Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
~ ~ 726~8
-- 1 --
The field of this invention relates to the connection
together of first and second flowline members for fluid
flow therethrough after a damaged portion thereof has been
removed and in particular, to the re-establishment of a
connection between the severed portions of an underwater
pipeline.
Typically, in making repairs for an underwater pipe-
line, it is necessary to remove a damaged section and re-
place that section with a new, undamaged pipeline section.
Such a replacement requires underwater welding, which is
extremely time-consuming and a technically difficult task.
Various coupling devices have been developed to eliminate
the need for such underwater welding procedures.
Of such devices, numerous types are hydraulically
actuated such as thbse shown in United States Patents Nos.
3,393,926; 3,704,033; 3,707,025 and 3,830,526. However,
some such couplers are not based upon hydraulic actuation
~ but a mechanical action between the component parts there-
;~ of. For example, ~nited States Patents Nos. 4,109,945 and
20 4,138,147 to the instant inventors are indicative of several
types of coupling devices incorporating mechanical actuation
for joining pipe sections by means of gripping and sealing
; pipeline sections theretogether. Other examples of mechani-
cal type connectors include those found in United States
; 25 Patents Nos. 1,479,650; 1,604,580; 1,654,463; 2,459,956;
2,832,615; 2,850,301; 3,097,866; 3,977,702; 3,997,199;
4,000,921 and 4,006,921. However, so far as is known,
all such connectors depend upon sealing being effectuated
between the connector attached to one flowline member and
the second flowline member by means of primary sealing en-
gaging the outer annular surface of a specially machined
pipeline section on an undamaged portion of the flowline
member. Such sealing is typically formed by means of elas-
tomeric type seals that move radially inwardly in response
to axial movement of ~arious portions of the connector
! ~ 7 2 6~ 8
-- 2 ~
apparatus. So far as is known, no attempts have been made
to utili2e and effectuate a metal-to-metal seal adjacent
the butt end surface of the flowline connector for estab-
lishing a sealable relation between the connector and the
undamaged portion of the flowline member.
According to the invention there is provided an
apparatus for connecting first and second flowline members
for fluid flow therethrough, comprising:
a first hbusing member adapted to be mounted with
the first flowline member, said first housing member hav-
ng a first bore and a second bore formed therein, said
first bore being of an inside diameter substantially the
same as the inside diameter of the second flowline member,
~ said second bore being of an inside diameter substantially
: 15 the same as the outside diameter of the second flowline
member, said first housing member having a radial lip formed
adjacent said first and second bores;
a seal ring for sealably engaging the butt end sur-
:~ face of the second flowline member for effecting a fluid-
:~ 20 tight relation therebetween, said seal ring mounted in said
: ~ first housing member adjacent said radial lip;
a second housing member mounted for axial movement
with respect to said first housing member;
gripping means with said second housing member for
~5 moving radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the
second flowline member upon axial movement of said second
: housing member relative to said first housing member;
a first flange mounted for movement about said first
housing member;
a second flange mounted for movement adjacent an
outer end of sai.d second housing member;~
moving means for axially moving said first flange
towards second second flange, said moving mean~ mounted with
said first and second flanges; and,
said second flange is formed having a first annular
: surface, a first radial surface adjacent said first annular
surface, a second annular surface adjacent said first radial
~ ~ 7~668
-- 3 --
surface, a second radial surface adjacent said second
annular surface and a third annular surface adjacent said
second radial surface, said first annular surface having
a diarneter slightly larger than the outside diameter of
the second flowline men~er and said third annular surface
having a diameter substantially the same as the outside
diameter of said second housing member.
Further features of the invention will be apparent
from the following description with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a schematic, elevational view of a platform
showing a flowline having the apparatus of the present
invention as affixed to the flowline at various positions;
Fig. 2A-2E schematically illustrate the method for
using the apparatus of the present invention for repairiny
a 10wline; and
Fig. 3 is a sectional, elevational view of the
apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
tion.
