Pipe connector
AssigneePoulton Technologies Limited
InventorsKonrad Goess-Saurau, Rodney Coplestone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for connecting two pipes in fluid communication is provided. The apparatus comprises a connector body having opposing open ends, each open end configured for receiving a free end of a pipe; a mechanical interlock arrangement, for preventing or limiting axial movement of the connector body relative to a free end of a pipe when the free end of the pipe is received in an open end of the connector body; and a mechanical seal arrangement for providing a metal-to-metal seal between a pipe inserted into one of said open ends and the connector body.
Claims24
A coupling arrangement for connecting a pipe to a further pipe or a connector, the coupling arrangement comprising:
- a connector body having an open end configured to receive the free end of a pipe;
- a mechanical engagement arrangement configured to prevent or limit axial movement of the connector body relative to the free end of a pipe received in the open end of the connector body;
- and
- a mechanical seal arrangement configured to provide a metal-to-metal seal between the free end of the pipe and the connector body when the free end of the pipe is received in the open end of the connector body,
- wherein the mechanical seal arrangement includes a first metallic element configured to fit on a free end of a pipe, for use as part of the metal-to-metal seal, and
- wherein the coupling arrangement includes a metallic seal surface, arranged for cooperation with the first metallic element, such that the metal-to-metal seal is created between the first metallic element and the metallic seal surface.
A method of connecting a pipe to a further pipe or a connector, the method comprising:
- providing a pipe having a free end;
- locating a first metallic element on or around the free end of the pipe;
- providing a connector body having a metallic seal surface and an open end for receiving the free end of the pipe;
- locating the free end of the pipe within the connector body, so that the pipe and the first metallic element are located within the connector body, wherein the metallic seal surface cooperates with the first metallic element, such that a metal-to-metal seal is created between the first metallic element and the metallic seal surface, thereby forming a mechanical seal arrangement for providing a metal-to-metal seal between the free end of the pipe and the connector body;
- and
- providing a mechanical engagement arrangement configured to prevent or limit axial movement of the connector body relative to the free end of a pipe received in the open end of the connector body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.