Flange assembly with improved serviceability

Abstract

The invention is directed at joint assembly which includes a first part and a second part to be assembled together. The first and second part are secured together via a set of fasteners and a set of attachment portions. The set of attachment portions cooperate with one of the first or second parts and receive the set of fasteners.

1 . An exhaust flange assembly comprising:
 first and second flanges for respectively receiving ends of first and second pipes to be joined, said flanges being securable to each other to join said pipes, said flanges, when abutted against each other, having at least two pairs of opposing holes therethrough; and   fastening means positionable through said pairs of opposing holes to secure said flanges to each other, said fastening means comprising, for each pair of said opposing holes:   an attachment portion positionable into a said opposing hole in said first flange, prevented from rotation in that hole, said attachment portion having an abutting portion outside that hole to contact the flange and an engagement portion extending into that hole, at least the engagement portion of the attachment portion having a threaded bore; and   a bolt positionable through the opposing hole of the second flange, for screwing into said threaded bore so as to secure the flanges to each other;   wherein the engagement portion partially extends into said second flange.   
     
     
         2 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said bore does not extend fully through said attachment portion. 
     
     
         3 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment portion being prevented from rotation in said opposing hole in said first flange is by at least a portion of said engagement portion having a non-circular cross-section corresponding to a non-circular portion of said opposing hole in said first flange. 
     
     
         4 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein said non-circular cross-section is provided by said engagement portion having at least one flat. 
     
     
         5 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein said non-circular cross-section is provided by said engagement portion having an eccentric cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment portion being prevented from rotation in said opposing hole in said first flange is by said engagement portion having splines or knurling. 
     
     
         7 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one said flange is of sintered powder metal. 
     
     
         8 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said bore does not extend fully through said attachment portion. 
     
     
         9 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said sintered powder metal is a mixture of carbon or stainless steel and hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN). 
     
     
         10 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said flanges is on the exhaust manifold of an engine. 
     
     
         11 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion supports a gasket inserted between the two flanges. 
     
     
         12 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a shield covering at least one of the first and second flange portions. 
     
     
         13 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein the shield is bonded to the first or second flange portion. 
     
     
         14 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein the shield is integral with the first or second flange portion. 
     
     
         15 . An exhaust flange assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein the shield is integral with the attachment portion.