CA1176283A - Pipe connectors - Google Patents
Pipe connectorsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1176283A CA1176283A CA000396139A CA396139A CA1176283A CA 1176283 A CA1176283 A CA 1176283A CA 000396139 A CA000396139 A CA 000396139A CA 396139 A CA396139 A CA 396139A CA 1176283 A CA1176283 A CA 1176283A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ring
- pipe
- pipe end
- end portion
- end portions
- 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
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- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A connector for connecting the abutted end portions of two pipes comprises a split ring having a pair of radially inwardly extending surfaces directed towards each other and each for engagement with a radially outwardly extending surface on a respective pipe end portion, the surfaces on the pipe end portions being directed away from the respective pipe ends.
The connector includes operating means for causing radial expansion of the ring to disengage the ring from one of the pipes, the ring remaining engaged with the other pipe. To this end the corresponding surfaces on the ring and the other pipe end portion may have a greater radial extent than the surfaces on the ring and the one pipe, so that the former surfaces remain engaged for all conditions of use of the connector.
The connector may be engaged with the other pipe end portion either by operation of the operating means or automatically by suitably shaping the surfaces of the ring and the other pipe end portion which are initially brought into contact.
The connector is particularly suited for connecting the pipe sections of a pipe string for use in the drilling and/or completion of offshore oil or gas wells, particularly where the pipe string is to be subject to high axial load for example in pile driving.
A connector for connecting the abutted end portions of two pipes comprises a split ring having a pair of radially inwardly extending surfaces directed towards each other and each for engagement with a radially outwardly extending surface on a respective pipe end portion, the surfaces on the pipe end portions being directed away from the respective pipe ends.
The connector includes operating means for causing radial expansion of the ring to disengage the ring from one of the pipes, the ring remaining engaged with the other pipe. To this end the corresponding surfaces on the ring and the other pipe end portion may have a greater radial extent than the surfaces on the ring and the one pipe, so that the former surfaces remain engaged for all conditions of use of the connector.
The connector may be engaged with the other pipe end portion either by operation of the operating means or automatically by suitably shaping the surfaces of the ring and the other pipe end portion which are initially brought into contact.
The connector is particularly suited for connecting the pipe sections of a pipe string for use in the drilling and/or completion of offshore oil or gas wells, particularly where the pipe string is to be subject to high axial load for example in pile driving.
Description
76;2~3 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PIPE
_ CONNECTORS
The present invention relates to pipe connectors particularly but not exclusively for interconnecting pipe sections to form a pipe string for use in drilling and/or completion of offshore oil or gas wells, and particularly 5 to a connector providing a connection capable of withstand-ing high axial loads, for example in pile driving.
Numerous connectors for these purposes are known, many in the form of pin and box joints having telescoping surfaces provided with devices between the surfaces which 10 interengage to lock the parts of the joints together. Such joints are complicated to manufacture and therefore expen-sive, complex to use and therefore not ideal for offshore conditions~ and do not always provide a joint capable of withstanding high axial loads.
There are numerous other pipe connectors which were not designed for the above purposes and are not there-fore suitable.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provide~ a pipe connec-tor-for connecting the abutted end 20 portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an out-wardly extending surface transverse of the axis of the respective pipe and directed away from the respective pipe end, comprising a split annular ring for surrounding the abutted pipe end portions substantially completely and 25 having a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and for engagement with a respective one of the surfaces on the pipe end portions, means for retaining said ring relative to said pipe end portion such that, in use, said ring ls 30 permanently engaged with said one pipe end portion, wherein said ring is resiliently expanda~le to permit engagement of the other pipe end portion therewith, corresponding ~,, :.~176Z~3 -la-surface portions of said ring and said other pipe end portion being so shaped that said ring is automatically expanded as said other pipe end portion is progressively engaged therewith, and guide means are provided for maintain-5 ing alignment of said pipe end portions during engagementof said other pipe end portion with said ring.
According to another aspect of the present inven-tion there is provided.a pipe connector for connecting the 10 abutted end portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an outwardly extending surface transverse to the axis of the respective pipe and directed away. from the respec-tive pipe end, said pipe connector comprising a split annular ring having a single split for surrounding said abutted pipe 15 end portions substantially completely and defining a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and each for engagement with a respective said surface on said pipe end portions, means for permanently retaining said ring on one of said pipe end portions in use, and operating means for causing the radial dimensions of said ring to change to permit engagement and/or disengagement of said ring from said other pipe end portion.
Preferably said surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring have a greater radial overlap than said surface on said other pipe end portion and the corresponding surface on said ring so that in use said surface on said one pipe end portion is permanently overlapped with said corresponding surface on said ring to retain said ring on said one pipe end portion.
Preferably the ring is in its radially contracted condition when relaxed and the operating means cause radial expansion of the ring, the ring being resiliently radially expandable so that it will return to its contracted condition on release of the operating means.
Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure l is an axial section through the ends of two pipes which have been connected together using a con-nector according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an axial section through part of the connector of Figure l but in an axial plane angularly spaced from that of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an axial section similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the connector during assembLy , i~
~.i ~,~
~. . i ~762~33 of the pipes;
Figure /L is a plan view of the ring of the embocli~lent of Figure 1 to a reduced scale;
Figure 5 i5 a side elevation of part of ths connector o~ Figure 1 showing locking means therefor;
Fi~ure 6 i5 a pla~ view of the part of the connector shown in ~igure 5;
Figure 7 is a part a~i~l section similar to that of Fi$ure 2 of a further embod ~lent of co~mector according to the pre~ent invention;
Figure 8 is a section on the line ~III-VIII
of Fisul-e 7 showing locking means for the r.ng;
Figure 9 is an elevation of the split end portivns of the ring of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an elevation of the locking ~;eans of Figu~e o;
F~gure 11 is a part axial sectiQn similar to that of Figure 2 of another embodiment of pipe connector according to the present invention;
Figure 12 is part o-f a section on the line XII-~IX of Fig~re 11 and showing the locking mean~ of the rinS of ~igure ].1;
~igure 13 i9 an elevation of the locking mean.s of Fi.gure 12;
Figure 1~ is a part axial section similar to that of F~gure 2 of another embodi~nent of connector accor~j.ng to ti~ p.resent invention; and Fi~uro 15 i~ a plan view of part of the con~.ector of Fi~llre 1ll.
~igures 1 to 6 show a pipe connector for ~onne~Y;.ing the enc' portions of two pipes or pipe sec+ion3 of a pipe string for use in the drilling nnd/or conli)letion of an ofs~lore oil or ga~ welî an~ whi.ch i ca5~al)1-~ of ~ith~tarldi~g pi~.e driving force~.
35. 'Ihe pipe con~ector co~1priseAs a split annular 1~762~33 member or rinS 1 ~Ihich ha~ a generally U-shaped radial section, the arms of the U of ~hich pro~ide rndially inwardly e~tending s~rface~ 2,3 which are directed tow~rds each other~ '~he two pipes 4,5 are provided adjacent the end3 to be abutted and connected with annular $rooves 6,7 providing oppositely directed radially outwardly extending surfaces 8~9. In a modification these surfaces o,9 may be pro~ided by flanges on the ends of the pipes 4,5. As sllown, the~e surfaces 8,9 are provided on pipe end members 1~ 7 11 which are fixed, e.g. by ~elding, to the ends of the pipes 4,5 to be connected together and form part of a connectol~ asse~.~ly. The surfaces oS9 may alternatively be provided on intcgral end portions of the pipes.
