Abstract:
System for connecting a secondary module to a structure having a port. The system includes a tapping connector attachable to the port, and a primary module attachable to the tapping connector, with the secondary module being mountable on the primary module. A collar is receivable over the tapping connector for supporting the primary module on the structure. The collar is attachable to the tapping connector with the primary module being attachable to the collar. A positioner is supported within the collar for fastening the collar to the tapping connector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/775,290, filed Jul. 10, 2007, now abandoned which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/GB05/000035, filed Jan. 5, 2006, which designated the United States and claims priority to: Great Britain Patent Application No. 0500491.6; filed Jan. 11, 2005; Great Britain Patent Application No. 0509199.6; filed May 5, 2005; Great Britain Patent Application No. 0517924.7, filed Sep. 2, 2005; and Great Britain Patent Application No. 0526431.2, filed Dec. 23, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connection module and a connector. In particular, the invention relates to a connector and to a connection module for use in connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container such as a process line or pressure vessel. 
     Within the instrumentation industry, it is necessary to take fluid from a fluid container such as a process pipeline or pressure vessel, so as to take measurements of quantities such as pressure, temperature, flow and fluid level measurements. 
     The instruments which are used to take such measurements are typically connected to a fluid container by a system of pipes, manifolds and valves. The connection system can include one or more tapping connections for tapping the fluid container. 
     The instruments which are used to take such measurements require maintenance, such as calibration. In order to carry this out it is necessary to modify the flow of the fluid between the fluid container and the instrument. 
     This flow modification is currently carried out by a number of methods all of which in some way require systems which are attached to the main process apparatus by means of threaded, flanged or welded connections. Traditionally the fluid passes through an isolation valve before being passed through tubing, pipe work or flanges to other valves commonly held within a manifold block. This manifold block may either be attached directly to the instrument or attached via a further system of tubing or pipe work. Known arrangements are complicated and require a large amount of time and effort to install and remove. This makes maintenance of instruments costly, since to remove and then reattach an instrument to a fluid container can actually take longer than the calibration process itself. 
     A number of other problems are associated with the traditional installation methods. 
     For example, traditional connection systems are bulky. These systems require a lot of space and are weighty. Indeed, such systems require additional support due to their weight. 
     Manifold systems traditionally have small orifice sizes typically less than 6 mm—this can cause a number of system problems such as becoming clogged by solid particles within a system. 
     The phenomena known as gauge line error (GLE) is known in the industry as a potential source of error. This is caused by a combination of the distance between the main process fluid and the instrument, the reduced bore sizes and the level of turbulence caused by the shear quantity of connections between the individual elements of the system. Turbulence associated with GLE can inhibit accurate measurement by an instrument connected to a fluid container. Reducing the path length for fluid flow between a fluid container and a instrument can reduce turbulence and therefore GLE. Known systems struggle to provide a short path length. Longer path lengths also make leaks more probable and more difficult to find. 
     Due to the distance between the fluid container and the instrument, and the need to keep an adequate level of viscosity within the fluid, it is sometimes necessary to heat the system including all manifolds and tubing or piping. This process can include a number of costly methods including cladding, electrical heating systems or steam-heated systems. These systems result in additional weight, space requirements and additional control systems resulting in higher costs. 
     An example of a fluid container is a pipeline.  FIG. 1  shows an example of a pipeline  2 , which includes an orifice plate assembly  10 . The orifice plate assembly  10  includes two flanges  4  forming a flanged connection. The orifice plate assembly  10  also includes a plate  6  held between the two flanges  4 . The plate includes an aperture which is smaller than an inner diameter of the pipeline  2 , and is thus designed to reduce the flow of the fluid passing through the pipeline  2 . 
     In such an arrangement, fluid can be passed to an instrument via tapping points. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , suitable tapping points are indicated by the arrows  8 . These tapping points  8  are located one on either side of the plate. 
     Pipelines of this kind are relatively crude in construction and thus tapping connection ports provided at the tapping points  8 , although conforming with relevant international standards, can be misaligned with respect to one another. This misalignment can be present in all six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational directions). Thus, one of the tapping connectors may be misaligned with respect to another tapping connector in any of the x, y or z directions indicated in  FIG. 1 . The tapping connectors may also be misaligned in the sense that they are skewed (angled). Accordingly, one of the tapping connectors may be misaligned with respect to another tapping connector in any of the rotational directions (θ x , θ y , θ y ) indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     This misalignment has previously been addressed in traditional connection systems by simply adding additional bends to the tubing or pipe work to account for the misalignment. 
     Traditional connection systems include separate components that are typically obtained from different suppliers. The different components can perform different functions. For example, a connection component can connect directly to a fluid container. A manifold component including valves and so forth can be provided intermediate a connection component and an instrument component. The instrument component can provide a connection to a variety of instrument types, or can itself include an instrument. 
     The components of such a system need to be inter-connectable. For example, a manifold block may either be attached directly to an instrument or attached via a further system of tubing or pipe work to a fluid container. The connections must ensure leak free service. The connections must also be capable of accepting additional loads subjected by means of external forces. The joint should also be non-permanent to allow for maintenance. 
     Traditional connections between the various components of an instrumentation system employ threaded connections or flange arrangements. 
