AU2005274664A1 - Pipe outlet former - Google Patents

Description

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 1 PIPE OUTLET FORMER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the attachment of fittings to pipes and tubes. More particularly, the present invention relates to the attachment of fittings to pipes and tubes, 5 along their length. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fluid outlets are typically provided along the length or end of a pipe or tube via pipe fittings. Pipe fittings enable attachment of an appropriate outlet connection. For example, fire suppression systems typically include fittings which connect discharge nozzles with a 10 fire suppressant distribution pipe or tube or network of the distribution pipes or tubes. Distribution pipes and tubes are connected to a source of fire suppressing agent. However, fluid outlets are used with pipes and tubes in many other industries. For example, boom sprays typically include distribution tubes which distribute liquid chemical from a mobile reservoir, and tube fittings positioned at set spacings along the 15 length of the distribution tubes to connect spray nozzles with the distribution tubes. Pipe or tube fittings are typically available in many different forms. For example, fittings that attach to the end of a fire suppression or boom spray distribution pipes or tubes are commonly elbow shaped fittings which enable a discharge nozzle to be orientated at 90 degrees to the feeder pipe. Other fittings which are positioned along the distribution 20 pipes or tubes also typically enable a discharge nozzle to be orientated at 90 degrees to the distribution pipes or tubes but are typically T-shaped. The T-shaped fittings usually include oppositely positioned threadable couplings which are designed for attachment to the ends of adjacent distribution pipe or tube segments. The T-shaped fittings when connected to and adjoining adjacent distribution pipe or tube segments enable a discharge 25 nozzle to be positioned between the adjacent distribution pipe or tube segments. Spray equipment such as that of or fire suppression systems and boom sprays are typically formed by joining distribution pipe or tube segments with T-shaped fittings and attaching an elbow shaped fitting to a free end of the distribution pipe or tube. This method of fabrication typically requires pipe or tubing to be cut into short lengths and WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 2 threaded for attachment to T-shaped or elbow shaped fittings, requires a large number of tools, and is time consuming. Alternatively, pipe or tubing is cut and joined end to end via compression or other similar fittings. Figure 1 shows one example of a known mining vehicle fire suppression system in the 5 form of fire suppression system 1. The fire suppression system 1 generally comprises a fire suppressant reservoir la, distribution tubes lb, T-shaped and elbow shaped fittings 2 and 3 respectively and discharge nozzles 4. The fire suppression system 1 also comprises double adaptor pipe fittings 5 which enable attachment of 2 discharge nozzles 4 to a single T-shaped fitting 2. The fire suppression system 1 also comprises a T-shaped fitting 10 6 which connects terminal distribution tubes 7 to a main distribution pipe 8. The main distribution pipe 8 is connected to the fire suppressant reservoir la via a fitting 8a. The terminal distribution tubes 7 are usually formed of stainless steel while the main distribution pipe 8 is usually a relatively stiff hose. The terminal distribution tubes 7are formed of a number of connected terminal distribution segments 9. The terminal 15 distribution tube segments 9 are connected by the T-shaped fittings 2. The elbow shaped fittings 3 attach to free ends of the distribution tubes lb which are remote from the fire suppressant reservoir la. The distribution tubes lb of the fire suppressant system 1 are formed by cutting terminal distribution tube segments 9 from a length of tube. Ends of the teinminal distribution tube 20 segments 9 are then either threaded using a female thread forming tool.or flared using a flaring tool Alternatively, they may be fitted with compression fittings. Adjacent ends of terminal feeder or tube segments 9 are then joined via the T-shaped pipe fittings 2. Once the T-shaped fittings 2 are appropriately positioned along the distribution tubes lb, the discharge nozzles 4 are threadably attached to the T-shaped fittings 2. A large amount of 25 labour involving cutting, threading or flaring and assembly is therefore required to attach discharge nozzles 4 to the feeder or tubes lb and form the fire suppression system 1.

