Abstract:
A tool comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being connected by means of an off-set connecting portion, wherein the first and second portions are generally perpendicular to each other. The tool is of particular use in aligning work pieces, for example in the field of pipe fitting, and the connecting portion preferably forms an open gap between the first and second portions to allow for protruding edges of work pieces.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to tools, and more particularly to tools for aligning work pieces. The present invention is of particular application in the field of pipe fitting but has application in many other fields. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In many fields and industries, it is desirable to align discrete work pieces to enable their modification or manipulation. As an example, pipe fitters often require the alignment of a pipe section and a flange, to enable them to weld the two pieces together. 
         [0003]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a prior art carpenter&#39;s square  50  is the commonly employed tool used by pipe fitters when attempting to ensure proper alignment of a pipe section  12  and a flange  14 . Given that the flange  14  is provided with a protruding edge or lip  16 , however, the square  50  cannot rest flat against the outside surface of the pipe  12  when it is placed flat against the flange  14  face. 
         [0004]    To align the pipe  12  and flange  14  using a carpenter&#39;s square  50 , a pipe fitter first places a gap rod (not shown) between the pipe  12  end and the flange  14 , ensures the inside diameter of the flange  14  measures the same as the inside diameter of the pipe  12 , and then “tack welds” the flange  14  to the pipe  12 . The short arm of the square  50  is then placed flat against the face of the flange  14 , and the long arm of the square  50  is moved as close to the pipe  12  as the protruding edge  16  of the flange  14  will allow. Two measurements are then taken between the long arm of the square  50  and the outside surface of the pipe  12 , using a measuring tape and level (not shown), resulting in measured distances a and b; if the measured distances a, b are the same, the pipe fitter then applies a further tack weld. The pipe  12  is then rotated 180 degrees, the square  50  is again used to enable two measurements, as above, and a further tack weld is applied. After this second tack weld, the pipe  12  is rotated 90 degrees, measured and tacked as above, and then the pipe  12  is rotated a final 180 degrees to enable a final set of measurements and tacking. 
         [0005]    It has been found that this method, using a carpenter&#39;s square  50 , is not only undesirably time-consuming, but it also does not provide a desirable degree of alignment accuracy, the accuracy depending primarily on the experience of the pipe fitter rather than the tools at their disposal. In addition, it would be difficult in most cases for a single pipe fitter to simultaneously take measurements, hold the square  50  in place, and tack weld the work pieces  12 ,  14 , and the common method accordingly usually requires a second person. 
         [0006]    The issue of alignment accuracy is of paramount importance, as misaligned pipe-flange connections can result in early fatigue of gaskets at the connections, possibly resulting in leakage of toxic and caustic materials being channeled by the pipes. For example, hydrogen sulfide gas is often transported using flanged pipe systems, and if leaked this gas can have fatal consequences with only minimal exposure. A flange which is not squared properly to the pipe can result in uneven pressure on the gasket, and increased risk of failure. Where the pipe system is being used to transport steam, any substantial leak can be observed during cold weather, but leaks are not readily observable during the warmer weather. If alignment problems are not addressed early on, the problem can intensify, resulting in thousands if not millions of dollars in down time for repairs of the pipe system, and in the most extreme cases can result in gasket blow-out or severe personal injuries to personnel. 
         [0007]    Flanges are used with pipe systems in many contexts, including the oil and gas industry, paper mills, and power plants, and properly aligned flanges can potentially save companies millions of dollars, while helping to ensure safe environmental conditions. 
         [0008]    What are needed, therefore, are means to ensure precise alignment of work pieces, to enable proper sealing at the connection point, preferably requiring less time and personnel. In fields other than pipe fitting, the consequences of misaligned work pieces might be equally severe, and some means are required to properly align work pieces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention accordingly seeks to provide means to enable a person to align two work pieces and enable their manipulation or modification, eliminating the need for additional personnel and a time-consuming measurement process. 
         [0010]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, then, there is provided a tool comprising:
       a first portion having a first long axis;   a second portion having a second long axis; and   an off-set connecting portion connecting the first and second portions;   wherein the first long axis is generally perpendicular to the second long axis.       
 
         [0015]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for enabling relative positioning of work pieces comprising:
       a first portion having a first edge;   a second portion having a second edge; and   a connecting portion connecting the first and second portions;   wherein the first edge is generally perpendicular to the second edge; and   wherein the connecting section is configured to form an open gap between at least a part of the first and second edges.       
 
         [0021]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for aligning work pieces comprising:
       a first portion having a first edge;   a connecting portion connected to the first portion and angled away from the first edge; and   a second portion connected to the connecting portion and having a second edge generally perpendicular to the first edge, the first and second edges facing each other.       
