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US 8,944,721 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for insertion of gaskets
AssigneeFlange Skillets International, LLC
InventorKeith D. Field
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gasket insertion apparatus and method for inserting a gasket between the adjoining faces of a flange assembly are provided. The gasket insertion apparatus includes a frame, a member and a wire. The frame has a first end, a second end and an inner gripping surface. The first and second ends have guides. The member has a first end portion attached to the frame and a second portion extending away from the frame. The wire is anchored to at least one of the frame and the member such that it movably adjusts within the guides and secures the gasket within the inner gripping surface.
Claims23
A system, comprising:
- a gasket;
- a flange assembly having two flanges, the two flanges having a plurality of bolt holes;
- and a gasket insertion apparatus, the gasket insertion apparatus having a curved frame including a first end, a second end, an inner peripheral curved surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having gripping members, the outer surface having a first groove formed in the first end of the curved frame and a second groove formed in the second end of the curved frame;
- a handle shaft attached to the frame, the handle shaft having a proximal end attached to the frame and a distal end extending away from the frame;
- a handle grip attached to the distal end of the shaft, the handle grip configured to be gripped by at least one of a human hand and a manipulation arm of an underwater remotely operated vehicle;
- a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and the second ends of the wire are anchored to at least one of the handle grip and the handle shaft such that the wire is secured to the arced frame and the gasket is secured within the inner surface of the frame;
- and at least one tensioning member anchored to at least one of the handle shaft and the handle grip, the tensioning member adjustable such that at least one of a first and second portion of the tensioning member tightens against at least one of:
- (a) a first portion of the wire extending between the at least one of the handle shaft and the handle grip and the first groove and (b) a second portion of the wire extending between the at least one of the handle shaft and the handle grip and the second groove such that the wire and secures the gasket within the inner surface of the frame, wherein the wire adjustably moves within the first groove and the second groove when tightened and the first and second grooves guide the wire, wherein the handle shaft includes a slit, the slit providing flexion in the gasket insertion apparatus, wherein a portion of the handle spans between edges of adjacent bolt holes on the adjoining flanges when joined.
5 more elements
A gasket insertion apparatus, comprising:
- a frame having a first end, a second end and an inner surface, the first and second ends having guides;
- a member having a first end portion attached to the frame and a second portion extending away from the frame;
- and a wire anchored to the apparatus such that it movably adjusts within the guides and secures a gasket within the inner surface;
- and a tensioning member secured to the member, wherein at least one of a first and second portion of the tensioning member tightens against at least one of:
- (a) a first portion of the wire extending between the member and the first end and (b) a second portion of the wire extending between the member and the second end.
2 more elements
A method of inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments comprising the steps of:
- (a) mounting a fluid sealing gasket in a gasket insertion apparatus including an arced frame having a first end, a second end and an inner surface, the first and second ends having guides;
- a member having a first end portion attached to the arced frame and second portion extending away from the arced frame;
- a wire anchored to the apparatus;
- and a tensioning member secured to the member, wherein at least one of a first and second portion of the tensioning member tightens against at least one of:
- (a) a first portion of the wire extending between the member and the first end and (b) a second portion of the wire extending between the member and the second end;
- (b) adjusting the wire such that it secures the gasket within the inner surface;
- (c) bringing the gasket insertion apparatus with the mounted gasket to an underwater location having a bolted flange connection;
- (d) aligning the adjoining flanges by inserting at least two alignment pins through selected bolt holes of each of the adjoining flanges;
- (e) grasping the member of the gasket insertion apparatus with at least one of a human hand and a manipulator arm of an underwater remotely operated vehicle;
- (f) inserting the gasket insertion apparatus with the mounted gasket between the adjoining flanges;
- (g) bolting the adjoining flanges together with the bolts;
- (h) at least one of cutting and releasing the wire;
- and
- (i) removing the apparatus from between the adjoining flanges such that the gasket remains in place between the adjoining flanges.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.