     Threaded connections suffer from problems with orientation. Also, users in the offshore industries have a tendency to doubt threaded connections due to issues of crevice corrosion and other ‘hidden’ issues. Moreover, threaded connections are normally limited to small sizes up to around 50 mm (2″) in diameter. 
     Flanged connections entail large space requirements and are weighty. Systems which use flanged connections require additional support due to their weight. 
     All of the problems indicated above are exacerbated by the large number of connections which may be required and the high operating pressures of many pipelines and pressure vessels. In an installation (for example a refinery) which employs many fluid containers (pressure vessels, pipelines etc.), a large number of connections may be needed to attach various instruments for monitoring quantities such as pressure and fluid flow. As indicated above, known connection arrangements are cumbersome and require a large amount of time and effort for connecting and disconnecting instruments, for example to carry out maintenance. Where many instruments and connections are provided, connection and disconnection times are an important consideration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a connection module for connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The connection module includes a jointed tapping connector. 
     The jointed tapping connector can be used to account for misalignments when forming a tapping connection to a fluid container. 
     The fluid container can, for example, be a pressure vessel or a process line. 
     More than one jointed tapping connector can be provided. In such examples, each jointed tapping connector can be moveable independently of each other jointed tapping connector, thereby to provided additional flexibility. 
     The jointed tapping connector can be configured to move in a number of ways for correcting misalignments. For example, the jointed tapping connector can be pivotable and/or translatable. 
     In one embodiment, the jointed tapping connector includes a ball joint. In one embodiment, the jointed tapping connector comprises a double ball joint for additional flexibility. 
     A slotted positioning ring can be provided to aid orientation of the jointed tapping connector. One or more support members can be provided for supporting the connection module against a surface of the fluid container. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector. The connector includes first and second opposed jaw members. The connector also includes a receiving space located substantially between the jaw members for receiving a protruded portion of a corresponding connector. The first jaw member includes a hook portion for hooking onto a formation of the protruded portion. The second jaw member includes an opening for slideably receiving a locking member of the corresponding connector. 
     This connector provides a convenient an efficient means by which, for example, modules in a modular connection assembly can be connected together. 
     In one embodiment, an indicator portion can be located substantially in the opening. In this way, when the locking member is slideably received in the opening, the indicator portion is displaced and at least partially protrudes from the opening. This serves to indicate that the locking member is received in the opening. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector. The connector includes a protruded portion configured to be received in a receiving space between first and second opposed jaws members of a corresponding connector. The protruded portion includes a formation for receiving a hook portion of the first jaw member. The protruded portion also includes a locking member configured to slideably engage with an opening of the second jaw of the corresponding connector. 
     In one embodiment, the locking member can be slideably mounted in an aperture of the protruded portion. The locking member can be resiliently biased to protrude from the aperture to be slideably received in the opening of the second jaw member. 
     In one embodiment, the locking member comprises a threaded portion for receiving a threaded tool. The tool can thereby be used for withdrawing the locking member into the aperture, thus disconnecting the connector from the corresponding connector. 
     In one embodiment, the locking member can be slideably mounted on a stopping member within the aperture. Engagement of the threaded tool with the stopping member and rotation of the threaded tool causes the locking member to ride along the thread of the threaded tool. This causes the locking member to be withdrawing into the aperture. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector. The connector includes first and second opposed jaw members. The connector also includes a receiving space located substantially between the jaw members for receiving a corresponding connector. The first jaw member includes a hook portion for hooking onto the corresponding connector. The second jaw member includes a locking member for engaging with an opening of the corresponding connector. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector. The connector includes a protruded portion configured to be received in a receiving space between first and second opposed jaws members of a corresponding connector. The protruded portion includes a formation for receiving a hook portion of the first jaw member. The protruded portion also includes an opening for slideably receiving a locking member of the second jaw of the corresponding connector. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular connection assembly for connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The assembly includes a connection module of the kind described above. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a module for a modular connection assembly. The connection assembly is suitable for connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The module includes a connector of the kind described above. 
     The module can be or can include a connection module of the kind described above. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular connection assembly for connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The assembly includes a module of the kind described above. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a pressure vessel and a modular connection assembly of the kind described above connected to the pressure vessel. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a process line and a modular connection assembly of the kind described above connected to the process line. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The method includes connecting a module of the kind described above by adjusting an orientation of the jointed tapping connector. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of connecting instrumentation equipment to a fluid container. The method includes hooking the hook portion of a connector of the kind described above on the formation of a connector of the kind described above. The method also includes aligning the opening to allow the locking member to slideably engage with the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an example of a process line and indicates typical positions for tapping connections; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2D  show a number of views of a connection module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A to 3D  show a number of views of a connection module connected to a pipeline in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a jointed tapping connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a slotted positioning ring for the jointed tapping connector shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 A and  8 B illustrate the degrees of freedom available to the jointed tapping connector shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a jointed tapping connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the connectors of a connection system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate how the connectors shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  can be connected together in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  shows the connectors shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  in their connected state; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  show a modular connection system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate a locking feature of a connection system such as that shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ; and 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  show a modular connection system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Embodiments of this invention provide a connection module. The connection module can be incorporated into a larger system such as a modular connection assembly, which includes other components, such as an instrument and/or one or more intermediate stages such as modules including valves and manifolds. Embodiments of this invention also provide a connector which is suitable for connecting together modules of a modular connection assembly of the kind described herein. 