In uqe, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ring 1 s~rounds the 2butted pipe end portions ~i*h the surfaces 2,3 of the rinS 0ngaging the respective ~urfaces 8,9 of the pipe end portions to holcl the ends of the pipe together. In this cmbodiment, the end portions of the pipes are positively clamped togethcr by the ring 1, one or both of the pairs of s~rfaces 2,8 and 3,9 being inclined in a direction such tllat the surfaces conver~e outwardly of tlle pipes so as to create a wedse effect of the rinS on the pipe --- end portions. ~referably only one pair of surfaces 3~9 are inclined, for exa~nple at 12 , to a radial plane perpendieular to the axis of t`ne pipes, the other p~ir of surfrces 2~ ~2 lying in a radial plane.
The rill~ 1 is, in its rel.sxed state, dimensioned so as to engage the pipe e1ld portions as sho~n in ~igures 1 and 2. For uncouplir.~ tl~e pipes, the rin~ is made radially resiLitntly oxpansible arlcl, to uncounle ~he ~ipc~, ~s ~adially expancled to dlsen~ay,e s~rfilccs of tho rinS and pipe end port:ions.
1~7f~;283 5 ~
l~owever in thi~ embodiment surface 2 of the ring ha~
a greatel radial in\~hrd extent than surface 3 so that surfaces 2,8 have a greater radial overlap than surfaces 3,9, so that, in radially expanding the ring, surfaces 3,'3 disengage before surfaccs 2,8. ~or uncoupling, the rillg is radially expanded sufficient to disengage s~ face 3 from surface 9 but not so as to disengage ~urface 2 from surface o. Thus in use the ring remains permanently mounted on the pipe end mernber or po~tion 10. When the ring has been radially expanc~ed to disengage surface 3 from surface 9, pipe end member or portion 11 and pipe 5 can be withdrawn by axial movement away from pipe 4.
As previously mentionecl in this embodiment the .surfaces 2,c3 extend generally in a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of the ~ipes. Thus they are permanentl.y in contact and are guided one along the other cluring radial expansion and contraction of the ring.
The ring 1 is radially expanded by operatillg means WhiC]I, in this embodiment, comprise a plurality of operating members angularly spaced apart arourd the ring anr~ ~hich are operated to force the ring to expand relative to the pipe 1~ `or example each operating member may comprise a threaded member 12 which is enga~ged in a threaded raclial opening 12a in the rinS 1. The memhers 12 may bc- arranged to be permanently en~aged wi.th the ring 1. ~hen the connector i~ ill u~e, a~ shown in F:igure~ 1 and 2, the mcmbers 12 aI'c3 rctracted in openings 12a either so that they are n~t of contact witll pipe ~ cr ~o that the~ merely touch pipe ~t but wit}-lout force. To di.~engage ~he pipe encls or, in this embodlment, to permit enScigement of the pipes, the membel-~ 12 are scre~;ed illtO the ring 1, th'? i21ner eII(IS bcaring 021 the ~17f~;Z~33 outer surface of the end of the pipe 4 to force the ring 1 to expand relative to the pipe 4, as shown in l~igure 3. To ensure that the ring 1 is expanded suffi.cient for surface 3 to be clear o~ st~face 9 but so that surfaces 2,8 are still in engagement, the members 12 may each b~ provided with a head 12b which abuts the outer surface of the ring 1 when the ring 1 has been sufficiently expanded. The heads 12b ma~ be polygonal for engagement hy a suitable tool for their operation.
The number of threaded member~ 12 pro~ided will depend on the overal]. dimensions of the ring and should be such as to ensu~e that the ring is evenly expanded arolmd the pipc 4. ~or example, fi~re ~uch member~ 12 may be provided in threaded openings 12a as shown in Figure 4, two of the members 12 being arrar,ged adjacent the split ends 14 of the ring, a third being arranged diametrically opposite the ~plit and the remaini.ng tt~o being arranged intermed~a~e the first and third members. ~ further two members may be pro~ided between the third member and the f'ourth and fifth members.
To ensure that the ring 1 does not ~xp~nd when in use, a locking member ~ay be provided to hold the end portion.~ 14 of the ring at the spllt togetller.
The locking member 13 may for example be as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The end portions 14 of the ri.ng at the split are provided with oppositely periphcrally d.irected mntually inclined dovetailed or undercut surfaces 15, the locl~ing member 13 whicll extends over ~,he c~n(l portion.s 14 of the ri.ng having correspondingly incl.ine~ correspondingly do~etailecl surfaces 16 ~hich ~re directed to~rd~ eacll other a~d in use engagc ~urf~ces 15. ~rO lock the rlng, the member 13 i.s slid in a direct:i.nn parallel to the axis of the p- pes o~-er '.hc ~1~7f~iZ~33 end portions of the ring to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6~ The dovetailing or undercutting of surfaces 15,16 ensures that the member 13 cannot inadvertently be remo~ed in a radial direction. To ensure that the member 13 remairls in place on the ring, threaded l~embers 17 may be threaded into threaded openings 17a in the meJnber 13 to frictionally engage the outer surface of the end portions of the ring.
lQ To uncouple the pipes 4,5, the threaded members 17 are first removed and this is followed by removal of the loclsing member 13. The threaded ~embers 12 are then operated to expand the rillg 1 and this autQmatically frees the pipe 5 from the ring 1 so that the pipc 5 can then be removed by axial move~nent. To couple the pi~e 5 to tlle pipe 4, the abo~e steps are repeated in reverse order, the end of thc pipe 5 be~ng first abutted against the end Or the pipe 4.
The ubutted end surfaces 18,19 of the pipes, or pipe end members where provided, may be stepped - ~s shot~n in Fi~rures 1 to 3 an~ provided with an annular seal 2 to ensure sealins of the joint.
While in the above described embodin~ellt, the use of a wed~in~ effect of the rinS 1 on the pipe ends produced by inclinins the s~-faces 3~9~to more firmly brins the pipe ends together as the rin~ is engage~ aro-mc~ the pipe ends, is attractive, it has the disadvantag~ that the rinS may in use be subject to radia:l forces. I~'here the pil)e contai,ns fluid under pressure, the ~ressure of the fluid will tend to force the pipes apart in RJI axial direction.
ThiS force is convelted to a radial burstins force on the rinS by the i71clina-tion of ~,urfaces 3,9. Thus in dCSiSnill~ t.nc~ rillg .~, it must be m~de cap-~ble of ,~5 withstarldill~ SU.C.I d raclial fcrce and tle lockins meRns ~7~iZ83 . ~
also ha~e to be designed t~ be ca~ble of withstanding tlle loadins re.sulting from this radi~l ~,ursting force.
In the followins embodil2~ent, this b~.-~sting force is used to en~re engasement of the r.ing with the pipe ends. The connector is shown in Fisures 7 to 10 and again cornpriscs a generally U-shaped ring 1 pro~rided with radially inwardly extending s~rfaceR 2,3 which face eacl- other and which in use ensase radially out-1~rdly extend.lng surfaces 8,9 as in the preceding elnbodiment. As sho~n, the grooves 6~7 on the pipe end portions are provided within .stepped portions at the e~d.s o~ t~le pipes 90 that, as sho~.n, when the rin$ 1 is eng~sed wi.th the ends of the pipes its external sur*ace is ~enerally flush with tlle external surface of the ends of the pipes.
