CA1146190A - Apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions - Google Patents
Apparatus for connecting together flowline end portionsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1146190A CA1146190A CA000325432A CA325432A CA1146190A CA 1146190 A CA1146190 A CA 1146190A CA 000325432 A CA000325432 A CA 000325432A CA 325432 A CA325432 A CA 325432A CA 1146190 A CA1146190 A CA 1146190A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- flowline
- gripper
- sleeve
- grip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L21/00—Joints with sleeve or socket
- F16L21/08—Joints with sleeve or socket with additional locking means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
- F16L1/26—Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sealing Devices (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
Abstract
APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING TOGETHER
FLOWLINE END PORTIONS
Abstract:
A grip-seal apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions having first and second housings having a-lignable bores therethrough, with gripper member mounted in the first housing for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member. A sealing assem-bly is mounted with the second housing for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. An activating sleeve mounted in the second housing and with the gripper members moves longitudinally into engagement with the gripper members and the sealing assem-bly. Fasteners with the activating sleeve fasten the first and second housings therewith resulting in the longitudinal movement of the activating sleeve with respect to the gripper members and the sealing assembly, with such action resulting in the gripper members moving radially inwardly into a gripping engagement with the first flowline member and the sealing assembly moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. Connec-tion members with the second housing connect the second housing with the second flowline member in order to rees-tablish fluid flow between the first and second flowline members.
FLOWLINE END PORTIONS
Abstract:
A grip-seal apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions having first and second housings having a-lignable bores therethrough, with gripper member mounted in the first housing for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member. A sealing assem-bly is mounted with the second housing for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. An activating sleeve mounted in the second housing and with the gripper members moves longitudinally into engagement with the gripper members and the sealing assem-bly. Fasteners with the activating sleeve fasten the first and second housings therewith resulting in the longitudinal movement of the activating sleeve with respect to the gripper members and the sealing assembly, with such action resulting in the gripper members moving radially inwardly into a gripping engagement with the first flowline member and the sealing assembly moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. Connec-tion members with the second housing connect the second housing with the second flowline member in order to rees-tablish fluid flow between the first and second flowline members.
Description
6;~
APPLICATION FOR PAT:@NT
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Title: APPARATUS FOP~ CON~ECTING TOGETHER FLQWLINE
~ END PORTIONS
'~ Inventors: Luther L. Manchestèr, Jr.
Bobby J. Reneau : SPP~CIFIQTION
Technical Field ~. , ~' The field of this invention relates to the ~onnection together of first and second tubular members for fluid~flow thereb'etween a~ter a damaged portion thereof has b~een re-moved and~in particular, to the reestablishment of a connec-; tion between the se~ered portions of an underwater pipeline. ' ~' Prior~ Art Typica}ly, in maki'ng repairs for an underwater pipeline,~
it is necessary~t~ remove a damaged section nd replace that 10~ s~ction with a new, undamaged pipeline section. Such a ~ replacement~reguires underwater welding~ which-is~extremely '; ~ time consuming and~a technically difficult task. ~Various 'coupling devices have been developed to eliminate the need ~' for such underwater~welding procedures.
Such devices include such a device as disclosed in United States'Patent No. 4,109,945 to the'instant inventors.
' However, a large number of nuts and bolts must be operably engaged fox proper operation thereof. For example, one set of bolts are''neces'sary for operation o~ the gripping struc-0 ture'of the'4~109,945 patent, whi'le another set of fasteners are'req'uired to operate the'sealing portion thereof. The additional time necessary for oper'ation~of both~sets of :
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fasteners further increases the time necessary for a diver, who may be working at great depths, to remain at such depths to effectuate 'the pipeline 'repair; for, the greatar the depths worked at, the more'difficult the working conditions are for the divers or the accurate installation of a coupling device for connecting together the undamaged por-tions of the pipeline. Furthermore, in addition to the multiplicity of fasteners involved, there is accordingly a more complex, mechanical structure necessary to accomplish the result of connecting together flowline end portions in a proper sealable relation.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved grip-seal apparatus for insertion between the ;~ 15 severed end portions of a damaged underwater pipeline, ; having had the damaged section removed, with the apparatus of the present invention connecting the severed end portions together underwater inspite o some unpredictability being present in the actual sizel roundness, and surface integrity of the pipe end portlons.
It'is a further object of this invention to provide a new and useful' mechanically less complex apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions.
' These object and other objects of this învention are set out in greater detail in the description to follow and should not be interpreted as being anything more than a mere summary of the objects of this invention. These ob~ect~ and other objects of this invention are carried out by th~ grip-seal apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention for connecting together first and second flowline end por-tions for fluid flow therebetween. Such a grip-seal appara-tus includes' first and second housings having alignable bores therethrough for at least partially receiving the first flowline end portion. Gripper members are mountable in the 'first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member. A
sealing assembiy is mounted in the second housing bore for , ~: ' . ~ .
movement radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. An activating sleeve is mounted in the second housing bore and in the bore of the gripper members for longitudinal movement into engagement with the gripper members : and the sealing assembly. Fastening means with the activating sleeve fastens the first and second housings therewith resulting in longitudinal movement of the activating sleeve with respect to the gripper members and the sealing assembly for radially inward mo~ement of the gripper members into gripping engagement with the first flowline member and radially the inwardly movement of the sealing assembly into sealin~ engagement with the ~irst flowline member.
~; . According to th~ present invention, a grip-seal `~
apparatus for connecting first and second flowline members for ~; fluid flow therethrough., comprises a first housing having a bore :; ~ therethrough for receiving the first flowline mem~er; a second housing having a bore therethrough adapted for partly receiving .
~ the ~irst flowline member extending through said first housing ~ ., :
:bore; gripper means having a bore therethrough mounted in said :20 ~ first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into grlpping ; -~
engagement with the first flowline member upon relative axial movement between said first and:second housings; sealing means mounted in said second housing bore for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; said gripper means inclu~ing a gripper member having a flange portion mounted with said second housing; an activating sleeve mounted partly in said gripper member and partly in said second housing bore for axial movement into engagement with said sealing means;
fastening means including a plurality of threaded shafts extendlng between said first and second housings,~sald fastening means cooperating with said flange portion of said gripper member,:said activating~sleeve, and said first and second housings for fasten1ng said flrst and second housings:together; said ~.~ 4~
gripper member being m~unted for axial movement relative to said first housing for movement of said gripper means radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member; said activating sleeve mounted for axial movement relati~e to said .second housing, said fastening means ~ moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means for moving said sealing means radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; and second housing connector means with said second housing for connecting said second housing to the second flowline member in order to esta~lish fluid flow between the flrst and second flowline members.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
Fig. 1 is a sectional, eIevational view of the grip-seal apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present inven-tion.