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe fitting comprising a housing being adapted for attachment to a pipe and having an opening for receipt of a cutting tool for cutting a hole through a wall of the pipe, and a locating projection which 5 is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing relative to the pipe. The pipe fitting preferably comprises a sealing element mounted within the housing which is designed to prevent leakage of fluid from between the pipe fitting and the pipe. Preferably an inner contacting surface of the housing is arranged so that on attachment of the housing to the pipe the sealing element is not over deformed and sealing is not 10 adversely affected. The housing preferably comprises a sealing recess which is arranged for location of the sealing element so that it is proud of the inner contacting surface of the housing by an amount which ensures that it is not over deformed on attachment of the housing to the pipe. The housing preferably also comprises opposed flanges which define the sealing 15 recess, Each of the opposed flanges preferably have semicircular contacting surfaces which together provide one part of the inner contacting surface of the housing. The locating projection preferably extends away from the internal contacting surface of the housing. The locating projection is preferably arranged to indent an external surface of the pipe upon attachment of the housing about the pipe and thereby decrease the 20 likelihood of the housing moving relative to the pipe. The locating projection therefore prevents movement of the housing relative to the pipe while a hole is cut through the pipe wall. The locating projection also secures the housing and an attached pipe fitting relative to the pipe to reduce the likelihood of the pipe fitting moving relative to the pipe after installation. 25 The locating projection is preferably adjustable to vary the amount that it extends away from the inner contacting surface. This adjustable feature allows the locating projection to be adjusted to suit a specific pipe- For example, the locating projection may be adjusted on the basis of the wall thickness of the pipe and the material that the pipe is formed from.

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 4 The opening in the housing wall preferably comprises a bore. The bore is preferably arranged to receive and guide a cutting tool for cutting an appropriate sized hole through the pipe wall. The bore preferably comprises an inner bore which extends away from the inner contacting surface, and an outer bore, the inner bore being smaller in diameter than 5 the outer bore. The outer bore is preferably deep enough to enable an outlet fitting to be fully attached without abutting a bottom of the outer bore. The housing is preferably formed of two separate clamp components which are drawn together to clamp about the pipe. One of the clamp components preferably comprises the opening. The clamp components preferably also comprise corresponding and aligned 10 clamping holes for receipt of respective fasteners to draw the clamp components together and clamp them about the pipe. The housing preferably comprises an articulation member which connects the clamp components. The articulation member is preferably a hinge. In another preferred form of the pipe fitting, the clamp components, on one side, comprise corresponding engaging features and oft the other side corresponding clamping 15 holes for receipt of one or more clamping fasteners. The engaging featuresare arranged to enable that side of the clamp to hinge while the other side of the clamp is drawn together via the clamping fastener. In a preferred form, the engaging features comprise corresponding contacting surfaces which are orientated for increased engagement as the clamping fastener is tightened. However, in an alternative form of the pipe fitting each 20 side of the clamp components comprise clamping holes for drawing both sides of the clamp components toward the corresponding clamp component via clamping fasteners. Preferably, the cutting tool is a drill bit and the opening is designed to guide the drill bit therethrough when the housing is attached to the pipe. Preferably the opening is formed in a wall of the housing. 25 In a preferred form the sealing element includes a gasket or O-ring seal which is arranged to encircle said opening and compress between the pipe and the inner contacting surface of the housing. The gasket may include an aperture which is arranged for alignment with said housing opening. However, an aperture may be formed in the gasket upon cutting of the hole 30 through the pipe wall.

