Patent ID: 8616590

Claim:
A flange connector for connecting first and second flange components, the first flange component having first and second sides and having a connector hole with first and second open ends on the first and second sides and having a hydraulic port communicating with the connector hole, the second flange component having third and fourth sides, the third side of the second flange component positioned adjacent the second side of the first flange component, the connector comprising: a piston disposed in the connector hole and movable therein in at least one direction by hydraulic pressure applied through the hydraulic port; a first stud connected to the piston and having a first end extending beyond the first open end of the connector hole for connection to a first nut on the first side of the first flange component; and a second stud connected to the piston and having a second end extending beyond the second open end of the connector hole to the second flange component for connection to a second nut on the fourth side of the second flange component, wherein the movement of the piston in the at least one direction by the hydraulic pressure pulls at least one of the first and second studs in tension in the at least one direction against the corresponding nut connected thereto.