Abstract:
An apparatus for blocking discharge from a flanged pipe coupling, including a strap configured to surround, and cover a gap between flanges. The apparatus includes a tensioning mechanism with a lever pivotally coupled to the strap, a clamp pin mounted on the opposing end of the strap, and an adjustment pin on a side of the clamp pin opposite the lever. Holes extend through ends of the clamp and adjustment pins. The tensioning mechanism includes a bolt having ends, and a mid-portion looped around the lever, so that portions of the bolt on opposing ends of the mid-portion are generally parallel and project through the holes. A fastener is mounted onto each bolt end on a side of the adjustment pin opposite the clamp pin. When the lever pivots away from the clamp pin, contact between the lever and bolt urges the ends of the strap together, increasing tension therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This technology relates to pipe couplings. In particular, this technology relates to tools for deflecting spray from between flanges of flanged pipe couplings. 
     2. Brief Description of Related Art 
     Occasionally, when disconnecting the bolts from the flanges of a pipe coupling, some liquid may spray out of the coupling, even though the flow line may have been relieved of pressure. Such spray may be hazardous to workers, and also to the environment. For example, the fluid that sprays out of the coupling may be oil, or a dangerous chemical. If such fluid sprays onto a worker, it may injure the worker. In addition, if such oil or chemical sprays to a shop environment, it may cause undesirable conditions, such as slip and fall hazards in the vicinity of the spray. Furthermore, if such oil or chemical sprays into the natural environment, it may pollute, or otherwise contaminate the environment. 
     Shields for use in blocking spray from pipe couplings are known in the art. For example, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,110 is a shield for blocking spray from a worker to protect the worker. The shield provides a flexible band that a blocks spray around a portion of the flanges of a pipe coupling. The purpose of the shield is to protect the particular worker loosening bolts on the flanges, while still allowing the spray to exit the coupling away from the worker. While such a shield may serve the limited purpose of protecting the worker standing directly behind the shield, it has many shortcomings. For example, in situations where a second worker is nearby, the shield would not necessarily protect the second worker. In addition, because the shield still allows the spray to exit the coupling, albeit in a direction away from the worker, the spray may still harm the environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein is a spray deflector for blocking discharge from a flanged pipe coupling having a pair of flanges positioned adjacent one another and separated by a gap. The spray deflector has a strap with first and second ends that is configured to circumferentially surround the flanges and cover the gap. The spray deflector also has a tensioning mechanism for increasing or decreasing the tension in the strap around the flanges. 
     The tensioning mechanism of the spray deflector includes a lever having an end pivotally coupled to the first end of the strap. It also has a clamp pin mounted on the second end of the strap, and an adjustment pin on a side of the clamp pin opposite the first end of the strap. Holes extend through ends of the clamp pin and adjustment pin, and extend generally along a length of the strap, In addition, the tensioning mechanism includes a U-shaped bolt having threaded ends, and a curved mid-portion looped around the lever, so that portions of the bolt on opposing ends of the curved mid-portion are generally parallel and project through the holes of the clamp pin and the adjustment pin. A threaded fastener may be mounted onto each threaded end of the U-shaped bolt on a side of the adjustment pin opposite the clamp pin, so that when the lever pivots in a direction away from the second end, contact between the lever and bolt urges the second end of the strap towards the first end, and transfers a tension force into the strap. The spray deflector is configured so that adjusting the positions of the threaded fasteners on the threaded ends of the I-shaped bolt selectively adjusts the magnitude of the tension force. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of deflecting spray while disconnecting fasteners of a flanged pipe coupling having a pair of flanges. According to the method, a spray deflector as described herein is positioned with its strap over a gap between the flanges of the flanged pipe coupling so that strap substantially covers the gap around the circumference of the flanges. Tension in the strap is then increased so that the strap blocks spray from exiting the flanged pipe coupling via the gap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flanged pipe coupling and a spray deflector according to an embodiment of the present technology; 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the flanged pipe coupling taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the spray deflector according to one embodiment of the present technology; and 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of the spray deflector as indicated by area  4  of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the technology is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flanged pipe coupling  10  according to an embodiment of the present technology, and  FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the flanged pipe coupling  10  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the flanged pipe coupling  10  includes flanges  12 ,  14  having flange faces  16 ,  18 . Flange faces  16 ,  18  are oriented in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis  20  of a pipe  22  which carries the flanges  12 ,  14 . The flanges  12 ,  14  are generally configured so that the flange faces  16 ,  18  are adjacent to one another upon assembly of the flanged pipe coupling  10 . Optionally, a seal  24  may be inserted between the flange faces  16 ,  18  to seal the interface between the flange faces  16 ,  18 . The seal  24  may have a thickness T so that when the flanges  12 ,  14  are aligned with the seal  24  between them, the flanges  12 ,  14  are not able to come directly into contact with one another. Thus configured, the flanged pipe coupling  10  includes a gap  26  between the flanges  12 ,  14 . 