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 5 The pipe fitting is suitable, for example, for use with plastic (eg. PVC) or metal pipes. It is also suitable for use with liquid or gaseous fluids. Preferably the opening of the housing is arranged for attachment of an outlet fitting. In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe fitting assembly 5 comprising: ( ipe fitting having a housing being adapted for attachment to a pipe, the housing having an opening for receipt of a cutting tool for cutting a hole through a wall of the pipe, and the pipe fitting also having a locating projection which is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing relative to the pipe; and 10 an outlet fitting which is arranged for attachment to the opening. The housing and locating projection of the second aspect of the present invention is preferably as defined in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. The opening of the first and second aspects of the present invention is preferably threaded to permit threaded attachment of the outlet fitting. However, the housing may be 15 arranged for any other suitable means of attachment to a pipe fitting. For example, the housing may be arranged for plug socket attachment, which in one form may involve a bayonet style lockiig mechanism. The outlet fitting is preferably a nozzle. In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of pipe fabrication 20 comprising the steps of: attaching a pipe fitting to the pipe, the pipe fitting including a housing having an opening being adapted for receipt of a cutting tool, and a locating projection which is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing relative to the pipe; and cutting a hole through a wall of the pipe by passing the cutting tool through said 25 opening. The pipe fitting preferably comprises a sealing element mounted within the housing which is designed to prevent leakage of fluid from between the pipe fitting and the pipe- WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 6 Preferably an inner contacting surface of the housing is arranged so that on attachment of the housing to the pipe the sealing element is not over deformed and sealing is not adversely affected. The pipe fitting of the third aspect of the present invention is preferably as defined in 5 relation to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably the method also comprises the step of attaching an outlet fitting to the pipe fitting. Preferably the method further comprises the step of deburring the hole cut through the wall of the pipe prior to attachment of the outlet fitting. 10 Preferably the step of cutting a hole in the pipe involves drilling of the pipe wall. In preferred forms of the invention the pipe is a tube. The tube preferably comprises tubing. However, pipes may also, for example, comprise open channel sectioned conduit and closed conduit having syrnmetrie and asymmetric shaped sections. The pipe may be formed of any suitable material, for example, plastic or metal. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a. schematic perspective view of a prior art fire suppression system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one example of a fitting of the present invention in its clamped position attached to a pipe; Figures 3a and 3b are respective perspective and side elevational views of the pipe fitting 20 of figure 2 in its open position; Figures 4a and 4b are photographs of other examples of a pipe fitting of the present invention in the clamped position; Figures Sa and 5b are sectional views of the fitting of Figure 2 along A-A and B-B respectively; 25 Figure 6 is a plan view of the pipe fitting of figure 2; WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 7 Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of corresponding clamp components of the pipe fitting of figure 4b; Figure 8 on the left and right hand sides are photographs of the pipe fittings of figures 4b and 4a respectively; 5 Figure 9 on the left and right hand sides are photographs of upper clamping components of the pipe fittings of figures 4b and 4a respectively; Figure 10 is a schematic end elevational view of the clamping components of the pipe fitting of figure 4b, in its open condition around a pipe; Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the pipe fitting of figure 4b clamped to a pipe; 10 Figure 12 is a schematic end elevational view of the pipe fitting of figure 4b attached to a pipe and showing a drill bit drilling a hole through the wall of the pipe; Figure 13 is a photograph showing on the left and right hand sides dis-assembled components of the pipe fitting of figures 4b and 4a respectively; and Figure 14 is a schematic end elevafional view similar to that of figure 12 showing a 15 discharge nozzle attached to this example of the pipe fitting of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 2, 3a and 3b show one example of a pipe fitting of the present invention in the form of fitting 33. Referring to figures 3a and 3b, the fitting 33 which is shown in its open condition comprises a housing which in this example is a clamp 34 formed from 2 20 separate clamp-components 36 and 38. The clamp components 36 and 38 are connected via an articulation member in the form of a hinge 39 for clamping about a pipe which in this example is a tube 40, using a clamping bolt 42. Figure 2 also shows a nozzle 41 positioned for attachment to the fitting 33. Figures 4a and 4b, 7 and 8 show two other examples of a pipe fitting of the present 25 invention in the form of fittings 46 and 48. Fittings 46 and 48 each comprise a housing which in this example are clamps 50 and 52 respectively. The clamp 50 is formed of two clamp components 56 and 58 designed to clamp about tube 40 via clamping bolts 60 and WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 8 62 which are positioned on opposite sides of the tube 40. The damp 52 is similarly formed of two clamp components 66 and 68. The fitting 48 on one side includes corresponding engaging features and on an opposite side corresponding clamping bores 73 for receipt of clamping fasteners in the form of bolts 72 (see figure 13). The 5 corresponding engaging features of the fitting 48 include corresponding contacting surfaces in the form of complementary contacting surfaces 76. Referring to figures 3b and 10, each of the fittings 33, 46 and 48 includes a locating projection which, in these examples, takes the form of a conical projection 80. The conical projections 80 extend inwardly of inner contacting surfaces of the fittings 33,46 and 48 10 which in these particular examples are cylindrical contacting surfaces 82, 84 and 86 respectively (see respective figures 3b, 8 and 7). The conical projection 80 of fitting 33 comprises a set screw 81 which enables the amount that the conical projection extends inwardly of the cylindrical contact surface 82 to be adjusted. Referring to figures 2, 4a and 4b, each of the fittings 33,46 and 48 include openings in 15 their walls in the form of inner and outer bores 90 and 92 respectively. The relative diameters of the smaller inner and larger outer bores 90 and 92 are indicated by figures 5a, 5b and 11. Referring to figures Sa, 5b, 6 and 9, sealing elements are located in sealing recesses formed in clamp components 38,58 and 68. Referring to figure 6, the sealing recess 94 of clamp 20 component 38 is formed between opposed shoulder 96. The opposed shoulder 96 also provide one part of the inner contacting surface in the form of semicircular contacting surfaces 100 (best seen in figures Sa and 3b). The sealing recesses of fittings 48 and 46 (as viewed from the left to right hand sides of figure 9) are annular sealing recesses 104 and 106 respectively. The annular recesses 104 and 106 encircle the inner bores 90 of each of 25 the fittings 48 and 46. The sealing recess 94 of clamp component 38 is designed to receive a sealing element in the form of a compressible gasket 120 (see figures 5a and 5b) that includes a centrally located hole positioned for alignment with the inner bore 90. The gasket 120 is in this particular example a Vitonr" t gasket. The thickness of the gasket is such that its inner 30 surface is slightly proud of the inner semicircular contacting surfaces 100 when it is seated in the sealing recess 94.

