Split fittings and pipeline systems using same
OwnerBruce R. Sharpinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Split fittings for use in the installation of a flexible jacket over a rigid pipeline comprise a pair of housing halves which, when mated, form a housing enclosure, sealing means and clamping means capable of holding the flexible jacket to the housing enclosure. A method of retrofitting a rigid pipeline system with a flexible jacket uses the split fittings.
Claims25
A split fitting for use in installation of a flexible jacket over a rigid pipeline, comprising:
- (a) a pair of rigid housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the pipeline passes, said housing enclosure being capable of enclosing a portion of the pipeline and capable of having a flexible jacket attached by clamping means to at least one extremity through which the pipeline passes;
- (b) sealing means positioned on each mated surface of the housing halves to form a liquid tight seal when said housing halves are secured together;
- and
- (c) clamping means for holding the flexible jacket to the housing enclosure in a liquid tight relationship.
A jacketed pipeline system providing secondary containment, said system having at least one junction, comprising:
- (a) a rigid pipeline system for transporting liquid from a storage tank, said pipeline system having at least one junction;
- (b) at least two sections of a flexible jacket which completely encases the rigid pipeline to form a closed space between it and the rigid pipeline;
- and
- (c) at least one split fitting installed over a junction in the rigid pipeline to which is attached the flexible jacket sections, said split fitting comprised of (i) a pair of rigid housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the rigid pipeline passes and which is capable of having the flexible jackets attached thereto by clamping means in a liquid tight relationship, (ii) sealing means positioned on each mated surface to form a liquid-tight seal when said housing halves are secured together and (iii) clamping means for holding the flexible jacket sections thereto in a liquid-tight relationship.
A method of retrofitting a rigid pipeline system having at least one junction to provide secondary containment, comprising the steps of:
- (a) disconnecting a portion of the rigid pipeline from a junction;
- (b) sliding a flexible jacket over said disconnected pipeline;
- (c) sliding a second flexible jacket over another section of an adjoining rigid pipeline section;
- (d) positioning a split fitting over the same or a second junction for said jacket sections, said split fitting comprised of (i) a pair of rigid housing halves such that when mated and secured together a complete housing enclosure is formed which has at least two extremities with openings through which the rigid pipeline passes, said housing enclosure being capable of enclosing a portion of the pipeline and capable of having the flexible jackets attached to the extremities by clamping means, (ii) sealing means positioned on each mated surface to form a liquid tight seal between the housing halves, and (iii) a clamping means;
- (e) mating said housing halve to form a housing enclosure;
- (f) attaching said jacket sections to the housing enclosure;
- (g) clamping the jacket sections to the housing enclosure with the clamping means to form a liquid tight seal;
- (h) reconnecting the disconnected portion of the rigid pipeline to the junction;
- and
- (i) attaching the unclamped ends of said jacket sections to form a closed space providing the secondary containment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.