     An example of a modular connection assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, and the modules which can be included in such a modular connection assembly are described below in relation to  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 A-D. 
       FIGS. 2A to 2D  show a number of views of a connection module  20 . The connection module is suitable for incorporation into a modular connection assembly as described above. The connection module includes first and second tapping connectors  50 . 
     In this example, these are located adjacent each other, whereby they co-extend outwardly from a manifold section  30  of the connection module  20 . The manifold section  30  includes manifolding which provides fluid communication between the tapping connectors  50  and corresponding outlets  32 . 
     In the present example, and as described below in relation to  FIGS. 3A-3D , the outlets  32  are connectable to an intermediate module of the modular connection assembly for subsequent fluid communication with an instrument. Fluid can thereby be passed to the instrument whereby measurements such as temperature and pressure measurements can be performed. In other examples, the outlets  32  can be connected directly to an instrument. 
     The manifold section  30  includes a pair of valves for sealing off a flow of fluid to the outlets  32 . The valves can be operated using one of the respective levers  24  provided on the exterior of the manifold section  30 . 
       FIGS. 3A to 3D  show modules of a modular connection assembly connected to a pipeline  2 . The modular connection assembly includes a connection module  20  of the kind shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2D . In this example, the connection assembly connects directly to the flanges  4  of the pipeline  2 , with one tapping connector being provided in either flange, on either side of an orifice plate (see  FIG. 3D ). Ports are provided at an exterior surface of the flanges  4  for connection to the tapping connectors  50 . As described above, these ports may be misaligned to some extent. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C , the modular connection assembly is supported on the pipeline  2  by means of collars  28  through which the tapping connectors  50  extend to port with the flanges  4 , and a series of bolts  26 , which can be tightened against the outer surfaces of the flanges  4 . Note that in  FIG. 3D , additional bolts  42  are present to provide additional stability. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the modular connection assembly in this example includes a connection module  20  to which there is connected an intermediate module  34 . The intermediate module  34  includes manifolding in its interior for providing fluid communication between the outlets  32  of the manifold section  30  and an instrument (see  FIG. 3C ), which can be mounted on a receiving space  40  of the intermediate module  34 . To this end, the intermediate module  34  includes outlets  38  which correspond to the outlets  32  of the manifold section  30 . The intermediate module  34  includes a number of valves, which can be operated by means of corresponding levers  36  provided on the exterior of the intermediate module  34 . Fluid flow within the intermediate module  34  can thereby be regulated. 
       FIG. 3C  shows the modular connection assembly with an instrument  49  connected to the receiving port  40  of the intermediate module. As described above in other examples, the intermediate module  34  can be omitted, and an instrument  49  can be connected directly to a connection module such as connection module  20 . 
     By providing a modular connection assembly, replacement and or maintenance of the various components is made easier since, for example, modules are readily replaced. Furthermore, to carry out a different measurement on the pipeline, it is necessary merely to replace the instrument  49  with another instrument for carrying out the appropriate measurement. 
     A modular connection assembly in accordance with an embodiment of this invention can reduce connection and disconnection times, thereby reducing the time and effort required for interchanging different instruments and/or for removing instruments so that maintenance can be carried out. 
     As described above, the connection module  20  of the modular connection assembly includes two tapping connectors  50 . The tapping connectors  50  generally comprise a tubular connection which can be attached to a port in a surface of a fluid container. For example, in  FIGS. 3A to 3D , the modular connection assembly is shown to be connected to the flanges  4 , pipeline  2  using the tapping connectors  50  of the connection module  20 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the tapping connectors  50  are jointed, thereby providing the tapping connectors  50  with one or more degrees of freedom for movement. In this way, misalignment of the ports in a fluid container to which the tapping connectors  50  are intended to be connected can be corrected for by adjusting an orientation of the tapping connectors  50 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a jointed tapping connector can be provided which allows for rotational and translational (lateral) movement. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a jointed tapping connector can be provided which allows for movement of the connector toward and away from the fluid container (these kinds of movements are referred to hereinafter as longitudinal movements since they are substantially parallel to an elongate portion of the tapping connector). A connection module can include one or both types of jointed taping connector. Where both kinds of jointed tapping connector are provided, their combined movements can allow for a combination of rotational, translational and longitudinal misalignments to be corrected for when connecting to a fluid container. 
     A first example of a jointed tapping connector  50  is described below in relation to  FIGS. 4 to 8 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of a jointed tapping connector  50 . In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the jointed tapping connector can be provided with a ball joint, allowing the jointed tapping connector  50  to pivot with two rotational degrees of freedom. Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, more than one ball joint can be provided to give further flexibility for the jointed tapping connector. One such example of a jointed tapping connector  50  is shown in  FIG. 4 , in which the jointed tapping connector  50  includes two ball joints. It is envisaged that more than two ball joints can be provided in accordance with system requirements with regard to flexibility. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the jointed tapping connector  50  is shown to be connected to the manifold section  30  of a connection module  20 . The jointed tapping connector  50  includes an elongate portion  51  and a swivel joint component  56 . The swivel joint component  56  is located intermediate the elongate portion  51  and the manifold section  30 . The swivel joint component  56  is jointed to the manifold section  30  with a ball joint  58   a . The swivel joint component  56  is also jointed to the elongate portion  51  with a ball joint  58   b . Accordingly, the swivel joint component provides a double ball joint connection between the manifold section  30  and the elongate portion  51 . 
