Fluid handling – Destructible or deformable element controlled – Destructible element
Patent
1982-02-11
1985-02-26
Scanlan, Jr., Richard J.
Fluid handling
Destructible or deformable element controlled
Destructible element
285 3, 285 95, 285DIG1, 137 71, F16K 1304, F16L 3500
Patent
active
045012873
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a breakaway pipe coupling.
It is desirable in pipe lines conveying fluids such as oil or gases to ensure that the pipe line breaks at predetermined locations in the event of the pipe line being stretched, for instance as may happen at sea when an oil tanker is loading/unloading at a quayside.
For this purpose it has been proposed to provide frangible bolts for connecting the connecting flanges of lengths of piping so that when the piping is stretched the bolts break in preference to the body of the pipes.
Although such a construction works, there is one major drawback, namely, if there is an internal surge of pressure within the fluid being conveyed, for instance on the rapid shutting off of flow, the resultant pressure wave may be sufficiently strong to cause breaking of the bolts.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a breakaway pipe coupling which functions to separate only when the pipeline is stretched.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a breakaway coupling for joining together two pipes the coupling having at least two separable parts, through which a conduit extends along which fluid is to be conveyed, one part being adapted for connection to one pipe and the other part being adapted for connection to the other pipe, the two separable parts being secured together by frangible means, the parts defining therebetween a fluid chamber in fluid pressure communication with the conduit, the chamber serving to subject the parts to a fluid pressure force for urging the parts together. Preferably the fluid pressure force for urging the parts together is at least as great as the fluid pressure force within the conduit urging the parts apart.
Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a part axial section through a first embodiment according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an axial section through a second embodiment according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment according to the present invention,
FIG. 4 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 is a part sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
Referring initially to FIG. 1 there is shown a breakaway pipe coupling 10 including two separable halves 11 and 12 respectively. Both halves 11,12 have annular end flanges 11a, 12a respectively for bolting to end flanges of pipes (not shown) which are to be coupled together by the coupling 10.
Coupling half 12 has a sleeve 15 which has a first portion 15a which, receives the end portion 11b of coupling half 11 and a second portion 15b which is radially spaced from the outside face of coupling half 11 to define an annular space 16. The end portion 11b is of reduced diameter to define a shoulder 11c against which an annular piston in the form of a ring 17 abuts. The ring 17 is prevented from axial movement relative to coupling half 11 by a circlip 18.
A second annular piston in the form of ring 20 is received in the annular space 16 and is restrained from axial movement within sleeve portion 15b by virtue of a series of balls 22 (only one of which is shown) spaced circumferentially about the ring 20. Each ball 22 is received in a radially extending bore 23 and projects therefrom into an annular groove 21 formed in sleeve portion 15b.
Each ball 22 is prevented from moving radially inwards by virtue of a threaded stud 24 which is threadedly received in ring 20 and projects axially therefrom to extend through a peripheral flange 26 formed on coupling half 11. A nut 27 is received on each stud so that the coupling halves 11, 12 are secured to one another via each stud and ring 20. Each stud is provided with a waisted portion 24a which defines a frangible portion.
Ring 20 and ring 17 are spaced from one another so as to define an annular fluid chamber 28 and radially extending bores 30 are provided circumferentially around coupling half 11 for providing pressure communication between annular chamber 28 and fluid conduit 31.
Bores 3
REFERENCES:
patent: 2406662 (1946-08-01), Burchett
patent: 3889985 (1975-06-01), Gartmann
patent: 3921656 (1975-11-01), Meisenheimer et al.
patent: 4059288 (1977-11-01), Mohr
patent: 4071268 (1978-01-01), Halling et al.
patent: 4326555 (1982-04-01), Thomson
Gall Thomson Maritime Limited
Scanlan, Jr. Richard J.
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