In this embodir~ent, Gne, or as shown both, of the pair~. of surface.s 2,8 and 3,9 are inclined to a pl~ne perpendlcular lo the axis r~f the pipes 4,5 in a di.rection such that the surfac0s _on~rerge inwardly of the pipes and such that the ring 1 has a tend~ncy ~o move into erlg~gement with the ~ipe ends. In use, w~en the pipes are filled with fluid under pressUI~
tendins to mo~re the pipes apart ax.ially, the re~s~ltant force on the ring 1 will en~gage the ring more firmly on the pipe ends.
~ .~ in tlle preceding embodiment, the ring 1 is providt-.d w.,~h threaded members 12~ but in this e~.bodimenl the members 12x huve a length such that -cl~ey are received wllolly within the threaded openinss 12a when the ring 1 is in its relaxed condition enga$in~r the pipe ends. The outer ends of the members 12x m~y ~e e.lotted or otherwi.se pro~ided with meRnS
~or engf-~jement ~ a tool for rot~ting thelll ancl tlle ~hreaded ol~eni gs l'a are l~rov de~ wlth an abutmellt Inelnber ~ i.n their outer end portions against which ~76283 the member l?.x abuts when in it~ ou*ermost position clear of contact with the pipe 4. The members 12x ay be arranged around the ring 1 as shown in Fi~ure 4 of the preceding embodiment and indeed the memberQ
12x may be used in the precedin$ embodiment in place of the members 12.
To ellsure that the ring 1 cannot be inadvertently expanded when in use, a locking means may be pro~ided for holding the split ends of the ring together. The locking means may be as described witll reference to F~gures 5 and ~ or as shown in Figures 8 to 10. As sho~n in Figures 8 to 10 the locking means comprises a locking member 30 in the form of a di~c which is pern~anently mounted on one of the split end portlons 14 of the ring by means of a pin 31 for angular movement about the axis of thc pin. The ends 14 of the ring are recessed to accommodate the member 30 and ~-ithin the recess are pro~ided with a spigot 32 cer~tred on the axis of the ~in 31 and spanning the spl~t in the ring. -'rhe spigot 32 has part circular periphzrally and oppositely directed surfaces 33 which are undercut and are engaged by corresponding sur~aces 3ll on the locl~ing mcrnber 30.
The surfaces 33, 34 ar~? arranged so that in one angular - 25 position of tihe mentber 30 relative to the spigot 32, the surfaces 3,~34 are fully engaged and the ring is locked~ and so tllat in another position of the locking member 30 arglll~rlv spaced by 90 fro~ the first position, tlle surface~ 33,3~ are fully disengaged so that tho ends Il~ of the ring can move apart to permit radial expatlsiorl of tho ring. The surfaces 34 on -the member 30 are extctlded b~ ]ead-in surfaces 35 ~hicll te~ to bring thc split end portions 14 closor toge111er a~ the Ir,e~b(?r 3C is rotated to its lockin~
3$ p~ ition~ 'ri~e nl~n~Jer 30 nlay '~e ~ ed in locked ~17~Z~33 position by a threaded n~ember 36, which may be similar to members l2~, rhich is engaged in a threaded openinS in the member 30 and is screwed into the membcr 30 so that its inner end frictionally engages the outer surface of the rinS.
The member 30 may, as shown, be pro~ided with blind bores 37 in its outer surface for engagement by a U-shaped bar for rotating the member 30.
It will be appreciated that the above described connector is otherwise as described with reference to ~igures l to 4~
It has been found that, while the abo~e described embodiment avoids thc disad~antages of the first embodiment as regards the radial burstins force, the connector is not entirely suitable for ~se in connecting pipes which will in use be subject to axial loads from for example pile driving because it may not adequately hold the end surfaces of the pipes to~ether~
When the ring 1 of the above described embodiment i9 enga~ed around the ends of two pipes, there will be a clearance between the inclined surfaces 3,9 which must be provided to enable the ring l to en~age the plpe 5.
This disadvantage is overcome in the following embodiment ~hown in ~igures ll to 13 in ~hich the ring of the connector is additionally not subjcct to a radial bursting force, such forces being sustained axially by the ring~ T11e embodiment i5 similar to the embodiment of Figures 7 to lO except that both pairs of surface3
_ CONNECTORS
The present invention relates to pipe connectors particularly but not exclusively for interconnecting pipe sections to form a pipe string for use in drilling and/or completion of offshore oil or gas wells, and particularly 5 to a connector providing a connection capable of withstand-ing high axial loads, for example in pile driving.
Numerous connectors for these purposes are known, many in the form of pin and box joints having telescoping surfaces provided with devices between the surfaces which 10 interengage to lock the parts of the joints together. Such joints are complicated to manufacture and therefore expen-sive, complex to use and therefore not ideal for offshore conditions~ and do not always provide a joint capable of withstanding high axial loads.
There are numerous other pipe connectors which were not designed for the above purposes and are not there-fore suitable.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provide~ a pipe connec-tor-for connecting the abutted end 20 portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an out-wardly extending surface transverse of the axis of the respective pipe and directed away from the respective pipe end, comprising a split annular ring for surrounding the abutted pipe end portions substantially completely and 25 having a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and for engagement with a respective one of the surfaces on the pipe end portions, means for retaining said ring relative to said pipe end portion such that, in use, said ring ls 30 permanently engaged with said one pipe end portion, wherein said ring is resiliently expanda~le to permit engagement of the other pipe end portion therewith, corresponding ~,, :.~176Z~3 -la-surface portions of said ring and said other pipe end portion being so shaped that said ring is automatically expanded as said other pipe end portion is progressively engaged therewith, and guide means are provided for maintain-5 ing alignment of said pipe end portions during engagementof said other pipe end portion with said ring.
According to another aspect of the present inven-tion there is provided.a pipe connector for connecting the 10 abutted end portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an outwardly extending surface transverse to the axis of the respective pipe and directed away. from the respec-tive pipe end, said pipe connector comprising a split annular ring having a single split for surrounding said abutted pipe 15 end portions substantially completely and defining a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and each for engagement with a respective said surface on said pipe end portions, means for permanently retaining said ring on one of said pipe end portions in use, and operating means for causing the radial dimensions of said ring to change to permit engagement and/or disengagement of said ring from said other pipe end portion.
Preferably said surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring have a greater radial overlap than said surface on said other pipe end portion and the corresponding surface on said ring so that in use said surface on said one pipe end portion is permanently overlapped with said corresponding surface on said ring to retain said ring on said one pipe end portion.
Preferably the ring is in its radially contracted condition when relaxed and the operating means cause radial expansion of the ring, the ring being resiliently radially expandable so that it will return to its contracted condition on release of the operating means.
Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure l is an axial section through the ends of two pipes which have been connected together using a con-nector according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an axial section through part of the connector of Figure l but in an axial plane angularly spaced from that of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an axial section similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the connector during assembLy , i~
~.i ~,~
~. . i ~762~33 of the pipes;
Figure /L is a plan view of the ring of the embocli~lent of Figure 1 to a reduced scale;
Figure 5 i5 a side elevation of part of ths connector o~ Figure 1 showing locking means therefor;
Fi~ure 6 i5 a pla~ view of the part of the connector shown in ~igure 5;
Figure 7 is a part a~i~l section similar to that of Fi$ure 2 of a further embod ~lent of co~mector according to the pre~ent invention;
Figure 8 is a section on the line ~III-VIII
of Fisul-e 7 showing locking means for the r.ng;
Figure 9 is an elevation of the split end portivns of the ring of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an elevation of the locking ~;eans of Figu~e o;
F~gure 11 is a part axial sectiQn similar to that of Figure 2 of another embodiment of pipe connector according to the present invention;
Figure 12 is part o-f a section on the line XII-~IX of Fig~re 11 and showing the locking mean~ of the rinS of ~igure ].1;
~igure 13 i9 an elevation of the locking mean.s of Fi.gure 12;
Figure 1~ is a part axial section similar to that of F~gure 2 of another embodi~nent of connector accor~j.ng to ti~ p.resent invention; and Fi~uro 15 i~ a plan view of part of the con~.ector of Fi~llre 1ll.
