GB2051993A - Breakaway coupling - Google Patents
Breakaway coupling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2051993A GB2051993A GB8019613A GB8019613A GB2051993A GB 2051993 A GB2051993 A GB 2051993A GB 8019613 A GB8019613 A GB 8019613A GB 8019613 A GB8019613 A GB 8019613A GB 2051993 A GB2051993 A GB 2051993A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- parts
- piston
- breakaway coupling
- coupling according
- conduit
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L29/00—Joints with fluid cut-off means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L23/00—Flanged joints
- F16L23/02—Flanged joints the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially
- F16L23/032—Flanged joints the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially characterised by the shape or composition of the flanges
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L23/00—Flanged joints
- F16L23/02—Flanged joints the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially
- F16L23/036—Flanged joints the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially characterised by the tensioning members, e.g. specially adapted bolts or C-clamps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/10—Means for stopping flow from or in pipes or hoses
- F16L55/1007—Couplings closed automatically when broken
Abstract
A breakaway coupling for joining together two pipes comprises two separable halves 11, 12 secured together by frangible studs 24, the studs engaging in a ring 20 secured to the coupling half 12 by balls 22 trapped by the studs 24 in bores 23 in the ring 20 and engaging a groove 21 in the coupling half 12, a chamber 28, in fluid pressure communication with the pipes by means of bores 30, and defined in an annular space between the coupling halves by the ring 20 and a further ring 17 secured to the coupling half 11 by a circlip 18, the chamber 28 serving to subject the coupling halves 11, 12 to a force derived from the pressure of fluid in the pipes, and urging the halves together, so that pressure surges in the pipes will not be applied to the frangible studs 24. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION Breakaway coupling
The present invention relates to a breakaway pipe coupling.
It is desirable in pipe lines conveying fluids such as oil or gases to ensure that the pipe line breaks at predetermined locations in the event of the pipe line being stretched, for instance as may happen at sea when an oil tanker is loading/unloading at a quayside.
For this purpose it has been proposed to provide frangible bolts for connecting the connecting flanges of lengths of piping so that when the piping is stretched the bolts break in preference to the body of the pipes.
Although such a construction works, there is one major drawback, namely, if there is an internal surge of pressure within the fluid being conveyed, for instance on the rapid shutting off of flow, the resultant pressure wave may be sufficiently strong to cause shearing of the bolts.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a breakaway pipe coupling which functions to separate only when the pipeline is stretched.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a breakaway coupling for joining together two pipes the coupling having at least two separable parts, through which a conduit extends along which fluid is to be conveyed, one part being adapted for connection to one pipe and the other part being adapted for connection to the other pipe, the two separable parts being secured together by frangible means, the parts defining therebetween a fluid chamber in fluid pressure communication with the conduit, the chamber serving to subject the parts to a fluid pressure force for urging the parts together.
Preferably the fluid pressure force for urging the parts together is at least as great as the fluid pressure force within the conduit urging the parts apart.
Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a part axial section through a first embodiment according to the present invention,
Figure 2 is an axial section through a second embodiment according to the present invention,
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment according to the present invention,
Figure 4 is an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a part sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3.
Referring initially to Figure 1 there is shown a breakaway pipe coupling 10 including two separable halves 11 and 12 respectively. Both halves 1 1, 12 have annular end flanges 1 1 a, 1 2a respectively for bolting to end flanges of pipes (not shown) which are to be coupled together by the coupling 10.
Coupling half 12 has a sleeve 15 which has a first portion 1 5a which, receives the end protion 1 1 b of coupling half 1 1 and a second portion 1 5b which is radially spaced from the outside face of
coupling half 1 1 to define an annular space 16.
The end portion 1 b is of reduced diameter to
define a shoulder 11 c against which an annular
piston in the form of a ring 17 abuts. The ring 17
is prevented from axial movement relative to
coupling half 1 1 by a circlip 18.
A second annular piston in the form of ring 20
is received in the annular space 16 and is
restrained from axial movement within the sleeve
portion 1 5b by virtue of a series of balls 22 (only
one of which is shown) spaced circumferentially
about the ring 20. Each ball 22 is received in a
radially extending bore 23 and projects therefrom
into an annular groove 21 formed in sleeve portion 1 sub.
