Flange Seal
OwnerCraig Oldnallinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flange seal (10) for forming a sealed connection between a first flange (12) and a second flange (14) connected by a plurality of flange bolts (22). The flange seal (10) comprises a first portion (26) and a second portion (28). The first and second portions (26, 28) are locatable between the first and second flanges (12,14) such that a chamber (44) is defined between the first and second portions (26,28). The supply of hydraulic fluid to the chamber (44) via a hydraulic input (48) causes the first and second portions (26,28) to move away from each other such that the first and second flanges (12,14) engage against ends of the flange bolts (22) and outer surfaces (32,33) of the first and second portions (26,28) engage against end surfaces (32,33) of the respective flanges (12,14) to create a seal between the flanges (12,14).
Claims24
A flange seal for forming a sealed connection between a first flange and a second flange connected by a plurality of flange bolts around the periphery thereof, the flange seal comprising:
- a first portion locatable between the first and second flanges such that an outer surface thereof engages with an end surface of the first flange;
- a second portion locatable between the first and second flanges such that an outer surface thereof engages with an end surface of the second flange;
- and
- a chamber defined between the first and second portions connected to a hydraulic input;
- wherein the supply of hydraulic fluid to the chamber via the hydraulic input causes the first and second portions to move away from each other such that the first and second flanges engage against ends of the flange bolts and the outer surfaces of the first and second portions engage against the end surfaces of the respective flanges to create a seal between the flanges.
A flange seal for forming a sealed connection between a first flange and a second flange connected by a plurality of flange bolts around the periphery thereof, the flange seal comprising:
- a first portion integrally formed with the first flange;
- a second portion to be located between the first portion and the second flange such that an outer surface thereof engages with an end surface of the second flange, the second portion including a second central aperture;
- an annular recess in an inner surface of the first portion into which the second portion is received such that a chamber is defined between the second portion and an inner surface of the annular recess;
- a first cylindrical collar located on an inner side of the annular recess;
- a second cylindrical collar being received in use around the first cylindrical collar;
- and
- a hydraulic input connected to the chamber;
- wherein the supply of hydraulic fluid to the chamber via the hydraulic input causes the first and second portions to move away from each other such that the first and second flanges engage against ends of the flange bolts and the outer surface of the second portion engages against the end surface of the second flange to create a seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.