Tensioner and method of using same
AssigneeSPM Oil & Gas Inc.
InventorChristopher Hebert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioner may assist in coupling two pipe flanges. The tensioner may include a body and a piston. The body may include a central longitudinal axis, a pair of fastener holes extending through the body in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and a piston housing having an inner bore disposed about the central longitudinal axis. The piston housing may be provided between the pair of fastener holes. An axial end of the piston housing may define a distal end of the body. The piston may be at least partially disposed in the inner bore of the piston housing. The piston may be axially moveable parallel to the central longitudinal axis through an opening of the inner bore at the distal end of the body.
Claims19
A tensioner for assisting in coupling first and second pipe flanges, comprising:
- a body, including:
- a central longitudinal axis,
- a pair of fastener holes extending through the body in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and
- a piston housing having an inner bore disposed about the central longitudinal axis, the piston housing being provided between the pair of fastener holes, wherein an axial end of the piston housing defines a distal end of the body opposite to a proximal end of the body, and wherein the body includes a flange, and the fastener holes are formed in the flange at positions which are non-overlapping with the piston housing;
- and
- a piston at least partially disposed in the inner bore of the piston housing, the piston being axially moveable parallel to the central longitudinal axis through an opening of the inner bore at the distal end of the body, the piston comprising a piston rod and a piston saddle axially movable in a direction from the proximal end of the body toward the distal end of the body, the piston saddle disposed at the distal end of the body to contact the first pipe flange, and to push the first pipe flange that is in contact with the piston toward the second pipe flange.
A coupling system to couple first and second pipe flanges using a plurality of fasteners, comprising:
- a plurality of tensioners, each tensioner including:
- a body, including:
- a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end,
- a pair of fastener holes extending through the body in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis, wherein the pair of fastener holes is configured to receive the plurality of fasteners which extends through holes in the first and second pipe flanges, and a piston housing provided between the pair of fastener holes;
- and
- a piston at least partially located in the piston housing and extendable distally from the body, the piston comprising a piston saddle disposed at the distal end of the body, the piston saddle comprising a piston surface to contact the first pipe flange and push the first pipe flange toward the second pipe flange, thereby permitting coupling of the first and second pipe flanges to one another.
A method of tensioning first and second pipe flanges with a plurality of tensioners, comprising:
- inserting each tensioner of the plurality of tensioners onto at least two fasteners of a plurality of fasteners, wherein a first nut of each fastener is disposed between the first pipe flange and a corresponding tensioner;
- coupling a second nut onto each fastener, each tensioner disposed between the first and second nuts of each corresponding fastener;
- tightening the second nut of each fastener against a proximal end surface of each corresponding tensioner;
- urging a piston of each tensioner against the first pipe flange to move the first and second pipe flanges from a first axial spacing to a second axial spacing relatively closer together than the first axial spacing;
- tightening the first nut of each fastener against the first pipe flange to maintain the second axial spacing between the first and second pipe flanges;
- and
- removing each tensioner from the corresponding fasteners while the first and second pipe flanges remain at the second axial spacing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.