~, ~' Description of the Preferred Embodi~ent '~ Referriny to the'drawingsl the Ietter F designates generally a flowLine or a pipeIine which is located underwater~
Such flowline F for any num~er o~ xeasons may have a damaged area that must be removed, requiring the replacement of such ,~
a damaged area. Accordingly, the flowline F must ~e severed into a first flowline member Fl and a second flowline mem~er F2 t ,~
which must accordingly thereafter he reconnected together for transferring fluids, such as oil or gas, through the pipeline F.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention is adapted to be connected in the flowline~F to reoonnect the fluid flow through the first flowline member Fl that has been severed from second flowline member F2. Unless otherwise specified, it is pxeferred that the comp~nents of the grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention preferably be formed of steel or other suitable high- -strength materials capable of taking the heavy stresses and strains typically incumbent upon such an apparatus A when :
operating in its intended conditions and environment.
-3~-The grip-seal apparatus A includes a first housing designated generally as H1 for receiving the first ~lowline .
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~"1 member Fl therein. The first housing Hl includes housing 10which is a hollow, cylindrical member having a bore generally designated as lOa extending therethrough and adapted to receive one end of the severed flowline F such as flowline member Fl. The housing 10 has a radial lip lOb formed adjacent to bore lOa with an annular surface lOc formed adjacent to radial lip lOb and a radial lip lOd formed adjacent annular surFace lOc. Inner annular surface lOe is formed adjacent radial lip lOd with tapered surface lOf formed adjacent inner annular surface lOe, with the tapered surface lOf formed adjacent end surface lOg of the housing 10. At the opposite end of the housing 10 adjacent ~he bore lOa, a radial flange lOh is formed having a plurality of circumfexentially spaced openings such as lOi formed there-in. Preferably a suitable vent lOj is formed between the bore lOa and outer surface lOk of the housing 10 for filling with a protective oil or lubricant such as grease or the like to protect the gripper means G of the present inven-tion as described more fully hereinbelow.
The second housing ~2 includes housing 20 having longi-tudinally aligned bores 20a, 20br 20c of differing diametersr with a radial lip 20d separating bores 20a, 20b and annular tapered surface 20e separating bores 20b, 20c and end sur-face 20f formed adjacent bore 20c. A radial flange 20g is formed adjacent to bore 20a having a plurality of circum-ferentially spaced openings 20h ~ased thereabollt the radial flange 20g. It is preferred that the bore 20c be substan-tially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the flowline F and that the diameter of the bore 20b be sub stantially the same as the outside diameter of the flowline F for partially receiving the first flowline member Fl therein. Preferab].y a suitable vent opening 20i is ormed between the bore 20a and the outer surface 20j of housing 20.
Connector means designated generally by the number 30 are provided at the outer end of the second housing 20 adjacent end surface 20f for connecting the housing 20 to ' ~, .
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second flowline member F2. The connector means 30 may include weldments 30a or may be of a ball joint flange connection, a straight flange, a ball joint utili~ing con-nection with a pipeline spool, or any other suitable connec-tion means 30 for connecting the second flowline member F2 directly with the second housing H2 with such various types of connector means 30 being detailed more particularly in U. S. Patent No. 4,109,945.
The grip-sea'1 apparatus A further includes gripper means designated generally as G. The gripper means G in-cludes grippers 40, 41 having bores 40a, 41a formed there-through. Gripper camming surfaces 40b, 41b are formed adjacent bores 40a, 41a of grippers 40, 41 with end surface 41c formed adjacent gripper camming surface 41b. Outer annular surface~40e extends from the radial end surface 40d to radial flange 40f, with the radial flange 40f having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 40g formed :~ therein. Outer annular surface 41e extends between end surface 41c and end æurface 41f. Preferably, all of such ~ 20 openings 40g are threaded with the exception of four ~hereof -` as more fully discussed hereinbelow. Radial lip 40h is ~' formed between bore 40a and gripper camming surface 40b.
The radial flange 40f of gripper 40 includes an end surface 40i.
: ~ 25 The gripper means G further includes actuator sleeves 42, 44 which are preferably of a single piece collet type `~ ~ and of a cylindrical configuration having bores 42a, 44a, : respectively~ formed therein. A plurality of ca~ming surfaces 42b, 44b~are formed with the outer annular surface of the actuator sleeves 42, 44 and are adapted to operably ~; èngage gripper camming surfaces 40b, 41b, respectively.
Camming surfaces 40b, 42b extend stepwise in a thread-like radially outwa.rdly fashion from radial lip 40h to end sur-~' face 40d while camming surfaces:41b, 44b ex'tend stepwise in :; 35 a thread-like 'configuration from radial lip 41f to end surface '41c. It should be noted that the camming surfaces 40b, 42b, 41b, 44b preferably are ~formed in a spiral fashion with the such camming surfaces spiraled to compliment one :
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another for complimentary engagement therebetween for appro-priate wedging surface action as discussed more fully here-inbelow. Such camming surfaces 40b, 41b, 42b, 44b comprise the camming means of the present invention.
The actuator sleeves 42, 44 further include a plurality of gripping surfaces 42d, 44d formed within bores' 42a, 44a of the actuator sleeves 42, 44. Preferably the gripping surfaces 42d~ 44d are formed in a spiraling fashion, with the spiral thereof corresponding with the spiral configura-tion of the camming surfaces 42b, 44b adjacent thereto, however being of a smaller pitch between adjacent spirals.
Furthermore, the actuator sleeves 42, 44 include a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 42e, 42f, 44e, 44f with the circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 42e extending from end surface 42g inwardly toward end sur-face 42h and slots 42f extending inwardly from end surface 42h inwardly toward end surface 42g. Slots 44~, 44f are similarly formed. The slots 42e, 42f, 44e, 44f, respective-ly, may overlap, if desired and cooperate to make the actua-:
tor sle~ves 42, 44 radially c~mpressible. Elongate slots42O, 44O are preferably formed with sleeves 42, 44 and receive appropriate pins 40pr 41p formed with grippers 40, 41 for allowing longitudinal movement along the slots 42O, 44O, but no rotational movement therebetween. Preferably, each sleeve is formed having two pairs of slots 42O, 44O
being horizontally opposed and pins 40p, 41p are appropri-ately paired therewith~
~ The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes sealing means M mounted in the second housing H2 for movement radially inwardly into sealing '' engagement with the flowline F such as with first flowline member Fl. The sealing means M includes a plurality of seals 50 adapted to be mounted in bore 20a of housing 20.