     In use, fluid tapped from a fluid container by the tapping connector  50  passes through apertures  53  and  55 , which are provided in the elongate portion  51  and the swivel joint component  56 , respectively, to flow from the fluid container into the manifold section  30  of the connection module  20  in the direction shown generally by the arrows labelled  82  in  FIG. 4 . In order to provide a water-tight seal around the ball joints  58   a  and  58   b , seals  54   a  and  54   b  can be provided for the respective ball joints  54   a  and  54   b . These seals can, for example, be in the form of a rubber O-ring or a compressible gasket. Also, in the example shown in  FIG. 4 , a retaining ring  52  is provided between the manifold section  30  and the swivel joint component  56  in the vicinity of the ball joint  58   a . The purpose of the retaining ring  52  is to retain the swivel joint components within the corresponding section of the manifold section  30 , thereby to ensure the integrity of the ball joint  58   a.    
     As will be described below, the provision of one or more ball joints for a tapping connector  50  constitutes one example of how a jointed tapping connector can be afforded one or more degrees of freedom (e.g. rotational and/or translational). In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the elongate portion  51  of the jointed tapping connector  50  extends through an aperture provided in the collar  28 . As described in relation to  FIGS. 3A-3D , the sleeves provide support for the connection module  20  by allowing bolts such as the bolts  26  shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 D and  3 A- 3 D to be tightened against an outer surface of a fluid container. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the connection module  20  is provided with a positioning ring  80 . The positioning ring  80  is supported within the collar  28 . Another view of the positioning ring  80  is shown in  FIG. 5 . From  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the positioning ring can include two halves  81   a  and  81   b , which come together to define a slot  83 . The slot  83  provides an aperture through which the elongate portion  51  of the jointed tapping connector  50  can pass. The positioning ring serves to apply a compressive force against the elongate portion  51  for retaining the elongate portion  51  in its chosen position after orientation as discussed below. 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  show examples of the degrees of freedom which are available to a jointed tapping connector, which includes a double ball joint connection as indicated above. 
     The provision of a jointed tapping connector  50  which has a single ball joint allows rotational movements of the jointed tapping connector  50  (or, for example, of an elongate portion of the jointed tapping connector such as the elongate portion  51  shown in Figures). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , provision of a double ball jointed tapping connector  50  affords translational as well as rotational degrees of freedom for the tapping connector (elongate portion  51 ). 
     In  FIG. 6 , it is illustrated that the double ball jointed connection allows translational movement of the elongate portion  51 . The translational movement is provided by rotation of the swivel joint component  56  between the manifold section  30  and the elongate portion  51 . In  FIG. 6 , the centre line of the inlet of the manifold of section  30  is indicated by the line labelled  60 . The centre line of the elongate portion  51  is indicated by the line  62 . In the position of the elongate portion  51  shown in  FIG. 6 , the centre line  62  does not coincide with the centre line  60  as it would were the swivel joint component in an unrelated state. This demonstrates that rotation of the swivel joint component  56  between the manifold section  30  and the elongate portion  51  allows for translational movement of the elongate portion  51  relative to the manifold section  30 . It will be appreciated that since the swivel joint component  56  can rotate in two rotational directions (clockwise and anti-clockwise as shown in  FIG. 6 , as well as clockwise and anti-clockwise in the plane perpendicular to the page), translational movement of the elongate portion  51  relative to the manifold section  30  is possible in two orthogonal linear directions (these correspond to the directions x and y illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). Translational movement of this kind allows for translational mis-orientations of the ports provided on a fluid container to be corrected for. 
     In  FIG. 7 , it is shown that rotation of the swivel joint component  56  in conjunction with rotation of the elongate portion  51  can provide for two rotational degrees of freedom for the elongate portion  51 . It will be noted that rotational movement of this kind can be combined with translational movement of the kind described in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 7 , the centre line of the inlet of the manifold section  30  is shown by the line  60 , while the centre line of the elongate portion  51  of the jointed tapping connector  50  is shown by the line  64 . This illustrates that the elongate portion  51  is rotated with respect to the manifold section  30 . 
     This rotational movement allows for rotational misalignments of the ports in a fluid container to be corrected for when connecting a connection module to the fluid container. 
     It will be appreciated that rotational movement of this kind can be provided in more than one rotational direction. This is illustrated by  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In  FIGS. 8A and 8B  the elongate portion  51  has been rotationally re-aligned with respect to the manifold section  30  in two dimensions. The degree of rotation in one of those dimensions can be deduced from the rotation of the centre line  64 A of the elongate portion  51  relative to the centre line  60  of the manifold section  30  shown in  FIG. 8A . The degree of rotation in the other rotational direction can be deduced from the degree of rotation between the centre line  60  and the centre line of the elongate portion  51 , which is labelled  64   b  in  FIG. 8B . 