     In certain embodiments, the flanges  12 ,  14  are secured relative to one another with fasteners, which may be nuts  28  and bolts  30 . In such embodiments, assembly of the flanged pipe coupling  10  includes aligning the flanges  12 ,  14  so that holes  32  in the flanges  12 ,  14  are aligned, and inserting the bolts  30  through the holes. Each bolt  30  may be inserted into its corresponding hole  32  until the bolt head  34 , which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole  32 , comes into contact with an outer surface of the flange  14 . Thus inserted, each bolt  30  is long enough that it extends through the holes  32  in flanges  12 ,  14 , and the threaded end  36  of each bolt  30  extends beyond the outer surface of flange  14 . A threaded nut  28  is threaded onto the threaded end  36  of each bolt  30  and tightened, thereby pulling the flanges  12 ,  14  toward one another, and compressing the seal  24  therebetween. When compressed in this way, the seal  24  creates a fluid tight seal that prevents fluid inside the pipes  22  from leaking through the coupling  10 . Depending on pressure requirements of the flanged pipe coupling  10 , any number of bolts may be used to fasten the flanges  12 ,  14 . Typically, the bolts  30  are substantially evenly spaced around the flanges  12 ,  14 . 
     To disassemble the flanged pipe coupling  10 , the bolts  30  are unfastened from nuts  28  so the flanges  12 ,  14  can be separated. Sometimes, as the bolts  30  are unfastened, some liquid from within the pipes  22  and the coupling  10  may spray out of the coupling  10 . This may be due to residual pressure in the pipes  22  and the coupling  10 , or for other reasons. Such spray is undesirable because it may be hazardous to the worker performing the disassembly, or to other nearby workers. In addition, such spray may be undesirable because, depending on the nature of the sprayed fluid, it may be harmful to the environment around the coupling  10 , or its presence in the work environment outside the coupling  10  may create a hazardous work environment. 
     In order to limit this spray upon disassembly of the coupling, and as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a spray deflector  38  may surround the flanges  12 ,  14  of the coupling  10 , and cover the gap  26  therebetween. As shown, the spray deflector  38  may include an elongate strap  40 , wide enough to span the gap  26 , and long enough to substantially surround the flanges  12 ,  14 . When positioned over the gap  26 , the spray deflector  38  will block spray that may exit the coupling  10  when the nuts  28  and bolts  30  are loosened. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the spray deflector  38  also includes a tensioning mechanism  42  configured to increase or decrease the tension in the strap  40  around the circumference of the flanges  12 ,  14 . The tensioning mechanism  42  may include a pivoting tensioning lever  44  that is pivotally attached to a base  46 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the tensioning lever  44  may be attached to the base  46  with a pin  48 . The pin  48  restricts axial and radial movement between the tensioning lever  44  and the base  46 , but allows circumferential rotation of the tensioning lever  44  relative to the base  46 . The base  46  is attached to, or formed integrally with, a first end  50  of the strap  40 . In some embodiments, the base  46  may be attached to the first end of the strap  50  using nuts  70  and bolts  72 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the tensioning mechanism  42  may also include a clamp pin  52 , an adjustment pin  54 , and a tensioning bolt  56 . The clamp pin  52  may be configured for attachment to a second end  58  of the strap  40 . For example, in some embodiments, the second end  58  of the strap  40  may surround the clamp pin  52  and attach to itself, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The tensioning bolt  56  may have a U-shape, including a curved portion  60  and legs  62 . The tensioning bolt  56  may be configured so that the legs  62  pass through holes  64  in the clamp pin  52 , and the curved portion  60  is rotatably engaged with the tensioning lever  44  at a position forward of the pin  48 . The legs  62  have a smaller diameter than the holes  64  in clamp pin  52  so that the legs  62  can freely slide axially relative to the holes  64 . 