Preferably the seals S0 include a plurality of seals 50a, 50b separated individually by a plurality of backup rings 52, with the backup rings 52 separating each individual seal 50a, 50b from one 'another'. Furthermore,' preferably a lan-ter'n ring 54 is centrally mounted within the sealing means M
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to separate groups of seal designated generally as 50a, 50b.
Further, the lantern ring 54 has an opening 54a foxward therein and adapted to communicate'with vent opening 20i for hydraulically determing leakage, if any, therebetween.
Preferably, backup ring 52a abuts radial lip 20d of housing 20 with an appropriate seal 50a positioned adjacent thereto, with an appropriate number of backup rings 52 and seals 50a thereafter disposed within the bore 20a. The lantern ring 54 secures such seals 50 and backup rings 52 appropriately in place, with an additional plural}ty of seals 50b and backup rings 52 being disposed therein bore 20a. The sealing means M is ~ounted in housing 20 for movement radi-ally inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flow-line member Fl and radially outwardly into engagement with bore 20a of housing 20 as described more fully hereinbelow.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes an activating sleeve S. The activating :` ~
sleeve S includes activating sleeve 60 having a bore 60a formed therethrough, with substantially radial end surfaces 60b, 60c formed adjacent each end of the bore 60a, with ou~er arlnular surfaces 60dr 60e formed adjacent radial end sur~aces 60b, 60cj respectively, with radial flange 60f formed therebetween outer annular surfaces 60d, 60e. ' Suitable circumferentially spaced openings 60g are pre-ferably formed about the radial flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60. Preferably, only four of such openings 60g are threaded as discussed below. It is preerred that a some of such openings 60g be threaded as discussed more fu:Lly here-inbelow. The activating sleeve'60 is adapted to be mounted such that the radial flange 60f may abut end surface 40i of gripper 40 with annular surface 60d in engag~ment with bore 40a and radial end surface 60b in engagement with radial end surface 40h of gripper 40. As such, there may be positive surface contact between the gripper 40 and activating slee~e 60. Furthermore, it is preferred that the outer annular surface 60e~be 'adapted to be disposed' within bore 20a of housing 20 with radial end surface 60c abutting the sealing ' ' '~:
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means M. Suitable anti-leakage means designated generally 62 is preferably mounted with the activating sleeve 60 to prevent fluid rnigration between the activating sleeve 60 and the gripper 40, as well as between the activating sleeve 60 and the housing 20. The anti-leakage means 62 may in-clude suitable seals such as O-rings 62a, 62b or any other suitable seal, with O-ring 62a disposed between annular surface 60d of ~he activating sleeve 60 and bore 40a of the gripper 40 and O-ring 62b disposed between annular surface 60e of activating sleeve 60 and bore 20a of housing 20 for preventing such fluid leaking. Thus, the activating sleeve 60 is mounted with the second housing H2 and the gripper means G for longitudinal movement into engagement with the gripper means G and sea'ling means M.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes fastening means B with the activating sleeve S for fastening the first and second housings Hl, H2 therewith, resulting in longitudinal movement of the acti-vating slee~e S with respect to the gripper means G and sealing means M. Preferably the fastening means B includes threaded shafts 70 some of which are adapted to threadedly engage a portion of the openings 40g, 60g that are simi-larily so threaded. It shouId be noted that not all such ~` openings 40g, 60g are threaded; however, to the extent that those that are threaded, that such threads would be com-' patible with the threads on threaded shafts 70. It is preferxed that the threaded shafts 70 be of sufficient length to extend an appropriate length from the flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60 to ~eyond flange lOh of housing 10 and in the opposing direction, to beyond flange 20g of ' housing 20. It is preferred that openings lOi, 20h, 40g, and 60g be aligned with one another such that the threaded - shaft 70 may extend through all such openings when in such longitudinal alignment. The threaded shafts 70 are adapted to recei've an appropriate nut 72 or be formed with bolt head 74.
The grip~seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes' a spacer''sleeve 80 having a bore 80a - ::.
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formed therethrough with the spacer sleeve bore 80a adapted to receive the flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60 there-in. Furthermore, it is preferred that the spacer sleeve 80 be formed with end surfaces 80b, 80c. End surface 80b abuts flange 40f of gripper 40 and end surface 80c abuts flange 20g of housing 20. The spacer sleeve 80 is for insuring proper spacing between ~he gripper 40 and housing 20 as described more fully hereinbelow.
: In the operation of the grip-seal apparatus A of the presen~ invention, the first flowline member Fl of the - severed flowline F is inserted into first housing Hl through water seal 34. The water seal 34 acts to scrape a variety of debris from the first flowline member Fl as it is in ~: serted into the grip-seal apparatus A of ~he present inven-tion. Flowline member Fl is inserted into first housing Hl, ~ therethrough activating sleeve S, thereinto second housing H2 with the sealing means M disposed therebetween the acti--vating sleeve S and second housing H2. The fastening means ~:; B is mounted with the activating sleeve S for fastening the : 20 ~irst and second housings Hl, H2 with the activating sleeve~ S. The .fastening means ~ results in the longitudinal move-i : ment of the activating sleeve S with respect to the gripper ~ means G and the sealing means M. The longitudinal movement.~ of the activating sleeve S relative to the gripper means G;~ 25 moves the gripper means G radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member ~1. The longi-tudinal movement of the activating sleeve S relative to the . .
sealing means M moves the sealing means M radially inwardly ~ into sealing engagement with the first flowline.member Fl.
Vent opening 20i is used to hydraulically test the sealing means M to insure a positive sealing relation before operating the. flowline F.
