Patent ID: 6467988
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: F01D,F16B,F16L,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A flanged joint connection comprising:a. a pair of first and second abutting end flanges carried by respective ones of a pair of flanged casing sections, the flanges each having a plurality of spaced, aligned openings extending therethrough and a fillet at a junction of the flange and an adjacent surface of the casing section; b. a bolt having a bolt head and an externally threaded bolt body extending from the bolt head, wherein the bolt head is in surface contact with a first flange surface that extends transversely relative to a casing surface of a first casing component and wherein the bolt body extends through the aligned openings and outwardly beyond a flange surface that extends transversely relative to a casing surface of a second casing component; c. a nut threadedly engaged with the threaded bolt body adjacent the transversely-extending flange surface of the second flange; and d. a spacer positioned between and in surface contact with each of the nut and the transversely-extending flange surface of the second flange, the spacer having an opening therethrough for receiving the bolt body and including a substantially rectilinear outer edge portion positioned adjacent the flange fillet of the second flange and in substantially tangential relationship with an imaginary circle having its center coincident with the longitudinal axis of the casing sections, for rectilinearly distributing over a greater part of the second flange stresses that are induced in the casing second flange when the nut is tightened against the spacer.