Pipe joint
AssigneePlexus Ocean Systems Limited
InventorBernard Herman Van Bilderbeek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A joint for joining the ends of two pipes (12, 14) has a socket (or box) on the end of one pipe (14) into which the end (30) of the other pipe is inserted. The part (36) of the socket which surrounds the inserted pipe has an external tapered surface (38). A correspondingly tapered sleeve (42) surrounds the socket and can be moved axially to apply a compressive force to the taper on the socket which is thus compressed inward against the inserted pipe end to frictionally grip the inserted pipe end.
Claims13
A pipe joint in which an end of a first pipe is to be joined to an end of a second pipe, wherein the first pipe end has an annular socket for receiving the second pipe end, an outer wall of the socket has an annular, axially tapering surface, an axially movable sleeve surrounds the outer wall and has a corresponding tapering surface facing the outer wall, the joint including means for producing relative axial movement between the tapering surfaces to exert a radial compressive force to the outer wall of the socket.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first pipe end comprises a socket section for fixing to an end of a first pipe and the second pipe end comprises a pin section for fixing to an end of a second pipe, the pin being adapted to be received in the socket.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for producing relative axial movement comprises a pressure chamber between the sleeve and the socket, and means for pressurising the chamber with hydraulic pressure.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a release chamber is provided to which hydraulic pressure can be admitted to separate the socket and the sleeve.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a locknut is provided to lock the relative positions of the sleeve and the socket, once these components have been brought into an active position.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner wall of the socket and the outer wall of the second pipe end have interengaging profiles.
A pipe joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tapering surfaces have a taper angle of between 2° and 6°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.