Reerring to the drawings, the letter F designates
generally a flowline or a pipeline which is located under
water. Such a flowline F for any number of reasons may
have a damaged area D that must be removed, requiring re-
placement of such a damaged area. Accordingly, the flowline
F must be severed înto a first flowline member Fl and a
second flowline member F2, which must thereafter be recon-
nected together for fluid flow therethrough for transferring
fluids, such as oil, gas and the like through the pipeline
F. The apparatus A of the present invention is adapted to
be connected to the flowline F to reconnect the fluid flow
through the irst flowline member Fl that has been severed
from the second 10wline member F2. Unless otherwise speci-
fied, it is preferred that the components of the apparatus A
of the present invention preferably be formed of steel or
other suitable high-strength materials capable of taking heavy
stresses and strains t~pically encountered by such apparatus
A when operating in its intended conditions and environment.
.~
~ 1 7266~
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The apparatus ~ of-the present invention includes a
first housing mem~er designated generally as Hl adapted to
be affixed to the first flowline Fl and.receive a portion of
the flowline F2 therein. A second housing member designated
generall~ as H2 is mounted for axial movement with respect
to the first housing member Hl. The housing member Hl
includes housing 10 which is a hollow, cylindrical member
having a first bore 10a and a second bore l0b formed therein.
The first bore 10a preferably is of an inside diameter
substantially the same as the inside diameter of the flowline
membex F. The second bore 10b is preferably of an inside
diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the
outer sur~ace 14 of.the flowline member F. A rad.ial lip 10c
is formed adjacent the first and second bores 10a, 10b of-
15. the housing 10. A:radial end surface 10d is formed-adjacent
the second bore 10b with an outer annular surface l0e formed
adjacent theretoO A radial f~ange surface 10f is formed
adjacent annular surface 10e with annular flange surface 10g
formed adjacent thereto. Outer.annular surface 10h is
20 formed adjacent annular flange surface 10g, with the annular
surface 10h preferably being of a tapered configuration for
the reasons set forth hereinbelow. End surface 10i is
;- - formed between outer annular surface 10h and first bore 10a.
An opening 10j is preferably formed extending between the
.outex annulax surface 10e and the second bore 10b as dis-
cussed more fully hereinbelow.
The second housing H2 includes housing 16 which is
mounted for axial movement with respect-to the first housing
10. The second housing.16 includes an internal bore 16a
formed therein and adapted to receiYe the outer annular
suxface 10e of housing 10 therein for relative axial move-
ment between the housing members Hl, ~2. A radial lip 16bis formed adjacent internal bore 16a with a plurality of
: collet camming surfaces formed adjacent the radial lip 16b.
3S A collet camming surface 16c is formed in an annular,
spiralling conic surface confiyuration. Thrust ring detent
16d is formed adjacent collet camming surface 16c with end
~ 1 72~68
5 -
surface 16e formed adja¢ent thereto. Outer annular surface
16~ extends between end surface 16e and ~nd surf~ce 16g.
The apparatus A of the present invention further
includes seal ring S for sealably engaging the flowline
member F. Pre~erably the seal ring 18 is formed of a steel
or other metal that may be either soter or harder as com-
pared with the flowline member F, as desired. The seal ring
S includes seal ring 18 mounted in the first housing member
Hl adjacent radial lip lOc such that surface 18a of the seal
ring 18 abuts radial lip lOc. The outer annular surface 18b
of seal ring 18 is adapted to be disposed within second bore
lOb of housing 10 with the boxe 18c of the seal ring 18
approximating the first bore lOa of housing 10 and inside
diameter 12 of flowline member F. The seal ring 18 further
includes a surface 18d which extends between the bore 18c
and outer annular surface 18b. The surface 18d, preferably
beveled, is adapted to engage a similarly formed butt end
surface 20 of the second 10wline member F2, as discussed
more fully hereinbelow. It will be appreciated that the
surface 18d and butt-end surface 20 may be beveled, V-
shaped, radial, grooved or any other suitable configuration
as is necessary, or desired.