     Combinations of translational (lateral) and rotational movement can be used to account for and correct for misalignments in the ports provided in fluid containers as described above. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 4 , to connect the connection module  20  to a fluid container, the jointed tapping connector  50  is aligned appropriately with respect to a port of the fluid container. The elongate portion  51  is then attached to the port. This can be done, for example, using a screw thread attachment or by welding. In order to retain the jointed tapping connector in its correct orientation, pressure is applied to the elongate portion  51  by means of the positioning ring  80  and collar  28 . Once the elongate portion  51  has been attached to the port of the fluid container (e.g. pipeline  2 ), bolts  22  are tightened. This causes an upper edge of the positioning ring  80  to urge against a slot which can be provided in the elongate section  51 , thereby to push the elongate section inwards and towards the manifold section  30 . This compresses the seals  54   a  and  54   b  thereby providing a fluid-tight connection between the manifold section  30 , the swivel joint components  56 , and the elongate portion  51 . This also serves to retain the swivel joint component  56  and elongate portion  51  in their correct orientation. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2C and 3A , it will be appreciated that, in this example, access to the nuts  22  for tightening and untightening the ball joints is only available when the intermediate module  34  is disconnected from the manifold section  30 . As will be described below, the safety features of a connector described herein can prevent inadvertent disconnection between modules such as the intermediate module  34  and the manifold section  30 . Accordingly, these safety features can prevent access to the nuts  22 , thereby inhibiting inadvertent disengagement of the elongate portion  51 . 
     As described above, and as shown in  FIG. 3D , additional bolts  42  can be provided to provide lateral stability for the modular connection assembly. These are provided on members which extend outwardly from the manifold section  30 . As described above, this has the benefit of providing additional support for the modular connection assembly. This is especially useful where the additional weight of an intermediate module  34  and a potentially heavy instrument is present. 
     Another example of a jointed tapping connector is now described in relation to  FIG. 9 . This kind of jointed tapping connector is slideably jointed, and can allow for longitudinal misalignments to be corrected for, when attaching a connection module to a fluid container. 
     The jointed tapping connector includes an elongate portion  151 , which extends away from the manifold section  30  for connection to a fluid container. As described below, the elongate portion is moveable back and forth along a longitudinal direction indicated by the arrows labelled A and B in  FIG. 9 . The elongate portion  151  includes an aperture  153 , through which fluid can flow from a fluid container into the manifold section  30  along the direction shown by the arrows labelled  182  in  FIG. 9 . 
     The elongate portion  151  extends through a collar  28 . A nut  180  can also be rotationally mounted within the collar  28 . The nut  180  can include a screw thread, and a corresponding screw thread can be provided on the elongate portion  151 . The screw threads are shown generally at  184  in  FIG. 9 . 
     The tapping connector can also include means such as an interference fit  160 , which can form a seal between the elongate portion  151  and the manifold section  30 . 
     To connect the manifold section  30  to a fluid container, the manifold section  30  is positioned over a port in the fluid container such that the elongate member  151  engages with the port. In this position, as described above in relation to  FIGS. 3A to 3D , the manifold section  30  and any further components attached thereto (for example, an instrument) can be supported against an outer surface of a fluid container by means of the collar  28  and a series of bolts  26  and additional bolts  42 . 
     Since the elongate portion  151  is slideably moveable relative to the connection module in the directions shown by arrows A and B, once the manifold section  30  has been manoeuvred into the desired position, relative movement of the elongate portion  151  with respect to the manifold section  30  can be used to correct for longitudinal misalignments in the port of the fluid container. 
     Once the elongate portion  151  is in the desired position for forming a tapping connection with the fluid container, a seal can be formed between the elongate portion  151  and the manifold section  30 . This can be achieved by clamping the collar  28  toward the manifold section  30  using a large screw thread arrangement or bolts such as bolts  22  (FIG.  2 C). When such bolts are tightened, this has the effect of pushing a compression sleeve  190  onto the compression fitting  160 . This in turn causes the compression fitting  160  to apply a compression force inwardly against the elongate portion  151 , as represented by the arrows labelled C and D in  FIG. 9 . Additionally, the compression fitting  160  presses against the connection module at  186 . Thus, a seal is formed which prohibits leakage of fluid from the aperture  153 . 
     To reduce the load which is applied to the compression fitting  160 , the nut  180  can be tightened onto the screw thread of the elongate portion  151 . When screwed in place, the nut  180  fixes the elongate portion in place and urges against the collar  28 , thereby preventing too great a load being applied to the compression fitting where it meets the connection module at  186 . 
     Thus there has been described a slideably jointed tapping connector which can be used to account for and correct for longitudinal misalignments between the ports provided in fluid containers as described above. 
     In some examples, a connection module with only a single tapping connector may be required. In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, this tapping connector would be a jointed tapping connector such as that described above. 
     In other examples, more than one tapping connector can be provided in a connection assembly. For example, a fixed tapping connector and a jointed tapping connector can be provided. Alternatively, more than one jointed tapping connector can be provided. For example, two rotatable/translatable connectors or two slideably jointed tapping connectors can be provided. In another example, combinations of different types of jointed tapping connectors can be provided (for example, one rotatable/translatable connector and one slideably jointed tapping connector). This combination can allow different types of misalignment to be corrected for in a single manifold section  30 . 
