Tubular end protector
AssigneeBewi Energy AS
InventorsGeir Skjevik, Michael Skjold
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protector is proposed for an end of an elongate member, such as an end of a pipe or tube. The protector comprises a rigid portion which has a body portion for insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member, and a cover portion extending from the body portion. The protector further comprises a flexible portion provided on an outer surface of the body portion. The flexible portion comprises one or more resilient members. When the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the resilient members engage the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member.
Claims15
A protector for an elongate member, the protector comprising:
- a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member;
- a cover portion extending from the body portion;
- and
- a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
- and
- wherein, as the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the flexible portion engages the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member, and
- wherein the first material and second material are both plastics materials.
A method for manufacturing a protector,
- the protector comprising:
- a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member;
- a cover portion extending from the body portion;
- and
- a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
- wherein, as the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the flexible portion engages the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member, and,
- wherein the first and second materials are both plastics materials,
- the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the first and second materials in a liquid state;
- injecting the first and second materials into a mould;
- forming the rigid portion from the first material;
- and
- forming the flexible portion from the second material.
A method of applying a protector to a non-threaded pipe,
- the protector comprising:
- a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the non-threaded pipe;
- a cover portion extending from the body portion;
- and
- a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
- wherein the first and second materials are both plastic materials;
- and
- the method comprising inserting the body portion of the protector into the cavity of the non-threaded pipe, whereby the flexible portion engages the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.