More particularly, as the nuts 72 are threaded onto : shafts 70, the housing 1~ is drawn towards the activating sleeve S and gripper means G. ~s the housing 10 moves toward the activating sleeve S, the water seal compression ring 32 abuts radial lip lOb of housing 10 and water seal 34, resulting in radial expansion thereof into a sealable ~ ~ , relation with flowline member Fl. As such movement is taking place, camming suxfaces 40b, 41b and camming surfaces 42b, 44b 42c of the camming means of the present invention are conseq'uently working in opposite directions and radially compressing inwardly into engagement with the fir t flowline member Fl for gripping engagement therebetween gripping surfaces 42d, 44d and the outer surface of the first flowline member Fl. As such, the camming surfaces 40b, 41b, 42b, 4~b coact with'one another to force the gripping surfaces 42d, 44d of the'actuator sleeve 40 radially inwardly into grip-ping engagement with the first flowline member Fl in response to the fastening of the fastening means B. Gripper 40 of the gripper means G coacts with actuator sleeve 42 for engagement of the first flowline member ~1 for resisting compressive forces while gripper 41 coacts with actuator sleeve 44 for engagement with the first flowline member ~1 for resisting tension forces on the apparatus A of the present invention to prevent withdrawal of the flowline member Fl therefrom.
As noted hereinabove, it is preferred that all but ~our 'of the 'openings 40y be threaded while conversely all of the openings 60g are unthreaded, with the exception of four thereof which are threaded. Accordingly, the four threaded openings 60g are suitable for permitting an appropriate packing adjustment of the sealing means M by properly placing the activating sIeeve S in proper xelation to ~he housing H2, having the sealing means M disposed therebetween.
By fastening action of-the nuts 72 on threaded shaft 70, the housing 10 is drawn towards the activating sleeve S for gripping action. Rotation of bolt head 74 within threaded openings 40g results in relative movement of housing 20 with respect activating sleeve 60, resulting in compression of ; the sealing means M into sealing engagement with the'outer surface of first flowline member Fl. As is shown, the sea'ling mea'ns M is constrained between the 'end surface 60c and radial lip 20d of the housing 20, with the seals 50 being compressed in such a fashion that they' will expand radially inwardly into engagem'ent with'the first flowline' ;.:
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' member Fl to provide a sealing relation therebetween and radially outwardly to provide a sealing relation there-between such sea'ls 50 and bore 20a of housing ~0. The spacer sleeve 80 insures proper' spacing between the gripper 40 and housing 20.
Thus, the grip-seal apparatus A of the present inven-tion is adapted to grip and sea'l the first 10wline member Fl by merely engaging the fastening means B to effectuate these results. With the first flowline member F1 firmly gripped by the gripper means G and sealed with the sealing means M of the present invention, the second flowline - member F2 may be connected ~herew'ith by second housing connector means 30 for rees'tablishment of fluid flow there-throu~h the ~lowline F.
~ 15 Thus, the grip-seal apparatus A of the present inven-'' tion provides a new and useful tool for quickly and effec-tively reestablishing fluid flow through a flowline F having been severed for removal of a damaged portion ~hereo~. The ~'~ grip-seal apparatus A provides for the gripping and sealing about the first flowline member Fl for a gripping and , sealable 'engagement therebetween the grip-seal apparatus A
and the flowline member Fl for thereafter being reconnected with second fl~wline member F2 to reestablish flow there-through. "
The foregoing di~closure and description of the inven-~;' tion are iIlustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and material as well as in details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.
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APPLICATION FOR PAT:@NT
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Title: APPARATUS FOP~ CON~ECTING TOGETHER FLQWLINE
~ END PORTIONS
'~ Inventors: Luther L. Manchestèr, Jr.
Bobby J. Reneau : SPP~CIFIQTION
Technical Field ~. , ~' The field of this invention relates to the ~onnection together of first and second tubular members for fluid~flow thereb'etween a~ter a damaged portion thereof has b~een re-moved and~in particular, to the reestablishment of a connec-; tion between the se~ered portions of an underwater pipeline. ' ~' Prior~ Art Typica}ly, in maki'ng repairs for an underwater pipeline,~
it is necessary~t~ remove a damaged section nd replace that 10~ s~ction with a new, undamaged pipeline section. Such a ~ replacement~reguires underwater welding~ which-is~extremely '; ~ time consuming and~a technically difficult task. ~Various 'coupling devices have been developed to eliminate the need ~' for such underwater~welding procedures.
Such devices include such a device as disclosed in United States'Patent No. 4,109,945 to the'instant inventors.
' However, a large number of nuts and bolts must be operably engaged fox proper operation thereof. For example, one set of bolts are''neces'sary for operation o~ the gripping struc-0 ture'of the'4~109,945 patent, whi'le another set of fasteners are'req'uired to operate the'sealing portion thereof. The additional time necessary for oper'ation~of both~sets of :
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fasteners further increases the time necessary for a diver, who may be working at great depths, to remain at such depths to effectuate 'the pipeline 'repair; for, the greatar the depths worked at, the more'difficult the working conditions are for the divers or the accurate installation of a coupling device for connecting together the undamaged por-tions of the pipeline. Furthermore, in addition to the multiplicity of fasteners involved, there is accordingly a more complex, mechanical structure necessary to accomplish the result of connecting together flowline end portions in a proper sealable relation.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved grip-seal apparatus for insertion between the ;~ 15 severed end portions of a damaged underwater pipeline, ; having had the damaged section removed, with the apparatus of the present invention connecting the severed end portions together underwater inspite o some unpredictability being present in the actual sizel roundness, and surface integrity of the pipe end portlons.
It'is a further object of this invention to provide a new and useful' mechanically less complex apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions.
' These object and other objects of this învention are set out in greater detail in the description to follow and should not be interpreted as being anything more than a mere summary of the objects of this invention. These ob~ect~ and other objects of this invention are carried out by th~ grip-seal apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention for connecting together first and second flowline end por-tions for fluid flow therebetween. Such a grip-seal appara-tus includes' first and second housings having alignable bores therethrough for at least partially receiving the first flowline end portion. Gripper members are mountable in the 'first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member. A
sealing assembiy is mounted in the second housing bore for , ~: ' . ~ .
movement radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member. An activating sleeve is mounted in the second housing bore and in the bore of the gripper members for longitudinal movement into engagement with the gripper members : and the sealing assembly. Fastening means with the activating sleeve fastens the first and second housings therewith resulting in longitudinal movement of the activating sleeve with respect to the gripper members and the sealing assembly for radially inward mo~ement of the gripper members into gripping engagement with the first flowline member and radially the inwardly movement of the sealing assembly into sealin~ engagement with the ~irst flowline member.