     In the embodiments described above in relation to  FIGS. 2A to 2D  and  3 , the connection assembly includes two tapping connectors. In that example, both tapping connectors can be jointed tapping connectors of the kind described in relation to  FIGS. 4 to 9 . In other examples, one of the tapping connectors can be a fixed tapping connector, and the other tapping connector can be a jointed tapping connector. In this way, misalignment between two ports can be accounted for by installing the fixed tapping connector into one of the ports and then realigning the jointed tapping connector to account for any misalignment of the ports. As described above, it will be appreciated that using combinations of fixed and jointed tapping connectors in this way can be used in connection assemblies comprising more than two tapping connectors. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that using a connection module including two jointed tapping connectors, one being a slideable tapping connector as described in relation to  FIG. 9 , and the other being a rotational/translational as described in relation to  FIGS. 4 to 8 , misalignments of the two flanges  4  in the x, y and z direction as well as in the rotational directions θ x , θ y , and θ z  can all be accounted for. A connection module  20  of the kind shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2D  and  3 , which includes two jointed tapping connectors, can include one tapping connector of each type. Installation of such a connection module  20  will now be described with continued reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
     To connect a connection module  20  including the two kinds of jointed tapping connector to a fluid conduit, the connection module  20  is first positioned over ports which are provided in the fluid container. At this stage, the elongate portion  151  of the slideably mounted jointed tapping connector can be manoeuvred into place and engaged with a first port of the fluid container. The elongate portion  51  of the rotatable/translatable connector can be loosely positioned for subsequent engagement with another port of the fluid container. 
     The compression fitting  160  of the slideably jointed tapping connector can then be sealed as described in relation to  FIG. 9 , by upward compression of the collar  28  and compression collar  190  and tightening of the nut  180 . 
     After positioning, engagement and sealing of the slideably jointed tapping connector, the rotatable/translatable tapping connector can be connected to the second port of the fluid container. It will be appreciated that at this stage, the slideable movement of the slideably jointed tapping connector allows correct positioning of the rotatable/translatable tapping connector to account for any longitudinal misalignment (see, for example, the z-direction indicated in  FIG. 1 ) between the two ports of the fluid container. 
     The elongate member  51  of the rotatable/translatable tapping connector can then be positioned as described in relation to  FIGS. 6 to 8  above, to account for any rotational/translational misalignments between the two ports. Once in position, the rotatable/translatable tapping connector can be sealed as described in relation to  FIG. 4  by compression of the collar  28  and positioning ring  80  toward the connection module  20 . Finally, the bolts  26  and  42  can be adjusted if so desired. 
     It will be appreciated that the connection process is simple to perform, and can be completed very quickly (for example, less than a minute). Disconnection of the connection module  20  from the fluid container is equally fast. This is in contrast to the older, cumbersome connection systems described above, which take far longer to connect and disconnect. 
     Accordingly, there has been described a connection module for connecting instrumentation equipment (for example, a measuring instrument) to a fluid container such as a pipeline. The connection module includes one or more jointed tapping connectors. The jointed tapping connector allows misalignments to be accounted for when connecting a connection module of, for example, a modular connection assembly to a fluid container. 
     Embodiments of this invention also provide a connector. The connector can be used for connecting together two objects. In the examples described herein, these objects can be modules of a modular connection assembly. The connector as described herein allows separate objects such as modules in the modular connection assembly to be connected and unconnected in a manner which is swift, convenient and robust. 
     An example of the connector is described below in relation to  FIGS. 10A to 13 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  shows a first view of a connection system in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the connection system includes a connector  100  and a corresponding connector  110 . In  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the connector  100  and corresponding connector  110  are shown in their unconnected states. 
     As used herein, the terms “connector” and “corresponding connector” are interchangeable in so far as each connector in the connection system corresponds to the other connector in the connection system. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 10B , the corresponding connector  110  includes a hook portion  112 . The hook portion  112  is configured to hook onto a formation  102 , which is provided on the connector  100 . The corresponding connector  110  includes first and second jaws  113  and  114 . The hook portion  112  is comprised in the first jaw  113 . The corresponding connector  110  also includes a receiving space  116 , which is located substantially in between the first and second jaws  113  and  114 . The receiving space is configured (e.g. in terms of size and shape) to receive a protruded portion  101  of the connector  100 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the connector  100  includes an opening  104 . The opening  104  is configured to receive a locking number which can extend slideably from the second jaw  114  of the corresponding connector  110 . As will be described below in more detail, this arrangement can be substantially reversed, whereby an opening can be provided in the second jaw  114  of the corresponding connector  110 , thereby to slideably to receive a locking member which protrudes from the protruded portion  101  of the connector  100 . 
       FIG. 11  shows how the connector  100  and the corresponding connector  110  can be connected together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , to connect the connector  100  to the corresponding connector  110 , the hook portion  112  of the corresponding connector  110  can first be hooked onto or engaged with the formation  102  provided in the protruded portion  101  of the connector  100 . Once the hook portion  112  has been hooked onto the formation  102 , the corresponding connector  110  can be pivoted as indicated by the arrow labelled  102  in  FIG. 11 , whereby the second jaw  114  can engage with a bottom portion of the protruded portion  101  of the connector  100 . As the lower jaw member  114  of the connector  110  passes along the lower portion of the protruded portion  101 , the locking member, provided either in protruded portion  101  or in the second jaw member  114 , can slideably engage with an opening provided in either the lower jaw member  114  or in the protruded portion  101 , respectively. 
