Pipeline for gaseous fluids and method of assembling its components
AssigneeManibs. R. Mannesmann GmbH. & ibs Nagel GmbH. & Co. KG
InventorKlaus Serve
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pipeline wherein one end portion of a first metallic pipe fits with annular clearance into the adjacent end portion of a second metallic pipe and the adjacent end portion has an internal groove for a radially and axially deformable ring which is biased radially inwardly and axially by a supply of gaseous, liquid or paste-like medium in the radially outermost part of the groove so that the free end of the adjacent end portion can be welded to the one end portion while the pipes convey a compressed gaseous fluid.
Claims20
A method of sealingly connecting two tubular members having end portions one of which can be introduced into the other, particularly of establishing a welded connection between two pipes of a pipeline for compressed gaseous fluids, comprising the steps of providing the internal surface of the other end portion with a circumferentially complete groove having axially spaced apart side walls;
- inserting between the side walls of the groove a deformable ring-shaped seal;
- introducing the one end portion into the other end portion so that the free end of the other end portion and the seal surround the external surface of the one end portion;
- defoming the seal in the groove in a direction radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the introduced end portion and axially into sealing engagement with said side walls independently of the fluid in the pipeline;
- and thereupon bonding the free end of the other end portion to the one end portion.
In a pipeline, particularly for compressed gaseous fluids, the combination of a first tubular member including a first end portion having an external surface;
- a second tubular member including a second end portion having an internal surface surrounding said external surface, a free end, and a ring-shaped groove extending radially outwardly from said internal surface, said groove having axially spaced apart side walls;
- means for bonding said free end to said first end portion;
- a deformable ring between the side walls of said groove;
- and means for deforming said ring radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the external surface of said first end portion and axially into sealing engagement with said side walls independently of the fluid in the pipeline so as to allow for the application of said bonding means, particularly an annular weld, while the pressure in said tubular members deviates from the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.