and transition the mechanical plug to an engaged configuration; and   compressing the seal on the male section of the second plug portion, thereby pressing the seal against the inner wall to seal the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pushing a plurality of locking pins laterally outward to engage the inner wall and center the mechanical plug in the conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pushing step occurs during the actuating step and before the compressing step. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein pushing the plurality of locking pins includes engaging the plurality of locking pins with a cam surface on the male section of the second plug portion as the first plug portion and the second plug portion move toward each other. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rotating the threaded fastener includes grasping a first handle coupled to the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising grasping a second handle extending from the mechanical plug while rotating the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is a first seal, and further comprising compressing a second seal on the male section of the second plug portion, thereby pressing the second seal against the inner wall to seal the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein compressing the first seal includes compressing the first seal between the first plug portion and an intermediate washer, and wherein compressing the second seal includes compressing the second seal between the intermediate washer and the second plug portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising measuring a pressure within a space between the first seal and the second seal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing fluid flow through the first plug portion and the second plug portion via a bypass valve. 
     
     
         11 . A method for restricting fluid flow through a conduit having an inner wall, the method comprising:
 positioning a mechanical plug in the conduit with the mechanical plug in a disengaged configuration, the mechanical plug including a first plug portion, a second plug portion, an elongate member, a first seal, and a second seal spaced apart from the first seal;   actuating the elongate member of the mechanical plug to transition the mechanical plug to an engaged configuration;   compressing the first seal and the second seal of the mechanical plug between the first plug portion and the second plug portion, thereby pressing the first seal and the second seal against the inner wall to seal the conduit; and   measuring a pressure within a space between the first seal and the second seal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein compressing the first seal and the second seal includes compressing the first seal between the first plug portion and an intermediate washer, and compressing the second seal between the intermediate washer and the second plug portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate washer defines a channel for measuring the pressure between the first seal and the second seal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein measuring the pressure includes measuring the pressure via a pressure gauge supported on the mechanical plug. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure gauge is supported by the first plug portion and in fluid communication with a channel formed in the second plug portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method for restricting fluid flow through a conduit having an inner wall, the method comprising:
 positioning a mechanical plug in the conduit with the mechanical plug in a disengaged configuration, the mechanical plug including a first plug portion, a second plug portion, an elongate member coupled to the first plug portion and the second plug portion, and a seal;   actuating the elongate member of the mechanical plug to transition the mechanical plug to an engaged configuration;   compressing the seal between the first plug portion and the second plug portion, thereby pressing the seal against the inner wall to seal the conduit; and   allowing fluid flow through the first plug portion and the second plug portion via a bypass valve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the bypass valve includes a pipe extending through the first plug portion and the second plug portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein allowing fluid flow through the first plug portion and the second plug portion includes removing a cap from an end of the pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , the allowing step occurs before the actuating step and the compressing step. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the allowing step occurs after the actuating step and the compressing step.