~; . According to th~ present invention, a grip-seal `~
apparatus for connecting first and second flowline members for ~; fluid flow therethrough., comprises a first housing having a bore :; ~ therethrough for receiving the first flowline mem~er; a second housing having a bore therethrough adapted for partly receiving .
~ the ~irst flowline member extending through said first housing ~ ., :
:bore; gripper means having a bore therethrough mounted in said :20 ~ first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into grlpping ; -~
engagement with the first flowline member upon relative axial movement between said first and:second housings; sealing means mounted in said second housing bore for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; said gripper means inclu~ing a gripper member having a flange portion mounted with said second housing; an activating sleeve mounted partly in said gripper member and partly in said second housing bore for axial movement into engagement with said sealing means;
fastening means including a plurality of threaded shafts extendlng between said first and second housings,~sald fastening means cooperating with said flange portion of said gripper member,:said activating~sleeve, and said first and second housings for fasten1ng said flrst and second housings:together; said ~.~ 4~
gripper member being m~unted for axial movement relative to said first housing for movement of said gripper means radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member; said activating sleeve mounted for axial movement relati~e to said .second housing, said fastening means ~ moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means for moving said sealing means radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; and second housing connector means with said second housing for connecting said second housing to the second flowline member in order to esta~lish fluid flow between the flrst and second flowline members.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
Fig. 1 is a sectional, eIevational view of the grip-seal apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present inven-tion.
~, ~' Description of the Preferred Embodi~ent '~ Referriny to the'drawingsl the Ietter F designates generally a flowLine or a pipeIine which is located underwater~
Such flowline F for any num~er o~ xeasons may have a damaged area that must be removed, requiring the replacement of such ,~
a damaged area. Accordingly, the flowline F must ~e severed into a first flowline member Fl and a second flowline mem~er F2 t ,~
which must accordingly thereafter he reconnected together for transferring fluids, such as oil or gas, through the pipeline F.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention is adapted to be connected in the flowline~F to reoonnect the fluid flow through the first flowline member Fl that has been severed from second flowline member F2. Unless otherwise specified, it is pxeferred that the comp~nents of the grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention preferably be formed of steel or other suitable high- -strength materials capable of taking the heavy stresses and strains typically incumbent upon such an apparatus A when :
operating in its intended conditions and environment.
-3~-The grip-seal apparatus A includes a first housing designated generally as H1 for receiving the first ~lowline .
" ~
:-::: : . :
':
~. :
~"1 member Fl therein. The first housing Hl includes housing 10which is a hollow, cylindrical member having a bore generally designated as lOa extending therethrough and adapted to receive one end of the severed flowline F such as flowline member Fl. The housing 10 has a radial lip lOb formed adjacent to bore lOa with an annular surface lOc formed adjacent to radial lip lOb and a radial lip lOd formed adjacent annular surFace lOc. Inner annular surface lOe is formed adjacent radial lip lOd with tapered surface lOf formed adjacent inner annular surface lOe, with the tapered surface lOf formed adjacent end surface lOg of the housing 10. At the opposite end of the housing 10 adjacent ~he bore lOa, a radial flange lOh is formed having a plurality of circumfexentially spaced openings such as lOi formed there-in. Preferably a suitable vent lOj is formed between the bore lOa and outer surface lOk of the housing 10 for filling with a protective oil or lubricant such as grease or the like to protect the gripper means G of the present inven-tion as described more fully hereinbelow.
The second housing ~2 includes housing 20 having longi-tudinally aligned bores 20a, 20br 20c of differing diametersr with a radial lip 20d separating bores 20a, 20b and annular tapered surface 20e separating bores 20b, 20c and end sur-face 20f formed adjacent bore 20c. A radial flange 20g is formed adjacent to bore 20a having a plurality of circum-ferentially spaced openings 20h ~ased thereabollt the radial flange 20g. It is preferred that the bore 20c be substan-tially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the flowline F and that the diameter of the bore 20b be sub stantially the same as the outside diameter of the flowline F for partially receiving the first flowline member Fl therein. Preferab].y a suitable vent opening 20i is ormed between the bore 20a and the outer surface 20j of housing 20.
Connector means designated generally by the number 30 are provided at the outer end of the second housing 20 adjacent end surface 20f for connecting the housing 20 to ' ~, .
.,.~, ~
second flowline member F2. The connector means 30 may include weldments 30a or may be of a ball joint flange connection, a straight flange, a ball joint utili~ing con-nection with a pipeline spool, or any other suitable connec-tion means 30 for connecting the second flowline member F2 directly with the second housing H2 with such various types of connector means 30 being detailed more particularly in U. S. Patent No. 4,109,945.
The grip-sea'1 apparatus A further includes gripper means designated generally as G. The gripper means G in-cludes grippers 40, 41 having bores 40a, 41a formed there-through. Gripper camming surfaces 40b, 41b are formed adjacent bores 40a, 41a of grippers 40, 41 with end surface 41c formed adjacent gripper camming surface 41b. Outer annular surface~40e extends from the radial end surface 40d to radial flange 40f, with the radial flange 40f having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 40g formed :~ therein. Outer annular surface 41e extends between end surface 41c and end æurface 41f. Preferably, all of such ~ 20 openings 40g are threaded with the exception of four ~hereof -` as more fully discussed hereinbelow. Radial lip 40h is ~' formed between bore 40a and gripper camming surface 40b.
The radial flange 40f of gripper 40 includes an end surface 40i.
: ~ 25 The gripper means G further includes actuator sleeves 42, 44 which are preferably of a single piece collet type `~ ~ and of a cylindrical configuration having bores 42a, 44a, : respectively~ formed therein. A plurality of ca~ming surfaces 42b, 44b~are formed with the outer annular surface of the actuator sleeves 42, 44 and are adapted to operably ~; èngage gripper camming surfaces 40b, 41b, respectively.
Camming surfaces 40b, 42b extend stepwise in a thread-like radially outwa.rdly fashion from radial lip 40h to end sur-~' face 40d while camming surfaces:41b, 44b ex'tend stepwise in :; 35 a thread-like 'configuration from radial lip 41f to end surface '41c. It should be noted that the camming surfaces 40b, 42b, 41b, 44b preferably are ~formed in a spiral fashion with the such camming surfaces spiraled to compliment one :
.
~ - : :
,~
:
~ 3~ L~6 ~
another for complimentary engagement therebetween for appro-priate wedging surface action as discussed more fully here-inbelow. Such camming surfaces 40b, 41b, 42b, 44b comprise the camming means of the present invention.
