PIPE CLAMP

Abstract: A pipe clamp comprises a pair of semi-circular sections (2 and 3), which are attached one to another by a pair of fittings (4). A threaded tensioning rod (8) provided with adjustment nuts (9) is fitted to each fitting (4). In use, the pipe clamp (1) is fitted around the end of a first section of pipe (12). The nuts (9) on the rods (8) are tightened so that the clamp pulls the end of the pipe (12) into the correct profile. A secondary pipe (13) is put in position adjacent to the parent pipe (12). Secondary clamps (14) are mounted on the main clamp (1) and are provided with jacking bolts (16). By adjusting the jacking bolts (16) the secondary pipe (13) is also brought into a round profile so that the two, now matching, pipe sections are ready for welding together.

Description: PIPE CLAMP This invention relates to a pipe clamp especially but not exclusively for use with large bore metal tubular pipework and for ensuring accurate matching of end profiles prior to welding together of pipe sections. Tubular pipework of the type commonly used in the petrochemical industry is often formed from rolled and seam welded sheet. Sections of pipe are cut to length and used in combination with other components to form a complete installation. Typically as a result of the way in which the pipework is formed and seam welded cut sections of pipe will tend to be slightly out of round. This obviously poses problems when sections of pipework are matched up to each other and to various fittings as without remedial action it is not possible to obtain a neat high quality weld at the joint. Accordingly, some form of clamp may be used to pull the pipe into shape before welding. The most commonly used pipe clamp in the petro-chemical industry is the chain type clamp. Such a clamp can be used on various pipe sizes to reshape oval and out of round sections before welding. In this way it is possible to ensure that the sections to be welded are a close fit which allows a neat and effective weld to be produced. However such clamps are expensive and have a number of disadvantages and limitations. They are often cumbersome to use in confined areas especially on larger bore pipework as the chain construction makes the clamps very heavy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe clamp that overcomes these disadvantages of the prior art clamp. According to the present invention there is provided a pipe clamp comprising a first clamp member arranged for fitment around a first tubular member and having an inner surface profile corresponding to the desired profile of the tubular member, means being provided for tightening the clamp around said tubular member characterised in that second clamp means are provided mounted on the first clamp member said second clamp member having means for engaging a second tubular member and bringing the end profile of said second tubular member into alignment with the end profile of the first tubular member. Preferably the first clamp member comprises a pair of part circular sections releasbily connected one to another to allow fitment around a tubular member. Most preferably the means for releasably connecting the pair of part circular sections one to another comprises threaded adjustment means. Preferably also said second clamp member is selectively positionable around the circumference of the first clamp member . More preferably a plurality of individually positionable second clamp members are provided. Most preferably the or each second clamp member has a threaded adjuster for engaging and applying profile correction to the second tubular member. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided method of matching the end profiles of a pair of tubular members prior to the welding together thereof comprising fixing a first clamp member around a first tubular member to cause the end profile of the first tubular member to correspond to the profile of the first clamp member, attaching one or more second clamp members having means for engaging a second tubular member to said first clamp member and adjusting said second clamp member or members to alter the end profile of said second tubular member to correspond to the end profile of said first tubular member. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an end view of a pipe clamp in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is a side view of the pipe clamp of Fig 1 in position on a pair of matched pipe sections; and Fig 3 is an alternative side view of the pipe clamp of Fig 1 in position on two ad acent pipe sections. Referring to the drawings a pipe clamp in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 1. The clamp comprises a pair of generally semi-circular sections, 2 and 3 which are attached one to another by a pair of fittings shown generally at 4. Each fitting 4 comprises a first section 5 and a second section 6 each mounted on a respective clamp section 2, 3 via a stainless steel roller 7. A threaded tensioning rod 8 provided with adjustment nuts 9 is fitted to each fitting 4. The inner surface 10 of the clamp sections 2, 3 each have indentations 11 , which allow the clamp to f t over any weld seams, which may stand proud of the surface of a pipe section. In use, the pipe clamp 1 is fitted around the end of a first section of pipe 12. The nuts 9 on the rods 8 are tightened so that the fittings 4 pull the clamp sections 2 and 3 together tightly against the pipe 12. Once fully tightened the clamp 1 pulls the end of the pipe 12 into the correct round profile. The stainless steel rollers 7 reduce friction in the fittings 4 which ensures that the nuts 9 can be easily tightened either with hand spanners or air tools. Once the parent pipe 12 has been correctly shaped a secondary pipe 13 to be joined to it is put in position adjacent to the parent pipe 12. Secondary clamps 14 are mounted on the main clamp 1 using fixings 15 and are provided with jacking bolts 16. By adjusting the jacking bolts 16 the secondary pipe 13 is also brought into a round profile. The two, now matching, pipe sections are then tack welded together after which the jacking bolts are removed with the main clamp 1 remaining in position until both a rootweld and secondpass weld of the complete joint are completed. This prevents pipe distortion during the welding process, which eliminates the need to repair welds or indeed the need to cut out and redo welds because of mismatched joins. The clamp can easily be produced in sizes to match the commonly used pipe dimensions. The simple construction and compact dimensions allow for easy handling and use in awkward and tight positions. The grade of material used in construction of the clamp is such as to make it useable on and compatible with a range of different material pipe sections. The clamp is particularly suitable for use on exotic materials such as cunifer, stainless steel, duplex and super duplex but is also suitable for use on standard materials such as carbon steel. When used on certain materials there is a need to prevent contamination. This can be easily achieved by using heat resistant duct tape between the clamp and the pipe. Duct tape is cheap and easily replaced so is ideal for this task. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A pipe clamp comprising a first clamp member arranged for fitment around a first tubular member and having an inner surface profile corresponding to the desired profile of the tubular member, means being provided for tightening the clamp around said tubular member characterised in that second clamp means are provided mounted on the first clamp member said second clamp member having means for engaging a second tubular member and bringing the end profile of said second tubular member into alignment with the end profile of the first tubular member. 2. A pipe clamp as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first clamp member comprises a pair of part circular sections releasibly connected one to another to allow fitment around a tubular member. 3. A pipe clamp as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the means for releasably connecting the pair of part circular sections one to another comprises threaded adjustment means. 4. A pipe clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said second clamp member is selectively positionable around the circumference of the first clamp member. 5. A pipe clamp as claimed in Claim 4 wherein a plurality of individually positionable second clamp members are provided. 6. A pipe clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or each second clamp member has a threaded adjuster for engaging and applying profile correction to the second tubular member. 7. A method of matching the end profiles of a pair of tubular members prior to the welding together thereof comprising fixing a first clamp member around a first tubular member to cause the end profile of the first tubular member to correspond to the profile of the first clamp member, attaching one or more second clamp members having means for engaging a second tubular member to said first clamp member and adjusting said second clamp member or members to alter the end profile of said second tubular member to correspond to the end profile of said first tubular member. 8. A pipe clamp substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings .

Applicants: MILLIGAN WILLIAM, MILLIGAN, WILLIAM
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F16L13
IPC codes: B23K37