Rail Drive Duct Connection System

Abstract

An apparatus for joining high pressure ducts has a first and second bar secured to adjacent to be joined ducts. A coupling mechanism having a U-shape is frictionally engaged onto the first and second bar. An end of the coupling mechanism frictionally engages the surface of the bar members so that the coupling mechanism is slidably removably connected to the first and second bars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for joining high pressure ducts comprising:
 a pair of ducts to be joined together, the ducts having a configuration with a plurality of sides;   providing a plurality of first bar members, said plurality corresponding to the number of sides of said ducts, each first bar including a first member having a surface for securing with a first duct, a second member extending from said first member, said second member having a surface for securing with a coupling mechanism;   providing a plurality of second bar members, said plurality of second bar members corresponding to the number of first bar members, each said second bar member including a first member having a surface for securing with a second duct, a second member extending from said first member, said second member having a surface for securing with the coupling mechanism;   permanently affixing said plurality of first bar members to said first duct;   permanently affixing said plurality of said second bar members to the second duct;   coupling said first and second bar members together with the coupling mechanism by sliding said coupling mechanism onto said first and second bar members such that ends of said coupling mechanism mate with surfaces of said second members of said first and second bar members; and   joining the ducts together.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising welding said first and second bar members to said first and second ducts. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting ends of said plurality of first bars, second bars and coupling mechanisms with one another. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a seal between said first and second bars. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising removably sliding said coupling mechanisms onto said first and second bars.