# US 12,181,084 B2 · Clamping system for connecting tubes, comprising a collar and a seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,084 B2 - Document ID: US12181084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/916,107 - Filed: 2021-03-26 - Published: 2023-05-25 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-03 - Assignees: Caillau - Applicants: Caillau - Inventors: Abdelfettah Zinbi; Quentin Minet; Eric Mesnard; Stéphane Drivon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181084B2 ## CPC - F16L 23/22: made exclusively of a material other than metal - F16L 17/04: with longitudinally split or divided sleeve - F16L 21/065: {tightened by tangentially-arranged threaded pins} - F16L 21/08: with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) - F16L 23/08: connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut - F16L 23/18: the sealing means being rings - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract The clamping system is used to connect a first and a second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to their cylindrical external surface. The clamping system has a clampable collar and a seal. The collar includes a belt able to cooperate with the bearing surfaces of the tubes by this internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted. The seal is supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and includes an annular sealing portion which includes a first washer and a second washer fixed to the first washer by retaining lugs carried by the first washer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clamping system for connecting a first and a second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to the cylindrical external surface of said tubes, the system comprising a clampable collar and a seal, the collar including a belt able to cooperate with said bearing surfaces by its an internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted, the seal being supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and comprising an annular sealing portion, said annular portion comprising a first washer and a second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer carrying retaining lugs which cooperate with the second washer to retain said second washer relative to the first washer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the first washer is metallic. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the retaining lugs are cut out in the first washer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the second washer is formed from a composite material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the second washer is formed from a mica-based material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The clamping system according claim 1, wherein the second washer comprises mineral particles and a binder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The clamping system according to claim 6, wherein the mineral particles comprise one or more of mica and graphite. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the second washer comprises a reinforcement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The clamping system according to claim 1, wherein the second washer comprises a metal reinforcement. ### Claim 10 A clamping system for connecting a first and a second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to the cylindrical external surface of said tubes, the system comprising a clampable collar and a seal, the collar including a belt able to cooperate with said bearing surfaces by an internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted, the seal being supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and comprising an annular sealing portion, said annular portion comprising a first washer and a second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer carrying retaining lugs which cooperate with the second washer to retain said second washer relative to the first washer wherein the first washer carries support lugs by which said first washer and said second washer are supported relative to the collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The clamping system according to claim 10, wherein at least some of the support lugs are formed in one piece with the first washer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The clamping system according to claim 10, wherein at least some of the retaining lugs are formed in the support lugs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The clamping system according to claim 12, wherein at least some of the retaining lugs are formed by portions of the support lugs protruding radially inwardly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The clamping system according to claim 12, wherein at least some of the retaining lugs are formed by at least some of wings folded over longitudinal edges of the support lugs or tabs cut out in the support lugs and bent inwardly. ### Claim 15 A clamping system for connecting a first and second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to the cylindrical external surface of said tubes, the system comprising a clampable collar and a seal, the collar including a belt able to cooperate with said bearing surfaces by an internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted, the seal being supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and comprising an annular sealing portion, said annular portion comprising a first washer and second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer carrying retaining lugs which cooperate with the second washer to retain said second washer relative to the first washer, wherein the first washer has a stamped frustoconical surface and the second washer is formed in a planar ring, deformed to match the frustoconical shape of the frustoconical surface. ### Claim 16 A clamping system for connecting a first and second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to the cylindrical external surface of said tubes, the system comprising a clampable collar and a seal, the collar including a belt able to cooperate with said bearing surfaces by an internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted, the seal being supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and comprising an annular sealing portion, said annular portion comprising a first washer and a second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer carrying retaining lugs which cooperate with the second washer to retain said second washer relative to the first washer, wherein the first washer has an annular bulge on a first face of said first washer and the second washer is disposed against said first face. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The clamping system according to claim 16, wherein the second washer has an annular bulge on a first face of said second washer and said first faces of the first washer and of the second washer are disposed against each other, so that the annular bulges are in contact. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The clamping system according to claim 17, wherein the second washer also has an annular bulge on its a second face. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The clamping system according to claim 18, wherein said annular bulges of the second washer delimit together an annular space. ### Claim 20 A clamping system for connecting a first and a second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to the cylindrical external surface of said tubes, the system comprising a clampable collar and a seal the collar including a belt able to cooperate with said bearing surfaces by an internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted, the seal being supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and comprising an annular sealing portion, said annular portion comprising a first washer and a second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer carrying retaining lugs which cooperate with the second washer to retain said second washer relative to the first washer, wherein the annular sealing portion further comprises an additional second washer fixed to the first washer, the first washer being located between the second washer and the additional second washer.