Tubular member flange attachment and methods of attaching a flange to a tubular member

A method for connecting a flange to a tubular member, comprising:

• buckling the tubular member at a location proximate an end of the tubular member forming a buckled section such that an end section of the tubular member extends axially beyond the buckled section;
• placing said flange over said tubular member end section such that the tubular member end section penetrates an opening of said flange;
• and
• bending said end section to extend over the flange, wherein the flange is axially retained by said bent end section and said buckled section, wherein the flange comprises a first annular portion defining said flange opening, wherein the first annular portion is flared defining a frustum, and wherein placing the flange over the tubular member end section comprises placing the flange over the tubular member end section with the defined frustum having a first diameter proximate the buckled section and a second diameter greater than the first diameter distally from said buckled section closer to the tubular member end.

A tubular member and flange combination comprising:

• a tubular member comprising,
• a buckled section proximate an end of the tubular member, wherein a first section of the tubular member that is not buckled comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface, wherein the buckled section comprises an outer surface that extends radially beyond the outer surface of said tubular member first section;
• a second section of the tubular member extending from the buckled section to the end of the tubular member;
• and
• a flange comprising an opening penetrated by the second section of the tubular member, wherein said second section of said tubular member is bent radially outwards, wherein the flange is axially retained by said buckled section and said second section of the tubular member that is bent, and wherein the flange comprises a fastener opening for accommodating a fastener for connecting said combination to another structure.

A tubular member and flange combination comprising:

• a tubular member comprising,
• a buckled section proximate an end of the tubular member, wherein a first section of the tubular member that is not buckled comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface, wherein the buckled section comprises an outer surface that extends radially beyond the outer surface of said tubular member first section;
• a second section of the tubular member extending from the buckled section to the end of the tubular member;
• a flange comprising an opening penetrated by the second section of the tubular member, wherein said second section of said tubular member is bent radially outwards, wherein the flange is axially retained by said buckled section and said second section of the tubular member that is bent;
• and
• a flange cover penetrated by the tubular member covering a surface of the flange facing in a direction opposite the tubular member end.

A method for connecting a flange to a tubular member, comprising:

• buckling the tubular member at a location proximate an end of the tubular member forming a buckled section such that an end section of the tubular member extends axially beyond the buckled section;
• placing said flange over said tubular member end section such that the tubular member end section penetrates an opening of said flange;
• bending said end section to extend over the flange, wherein the flange is axially retained by said bent end section and said buckled section;
• and
• placing a flange cover over the tubular member, said flange cover having an opening penetrated by said tubular member.

A method for connecting a flange to a tubular member, comprising:

• buckling the tubular member at a location proximate an end of the tubular member forming a buckled section such that an end section of the tubular member extends axially beyond the buckled section, wherein said buckling comprises,
• supporting an outer surface of the tubular member at an axial location such that the tubular member end extends beyond said axial location, and
• axially pressing on the end of the tubular member to cause said buckling of said tubular member adjacent said axial location forming a buckled section;
• placing said flange over said tubular member end section such that the tubular member end section penetrates an opening of said flange;
• and
• bending said end section to extend over the flange, wherein the flange is axially retained by said bent end section and said buckled section, wherein bending said end section comprises,
• inserting an anvil in the tubular member through said tubular end, wherein said anvil comprises a tapering outer surface, and
• engaging an inner surface of said tubular member end section with said tapering outer surface as the anvil continues to be inserted into said tubular member, bending said tubular member end section.