       FIG. 12  shows the connection system in a connected state, with the connector  100  connected to the corresponding connector  110 . In the connected state, the hooked portion is hooked onto the formation  102 , and a locking mechanism, shown generally at  105  is engaged. As indicated above, this can involve a locking member being slideably received in an opening. The opening and the locking member can be provided in the protruded portion and second jaw member  114 , respectively, or vice versa. 
     In  FIG. 13  it is shown that a locking member  118  can be slideably received (in a direction indicated by the arrow) from the second jaw member  114  into an opening  104  provided in the protruded portion  101  of the connector  100 . 
     The connector as described above can be incorporated into the modules of a modular connection assembly to provide means by which the modules of the assembly can be connected together. The hooking and pivoting motion which is required for connecting the two modules together using these connectors is simple to perform and requires no special tools. To disconnect the connectors, it is necessary to disengage the locking member  118  and then pivot the corresponding connector  110  in a direction substantially opposite to the direction as shown by the arrow  112  in  FIG. 11 , followed by unhooking of the hook portion  112  from the formation  102 . 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate an example of a connection system which is incorporated into the modules of a modular connection assembly. In this example, the connector  100  is provided in a connection module  20  of the kind described above in relation to  FIGS. 3A to 3C . The corresponding connector  110  is incorporated into an intermediate module  34  of the kind described above in relation to  FIGS. 2A to 2D  and  3 . In  FIG. 14 , the connection system is shown in its connected state, whereby the connection module  20  is connected to the intermediate module  34  and in this view with connector  100  is on the right and corresponding connector  110  is on the left. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 14 , a locking member  118  is provided substantially within an aperture  124  in the protruded portion  102  of the connector  100 . The locking member  118  is slideably mounted within the aperture. The locking member in this example is biased to protrude out of the aperture  124  by a biasing element  126 . The biasing element  126  is, in this example, a helical biasing spring  126 , although other biasing means could be employed (e.g. leaf spring). 
     As is shown in  FIG. 14 , the locking member  118  is biased to protrude out of the aperture  124  and into an opening  104 , which is provided in the second jaw  114 . In this example, a stopping member  130  can be provided in the protruded portion  102  of the connector  100 . The stopping member  130  extends into the aperture  124 . In this example, the locking member  118  includes a slot within which the stopping member  130  is received. Accordingly, the locking member  118  in this example is slideably mounted on the stopping member  130 . 
     To connect the connector  100  to the corresponding connector  110 , the steps described above in relation to  FIGS. 10A to 13  can be performed. An example of how the connectors can be disconnected is now described in relation to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
     To disconnect the connector  100  from the connector  110  it is necessary to disengage the locking member  118 . To do this, the locking member  118  can be withdrawn into the aperture  124  and out of the opening  104  in the second jaw  114 . To do so, a threaded tool can be inserted into the aperture  124  at an end of the aperture  124  opposite where the locking member  118  protrudes from the aperture  124 . The end of the locking member  118  distal the second jaw  114  includes an opening  128  which is threaded with a thread which corresponds to the thread of the threaded tool. To withdraw the locking member  118  into the aperture  114 , the threaded member is screwed into the opening  128  until it abuts the stopping member  130 . Then, the user continues to rotate the threaded tool such that the locking member  118  rides up along the thread of the threaded tool, thereby withdrawing the locking member  118  into the aperture  124 . Note that this withdrawing of the locking member  118  into the aperture  124  is resiliently opposed by the biasing spring  126 . Once the locking member  118  has been sufficiently withdrawn such that it is no longer engaged with the opening  104  of the second jaw  114 , the corresponding connector  110  can be pivoted and unhooked from the connector  100  substantially as described above. 
     The example shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  includes a safety mechanism for preventing the connection system from being disconnected while the valves in the connection module  20  are open. The safety mechanism includes a slideable member  120  which is received in a slot  123  in the connection module  20 . The slideable member  120  can be biased with a biasing element such a helical spring  121 . When the slideable member  120  protrudes from the slot  123 , it covers the aperture  124 . When connecting the connector  100  to the corresponding connector  110 , the slideable member  120  is pulled back from the aperture  124 . This pulling back can be achieved by means of a handle  122  which protrudes from a side of the manifold section  30 . It should be noted that in this example, the handle  122  is receivable within grooves  140  which are provided within the levers  24 . However, these grooves are orientated within the levers  24  such that the grooves only align with the handle  122  when the levers  24  are positioned such that the corresponding valves within the manifold section  30  are in their closed position. Accordingly, movement of the slideable member  120  using the handle  122  is only achievable when the valves in the connection module are closed. Accordingly, it is not possible to achieve access to the aperture  124  in the connector  100  for inserting a threaded tool to disconnect the connector  100  from the corresponding connector  110 , unless the valves in the manifold section  30  are closed. Accordingly, disconnection of the connection module  20  and the intermediate module  34  while the valves of the connection module  20  are open is prevented. 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate the movement of the levers  24  and handle  122  for disconnecting the connection module  20  and the intermediate module  34 . In  FIG. 16A , the levers  24  are in their “open” position to allow fluid to flow through the connection assembly. The grooves  140  are shown not to be aligned with the handle  122  while the levers  24  are in this position. By rotating the levers  24  in the directions shown by the arrows labelled B in  FIG. 16A , valves in the manifold section  30  are closed to block fluid flow through the assembly. As shown in  FIG. 16B , when the levers  24  are in their “closed” position, the grooves  24  align to allow movement of the handle  122  in the direction indicated in  FIG. 16B  by the arrows labelled A. As described above, movement of the handle  122  in this manner pulls back the slideable member  120 , allowing access for inserting a tool to withdraw the locking member  118 . 
