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.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for insertion of gaskets and, more particularly, to an apparatus for and a method of inserting fluid sealing gaskets between flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections of underwater pipe line sections. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In laying underwater pipelines, divers or remotely operated vehicles (“ROV”s) are often utilized to bolt together opposing connector flanges of adjacent pipe sections. A fluid sealing gasket is typically installed between the flanges. Some flange assemblies, such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specified ring-type joint (RTJ) flange assemblies, are designed such that there is a space or gap between the flange faces to allow all or a portion of a gasket insertion device to remain in the completed assembly once the gasket is in place. However, other types of RTJ flange assemblies, such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) specified (S)BX flange assemblies and “compact flange” assemblies, which use an SPO or IX/HX gasket, do not have a space or gap between the flange faces. In such situations, gasket insertion devices that are designed to leave a portion of the device inside of the flange assembly after placement of the gasket cannot be used because there is no gap to accommodate the remaining portion of the device. 
         [0003]    Certain currently available gasket placement devices, such as the apparatus described in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2011/0167607, are designed such that the lower portion of the frame within which the gasket is contained during placement is configured to break away from the remainder of the apparatus such that this lower portion remains in the flange with the gasket. Such devices are unusable in situations where little or no space is present between the flange faces to accommodate the breakaway portion of the apparatus. 
         [0004]    It is desirable to have a gasket placement tool that provides for easy gasket insertion and eliminates the breakaway portion of the aforementioned device. Further it is desirable to have a gasket placement tool that is configured to adequately restrain a gasket within its frame during transportation and placement. Additionally it is desirable for such a device to be configured such that the tool may be removed from the flange assembly after the gasket is in place. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved apparatus and method are provided for the insertion of fluid sealing gaskets between opposing faces of flange connectors fixed to the ends of pipe sections. The improved apparatus may include a handle suitable for use with both deep water diving suits and remotely operated vehicles. The handle may be attached to an open curved member within which a gasket is retained during placement. The apparatus may further include a retention wire configured to restrain the gasket in place within the curved member during placement. After gasket insertion and placement, the retention wire may be cut, and the wire and apparatus removed from the flange assembly. The apparatus may be provided with one or more holes in the handle to allow for the insertion of a threaded stud which will serve as a depth or alignment gauge to aid the diver in properly aligning the gasket between the bolt holes of adjoining flanges. The handle may have a slit at the top center of the curved member to allow for enough flex to make the removal of the apparatus from the gasket (upon insertion and placement) more reliable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a gasket insertion apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the gasket insertion apparatus of  FIG. 1  holding a gasket in place between the flange connectors of a pipeline, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the gasket insertion apparatus of  FIG. 1  containing a gasket and positioned above the flanges of a pipeline prior to gasket insertion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the gasket insertion gasket insertion apparatus of  FIG. 1  withdrawn from between the connecting flanges of a pipeline segment after a gasket has been inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a gasket insertion apparatus  10  for inserting a fluid sealing gasket between flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections. The apparatus  10  includes a flat, curved gasket-holder frame  12  having a handle  14 . The handle  14  includes a shaft  16 , the proximal end of which is attached to the frame  12  so that the handle shaft extends radially outward from the outer edge of the gasket-holder frame  12 . The apparatus  10  may be made of any structurally suitable material, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloys, steel, stainless steel, mild steel, polymeric composites, sheet metal, and industrial laminates. In some embodiments, the shape of frame  12  may be any of a curve, an arc, a semicircle, or any other shape appropriate to match the contour of a gasket  26  contained therein. 
         [0011]    In order to facilitate the removal of the entirety of apparatus  10  from within a flange assembly once a gasket has been positioned therein, frame  12  may have an open-ended shape, such as a “U” or semicircle, for example. The size of such an opening in frame  12  may be configured such that, once a gasket  26  has been positioned within a flange assembly, apparatus  10  is removed from the assembly, but gasket  26  remains in place by exiting apparatus  10  through the open end of frame  12  as apparatus  10  is pulled away. In an embodiment, the circumference of curved frame  12  is approximately 55% of the circumference of a completely circular frame of the same radius. This embodiment provide a large enough opening and surface area for a gasket  26  to exit upon positioning within a flange assembly while still stabilizing gasket  26  within frame  12  during transportation and placement. 
