GB2471838A

GB2471838A - Segmental clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2471838A
Application number: GB0912057A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Joseph Zabrana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-13
Filing date: 2009-07-13
Publication date: 2011-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-13
Also published as: CN101956880A; GB0912057D0; GB2471838B

Abstract

A segmental clamp or assembly made up of three or more segments with one or more joining bolt sections to be used for joining two tubes or pipes where each to be joined has a flange on the end to be linked together with the other. The clamp is made with several visibility sections that allow the user to ensure that the flanges are in correct position to achieve a perfectly sealed join. The clamp can be fully opened beyond straight for applications where access is restricted.

Description

Segmental Clamp

Technical Field:

The subject of this invention is a fast-release multi-segmental clamp or assembly for faster and easier fitment, where no possibility of misahgnment can occur, providing an absolutely secure joining of two tubular structures, pipes, or tubes, all of which have flanges on the ends to be joined together by a clamp, forming a seal. The novel design of the above multi-segmental clamp allows for substantially easier mounting of the clamp to the parts to be joined, particularly in situations where restricted access, visibility, or other complications affect this task. This saves repair time especially in critical applications, (as mentioned below), thus also cost of repairs.

Additionally, the transparent sections of the clamp, (between its segments), at key positions allows the user to ensure that the flanges are correctly aligned and in situe over the pipe flanges, thus ensuring a faultless seal.

Various forms of a similar basic design clamps or assemblies, often called V-Band Clamps are in everyday use wherever two flanged pipes, tubes, or similar need to be joined to carry various liquids, whether pressurised or not), compressed air, numerous gases, often contained within the system under very high pressure. The current systems using a similar basic design of clamps are in everyday use, in factories, automotive industry, avionics industry, aerospace industry, defence applications, ships and vessels, submarines, food industry, hydraulic systems, and many other applications. A leak in the join between flanged units can be classified as anything from inconvenient, such as partial loss of air pressure in turbocharged engines or leak in hydraulic systems used to lift stage scenery, to seriously dangerous, (many a time being the cause of deadly accidents), as in fuel systems, gas pipes, movements of liquids, or gasses, on any including but not limited to chemical sites.

The current clamps in existence mostly consist of a one-piece omega shaped body with one bolt, or of two half-circles with two bolts. Whilst it is possible to accomplish a join with these clamps, their rigid structure requires a field of access that often demands dismantling of various related, or non-related components around the system tubes to be joined. This takes time, and in any pressurised system, opens the risk of other components that are currently functioning perfectly, being affected by the simple risk of human error in reassembly. Another complication for those who fit these clamps in difficult to reach, or access, spaces where the hands are often working "blind" is that this task increases the risk of cross-threading when tightening the one, or two, bolts on the system. In addition, their shape automatically puts maximum stress on the joining bolt which sometimes snaps during the tightening process. The segmental nature of this clamp automatically gives an even distribution of the force stresses resulting from pressing both flanges together and therefore improves performance, particularly when unforeseen pressure rises, or spikes, occur.

The currently available clamps require the user to align the flanges using one hand, where the other hand holds the clamp in a position below, or next to both flanges that would subsequently allow its forcing over the two flanges whilst the person can only hope that the positioning and adjustment of the clamp is in correct alignment and does not cause either of the components to move out of position. Often this simply cannot be verified by sight, and remains unchecked until the system is pressurised, after performing the task, and subsequently the system must be checked for leaks. This situation is unnecessarily complex, costly, and simply unsafe.

The ability of verifying visually the proper alignment of the clamp over the flanged joint, therefore also examination of the seal quality before the clamp is tightened to required torque before the system is pressurised, at minimum saves time and money, at maximum saves lives. It brings an additional prospect of safety and security without additional costs.

The multiple hinged clamp segments, and the urrestricted viewing ability means that the clamp can be made of ally material suitable for the pressure, at which it must operate. This means that whilst steel, stainless steel, titanium, alloys of aluminium, and other metals are likely to remain the most common for everyday use, there is no reason why a complex nylon polymer, or form of KevlarTM cannot be used in highly corrosive environments, or other demanding applications where for instance overall weight aspect of the complete system is critical. Other advantages of non-metallic clamps in certain applications are reduction of sparking and benefits due to their non-magnetic properties. However, for the majority of applications where the tubes, pipes, or similar flanged units relate for instance to standard hydraulic systems a stainless steel version of this clamp will serve adequately.

An added advantage of this clamp is that its easy use in difficult to reach places means that it is also easier to use by those who may have limitations on their movements, or dexterity, but otherwise have all the required capacity and the knowledge of how to fit these clamps. Likewise, as the joining bolt works by simply tightening the system against itself using a thread it is possible to achieve this with a one handed operation rather than the three hands required for the current versions.

Background:

All systems carrying fluids, air, or gases, whether pressurised or not, consist of components that incorporate multiple flanged seal joints. While many, such as household water systems, are joined with screw-in, push-in, brazed, or heat-welded components, others because of the media they carry or because of the pressure the within the system require damping, over the flanged ends, to ensure that the seal providing joint remains sealed at all times and stable. In many industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, oil, etc., these joins are situated on an engine, or its related components, pumps, or in other locations where access and visibility are restricted. The design of the multi-segmental clamp permits it to be used where access is restricted as well as where normal access is available, but direct visual control is limited. Additionally, the transparent areas between segments, allow unimpeded visibility of the flanged joint to ensure that the flanges meet exactly and a perfect seal is thus verified before the system is pressurised, or filled.

