Patent ID: 8104796

Claim:
A pipe joint, comprising: a first pipe ( 102 ) comprising a first flange ( 124 ); a second pipe ( 104 ) comprising a second flange ( 134 ); a first sleeve ( 142 ) installed within the first pipe ( 102 ), the first sleeve ( 142 ) comprising a first complementary engagement structure including one of a protrusion and recess at an end ( 160 ) of the first sleeve ( 142 ); a second sleeve ( 144 ) installed within the second pipe ( 104 ), the second sleeve ( 144 ) comprising a second complementary engagement structure including one of a protrusion and recess at an end ( 170 ) of the second sleeve ( 144 ); an annular ring ( 150 ) positioned between the flange ( 124 ) of the first pipe ( 102 ) and the flange ( 134 ) of the second pipe ( 104 ) such that a first face of the annular ring is directly contacting a surface of the first flange ( 124 ) at a first flange interface ( 1694 ) and a second face of the annular ring is directly contacting a surface of the second flange ( 134 ) at a second flange interface ( 1698 ), wherein the annular ring ( 150 ) comprises one of a complementary protrusion and recess at the first face extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 200 ) for complementary engagement with the first complementary engagement structure of the first sleeve, and one of a complementary protrusion and recess at the second face, opposite the first face, extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 200 ), for complementary engagement with the second complementary engagement structure of the second sleeve ( 144 ); and wherein the pipe joint is configured to receive a plurality of threaded fasteners installed through the flange ( 124 ) of the first pipe ( 102 ), through an opening extending longitudinally within the annular ring ( 150 ), and through the flange ( 134 ) of the second pipe ( 104 ), wherein the plurality of threaded fasteners secure and compress the annular ring ( 150 ) between the flange ( 124 ) of the first pipe ( 102 ) and the flange ( 134 ) of the second pipe ( 104 ).