         [0012]    A handle grip  18  may be attached to the end of shaft  16  that is distal from the frame  12  and may be configured as an open trapezoidal shaped ring, or any other shape suitable for gripping. Thus, handle grip may be configured to be gripped by a hand (with or without a glove), a diving suit manipulator, and/or the manipulator of a ROV, for example. The handle shaft  16  may have a split or a slit  20  that extends along the length of the handle shaft  16 . Slit  20 , which begins on the inside edge of frame  12  and extends radially along handle shaft  16  allows apparatus  10  to flex, bend, or otherwise temporarily or permanently distort such that all of apparatus  10  may be removed from a flange assembly while leaving gasket  26  in place. In certain embodiments, slit  20  begins on the inside edge of frame  12  and extends radially along handle shaft  16  for a distance of ½ the total circular width of frame  12 . 
         [0013]    Handle grip  18  may be dimensioned to accommodate a human hand, a glove, a manipulator of a diving suit, and/or the robotic manipulators of a ROV. In some embodiments handle grip  18  may include various open geometric configurations such as a trapezoidal, triangular, circular, or rectangular ring-shaped configuration. In certain embodiments, handle grip  18  may have no opening and instead configured such that, for example, a user (or ROV manipulator) grips handle grip  18  by its outer edges. 
         [0014]    The interior periphery  24  of the curved frame  12  may be provided with a plurality of serrations or angularly cut teeth  22 . These teeth  22  serve to grab and hold in place a resilient gasket  26  positioned within the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12 . The gasket  26  is positioned on the frame so that the outer diameter of the gasket  26  will fit against the interior periphery  24  of the curved frame  12 . While teeth  22  are shown in  FIG. 1 , other arrangements may be used so long as they grip or secure gasket  26  to apparatus  10 . For example, serrations, threads, prongs, bumps, or any other appropriate shape may also be used. 
         [0015]    Retention wire  28  is anchored to handle grip  18  via holes  32 . Wire  28  may be solid, braided (as in a rope or a string), or any other suitable construct. Wire  28  may be comprised of nylon, copper, steel, aluminum, rubber, or any other suitable material, including various composite materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, retention wire  28  is a 1/32″ 3×7 stainless steel (US military spec grade) wire rope. In certain embodiments, holes  32  are ⅛″ holes. 
         [0016]    Retention wire  28  wraps around the outer circumference of frame  12  and makes contact with gasket  26  such that gasket  26  is restrained within the interior periphery  24  of frame  12 . Grooves  30  are in the outer circumferential edge of frame  12  and hold retention wire  28  in place such that wire  28  is prevented from slipping off of the surface frame  12 . Grooves  30  may be formed by etching, sawing, milling, or any other appropriate cutting technique. The width of grooves  30  is such that retention wire  28  remains engaged within the groove, but loose enough such that wire  28  can be pulled out of the groove once wire  28  has been cut. One or more tensioners  36  may be anchored to handle  16  vial hole  34 . Tensioners  36  may be adjustable and may be configured to pull retention wire  28  towards handle  16  such that retention wire  28  is tightened about gasket  26  once it is in place within interior periphery  24 . In certain embodiments, tensioners  36  may be cable-ties (for example, tie-wraps), rubber bands, turn buckles, or any appropriate tensioning device. For example,  FIG. 1  shows tensioners  36  as cable-ties. In such embodiments, One or more cable-ties  36  are looped around wire  28  and through hole  34 . Once gasket  26  is in place, the one or more cable-ties  36  may be tightened by adjusting a locking or securing mechanism such that wire  28  is pulled and secured inward towards handle  16 , thereby increasing the tension of wire  28  about gasket  26 . 
         [0017]    Handle  16  may further include one or more holes  38 . In certain embodiments, one or more of holes  38  may be configured to accept and firmly hold a threaded stud, dowel, pin, or other such cylindrical member which will then serve as a depth or alignment gauge to aid in centering gasket  26  as the apparatus  10  and the gasket  26  are inserted between adjoining pipe flanges  40 . In such embodiments, one or more of holes  38  may be precisely located to correspond with the outside diameter of a specified flange assembly. Thus, as apparatus  10  is inserted between adjoining pipe flanges  40 , the presence of a threaded stud, dowel, pin, or other such member within hole  38  may halt the progress of apparatus  10  into the flange assembly when gasket  26  is centered therein. In one such embodiment one hole  38  is ¼″ and configured to allow for the insertion of a ¼″ threaded stud. In further embodiments, one or more of holes  38  may be used to attach a hook, tether, or line to apparatus  10  for use in lowering or raising the device. 