The apparatus A of the present invention further
includes gripping means designated genèrally as G with the
second housing member H2 for moving radially inwardly into
gripping engagement with the second flowline member Fl upon
axial movement of the second housing member H2 towards the
first housing member ~1. The gripping means G includes a
collet member 22 having an annular, spiralling collet
camming surface 22a formed on the outer surface thereof and
- a plurality of gripping surfaces 22b formed on the inner
surface thereof, with end surfaces 22c, 22d formed adjacent
each end thereof. The gripping means G of the present
invention further includes the housing czmming surface 16c
which cooperates with collet camming surface 22a. Preferably
the collet member 22 is formed having a plurality of slots
such as slot 22e that extends from end surface 22d towards
end surface 22c to slot end 22f. Other slots (not shown)
! 1 7 2 6 6 8
extend from end surface 22c to~ards end surface 22d. The
slots 22e permit the coliet member 22 to flex radially
inwardly and outwardly in response to action o the collet
camming surace 22a of the collet member 22 in engagement
5 with the housing camming surface 16c of housing 16, upon
axial movement of the housing H2 wit~ respect to the housing
Hl.
The apparatus ~ of the present invention further
includes sealing means desiynated generally as 24. Prefer-
ably, the sealing means includes a seal member 24a forsealing the first and second housing members Hl, H2 with the
second flowline member-F2 upon axial movement of the second
housing member H2.towards the first housing member Hl.
Preferably, the sealing means 24 includes a seal member 24a
which is mountable in the internal bore 16a of housing 16
between the gripping means G and the first housing member
Hl. Preferably, the seal member 24a is of a suitable
elastomeric material and is adapted to be mounted adjacent
annular end surface lOd of housing member Hl and thrust riny
~0 26. Alternatively,.the-seal means 24 may be a suitable
spring (not shown) as discussed more fully hereinbelow. The
thrust ring 26 is adapted to engage end surface 22d of
collet member 22 and the sealing means-~4 to confine the
seal means 24 therebetween the thrust ring 26 and end
surface lOd of housing 10. Axial movement of the second
housing member H2 towards the first housing member Hl
results in the end surface 22d of the collet member 22
acting upon the thrust ring 26 to compress the sealing means
24 between the thrust.ring 26 and end surface lOd. Thus,
surface 26a o~ thrust ring 26 engages end surface 22d of
collet member 22 and surface 26b of thrust ring 26 engages
the seal member 24a of the sealing means 24. Compression of
the sealing means 24 between the thrust ring 26 and end
surface lOd causes deformation of the sealing means 24 such
that it expands radially inwardly into engagement with the
second flowline member F2 as discussed more fully herein-
below.
Preferably, a suitable seal 28 is mounted with the
first housing member Hl in detent lOk formed in outer
_7- i ?72668
annular surface l~e for insuring a flu~d tight relation
~etweën outer annular surface lOe'and internal bQre 16a.
A thrust member 30 is adapted to be disposed adjacent
-thrust ring detent 16d of housing 16 with surface 30a of the
thrust member 30 conforming substantially to that of the
thrust ring detent 16d. The thrust member 30 is further
formed having a radial surface 30b that is adapted to be in
alignment with end surface 16e of housing 16 when positioned
in thrust ring detent 16d. Annular surface 30c is formed
adjacent radial surface 30b with radial surface 30d'formed
adjacenk annular surface 30c. The thrust member 30 is
further formed having a bore 30e therethrough that is pref-
ferably slightly larger than the outside diameter 14 of the
second flowline member-~2. A sealing member 32, of a
preferably elastomeric material, is adapted to be disposed
adjacent to radial surface 30d of thrust member 30 as
discussed more fully hereinbelow.