~igures 1 to 6 show a pipe connector for ~onne~Y;.ing the enc' portions of two pipes or pipe sec+ion3 of a pipe string for use in the drilling nnd/or conli)letion of an ofs~lore oil or ga~ welî an~ whi.ch i ca5~al)1-~ of ~ith~tarldi~g pi~.e driving force~.
35. 'Ihe pipe con~ector co~1priseAs a split annular 1~762~33 member or rinS 1 ~Ihich ha~ a generally U-shaped radial section, the arms of the U of ~hich pro~ide rndially inwardly e~tending s~rface~ 2,3 which are directed tow~rds each other~ '~he two pipes 4,5 are provided adjacent the end3 to be abutted and connected with annular $rooves 6,7 providing oppositely directed radially outwardly extending surfaces 8~9. In a modification these surfaces o,9 may be pro~ided by flanges on the ends of the pipes 4,5. As sllown, the~e surfaces 8,9 are provided on pipe end members 1~ 7 11 which are fixed, e.g. by ~elding, to the ends of the pipes 4,5 to be connected together and form part of a connectol~ asse~.~ly. The surfaces oS9 may alternatively be provided on intcgral end portions of the pipes.
In uqe, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ring 1 s~rounds the 2butted pipe end portions ~i*h the surfaces 2,3 of the rinS 0ngaging the respective ~urfaces 8,9 of the pipe end portions to holcl the ends of the pipe together. In this cmbodiment, the end portions of the pipes are positively clamped togethcr by the ring 1, one or both of the pairs of s~rfaces 2,8 and 3,9 being inclined in a direction such tllat the surfaces conver~e outwardly of tlle pipes so as to create a wedse effect of the rinS on the pipe --- end portions. ~referably only one pair of surfaces 3~9 are inclined, for exa~nple at 12 , to a radial plane perpendieular to the axis of t`ne pipes, the other p~ir of surfrces 2~ ~2 lying in a radial plane.
The rill~ 1 is, in its rel.sxed state, dimensioned so as to engage the pipe e1ld portions as sho~n in ~igures 1 and 2. For uncouplir.~ tl~e pipes, the rin~ is made radially resiLitntly oxpansible arlcl, to uncounle ~he ~ipc~, ~s ~adially expancled to dlsen~ay,e s~rfilccs of tho rinS and pipe end port:ions.
1~7f~;283 5 ~
l~owever in thi~ embodiment surface 2 of the ring ha~
a greatel radial in\~hrd extent than surface 3 so that surfaces 2,8 have a greater radial overlap than surfaces 3,9, so that, in radially expanding the ring, surfaces 3,'3 disengage before surfaccs 2,8. ~or uncoupling, the rillg is radially expanded sufficient to disengage s~ face 3 from surface 9 but not so as to disengage ~urface 2 from surface o. Thus in use the ring remains permanently mounted on the pipe end mernber or po~tion 10. When the ring has been radially expanc~ed to disengage surface 3 from surface 9, pipe end member or portion 11 and pipe 5 can be withdrawn by axial movement away from pipe 4.
As previously mentionecl in this embodiment the .surfaces 2,c3 extend generally in a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of the ~ipes. Thus they are permanentl.y in contact and are guided one along the other cluring radial expansion and contraction of the ring.
The ring 1 is radially expanded by operatillg means WhiC]I, in this embodiment, comprise a plurality of operating members angularly spaced apart arourd the ring anr~ ~hich are operated to force the ring to expand relative to the pipe 1~ `or example each operating member may comprise a threaded member 12 which is enga~ged in a threaded raclial opening 12a in the rinS 1. The memhers 12 may bc- arranged to be permanently en~aged wi.th the ring 1. ~hen the connector i~ ill u~e, a~ shown in F:igure~ 1 and 2, the mcmbers 12 aI'c3 rctracted in openings 12a either so that they are n~t of contact witll pipe ~ cr ~o that the~ merely touch pipe ~t but wit}-lout force. To di.~engage ~he pipe encls or, in this embodlment, to permit enScigement of the pipes, the membel-~ 12 are scre~;ed illtO the ring 1, th'? i21ner eII(IS bcaring 021 the ~17f~;Z~33 outer surface of the end of the pipe 4 to force the ring 1 to expand relative to the pipe 4, as shown in l~igure 3. To ensure that the ring 1 is expanded suffi.cient for surface 3 to be clear o~ st~face 9 but so that surfaces 2,8 are still in engagement, the members 12 may each b~ provided with a head 12b which abuts the outer surface of the ring 1 when the ring 1 has been sufficiently expanded. The heads 12b ma~ be polygonal for engagement hy a suitable tool for their operation.
The number of threaded member~ 12 pro~ided will depend on the overal]. dimensions of the ring and should be such as to ensu~e that the ring is evenly expanded arolmd the pipc 4. ~or example, fi~re ~uch member~ 12 may be provided in threaded openings 12a as shown in Figure 4, two of the members 12 being arrar,ged adjacent the split ends 14 of the ring, a third being arranged diametrically opposite the ~plit and the remaini.ng tt~o being arranged intermed~a~e the first and third members. ~ further two members may be pro~ided between the third member and the f'ourth and fifth members.
To ensure that the ring 1 does not ~xp~nd when in use, a locking member ~ay be provided to hold the end portion.~ 14 of the ring at the spllt togetller.
The locking member 13 may for example be as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The end portions 14 of the ri.ng at the split are provided with oppositely periphcrally d.irected mntually inclined dovetailed or undercut surfaces 15, the locl~ing member 13 whicll extends over ~,he c~n(l portion.s 14 of the ri.ng having correspondingly incl.ine~ correspondingly do~etailecl surfaces 16 ~hich ~re directed to~rd~ eacll other a~d in use engagc ~urf~ces 15. ~rO lock the rlng, the member 13 i.s slid in a direct:i.nn parallel to the axis of the p- pes o~-er '.hc ~1~7f~iZ~33 end portions of the ring to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6~ The dovetailing or undercutting of surfaces 15,16 ensures that the member 13 cannot inadvertently be remo~ed in a radial direction. To ensure that the member 13 remairls in place on the ring, threaded l~embers 17 may be threaded into threaded openings 17a in the meJnber 13 to frictionally engage the outer surface of the end portions of the ring.
lQ To uncouple the pipes 4,5, the threaded members 17 are first removed and this is followed by removal of the loclsing member 13. The threaded ~embers 12 are then operated to expand the rillg 1 and this autQmatically frees the pipe 5 from the ring 1 so that the pipc 5 can then be removed by axial move~nent. To couple the pi~e 5 to tlle pipe 4, the abo~e steps are repeated in reverse order, the end of thc pipe 5 be~ng first abutted against the end Or the pipe 4.