     The portion of the legs  62  opposite the clamp pin  52  from the tensioning lever  44  may be configured to engage the adjustment pin  54 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the legs  62  have threaded ends  66  and pass through the adjustment pin  54 . A nut  68  threadedly engages each of the legs  62  to prevent the adjustment pin  54  from sliding off the legs  62  and disengaging from the tensioning bolt  56 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the spray deflector is configured so that when in place on the flanges  12 ,  14 , the strap  40  of the spray deflector  38  may substantially surround the whole circumference of the flanges  12 ,  14 , excepting only where the tensioning bolt  56  of the tensioning mechanism  42  bridges the gap between the first and second ends  50 ,  58  of the strap  40 . Because the strap  40  substantially surrounds the whole circumference of the flanges  12 ,  14 , the spray is restrained from reaching any workers in the vicinity of the coupling  10 , or the environment. 
     When configured as described herein, and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tensioning mechanism  44  is capable of increasing or decreasing the tension in the spray deflector  38  around the flanges  12 ,  14 . For example, when the tensioning lever  44  is in an up position (not shown), the curved portion  60  of the tensioning bolt is positioned upward and away from the first end  50  of the strap  40 . Conversely, when the tensioning lever  44  is in the down position of  FIG. 3 , the curved portion  60  of the tensioning bolt is positioned downward and close to the first end  50  of the strap  40  from contact with the lever  44 . Thus, as the tensioning lever  44  pivots from an upward to a downward position and back, the curved portion  60  of the tensioning bolt  56  is respectively moved toward and away from the first end  50  of the strap  40 . 
     As the U-shaped portion  60  of the tensioning bolt  56  moves toward and away from the first end  50  of the strap  40 , the legs  62  of the tensioning bolt  56  likewise move toward and away from the first end  50  of the strap  40 . As the legs  62  move toward the first end  50 , they pull the adjustment pin  54  into the clamp pin  52 , and then pull both the adjustment pin  54  and the clamp pin  52  toward the first end  50 . Because the second end  58  is attached to the claim pin  52 , the second end  58  is also pulled toward the first end  50  and the tension in the strap  40  is increased around the flanges  12 ,  14 . Similarly, as the legs move away from the first end  50 , the adjustment pin  54  also moves away from the first end  50 , and tension on the second end  58  of the strap  40  decreases. The tension applied to the strap  40  can be further adjusted by adjusting the position of the nuts  68  on the legs  62 , which in turn adjusts the position of the adjustment pin  54  toward or away from the first end  50  of the strap  40 . 
     The ability to increase or decrease the tension in the strap  40  of the spray deflector  38  is advantageous because different tensions are needed during different phases of use of the spray deflector  38 . For example, a decreased tension is desirable during installation of the spray deflector  38  because the deflector  38  moves into place over the gap  26  between the flanges  12 ,  14 . However, an increased tension is desirable while disconnecting the bolts of the flange during adjustment, maintenance, or disassembly, to better contain spray. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present technology includes a method of using the spray deflector  38 . The method includes positioning the spray deflector  38  over the gap  26  between two flanges  12 ,  14  of a flanged pipe coupling  10  so that the strap  40  of the spray deflector substantially surrounds the circumference of the flanges  12 ,  14 . The method further includes increasing the tension of the strap  40  by moving the tensioning lever  44  of the tensioning mechanism  42  from an upward position to a downward position, as described above, so that the spray deflector  38  blocks spray from exiting the flanged pipe coupling  10  via the gap  26 . In some embodiments, the method may further include decreasing the tension of the strap  40  by moving the tensioning lever  44  of the tensioning mechanism  42  from a downward to an upward position so that the spray deflector is movable relative to the flanges for repositioning or removal of the spray deflector. 
     While the technology has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the technology. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the above disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. Accordingly, numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.