US Patent 10480701 Pipeline insertion apparatus and method

An insertion apparatus and method is provided. In one embodiment, an insertion apparatus is disclosed having an insertion guide including an insertion guide housing having a guide passage, a guide seal packing disposed in the insertion guide, a guide flange extending outwardly from the insertion guide housing to form a guide seal surface; and a coupling nut. The coupling nut is disposed on the insertion guide housing and has a coupling nut passage. The insertion guide housing extends through the coupling nut passage. The coupling nut is configured to provide an insertion apparatus union joint where the guide seal surface is used in forming the insertion apparatus union joint.