Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a coupling device for coupling a loading arm. <CIT> discloses a flange assembly comprising a flange in the form of a disk shaped rim formed on a pipe section for connection to a hose or pipe.

According to the invention there is provided a flange assembly comprising a flange in the form of a disk-shaped rim for connection to a hose or pipe, the flange defining a contact face for engagement, in use, with a contact face of an opposed flange, and at least three clamps spaced circumferentially around the contact face of the flange, each clamp including a clamp body pivotably secured to the flange and a clamp member mounted on the clamp body for movement relative thereto, the clamp body being movable between a first, retracted position and a second, clamping position in which a clamp face of the clamp member faces the contact face of the flange, the clamp member being movable relative to the clamp body to adjust the position of the clamp face relative to the contact face of the flange and thereby adjust a clamping force created between the clamp face and the contact face of the flange, wherein the flange assembly further includes a plurality of connecting bolts protruding from a face of the flange opposite the contact face in order to connect the flange, in use, to a hose or pipe having a hollow bore through which flowable material may flow.

The provision of clamps coupled to the flange readily allows for opposing flanges to be retained in face to face contact and avoids the need for through-holes to be aligned in order to allow the insertion of bolts to secure the flanges in face to face contact.

The provision of a pivotal connection between the clamp body of each clamp and the flange allows the clamp body only to be pivoted into the second, clamping position as and when it is desirable to clamp opposing flanges in face to face contact - i.e. once an opposing flange has been properly located and engaged with the contact face of the flange. During location of the opposing flange, the clamp body is located in the first, retracted position so as not to obscure or otherwise block the contact face of the flange and allow the opposing flange to be located and properly engaged with the contact face of the flange.

Preferably, the clamp member is threadedly engaged through an aperture in the clamp body, the clamp face being movable relative to the contact face of the flange, when the clamp body is located in the second, clamping position, on rotation of the clamp member.

Such an arrangement provides an efficient mechanism that readily allows adjustment of the position of the clamp face relative to the contact face of the flange when required. The use of a threaded engagement between the clamp member and the clamp body effectively locks the clamp face in position, preventing unwanted adjustment of the position of the clamp face, without the need for any additional lock or latching mechanism.

Through the use of an appropriate adaptation of the clamp member, such as the provision of a hexagonal head on the end of the clamp member remote from the clamp face, the position of the clamp face can be readily adjusted through the use of conventional tools such as spanners and/or sockets.

Preferably, so as to avoid the possibility of the clamp body of each clamp being inadvertently moved out of the first, retracted position before location and engagement of an opposing flange with the contact face of the flange, each clamp includes a latching mechanism to hold the clamp body in the first, retracted position.

Pivotal mounting of the clamp body of each clamp on the flange may be achieved by pivotably mounting the clamp body between a pair of opposed pivot blocks, the pivot blocks being secured to an outer circumferential edge of the flange.

In such an embodiment, a latching mechanism may be provided on an inner surface of each pivot block in the form of a ball catch, the ball catch including a spherical latch element captive within an aperture formed in the pivot block whilst being biased to protrude from the inner surface of the pivot block for engagement in a correspondingly shaped opening formed in an adjacent surface of the clamp body when the clamp body is located in the first, retracted position.

Such an arrangement allows the clamp body to be readily engaged with the latching mechanism on each pivot block as the clamp body is moved into the first, retracted position, and retained in that position until sufficient force is applied to the clamp body in order to depress the spherical latch element against the bias and thereby allow movement of the clamp body to the second, clamping position.

It will be appreciated that the biasing mechanism selected in order to bias the spherical latch element to protrude from the inner surface of the pivot block should be sufficient in size to prevent inadvertent depression of the spherical latch element, and thus inadvertent release of the latching mechanism.

Preferably, the clamp member of each clamp includes a leg having a foot element mounted at an end thereof by means of a ball joint, the foot element defining the clamp face of the clamp member.

The use of a ball joint allows pivoting movement of the foot element relative to the leg on engagement of the clamp face against a rear surface of an opposing flange and thus allows the clamp face to turn on the ball joint in order to maximise contact between the clamp face and the rear surface of the opposing flange. This is particularly advantageous in circumstances where the rear surface of an opposing flange is uneven, which might otherwise reduce the amount of surface area in contact with the clamp face.

In such embodiments, a compressible pad may be located between the foot element and the leg of each clamp to allow such flexure of the foot relative to the leg.

For cryogenic applications, an insulating pad may be provided on the clamp face of each clamp member. Such an arrangement insulates the clamp member from the rear surface of the opposing flange. This, in turn, reduces the flow of heat energy from the clamp member to the rear surface of the opposing flange and thus prevents or at least reduces cooling of the clamping members that might otherwise injure an operator during adjustment of the position of the clamp face relative to the contact face.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the flange assembly may further include at least three guide members circumferentially spaced around the contact face of the flange, each guide member being detachably secured to an outer edge of the flange so as to extend generally perpendicularly relative to the contact face of the flange, and reducing in width so as to define a tapered nose section spaced from the contact face of the flange.