Each ball 22 is prevented from moving radially
inwards by virtue of a threaded stud 24 which is
threadedly received in ring 20 and projects axially
therefrom to extend through a peripheral flange
26 formed on coupling half 11. A nut 27 is
received on each stud so that the coupling halves 11, 12 are secured to one another via each stud
and ring 23. Each stud is provided with a waisted
portion 24a which defines a frangible portion.
Ring 20 and ring 17 are spaced from one
another so as to define an annular fluid chamber
28 and radially extending bores 30 are provided
circumferentially around coupling half 11 for
providing pressure communication between
annular chamber 28 and fluid conduit 31.
Bores 30 may be closed by a diaphragm 60, for
instance as illustrated in Figure 5 so that chamber
28 is isolated from fluid flowing along conduit 31
in order to prevent debris carried by the fluid
flowing along conduit 31 from settling out in
chamber 28. Accordingly, chamber 28 may be
filled with a fluid which is different to that flowing
along conduit 31. The diaphragm 60 may
therefore be of any suitable construction which enables fluid pressure to be transmitted between
conduit 31 and chamber 28. The diaphragm
shown in Figure 5 includes an annular ring 61
across which extends a relatively thin membrane
62. The ring 61 and membrane 62 may be made
integrally from a suitable material such as a
plastics material or a metal.
Fluid pressure acting on opposed faces 20a and
1 7a tends to urge the coupling halves together
whilst fluid pressure acting within the conduit 31
tends to urge the coupling halves apart. The area of
opposed faces 20a, 1 7a is chosen to be at least as
large as the cross-sectional area of the conduit 31 so the resultant fluid force acting to axially move the coupling halves is substantially zero. However it will be appreciated that these areas may be varied so as to give a resultant force which either urges the coupling halves apart or urges them together.
Ring 20 and ring 17 are provided with seals 36, 37 respectively so as to prevent fluid leakage from annular chamber 28. A seal 38 is provided between end portion 1 a and sleeve portion 1 5a in order to prevent fluid leakage from conduit 31.
Venting bores 40 are provided in sleeve portion 1 Sb for venting the annular space 42. These vents prevent the creation of a vacuum on separation of the coupling halves and also prevent build up of fluid pressure in the event of failure of seal 38.
In use when the two coupling halves are urged axially apart by a physical pull, the studs 24 are placed under stress. The frangible portion of the studs are designed to shear at a predetermined
load and upon shearing each stud is axially withdrawn from ring 20 and ring 17 is moved into contact with ring 20. Due to the withdrawal of studs 24 the balls 22 are permitted to enter bores
23 and so leave groove 21 as the ring 17 urges
ring 20 axially out of sleeve portion 1 5b. Thus the
coupling halves 11, 12 are completely separated.
In Figure 2, a second embodiment is illustrated
and parts similar to those in the first embodiment
are designated by the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, the balls 22 seated
in individual recesses 22a and are held in position
within the bores 23 by means of a plunger 50.
Each fluid bore 30 is enlarged and positioned so
that on breaking of frangible bolts 24 the bores 30
align with plungers 50 which are urged through
bores 30 by each ball leaving its recess 22a.
A third embodiment is shown in Figures 3 and
4 which shows a breakaway coupling 80
constructed as described above with reference to
Figure 1 (and which may be modified in
accordance with Figure 2) and additionally
includes a valve means 81 which on separation of
parts 11 and 12 automatically closes the conduit
31 in order to prevent excessive spillage of fluid
from the conduit 31.
The valve means 81 includes a plurality of petal elements 82 each of which is pivotally mounted in the coupling part 12 for movement between a fully retracted position as seen on the right hand side of Figure 3 to a fully extended position as shown on the left hand side of Figure 3.
In their fully extended position, all the petal elements abut one another to form a cone shape facing the direction of flow of fluid along conduit 31 so that fluid pressure in conduit 31 urges the
petal elements into abutment.
Each petal element 81 is provided with an #actuation arm 82a which is acted upon by a pair of opposed pistons 84, 85 respectively which are
housed in a bore 86 formed in coupling part 12.
As seen in Figure 3, piston 84 is biased by a spring
87 to move the actuation arm 82a to move its
petal element toward its extended position. Piston
84 therefore provides the initial motive force for
moving the petal elements towards its fully
extended position and thereafter the pressure of fluid within conduit 31 provides the motive force.
The piston chamber 90 in which piston 85 moves
is filled with a fluid which is permitted to escape
from chamber 90 at a controlled rate on
separation of the coupling parts. The pistons 85
thus control the rate at which petal elements 81
move to their fully extended positions. It is
presently preferred to have eight petal elements
81 and to control their rates of movement such that four alternate petal elements 81 reach their fully extended position rapidly as shown in Figure 4 so as to form a bridge against which the remaining petals may abut on reaching their fully extended position. In order to ensure that the full extended position of first four petal elements is correct in order that their terminal ends mutally abut, the piston 85 for each petal element is arranged to act as a stop for movement of its associated petal.
For a fuller description of the valve means and its operation reference should be made to our
European Application No. 79 300153.
An internal sleeve 92 is provided which extends from the coupling part 11 and which axially withdraws from part 12 on separation of parts 1 1 and 12. The sleeve 92 is provided with aperture 98 for permitting fluid pressure communication between conduit 31 and the bores 30.
Seals 94, 95 are provided between sleeve 92 and parts 1 1 and 12 so as to provide sealed annular chamber 96 in which the valve means is housed. Chamber 96 is filled with a suitable fluid, such as a lubricating oil, to reduce the likelihood of the petal elements failing to move to their extended position after separation of parts 11 and
12.
Claims (12)
1. A breakaway coupling for joining together two pipes the coupling having at least two separable parts, through which a conduit extends along which fluid is to be conveyed, one part being adapted for connection to one pipe and the other part being adapted for connection to the other pipe, the two separable parts being secured together by frangible means, the parts defining therebetween a fluid chamber in fluid pressure
communication with the conduit, the chamber
serving to subject the parts to a fluid pressure
force for urging the parts together.
2. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 1
wherein a first of the coupling parts has a sleeve
which extends about the second part to define an
annular space therebetween, a pair of spaced
annular pistons being received in said annular
space to define therefore said fluid chamber, the
pistons, being connected to said parts so that fluid pressure in said fluid chamber urges said parts together.
3. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 2 wherein at least one of said pistons is detachably secured to both parts so that on fracture of said frangible means said one piston is separable from both parts.
4. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 3 wherein said one piston is secured to one of said parts by said frangible means and is movable in unison with said other parts until said parts have axially moved relative to one another by a predetermined distance.
5. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 4 wherein said one piston is secured to said one part by one or more frangible bolts and is secured to said other part by latch means which on a relative axial movement of said parts are retractable to permit axial separation of said one piston and said other part.
6. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 5 wherein the latch means includes one or more balls partially located in said one piston and said other part and are maintained there by said frangible bolts which on fracture enables said ball or balls to retract to enable separation of said one piston and said other part.
7. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 5 wherein the latch means includes one or more balls partially located in said one piston and said other part and are maintained there by plungers received in radial bores formed in said one piston and which abut against said one part, and said one piston being secured to said one part by frangible means which one fracture enable said one piston and said other part to move in unison to a position whereat the plungers retract and enable separation of said one piston and said other part.
8. A breakaway coupling according to any of
Claims 2 to 7 wherein the cross-sectional area of said pistons is substantially the same as the crosssection area of said conduit.
9. A breakaway coupling according to any preceding Claim wherein one of the parts includes valve means for closing said conduit on separation of said parts.
10. A breakaway coupling according to Claim 9 wherein the valve means includes a plurality of petal elements each of which is pivotally mounted for movement between a retracted position and a fully extended position, the petal elements in their extended position collectively defining a cone.
11. A breakaway coupling according to any preceding claim wherein said fluid chamber communicates with said conduit via bores formed in said first part, each bore being closed by a diaphragm which prevents fluid communication but permits fluid pressure to be transmitted from said conduit to said fluid chamber.
12. A breakaway coupling substantially as described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8019613A GB2051993B (en) | 1979-06-16 | 1980-06-16 | Breakaway coupling |
JP56500362A JPS57500944A (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-01-17 | |
EP81900213A EP0053110B1 (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-01-17 | Breakaway coupling |
DE8181900213T DE3164928D1 (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-01-17 | Breakaway coupling |
PCT/GB1981/000007 WO1981003690A1 (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-01-17 | Breakaway coupling |
US06/348,061 US4501287A (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-01-17 | Breakaway coupling |
NO820445A NO160541C (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1982-02-15 | LOESRIVELSESKOPLING. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7921042 | 1979-06-16 | ||
GB8019613A GB2051993B (en) | 1979-06-16 | 1980-06-16 | Breakaway coupling |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2051993A true GB2051993A (en) | 1981-01-21 |
GB2051993B GB2051993B (en) | 1983-04-27 |
Family
ID=26271865
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8019613A Expired GB2051993B (en) | 1979-06-16 | 1980-06-16 | Breakaway coupling |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2051993B (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1981003690A1 (en) * | 1980-06-16 | 1981-12-24 | Gall Thomson Maritime Ltd | Breakaway coupling |
GB2121499A (en) * | 1982-06-02 | 1983-12-21 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | A pressure compensated breakaway pipe coupling |
WO1984002171A1 (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1984-06-07 | Alpha Process Control | Break-away coupling for hoselines |
EP0210865A2 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-02-04 | Charles Rabushka | Tension actuated uncoupler |
GB2202021A (en) * | 1986-11-27 | 1988-09-14 | Anthony John Asbury | Safety joint for pipe lines and flow lines |
US4902046A (en) * | 1986-07-16 | 1990-02-20 | Coflexip | Connector with quick release under load |
ITMI20102248A1 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2012-06-07 | Mib Italiana Spa | CONTROL VALVE FOR SEPARABLE CONNECTION UNITS FOR FLEXIBLE PIPES. |
RU2575537C2 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2016-02-20 | МИБ ИТАЛЬЯНА С.п.А. | Control valve for disconnected connecting assembly for flexible pipes |
WO2021019236A1 (en) | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-04 | Gall Thomson Environmental Limited | Fluid conduit assembly |
WO2021069896A1 (en) | 2019-10-11 | 2021-04-15 | Gall Thomson Environmental Limited | Securing device |
-
1980
- 1980-06-16 GB GB8019613A patent/GB2051993B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1981003690A1 (en) * | 1980-06-16 | 1981-12-24 | Gall Thomson Maritime Ltd | Breakaway coupling |
US4501287A (en) * | 1980-06-16 | 1985-02-26 | Gall Thomson Maritime Limited | Breakaway coupling |
GB2121499A (en) * | 1982-06-02 | 1983-12-21 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | A pressure compensated breakaway pipe coupling |
WO1984002171A1 (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1984-06-07 | Alpha Process Control | Break-away coupling for hoselines |
EP0210865A2 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-02-04 | Charles Rabushka | Tension actuated uncoupler |
EP0210865A3 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-11-25 | Charles Rabushka | Tension actuated uncoupler |
US5108133A (en) * | 1986-07-16 | 1992-04-28 | Rene Maloberti | Connector with quick release under load |
US4902046A (en) * | 1986-07-16 | 1990-02-20 | Coflexip | Connector with quick release under load |
GB2202021B (en) * | 1986-11-27 | 1990-05-16 | Anthony John Asbury | Safety joint for pipe lines and flow lines |
GB2202021A (en) * | 1986-11-27 | 1988-09-14 | Anthony John Asbury | Safety joint for pipe lines and flow lines |
ITMI20102248A1 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2012-06-07 | Mib Italiana Spa | CONTROL VALVE FOR SEPARABLE CONNECTION UNITS FOR FLEXIBLE PIPES. |
WO2012076242A1 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2012-06-14 | Mib Italiana S.P.A. | Control valve for separable connection unit for flexible pipes. |
US8998171B2 (en) | 2010-12-06 | 2015-04-07 | Mib Italiana S.P.A. | Control valve for separable connection unit for flexible pipes |
RU2575537C2 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2016-02-20 | МИБ ИТАЛЬЯНА С.п.А. | Control valve for disconnected connecting assembly for flexible pipes |
RU2575539C2 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2016-02-20 | МИБ ИТАЛЬЯНА С.п.А. | Device for automatic closing of control valves in disconnected connecting assemblies for flexible pipes |
WO2021019236A1 (en) | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-04 | Gall Thomson Environmental Limited | Fluid conduit assembly |
WO2021069896A1 (en) | 2019-10-11 | 2021-04-15 | Gall Thomson Environmental Limited | Securing device |
GB2588169A (en) | 2019-10-11 | 2021-04-21 | Gall Thomson Environmental Ltd | Securing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2051993B (en) | 1983-04-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
PE20 | Patent expired after termination of 20 years |
Effective date: 20000615 |