GB2351527A

GB2351527A - Remote fitting of a split clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2351527A
Application number: GB0006267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor George Sanders
Original assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Current assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-18
Filing date: 2000-03-15
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: GB0006267D0; GB9906311D0

Abstract

To remotely fit a split clamp having a top part 2 and a bottom part 3 around an elongate object such as a pipe 21, the top part 2 has a protrusion 4a with a horizontal bore 6 releasably engaged by a tool 32 and the bottom part 3 has a protrusion 4b releasably engaged by a tool 31. As an alternative the tools can have forked ends engaging slots. The two tools are used to manoeuvre the parts 2 and 3 of the clamp into position around the pipe in a relatively inaccessible position, e.g. at the bottom of a hole. Once the parts of the split clamp are in position a further elongate tool (Fig. 5) having a magnetised socket is used to apply and tighten fixing nuts (Fig. 1).

Description

2351527 IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SPLIT CLAMPS The invention relates to

split clamps, and is concerned particularly with securing a split clamp to a pipe, cable, or other elongate member.

It is often necessary to fit a split clamp to a pipe or cable in a hole, for example as a repair clamp for a water, oil or gas pipeline. Some other applications include for example "teeing-ofC a main pipeline, for replacing or fitting ferrules, for installing flow measuring or pressure sensing devices, for inserting cameras into pressurised pipes, for gaining fluid samples in pipes, or for sampling pipe condition.

If the access hole to the pipe or cable is a slim hole then difficulty arises when fitting the clamp because the hole is too small to allow for manual entry. It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for clamping an elongate member, comprising a split clamp including means adapted to allow the split clamp to be remotely positioned and secured to an elongate member.

It will be understood that the expression "elongate member" includes a 2 pipe, rod, tube, conduit or cable, including a bundle of cables.

The positioning means may include at least one protrusion on the split clamp.

The apparatus may include a tool for positioning the split clamp in contact with the elongate member. This allows the clamp to be positioned remotely, for example to be lowered in from the top of a hole, for example the apparatus may be used down a slim hole, i.e. one that is too slim, or narrow, for a person to enter to carry out installation or repair work.

Each protrusion may have an aperture adapted to receive an end of a tool. Suitably there may be a plurality of tools.

The apparatus may include at least two clamp fixing nuts and a tool for tightening the clamp fixing nuts.

The tool for tightening the clamp fixing nuts may have a magnetised socket at one end. This provides for ease of handling of the fixing nuts without dropping them.

3 Each tool may include a substantially elongate handle.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for use in clamping an elongate member, comprising a split clamp, each part thereof having means allowing said clamp to be remotely positioned and secured to an elongate member, and a plurality of hand tools adapted to cooperate with a respective means. whereby to allow positioning of a split clamp part.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a split clamp according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a bolt of the split clamp of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the split clamp of Fig. 1 around an elongate member in the form of a pipe, and a first and second tool used to locate the split clamp into position around the pipe; Fig. 4 shows an alternative shape of a protrusion on the split clamp of 4 Fig. 1, and an alternative design for a tool used to locate part of the split clamp in position around the pipe; Fig. 5 shows a tool used to tighten a nut of the split clamp of Fig l Fig. 6 shows the tool in Fig. 5 viewed along the line X-X; and Fig. 7 shows the tool in Fig. 6 viewed along the line Y-Y; Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a split clamp 1 according to the invention. The split clamp 1 comprises two parts, a top part 2 and a bottom part 3. A boss 5 is located substantially in the centre of each of the top part 2 and the bottom part 3. A protrusion 4 which is substantially- circular in cross section protrudes from each boss 5. The protrusion at the top part 2 (as viewed) is identified as 4a and includes a substantially cylindrical first aperture 6, the axis of the first aperture being substantially horizontal. The protrusion at the bottom part 3 (as viewed) is identified as 4b and includes a substantially cylindrical second aperture 7, the axis of the second aperture being substantially vertical.

The split clamp 1 includes four bolts 8. The head 9 of each bolt is located in a bolt hole 10 of the bottom part 3. The stem of each bolt passes through a corresponding bolt hole 10 in the top part 2, and a washer 11 (which could be a split washer) and a hexagonal nut 12 are located on each bolt 8, at the end opposite the head 9.

The nut 12 is secured as by being glued to the washer 11. The top part 2 and bottom part 3 of the split clamp 1 are held together by tightening all four nuts 12 to a desired torque.

The internal configuration of the clamp is such as to be complementary to the external surface of a pipe.

Referring to Fig 2, there is shown one of the bolts 8 of the split clamp in Fig. 1 with a compression spring 13 fitted around the stem of the bolt. The spring 13 is located between the bolt holes 10 in the top part 2 and bottom part 3 of the split clamp.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown the split clamp 1 of Fig. 1 around an elongate member in the form of a pipe 21, a first tool 31 and a second tool 32. The first tool 31 has an elongate handle 34 and a lower part 35. The lower part 35 has a U-shape, and the end 36 of the tool 31 comprises an elongate part which is substantially cylindrical in cross section and approximately parallel with the handle 34.

