WO2020038862A1 - Device for sealably connecting a first pipe to a second pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

This device (10) comprises a first and a second O-ring (14, 15), a male element (11) intended to be fixed onto the first pipe, a flanged end piece (12) intended to be fixed onto the second pipe, and a clamping nut (13) comprising an axial base (71) defining an opening for the passage of a straight portion (51) of the flanged end piece (12) until it comes into abutment against a flanged portion (53) of the flanged end piece (12). The clamping nut (13) is adapted to be screwed onto a first thread (35) of the male element (11) through the flanged end piece (12) when each of the O-rings (14, 15) is received in a corresponding groove of the male element (11) or of the flanged end piece (12), until it comes into abutment against the flanged portion (53) by means of its axial base (71), while thus assembling the connection device (10).

Description

 Sealing device for connecting a first pipe to a second pipe

The present invention relates to a device for sealingly connecting a first pipe to a second pipe.

 This device can be used in particular in the piping fittings of a ship, the piping leading to a product, in particular a fluid product.

 Generally, on ships, to perform the tight connection of pipes, two solutions are possible. One solution is to use flanges and the other is fittings.

 The use of flanges however remains a bulky and expensive solution which is applicable mainly to large diameter pipes. In the case of small diameters, it is preferable for reasons of space, cost and ease of assembly, to use fittings.

 A wide variety of fittings already exist in the state of the art.

 Among its connections, there are in particular radial sealing fittings. These fittings are generally in the form of a male element fitting into a female element. A seal is mounted on the male element and compressed by the female element which provides a radial seal.

 However, to be able to mount or dismount such a connection, one of the two elements must be moved away from the other, which is not always possible in a reduced space on board a ship.

 Known connections are also known as “recoil-free”, making it possible to avoid the need for the elements to recede. According to one type of these connections, a seal or a sealing ring is placed coaxially between two circular elements with flat faces. Then, these elements are tightened together for example by a tightening nut which ensures a so-called facial seal.

 However, during tightening, by gravity, the seal or the sealing ring comes into contact with the thread of the tightening nut, which deteriorates this component. Thus, the seal can be compromised.

 In addition, for proper operation, the gasket or the sealing ring must be compressed considerably between the elements, which requires significant tightening torque.

The object of the present invention is to propose a connection device making it possible to connect two pipes or to disassemble the connection without recoil, while applying a moderate tightening torque. To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for sealingly connecting a first pipe to a second pipe, the pipes carrying a product, comprising:

 - first and second O-rings);

 a male element elongated along a first axis and radially delimiting an internal volume for the circulation of product, said element comprising a first axial fixing end intended to be fixed on the first pipe, a first axial contact end and a first external surface s 'extending axially between these ends and defining a first thread and a first radial groove capable of receiving the first O-ring;

 a stepped end piece elongated along a second axis and radially delimiting an internal volume for circulation of product, said end piece comprising a second axial fixing end intended to be fixed to the second pipe, a second axial contact end and a second external surface s extending axially between these ends, said end piece forming a straight portion adjacent to the second axial fixing end and a stepped portion adjacent to the second axial contact end, the second external surface defining on the shoulder portion a second radial groove capable of receiving the second O-ring;

 - a tightening nut comprising an axial bottom defining an opening for passage of the straight portion of the shouldered end piece until it abuts against the shouldered portion, the tightening nut being adapted to be screwed onto the first thread through the shouldered end piece when each of the O-rings is received in the corresponding groove, until it abuts against the shouldered portion by means of its axial bottom, thereby assembling the connection device.

 According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination:

 - first radial groove is defined between the first thread and the first axial contact end;

 - The first thread is defined on a thread portion of the first outer surface and the first radial groove is defined on a groove portion of the first outer surface, the thread portion forming a shoulder relative to the groove portion;

- The clamping nut comprises an inner surface forming an inner shoulder capable of abutting against the threading portion of the male element when the clamping nut is screwed onto the first thread; - The first outer surface further defines a nut-shaped flange between the first thread and the first axial fixing end;

 - each of the O-rings is adapted to be in leaktight contact with an inner surface of the clamping nut when the connection device is assembled;

 - the first and second O-rings are substantially identical; and the first and second radial grooves are of substantially the same diameter;

 - each of the O-rings is made of an elastic material, in particular an elastomeric material;

 - The male element is symmetrical with respect to the first axis and the stepped end piece is symmetrical with respect to the second axis, said axes coinciding with one another when the connection device is assembled; and

 - usable on a ship.

 These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

 - Figure 1 is an exploded side view in section of a connection device according to the invention; and

 - Figure 2 is a side view partially in section of the connection device of Figure 1 in the assembled state.

 FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for connecting a first pipe to a second pipe.

 In the example of embodiment described, these pipes form part of the piping of a ship carrying a product, in particular a fluid, liquid or gas product, under different pressures, temperatures, etc.

 According to other exemplary embodiments, these pipes are part of any other type of piping.

 The pipes are made, for example, of the same material or of different materials.

This or these materials include in particular one or more metals and / or plastic components or any other material usable in the production of pipes according to methods known per se.

 In addition, the pipes are of the same diameter or of different diameters.

With reference to FIG. 1, the connection device comprises a male element 11, a stepped end piece 12, a tightening nut 13, a first O-ring 14 and a second O-ring 15. The first O-ring 14 and the second O-ring 15 are for example substantially identical.

 Thus, each of these seals 14, 15 is formed of an elastic material, for example an elastomer or any other material which can be used in the state of the art to ensure a radial seal.

 The male element 1 1 is elongated along a first axis X-X ’. This first axis has for example an axis of symmetry of the male element 1 1.

 The male element 1 1 comprises a first axial fixing end 21 intended to be fixed on the first pipe and a first axial contact end 22.

 In particular, the first axial fixing end 21 is intended to be fixed in leaktight manner to the first pipe using fittings known per se.

 According to another embodiment, the first axial fixing end 21 is intended to be fixed to the first pipe by welding or brazing.

 According to yet another embodiment, the male element 1 1 forms a single piece with the pipe, for example a piece made of material with this first pipe.

 The male element 1 1 further comprises a first outer surface 25 and a first inner surface 26, the two surfaces extending along the first axis XX ′ between the first axial fixing end 21 and the first axial end of contact 22. As is clear from FIG. 1, the first axial contact end 22 also forms a flat contact surface perpendicular to the first axis XX ′. This flat contact surface is in the form of a ring and extends between the first interior surface 26 and the first exterior surface 25.

 The first interior surface 26 radially delimits an interior volume 28 of product circulation. The first interior surface 26 thus has an extension of the first pipe and corresponds for example to the lateral surface of a circular cylinder of diameter Di crossed in its center by the first axis X-X ’.

 The first external surface 25 successively forms, from the first radial fixing end 21, a clamping portion 31, a threading portion 32 and a groove portion 33 adjacent to the first axial contact end 22.

 The groove portion 33 has for example a surface of revolution around the first axis X-X ’in which a radial groove 35 is formed.

This radial groove 35 is capable of receiving the first O-ring 14. In particular, the diameter of the radial groove 35 corresponds to the internal diameter of the first O-ring 14 and the depth of the radial groove 35 corresponds to the thickness of the first O-ring. 14, that is to say the value corresponding to the difference of its outside and inside diameters. Advantageously, the thickness of the first O-ring 14 is slightly greater than the depth of the groove 35 so that when the first O-ring 14 is received in the groove 35, it projects from this groove 35.

 The threading portion 32 also has, for example, a surface of revolution around the first axis X-X ’in which a first thread 36 is formed.

 Advantageously, the threading portion 32 forms a shoulder relative to the groove portion 33. In other words, the diameter of the threading portion 32 is greater than that of the groove portion 33 thus forming a shoulder 38 between these two portions.

 The clamping portion 31 has a nut-shaped flange. This shape is for example analogous to that of the clamping nut 13 as can be seen in FIG. 2.

 The shouldered tip 12 is elongated along a second axis Y-Y ’. This second axis has for example an axis of symmetry of the shouldered tip 12. Advantageously, the shouldered tip 12 has a body of revolution around the second axis Y-Y ’.

 Like the male element 31, the shouldered endpiece 12 includes a second axial fixing end 41 intended to be fixed on the second pipe and a second axial contact end 42.

 Thus, as in the previous case, the second axial fixing end 42 is intended to be fixed in leaktight manner to the second pipe using fittings known per se or by welding / brazing or forms a single piece with the pipe, for example a piece of material with this pipe.

 The shouldered endpiece 12 further comprises a second outer surface 45 and a second inner surface 46, the two surfaces extending along the second axis Y-Y 'between the second axial fixing end 41 and the second axial contact end 42. As is clear from FIG. 1, the second axial contact end 42 also forms a flat contact surface perpendicular to the second axis Y-Y '. This flat contact surface is in the form of a ring and extends between the second interior surface 46 and the second exterior surface 45.

 The second interior surface 46 radially defines an interior volume 48 for product circulation. The second inner surface 46 thus has an extension of the second pipe and corresponds for example to the lateral surface of a circular cylinder also of diameter Di crossed in the center by the second axis Y-Y ’.

 The second external surface 45 successively forms, from the second axial fixing end 41, a straight portion 51 and a shouldered portion 53 adjacent to the second axial contact end 42.

The straight portion 51 has a substantially constant outside diameter. The shoulder portion 53 has an outside diameter greater than that of the straight portion 51, thereby forming a shoulder.

 Furthermore, the shoulder portion 53 defines a second radial groove 55 similar to the first radial groove 35. Thus, the shoulder portion 53 and the groove portion 33 has substantially the same outside diameter. In addition, the second radial groove 55 is able to receive the second O-ring 15. Advantageously, as in the previous case, when the second O-ring 15 is received in the second radial groove 55, it slightly protrudes from this groove 55 .

 The clamping nut 13 has a part symmetrical with respect to a third axis Z-Z ’.

 The clamping nut 13 comprises in particular an inner surface 66 of cylindrical shape and forming a straight portion 67 and a threading portion 68.

 The straight portion 67 has a diameter which is slightly greater than the outside diameters of the groove portion 33 of the male element 11 and of the shouldered portion 53 of the shouldered endpiece 12.

 The threading portion 68 has a diameter greater than that of the straight portion 67, thus forming an internal shoulder 69.

 Furthermore, this diameter of the threading portion 68 is slightly greater than that of the threading portion 32 of the male element 1 1. In addition, the threading portion 68 of the nut 13 defines a thread capable of cooperating with the first thread 36 for screwing the clamping nut 13 onto the male element 1 1. Finally, the axial extent of the threading portion 68 of the nut 13 corresponds substantially to the axial extent of the threading portion 32 of the male element 1 1.

 The clamping nut 13 further comprises an axial bottom 71 adjacent to the straight portion 67 of this nut. This bottom 71 defines an opening for passage of the straight portion 51 of the shouldered end piece 12. This opening is circular with a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the straight portion 51 of the shouldered end piece 12 but is less than that of the portion shouldered 53. The clamping nut 13 is thus able to slide along the straight portion 51 of the shouldered endpiece 12 until it abuts against the shouldered portion 53 of this endpiece by means of its axial bottom 71. Furthermore, the diameter of the opening of the axial bottom 71 is such that the clamping nut 13 can slide freely along the second pipe.

 The operation of the connection device 10 according to the invention will now be explained.

Initially, the male element 1 1 is fixed by its first axial fixing end 21 to the first pipe. The clamping nut 13 is put on the second pipe so that its portion of thread 68 is oriented towards the end of this pipe and that it can slide freely along this pipe. Then, the shouldered endpiece 12 is fixed by its second axial fixing end 41 to the second pipe. As a variant, when in particular the stepped end piece 12 forms a single piece with the second pipe, the clamping nut 13 is put on this pipe from its free end.

 To connect the two pipes tightly, first, the first O-ring 14 is placed in the first radial groove 35 and the second O-ring 15 is placed in the second radial groove 55.

 Then, the two axial contact ends 22, 42 are brought together.

 Then, the clamping nut 13 is screwed onto the male element 1 1 through the shouldered endpiece until it abuts with its internal shoulder 69 against the shoulder 38 formed by the threading portion 32 of the element. male 1 1 and with its axial bottom 71 against the shouldered portion 53 of the shouldered end piece 12. Of course, the axial ranges of these different components are adapted to one another in order to tighten the shouldered end piece 12 and l 'male element 1 1 towards each other.

 The connection device 10 is thus put in its assembled state illustrated in FIG. 2.

 Thus, as can be seen in this FIG. 2, in when the connection device 10 is assembled, the O-rings 14, 15 are in contact with the internal surface 66 of the clamping nut 13 and in particular, with the portion right 67 of this surface. Furthermore, the first, second and third axes form a single axis of symmetry.

 To dismantle the connection device 10 in order, for example, to check or change the seals 14, 15, it suffices to unscrew the clamping nut 13. During this operation, no retraction of the pipes with respect to each other is not necessary.

 It is therefore understood that the present invention has a number of advantages.

 Indeed, the connection device according to the invention provides a radial seal which avoids deterioration of the seals and the need for a large tightening torque. In addition, the connection device according to the invention remains of the "recoil-free" type insofar as no recoil of the pipes is necessary to connect the pipes or to dismantle such a connection.

Of course, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention are also possible. In particular, those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of different shoulders in the device can be modified while ensuring good operation of it. Furthermore, the device can be easily adapted to different diameters of pipes to be connected.

Claims

1.- Device (10) for sealingly connecting a first pipe to a second pipe, the pipes carrying a product, comprising:  - a first and a second O-ring (14, 15);  - A male element (1 1) elongated along a first axis (X-X ') and delimiting radially an internal volume (28) of product circulation, said element (1 1) comprising a first axial fixing end (21) intended to be fixed to the first pipe, a first axial contact end (22) and a first external surface (25) extending axially between these ends (21, 22) and defining a first thread (36) and a first radial groove (35) able to receive the first O-ring (14);  - a shouldered nozzle (12) elongated along a second axis (Y-Y ') and radially delimiting an internal volume (48) of product circulation, said nozzle (12) comprising a second axial fixing end (41) intended to be fixed to the second pipe, a second axial contact end (42) and a second external surface (45) extending axially between these ends (41, 42), said end piece (12) forming a straight portion (51) adjacent to the second axial fixing end (41) and a shoulder portion (53) adjacent to the second axial contact end (42), the second outer surface (45) defining on the shoulder portion (53) a second radial groove (55) able to receive the second O-ring (15);  a tightening nut (13) comprising an axial bottom (71) defining an opening for passage of the straight portion (51) of the shouldered end piece (12) until it abuts against the shouldered portion (53), l 'clamping nut (13) being adapted to be screwed onto the first thread (36) through the shouldered end piece (12) when each of the O-rings (14, 15) is received in the corresponding groove, until it comes in abutment against the shoulder portion (53) by means of its axial bottom (71), thereby assembling the connection device (10);  the first outer surface (25) further defining a nut-shaped flange between the first thread (36) and the first axial fixing end (21). 2.- Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first radial groove (35) is defined between the first thread (36) and the first axial contact end (22). 3.- Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first thread (36) is defined on a thread portion (32) of the first outer surface (25) and the first radial groove (35) is defined on a groove portion (33) of the first outer surface (25), the threading portion (32) forming a shoulder (38) relative to the groove portion (33). 4.- Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the clamping nut (13) comprises an inner surface (66) forming an inner shoulder (69) adapted to abut against the thread portion (32) of the male element (1 1) when the clamping nut (13) is screwed onto the first thread (36). 5.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the O-rings (14, 15) is adapted to be in sealed contact with an inner surface (66) of the clamping nut (13) when the connection device (10) is assembled. 6.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which:  - the first and second O-rings (14, 15) are substantially identical; and - The first and second radial grooves (35, 55) are substantially of the same diameter. 7.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the O-rings (14, 15) is made of an elastic material, in particular an elastomeric material. 8.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male element (1 1) is symmetrical with respect to the first axis (X-X ') and the stepped end piece (12) is symmetrical by relative to the second axis (Y-Y '), said axes (X-X', Y-Y ') coinciding with each other when the connection device (10) is assembled. 9.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, usable on a ship. 10.- Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second axial contact ends (22, 42) form flat contact surfaces, perpendicular to the first axis (X-X ') and the second axis (Y-Y') respectively.