     In other examples of a connection system, the locking member  118  can be actuated by means other than a biasing element such as the helical spring  126 . Accordingly, the locking member could be actuated by electrical or other means. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 14 , the second jaw  114  is provided with an indicator portion  132 . An end  134  of the indicated portion can be brightly coloured so that it is clearly visible when it protrudes from the opening  104  of the second jaw  114 . The indicator portion  132  is slideably mounted substantially within the opening  104 . In this example, the indicator portion  132  is biased by means of a biasing element such as a helical spring  136  to remain within the opening  104 . When the locking member  118  is slideably received in the opening  104 , however, it abuts the indicator portion  132  and urges the indicator portion outward from the opening  104 . When the indicator portion emerges from the opening  104 , this can be taken as an indication that the locking member  118  is correctly received within the opening  104 , thereby providing an indication that a good connection has been achieved. 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate a further example of a safety feature which can be incorporated in to a connector in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. In this example, a safety mechanism is provided which is similar in some aspects to the safety mechanism described above in relation to  FIGS. 14 to 16 . In addition to preventing inadvertent removal of, for example, a intermediate module  34  while the levers  24  of a manifold section  30  are in their open position, the mechanism shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  also prevents inadvertent opening of the levers  24  while, for example, an intermediate module  34  is not connected to the manifold section  30 . This prevents fluid from being inadvertently released until the manifold section is replaced. While the example of connection between an intermediate module  34  and a manifold section  30  is used here, it will be appreciated that a safety mechanism of this kind could be applied for connections between other kinds of module in a modular connection assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the safety mechanism includes a slideable member  120  biased by a biasing element such as a helical spring  121 , a handle  122  and levers  24  which include alignment grooves as described above in relation to  FIGS. 14 to 16 . Additionally, the mechanism includes a first pin  200  and a second pin  204 . The first pin  200  is located in a slot in the connector  100  and is biased outwardly from the slot by a biasing element  202 . The second pin  204  is biased against an upper edge of the first pin  200  by a biasing element  206 . In this example, the slideable member  120  includes two grooves shown at  210 , with which the second pin  204  can engage to prevent sliding movement of the slideable member  120  (this is illustrated in  FIG. 18 ). The first pin  200  also includes a groove  212  with which the second pin  204  can engage (this is illustrated in  FIG. 17 ). 
       FIG. 17  shows the connectors  100  and  110  in their connected position. In the position, the connector  110  forces the first pin  200  back into the connector  100 , against the bias of the biasing element  202 . In this position, the groove  212  of the first pin  200  aligns with the second pin  204 , and the second pin  204  is pressed into the groove  212  under the bias of the biasing element  206 . While the second pin  204  is held in the groove  212  of the first pin  200 , the second pin does not occupy a groove  210  of the slideable member  120 , and the slideable member  120  is free to move, as long as the grooves of the levers  24  are correctly aligned with the handle  122  as described above. 
     When the connector  110  is disconnected from the connector  100 , for example as described in relation to  FIGS. 14 to 16 , the first pin  200  is pushed outward from the connector  100 , to a position shown in  FIG. 18 . It should be noted that when disconnection occurs, the slideable member will generally be in a withdrawn position having just allowed access to the aperture  124  for insertion of a tool to withdraw the locking member  118 . As the first pin  200  is pushed out from the connector  100 , the second pin is pushed out of the groove  212  against the bias of the biasing element  206 . This pushes the second pin  204  into one of the grooves  210  of the slideable member  120 . While the second pin  204  occupies the groove  210  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the slideable member and therefore the handle  122  cannot move back and forth. This in turn prevents the levers  24  from being moved to their open position, since this movement is blocked by the handle  122 , which occupies the grooves  140  of the levers  24  (see  FIGS. 16A and 16B ). Thus, while the connector  100  and connector  110  are disconnected, the levers  24  cannot be moved and the valves controlled by the levers  24  cannot be opened. 
     When the connector  110  is reconnected to the connector  100 , the first pin is forced back into the connector  100 , realigning the groove  212  with the second pin  204 . The second pin re-enters the groove  212 , thereby allowing the slideable member and handle  122  to be moved. Once the handle  122  is removed from the grooves  140 , the levers  24  can be operated to open the valves which they control. 
     Thus there has been described a safety feature which prevents inadvertent operation of the levers, while the connectors  100  and  110  are disconnected. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications/additions and/or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claimed invention.