Untitled record

EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY (EURATOM).

PATENT

TELEMANIPULABLE FITTING FOR TWO PIPE ENDS

The invention relates to a remotely operated connector for connecting two pipe ends, each of which is provided with an end flange with an inclined rear flank, this connector comprising several jaws which are fixed in a mount while being radially movable under the control of. a remote manipulator, and are arranged around the two end flanges of the pipes to be connected by cooperating by inclined flanks with the inclined flanks of the two flanges when the frame applies them radially against the pipes, this frame being fixed to one of the two pipes.

Such remote fittings are available on the market. These known fittings are essentially composed of three jaws, one of which is rigidly fixed to a base plate integral with one of the pipes, while the other two are movable under the control of a remote-controlled screw. Thus, in one of the extreme positions of the movable jaws, they release the end flanges of the pipes while they couple the two pipes by cooperating with the inclined sides of the end flanges of the pipes when the movable jaws are brought closer to the axis. pipe.

This known connection has several drawbacks. On the one hand, the clamping of the ends of the pipes between a fixed jaw I -, 1

- 2 and two movable jaws introduces an aspect of asymmetry, which increases the risk of an oblique connection and therefore a loss of tightness. In addition, this known connection is very bulky and also requires access by a remote manipulator at the height of the connection plane. However, this is just the place where the pipes themselves have an enlarged diameter and often the access place for a remote manipulator is not available.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to provide a connection for pipes as specified above, the size of which is reduced and the remote manipulator does not need access to the level of the connection plane.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a telescopic connector as specified above, which is characterized in that the frame is composed of an annular cage and means for axial displacement of this cage between two extreme positions relative to the pipes, that the cage encloses all the jaws and defines an increasing internal diameter, so that, when the jaws are at the height of the maximum diameter, which is the case when the cage is in a first extreme axial position, the jaws can move back from the collars by releasing them, while when the cage approaches the second extreme axial position, the cage, thanks to its decreasing diameter, supports the jaws against the flanges, and in that the displacement means comprise remotely manipulated screws, the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the pipes. .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the jaws are provided with a rim which has a wall oriented towards the axis of the pipes, and that the cage is provided with a corresponding rim, so that the two walls s 'engage each other when the cage approaches said first extreme axial position, which allows the jaws to move away from the flanges of the pipes.

- 3 It is also useful to choose a frustoconical shape for the outer back of the jaws and / or for the inner surface of the cage so that the axial displacement of the cage in the direction of the second extreme position causes the jaws to move radially and progressively towards the inside.

In addition, it is useful to provide radial pins on which the jaws are guided and which prevent their axial movement, while allowing their radial movement.

In order to hold the jaws at the start of a connection operation away from the collars, elastic means are preferably provided which are associated with the jaws and tend to move the jaws away from the axis of the pipes.

The invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of an exemplary embodiment and three figures.

Fig. 1 shows the remote-controlled connection according to the invention in axial section.

Fig. 2 shows a view in the axial direction of this same connection.

Fig. 3 shows an orthogonal section of the fitting according to arrows A and B in fig. 1.

In fig. 1 shows two pipe ends which are each welded to a terminal flange 1 and 2 respectively. The elements of the remote-handling connection consist of a cage comprising two rings 4 and 12, six jaws 10 and means for axial displacement of this cage. All these elements of the connection are mounted on the upper flange 1, which is generally a flexible or mobile pipe.

Close to the connection plane, the two flanges each comprise a circular groove, which defines a flange 13 and 14 respectively with inclined rear sides.

In the connection plan, 1 a circular housing for venable.

a gasket 3 is provided on the side of the sealing flange as in the prior art, the inclined planes of the flanges 13 and 14 collaborate with corresponding inclined planes of the jaws 10 so that these jaws exert a force in the axial direction on the pipes, when they approach radially the flanges 13 and 14. They are therefore mounted on the flange 1 by means of radial pins 9, which hold the jaws in position relative to the connection plane while allowing their radial displacement. The left part shows the connection in closed position and the right part of fig. 1 shows the same connection in the open position.