6 The end 36 is of a shape suitable to be received by the second aperture 7. The second tool 32 also has an elongate handle 37 and a lower part 38.

The lower part 38 of the second tool has an L-shape, with an elongate part which is substantially circular in cross section and is perpendicular to the handle 37.

The lower part 38 of the second tool 32 is of a shape suitable to be received by the first aperture 6.

It will be understood that the shape of the apertures 6 and 7 and the shape of the ends of the tools 36 and 38 do not necessarily have to be circular in cross section. Thus they may have any suitable shape providing the first aperture 6 is of a shape suitable to receive the end 38 of the second tool 32, and that the second aperture 7 is of a shape suitable to receive the end 36 of the first tool 31.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown an alternative design for the shape of a protrusion 4c on either the top part 2 or the bottom part 3 of the split clamp 1 of Fig. 1.

The end 51 of a tool suitable for use with the protrusion 4c, if the 7 protrusion 4c is on the top part 2 of the split clamp, is also shown.

The end 51 of the tool has two prongs 52. The protrusion 4c has two grooves 53 diametrically opposed on the protrusion, each groove being of a size and shape suitable to receive one of the prongs 52 of the tool. The prongs 52 may comprise a U-shaped member secured to the end of handle 37. Further, the grooves 53 may be a U-shaped or circumferential groove in the protrusion 4c.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a third tool 54for tightening the nuts 12 of the split clamp 1 of Figure 1. The third tool 54 comprises an elongate handle 55 with a socket 56a at the upper end and a socket 56b at the lower end (as viewed). The socket 56b is magnetised.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown the third tool 54 of Fig. 5, viewed along the line X-X. The shape of the socket 56b is hexagonal, and is a suitable size to receive a nut 12 of the split clamp 1. It is understood that the socket 56b may be any size or shape suitable to receive the nut 12.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown the third tool 54 of Fig. 5, viewed along the line Y-Y. The shape of the socket 56a is square.

8 It will be understood that the socket 56a may be of any size or shape suitable to attach a wrench (not shown).

In order to clamp a pipe 21 located down a slim hole (not shown), the following procedure is carried out. The end 36 of the first tool 31 is located into the second aperture 7. The bottom part 3 of the split clamp is lowered into the hole using the handle 34 of the first tool 31, and manoeuvred until the bottom part 3 is located in position in contact with the bottom of the pipe 21. The end 38 of the second tool 32 is located into the first aperture 6. The top part 2 of the split clamp is then lowered into the hole using the handle 37 of the'second tool, and manoeuvred until the top part 2 is located in position in contact with the top of the pipe 21.

The bolts 8 pass through the corresponding bolt holes 10 in the bottom part 3 and top part 2 of the split clamp 1. The washer 11 and nut 12 are placed into the socket 56b at the end of the third tool, and remain there due to magnetic attraction with the socket 56b. The washer 11 and nut 12 are lowered into the hole using the handle 55 of the third tool and manoeuvred into position over one of the bolts 8. A wrench (not shown) is attached to the socket 56a at the other end of the third tool 54 and is used to rotate the third tool 54 in order to tighten the nut 12 onto the bolt 8. The wrench may be part of a manual or air driven torque limiting device.

The compression springs 13 on each bolt 8 provide resistance against 9 the top part 2 and bottom part 3 moving together so a more even tightening of the nuts 12 is possible. Tightening the nuts 12 fixes the split clamp 1 to the pipe 21.

When the split clamp 1 is suitably secured in position using the third tool 54, it is removed, then the first tool 31 and second tool 32 are removed from position and taken out of the hole.

The clamp described herein with reference to the drawings could be a repair clamp for water, gas, oil or other pipeline. It could also be used for:- (i) "Teeing off" the main pipeline; (ii) Replacing standard ferrules in existing mains; (iii) Fitting "under pressur& ferrules in an existing main; (iv) Fitting ferrules which seal to a thin wall liner; Installing flow measuring devices; (vi) Inserting cameras into pressurised pipes; (vii) Gaining fluid samples in pipes; (viii) Sampling the condition of a pipe; (ix) Installing pressure sensing devices.

Claims

1. Apparatus for clamping an elongate member comprising a split clamp including means adapted to allow the split clamp to be remotely positioned and secured to an elongate member.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the positioning means including at least one protrusion on the split clamp.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, including a tool for positioning the split clamp in contact with the elongate member.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, comprising a plurality of tools, each protrusion having an aperture adapted to receive a respective end of one of the tools.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including at least two clamp fixing nuts and a tool for tightening the clamp fixing nuts.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the tool for tightening the clamp fixing nuts having a magnetised socket at one end.

7. Apparatus according to any of Claims 4 to 6, each tool including a substantially elongate handle.

8. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A set of parts for use in clamping an elongate member, comprising a split clamp, each part thereof having means allowing said clamps to be remotely positioned and secured to an elongate member, and a plurality of hand tools adapted to cooperate with a, respective means, whereby to allow positioning of a split clamp part.