The apparatus A o the present invention furth r
includes a first flange 3~ and a second flange 36, with the
first flange 34 mounted for movement about the first housing
member Hl and a second flange 36 adapted to be mounted for
movement adjacent the outer end of the second housing member
~2. Preferabiy, the first flange 34 is formed having an
annuiar surface 34a, radial surfaces 34b, 34c, and outer
annular surface 34d. A plurality of openings 34e are
preerably formed about the circumference of the first
flange 34 with the openings 34e being substantially parallel
with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus A of the present
invention. Preferably~ the first flange 34 is mounted such
that the inner annular surface 34a is in engagement with
annular flange 5urface lOg of housing 10 and radial surface
34c engages radial flange surface lOf of`the housing 10 of
the first housing member Hl. In such configuration, the
first flange 34 may rotate about the first housing member
Hl. Surface lOh enhances the ease of mounting the first
flange 34 with the first housing member Hl.
-8- ll 72~
The second flange 36.is mounted for mo~ement adjacent
t~e outer end of the second.housïng member H2 and is formed
having a first annular surface 36a, a first radial surface
36b adjacent the first annular surface 36a, a second annular
surface 36c adjacent the first radial surface 36b, a second
radial surface 36d.adjacent the second annular surface 36c,
and a third annular surface 36e adjacent the second radial
surface 36d. The'first annular surface 36a has a diameter
slightly larger than the outside diameter 14 of the-second
flowline member F2 and'the third annular surface 36e has
a diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of
the second housing member H2 as shown by th'e outer annular
surface 16f. End surfaces 36f, 36g are formed with the
second flange 36. A plurality of openings 36h are formed
1~ about the circumference of the second flange 36 with the
: openings 36h being substantially parallel to the axis of the
apparatus A of the present invention and adapted to be in
alignment with the openings 34e of first flange 34. The
:: sealing member 32 is adapted to be disposed between the
first radial surface 36d and the radial surface 30d of the
thrust member 30 for engaging .the second flowline member F2
' upon axial movement between the second flange 36 and thrust
'. member 30, forcing the sealing member 32 radially inwardly
into engagement'with the outer surface 14 of the flowline
. '25 member ~2. Preferably.j a seal 38 such as O-ring 38a is
adapted to be disposed within a suitable detent 16h formed
in housing 16 to sealably engage third annular sur~ace 36c.
of second ~lange 36.
' .The apparatus A of the present invention further
30 includes moving means designated generally as 40 for axially
moving the first flange 34 toward-the second flange 3~. The
moving means 40 is mounted with the first and second flanges
34, 36, respectively. The moving means 40 may be any
suitable mechanism for drawing the first flanye 34 towards
the second flange 36. As shown in Fig. 3,' the moving means
40 includes a plurality of threaded bolts 40a adapted to
receive suitably formed nuts 40b and lock nuts 40c for
~ 17266~
drawing the flanges .34, 36 together. The apparatus A of the
present invention is not intended to be limited by the use
of threaded bolts 40a and is onl~ an example of a means for
axially moving the flanges 34, 36 theretogether. The
threaded bolts 4Oa are adapted to be inserted in openings
34e, 36h upon proper alignment for drawing the flanges 34,
36 toget~;er in response to tightening action of nut 40b in
engagement with the threaded shaft of the threaded bolts
40a.
As is shown in Fig. 1, it is typical for a platform
such as platform 42 to have at-least one, if not a plurality
of flowline members F extending from the platform below the
surface 44 of the water downwardly and along the platform
supports 42a to adjacent the floor 46 of the body of water,
be it a lakel ocean, or any other type of reservoir. The
apparatus A of the present invention is aAapted to connect
first and second flowline members Fl, F2 for fluid flow
therethrough and as shown in Fig. 1 may be used either at a
substantially horizontal or a preferable vertical position
or the reasons set forth more fully hereinbelow.
As shown in Fig.- 2, the appaxatus A of the present
inv~ntion may be used for repairing a damaged portion D of
the damaged flowline F. By way of example, as shown i~ Fig.
2A, a flowline F typically is exposed to an a~ueous environ-
ment that may, because of corrosive effects cause damage tothe flowline or because of objects (i.e. ships, debris)
floating on the surface 44 of the water the flowline may
incur damage as shown in Fig. 2B adjacent the damaged area
D. In the event of damage to the flowline F, the aamaged
area D must be removed.- In order to remove the damaged area
D, the flowline F must be cut to remove the damaged area D,
leaving intact the undamaged portion of the flowline F. As
shown in Fig. 2C, the first flowline member Fl has the
damaged area D therewith and accordingly after cutting of
the flowline member F, the first flowline member Fl must be
removed leaving the second flowline member F2 which is
undamaged, intact.
