DK201770407A1 - Connection flange for a double walled high pressure gas pipe, a fixed support for a double walled high pressure gas pipe and a double walled high pressure gas pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

A flange (55) for connecting a double walled pipe (50) to another entity. The flange (55) comprises a radially inner body (60) having a proximal side (61) for engaging the other entity and an opposite distal side (62) for connecting to the double walled pipe (50). An axial central bore (63) connects the proximal side (61) and the distal side (62). A noncentral opening (64) connects the proximal side (61) and the distal side (62). The proximal side (61) is provided with a first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) for engaging a matching spherical surface of the other entity. The first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) is concentric with the axial bore (63). The distal side (62) is provided with a second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66) concentric with the axial bore (63). The flange also comprised a radially outer body (70) with an axially extending opening (71) through the a radially outer body (70). The radially inner annular body (60) is at least partially received in the axially extending opening (71). The axially extending opening (71) forms a third spherical sealing and guiding surface engage the second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66).

Description

CONNECTION FLANGE FOR A DOUBLE WALLED HIGH PRESSURE GAS PIPE, A FIXED SUPPORT FOR A DOUBLE WALLED HIGH PRESSURE GAS PIPE AND A DOUBLE WALLED HIGH PRESSURE GAS PIPE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a flange and a flange assembly for connection of high pressure piping for high pressure gas connections, and concerns also an assembly with a double walled pipe and a support for a double walled pipe.

BACKGROUND ART

Large two-stroke diesel engines of the crosshead type are typically used in propulsion systems of large ships or as prime mover in power plants. Increasingly, these engines are operating gaseous fuel in order to reduce emissions.

There is a demand for large two-stroke diesel engines to be able to handle alternative types of fuel, such as LNG (Liquid Natural Gas). Such gases need to be kept under high pressure. If used as fuel in a large two-stroke crosshead type diesel engine the LNG needs to be supplied to the engine under very high pressure.

Further, on shore infrastructure is required to be able to supply marine vessels operating on LNG.

On a marine vessel and in onshore supply systems such high pressure systems pose a danger if a leak in the system should occur. The leak fluid carried in the high pressure system may in itself be hazardous to personnel e.g. in the engine room, and a leak may cause failure of critical component of the engine and thereby cause engine breakdowns, which are extremely costly and time consuming. Therefore, in a large two-stroke diesel engine of the crosshead type high pressure connections are formed as double walled conduits, with concentric pipes or conduit. The high-pressure fluid flows into the inner pipe. The outer pipe may serve multiple purposes. One is a containment barrier the inner pipe should leak or disrupt. Another is the placement of various forms of leak sensors. The space between the inner and outer pipe may also be used for ventilation, cooling, heating etc.

In the prior art, such high-pressure connections have been made as straight conductors since it is very complex to construct the double pipe structure. First the inner pipe needs to be welded onto a hub. Then the outer pipe needs to be fitted over the inner pipe and welded to the hub. This welding process is complicated and inevitably causes welding spatters to be deposited inside the welded piping, and the process is very cumbersome and time consuming. Even though marine engines come in types, each engine is individually adopted to specifications of a specific ship. Therefore, the connections are not modular, but need to be individually adapted.

Further, small misalignments cannot be avoided, especially due to temperature changes in connections that are not straight, or due to manufacturing tolerances.

There is thus a need for the flange connection that overcomes or at least reduces the above problems indicated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flange for connecting a pipe to another entity where misalignment of the flange relative to the pipe can be absorbed.

This object is achieved by providing a flange for connecting a double walled pipe to another entity, the flange comprising: a radially inner body having a proximal side for engaging the other entity and an opposite distal side for connecting to the double walled pipe, an axial central bore connecting the proximal side and the distal side, at least one noncentral opening connecting the proximal side and the distal side, the proximal side being provided with a first spherical sealing and guiding surface for engaging a matching spherical surface of the other entity, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface being concentric with the axial bore, the distal side being provided with a second spherical sealing and guiding surface concentric with the axial bore, an radially outer body, an axially extending opening through the a radially outer body, the radially inner annular body being at least partially received in the axially extending opening, the axially extending opening forming a th ird spherical sealing and guiding surface shaped to match and engage the second spherical sealing and guiding surface.

By providing a flange with the radially inner body and with spherical sealing and guiding surfaces that allow for the creation of a sealing connection even though the inner radial body is angled relative to the outer radial body, it becomes possible to absorb misalignments between the double wall piping and another entity to which it is connected since the flange can be adjusted in a way similar to a ball joint or a cardan joint in the case where two flakes are joined.

According to a first possible implementation of the first aspect, the center of the sphere defining the first spherical sealing and guiding surface coincides with the center of the sphere defining the second and third spherical sealing and guiding surfaces. Thus, the center of rotation coincides and allows for the radially inner body to pivot relative to the radially outer body whilst maintaining sealing contact.

According to a second possible implementation of the first aspect, the second spherical sealing and guiding surface is concave and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex.

According to a third possible implementation of the first aspect, the second spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface is concave.

According to a fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex or concave.

According to a fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the double walled pipe comprises an inner pipe and an outer pipe.

According to a sixth possible implementation of the first aspect, the central bore connects to the lumen of the inner pipe.

According to a seventh possible implementation of the first aspect, the distal side of the radially inner body is provided with a first annular rim and a second annular rim concentric with the first annular rim, the first annular rim having a diameter matching the diameter of the inner pipe and the second and annular rim having a diameter matching the diameter of the outer pipe. Thus, the inner and outer pipe can be welded directly to the radially inner body.

According to an eighth possible implementation of the first aspect the radially inner body is provided with a plurality of noncentral openings connecting the proximal side and the distal side. Thus, the interior space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe can be ventilated.

According to a ninth possible implementation of the first aspect, the noncentral openings are formed by noncentral bores through the radially inner body.

According to a tenth possible implementation of the first aspect the noncentral bores are at an angle with the axial extent of the central axial bore, with the opening of the noncentral bores towards the distal side of the radially inner body being located closer to the central axis of the central axial bore compared to the opening of the noncentral bores towards the proximal side of the radially inner body. Thus, it can be ensured that the wall thickness of the material of the radially inner body surrounding the noncentral bores is sufficient throughout the radially inner body.

According to an eleventh possible implementation of the first aspect, the noncentral bores are distributed evenly around the central axial bore. Thus, the available space for creating noncentral bores is exploited to the maximum.

According to a twelfth possible implementation of the first aspect, the center of a sphere defining the first spherical sealing and guiding surface and the center of a sphere defining the second spherical sealing and guiding surface coincide with a central axis of the flange.

According to a thirteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the sphere defining the second spherical sealing and guiding surface is identical to the sphere defining the third spherical sealing and guiding surface. Thus, the sealing and guiding surfaces involved have exact matching shapes.

According to a fourteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the center of the sphere defining the first spherical segment coincides with the center of the sphere defining the second spherical segment.

According to a fifteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the spheres defining the first spherical sealing and guiding surface, the second spherical sealing and guiding surface and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface are imaginary spheres.

In this relation, the term "imaginary" means that the objects concerned are treated as geometric objects. Thus, the sphere, spherical segment and the spherical zone are imaginary or geometric objects that indicate the shape of the respective components of the flange, without such objects as such being part of the flange.

According to a sixteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface is shaped as a spherical zone of a first spherical segment.

According to Wolfram MathWorldtm, in geometry, a spherical segment is the solid defined by cutting a sphere with a pair of parallel planes. It can be thought of as a spherical cap with the top truncated, and so it corresponds to a spherical frustum. The surface of the spherical segment is called the spherical zone. The use of the terms "spherical segment" and "spherical zone" in this document follow the Wolfram MathWorldtm definition above.

According to a seventeenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the second spherical sealing and guiding surface is shaped as a spherical zone of a second spherical segment.

According to an eighteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the third spherical sealing and bearing surface is shaped as the spherical zone of the second spherical segment so that the third sealing and guiding surface matches the shape of the second spherical sealing and guiding surface.

According to a nineteenth possible implementation of the first aspect, the center of the sphere defining the first spherical segment and the center of the sphere defining the second spherical segment coincide.

According to a twentieth, possible implementation of the first aspect is the sphere defining the first spherical segment and the sphere defining the second spherical segment are imaginary spheres.

According to a second object there is provided an assembly comprising a flange according to the first aspect or any possible implementations thereof comprising an insert with a fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface.

According to a first implementation of the second aspect, the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface is shaped to match and sealingly engage the first spherical sealing and guiding surface.

According to a second implementation of the second aspect, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface is concave and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex.

According to a third implementation of the second aspect, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface is concave.

According to a fourth implementation of the second aspect, the insert comprises a central opening extending through the insert and at least one noncentral opening extending through the insert.

According to a fifth implementation of the second aspect, the insert comprises a fifth spherical sealing and guiding surface opposite the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface.

According to a sixth implementation of the second aspect, the assembly comprises two oppositely arranged flanges with the insert between the two oppositely arranged flanges.

According to a seventh implementation of the second aspect the assembly comprises a double walled pipe welded to the radially inner body according to any one of the second implementation.

According to an eighth implementation of the second aspect, the double walled pipe comprises an inner pipe with a longitudinal extremity welded to a first annular rim and an outer pipe with a longitudinal extremity welded to a second annular rim.

According to a ninth implementation of the second aspect the double walled pipe comprises at least two longitudinal sections of concentric inner pipe and outer pipe with an annular space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, with a support between the at least two longitudinal sections. , the inner pipe having a substantially circular cross-section with a first inner diameter dl and a first outer diameter dl, the outer pipe having a substantially circular cross-section with a second inner diameter d2 and a second outer diameter d2, the support ( 20) being configured to rigidly secure the position of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe in both transverse and longitudinal directions,

According to a tenth implementation of the second aspect the support comprises a tubular body, the tubular body comprising: two oppositely facing outer annular rims, each outer annular rim being provided with a beveled welding edge, the outer annular rims having at the welding edge an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the second inner diameter d2 and an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the second outer diameter D2.

According to an eleventh implementation of the second the support further comprises two oppositely facing inner annular rims, each inner annular rim being provided with a beveled welding edge, the inner annular rims having at the beveled the welding edge and inner diameter substantially similar to the first inner diameter dl and an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the first outer diameter dl,

According to a twelfth implementation of the second aspect, the assembly further comprises a weld connecting a welding edge of the outer pipe to the outer annular rim and a weld connecting the welding edge of the inner pipe to the inner annular rim.

According to a thirteenth implementation of the second aspect, the support further comprises an axial bore fluidly connecting opposite axial sides of the insert, and non-central openings fluidically connecting opposite sides of the insert.

According to a fourteenth implementation of the second a central portion of the axial extent of the support (20) has an enlarged diameter for accommodating the non-central openings laterally from the axial bore with sufficient wall thickness.

According to a fifteenth implementation of the second aspect the assembly further comprises a double walled pipe bend, preferably a 90 degree bent, the double walled pipe bend comprising a bent inner pipe and a bent outer pipe (90 ') and the fixed pipe support welded to the extremities of the pipe.

Further objects, features, advantages and properties of the flange, the flange and pipe connection, and method according to the invention will become apparent from the detailed description.

LETTER DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic depiction of a large two stroke diesel engine with crossheads in a front view;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the large two stroke engine of FIG. 1;

Figs. 3 to 13 show a flange for a high-pressure conduit according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows sectional view of an assembly with two connected flanges according to an embodiment with an insert therebetween,

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 indicating movement, geometric spheres and radii,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a radially outer body of the flange shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a radially inner body of the flange shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an insert of the flange shown in FIG. 7

FIG. 8 is an axial view of the insert of FIG. 7

FIG. 9 is an axial view of the flange shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a flange assembly of FIG. 3 connected to a block,

FIG. 11 is a side view of the flange assembly of FIG. 3 with double walled pipes attached thereto,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the flange assembly of

FIG. 11

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the flange assembly of

FIG. 3

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a flange with a double walled pipe attached thereto with another embodiment of the insert, and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an assembly with two connected flanges according to another embodiment, with double walled pipes attached thereto,

FIG. 16 is a side view of an assembly including a double walled pipe with a flange at each extremity,

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 160,

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the double-walled pipe of FIG. 16

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a pipe support for a double-walled pipe,

FIG. 20, is a sectional view of a double-walled pipe bend with a flange attached to each extremity,

FIG. 21 is a lateral view of the double-walled pipe bend of FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of another pipe support for a double-walled pipe, and

FIG. 23 is a side view of a typical assembly of double walled pipe and flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, a flange, a flange assembly, and a high-pressure conduit will be described by the exemplary embodiments. Figs. 1 and 2 show a large low speed turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine 10 with a crankshaft and crossheads with its intake and exhaust systems. Large turbocharged two-stroke diesel engines typically have between five and sixteen cylinders 1 in line, in this embodiment six cylinders, carried by a cylinder frame 42. The cylinder frame 42 is carried on an engine frame 45.

The engine 10 is of the two-stroke uniflow type with scavenging air ports (not shown) at the lower region of the cylinders 1 and an exhaust valve 4 at the top of the cylinders 1. Charging air is passed from the charging air receiver 2 (also called scavenging air receiver) to the scavenging air ports of the individual cylinders 1. A piston (not shown) in the cylinder 1 compresses the charging air, fuel is injected and combustion follows and exhaust gas is generated. When an exhaust valve 4 is opened, the exhaust gas flows through an exhaust duct (not shown) associated with the cylinder 1 concerned into the exhaust gas receiver 3 and onwards through a first exhaust conduit 13 to a turbine of the turbocharger 5, from which the exhaust gas flows away through a second exhaust conduit (not shown). Through a shaft (not shown), the turbine drives a compressor (not shown). The compressor delivers pressurized charging air supplied via an air inlet (not shown) to a charging air conduit (not shown) leading to the charging air receiver 2. A distributor block is mounted on the cylinder cover plate in connection with each cylinder 1. The distributor blocks are used to distribute fuel in the form of gas, such as liquid natural gas LNG to the engine combustion chamber in the respective cylinders 1 through fuel valves (not shown) in the cylinder cover plate.

The distributor blocks are connected via double-walled pipes.

The engine's fuel supply system is coupled to an engine room fuel supply system. The engine room fuel supply system receives the fuel from fuel tanks, such as e.g. Fuel tanks aboard the marine vessel when the engine is used as a main propulsion engine of a marine vessel.

With reference to Figs. 3 to 15 a flange and flange assembly is described in detail.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of two flanges 55 connected to one another. Both flanges 55 are essentially identical and comprise a radially inner body 60 and a radially outer body 70. The radially inner body 60 has a proximal side 61 configured for sealing attachment to another entity and an opposite distal side 62 for connection of two the double walled pipe 50. The radially outer body 70 is also provided with a proximal side facing the other entity and a distal side facing the double walled pipe 50. The double walled pipe 50 comprises an inner pipe 80 inside an outer pipe 90. A central axial bore 63 is provided in the radially inner body 61. The central axial bore 63 has a size and shape matching the lumen in the inner pipe 80.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the central bore 63 and the pipe 80 is circular. The central bore 70 opens to the proximal side 61, as well as to the distal side 62 of the radially inner body 60, i.e. the central bore 63 extends all the way through the radially inner body 60.

The radially inner body 60 is provided on its distal side 62 with a first annular rim 68 which is concentric with a second annular rim 69. The first annular rim 68 has diameter matching the diameter of the inner pipe 80 and the second and annular rim 69 having a diameter matching the diameter of the outer pipe 90, ie the inner diameter and outer diameter of the respective pipes and rims are substantially equal. Both the pipes and the rims are provided with incline edges for facilitating welding. The first annular rim 68 projects further away from the proximal side compared to the second annular rim 69 to facilitate the procedure of welding the inner pipe 80 and the outer pipe 90 to the radially inner body 60. The inner pipe 80 is welded to the first annular rim 68 and the outer pipe 90 is welded to the second annual rim 69.

The radially inner body 60 is provided with at least one noncentral opening 64 connecting the proximal side 61 with the distal side 62. Preferably, the radially inner body 60 is provided with a plurality of noncentral openings 64 connecting the proximal side 61 and the distal side. 62. The noncentral openings 64 are formed by noncentral bores 64 through the radially inner body 60. In one embodiment, the noncentral bores 64 are at a slight angle with the axial extent of the central axial bore 63, with the opening of the noncentral bores 64 towards the distal side 62 of the radially inner body 60 being located closer to the central axis of the central axial bore 63 compared to the opening of the noncentral bores 64 towards the proximal side 61 of the radially inner body 60.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the proximal side 61 is provided with a first spherical sealing and guiding surface 65 for engaging a fourth matching spherical surface 7 6 of another entity, such as an insert 75. The first spherical sealing and guiding surface 65 is concentric with the axial bore 63. The distal side 62 is provided with a second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 concentric with the axial bore 63.

The fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface 76 is shaped to match and sealingly engage the first spherical sealing and guiding surface 66.

The radially outer body 70 is provided with an axially extending opening 71 therethrough. A portion of the axially extending opening forms a third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73 shaped to match and engage the second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66. A circumferential recess 74 is formed in the third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73. A circumferential gasket is received inside the circle recess 74 to assist in a sealing contact between the second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73.

In use, the radially inner annular body 60 is at least partially received in the axially extending opening 71 with the second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 sealingly engaging the third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73. Together, the second and third spherical sealing and guiding surfaces 66, 73 form a second interface and a second annular seal which seals the space between the radially inner body 60 and the radially outer body 70 on the proximal side.

As shown in FIG. 4, sphere SI defines the first spherical sealing and guiding surface 65 and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface 76. Sphere SI defines the second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73. Spheres 51 and S2 are imaginary spheres. In this relation the term "imaginary" means that the objects concerned are treated as geometric objects. Thus, the spheres SI and 52 are imaginary or geometric objects that indicate the shape of the respective components of the flange 55, without such objects as such being part of the flange 55.

The first spherical sealing and guiding surface is shaped like a spherical zone of a first spherical segment of sphere SI. The fourth sealing and guiding surface is complementarily shaped as a spherical zone of a first spherical segment of sphere SI. The second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 is shaped as a spherical zone of a second spherical segment of sphere S2. The center X of sphere SI coincides with the center X of sphere S2, thus providing a common pivot point at the center X. The same applies to the other flange 55, where the common center has been denoted X '. The radius R1 of sphere SI and the radius R2 of sphere S2 are also shown in FIG. 4th

The center X and X 'of the spheres SI and S2 define the respective spherical sealing and guiding surfaces 65 coincide in an embodiment with a central axis of the flange 55.

An insert 75 is placed between two flanges 55 or between a flange 55 and another object to which such a flange 55 is connected such as e.g. and gas distributor block. The insert 75 comprises a central opening 78 extending through the insert 75 and at least one noncentral opening 79 extending through the insert 75. The insert defines a fourth sealing and guiding surface 76 which is shaped and configured to seal and slide engagement and match the first. sealing and guiding surface 65. The fourth sealing and guiding surface 76 is provided with an annular groove 83 in which an annular sealing ring is received to ensure a gas tight seal between the first spherical sealing and guiding surface 65 and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface 76. Together, the first and fourth spherical sealing and guiding surfaces 65, 76 form a first interface and a first annular seal that seals around the distal end of the axial bore 63.

The central opening 78 is in use aligned and communicates with the axial bore 63 and the noncentral opening 75 is in use substantially aligned and communicates with the noncentral openings 64.

The insert comprises a circumferential ring 77 with an outer circumferential groove for receiving a circumferential gasket. The outer diameter of the circumferential ring 77 matches the inner diameter of the axially extending opening 71 at the proximal side of the radially outer body 70. Thus, together with the circumferential gasket in the circumferential ring 77, a tight seal can be obtained between the insert 75 and the radially outer body 70. The axial extent of the circumferential ring 77 is such that one half can be inserted into the radially outer body 70 of a first flange 55 and the other half can be inserted into the radially outer body 70 of a second flange 55.

The insert 75 according to the embodiment of Figs. 3 to 14 comprises a fifth spherical sealing and guiding surface 76 'opposite the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface 76.

In the present embodiment, the first spherical sealing and guiding surface 65 is concave and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface of the insert 75 is concave.

In the present embodiment, the second spherical sealing and guiding surface 66 is concave and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface 73 is convex.

Thus, a flange arrangement may in embodiment comprise two oppositely arranged flanges 55 with the insert 75 between the two oppositely arranged flanges 55. A double walled pipe 50 is in an embodiment attached (welded) to the radially inner body 60 of the respective flange 55 of the flange arrangement.

The 2 flange is 55 are bolted together by a plurality of bolts / studs 85 which are received in through going bolt holes 86. Threaded nuts 87 are used to tension the bolts / studs 85 and thereby press the two flanges 55 together.

Before the bolt / studs 85 are tightened, the radially inner body 60 can pivot in any direction about the common center X of the spheres SI and S2 to adjust for any directional misalignment between the ends of the respective double walled pipes 50. The curved arrows in FIG. 4 illustrates the pivoting movement of the radially inner body 60 relative to the radially outer body 70.

After the bolts / studs 85 are tightened, both the first interface between the first sealing and guiding surface 65 and the fourth sealing and guiding surface 76 as well as the second interface between the second sealing and guiding surface 66 and the third sealing and guiding surface 73 are tightly pressed together to form a gas tight seal. When the bolt / studs 85 are tightened, it is impossible or at least very difficult to move the radially inner body 60 relative to the radially outer body 70.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of two flange is 55 according to another embodiment, clamped together with an insert 75 therebetween. This embodiment is essentially identical to the embodiment shown above except that the first spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex and the fourth spherical sealing and guiding surface is concave and the second spherical sealing and guiding surface concave and the third spherical sealing and guiding surface is convex. In other words, the convex / concave arrangement has been reversed for both interfaces. It is noted that it is also possible to reverse the convex / concave arrangement for only one of the interfaces.

Eeach double walled pipe 50 has two end portions. Each double walled pipe 50 comprises at least one inner pipe 80, and outer pipe 90 and a flange 55 formed at each end of the inner and outer pipes to provide a fluid connection between the pipes and another entity. The other entity may be a valve such as a fuel injection valve or an exhaust valve, or it may be a block 113 or a gas distributor blocks of an engine run on gas (or more generally fuel distribution blocks or high pressure fluid distribution blocks, or other double walled pipes 50. Further, the other entity may be connected by the high-pressure conduit 50, eg a distribution block at one end and a valve at another end. of the high-pressure conduit, and another type of connection to an entity may be formed at the other.

The pipe 80 and the outer pipe 90 are preferably formed in metal, e.g. steel, stainless steel or the like. They may be flexible or pliable.

Figs. 16 and 17 show an assembly including a double-walled pipe 50 with a flange 55 of either extremity. The flanges 55 are welded to the extremities of the double-walled pipe 50. At one of the extremities the outer pipe comprises an insert made of two shells which together form a tubular element, to allow welding of the inner pipe to the respective flange 55 before welding the insert made up of the 2 shells to the assembly. The inner pipe 80 is welded at both of its extremities to the first annular rims 68 of the respective flange 55 and the outer pipe 90 is welded at both of its extremities to the respective second annular rims 69 of the respective flange 55.

As shown in FIG. 218, a pipe support 20 which provides fixed support in both longitudinal and radial direction is welded in an embodiment between 2 sections of double-walled pipe 50. FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of a slightly different embodiment of the pipe support 20.

The inner pipe 80 has a substantially circular cross-section with a first inner diameter dl and a first outer diameter dl. The outer pipe 90 has a substantially circular cross-section with a second inner diameter d2 and a second outer diameter D2. The support 20 is configured to rigidly secure the position of the inner pipe 80 relative to the outer pipe 90 in both transverse and longitudinal directions.

The support 20 comprises a tubular body with two oppositely facing outer annular rims 25. Each outer annular rim 25 is provided with a beveled welding edge 27 for being welded to a corresponding welding edge of the outer pipe 90. The outer annular rims 25 have at the welding edge 27 has an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the second inner diameter d2 and an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the second outer diameter D2.

The support 20 further comprises two oppositely facing inner annular rims 22. Each inner annular rim 22 is provided with a beveled welding edge 28 for being welded to a corresponding welding edge of the inner pipe 80.

The inner annular rims 22 have at the beveled welding edge 28 an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the first inner diameter dl and an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the first outer diameter Dl,

The assembly comprises a weld connecting a welding edge of the outer pipe 90 to the outer annular rim 25 and a weld connecting the welding 28 edge of the inner pipe 80 to the inner annular rim 22.

The support 20 further comprises an axial bore 23 fluidly connecting opposite axial sides of the insert 20 and establishing a connection between the lumen of inner pipes 80. The support 20 is also provided with noncentral openings 24 for fluidically connecting opposite sides of the insert 20 and to establish a fluidic connection between the outer lumen of the respective double walled pipes connected to the insert. A central portion 26 of the axial extent of the support 20 has an enlarged diameter for accommodating the noncentral openings 24 laterally from the axial bore 23 with sufficient wall thickness. Accordingly, two bores forming the non-central openings 24 are slightly angled to the central axis of the insert and measure in the middle of the longitudinal extent of the non-central openings 24.

As shown in Figs. 20 and 21 the assembly includes an embodiment of a double walled pipe bent 90 ', preferably a 90 degree bent. The double walled pipe bent 90 'comprises a bent inner pipe 80' and a bent outer pipe 90 '. A fixed pipe support 30 is welded to each of the extremities of the pipe are 50 '. The fixed pipe support 30 is very similar to pipe support 20, except that 1 of the outer annular rims 35 has an enlarged diameter in order to match the outer diameter of the outer pipe bent 90 '. The outer pipe bend 90 'is an enlarged diameter to ensure sufficient distance between the inner pipe bend 80' and the outer pipe bend 90 '. The pipe support 30 comprises an annular body with an annular outer rim 32 or regular diameter and an and the outer rim 35 with an enlarged they are there. The outer annular rings are provided with beveled welding edges 37 and 38, respectively.

The central longitudinal extent of the pipe support 30 is formed by a central annular portion 36. The insert is provided with a central axial bore 33 and with a plurality of non-central openings 34.

The pipe support 30 is provided with an inner annular rim 31 at both opposite signs of the pipe support 30. The pipe support 30 is welded to the double-walled pipe 50 (not shown in Figs. 20 and 21) at one end and to the double-walled pipe bend 50 'at the opposite end. Thus, the inner and outer pipe bents 80 ', 90' are rigidly secured in all directions.

FIG. 22 shows a slightly different embodiment of the pipe support 30, in which the inner annular rims 31 do not protrude from the outer annular rims 32,25.

FIG. 23 shows a typical arrangement of double-walled pipe 50, flanges 55, flanges 30 and double-walled pipe bents 50 'which can be used e.g. for piping in the engine room system as part of a fuel supply system on board a marine vessel in which a marine engine is supplied with gaseous fuel. The left end of the shown piping (left as in Fig. 19) may e.g. be connected to a fuel supply system and the right and of the shown piping (right as in Fig. 19) can be e.g. connected to a marine engine.

Although the teaching of this application has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the teaching of this application.

In the context of the present application, the term "proximal" should be interpreted as proximal to or "closer to" the other entity, e.g. the distributor blocks to which the flange or flange and pipe assembly is connected. Likewise, the term "distal" should be interpreted as "facing away from" the otter entity, e.g. the distributor blocks to which the flange or flange and pipe assembly is connected.

The term "comprising" as used in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps. The term "a" or "an" as used in the claims does not exclude a plurality. The single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS :

   1. A flange (55) for connecting a double walled pipe (50) to another entity, said flange (55) comprising:

   a radially inner body (60) having a proximal side (61) for engaging said other entity and an opposite distal side (62) for connecting to said double walled pipe (50), an axial central bore (63) connecting said proximal side (61) and said distal side (62), at least one noncentral opening (64) connecting said proximal side (61) and said distal side (62), said proximal side (61) being provided with a first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) for engaging a matching spherical surface of said other entity, said first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) being concentric with said axial bore (63), said distal side (62) being provided with a second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66) concentric with said axial bore (63), a radially outer body (70), an axially extending opening (71) through said a radially outer body (7 0), said radially inner annular body (60) being at least partially received in said axially extending opening (71) , said axially extending opening (71) forming a third spherical sealing and guiding surface (73) shaped to match and engage said second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66).

   02731-DK-P

   DK 2017 70407 A1
2. 2. Aflange (55) according to claim 1, wherein the center of the sphere defining said first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) coincides with the center of the sphere defining said second and third spherical sealing and guiding surfaces (66,67).

   2. A flange (55) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66) is concave and said third spherical sealing and guiding surface (73) is convex.
3. 4. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said second spherical sealing and guiding surface (66) is convex and said third spherical sealing and guiding surface (73) is concave.
4. 5. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first spherical sealing and guiding surface (65) is convex or concave.
5. 6. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said double walled pipe (50) comprises an inner pipe (80) and an outer pipe (90).
6. 7. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said central bore (63) connects to the lumen of said inner pipe (80).
7. 8. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said distal side (62) of said radially inner body (60) is provided with a first annular rim (67) and a second annular rim (68) concentric with said first annular rim (67), said first annular rim having a diameter matching the diameter of said inner pipe (80)

   02731-DK-P

   DK 2017 70407 A1 and said second and annular rim having a diameter matching the diameter of said outer pipe (90).
8. 10. A flange (55) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 5 wherein said radially inner body (60) is provided with a plurality of noncentral openings (64) connecting said proximal side (61) and said distal side (62).

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