The ubutted end surfaces 18,19 of the pipes, or pipe end members where provided, may be stepped - ~s shot~n in Fi~rures 1 to 3 an~ provided with an annular seal 2 to ensure sealins of the joint.
While in the above described embodin~ellt, the use of a wed~in~ effect of the rinS 1 on the pipe ends produced by inclinins the s~-faces 3~9~to more firmly brins the pipe ends together as the rin~ is engage~ aro-mc~ the pipe ends, is attractive, it has the disadvantag~ that the rinS may in use be subject to radia:l forces. I~'here the pil)e contai,ns fluid under pressure, the ~ressure of the fluid will tend to force the pipes apart in RJI axial direction.
ThiS force is convelted to a radial burstins force on the rinS by the i71clina-tion of ~,urfaces 3,9. Thus in dCSiSnill~ t.nc~ rillg .~, it must be m~de cap-~ble of ,~5 withstarldill~ SU.C.I d raclial fcrce and tle lockins meRns ~7~iZ83 . ~
also ha~e to be designed t~ be ca~ble of withstanding tlle loadins re.sulting from this radi~l ~,ursting force.
In the followins embodil2~ent, this b~.-~sting force is used to en~re engasement of the r.ing with the pipe ends. The connector is shown in Fisures 7 to 10 and again cornpriscs a generally U-shaped ring 1 pro~rided with radially inwardly extending s~rfaceR 2,3 which face eacl- other and which in use ensase radially out-1~rdly extend.lng surfaces 8,9 as in the preceding elnbodiment. As sho~n, the grooves 6~7 on the pipe end portions are provided within .stepped portions at the e~d.s o~ t~le pipes 90 that, as sho~.n, when the rin$ 1 is eng~sed wi.th the ends of the pipes its external sur*ace is ~enerally flush with tlle external surface of the ends of the pipes.
In this embodir~ent, Gne, or as shown both, of the pair~. of surface.s 2,8 and 3,9 are inclined to a pl~ne perpendlcular lo the axis r~f the pipes 4,5 in a di.rection such that the surfac0s _on~rerge inwardly of the pipes and such that the ring 1 has a tend~ncy ~o move into erlg~gement with the ~ipe ends. In use, w~en the pipes are filled with fluid under pressUI~
tendins to mo~re the pipes apart ax.ially, the re~s~ltant force on the ring 1 will en~gage the ring more firmly on the pipe ends.
~ .~ in tlle preceding embodiment, the ring 1 is providt-.d w.,~h threaded members 12~ but in this e~.bodimenl the members 12x huve a length such that -cl~ey are received wllolly within the threaded openinss 12a when the ring 1 is in its relaxed condition enga$in~r the pipe ends. The outer ends of the members 12x m~y ~e e.lotted or otherwi.se pro~ided with meRnS
~or engf-~jement ~ a tool for rot~ting thelll ancl tlle ~hreaded ol~eni gs l'a are l~rov de~ wlth an abutmellt Inelnber ~ i.n their outer end portions against which ~76283 the member l?.x abuts when in it~ ou*ermost position clear of contact with the pipe 4. The members 12x ay be arranged around the ring 1 as shown in Fi~ure 4 of the preceding embodiment and indeed the memberQ
12x may be used in the precedin$ embodiment in place of the members 12.
To ellsure that the ring 1 cannot be inadvertently expanded when in use, a locking means may be pro~ided for holding the split ends of the ring together. The locking means may be as described witll reference to F~gures 5 and ~ or as shown in Figures 8 to 10. As sho~n in Figures 8 to 10 the locking means comprises a locking member 30 in the form of a di~c which is pern~anently mounted on one of the split end portlons 14 of the ring by means of a pin 31 for angular movement about the axis of thc pin. The ends 14 of the ring are recessed to accommodate the member 30 and ~-ithin the recess are pro~ided with a spigot 32 cer~tred on the axis of the ~in 31 and spanning the spl~t in the ring. -'rhe spigot 32 has part circular periphzrally and oppositely directed surfaces 33 which are undercut and are engaged by corresponding sur~aces 3ll on the locl~ing mcrnber 30.
The surfaces 33, 34 ar~? arranged so that in one angular - 25 position of tihe mentber 30 relative to the spigot 32, the surfaces 3,~34 are fully engaged and the ring is locked~ and so tllat in another position of the locking member 30 arglll~rlv spaced by 90 fro~ the first position, tlle surface~ 33,3~ are fully disengaged so that tho ends Il~ of the ring can move apart to permit radial expatlsiorl of tho ring. The surfaces 34 on -the member 30 are extctlded b~ ]ead-in surfaces 35 ~hicll te~ to bring thc split end portions 14 closor toge111er a~ the Ir,e~b(?r 3C is rotated to its lockin~
3$ p~ ition~ 'ri~e nl~n~Jer 30 nlay '~e ~ ed in locked ~17~Z~33 position by a threaded n~ember 36, which may be similar to members l2~, rhich is engaged in a threaded openinS in the member 30 and is screwed into the membcr 30 so that its inner end frictionally engages the outer surface of the rinS.
The member 30 may, as shown, be pro~ided with blind bores 37 in its outer surface for engagement by a U-shaped bar for rotating the member 30.
It will be appreciated that the above described connector is otherwise as described with reference to ~igures l to 4~
It has been found that, while the abo~e described embodiment avoids thc disad~antages of the first embodiment as regards the radial burstins force, the connector is not entirely suitable for ~se in connecting pipes which will in use be subject to axial loads from for example pile driving because it may not adequately hold the end surfaces of the pipes to~ether~
When the ring 1 of the above described embodiment i9 enga~ed around the ends of two pipes, there will be a clearance between the inclined surfaces 3,9 which must be provided to enable the ring l to en~age the plpe 5.
This disadvantage is overcome in the following embodiment ~hown in ~igures ll to 13 in ~hich the ring of the connector is additionally not subjcct to a radial bursting force, such forces being sustained axially by the ring~ T11e embodiment i5 similar to the embodiment of Figures 7 to lO except that both pairs of surface3
2~8 and 3,9 OII the ring and pipes 4,5 lie in radial planes. The ring l is made -to close tolerances so as to firn1ly engage the end portions of the pipcs 4,5 but because the surfaces 2,3 8,9 all 1ie in radial planes any burstin~ force to which the ing l may be subject is taken axially by the rlng there bein~ no radial component. Additionally, bccause the rirl$ l 117~;283 closely en~ga~es the end portiolls of the pipes 4,5 the abuttin~ surfaces 1~,19 of the pipes are held in firm eng<lgement f`or pile driving.
In this embodiment the threaded openings 12a for the operatinS members 12z have been moved so that they extend through the appropriate arm of the U of the - member 1 rather than, in the preceding embodirnents, through the base of the U of the ring 1. T~lis feature can of course be applied to the preceding two embodiments. This ensures that, cven if the ring 1 3 S
r~dially expanded to such an extent that surface 2 is moved out of engagement with surface 8, the ring 1 cannot be removed from the end portion of pipe 4 because such remo~al would be prevented by abutment 15 of the members 12z with the surface o on the pipe 4.
Additionally the form of the operatin~ members 12z have been modified so that movement of th~ operating members is limited in both directions. Movement of each member 12z outwardly is limited by an abutment member 41 pro~ecting radially into opening 12a and movement of each member 12z in~ardly to expand the ring 1 is li~nited by an annular flange 42 at the inner end of the opening 12a~ To permit ~Ise of flange 42, each operatin~ member 12z comprises an outer threaded portion and an inner portion of reduced section which pas~es through the opening in the flange 1~2, the outer ~hreaded portion abutting flange 42 in the innermost position of the member 12z.