 
         [0025]    In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably comprises: a first segment disposed at an angle to the first portion and connected thereto; and a second segment generally parallel to the first portion, the second segment connected at one end to the first segment and connected at an opposite end to the second portion. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion comprises: a first segment disposed at a 45 degree angle to the first portion and connected thereto; and a second segment generally parallel to the first portion, the second segment connected at one end to the first segment and connected at an opposite end to the second portion. 
         [0026]    The connecting portion may also be rounded to form an open gap between at least a part of the first and second portions. In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting portion comprises: a first bend adjacent a first end thereof, the first end connected to the first portion; and a second and generally opposite bend spaced from the first bend; such that the first and second bends form an open gap between at least a part of the first and second portions. 
         [0027]    In exemplary embodiments, the first portion may comprise a measurement scale, the second portion may comprise a measurement scale, or the first and second portions may each comprise a measurement scale. The first and second portions preferably have facing but generally perpendicular edges that are generally straight edges. 
         [0028]    The connecting portion preferably forms an open gap between the first and second portions sized to receive at least part of a work piece. In preferred embodiments, the first portion is for providing an alignment edge for a first work piece, the second portion is for providing an alignment edge for a second work piece, and the connecting portion forms an open gap between the first and second portions sized to receive a protruding edge of the second work piece. 
         [0029]    In embodiments of the tool for aligning pipe sections and flanges, for example for welding same together, the first portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a pipe section, the second portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a flange to be connected to the pipe section, and the connecting portion preferably forms an open gap between the first and second portions sized to receive a protruding edge of the flange. In embodiments of the tool for aligning two steel plates, the first portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a first steel plate, the second portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a second steel plate to be connected to the first steel plate, and the connecting portion preferably forms an open gap between the first and second portions sized to receive a protruding edge of the second steel plate. In embodiments of the tool for aligning pipe sections and pipe caps, the first portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a pipe section, the second portion is preferably for providing an alignment edge for a pipe cap of greater diameter than the pipe section and to be connected to the pipe section, and the connecting portion preferably forms an open gap between the first and second portions sized to receive a protruding part of the pipe cap. 
         [0030]    As can be seen, a tool according to the present invention can help to ensure proper alignment of flanges in pipe systems, resulting in reduced maintenance, increased performance life of equipment (given reduced wear on bearings, pump shafts, flanges and gaskets), reduced risk of oil or toxin leakage from the system into the environment, and consequent enhancement of personnel safety. In addition, the risk of explosions is reduced where flammable materials are being transported by the pipe system. 
         [0031]    As will be seen in the following, using a tool according to the present invention can reduce the time required to fit a flange to a pipe, and also reduce personnel requirements. The tool is also flexible enough in its application to allow use no matter what the pipe orientation, and it can be inexpensively manufactured and accordingly sized for any desired application. 
         [0032]    A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as limited to these embodiments. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a prior art carpenter&#39;s square currently used to fit a flange to a pipe section; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a tool according to the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a tool having measurement scales on the first and second portions of the tool; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a tool according to the present invention, namely one where the connecting portion is curved; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of yet another embodiment of a tool according to the present invention, namely one where the connecting portion comprises right angles to form the off-set; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are side elevation and top plan views of a tool during use in fitting a flange to a pipe section; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view showing how a tool according to the present invention can be used to align two plates of steel; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 8  is a side elevation view showing how a tool according to the present invention can be used to align a pipe section and pipe cap; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of three tools, illustrating that the tool can be sized for diverse applications; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a series of side elevation views of pipes in different orientations, illustrating the utility of the tool given diverse pipe orientations; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 11  provides a visual comparison of a properly aligned flange and an improperly aligned flange; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 12  is a simplified illustration of a motor-driven pump apparatus employing flanged pipe connections. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of a tool according to the present invention, generally referred to by the numeral  10 . 
         [0047]    Referring now in detail to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in use as means for aligning a pipe  12  and flange  14 . The tool  10  comprises a first portion  18  having a first edge  24 , a second portion  20  having a second edge  26 , and a connecting portion  22 , the first and second edges  24 ,  26  for positioning the pipe  12  and flange  14  against, respectively. As can be seen, the flange  14  comprises a protruding edge  16  that would render a traditional square incapable of resting flat against both the face of the flange  14  and the outside surface of the pipe  12 . The tool  10  addresses this problem by means of a gap  28 , formed in part by the shape of the connecting portion  22 . The connecting portion  22  comprises a first segment  30  and a second segment  32 . The first segment  30  connects at one end to the first portion  18  and is disposed at an angle c to the long axis of the first portion  18  away from the first edge  24 ; in this embodiment, the angle is 45 degrees. Having extended a distance away from the first edge  24 , the first segment  30  is then connected at an opposite end to the second segment  32 , which is oriented generally parallel to the first portion  18  and connects in turn to the second portion  20 . The connecting portion  22  serves to off-set part of the edge of the tool  10  facing the pipe  12 , with the effect that the gap  28  is formed and can receive the protruding edge  16  of the flange  14  and allow the outside surface of the pipe  12  to contact the first edge  24 . By doing so, the perpendicular orientation of the first and second edges  24 ,  26  provides the means for ensuring a proper alignment of the pipe  12  and flange  14 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a modification of the first embodiment is illustrated. In this modification, measurement scales  36  are provided on both the first and second portions  18 ,  20  adjacent the first and second edges  24 ,  26 , respectively. In many cases, a pipe  12  will have more than one flange connection, and the connections must be at a precise distance apart. While a measuring tape is currently employed for this purpose, the tool  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  demonstrates how this can be eliminated by providing measurement scales  36  on the tool  10  itself. As can be seen, there is a second flange connection  64  on the pipe  12 . If the face of the flange  14  must be precisely  14  inches from the centre  66  of the second flange connection  64 , for example, this measurement is easily made with the modified tool  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a tool  10  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the connecting portion provides the desired off-set by means of bends  34  rather than straight, angled segments. With two 90 degree bends  34 , the connecting portion  22  is able to provide the necessary gap  28  to accommodate the protruding edge  16  of the flange  14 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates yet another embodiment of a tool  10  according to the present invention, this time with a connecting portion  22  comprising only right angles. Unlike the 45 degree orientation of the first segment  30  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first segment  30  in this alternative embodiment is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the long axis of the first portion  18 , with the second segment  32  parallel to the first portion  28 . Again, the desired gap  28  is formed. 
         [0051]    The utility and advantages of the present invention will become clear in the following. To recall, the current, standard method for aligning and connecting a flange and pipe involves a lengthy process with numerous rotations of the pipe  12  and the requirement for at least a second person. Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the tool  10  provides a far simpler process. The pipe fitter would still place a gap rod between the flange  14  and the pipe  12  end, ensure that the inside diameter of the flange  14  measures the same as the inside diameter of the pipe  12 , and tack weld the flange  14  to the pipe  12  with a tack  44 , as in the standard method. However, the pipe fitter would then place the first edge  24  of the tool  10  against the pipe  12  at a point adjacent the tack  44 , shift the flange  14  until the face is flat against the second edge  26  of the tool  10 , and provide a second tack  44 . Rather than rotating the pipe  12 , the tool  10  itself can then be rotated around the pipe  12  at 90 degree spacing, repeating the tacking. The pipe  12  would not need to be rotated after the first tack, and no measuring tape would be required. In addition, no second person should be required when using the tool  10  in this manner. As can clearly be seen, then, there is significant time savings in this process, eliminating the measuring tape step enhances accuracy, and personnel requirements have been reduced by half. 
         [0052]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tool  10  can be used in other applications than pipe-to-flange welded connections. Turning to  FIG. 7 , where it is desired to square a first steel plate  38  to a second steel plate  40 , the first steel plate  38  can be placed flat against the first edge  24  of the first portion  18 , and the second steel plate  40  can be similarly placed flat against the second edge  26  of the second portion  20 , enabling welding of the plates  38 ,  40  or any other desired activity.  FIG. 8  illustrates the utility of the tool  10  in squaring a pipe cap  42  to the pipe  12 , ensuring precise alignment. 
         [0053]    A tool  10  according to the present invention can be of any desired size or configuration, as dictated by the specific application. For example, tools  10  can be manufactured to any desired size, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , given different work piece sizes. Also, as mentioned above, the tool  10  can be employed no matter what the pipe  12  orientation; as can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the tool  10  has utility no matter how the pipe  12  is positioned. 
         [0054]    As stated above, misalignment of a flange connection can have a significant impact on a pipe system. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , misalignment of the flange connection can result in misaligned pipe sections  12 , which can have disastrous consequences should a gasket  46  fail.  FIG. 12  illustrates a simplified pump system, where a motor  56  powers a pump  48  via a motor shaft  58 , couplings  60 , and a pump shaft  62 . While the intake pipe  52  is properly aligned, the flange  14  of the outlet pipe  54  is misaligned, with the result that the gasket  46  is under uneven pressure and is at increased risk of rupture. The present invention would help to ensure that such misalignment does not take place. 
         [0055]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention and are intended to be included herein. It will be clear to any person skilled in the art that modifications of and adjustments to this invention, not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as demonstrated through the exemplary embodiments. For example, there may be specific industrial applications that would require a non-perpendicular alignment of two work pieces, and the present invention could obviously be modified to embody such an alternative form. As a further example, the connecting portion could simply be a straight length angled from the first portion and directly connecting the ends of the first and second portions, excluding any segment parallel to the first portion. The invention is therefore to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.