US 10,895,337 B2 · Pipe union assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a pipe union that uses mechanical advantage from leverage between a locknut with circumferential torque openings coupled to a tubular first portion and a torque ring with torque slots coupled to a tubular second portion to tighten the union. The tightening can occur without the need of a hammer impact on lugs. Initial tightening can at least partially align longitudinally the radial holes with the radial slots. Final tightening can occur by rotating the torque openings relative to the torque slots using mechanical advantage. Optionally, the pipe union can provide for a ratcheting mechanism to turn the locknut on the tubular first portion to engage the tubular second portion and exert a preliminary torque on the union. The pipe union design also provides a self-energizing elastomeric seal or metal seal. Angles on load shoulders can assist in creating preloads on the union to seal the components.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A pipe union assembly, comprising:

a tubular first portion having a bore;
a tubular second portion having a bore and coupled with a torque ring, the torque ring having torque slots;
and
a locknut having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tubular first portion and configured to slide longitudinally over the tubular first portion, the locknut being longitudinally restrained in a direction toward the tubular second portion when the tubular second portion is facing the tubular first portion, the locknut being configured to engage the tubular second portion and rotate relative to the tubular second portion to pull the second portion closer to the first portion, the locknut having openings formed through at least a portion of the locknut, the openings being configured to align with the torque slots to allow a tool inserted into the opening to engage the torque slots and apply leverage to the locknut from the engagement to turn the locknut around the tubular second portion and pull the tubular second portion into sealing engagement with the tubular first portion.

1 more element

A pipe union assembly, comprising:

a tubular first portion having retaining segments circumferentially disposed around a periphery of the tubular first portion;
a tubular second portion coupled with a torque ring, the torque ring being aligned transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tubular second portion and having torque slots aligned longitudinally, the tubular second portion having threads on a portion of the tubular second portion;
and
a locknut having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tubular first portion and configured to slide longitudinally over the tubular first portion, the locknut being longitudinally restrained by the retaining segments in a direction toward the tubular second portion when the tubular second portion is facing the tubular first portion, the locknut having mating threads configured to engage the tubular second portion threads and rotate relative to the tubular second portion to threadably pull the second portion closer to the first portion, the locknut having openings formed through a portion of the locknut radially outward from the torque slots, the openings being configured to align with the torque slots to allow a tool inserted into the opening to engage the torque slots and apply leverage to the locknut from the engagement to rotatably tighten the locknut around the tubular second portion and pull the tubular second portion into sealing engagement with the tubular first portion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pipe union assembly

Life of this patent

Pipe union assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15