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 9 The annular sealing recesses 104 and 106 are designed to receive corresponding O-rings (not shown). The depth of the annular recesses 104 and 106 are such that they receive approximately half of the thickness of the corresponding O-ring. The O-ring and sealing recess may be replaced with a compressible gasket and correspondingly shaped sealing 5 recess. Figures 3a and 3b, and figures 7 and 10 show clamp components of respective fittings 33 and 48 positioned for attachment to the rube 40. Although not shown, clamp components of the fitting 46 are similarly positioned about the tube 40 prior to attachment to the tube 40 as shown in figure 4a. The fitting 33 is attached to the pipe 40 by moving the 10 corresponding clamp components 36 and 38 toward each other from an open position of figures 3a and 3b to a fully closed and clamped position of figures 2 and 5a. In the clamped position an O-ring 116 which surrounds the clamping bolt 42 (see figures 3b and Sa) is clamped between the clamp components 36 and 38. In this closed position the tube 40 is located against corresponding inner contacting surfaces 82 and 100. Bolt 42 is then 15 passed through the corresponding clamping bores 110 and 112 and tightened by threadable engagement with the bore 112 to draw the clamp components 36 and 38 toward each other about the tube 40. As the clamping bolt 42 is tightened the conical locating projection 80 depresses the outer cylindrical surface of the tube 40. The gasket 120 is compressed against an outer surface 20 of the tube 40. However, the dimensions of the opposed flanges 96 and the thickness of the gasket 120 are such that the gasket is only partially deforined for maximum sealing effect when the fitting is clamped about the tube 40 and the inner semicircular contacting surfaces 100 firmly contact an outer cylindrical surface of the tube 40. The sealing recess 94 and the opposed flanges 96 also function to protect the compressible gasket 120 from 25 flame impingement when the fitting 33 is in the clamped positionof figures 2 and Sa. With the clamping bolt 42 fully tightened the conical locating projection 80 is depressed into the tube 40 and prevents the pipe fitting 33 rotating or moving longitudinally relative to the tube 40. In this example the projection or indent 80 plastically deforms the tube to lock the fitting in place and prevent its movement under severe vibration, such as 30 that experienced on fire suppression systems in vehicles. The dimensions of the contacting surfaces 82 and 100 are such that when the fitting 33 is fully closed it is firmly WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 10 clamped to the tube 40 but the tube 40 is only substanLially deformed by the locating projection 80. The set screw 81 enables the conical projection 80 to be adjusted for use with pipes other than tube 40. For example, if a pipe has a thinner wall than that of tube 40, the set screw 5 81 could be adjusted to reduce the amount that the conical projection extends inwardly of the contacting surface 82. The set screw 81 also enables the conical projection to be adjusted for use with pipes formed of different materials, eg plastic. The fittings 46 and 48 are similarly attached to the tube 40 by moving corresponding clamp components 56 and 58 and 66 and 68 toward each other about the tube 40 10 However, in order to enable engagement between the complementary contacting surfaces 76 of the fitting 48, the clamp components 66 and 68 are manipulated relative to each other to allow the complementary contacting surfaces 76 to abut and the tube 40 to be received into the corresponding inner cylindrical contacting surfaces 86 and 124. Clamping bolts 60 and 62, and 72 are then passed through corresponding clamping bores 15 73 and 74 (see figures 7 and 9) and tightened to draw the clamp components toward each other about the tube 40. As the clamp components are drawn toward each other compression of the tube 40 results in the contacting surface 84 being forced toward its corresponding contacting surface 85 (see figures 9 and 13) and the contacting surfaces 86 and 124 (see figure 7) of the fitting 48 similarly being forced toward each other. The 20 orientation of the contacting surfaces 76 relative to the tube 40 prevents the clamp components 66 and 68 from separating as the clamping bolt 72 are tightened. With the fittings 33,46 and 48 damped about the tubes 40 holes are drilled through walls of the tubes 40 by passing a drill bit through the corresponding inner bores 90. This is shown in figure 12 in relation to fitting 48 although the same process applies for fittings. 25 33 and 46. The inner bore 90 is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of a drill bit 130. The inner bore 90 therefore guides drilling of a hole in the tubes 40. The conical projection or indent 80 rigidly locates the fitting about the pipe or tube during this drilling operation and thus ensures that an accurate hole is drilled in the tube. When drilling a hole in the wall of the tubes 40 care should be taken to ensure that the drill bit 130 only 30 passes through one side of the tube.

WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 11 Once the hole has been drilled the drill bit 130 is removed and the hole is deburred. Figure 13 shows disassembled fittings 46 and 48 which also shows their internal features. For applications where it is important to ensure that debris from the drilling does not remain in the tube or the fittings 33, 46 and 48, liquid or gas may be passed through the 5 tubes 40 to flush out any debris. Referring to figure 14, an outlet fitting, for example the discharge nozzle 20 of figure 1, can be directly attached to the fittings 48 (or 33 or 46) by threading the discharge nozzle into the threaded outer bore 92. The depth of the outer bores 92 of each of the fittings 33, 46 and 48 are such that the discharge nozzle tightens and seats against outer contacting 10 surfaces of the fittings before it abuts the bottom of the outer bore 92. It will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art that fittings 33, 46 and 48 are applicable to many applications other than fire suppressant systems and boom sprays. For example, other applications include refrigeration, hydraulics and conventional plumbing systems. 15 For some applications fittings such as fittings 33,46 and 48 are metal while for other applications they may be formed wholly or partially of other materials, for example plastic or PVC. The pipes or tubes which fittings such as fittings 33,46 and 48 can be used with may similarly be formed of metal or other material including plastic or PVC. The fittings 33,46 and 48 provide advantages over traditional pipe fittings such as the T 20 shaped and elbow shaped fittings 16 and 18 of figure 1 including: 1. distribution tubes lb are not required to be cut and joined (which may involve forming threads in ends of the distribution tube segments) for attachment of joining T-shaped pipe fittings 2 which provides considerable labour savings; 2. the fittings 33, 46 and 48 attach directly to pipes or tubes rather than joining ends 25 of adjacent pipe or tube segments and are therefore more compact in a dimension which corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the pipes or tubes; 3. discharge nozzles 4 are threadable directly into the fittings 33, 46 and 48 and a lateral extension such as those of the T-shaped and elbow shaped fittings 2 and 3 which extends laterally of the pipes or tubes is not required; WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 12 4. features (2) and (3) allow material and weight savings; and 5. features (2) and (4) and the movement in weight distribution closer to a longitudinal axis of the pipes reduces stress and hence fatigue on plumbing components of a system such as the fire suppressant system I which increases 5 the system life. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, the hinge 39 of the fitting 33 may be used to connect clamp components of the 10 fittings 46 and 48 for clamping of these clamp components about tubes 40 as described in relation to the fitting 33. Other features of the fittings 33,46 and 48 are similarly interchangeable. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (46)

1. A pipe fitting comprising a housing being adapted for attachment to a pipe and having an opening for receipt of a cutting tool for cutting a hole through a wall of.the pipe and a locating projection which is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing 5 relative to the pipe.

2. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim I further comprising a sealing element mounted within the housing which is designed to prevent leakage of fluid from between the pipe fitting and the pipe.

3, A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 2 wherein an inner contacting surface of the 10 housing is arranged so that.on attachment of the housing to the pipe the sealing element is not over deformed and sealing is not adversely affected.

4. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the housing comprises a sealing recess which is arranged for location of the sealing element so that it is proud of the inner contacting surface of the housing by an amount which ensures that it is not over 15 deformed on attachment of the housing to the pipe.

5. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of claims 2-4 wherein the housing comprises opposed flanges which define therebetween the sealing recess.

6. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of the opposed flanges have semicircular contacting surfaces which together provide one part of the inner contacting 20 surface of the housing.

7. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locating projection extends away from the internal contacting surface of the housing.

8. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 7 wherein the locating projection is arranged to indent an external surface of the pipe upon attachment of the housing about the pipe and 25 thereby decrease the likelihood of the housing moving relative to the pipe.

9. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the locating projection prevents movement of the housing relative to the pipe while a hole is cut through the pipe wall. WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 14

10. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of claims 7-9 wherein the locating projection secures the housing and an attached pipe fitting relative to the pipe to reduce the likelihood of the pipe fitting moving relative to the pipe after installation.

