Pipe joints or couplings – Frangible element
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-21
2001-07-03
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Frangible element
C285S004000, C285S405000, C285S424000, C285S414000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254140
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flange structure. More particularly, this invention relates to a flange structure utilized to replace damaged flanges such as flanges utilized to connect conduits.
At the present time, it is common practice to connect conduits with a flange on each conduit together with means for securing the flanges to each other. Automobile exhaust systems are an example of a system of connected conduits which utilize connecting flanges. These exhaust systems include a plurality of connected modules such as pipes, a catalytic converter and an exhaust muffler. The modules are provided with flanges to effect connection with an adjacently positioned module such as with bolts extending through the flanges which are secured with nuts. As automobile exhaust systems are operated in a corrosive environment, particularly in winter conditions when the system is exposed to salt, moisture and sand, portions of the system, including the flanges become severely corroded to the extent that they become detached from an adjacent flange. When this condition occurs, repairs must be made so that connection of modules in the exhaust system can be reestablished in order to permit the system to function properly. Oftentimes, it is not possible to repair the flange, thereby necessitating replacement of the entire module to which the flange is attached. This damaged flange condition also requires unnecessary expense since the remaining portion of the module, such as the exhaust muffler or catalytic converter can be in acceptable working order.
It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,639 to provide a segmented hinged flange for a conduit. The flange segments are formed from laminated metal sheets which interleave with metal sheets of an adjacently positioned segment at the juncture points between segments. The segments surround a conduit to be attached to an adjacent conduit. The segments are joined by bolts extending through the laminated metal sheets at the juncture points. The joining bolts extend beyond the thickness of the segments and thus increase the effective thickness of the flange. This, in turn, limits the use of the flange to a relatively large volume of space to accommodate both the flange thickness and the added thickness of the added bolts. In addition, the interior size of the flange opening is not adjustable so that a wide size range of flange structures must be provided to accommodate a wide variety of conduit sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,593 discloses a flexible exhaust coupling utilizing resilient annular gasket means designed to permit related movement between adjacent joined conduits.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,726 discloses an exhaust system clamp having flared flanges for connecting two conduits to permit axial expansion of the conduits during use.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 263,415 discloses a design for a pipe coupling flange. It would be desirable to provide a flange structure which can be attached to a conduit to accommodate conduits of varying sizes. It would also be desirable to provide such a flange structure including means for attaching the flange structure to a conduit, which occupies a minimum volume. In addition, it would be desirable to provide such a flange structure which can be secured to a slightly damaged conduit surface with a flared end while minimizing or preventing damage to the conduit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a flange structure formed from a plurality, usually two or four, mating flange segments, each having a means for connecting the segments together and which include one or more shims to accommodate varying size conduits. Each flange segment is provided with two generally flat faces and an opening connecting the flat faces for housing a means for connecting the flange structure to a substrate such as a second flange. Each flange segment is provided with a generally circular arc surface such as a semi-circular arc surface which, when connected to at least one other flange segment forms a generally circular opening for housing a conduit or pipe having a generally circular outside surface. The means for connecting the segments comprises generally cylindrically shaped housings for accommodating a bolt or the like which extends between adjacent segments but does not extend through the generally flat faces.
The generally circular opening surface at a central portion of the joined segments has a perimeter which extends in a generally parallel direction to the central axis of the opening. One or more shim sections are connected to the generally circular opening to provide a means for reducing the diameter of the opening. The shims are formed integrally with the flange segments and the connections between the flange segments and the shims are constructed so that they can be separated either by hand or with a hand-held tool. The shims have an exposed surface having essentially the same shape as the opening surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 406272 (1889-07-01), Euvrard
patent: 880302 (1908-02-01), Heineman
patent: 2403606 (1946-07-01), Meyer
patent: 2911239 (1959-11-01), Marzolf
patent: 3761114 (1973-09-01), Blakeley
patent: 4750411 (1988-06-01), Eversole
patent: 5286040 (1994-02-01), Gavin
patent: 5468030 (1995-11-01), Walling
patent: 5641185 (1997-06-01), Harth
patent: 5755464 (1998-05-01), Erwin
patent: 2422096 (1979-12-01), None
patent: 9855 (1988-12-01), None
Cook Paul J.
Erwin's LLC
Nicholson Eric K.
LandOfFree
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