         [0018]    The gasket insertion apparatus  10  and gasket  26  may be configured for use, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , by positioning the ring-shaped gasket  26  within the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12  so that the outer diameter of the gasket  26  is fitted against the interior periphery  24  of the curved frame  12 . Retention wire  28  contacts gasket  26  at the open end of frame  12  such that, when retention wire  28  is tightened by tensioners  36 , gasket  26  is restrained within the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12 . Fitting the resilient gasket  26  within the frame  12  in that manner will allow the teeth  22  and retention wire  28  to hold the gasket  26  in place within the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12 . 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the use of the combination of the insertion apparatus  10  and a gasket  26  fitted within the frame  12  as described herein will allow a diver to effectuate the placement of the gasket  26  between the connection flanges  40  of pipeline segments  42  using only two alignment pins  46  and without having to place his hands or fingers between the flanges  40 . Thus, a diver (or ROV) will be able to place and position the gasket  26  in the desired location without having to connect most of the bolts associated with the connection flanges. 
         [0020]    The apparatus  10  is used by placing a gasket  26  onto the interior periphery  24  defined by the frame  12  so that the gasket  26  is retained within the periphery  24  of the frame  12 . The teeth  22  around the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12  serve to increase this frictional fit and hold the gasket  26  in place. Retention wire  28  prevents gasket  26  from falling out of the open end of frame  12 . A number of apparatus  10  and gasket  26  combinations may be made up, as described, prior to a dive and kept available for use. 
         [0021]    When a flange to flange connection is to be made during a dive, a diver may bring the connection flanges  40  of adjacent pipe segments  42  together in a desired proximity and places bolts  44  or alignment pins  46  in selected flange bolt holes  48  on the connection flanges  30 . Preferably at least two alignment pins  46  are utilized and these alignment pins  46  are placed at approximately adjacent bolt holes  48  on the flanges  40 . 
         [0022]    The apparatus  10 , with the inserted gasket  26  in place, is then grasped by the handle grip  18  by a diver or by the gripping arms of an ROV. The apparatus  10  with the inserted gasket  26  is then placed between the adjacent connection flanges  40  at the ends of adjacent pipe sections  42 . The alignment pins  46  may serve as a stop for the frame  12  to facilitate vertical and horizontal centering of the frame  12  of the apparatus  10  and thus the gasket  26  between the connection flanges  40 . 
         [0023]    Once gasket  26  is satisfactorily in place, retention wire  28  may be cut or released such that apparatus  10  may be removed from the flange assembly, leaving gasket  26  in place. 
         [0024]    Use of the insertion apparatus  10  in combination with a gasket  26  may allow a diver or ROV more flexibility with fixing the distance needed between the faces of the pipe flanges that are to be connected before the gasket  26  is installed, especially when alignment pins  46  are used to position the opposing flanges adjacent to each other. The use of insertion apparatus  10  in combination with a gasket  26  and alignment pins  46  may also increase the safety of the diver as well as reduce the gasket installation time. 
         [0025]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method is provided to use the apparatus  10  to insert a gasket into a closed faced connection flange or similar flange assembly having little or no space for any part of the apparatus to remain in the completed assembly. A gasket  26  is frictionally mounted in place on its radial periphery by teeth  22  or another contact surface that is provided around the interior periphery  24  of the frame  12 . Retention wire  28  may be wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of frame  12  through grooves  30  and tightened with tensioners  36  such that gasket  26  is restrained within the interior periphery  24  of frame  12  and prevented from falling out of the open end during transportation and insertion of gasket  26 . The apparatus  10  and mounted gasket  26  may then be brought to the location where the flanged connection is to be made. The closed face flanges  40  of adjacent pipe segments  42  may be brought together and held in place by at least two bolts  44  or two alignment pins  46 . The gasket  26  may then be installed by placing the insertion apparatus  10 , with the gasket  26  in place, between the flanges  40  in a manner sufficient to engage the gasket  26  and place it in a desired position between the two adjoining connection flanges. Additional connection bolts  44  may then be installed to stabilize the flange and gasket configuration. Retention wire  28  may then be cut to allow the removal of apparatus  10  to allow the gasket  26  to remain in place between the flanges  40 . The apparatus  10  may then be removed by pulling the apparatus  10  away from the flanges  40  leaving the gasket  26  in place, and the remainder of the connection bolts  44  may then be inserted and tightened to complete the connection of the pipe segments  32 . 
         [0026]    The apparatus for and method of inserting fluid sealing gaskets between the flange connectors of adjacent pipe sections of underwater pipe lines presented herein as well as its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms described herein being merely an example embodiments of the invention.