Th~ loc~ing rneanq for the split end portions of the ring of this ern~odiment is very similar to that of the embodimerlt of ~isures 7 to 10 and li~e reference m~mer.lls llave been us~d for the corresponding P ~ . s .
In the ab(lve ~uscribed pipe conrlectors to ~n~.^.ge the ring Oll the p~pc 5, it is neces~al-y to first ~176283 expand the ring by operating the operating members.
The connector shown in Fi~ure 14 is desisned to enablQ ell~ngement of pipe 5 wit.ll the ring ].
auto~atically, relati~e telescoping movemen~ of the member ].1 into the ring causing the ri~g to expand radially sufficient to permit e~agement. This means that the action of positively expanding the ring 1 employed in the previously described connectorY is avoided.
As i.n the previous embodiments, the ring 1 surrounds tl~e abutted pipe end portions or members 10~11 with the surfaces 2,3 of the ring cooperating with respective surface3 8,9 of the pipe end portions to hold the ends of the pipe tosether.
The surfaces 2,3 and 8,9 rnay extend in rad.al plane.s or be inclined inwardly ~r outwardly as described in the above referred to Europcall patent appl.ication~ As sho~n th~se surfaces are slightly inclined, for ex~mplo by about 1, to the radial plane ancl in a direction to converge inwardly of thc pipes.
The ring 1 is, in its relaxed condition, dimenxioned so as to engage the pipe end portions as shown in Fisure 1 and is resilicntly expQndab]e radially. Surface 2 of the ring 1 has a sreater radi~l inward extent than surface 3 so that surfaccs 2,8 have a greater radial overlap tll~n surf~ces 3,9. Tllus when the rinS 1 is radially expanded s~face 3 will disengage fr~m surface 9 before ~urface 2 disnsa~es from surface 8. As described itl the above re~erred to ~uropean patent application, tlle connectol s arransed so t~!.a~ tho rinS 1 is pernlanently mounted on plpe el~d porti.~n or member 10.
To ~orinit automatic onglgem~llt tlu~ ou er ~5 surface port ion ~0 at the free end OL ~Icmber 11 is cut ~7f~Z~3 ~ray to provicie i; with c~ senerally fr1lsto-conical shape as is t11c inner sl1rfnce portion 51 at the corre~;ponding end o E the ring~ S7 rface 50 has two parts 50a,50b9 part 50.~ h~ving a larger cone angle 1;han part 50b 7;7hich l1as substantially the sc~me cone angle as surface 51~ Thus whe7.1, mer~7~ber ll is teleccoped into ring 1, tclescoping initially occurs freely until surfaces 50b and 51 coine into contact. Thereafter these t~ro surfaces ~3lide one on the otller ~rith expansion of ring l until the pipe end mcmbers ll ~ lO are in abutment and thc ring 1 snal7s into engagement with member 1.1.
During tlliS telescvpins mo~rt-~ment, as ring is expanded, the ring is not posi~i~ely centrecl on :15 pipe end membcr 10 so that if there are no restraints cn the systemt inadvertent latcral movement of either of the two me3nbers lO,ll could cause disen$agement of t;he rinS 1 frot7l the rnember lO. To prevent this occurring, centr~ng means cre provided for en~uring that thc ~?ipe end portions cr me~11bers remain in alismnent durins the telescop:i ng mo~ el;1e1lt of member ll into ring l . As sholYn, pipe S~nd men7ber or portion io is provided with a c ,rli nt?rical extension 52 which is received in a recess 53 in me ,ber 1 l There is Q small ClearallCe provided bet~reen exte~sion 52 and resess 53 o~er the major p~rt of` the-- extent to permit sli~ht misalignment but this clcararce is reduced for the terminal stases of en~a$ement~ C`onveniently a se.~l 54 i s provided in t1le resion o ~ redllce~ clear.-nce to seal t7ne junctio.l betwee n the two pipes.
It Iril 1 be appreciatcd tl1clt other centring means m.ay b~ pl-o~:ided, for e~cample by a pr~ jec1;ion frorm member ] 1 which is r cccived by mcmbcr lO or by ~ se~ar.lte 3~inc~ 7~ihl ~.:.1 i3 rc c ei~rcd bv both r~cMbcrs lO
In this embodiment the threaded openings 12a for the operatinS members 12z have been moved so that they extend through the appropriate arm of the U of the - member 1 rather than, in the preceding embodirnents, through the base of the U of the ring 1. T~lis feature can of course be applied to the preceding two embodiments. This ensures that, cven if the ring 1 3 S
r~dially expanded to such an extent that surface 2 is moved out of engagement with surface 8, the ring 1 cannot be removed from the end portion of pipe 4 because such remo~al would be prevented by abutment 15 of the members 12z with the surface o on the pipe 4.
Additionally the form of the operatin~ members 12z have been modified so that movement of th~ operating members is limited in both directions. Movement of each member 12z outwardly is limited by an abutment member 41 pro~ecting radially into opening 12a and movement of each member 12z in~ardly to expand the ring 1 is li~nited by an annular flange 42 at the inner end of the opening 12a~ To permit ~Ise of flange 42, each operatin~ member 12z comprises an outer threaded portion and an inner portion of reduced section which pas~es through the opening in the flange 1~2, the outer ~hreaded portion abutting flange 42 in the innermost position of the member 12z.
Th~ loc~ing rneanq for the split end portions of the ring of this ern~odiment is very similar to that of the embodimerlt of ~isures 7 to 10 and li~e reference m~mer.lls llave been us~d for the corresponding P ~ . s .
In the ab(lve ~uscribed pipe conrlectors to ~n~.^.ge the ring Oll the p~pc 5, it is neces~al-y to first ~176283 expand the ring by operating the operating members.
The connector shown in Fi~ure 14 is desisned to enablQ ell~ngement of pipe 5 wit.ll the ring ].
auto~atically, relati~e telescoping movemen~ of the member ].1 into the ring causing the ri~g to expand radially sufficient to permit e~agement. This means that the action of positively expanding the ring 1 employed in the previously described connectorY is avoided.
As i.n the previous embodiments, the ring 1 surrounds tl~e abutted pipe end portions or members 10~11 with the surfaces 2,3 of the ring cooperating with respective surface3 8,9 of the pipe end portions to hold the ends of the pipe tosether.
The surfaces 2,3 and 8,9 rnay extend in rad.al plane.s or be inclined inwardly ~r outwardly as described in the above referred to Europcall patent appl.ication~ As sho~n th~se surfaces are slightly inclined, for ex~mplo by about 1, to the radial plane ancl in a direction to converge inwardly of thc pipes.
The ring 1 is, in its relaxed condition, dimenxioned so as to engage the pipe end portions as shown in Fisure 1 and is resilicntly expQndab]e radially. Surface 2 of the ring 1 has a sreater radi~l inward extent than surface 3 so that surfaccs 2,8 have a greater radial overlap tll~n surf~ces 3,9. Tllus when the rinS 1 is radially expanded s~face 3 will disengage fr~m surface 9 before ~urface 2 disnsa~es from surface 8. As described itl the above re~erred to ~uropean patent application, tlle connectol s arransed so t~!.a~ tho rinS 1 is pernlanently mounted on plpe el~d porti.~n or member 10.
