Hydraulic tensioning flange connector
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsTodd Travis, Brandon M. Cain, Ping Cai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that dispose in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud.
Claims20
A flange connector for connecting first and second flange components, the first flange component having first and second sides and having a connector hole with first and second open ends on the first and second sides and having a hydraulic port communicating with the connector hole, the second flange component having third and fourth sides, the third side of the second flange component positioned adjacent the second side of the first flange component, the connector comprising:
- a piston disposed in the connector hole and movable therein in at least one direction by hydraulic pressure applied through the hydraulic port;
- a first stud connected to the piston and having a first end extending beyond the first open end of the connector hole for connection to a first nut on the first side of the first flange component;
- and
- a second stud connected to the piston and having a second end extending beyond the second open end of the connector hole to the second flange component for connection to a second nut on the fourth side of the second flange component,
- wherein the movement of the piston in the at least one direction by the hydraulic pressure pulls at least one of the first and second studs in tension in the at least one direction against the corresponding nut connected thereto.
A flange connection, comprising:
- a first flange component having first and second sides and having at least one connector hole defined therein, the at least one connector hole having first and second open ends on the first and second sides and having a hydraulic port communicating with the at least one connector hole;
- a connector for connecting the first flange component to a second flange component having a third side positioned adjacent the second side of the first flange component and having a fourth side, the connector at least including—
- a piston disposed in the at least one connector hole and movable therein in at least one direction by hydraulic pressure applied through the hydraulic port;
- a first stud connected to the piston and having a first end extending beyond the first open end,
- a first nut connected to the first end of the first stud on the first side of the first flange component,
- a second stud connected to the piston and having a second end extending beyond the second open end to the second flange component,
- a second nut connected to the second end of the second stud on the fourth side of the second flange component,
- wherein the movement of the piston in the at least one direction by the hydraulic pressure pulls at least one of the first and second studs in tension in the at least one direction against the corresponding nut connected thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.