The provision of such guide members provides a mechanism, in use, for guiding the flange and an opposing flange into alignment readily with minimum input from an operator and thereby reducing the risk of injury.

The use of guide members that are detachably secured directly to an outer edge of the flange allows for different arrangements and configurations of the guide members depending on the flange, and thus provides a reconfigurable flange assembly for use with a range of flanges. It is envisaged that the flange assembly could be used with any existing flange or pipe arrangement and the flange member, for example, may be provided in the form of a spool flange, a slip on flange, a weld neck flange or a studded flange.

The clamps and guide members may be alternately arranged and equidistantly spaced, circumferentially, around the contact face of the flange. Such an arrangement ensures a balanced effect is achieved from both the clamps and the guide members.

Preferably, the flange assembly in such embodiments includes a protection ring extending around and detachably secured to outer edges of the guide members.

The use of a detachably secured ring allows the ring to be detached from the flange assembly, together with or separately from the guide members. This increases the modular nature of the flange assembly, again allowing the flange assembly to be reconfigured.

In other embodiments, it is envisaged that the flange may be formed on a pipe section for connection to a hose or pipe, the pipe section defining a hollow bore through which flowable material may flow.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a flange assembly comprising a flange in the form of a disk-shaped rim for connection to a hose or pipe, the flange defining a contact face for engagement, in use, with a contact face of an opposed flange, and at least three guide members circumferentially spaced around the contact face of the flange, each guide member being detachably secured to an outer edge of the flange so as to extend generally perpendicularly relative to the contact face of the flange, and reducing in width so as to define a tapered nose section spaced from the contact face of the flange.

There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

A flange assembly <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in <FIG>.

The flange assembly <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> in the form of a disk-shaped rim for connection to a hose or pipe (not shown). The flange defines a contact face <NUM> for engagement, in use, with a contact face of an opposed flange (not shown).

The flange assembly <NUM> also includes six clamps <NUM> spaced circumferentially around the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>. Each clamp <NUM> includes a clamp body <NUM> pivotably secured to the flange <NUM> and a clamp member <NUM> mounted on the clamp body <NUM> for movement relative thereto.

The clamp body <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> in a first, retracted position in which neither the clamp body <NUM> nor the clamp member <NUM> obscures or otherwise blocks the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>. This allows location and engagement, in use, of an opposing flange with the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>.

Once an opposed flange is properly located and engaged with the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>, the clamp body <NUM> is movable from the first, retracted position (shown in <FIG>) to a second, clamping position (not shown) in which a clamp face <NUM> (<FIG>) of the clamp member <NUM> faces the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the clamp member <NUM> is screw threadedly engaged through an aperture in the clamp body <NUM>. This arrangement allows adjustment of the position of the clamp face <NUM> relative to the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM> on rotation of the clamp member <NUM> - the screw threaded engagement between the clamp member <NUM> and the aperture through the clamp body <NUM> translating rotational movement of the clamp member <NUM> into lateral movement of the clamp member <NUM> relative to the clamp body <NUM>.

Movement of the clamp face <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> relative to the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM> facilitates the adjustment of the clamping force created between the clamp face <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> and the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM> to retain the opposing flange in face to face engagement with the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the clamp member <NUM> includes a hexagonal head <NUM>. This allows adjustment to be effected through the use of conventional spanners and/or sockets.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments movement of the clamp member <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> relative to the respective clamp body <NUM> may be effected through use of other mechanisms. In other embodiments, for example, a ratchet mechanism may be used to effect movement of each clamp member <NUM> relative to the respective clamp body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be seen that the clamp body <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> is pivotably mounted by means of a pivot pin <NUM> (<FIG>) extending through an aperture <NUM> in the clamp body <NUM>. The pivot pin <NUM> is received at each end in a pivot block <NUM> (<FIG>) such that the clamp body <NUM> is pivotably mounted between a pair of opposed pivot blocks <NUM>. The pivot blocks <NUM> are, in turn, secured within an aperture <NUM> formed within the circumferential edge <NUM> of the flange <NUM> by means of screws <NUM>.

The clamp body <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> is retained in its first, retracted position, by means of a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a ball catch (not shown) on an inner surface of each pivot block <NUM>. The ball catch includes a spherical latch element held captive in an aperture formed in the inner surface of the pivot block <NUM> and biased by means of a spring to protrude from the inner surface. The protruding latch element engages in a correspondingly shaped opening <NUM> (<FIG>) formed in an adjacent surface of the clamp body <NUM> when the clamp body <NUM> is located in the first, retracted position.

In order to move the clamp body <NUM> from the first, retracted position to the second, clamping position, a sufficient force must be applied to the clamp body in order to force the edge of the opening <NUM> against the spherical latch element and cause depression of the spherical latch element against the spring bias. It will be appreciated that the size of the force required to depress the spherical latch element is determined by the size of the bias against which the spherical latch element must be depressed. This can be achieved through the use of a stiffer spring in order to increase the size of the force required or a softer spring in order to reduce the size of the force required.

The clamp member <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> includes a foot element <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) mounted at an end thereof by means of a ball joint <NUM>. The ball joint <NUM> defines a first shoulder <NUM> over which a retention clip <NUM> is engaged to retain the foot element <NUM> in position on the end of a leg element <NUM> of the clamp member <NUM>. The foot element <NUM> defines the clamp face <NUM> of the clamp member <NUM>.

An annular, compressible pad <NUM> is located between the retention clip <NUM> and a second shoulder <NUM> formed on the leg element <NUM>.

The use of a ball joint <NUM> to mount the foot element <NUM> to the end of the leg member <NUM> allows rotation of the foot element <NUM> relative to the leg <NUM>. Such flexure allows the clamp face <NUM> to turn on the ball joint <NUM> on engagement against a rear surface of an opposing flange in order to maximise contact between the clamp face <NUM> and the rear surface of the opposing flange.

The provision of the compressible pad <NUM> between the retention clip <NUM> and the second shoulder <NUM> on the leg element <NUM> limits and controls the degree of flexure of the foot element <NUM> relative to the leg member <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the clamp face <NUM> on the foot element <NUM> of each clamp <NUM> includes an insulating pad <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous for use in cryogenic applications. In such applications, cryogenic material flowing through the pipes and/or hoses causes cooling of the flanges.

The provision of an insulating pad <NUM> on the foot element <NUM> of each the clamp <NUM> reduces or prevents the flow of heat energy from the clamp member <NUM> to the rear surface of the opposing flange and thus prevents or at least reduces the cooling of the clamping members <NUM> that might otherwise injure an operator during adjustment of the position of the clamp face <NUM> relative to the contact face <NUM>.

So as to assist location of an opposing flange and engagement of the opposing flange with the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>, the flange assembly <NUM> includes six guide members <NUM> spaced around the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>.

Each guide member <NUM> is detachably secured to the circumferential edge <NUM> of the flange <NUM> by means of two screws <NUM> (<FIG>) and extends generally perpendicularly relative to the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>. An uppermost end of each guide member <NUM> reduces in width so as to define a tapered nose section <NUM>.

In use, the guide members <NUM> serve to guide the flange <NUM> and an opposing flange into alignment readily with minimum input from an operator and thereby reducing the risk of injury.

In order to further protect the flange assembly <NUM> during alignment of the flange <NUM> with an opposing flange, a protection ring <NUM> extends around and is detachably secured to outer edges <NUM> of the guide members <NUM> by means of screws <NUM>.

The protection ring <NUM> protects the guide members <NUM> and the clamps <NUM> during alignment of opposing ends of two pipes. It will be appreciated that such pipes may be significant in size and weight, hence the desire to minimise the risk of damage caused by collisions between component parts and damage caused by trapping hands or fingers therebetween.

The use of guide members <NUM> and a protection ring <NUM> that are detachably secured, allows for different arrangements and configurations depending on the flange. It thus provides a reconfigurable flange assembly for use with a range of flanges. It is envisaged that the flange assembly could be used with any existing flange or pipe arrangement and the flange member, for example, may be provided in the form of a spool flange, a slip on flange, a weld neck flange or a studded flange.

In the arrangement shown in <FIG>, the clamps <NUM> and guide members <NUM> are alternately arranged and equidistantly spaced, circumferentially, around the contact face <NUM> of the flange <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, different numbers, superior to three, of clamps <NUM> and guide members <NUM> may be employed.

It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments, depending on the intended application of the flange assembly, the clamps <NUM> may be omitted.

The flange assembly <NUM> forms part of a modular arrangement. In order to couple the flange <NUM> to a pipe or hose section <NUM> (<FIG>), the flange assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of connecting bolts <NUM> protruding from a rear surface <NUM> of the flange <NUM>. The connecting bolts <NUM> are equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the flange <NUM> and are engageable within apertures <NUM> formed in a pipe or hose section <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A flange assembly (<NUM>) comprising a flange (<NUM>) in the form of a disk-shaped rim for connection to a hose or pipe, the flange (<NUM>) defining a contact face (<NUM>) for engagement, in use, with a contact face of an opposed flange; and at least three guide members (<NUM>) circumferentially spaced around the contact face (<NUM>) of the flange (<NUM>), each guide member (<NUM>) being detachably secured to an outer edge of the flange (<NUM>) so as to extend generally perpendicularly relative to the contact face (<NUM>) of the flange (<NUM>), and reducing in width so as to define a tapered nose section spaced from the contact face (<NUM>) of the flange (<NUM>), wherein the flange assembly (<NUM>) further includes a plurality of connecting bolts (<NUM>) protruding from a face (<NUM>) of the flange (<NUM>) opposite the contact face (<NUM>) in order to connect the flange (<NUM>), in use, to a hose or pipe having a hollow bore through which flowable material may flow.