The actuator sleeves 42, 44 further include a plurality of gripping surfaces 42d, 44d formed within bores' 42a, 44a of the actuator sleeves 42, 44. Preferably the gripping surfaces 42d~ 44d are formed in a spiraling fashion, with the spiral thereof corresponding with the spiral configura-tion of the camming surfaces 42b, 44b adjacent thereto, however being of a smaller pitch between adjacent spirals.
Furthermore, the actuator sleeves 42, 44 include a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 42e, 42f, 44e, 44f with the circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 42e extending from end surface 42g inwardly toward end sur-face 42h and slots 42f extending inwardly from end surface 42h inwardly toward end surface 42g. Slots 44~, 44f are similarly formed. The slots 42e, 42f, 44e, 44f, respective-ly, may overlap, if desired and cooperate to make the actua-:
tor sle~ves 42, 44 radially c~mpressible. Elongate slots42O, 44O are preferably formed with sleeves 42, 44 and receive appropriate pins 40pr 41p formed with grippers 40, 41 for allowing longitudinal movement along the slots 42O, 44O, but no rotational movement therebetween. Preferably, each sleeve is formed having two pairs of slots 42O, 44O
being horizontally opposed and pins 40p, 41p are appropri-ately paired therewith~
~ The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes sealing means M mounted in the second housing H2 for movement radially inwardly into sealing '' engagement with the flowline F such as with first flowline member Fl. The sealing means M includes a plurality of seals 50 adapted to be mounted in bore 20a of housing 20.
Preferably the seals S0 include a plurality of seals 50a, 50b separated individually by a plurality of backup rings 52, with the backup rings 52 separating each individual seal 50a, 50b from one 'another'. Furthermore,' preferably a lan-ter'n ring 54 is centrally mounted within the sealing means M
.
,;
.
.: :
to separate groups of seal designated generally as 50a, 50b.
Further, the lantern ring 54 has an opening 54a foxward therein and adapted to communicate'with vent opening 20i for hydraulically determing leakage, if any, therebetween.
Preferably, backup ring 52a abuts radial lip 20d of housing 20 with an appropriate seal 50a positioned adjacent thereto, with an appropriate number of backup rings 52 and seals 50a thereafter disposed within the bore 20a. The lantern ring 54 secures such seals 50 and backup rings 52 appropriately in place, with an additional plural}ty of seals 50b and backup rings 52 being disposed therein bore 20a. The sealing means M is ~ounted in housing 20 for movement radi-ally inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flow-line member Fl and radially outwardly into engagement with bore 20a of housing 20 as described more fully hereinbelow.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes an activating sleeve S. The activating :` ~
sleeve S includes activating sleeve 60 having a bore 60a formed therethrough, with substantially radial end surfaces 60b, 60c formed adjacent each end of the bore 60a, with ou~er arlnular surfaces 60dr 60e formed adjacent radial end sur~aces 60b, 60cj respectively, with radial flange 60f formed therebetween outer annular surfaces 60d, 60e. ' Suitable circumferentially spaced openings 60g are pre-ferably formed about the radial flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60. Preferably, only four of such openings 60g are threaded as discussed below. It is preerred that a some of such openings 60g be threaded as discussed more fu:Lly here-inbelow. The activating sleeve'60 is adapted to be mounted such that the radial flange 60f may abut end surface 40i of gripper 40 with annular surface 60d in engag~ment with bore 40a and radial end surface 60b in engagement with radial end surface 40h of gripper 40. As such, there may be positive surface contact between the gripper 40 and activating slee~e 60. Furthermore, it is preferred that the outer annular surface 60e~be 'adapted to be disposed' within bore 20a of housing 20 with radial end surface 60c abutting the sealing ' ' '~:
:, ~
, ~ : : '' . :
;,: ~
.
-8~
means M. Suitable anti-leakage means designated generally 62 is preferably mounted with the activating sleeve 60 to prevent fluid rnigration between the activating sleeve 60 and the gripper 40, as well as between the activating sleeve 60 and the housing 20. The anti-leakage means 62 may in-clude suitable seals such as O-rings 62a, 62b or any other suitable seal, with O-ring 62a disposed between annular surface 60d of ~he activating sleeve 60 and bore 40a of the gripper 40 and O-ring 62b disposed between annular surface 60e of activating sleeve 60 and bore 20a of housing 20 for preventing such fluid leaking. Thus, the activating sleeve 60 is mounted with the second housing H2 and the gripper means G for longitudinal movement into engagement with the gripper means G and sea'ling means M.
The grip-seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes fastening means B with the activating sleeve S for fastening the first and second housings Hl, H2 therewith, resulting in longitudinal movement of the acti-vating slee~e S with respect to the gripper means G and sealing means M. Preferably the fastening means B includes threaded shafts 70 some of which are adapted to threadedly engage a portion of the openings 40g, 60g that are simi-larily so threaded. It shouId be noted that not all such ~` openings 40g, 60g are threaded; however, to the extent that those that are threaded, that such threads would be com-' patible with the threads on threaded shafts 70. It is preferxed that the threaded shafts 70 be of sufficient length to extend an appropriate length from the flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60 to ~eyond flange lOh of housing 10 and in the opposing direction, to beyond flange 20g of ' housing 20. It is preferred that openings lOi, 20h, 40g, and 60g be aligned with one another such that the threaded - shaft 70 may extend through all such openings when in such longitudinal alignment. The threaded shafts 70 are adapted to recei've an appropriate nut 72 or be formed with bolt head 74.
The grip~seal apparatus A of the present invention further includes' a spacer''sleeve 80 having a bore 80a - ::.
~3~ ~ ~6~
formed therethrough with the spacer sleeve bore 80a adapted to receive the flange 60f of the activating sleeve 60 there-in. Furthermore, it is preferred that the spacer sleeve 80 be formed with end surfaces 80b, 80c. End surface 80b abuts flange 40f of gripper 40 and end surface 80c abuts flange 20g of housing 20. The spacer sleeve 80 is for insuring proper spacing between ~he gripper 40 and housing 20 as described more fully hereinbelow.
