Flexible pipe and coupling therefor
AssigneeGates Engineering & Services UK Ltd
InventorBruno Jaspaert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Construction of a sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer of the flexible pipe or hose may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each be comprised of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. Furthermore, a reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer.
Claims12
A synthetic polymer flexible pipe for the transportation of high pressure and/or temperature hydrocarbon liquids or gases, the synthetic polymer flexible pipe having an axis and comprising:
- (i) an inner liner layer;
- (ii) an armour layer surrounding an end of the flexible pipe;
- (iii) a pipe coupling disposed at the end of the pipe and surrounding the armour layer;
- (iv) a sealing area defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling;
- and
- (v) a sealing material disposed in the sealing area;
- wherein the inner liner layer of said pipe end extends into the sealing area and is bonded to the sealing material;
- and
- wherein the sealing material is non-elastomeric and both the sealing material and the inner liner layer of the flexible pipe comprise the same class of synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermosets;
- and
- wherein the pipe coupling has at least one sealing material port passing through a wall of the pipe coupling and having a first opening into the sealing area and at least one bonding material port passing through the wall of the pipe coupling and having a second opening into an annular bonding area between an outer surface of the pipe and an inner surface of the pipe coupling, wherein the pipe comprises a sealing ring forming a seal between the outer surface of the pipe and the inner surface of the pipe coupling, and wherein first and second openings are spaced apart along the axis of the pipe on opposite axial sides of the sealing ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.