Essential Technical Features: The invention comprises of the following features: A Multi-Segmental Clamp -Minimum of one securing bolt The enabling feature of the invention is the ability to open the clamp up fully even beyond straight to position it over the flanged joint and then use the pivots to wrap it round the flanges whilst ensuring that they are held in exact position. The free spaces between segments permit the user to position and tighten the clamp, (using one hand), while continually ensuring that the flanges have not been dislocated, are still in correct position, and even verify throughout by visually, by feel, or simply using an adjustable inspection mirror found in most professional tool kits.

Component Details: The segments of the clamp can be made of any material suitable for its particular application taking care to ensure that the basic material used for construction has adequate mechanical properties to withstand the maximum pressure of the system to a factor of 2. The number of hinged segments, secured by dowels or similar, must be two or more, but there is no maximum number and the size of the segments is not restricted as to width, or depth, nor as to length providing an in-built curvature essential to ensure a snug fit over the flanged component it is to be fitted over. Neither is there any necessity to make each segment the same size although this tends to be more aesthetically pleasing.

The joining bolt; it is necessary to have at least one joining bolt for securing the clamp and tightening to achieve a full seal. If desired, the system can be used with more than one bolt where any one of the hinged segments can be replaced by another bolt joining mechanism. This could be advantageous in a system where the joined pipes or tubes revolve and are of such as large size that when stopped for maintenance there is the risk of the clamp joining mechanism not being accessible.

The individual features of the invention interact in the following manner: The hinged segments of the clamp, marked "a" in figure 1, are designed in such a manner to provide and angled grip on either flanged end of the pipes, or tubes to be joined. The hinged segments, marked as "b" in figure 1, allow the clamp to be opened fully, which permits it to be slid into place where access is limited, or simply wrapped round the flanges where access is no problem. An important benefit of the segmentation and pivots other than easy access is that the pressure on the clamp is evenly distributed throughout the segments and does not focus mainly in the vicinity of the joining bolt (s) marked as "c" in figure 1, as happens with other systems for similar purposes.

Once in place, the bolting mechanism can be tightened to the desired level to ensure the seal is made. The visual aspect marked "d" in figure 1 allows for continual verification of the correct placement of the flanges.

The segmental nature of the clamp is an essential feature of the invention. It cannot be replaced as to method of construction, but the segments can be made from any material suitable for the particular desired purpose and can be varied as to number of segments and related pivots or joining mechanisms.

The joining bolt is an essential feature of the invention. However, the number of joining bolts used and the material used for their construction can be tailored to the purpose of the individual clamp. The coarseness of the bolt thread can likewise be tailored to reduce the chance of cross threading in situations where speed is essential and mistakes in assembly procedure possible.

The shape and form of the transparent sections between hinged segments are desirable, but not essential to the invention. It can be of any shape permitting visual control or of complex shapes used for special design elements to make the clamp a design feature in applications such as car engine tuning.

Technical Requirements & Limitations: The segmental sections of the clamp are limited on'y by the suitability of the choice of materials, while it is suspected that most uses will still involve manufacture in stainkss steel this is not a restriction of the invention and the limitations are simply that any specified material is chosen by someone with sufficient knowledge of the physical/mechanical properties, and those with adequate technical expertise and knowledge of the system where the clamp is to be fitted into.

While a minimum of three segments are necessary, the inventor beheves that five or six will prove more beneficial due to stress division, as well as additional points of visual control ability, and there is no llrnitation to number. Neither are there llmits to the combination of pivots, such as dowels, and joining bolts. There are no hmits to width, depth, or length of each segment except those given by the shape of the flanged joint and those imposed by the basic requirement that all segments will form an approximate circle when finished.

The joining bolt(s) section of the clamp must be made at a si2e suitable for the segments it will join, it is not restricted to one in a clamp, but can substitute pivots to achieve the desired combination for a specific purpose. Likewise, the only limitations on thread cut for the bolt are that for fitness of purpose and material.

The achieved visibility between clamp segments, (transparent sections of the clamp); whilst not essential, are recommended for better safety and verifying the correct placement of the clamp over its entire span. If used it should be manufactured to be fit for the purpose and enable visibility. Once the clamp is tightened, seal visually verified, there is no reason why the body of the clamp cannot be used in situe as a decorative item as it does not affect the strengths and performance of the clamp when mounted within a system.

Claims

Segmental Clamp Claims: 1. A segmental clamp or assembly, comprising of three or more sections with pivot hinges linking them and where at one section is a joining bolt section, to be used for the connection of two pipes or tubes where each pipe or tube has a flange on the end to be joined and the clamp or assembly has a visibility gap or transparent part that allows the position of the flanges to be viewed to establish correct placement and thus ensure good seal of the parts which allows the safe flow of gases and fluid either naturally or under pressure.
2. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claim one where one or more of the pivot sections are replaced by additional joining bolt sections to facilitate adjustment where machinery may turn during use and a single joining bolt not be easily accessible for maintenance or where more than one joining position is desired by the user.
3. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claims I and 2 where the visibility section is not present.
4. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claims 1, 2, and 3, which is used for function and decorative purpose as in the example of engine tuning.
5. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 to be made of any material suitable for the intended purpose dependant on size and pressurisation of the system it is to be used in.
6. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 where all segmental parts are of the same size.
7. The segmental clamp as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and S where the segmental parts are of varying sizes.
8. The segmental clamp or assembly as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 for clamping of flanged joints in tubes, or pipes, or similar; in systems, whether pressurised, or not, including but not limited to those in use in applications for automotive, avionics, aerospace, marine, submarine, defence, construction, food, medical, biotechnology, oil and gas, mineral & metal extraction, mining, chemical, nuclear, rail, theatrical, waste management and recycling, agricultural, industries including utilities, general industrial and domestic environments.
9. The segmental clamp or assembly substantially as described herein.