Remotely operable misalignment coupling device
AssigneeReflange, Inc.
InventorsRaymond E. Latham, Gyula Pasztor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A remotely operable coupling device is disclosed. The device is suitable for coupling misaligned first and second conduits. The device includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is attached to the first conduit and includes a first flange with a ball end extending therefrom. The second connector is attached to the second conduit and receives the first connector. The second connector includes a first mechanism operable to position a second flange adjacent the first flange and to dispose the ball end into a socket member. The second connector also includes a second mechanism disposed about the adjacent first and second flanges and operable to hold the flanges adjacent one another and maintain the ball end disposed within the socket.
Claims29
A device for coupling misaligned first and second conduits, comprising:
- a first connector connected to the first conduit and having a first flange disposed about a ball member;
- and
- a second connector connected to the second conduit and comprising:
- a second flange disposed about a socket member, the socket member receiving the ball member therein and the second flange positioning adjacent the first flange, and
- a first mechanism being operable to retain the first and second flanges adjacent one another and to maintain the ball member in sealed engagement with the socket member,
- wherein the first connector comprises a guide having a narrower end adjacent to the first flange and wherein the second connector comprises a base having a narrower end adjacent to the first mechanism and receiving the guide therein.
A device for coupling misaligned first and second conduits, comprising:
- a first connector connected to the first conduit and having a first flange disposed about a ball member;
- and
- a second connector connected to the second conduit and comprising:
- a second flange disposed about a socket member, the socket member receiving the ball member therein and the second flange positioning adjacent the first flange, and
- a first mechanism being operable to retain the first and second flanges adjacent one another and to maintain the ball member in scaled engagement with the socket member,
- wherein the second connector further comprises a second mechanism operable to engagement the socket member with the ball member and to position the second flange adjacent the first flange, and
- wherein the second mechanism comprises one or more gears being remotely operable to move the second flange and socket member in relation to the ball member and first flange of the first connector.
A device for coupling misaligned first and second conduits, comprising:
- a first connector connected to the first conduit and having a first flange disposed about a ball members;
- and
- a second connector connected to the second conduit and comprising:
- a second flange disposed about a socket member, the socket member receiving the ball member therein and the second flange positioning adjacent the first flange, and
- a first mechanism being operable to retain the first and second flanges adjacent one another and to maintain the ball member in sealed engagement with the socket member,
- wherein the first mechanism comprises a clamp having a plurality of movable clamp segments,
- wherein the clamp comprises a drive screw being remotely operable to open and close the clamp, and
- wherein the drive screw comprises first and second threaded portions having opposite pitch and passing through trunnions in at least two of the movable clamp segments.
A device for coupling misaligned first and second conduits, comprising:
- a first connector comprising:
- a ball member attached to the first conduit;
- and
- a first flange disposed on the ball member;
- and
- a second connector receiving the first connector and comprising:
- a socket member attached to the second conduit,
- a second flange disposed on the socket member,
- a soft landing mechanism being operable to engage the socket member with the ball member and to position the second flange adjacent to the first flange, and
- a coupling mechanism being operable to retain the first and second flanges adjacent and to maintain the ball member and socket member in fluid-tight engagement.
A method for remotely coupling misaligned first and second conduits comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first connector attached to the first conduit into a second connector attached to the second conduit;
- engaging a socket member disposed in the second connector with a ball member disposed on the first connector by operating a soft landing mechanism;
- and
- retaining the ball and socket members in fluid-tight engagement by operating a coupling mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.