The cage which is made up for constructive reasons of two rings 4 and 12 has an upper part of decreasing diameter and a lower part of a relatively large diameter. When the connection is open, the cage is in its extreme position shown on the right part of FIG. 1, and the jaws 10 move away by means of springs 11 from the axis of the pipes. By lowering the cage, the outer back of the jaws rests against the inner wall of decreasing diameter of the ring 4. The jaws are therefore gradually pushed towards the axis of the pipes, until they engage with the. inclined plane of the flanges 13, 14 (left part of FIG. 1). The axial displacement of the cage is effected in the direction of opening by extraction screws 5 and in the direction of> closing by thrust screws 7. As can be seen in FIG. 2, three thrust screws 7 are provided at a mutual angular distance of 120 °. Since the forces to be implemented for the opening are less, it suffices to provide two extraction screws 5 in diametral positions. Of course, the two types of screws 5 and 7 can be combined. These screws are fitted with circlips 6 and 8 to prevent them from unscrewing completely. The arrangement of the thrust screws and screws'. 4

- 5 extraction means that none of the five screws can be hidden by a curvature possibly given to the pipe 1. This offers easy access to the telemanipulator, even if at the level of the connection plane itself_r there is no space available.

The slope at the outer back of the jaws 10 and preferably the same slope at the inner wall of the crown 4 is relatively low, preferably between 5 and 10%, which ensures a self-locking effect of the connector, even if accidentally, 'one of the screws 7 loosens.

To assemble the fitting, first the ring 4 is threaded onto the flange 1 and the two extractors 5 on which are then mounted the circlips 6 are screwed from below. These circlips also serve as end stop, when the cage is in the closed position.

Then, the three thrust screws are screwed in and circlips 8 are mounted on these screws, which also serve as an end stop for these screws 7.

Then, the six pins 9 are screwed onto the flange 1 and the six jaws 10 are threaded onto these pins. In the central groove of the jaws 10, the leaf spring 11 is mounted, which has ~ the function of maintaining the jaws in the open position.

Finally, the ring 12 is mounted by screwing on the ring 4

To make the connection, first the seal 3 is mounted on the flange 1, fixing it by means of a suitable system.

The screws 7 are in their upper position, as are the two extractors 5. As can be seen in FIG. 1, each jaw 10 has an edge, which has a wall oriented towards the axis of the pipes. In the high position of the cage, this wall is in contact with a corresponding edge of the cage, so that the jaws are kept away from the flanges of the

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- 6 pipes. The flange 1 is then aligned with the flange 2, and they are brought together so as to put the flanges in contact.

Then, the two extractors 5 are screwed in fully up to the stop against the circlip 6. The central hole of the ring 12 is adapted to the outside diameter of the flange 2 and is therefore automatically centered. Now screw the three push screws 7 (even one at a time) until you meet some resistance. Final locking is obtained when this resistance corresponds to a predetermined tightening torque.

During the downward movement of the ring 4, the internal conical part of this ring slides on the frustoconical back of the jaws 10 and moves them radially towards the center, while the jaws are guided by the pins 9.

At the end of the stroke, the position according to the left part of fig. 1 is reached.

To disconnect the connector with a view to opening the circuit, first unscrew the three screws 7 (even one at a time) by placing them in the upper position with the circlip 8 in the stop. Then, the two extractor screws 5 are unscrewed (if possible simultaneously to obtain a major force) until the inner edge of the ring 12 rests on the corresponding chamfer of the edge at the base of the jaws 10. If the release of the six jaws had not yet taken place thanks to the springs 11, this release is necessarily obtained by engaging the edge of the ring 12 with the edge of the jaws 10. When the two extractors 5 are raised to the stopper, the complete connection with the flange 1 can be moved away from the flange 2 for its removal.

It should be noted that the part which remains fixed on a given circuit is only the flange 2, the remainder being removable and forms a compact whole and integral with the flange 1 that it is desired to move away from this circuit. All parts of the fitting - .4 ί

- 7 can thus be transferred to another place for possible handling. '

As the connection is self-centering and undeformable, it can be fitted in service in a horizontal or vertical position.

Within the framework of the invention, it is possible to combine the 'screws 5 and 7 in a single type of screw, which is similar to the screw 5, completed by a second circlip such as 8.

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