11, A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of claims 7-10 wherein the locating projection 5 is adjustable to vary the amount that it extends away from the inner contacting surface.

12. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening in the housing wall comprises a bore.

13. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 12 wherein the bore is arranged to receive and guide a cutting tool for cutting an appropriate sized hole throuLgh the pipe wall. 10

14. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the bore comprises an inner bore which extends away from the inner contacting surface, and an outer bore, the inner bore being smaller in diameter than the outer bore.

15. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of claims 12-14 wherein the outer bore is deep enough to enable an outlet fitting to be fully attached without abutting a bottom of the 15 outer bore.

16. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing is formed of two separate clamp components which are drawn together to clamp about the pipe,

17. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 16 wherein one of the clamp components 20 comprises the opening.

18. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the clamp components comprise corresponding and aligned clamping holes for receipt of respective fasteners to draw the clamp components together and clamp them about the pipe.

19. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the housing comprises an 25 articulation member which connects the clamp components.

20. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 19 wherein the articulation member comprises a hinge. WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 15

21. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the clamp components, on one side, comprise corresponding engaging features and on the other side corresponding clamping holes for receipt of one or more clamping fasteners.

22,' A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 21 wherein the engaging features are arranged to 5 enable that side of the clamp to hinge while the other side of the clamp is drawn together via the clamping fastener.

23. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the engaging features comprise corresponding contacting surfaces which are orientated for increased engagement as the clamping fastener is tightened. 10

24. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein each side of the clamp components comprise clamping holes for drawing both sides of the clamp components toward the corresponding clamp component via clamping fasteners.

25. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting tool is a drill bit and the opening is designed to guide the drill bit therethrough when the 15 housing is attached to the pipe.

26. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims wherein the opening is formed in a wall of the housing.

27. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing element is a gasket seal which is arranged to encircle said opening and compress between 20 the pipe and the inner contacting surface of the housing.

28. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 27 wherein the gasket includes an aperture which is arranged for alignment with said housing opening.

29. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of claims 1-26 wherein the sealing element is an O-ring seal which is arranged to encircle said opening and compress between the pipe 25 and the inner contacting surface of the housing.

30. A pipe fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening of the housing is arranged for attachment of an outlet fitting.

31. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 30 wherein the outlet fitting is a nozzle. WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 16

32. A pipe fitting as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 wherein the opening is threaded to permit threaded attachment of the outlet fitting.

33. A pipe fitting assembly comprising: a pipe fitting having a housing being adapted for attachment to a pipe, the 5 housing having an opening for receipt of a cutting tool for cutting a hole through a wall of the pipe, and the pipe fitting also having a locating projection which is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing relative to the pipe; and an outlet fitting which is arranged for attachment to the opening.

34. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein the pipe fitting comprises 10 the pipe fitting of any one of claims 1-29.

35. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the opening is threaded to permit threaded attaduchment of the outlet fitting.

36. A pipe fitting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 33-35 wherein the outlet fitting is a nozzle. 15

37. A method of pipe fabrication comprising the steps of: attaching a pipe fitting to the pipe, the pipe fitting having a housing having an opening being adapted for receipt of a cutting tool, and the pipe fitting also having a locating projection which is adapted to deform the pipe to rigidly locate the housing relative to the pipe; and 20 cutting a hole through a wall of the pipe by passing the cutting tool through said opening.

38. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in claim 37 wherein the pipe fitting comprises the pipe fitting of any one of claims 1-29.

39. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in claim 37 wherein the pipe fitting 25 further comprises a sealing element mounted within the housing which is designed to prevent leakage of fluid from between the pipe fitting and the pipe. WO 2006/017879 PCT/AU2005/001023 17

40. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in claim 39 wherein an inner contacting surface of the housing is arranged so that on attachment of the housing to the pipe the sealing element is not over deformed and sealing is not adversely affected

41. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in any one of claims 37-40 further 5 comprising the step of attaching an outlet fitting to the pipe fitting.

42. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in claim 41 wherein the outlet fitting is a nozzle.

43. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in any one of claims 37-42 further comprising the step of deburring the hole cut through the wall of the pipe. 10

44. A method of pipe fabrication as claimed in any one of claims 37-43 wherein the step of cutting a hole in the pipe involves drilling of the pipe wall.

45, A pipe fitting or method of pipe fabrication as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pipe is a tube.

46. A pipe fitting or method of-pipe fabrication as claimed in claim 45 wherein the 15 tube comprises tubing.