Valves and valve actuation – With correlated flow path – Pipe coupling or union
Patent
1993-10-04
1995-07-18
Schwadron, Martin P.
Valves and valve actuation
With correlated flow path
Pipe coupling or union
285 31, F16K 5100, F16L 2106
Patent
active
054334110
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to connectors for interconnecting conduits and in particular, though not exclusively, to connectors for interconnecting conduits, such as pipe for carrying for example oil and/or gas, in subsea locations involving the connection of conduits at a subsea installation.
In one such situation, it is necessary to connect conduits located at the subsea installation to conduits which extend above sea level in order to provide a flow line from the installation. A sea-going vessel tows the open end of a conduit extending to above sea level into the vicinity of the open end of another conduit extending from the subsea installation. The two conduit ends are then roughly aligned and interconnected by a suitable connector in a sealing manner.
One known type of connector for interconnecting the conduit ends consists of an annular seal and clamp which are carried by an installation tool to the generally aligned conduit ends. The installation tool is then required, in successive operations: to engage with each conduit and align the conduit ends; to lower the seal between the conduit ends; to move one or both conduit ends towards the seal; to actuate the clamp to effect clamping of the two conduit ends against the seal; and then to disengage from the conduits for retrieval of the installation tool. Thus, in order to complete the interconnection of the conduit ends, five successive operations have to be carried out and the installation tool is required to perform three main tasks which necessitates the use of highly complex and expensive machinery to achieve the task manoeuvres. Furthermore, because the operations are carried out successively the whole installation procedure takes some time to complete, thereby further adding to the cost.
In another known type of connector, a telescopic sealing unit containing tubular seals slidable by a worm and wheel mechanism, is lowered by an installation tool between the generally aligned conduit ends with the unit also engaging around the conduit ends. Precise alignment of the conduit ends is achieved by friction clamping. The installation tool is then required to actuate the worm and wheel mechanism to slide the seals outwardly into sealing engagement with the conduit ends. The tool is then retrieved. Thus, although this procedure is less complex than the aforementioned procedure, there are still three successive operations to be carried out and the installation tool is still required to perform one main task, namely actuation of the worm and wheel mechanism. Furthermore, large locking forces are experienced by the seals themselves, which creates the possibility of damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector for interconnecting conduits which is capable of being installed by a much simpler and quicker procedure than has been achieved heretofore and without the use of a complex and costly installation tool.
According to the present invention, there is provided a connector for interconnecting two generally aligned open-ended conduits, the connector comprising means for providing a seal between the conduits ends, and being characterized in that it includes a toggle mechanism, connected to the sealing means, for moving the conduit ends further into alignment with each other and for clamping them against the sealing means located therebetween.
The toggle mechanism preferably comprises means for engaging with flanges provided on the conduit ends and clamping means movably connected to the flange engaging means by toggle arrangements, such that actuation of the toggle arrangements moves the engaging means into engagement with the flanges and causes the clamping means to clamp the conduit ends against the sealing means. The flange engaging means are preferably slidably connected to the sealing means.
In one embodiment, the clamping means comprises two clamping members interconnected by tension rods, and the flange engaging means comprises two yokes located between the c
REFERENCES:
patent: 1627044 (1927-05-01), McGeehin
patent: 1960568 (1934-05-01), Abrams
patent: 3182682 (1965-05-01), Gilliam
Appleford David E.
Neighbour James
Alpha Thames Engineering Ltd.
Lee Kevin L.
Schwadron Martin P.
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