: In the operation of the grip-seal apparatus A of the presen~ invention, the first flowline member Fl of the - severed flowline F is inserted into first housing Hl through water seal 34. The water seal 34 acts to scrape a variety of debris from the first flowline member Fl as it is in ~: serted into the grip-seal apparatus A of ~he present inven-tion. Flowline member Fl is inserted into first housing Hl, ~ therethrough activating sleeve S, thereinto second housing H2 with the sealing means M disposed therebetween the acti--vating sleeve S and second housing H2. The fastening means ~:; B is mounted with the activating sleeve S for fastening the : 20 ~irst and second housings Hl, H2 with the activating sleeve~ S. The .fastening means ~ results in the longitudinal move-i : ment of the activating sleeve S with respect to the gripper ~ means G and the sealing means M. The longitudinal movement.~ of the activating sleeve S relative to the gripper means G;~ 25 moves the gripper means G radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member ~1. The longi-tudinal movement of the activating sleeve S relative to the . .
sealing means M moves the sealing means M radially inwardly ~ into sealing engagement with the first flowline.member Fl.
Vent opening 20i is used to hydraulically test the sealing means M to insure a positive sealing relation before operating the. flowline F.
More particularly, as the nuts 72 are threaded onto : shafts 70, the housing 1~ is drawn towards the activating sleeve S and gripper means G. ~s the housing 10 moves toward the activating sleeve S, the water seal compression ring 32 abuts radial lip lOb of housing 10 and water seal 34, resulting in radial expansion thereof into a sealable ~ ~ , relation with flowline member Fl. As such movement is taking place, camming suxfaces 40b, 41b and camming surfaces 42b, 44b 42c of the camming means of the present invention are conseq'uently working in opposite directions and radially compressing inwardly into engagement with the fir t flowline member Fl for gripping engagement therebetween gripping surfaces 42d, 44d and the outer surface of the first flowline member Fl. As such, the camming surfaces 40b, 41b, 42b, 4~b coact with'one another to force the gripping surfaces 42d, 44d of the'actuator sleeve 40 radially inwardly into grip-ping engagement with the first flowline member Fl in response to the fastening of the fastening means B. Gripper 40 of the gripper means G coacts with actuator sleeve 42 for engagement of the first flowline member ~1 for resisting compressive forces while gripper 41 coacts with actuator sleeve 44 for engagement with the first flowline member ~1 for resisting tension forces on the apparatus A of the present invention to prevent withdrawal of the flowline member Fl therefrom.
As noted hereinabove, it is preferred that all but ~our 'of the 'openings 40y be threaded while conversely all of the openings 60g are unthreaded, with the exception of four thereof which are threaded. Accordingly, the four threaded openings 60g are suitable for permitting an appropriate packing adjustment of the sealing means M by properly placing the activating sIeeve S in proper xelation to ~he housing H2, having the sealing means M disposed therebetween.
By fastening action of-the nuts 72 on threaded shaft 70, the housing 10 is drawn towards the activating sleeve S for gripping action. Rotation of bolt head 74 within threaded openings 40g results in relative movement of housing 20 with respect activating sleeve 60, resulting in compression of ; the sealing means M into sealing engagement with the'outer surface of first flowline member Fl. As is shown, the sea'ling mea'ns M is constrained between the 'end surface 60c and radial lip 20d of the housing 20, with the seals 50 being compressed in such a fashion that they' will expand radially inwardly into engagem'ent with'the first flowline' ;.:
. :
' : ' :~.
.
' member Fl to provide a sealing relation therebetween and radially outwardly to provide a sealing relation there-between such sea'ls 50 and bore 20a of housing ~0. The spacer sleeve 80 insures proper' spacing between the gripper 40 and housing 20.
Thus, the grip-seal apparatus A of the present inven-tion is adapted to grip and sea'l the first 10wline member Fl by merely engaging the fastening means B to effectuate these results. With the first flowline member F1 firmly gripped by the gripper means G and sealed with the sealing means M of the present invention, the second flowline - member F2 may be connected ~herew'ith by second housing connector means 30 for rees'tablishment of fluid flow there-throu~h the ~lowline F.
~ 15 Thus, the grip-seal apparatus A of the present inven-'' tion provides a new and useful tool for quickly and effec-tively reestablishing fluid flow through a flowline F having been severed for removal of a damaged portion ~hereo~. The ~'~ grip-seal apparatus A provides for the gripping and sealing about the first flowline member Fl for a gripping and , sealable 'engagement therebetween the grip-seal apparatus A
and the flowline member Fl for thereafter being reconnected with second fl~wline member F2 to reestablish flow there-through. "
The foregoing di~closure and description of the inven-~;' tion are iIlustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and material as well as in details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.
:; .:
~i
Claims (13)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A grip-seal apparatus for connecting first and second flowline members for fluid flow therethrough, com-prising:
a first housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the first flowllne member;
a second housing having a bore therethrough adapted for partly receiving the first flowline member extending through said first housing bore;
gripper means having a bore therethrough mounted in said first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member upon relative axial movement between said first and second housings;
sealing means mounted in said second housing bore for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member;
said gripper means including a gripper member having a flange portion mounted with said second housing;
an activating sleeve mounted partly in said gripper member and partly in said second housing bore for axial move-ment into engagement with said sealing means;
fastening means including a plurality of threaded shafts extending between said first and second housings, said fastening means cooperating with said flange portion of said gripper member, said activating sleeve, and said first and second housings for fastening said first and second housings together;
said gripper member being mounted for axial movement relative to said first housing for movement of said gripper means radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member;
said activating sleeve mounted for axial movement relative to said second housing, said fastening means moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means for moving said sealing means radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; and, second housing connector means with said second housing for connecting said second housing to the second flowline member in order to establish fluid flow between the first and second flowline members.
a first housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the first flowllne member;
a second housing having a bore therethrough adapted for partly receiving the first flowline member extending through said first housing bore;
gripper means having a bore therethrough mounted in said first housing bore for moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member upon relative axial movement between said first and second housings;
sealing means mounted in said second housing bore for moving radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member;
said gripper means including a gripper member having a flange portion mounted with said second housing;
an activating sleeve mounted partly in said gripper member and partly in said second housing bore for axial move-ment into engagement with said sealing means;
fastening means including a plurality of threaded shafts extending between said first and second housings, said fastening means cooperating with said flange portion of said gripper member, said activating sleeve, and said first and second housings for fastening said first and second housings together;
said gripper member being mounted for axial movement relative to said first housing for movement of said gripper means radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member;
said activating sleeve mounted for axial movement relative to said second housing, said fastening means moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means for moving said sealing means radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the first flowline member; and, second housing connector means with said second housing for connecting said second housing to the second flowline member in order to establish fluid flow between the first and second flowline members.
2. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said gripper means further includes:
a cylindrical actuator sleeve being mounted within said gripper member, said actuator sleeve having a bore therethrough, said actuator sleeve being mounted within said first housing bore about the first flowline member; and, camming means formed with said gripper member for moving said actuator sleeve radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member in response to axial movement of said gripper member upon fastening by said fastening means of said first and second housings together.
a cylindrical actuator sleeve being mounted within said gripper member, said actuator sleeve having a bore therethrough, said actuator sleeve being mounted within said first housing bore about the first flowline member; and, camming means formed with said gripper member for moving said actuator sleeve radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member in response to axial movement of said gripper member upon fastening by said fastening means of said first and second housings together.
3. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 2, wherein:
a plurality of gripper camming surfaces are formed within said gripper member; and, said actuator sleeve has a plurality of actuator camming surfaces formed about the exterior surface thereof, said actuator camming surfaces engaging said gripper camming surfaces for interaction therebetween to move said actuator sleeve radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member.
a plurality of gripper camming surfaces are formed within said gripper member; and, said actuator sleeve has a plurality of actuator camming surfaces formed about the exterior surface thereof, said actuator camming surfaces engaging said gripper camming surfaces for interaction therebetween to move said actuator sleeve radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the first flowline member.
4. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said activating sleeve is formed having an activating sleeve radial end surface disposed in said second housing bore for abutting said sealing means for movement radially inwardly thereof into sealing engagement with the first flowline member.
said activating sleeve is formed having an activating sleeve radial end surface disposed in said second housing bore for abutting said sealing means for movement radially inwardly thereof into sealing engagement with the first flowline member.
5. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said sealing means includes:
a plurality of seals mounted in said second housing bore which are radially inwardly compressible into sealing engagement with the first flowline member in response to axial movement of said activating sleeve.
a plurality of seals mounted in said second housing bore which are radially inwardly compressible into sealing engagement with the first flowline member in response to axial movement of said activating sleeve.
6. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1, further including:
anti-leakage means mounted with said activating sleeve to prevent fluid migration between said activating sleeve and said gripper means and between said activating sleeve and said second housing.
anti-leakage means mounted with said activating sleeve to prevent fluid migration between said activating sleeve and said gripper means and between said activating sleeve and said second housing.
7. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1, further including:
a spacer sleeve having a bore therethrough;
said spacer sleeve bore adapted to receiving said activating sleeve therein; and, said spacer sleeve mounted in abutting relation with said flange portion of said gripper member and said second housing for insuring proper spacing therebetween.
a spacer sleeve having a bore therethrough;
said spacer sleeve bore adapted to receiving said activating sleeve therein; and, said spacer sleeve mounted in abutting relation with said flange portion of said gripper member and said second housing for insuring proper spacing therebetween.
8 . The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
at least one of said plural threaded shafts is threadedly mounted with said activating sleeve for insuring proper packing adjustment of said sealing means.
at least one of said plural threaded shafts is threadedly mounted with said activating sleeve for insuring proper packing adjustment of said sealing means.
9. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
said fastening means includes means for moving said gripper member axially relative to said first housing into engagement with said actuator sleeve to cause said actuator sleeve to grip said first flowline member and means for moving said activating sleeve in the opposite axial direction to engage said sealing means to move said sealing means into sealing engagement with said first flowline member.
said fastening means includes means for moving said gripper member axially relative to said first housing into engagement with said actuator sleeve to cause said actuator sleeve to grip said first flowline member and means for moving said activating sleeve in the opposite axial direction to engage said sealing means to move said sealing means into sealing engagement with said first flowline member.
10. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
said fastening means includes means for setting said gripper member into operative engagement with the first flowline member.
said fastening means includes means for setting said gripper member into operative engagement with the first flowline member.
11. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 1, including:
said first and second housings terminating in spaced flange portions, said flange portions being inter-connected by said plurality of threaded shafts;
said gripper member flange portion being mounted in alignment with said first and second housing flange portions and having said threaded shafts extending there-through; and, said threaded shafts cooperating with said flange portions of said first and second housings and said gripper member to move said gripper member and said gripper means into gripping engagement with the first flowline as said threaded shafts connect together said first and second housings.
said first and second housings terminating in spaced flange portions, said flange portions being inter-connected by said plurality of threaded shafts;
said gripper member flange portion being mounted in alignment with said first and second housing flange portions and having said threaded shafts extending there-through; and, said threaded shafts cooperating with said flange portions of said first and second housings and said gripper member to move said gripper member and said gripper means into gripping engagement with the first flowline as said threaded shafts connect together said first and second housings.
12. The grip-seal apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
said flange portion of said activating sleeve.
being mounted in alignment with said flanges of said first and second housings and said gripper member and having a second plurality of threaded shafts; and, said second plurality of threaded shafts operably connected to said flange of said activating sleeve and to said flange of said second housing for moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means.
said flange portion of said activating sleeve.
being mounted in alignment with said flanges of said first and second housings and said gripper member and having a second plurality of threaded shafts; and, said second plurality of threaded shafts operably connected to said flange of said activating sleeve and to said flange of said second housing for moving said activating sleeve into engagement with said sealing means.
13. The grip-seal assembly of claim 12, wherein:
said second plurality of threaded shafts extend through all of said aforementioned flanges.
said second plurality of threaded shafts extend through all of said aforementioned flanges.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US175879A | 1979-01-08 | 1979-01-08 | |
| US1,758 | 1979-01-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1146190A true CA1146190A (en) | 1983-05-10 |
Family
ID=21697700
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000325432A Expired CA1146190A (en) | 1979-01-08 | 1979-04-12 | Apparatus for connecting together flowline end portions |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1146190A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2038967B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4613160A (en) * | 1984-06-08 | 1986-09-23 | Gripper, Inc. | Remotely operable pipe length connector and compensator |
| CN113417580B (en) * | 2021-06-23 | 2024-04-09 | 四川宏华石油设备有限公司 | Manifold device and manifold system adopting same |
-
1979
- 1979-04-12 CA CA000325432A patent/CA1146190A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-04-19 GB GB7913731A patent/GB2038967B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2038967A (en) | 1980-07-30 |
| GB2038967B (en) | 1983-08-17 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |