GB2241548A

GB2241548A - Flanged connector for connecting pipes to walls or pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2241548A
Application number: GB9104054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Michael Holt
Original assignee: ESSEX PARTNERS Ltd
Current assignee: ESSEX PARTNERS Ltd
Priority date: 1990-02-28
Filing date: 1991-02-27
Publication date: 1991-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-27
Also published as: GB9104054D0; GB2241548B; GB9004493D0

Abstract

In order to form a connection between a pipe and a relatively thick walled receptacle (8) it is proposed that a sleeve (10) to which the pipe is to be connected be provided with a substantially continuous flange (12), that an aperture (9) be formed in the wall of receptacle at least as large as the flange and that a washer (18) larger than the aperture be used on the sleeve, which washer is distortable to enable passage thereof through the aperture. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Means for connecting pipes to the walls of enclosed receptacles, such as cylinders, tanks or the like and of pipes.

DESCRIPTION This invention concerns means for connecting pipes to the walls of enclosed receptacles, such as cylinders, tanks or the like, and of pipes.

Means for connecting pipes to the walls of enclosed receptacles, such as tanks, cylinders or the like, and of pipes are known from U.K. Patent Specification No. 382382 in which an aperture is cut in the receptacle wall through which is manipulated a threaded sleeve having at one end an interrupted flange larger than the aperture, a split washer being also manipulated through the aperture which compresses a packing ring against the inner surface of the wall to form a joint when a nut is screwed on the part of the sleeve protruding through the aperture. A wire rod with a pivotal head is used to carry the sleeve washer and packing ring during manipulation and to pull the sleeve into the aperture for attachment of the nut, the pivotal head allowing the wire rod to be withdrawn after fitting of the sleeve.

An improvement was described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 495682, in which the sleeve has local recesses in an end thereof for reducing its effective length when presented sidewise at the aperture.

Both of the above described means are suitable for thin-walled receptacles, say less than 1/8" in thickness but above that thickness of wall it becomes difficult and even impossible to manipulate the sleeve and the washer through the aperture.

An object of this invention, is to provide means for connecting a pipe to a relatively thick walled receptacle, such as a tank or cylinder, or pipe.

According to the invention it is proposed that the sleeve to which a pipe is to be connected be provided with a Preferably substantially continuous flange, that an aperture be formed in the wall of the receptacle at least as large as the flange and that a washer larger than the aperture be used on the sleeve, which washer is distortable to enable passage thereof through the aperture.

The preferred washer comprises separate ring forming parts fixed to a continuous flexible backing, such as of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material. Preferably said ring forming parts are generally semi-circular allowing the washer to be folded between the ends of said parts, which ideally will be slightly spaced, whilst being manipulated through the aperture, the backing maintaining integrity of the washer. The backing may itself be suitably shaped to act as a seal between the washer and the receptacle wall.

Preferably the washer and sleeve flange will be provided with engaging parts, such as a lug and a slot, to locate the washer relative to the sleeve. Preferably one of said washer ring forming parts has a lug, such as formed by pressing out a small portion thereof, that can locate in a slot formed in the sleeve flange.

The sleeve may be internally threaded for connection of a pipe thereto or may have a smooth bore for pipe connection using a compression fitting.

The arrangement of the invention will preferably be used with flexible seals, say of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material, of appropriate curvature either side of the receptacle or pipe wall and a flat washer and nut on the sleeve on the outside of the receptacle. Fitting of the arrangement will preferably be carried out in much the same way as described in U.K.

Patent Specifications Nos. 382382 and 495682 using a tool with a pivotal head to carry the sleeve, the distortable washer and one seal as they are manipulated through the aperture and then to hold them as the outer seal, washer and nut are fitted.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a sleeve; Figure 2 is an end view of the sleeve of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a first washer; Figure 4 is a side view of the washer of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a first rubber seal; Figure 6 is a side view of the first rubber seal; Figure 7 is a plan view of a second rubber seal; Figure 8 is a side view of the second rubber seal; Figure 9 is a plan view of a second washer; Figure 10 is a side view of the second washer; Figure 11 is a plan view of a nut; Figure 12 is a side view of the nut; and Figure 13 is a side view showing the various illustrated components assembled and fitted to a thickwalled receptacle.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, components for providing a connection for a pipe to a thick-walled receptacle or pipe 8 include a sleeve 10 having a substantially continuous flange 12 at one end interrupted only by a small slot 14. The sleeve is internally screw threaded to receive a complementary threaded pipe end and externally threaded over part of its length from its end opposite its flange to receive a nut 16 (Figures 11 and 12) for securement thereof to the receptacle. The sleeve may alternatively have a smooth bore for use in combination with a compression fitting for pipe connection.

The sleeve carries a first washer 18 (Figures 3 and 4) which comprises a rubber backing 20 to which is adhered two semi-circular flat metal parts 22A, B. The parts 22A, B almost form a complete circle but with gaps 24 between their respective ends. Those gaps permit the washer to be folded thereabout to reduce its effective size and allow it to be passed through an aperture of smaller diameter than the washer itself.

Each part 22A and 22B has a lug 26A, B respectively, pressed out of the inner edge of each part. One lug 26A protrudes from the metal part 22A whilst the other 26B protrudes into the rubber backing.

The washer can then be used either way around on the sleeve with one of the lugs being able to locate in the slot 14 of the sleeve flange when fitted.

Next the sleeve carries a pair of rubber seals 30 and 32 (Figures 5 and 6 and Figures 7 and 8 respectively), one for adjacent the inner wall of a receptacle or pipe and the other for adjacent the outer wall of the receptacle or pipe. The illustrated rubber seals are suitably for a curved wall receptacle or pipe.

Finally, the sleeve carries a flat washer 34 (Figures 9 and 10) and the nut 16.

Fitting of the components to an aperture 9 of the thick-walled receptacle or pipe 8 is substantially as described in U.K. Patent Specifications No. 382382 and 495682 using a special tool and manipulating the sleeve, the first washer and the inner rubber seal through the aperture as necessary before fitting the outer seal, washer and nut to complete the assembly as shown in Figure 13.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a pipe to a relatively thick walled receptacle comprising the steps of forming an aperture in a wall of the receptacle, inserting in the aperture a flanged sleeve, the flange being substantially continuous and the aperture being at least as large as the flange, providing on the sleeve a washer larger than the aperture, which washer is distortable to enable passage thereof through the aperture, whereby in its normal state it prevents the flange from being drawn out of the aperture, and securing the sleeve in the aperture.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer comprises separate ring forming parts fixed to a continuous flexible backing.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backing for the washer is of rubber or other elastomeric material.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the flexible backing for the washer is a seal for the connection.

5. A method as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the ring forming parts of the washer are generally semicircular allowing the washer to be folded between ends of said parts.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ends of the said parts are spaced apart.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the washer and flange have engageable parts to locate the washer relative to the sleeve.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said engageable parts comprise a lug and a slot.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lug is on the washer and the slot is in the sleeve flange.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lug of the washer is formed by pressing out a portion thereof.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sleeve is internally screw threaded.

12. A method as claimed in any one claims 1 to-lO, wherein the sleeve has a smooth internal bore.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sleeve is retained in the aperture by means of a nut or the like.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 including the steps of interposing flexible seals between the washer and the receptacle wall and the receptacle wall and a nut or other securing for the sleeve.

15. Apparatus for connecting a pipe to an aperture in a relatively thick walled receptacle comprising a sleeve having a substantially continuous flange that will pass through said aperture, a washer that is larger than said aperture but distortable for insertion through the aperture prior to fitting on the sleeve, whereby when on the sleeve the washer prevents the flange from being withdrawn through the aperture and means for securing the sleeve in the aperture.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the washer comprises separate ring forming parts fixed to a continuous flexible backing.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the backing for the washer is of rubber or other elastomeric material.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the flexible backing for the washer is a seal for the connection.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the ring forming parts of the washer are generally semi-circular allowing the washer to be folded between ends of said parts.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ends of the said parts are spaced apart.

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21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the washer and flange have engaging parts to locate the washer relative to the sleeve.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said engaging parts comprise a lug and a slot.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lug is on the washer and the slot is in the sleeve flange.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lug of the washer is formed by pressing out a portion thereof.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the sleeve is internally screw threaded.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the sleeve has a smooth internal bore.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 26, further comprising a nut or the like for retaining the sleeve in the aperture.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 27 further comprising a pair of flexible seals one for between the washer and the receptacle wall and the other for between the recepetable wall and a nut or other securing means for the sleeve.

29. A method of connecting a pipe of a relatively thick walled receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. Apparatus for connecting a pipe to a relatively thick walled receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.