-lo ' 1 7 2 6~ 8
When cutting the damaged.flowline member Fl rom the
undamaged po~tion F2, such ~an be accomplished wi.th a
conventional pipe cutter ~not shown) which may be actuated
in any suitable manner. During the cutting thereof, a
surface such as butt end surface 20 may be machined at the
end of the undamaged portion of the ~lowline F2 with such
surface being compatible with similarly formed surface 18d
of the seal ring 18. It will be appreciated that any
suitably formed end surface may be formed, for example, a
bevel surface as is shown. A beveled surface is presently
capable of being machined with existing state of the art
cutting devices used for severing the flowline members in an
a~ueous environment.
A new section of.pipe is thereafter affixed with the-
`-~ 15 . apparatus A of the present invention by weldments 48 (Fig.
3) or any other suitable fashion affixed to a new portion of
: the first flowline member Fl which in effect secures the
first housing member Hl of the apparatus ~ to the replacement
portion of the flowline Fl. The apparatus A having been
affixed to the replacement first flowline member Fl is
loosely assembled with all component parts thereof being in
a released, non-sealing, non-gripping position, with the
moving means 40 loosely holding all component parts there-
together. As shown in Fig. 2D, the first flowline member Fl
with the apparatus A is thereafter lowered into the aqueous
environment and made ready to be positioned-over the un-
damaged, original second flowline member F2. Thus, theconnector apparatus A having the first housing member ~1 and
second housing member H2 therewit~ is positioned over the
undamaged portion of the flowline member F2 such that the
butt end surface 20 of the second flowline member F2 engages
the surface 18d oE the seal ring 18 in an abutting relation-
ship. Thereafter, the first and second housing members Hl,
H2 are moved axially toward each other to effectuatP an
abutting, sealable relation between the hutt end surface 20
of the undamaged porkion of the second flowline member F2
7 726~
(
and the seal ring i8 and to grip the undamaged portion of
the seco~d flowline member F2 wi~h g~ipping means G with the
second housing member.H2.. More specifically, as the second
.flowline member F2 is inserted within.the appara'tus A of the
present invent.ion, the'second flowline mem~er F2 having an
outside diameter 14 less than the first annular surface 36a
of the second flange,:bore 30e, bore 26c of thrust ring 26,
and second'bore lOb of housing 10, permits the second
flowline member F2 to extend- therethrough-the second housing
member-H2 into the first housing member ~1 such that the
butt end surface 20 of the second flowline member F2 abuttingly
engages the surface 18d of the seal ring 18. When inserting
the flowline member F2 into the apparatus A in a non-actuated,
non-sealing, non-gripping position, the end surface 16e o'f
housing 16 and radial' surface ~Ob of thrust member 30 do not
engage the second radial sur~ace 36d of second flange 36 as
shown in Fig. 3. Further, the collet camming surface 22a of
collet member 22 is not displaced from the housing camming
surface 16c of housing.16 as shown in Fig. 3,. but correspond
substantially identically with one another with all radial
surfaces thereof engaging one another. Furthermore, the
surface 26a of thrust ring 26 is displaced from radial lip
16d of the housing 16 a greater distance than 1 5 shown in
Fig. 3 with the sealing means 24 and sealing member 32 being
in relaxed, non-compressed positions not in engagement with
the outer annular surface 14 of the second flowline member
F2.
