# US 11,306,820 B2 · Mounting device for a flat seal of a flange connection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,820 B2 - Document ID: US11306820B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/461,826 - Filed: 2017-12-02 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-21 - Assignees: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH - Applicants: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH - Inventors: Heinz Jagdfeld; Larisa Semke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306820B2 ## CPC - F16J 15/0881: {the sealing effect being obtained by plastic deformation of the packing} - F16L 23/003: {Auxiliary devices} - F16L 23/02: the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially (F16L23/12 takes precedence) - F16L 23/04: the flanges being connected by members tensioned in the radial plane (F16L23/12 takes precedence) - F16L 23/20: made exclusively of metal - F16L 2201/40: for special environments - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A mounting device for a flat seal of a flange connection that includes a first flange, a second flange, and a flat seal arranged between the flanges. The mounting device includes a clamping jaw for a clearance between the first flange and the second flange. The clamping jaw tapers at an end to a nose for holding the flat seal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mounting device for a flange connection having a first flange, a second flange, and a flat seal arranged between the first and second flanges, the mounting device comprising: a clamp comprising a clamping jaw for a clearance between the first flange and the second flange, the clamping jaw tapering at a free end thereof to a nose for holding the flat seal, wherein the tapering comprises a rounded contour, and wherein the free end of the clamping jaw comprises a thinnest portion of the clamping jaw. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a screw clamp with a U-shaped profile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a clamping bracket with an L-shaped profile. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the clamping bracket comprises a two-leg clamping bracket with a joint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising a fastener comprising a knurled nut or a knurled screw or a quick-release fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to fasten the mounting device to an outside of the first flange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A kit for connecting (Q)CF flanges, comprising: hexagonal bolts; hexagonal nuts; washers; and at least one mounting device according to claim 1. ### Claim 7 A method for mounting a flat seal in a flange connection comprising two flanges, the method comprising: a) inserting the flat seal into a groove of a first of the two flanges, wherein an outer edge of the flat seal adjoins an outer edge of the groove; b) selecting a mounting device having a clamping jaw and a tapering nose at an end of the clamping jaw, wherein a thickness of the clamping jaw of the mounting device is selected to be smaller than a thickness of the flat seal; c) pressing the clamping jaw of the mounting device against an inside of the first flange, wherein the nose of the clamping jaw is positioned over the outer edge of the flat seal and opposite the groove of the first flange; d) fastening, by a fastener thereof, the mounting device to the first flange arranged outside of a clearance for the flange connection, whereby the flat seal is fixed in the groove of the first flange; e) pressing a second of the two flanges against the first flange, wherein the second flange is distanced from the flat seal by the clamping jaw; f) releasing the fastener of the mounting device and removing the clamping jaw from the clearance between the two flanges, wherein the flat seal remains held in its position in the groove of the first flange; and g) generating a contact pressure and deforming the flat seal in the flange connection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, further comprising, between step d) and step e), checking a correct seating of the flat seal in the groove of the first flange by existence of a free rotation capability of the flat seal in the groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the contact pressure is generated by screws for fastening the two flanges to one another, wherein the screws are guided through the two flanges after step e) and before step f), wherein the flanges are secured loosely to each other with nuts so that a screw clamp as a mounting device comprising the two flanges loosely fastened to each other is released from the first flange, and the holding jaw is removed from the gap between the two flanges, and wherein the flat seal remains positioned in the groove of the first flange and the second flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the contact pressure is generated by a tension chain for fastening the two flanges to one another, wherein the tension chain is placed over the two flanges after step f), after detaching and removing a clamping bracket as a mounting device, and wherein the flat seal remains positioned in the groove of the first flange and the second flange. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein neither of two cutting edges of the two flanges touches the nose of the clamping jaw of the mounting device, so that the cutting edges are protected from damage. ### Claim 12 An arrangement, comprising: a first flange with a groove for a flat seal; and a mounting device with a clamping jaw having a nose arranged in a clearance of the flange, wherein the clamping jaw tapers at a free end thereof to the nose for holding the flat seal, wherein the nose and the groove together form a restricted guidance for the flat seal, wherein the tapering comprises a rounded contour, and wherein the free end of the clamping jaw comprises a thinnest portion of the clamping jaw. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the first flange further comprises a cutting edge in the groove. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the first flange further comprises a cutting edge in the groove.