To ~orinit automatic onglgem~llt tlu~ ou er ~5 surface port ion ~0 at the free end OL ~Icmber 11 is cut ~7f~Z~3 ~ray to provicie i; with c~ senerally fr1lsto-conical shape as is t11c inner sl1rfnce portion 51 at the corre~;ponding end o E the ring~ S7 rface 50 has two parts 50a,50b9 part 50.~ h~ving a larger cone angle 1;han part 50b 7;7hich l1as substantially the sc~me cone angle as surface 51~ Thus whe7.1, mer~7~ber ll is teleccoped into ring 1, tclescoping initially occurs freely until surfaces 50b and 51 coine into contact. Thereafter these t~ro surfaces ~3lide one on the otller ~rith expansion of ring l until the pipe end mcmbers ll ~ lO are in abutment and thc ring 1 snal7s into engagement with member 1.1.
During tlliS telescvpins mo~rt-~ment, as ring is expanded, the ring is not posi~i~ely centrecl on :15 pipe end membcr 10 so that if there are no restraints cn the systemt inadvertent latcral movement of either of the two me3nbers lO,ll could cause disen$agement of t;he rinS 1 frot7l the rnember lO. To prevent this occurring, centr~ng means cre provided for en~uring that thc ~?ipe end portions cr me~11bers remain in alismnent durins the telescop:i ng mo~ el;1e1lt of member ll into ring l . As sholYn, pipe S~nd men7ber or portion io is provided with a c ,rli nt?rical extension 52 which is received in a recess 53 in me ,ber 1 l There is Q small ClearallCe provided bet~reen exte~sion 52 and resess 53 o~er the major p~rt of` the-- extent to permit sli~ht misalignment but this clcararce is reduced for the terminal stases of en~a$ement~ C`onveniently a se.~l 54 i s provided in t1le resion o ~ redllce~ clear.-nce to seal t7ne junctio.l betwee n the two pipes.
It Iril 1 be appreciatcd tl1clt other centring means m.ay b~ pl-o~:ided, for e~cample by a pr~ jec1;ion frorm member ] 1 which is r cccived by mcmbcr lO or by ~ se~ar.lte 3~inc~ 7~ihl ~.:.1 i3 rc c ei~rcd bv both r~cMbcrs lO
3 5 llt76i2B3 Whi 1 e a c la~p inS device may be used to telescopc member 11 into the ring 1, tlle connector may be designed so that this force can be provided by the weight of one of the two pipes whi.ch is being connected to the other, with the two pipes being arranged with a vertical orientation. Preferably pipe
4 tosether with mem~er 10 is lowered on to pipe 5 and the weight of pipe 4 is used to push the ring over member 11 of pipe 5, the axial force on thc rin$ 1 being tal~en by abutment between ring 1 and surface 49 of the groove 6.
~ or uncoup~inS the pipes, operating means &re provided as in tlle previously described embodiments.
As shown the operatin~ means are the same as those shown in Figure 11 and comprise a plurality of threaded ~,embers 12Z whicll extend through the arm of th~ U of the ring 1 and bear on the base of the groove 6. In this embodime~t seven such operating members are ~,rovided, two beins spaced angularly about 25 from the split in the ringl a further two being spaced angularly by about 75 from the first two and the remaininS three being spaced angularly by about 40 ovcr the remainder of the circumference of the ring between thc second two ,~ members.
The ring may ha~-e mean~ associated ~ith the split ends to hold the end portions of the rinS to~ether when it is engagcd on t~o pipe end portions to ensuxe that the ri~g is not inadvertently expanded as previously descr.ibed. Alternati.vely, a~ shown in ~i~ure 15, one end of the ring may includc a circum-ferentially extendins portion la whicn ovcrlaps th~
other end of the ring, for example to prevcnt an operator's fin~er l)ein~ trapped in the split during as.~eml)ly.
1~ ~ill be apprecinted tllat, tl~e above 1176~283 describcd con~ectors are simple in construction andoperation and require few moving parts for operation ~hicll ~alies them well suited to offshore conditions.
Additionally since axial loadin~ on the pipes is taken by the abutted pipe end surfaces 18, 19 the connectors can be wel] suited for use with pipe strings re~uired to withstand high axial loads.
When used for connecting the ends of metal pipe sections of pipe strings, the ring is made of high tensile steel.
It will also be appreciated that n~1merous modifications can be made to the connectors described above, for example, in the way in whicll the ring ~ is expanded, the way in which the ends of the ring are locked togetller, and the way the ring is retained on one pipe end portion~ Additionally, in a further modificat~on, the ring may be made ~o that, in its relaxed condition, it has dimensions corresponding ~or example to that o~ Figure 31 in other words so that in this condition the pipe 5 can be freely inserted into it. ~ith such an arrangement, coupling of the pipe ends by the ring is eff`ec'ed by contracting the ring aroun(1 the pipe end~ by ~rawing the ends of the ring t¢gether by apI~lyins t~nsion to the ends of the ring or, for e~ample, by providins the ring with screws - ~hich are thrcaded into the end portion of pipe 4.
~ or uncoup~inS the pipes, operating means &re provided as in tlle previously described embodiments.
As shown the operatin~ means are the same as those shown in Figure 11 and comprise a plurality of threaded ~,embers 12Z whicll extend through the arm of th~ U of the ring 1 and bear on the base of the groove 6. In this embodime~t seven such operating members are ~,rovided, two beins spaced angularly about 25 from the split in the ringl a further two being spaced angularly by about 75 from the first two and the remaininS three being spaced angularly by about 40 ovcr the remainder of the circumference of the ring between thc second two ,~ members.
The ring may ha~-e mean~ associated ~ith the split ends to hold the end portions of the rinS to~ether when it is engagcd on t~o pipe end portions to ensuxe that the ri~g is not inadvertently expanded as previously descr.ibed. Alternati.vely, a~ shown in ~i~ure 15, one end of the ring may includc a circum-ferentially extendins portion la whicn ovcrlaps th~
other end of the ring, for example to prevcnt an operator's fin~er l)ein~ trapped in the split during as.~eml)ly.
1~ ~ill be apprecinted tllat, tl~e above 1176~283 describcd con~ectors are simple in construction andoperation and require few moving parts for operation ~hicll ~alies them well suited to offshore conditions.
Additionally since axial loadin~ on the pipes is taken by the abutted pipe end surfaces 18, 19 the connectors can be wel] suited for use with pipe strings re~uired to withstand high axial loads.
When used for connecting the ends of metal pipe sections of pipe strings, the ring is made of high tensile steel.
It will also be appreciated that n~1merous modifications can be made to the connectors described above, for example, in the way in whicll the ring ~ is expanded, the way in which the ends of the ring are locked togetller, and the way the ring is retained on one pipe end portion~ Additionally, in a further modificat~on, the ring may be made ~o that, in its relaxed condition, it has dimensions corresponding ~or example to that o~ Figure 31 in other words so that in this condition the pipe 5 can be freely inserted into it. ~ith such an arrangement, coupling of the pipe ends by the ring is eff`ec'ed by contracting the ring aroun(1 the pipe end~ by ~rawing the ends of the ring t¢gether by apI~lyins t~nsion to the ends of the ring or, for e~ample, by providins the ring with screws - ~hich are thrcaded into the end portion of pipe 4.
Claims (40)
1. A pipe connector for connecting the abutted end portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an out-wardly extending surface transverse to the axis of the re-sective pipe and directed away from the respective pipe end, said pipe connector comprising a split annular ring having a single split for surrounding said abutted pipe end portions substantially completely and defining a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and each for engagement with a respective said surface on said pipe end portions, means for permanently retaining said ring on one of said pipe end portions in use, and operating means for causing the radial dimensions of said ring to change to permit engagement and/or disengagement of said ring from said other pipe end portion.
2. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surface on said one pipe end portion and said correspond-ing surface on said ring have a greater radial overlap than said surface on said other pipe end portion and the correspond-ing surface on said ring so that in use said surface on said one pipe end portion is permanently overlapped with said corresponding surface on said ring to retain said ring on said one pipe end portion.
3. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ring has a relaxed condition in which said ring is engag-able with said surfaces on said pipe end portions, and said operating means are adapted to cause radial expansion of said ring, said ring being resiliently radially expandable.
4. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said operating means comprise a plurality of angularly spaced radial members, said ring being provided with radial openings into which said radial members are threaded, said radial members in operation bearing on said one pipe end portion.
5. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said pipe end portions are formed with cir-cumferentially extending grooves which provide said radially outwardly extending surfaces, and said operating means bear against said bottom surface of said groove of said one pipe end portion.
6. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said ring is generally U-shaped in radial section and comprises two arms each providing one of said surfaces, that one of said arms providing said one surface corresponding to said surface on said one pipe end portion being longer than the other said arm.
7. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said surfaces on said pipe end portions and said ring lie in radial planes.
8. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, where said surfaces on said pipe end portions and said ring are correspondingly mutually inclined in a direction to converge outwardly of said pipe end portions.
9. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said surfaces on said pipe end portions and said ring are correspondingly relatively inclined in a direction to converge outwardly of said pipe end portions, and said surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring lie in radial planes.
10. A pipe connector as claim in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said surfaces on said pipe end portions and said ring are correspondingly mutually inclined in a direction to converge inwardly of said pipe end portions.
11. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said surfaces on said pipe end portions and said ring are correspondingly relatively inclined in a direction to converge inwardly of said pipe end portions, and said surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring lie in radial planes.
12. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, including guide means for maintaining alignment of said pipe end portions during engagement of said other pipe end portion with said ring.
13. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, including guide means for maintaining alignment of said pipe end portions during engagement of said other pipe end portion with said ring, said guide means including an internal cylindrical extension on one of said pipe end portions which is received within the other of said pipe end portions.
14. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein corresponding surfaces of said ring and said other pipe end portion are shaped to cause expansion of said ring auto-matically as said other pipe end portion is telescoped therein.
15. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 14, wherein said corresponding surfaces of said ring and said other pipe end portion are generally frustoconical.
16. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 1, including locking means for engaging the ends of said ring at said split to prevent radial expansion of said ring.
17. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 16, wherein said split end portions of said ring are provided with oppo-sitely circumferentially directed surfaces, and said locking means includes a locking member provided with corresponding surfaces directed towards each other and for engagement with said surfaces on said split end portions of said ring.
18. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein said surfaces on said split end portions of said ring extend transversely of the circumferential extent of said ring in mutually inclined planes, said locking member being engageable therewith by movement in a direction transversely of said circumferential extent of said ring.
19. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein said surfaces on said split end portions of said ring lie on a circle and said locking member is engageable therewith by angular movement about an axis passing through the centre of said circle.
20. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 19, wherein said centre of said circle lies on one of said split end portions of said ring, and said locking member is mounted on said one end portion of said ring for angular movement about said centre.
21. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 18, 19 or 20, wherein said surfaces on said split end portions of said ring and said corresponding surfaces on said locking member are undercut to prevent removal of said locking member in the radial direction of said pipe end portions.
22. A pipe connector as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ends of said ring at the split therein are circumferentially overlapped.
23. A pipe connector for connecting the abutted end portions of two pipes each of which is provided with an out-wardly extending surface transverse of the axis of the respective pipe and directed away from the respective pipe end, comprising a split annular ring for surrounding the abutted pipe end portions substantially completely and having a pair of inwardly extending surfaces transverse to the axis thereof and directed towards each other and for engagement with a respective one of the surfaces on the pipe end portions, means for retaining said ring relative to said pipe end portion such that, in use, said ring is permanently engaged with said one pipe end portion, wherein said ring is resiliently expandable to permit engagement of the other pipe end portion therewith, corresponding surface portions of said ring and said other pipe end portion being so shaped that said ring is automatically expanded as said other pipe end portion is progressively engaged therewith, and guide means are provided for maintain-ing alignment of said pipe end portions during engagement of said other pipe end portion with said ring.
24. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, compri-sing operating means for causing expansion of said ring relative to the one pipe end portion so as to permit dis-engagement of said other pipe end portion from said ring.
25. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 24, wherein said operating means comprise a plurality of angularly spaced radial members threaded into radial openings in said ring and in operation bearing on said one pipe end portion.
26. A pipe connector according to claim 23, wherein said guide means comprise a cylindrical element coaxial with said one pipe end portion and which is received within said other pipe end portion.
27. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 26, wherein said cylindrical element is integral with said one pipe end portion.
28. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said guide means comprise a cylindrical element coaxial with said other pipe end portion and which is received within said one pipe end portion.
29. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 28, wherein said cylindrical element is formed integrally with said other pipe end portion.
30. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 26, wherein said guide means is received within said one pipe end portion and is separate therefrom.
31. A pipe connector according to claim 23, wherein the portion of the outer surface of said other pipe end portion adjacent the free end which initially contacts the ring during engagement of the other pipe end portion there-with has a generally frusto-conical shape and the portion of the surface of said ring which is initially contacted by said other pipe end portion is also generally frusto-conical.
32. A pipe connector according to claim 31, wherein portions of said surface portions of said other pipe end portion and said ring have substantially identical angles of conicity, the pipe end portion surface including a lead in portion which has a larger angle of conicity.
33. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said inwardly extending surface of said ring which engages said one pipe end portion is radially longer than said in-wardly extending surface of said ring which engages said other pipe end portion, such that expansion of said ring to permit engagement and disengagement of said other pipe end portion therefrom is insufficient to cause disengage-ment of said ring from said one pipe end portion.
34. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said ring is generally U-shaped in radial section with one arm of the U providing the surface engaging said one pipe end portion being longer than the other arm of the U.
35. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said outwardly extending surface on said one pipe end portion is provided by a surface of an annular groove in which said ring is received, the opposed outwardly extend-ing surface of said groove resisting axial forces on said ring-arising during engagement of said other pipe end portion with said ring.
36. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said transverse surfaces on said pipe end portions and ring lie in radial planes.
37. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said transverse surfaces on said pipe end portions and ring are correspondingly mutually inclined in a direction to converge outwardly of said pipe end portions.
38. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 23, wherein said transverse surfaces on said-pipe end portions and said ring are correspondingly mutually inclined in a direction to converge inwardly of said pipe end portions.
39. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 37, wherein said transverse surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring lie in radial planes.
40. A pipe connector as claimed in claim 38, wherein said transverse surface on said one pipe end portion and said corresponding surface on said ring lie in radial planes.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396139A CA1176283A (en) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-02-12 | Pipe connectors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396139A CA1176283A (en) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-02-12 | Pipe connectors |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1176283A true CA1176283A (en) | 1984-10-16 |
Family
ID=4122042
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396139A Expired CA1176283A (en) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-02-12 | Pipe connectors |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1176283A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-02-12 CA CA000396139A patent/CA1176283A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |