Connector for pipelines and method to connect the connector to a pipeline

23:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, wherein the metal front gasket comprises a front face configured to be placed in contact with the front end face of the pipeline.

24:

• The pipeline connector of claim 23, wherein the front face of the metal front gasket comprises, in succession, two flat surfaces that form a blunt angle between them.

25:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, wherein the metal front gasket comprises a cylindrical inner face having a diameter no greater than an inner diameter of the pipeline.

26:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, wherein the metal front gasket is made from a material selected from the group consisting of:
• carbon steel, and a corrosion-resistant alloy including Inconel, and Nickel with an anti-corrosion coating.

27:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, further comprising a gripping mechanism and a support mechanism configured to respectively clamp the gripping portion to the pipeline and to apply radial forces directed towards a longitudinal axis to the outer face of the pipeline proximal the front end face of the pipeline.

28:

• The pipeline connector of claim 27, wherein the gripping mechanism and the support mechanism are configured to be operated by a plurality of linear actuators.

29:

• The pipeline connector of claim 28, wherein each linear actuator comprises an at least partially threaded tie rod and a nut configured to by operated by a hydraulically controlled device.

30:

• The pipeline connector of claim 27, wherein the gripping mechanism and the support mechanism are independently controlled by respective linear actuators.

32:

• The pipeline connector of claim 31, wherein the support mechanism comprises a radial gasket arranged between the ring and the thrust ring and configured to expand radially as a result of a compression between the ring and the thrust ring.

33:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, further defining a channel extending through the sleeve portion from an annular space proximal the metal front gasket to an area outside of the connector.

34:

• The pipeline connector of claim 22, further comprising a shield having a cylindrical shape attached to the sleeve portion and configured to cover a portion of the pipeline and the metal front gasket.

35:

• The pipeline connector of claim 34, wherein the shield comprises a radial gasket configured to extend between a seat in the shield and an inner face of the pipeline.

36:

• The pipeline connector of claim 35, wherein the radial gasket is configured to expand in a radial direction.

38:

• The method of claim 37, wherein the metal front gasket comprises a front face configured to be placed in contact with the front end face of the pipeline and further comprising penetrating the metal front gasket into the pipeline along the front end face of the pipeline.

39:

• The method of claim 37, wherein the metal front gasket comprises a cylindrical inner face having a diameter no greater than a diameter of the pipeline.

40:

• The method of claim 37, wherein the metal front gasket is made of a material selected from the group consisting of:
• carbon steel, and a corrosion-resistant alloy including Inconel, and Nickel with an anti-corrosion coating.

41:

• The method of claim 37, further comprising applying a radial force directed towards the longitudinal axis along an outer face of the pipeline proximal to the front end face.

42:

• The method of claim 41, wherein clamping the gripping portion on the outer face of the pipeline comprises compressing the metal front gasket and simultaneously applying the radial force.

43:

• The method of claim 41, wherein applying the radial force occurs independent of clamping the gripping portion on the outer face of the pipeline and compressing the metal front gasket.

44:

• The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting a presence of fluid in an annular chamber arranged around the metal front gasket.