Advancements in mechanical sealing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting two pipes in fluid communication is provided. The apparatus comprises a connector body configured to, in use, bridge a first and a second pipe, each pipe having a free end. It also comprises a mechanical interlock arrangement, for preventing or limiting axial movement of the connector body relative to the free ends of the first and second pipes. The apparatus also comprises a mechanical seal arrangement for providing a metal-to-metal seal between the pipes and the connector body.

1 . An apparatus for connecting two pipes in fluid communication, the apparatus comprising:
 a connector body configured to, in use, bridge a first and a second pipe, each pipe having a free end;   a mechanical interlock arrangement, for preventing or limiting axial movement of the connector body relative to the free ends of the first and second pipes; and   a mechanical seal arrangement for providing a metal-to-metal seal between the pipes and the connector body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical seal arrangement includes a first metallic element configured to fit on a free end of a pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the first metallic element is specifically dimensioned to fit on a pipe to ensure the mechanical seal arrangement can create a strong seal, in combination with the connector body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the mechanical seal arrangement further includes a second metallic element, configured to be located between the first metallic element and an internal surface of the connector body, such that the seal is created between the first and second metallic elements. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the first metallic element is an olive having a tapered portion comprising an angled surface, arranged to contact a corresponding angled surface of the second metallic element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the two angled surfaces have different angles. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second metallic element is a sleeve, configured to encircle the two free ends of the pipes, in use. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a mechanism for applying a force to the first metallic element, in order to assure a seal between a pipe and the connector body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the connector body comprises one or more apertures defining a plurality of channels through a portion of the connector body, from a front surface of the connector body to a radial internal surface, the radial internal surface being located substantially adjacent the first metallic element in use. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein each channel comprises an internal thread such that a bolt, with a corresponding external thread, can be rotatably inserted into each channel to provide a force that acts on the first metallic element in an axial direction. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the mechanical seal arrangement further comprises a resilient washer arranged for sustaining the force applied on the first metallic element. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the washer is configured to be located between the radial internal surface of the connector body comprising the apertures, and the first metallic element. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical interlock arrangement comprises at least one projection on an internal surface of the connector body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein one or both of the projections on the connector body and the groove on the pipe are circumferential. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connector body is provided as separate first and second parts, such that they can be brought together around the pipes, in use. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the connector body is split along a horizontal plane to define the first and second parts. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the first and second parts of the connector body comprise bores extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, configured to accept connecting components, in order to couple the first and second parts of the connector body to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein each bore comprises an annular surface with a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, configured to be engaged by a connecting component in use. 
     
     
         19 . A pipe assembly connecting two pipes in fluid communication, the assembly comprising:
 two pipes, each having a free end;   a connector body bridging the pipes; and   a mechanical seal arrangement for providing a metal-to-metal seal between each pipe and the connector body.   
     
     
         20 . The pipe assembly of  claim 19  wherein the mechanical seal arrangement comprises a first metallic element and a second metallic element, the first and second metallic elements arranged to engage each other to create the metal-to-metal seal. 
     
     
         21 . The pipe assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first metallic element is an olive having a tapered portion comprising an angled surface, arranged to contact a corresponding angled surface of the second metallic element. 
     
     
         22 . The pipe assembly of  claim 21  wherein the two angled surfaces have slightly different angles. 
     
     
         23 . The pipe assembly of  claim 20  wherein the second metallic element is a sleeve, configured to fit within the connector body and encircle the two free ends of the pipes. 
     
     
         24 . The pipe assembly of  claim 20  wherein the assembly further comprises a mechanism arranged to act on the first metallic element, applying a force, to induce axial movement of the first metallic element in the direction of the second metallic element. 
     
     
         25 . The pipe assembly of  claim 19  wherein the connector body comprises one or more apertures defining channels through a portion of the connector body, from a front surface of the connector body to a radial internal surface substantially adjacent the first metallic element. 
     
     
         26 . The pipe assembly of  claim 20  further comprising a resilient washer, located between the connector body and the first metallic element, to assure the force applied on the first metallic element in use. 
     
     
         27 . The pipe assembly of  claim 19  further comprising a mechanical interlock arrangement. 
     
     
         28 . The pipe assembly of  claim 27  wherein the mechanical interlock arrangement comprises at least one projection on an internal surface of the connector body. 
     
     
         29 . The pipe assembly of  claim 28  wherein one or both of the projections on the connector body and the groove on the pipe are circumferential. 
     
     
         30 . The pipe assembly of  claim 19  wherein the connector body is provided as separate first and second parts, the first and second parts having been brought together around the pipes. 
     
     
         31 . The pipe assembly of  claim 30  wherein the connector body is split along a horizontal plane to define the first and second parts. 
     
     
         32 . The pipe assembly of  claim 31  wherein the first and second parts of the connector body comprise bores extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, configured to accept connecting components, in order to couple the first and second parts of the connector body to each other. 
     
     
         33 . The pipe assembly of  claim 32  wherein each bore comprises an annular surface with a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, configured to be engaged by a connecting component in use. 
     
     
         34 . A method of connecting two pipes in fluid communication, the method comprising:
 providing two pipes, each pipe having a free end;   locating a first part of a metal-to-metal seal arrangement on the free end of each pipe; and   locating each free end of the pipe within a connector body having a second part of a metal-to-metal seal arrangement, such that the connector body bridges the two pipes,   wherein the first and second metal-to-metal seal arrangements provide a metal-to-metal seal between a respective pipe and the connector body.   
     
     
         35 . The method of connecting two pipes according to  claim 34  comprising applying a force to the first part of the seal arrangement, in order to assure a seal between the pipe and the connector body. 
     
     
         36 . The method of connecting two pipes according to  claim 34  comprising providing a mechanical interlock arrangement, for preventing or limiting axial movement of the connector body relative to the pipes. 
     
     
         37 . The method of connecting two pipes according to  claim 36  wherein the mechanical interlock arrangement comprises forming a groove on an outside surface of at least one pipe and providing a projection on an internal surface of the connector body, and engaging the projection with the groove to prevent or limit axial movement of the connector body relative to the pipes. 
     
     
         38 . The method of connecting two pipes according to  claim 34  further comprising providing a resilient washer between the connector body and the first part of the seal arrangement, for applying a force to the seal element. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled)