GB1597621A

GB1597621A - Sealing of flanged components

Info

Publication number: GB1597621A
Application number: GB670277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Colebrand Ltd
Current assignee: Colebrand Ltd
Priority date: 1977-02-17
Filing date: 1977-02-17
Publication date: 1981-09-09
Also published as: JPS53101710A; DE7804483U1; DE2806425A1

Description

(54) SEALING OF FLANGED COMPONENTS (71) We, COLEBRAND LIMITED, a Company organised under the laws of Great Britain, of Colebrand House, Warwick Street, Regent Street, London W1R 6BE, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention concerns the sealing of flanged connections against leakages, in particular where flanges are bolted together.

More particularly, the invention relates to the flanged components themselves, to tunnel lining assemblies, pipelines, tanks and the like made up of the components, which may be fabricated of cast iron, steel or concrete or other material, and to the method of assembling the components to make a sealed structure impervious to the passage of water or other fluids.

The invention is applicable to any modular or sectional structure built up from flanged components, e.g. segmental tunnel linings, storage tanks and flanged pipelines.

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention, we provide a component for use in the assembly of a tunnel, pipeline, tank or other fluid retaining or containing structure comprising a body portion having at least one apertured connecting flange whereby two components may be interconnected by way of fastening means extending through the or each aperture in said flange, the outer face of the said flange or of at least one of said flanges being formed with a groove extending continuously along the said flange or flanges and intersecting with the or each aperture in the flange whereby sealant may be injected through an aperture when that aperture is devoid of fastening means therein, respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart.

According to another aspect of the present invention, we provide a fluid retaining or containing structure comprising a plurality of interconnected components, each component being connected to an adjacent component by way of fastening means extending through one or more registering apertures formed in said flanges, respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart, the arrangement being such that when interconnected, the groove formed in each flange registers with a groove in the flange of an adjacent interconnected component or is closed off by an ungrooved flange, thus providing a channel in which sealant is located, said sealant having been injected into said passageway by way of one or more of said apertures when it is devoid of fastening means, The invention also extends to a method of sealing a structure or of forming a seal between two flanged components, comprising forming a groove in the face of each flange or in the face of selected flanges such that each groove intersects with one or more apertures in the flanges for connecting the components together, the respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart connecting said components together with one or more fastening devices so that mating grooves, or a groove and an ungrooved flange define a channel, and injecting a sealant into the channel through one or more of the registering apertures in the flanges from which a fastening device has been omitted or removed.

The degree of interference between the or each aperture in the flanges and the grooves is preferably such that, when the fastening means, i.e. bolts or other fastening devices, are in position in the apertures, they will allow passage of sealant along the whole length of the channel, and not seriously interfere with the flow of sealant along the channel. Thus, it is possible to gain access to the channel via any bolt aperture or to bypass the bolt with the sealant during the injection process.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section of part of a segmental tunnel lining illustrating three typical seals between segments; FIGURE 2 is a view looking onto the end face of an installed segmental tunnel lining; FIGURE 3 is a scrap sectional view showing a modification of the construction in Figure 1, where a groove is formed in only one of the flanges of a joint; FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section, on the line AA of Figure 5, of a pipeline joint; FIGURE 5 is an end view of a pipe component showing a groove in the connecting flange; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a tank structure, and FIGURE 7 is a section on the line X-X of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a segmental tunnel lining is made up of a series of curved rectangular segments (or components) 10 made of steel, cast iron or concrete for example which are interconnected by way of fastening means such as bolts passing through registering bolt apertures 12 formed in flanges 14 on all four sides of each segment. The outside face of each flange is manufactured with a groove 16 which extends continuously around the segment. The groove 16 is positioned on the flanges 14 so that it intersects the bolt apertures 12. The grooves 16 on each segment are positioned so as to register with the grooves 16 of each of the four adjacent segments, so that in an assembled tunnel lining a continuous rectangular network of channels, each formed by two facing grooves 16, is provided, access to which can be obtained via any one or more of the bolt apertures 12. To seal an assembled lining, a sealant such as, for example, an epoxy material which sets or cures after a known delay or some other compound which sets or cures on contact with water, is injected under pressure into the network of channels via one (preferably several) of the bolt apertures 12 when it is devoid of a bolt, the remainder of the apertures 12 having the connecting bolts engaged therein. The sealant completely fills the channels and upon setting forms an impervious seal between each adjacent segment 10.

It can be seen from the drawings that the bolt apertures 12 extend across the edge of the groove 16 which is furthest from the inner face of the segment, i.e. the groove is located outside the pitch line of the apertures in the flanges. In this way, the bolts are protected from contact with external soil water and thus from corrosion. As the structure formed by the segments is intended as a tunnel lining, each of the segments is of curved rectangular form and the flanges 14 extend from the concave face of each segment.

Figure 1 shows a device 18 which can be used to inject the sealant material. The device 18 is clamped across the facing flanges 14 of two adjacent segments so that a fixed head 20 is sealingly engaged in one end of a bolt aperture 12 in one flange, and a movable head 22 is sealingly engaged in the open end of the bolt aperture 12 in the other flange.

The movable head 22 is carried by a plunger 24 operated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 26. The device 18 is initially positioned with the plunger 24 retracted, so that the fixed head 20 can be positioned. The cylinder 26 is then operated, by actuating a valve for example, to advance the plunger 25 and so engage the head 22. The fixed head 20 is provided with a central bore which communicates via a supply line 28, with a source of sealant material. On operating a valve in the line 28, the sealant flows through the bore in the head 20 and into the passageway formed by the opposing groove 16.

If desired, instead of providing a groove 16 in each pair of flanges 14 to be joined together and sealed, only one of the flanges need be grooved, as is shown in Figure 3, at 16a. In the assembled joint, the groove 16a is closed off by the ungrooved flange 14a of the other segment l0a, to define a channel for sealant 11.

The sealing system described above can be applied to structures other than tunnel (or shaft) linings. For example, flanged pipes forming a pipeline, such as a drain culvert or sewer pipe, can be interconnected and sealed in exactly the same way, as is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The outer face 13 of the flange 14 on each end of each pipe 15 is formed with a circumferentially extending groove 16 which intersects with connecting bolt apertures 12 in the flange 14 and registers with the groove 16 on the adjacent pipe 15 and sealant material 11 is injected through a vacant bolt aperture or bolt apertures 12 to seal the junction. In this construction the grooves are located within the pitch circle diameter of the apertures 12 to prevent the fluid in the pipeline from making contact with the bolts.

The above-described pipeline construction could be modified in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 3, in that the flange on one end only of each pipe component need be grooved. Alternatively, the pipeline could be constructed from components having, alternately, both flanges grooved and both flanges ungrooved. Of course, both with tunnel linings described above and with such pipelines, care would have to be taken during assembly to ensure the correct orientation of the various grooved and non-grooved flanges of each component during assembly of the structure. The appended claims should be interpreted to embrace this modified construction.

In another construction of the invention (not illustrated) a pipeline may be made up from a plurality of components (e.g. segments) largely as described with reference to Figure 1, but to protect the fastening bolts from corrosion due to contact with the fluid within the pipeline, the grooves in the flanges would be located toward the innermost edges of the bolt apertures, i.e. within the pitch lines of the bolt apertures on each flange.

Similarly. fluid-tight structures, e.g. tanks or dams, can be made from a series of interconnected flat plates, each provided with edge flanges for connection to flanges on adjacent plates, and which can be sealed in the same way as described above. A tank structure formed in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The tank is formed from a plurality of rectangular flat plates 30, each having four out-turned grooved flanges 32 apertured at 34. Each groove 36 is located between the pitch line of the bolt apertures 34 in the flanges 32 and the surface 38 of the structure in contact with the fluid to be retained.

Again, if desired, these embodiments of the invention may be modified so that only some of the flanges on the components are grooved, thus ensuring at least one groove for each joint between adjacent components.

The advantages of the present invention as applied mainly to tunnel linings are as follows: 1. Sealing can be carried out during the bolting-up operation, i.e. the tunnel is sealed as the lining assembly is made, near to the working face.

2. It is not a laborious operation and little or no noise is generated.

3. When the tunnel is constructed us ing compressed air, the proximity of the seal to the working face minimises air losses.

4. The filled network can be inspected at the injection stage by removal of any bolt.

5. The bolts are protected from contact with the soil water and will therefore not be subject to corrosion.

6. It is unnecessary to provide bolt grommets and provision for their recep tion.

7. Mis-alignment and irregularities at the cross joint are accommodated.

8. Sealing is accomplished quickly.

9. Relative movement of the lining components is accommodated without leakage provided that a sealant is used which remains flexible when cured.

10. The tunnel lining bolts, being part of a structurally sound connection can safely be used for brackets for floor supports, services, etc.

11. The seal is made consistently and is reliably leak-tight.

It is envisaged that the grooves and apertures in the flanges of the components can be provided either during casting of the components or in a subsequent machining operation. In some circumstances, e.g. when the grooves are cast and the apertures are drilled, it may be advantageous to enlarge the groove in the vicinity of each aperture, to prevent metal breaking away during the drilling operation.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A component for use in the assembly of a tunnel, pipeline, tank or other fluid retaining or containing structure comprising a body portion having at least one apertured connecting flange whereby an adjacent flanged component may be connected to said component by way of fastening means extending through aligned apertures formed in the adjacent flanges of said two components, the outer face of the said flange or of at least one of said flanges being formed with a groove extending continuously along the said flange or flanges and intersecting with the apertures in the flange whereby sealant may be injected through an aperture when that aperture is devoid of fastening means therein, respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart.

2. A component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a tunnel lining segment, with at least one flange extending inwardly from the concave face thereof and wherein a groove is located in the face of the flange outside the pitch line of the apertures in one flange.

3. A component as claimed in claim 2, wherein each edge of said segment is flanged and apertured, and including a groove in each flange, the respective grooves being located outside the pitch line of the apertures in said flanges.

4. A component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body portion is in the form of a flat polygonal plate, there being a connecting flange extending from each side edge of said plate.

5. A component as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said apertures extends across the edge of the groove which is furthest from that face of said plate whicgh is to be in contact with the fluid.

6. A component as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said flanges is grooved and apertured and wherein said apertures extend across the edge of the respective grooves which are furthest from that face of said component which is to be in contact with the fluid.

7. A component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body portion is in the form of a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. during assembly of the structure. The appended claims should be interpreted to embrace this modified construction. In another construction of the invention (not illustrated) a pipeline may be made up from a plurality of components (e.g. segments) largely as described with reference to Figure 1, but to protect the fastening bolts from corrosion due to contact with the fluid within the pipeline, the grooves in the flanges would be located toward the innermost edges of the bolt apertures, i.e. within the pitch lines of the bolt apertures on each flange. Similarly. fluid-tight structures, e.g. tanks or dams, can be made from a series of interconnected flat plates, each provided with edge flanges for connection to flanges on adjacent plates, and which can be sealed in the same way as described above. A tank structure formed in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The tank is formed from a plurality of rectangular flat plates 30, each having four out-turned grooved flanges 32 apertured at 34. Each groove 36 is located between the pitch line of the bolt apertures 34 in the flanges 32 and the surface 38 of the structure in contact with the fluid to be retained. Again, if desired, these embodiments of the invention may be modified so that only some of the flanges on the components are grooved, thus ensuring at least one groove for each joint between adjacent components. The advantages of the present invention as applied mainly to tunnel linings are as follows: 1. Sealing can be carried out during the bolting-up operation, i.e. the tunnel is sealed as the lining assembly is made, near to the working face. 2. It is not a laborious operation and little or no noise is generated. 3. When the tunnel is constructed us ing compressed air, the proximity of the seal to the working face minimises air losses. 4. The filled network can be inspected at the injection stage by removal of any bolt. 5. The bolts are protected from contact with the soil water and will therefore not be subject to corrosion. 6. It is unnecessary to provide bolt grommets and provision for their recep tion. 7. Mis-alignment and irregularities at the cross joint are accommodated. 8. Sealing is accomplished quickly. 9. Relative movement of the lining components is accommodated without leakage provided that a sealant is used which remains flexible when cured. 10. The tunnel lining bolts, being part of a structurally sound connection can safely be used for brackets for floor supports, services, etc. 11. The seal is made consistently and is reliably leak-tight. It is envisaged that the grooves and apertures in the flanges of the components can be provided either during casting of the components or in a subsequent machining operation. In some circumstances, e.g. when the grooves are cast and the apertures are drilled, it may be advantageous to enlarge the groove in the vicinity of each aperture, to prevent metal breaking away during the drilling operation. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A component for use in the assembly of a tunnel, pipeline, tank or other fluid retaining or containing structure comprising a body portion having at least one apertured connecting flange whereby an adjacent flanged component may be connected to said component by way of fastening means extending through aligned apertures formed in the adjacent flanges of said two components, the outer face of the said flange or of at least one of said flanges being formed with a groove extending continuously along the said flange or flanges and intersecting with the apertures in the flange whereby sealant may be injected through an aperture when that aperture is devoid of fastening means therein, respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart.

pipe, and including a connecting flange formed around the periphery at each end of said pipe, at least one of said flanges being grooved on its outer face, and the apertures being located towards the outer periphery of the groove in the or each flange.

8. A component according to claim 7, wherein both said flanges are grooved.

9. A fluid retaining or containing structure comprising a plurality of interconnected components, each component being connected to an adjacent component by way of fastening means extending through registering apertures formed in abutting flanges on body portions of said components, and wherein a groove is formed on the outer face of at least one of said flanges, the or each groove extending continuously along its respective flange, and intersecting with said apertures, respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart the arrangement being such that when two flanges are interconnected, said groove provides a passageway in said interconnected flanges, and including a sealant in said passageway, said sealant having been injected into said passageway by way of at least one of said apertures when it is devoid of fastening means.

10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said groove is closed off by an ungrooved flange to provide said passageway in which said sealant is located.

11. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said groove is closed off by a further grooved flange, said two grooves mating to provide said passageway in which said sealant is located.

12. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said components is of curved form to provide a tunnel segment having flanges extending from a concave face thereof along each edge of said component, said flanges extending around the entire periphery of said components.

13. A segmental structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein said grooves in said flanges are located outside the pitch lines of said apertures in said flanges.

14. A segmental structure according to claim 12, wherein said grooves in said flanges are located inside the pitch lines of said apertures in said flanges.

15. A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said components is in the form of a pipe having an out-turned flange at each end thereof.

16. A method of sealing a structure as claimed in claim 9 or of forming a seal between two flanged components. comprising forming a groove in the face of each flange or in the face of selected flanges such that each groove intersects with one or more apertures in the flanges for connecting the components together, the respective pitch lines of the apertures and groove being spaced apart, connecting said components together with one or more fastening devices so that mating grooves, or a groove and an ungrooved flange define a channel, and injecting a sealant into the channel through at least one of the registering apertures in the flanges from which a fastening device has been omitted or removed, in sufficient quantity so that said sealant flows into the passageway formed by said groove or grooves in the interconnected flanges.

17. A tunnel segment for forming a segmental tunnel lining, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A component for a fluid retaining or containing structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A component for a fluid retaining or containing structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3, or Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A fluid retaining or containing structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A fluid retaining or containing structure substantially, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3, or Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of sealing a fluid a retaining or containing structure, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.