Thereafter, the first and second housins members Hl, H2
'are moved axially toward each other to effectuate an abutting
sealable relation between the butt end surface 20 of the
second flowline member F2 and the surface 18d of the seal
ring 18 and to grip the second flowline member ~2 with
gripping means G with the second housing member H2. Upon
tightening of the moving means 40, the first flange 34 and
second'flange 36 are moved axially towards one another. It
is preferred that alternate tightening of the'multiple
12- t ~726~
threaded bolts 40a in an alternating patter~.be.utilized to
insure aligned axial movement of the flanyes 34, 36.towards
one another. As the flanges'.34,.36 are moved.toward one
another, the first housing member Hl and second housing
member H2 move together with a sliding relation between
outer annular surface lOe.and internal bore 16a of housings
10, 16, respectively. As the housing members'~l, H2 move
: toward one another, a fluid-tight mechanical seal is effec
~ tuated between the butt end surface 20 and surface 18d of
:; 10 the seal ring 18. Furtliermore, the second flange 36 engages
: the second housing member ~2 and thrust member 30 therewith,
compressing of the sealing m~mber 32 to result in a seal'able
relation therebetween-the sealing member 32 and the outer
annular surface 14 of-the second flowline member F2. As the
: 15 second housing'member H2 moves with respect to the first .
housing member Hl, the housing camming surface 16c acts
against the collet camming surface 22a, with relative
movement therebetween forcing the collet member 22 into
' ~ripping engagement with the second flowline member F2 by
means of the gripping surface ~2b grippingly engaging the
second flowline member F2. Further, movement of the collet
member 22 results in movement of-the thrust ring 26'towards
th first housing member Hl resulting in compression of the
sealing means 24 therebetween the thrust ring 26 and end
surface lOd of housing 10 with the sealing means 24 being in
: sealable- engagement with-tXe outer annular surface 14 of the
' second flowline member F2. As a consequence, the second
flowline member F2 is effectively made a part of the first
flowline.member.Fl by means o~ the'apparatus A of the
present invention providing an appropriate sealing and
gripping action.
It will be appreciated that the collet member 22 acts
as a tension collet only, with there being no need for a
compression-collet inasmuch as the second 10wline member F2
is in an abutting, sealable relation with the seal ring 18.
Thus the seal ring 18 acts as a compression collet as well
as a sealing member. Further, the weight of the apparatus
-13-
~ 7 7266~
A and first flowline member Fl tend to force the butt end
surfa-ce 20 into ~he seal rin~ 18, when the flowline F is
vertically oriented. Furthermore, the clamping force of the
collet member 22 of the grippiny means G about the undamaged
portion of the second flowline member F2 helps to round out
the pipe ~o insure a proper abutting relation between the
butt end surface 20 and the seal ring 18.
After the apparatus A of the presPnt invention is
properly positioned and affixed with the second flowline
10' member, the same may be tested by means of opening lOj.
Upon pressurizing the flowline F, if a fluid-tight relation
has not been achieved~ leakage will occur and be detected
through opening lOj in the housing 10. If leakage should
occur, then the moving means 40 need merely be unloosened,
lS the housing members Hl, H~ separated, the apparatus A
repositioned, and the process of retightening the appara~us
A of the present invention reaccomplished as set forth
hereinabove until a proper suitable relation is manifest
; - between the second flowline member F2 and the seal ring 18
as well as between the second flowline member F2, sealing
means 24, and seal 28. Alternatively, if the sealing means
24 is replaced with a suitable spring (not shown~, the
integrity of the fluid seal may be checked between the seal
' ring 18, seal 28 and sealing member 32.
Thus, the apparatus of the'present invention and method
of repairing a flowline using same provides a new and Lm-
proved apparatus and method for positively connecting two
flowline members together. Furthermore, the apparatus A of
the present invention requires no special preparation to the
second flowline member F other th'an the need to utilize a
pipecutter (not shown~ to cut an appropriately shaped butt
end surface 20 to engage similarly formed surface 18d on the
seal ring 18 without requiring any special polishing or
machining of the outside diameter or any other special
; 35 procedures-to the second flowline member F2 before utilizing
the apparatus A of the present invention.
~ ~ 7266~
The foregoin~ disclosure and description of.the in-
vention are.~liustrative a~d explanatory thereof, and
various changes in size, shape and material as well as in
details of the illustrated constrUCtiOn may.be made without
departing from the spirit of this invention.
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