Method for connecting tubular members

Claim 1

A method suitable for connecting two pipe sections in difficult working environments, comprising: providing an elongate sleeve having a diameter suitable for fitting around said pipe sections, said sleeve having a first opening at one end thereof for receipt of one of said pipe sections, a second opening at the opposite end thereof for receipt of the other of said pipe sections, and a third opening in a side wall of said sleeve and communicating with a single annular chamber in said housing; supporting in said sleeve means axially spaced from said annular chamber to separately grip each of said pipe sections and means to separately sealingly engage each of said pipe sections, said gripping and sealing means being simultaneously responsive to fluid pressure applied through said single annular chamber for actuation thereof; subsequently guiding said pipe lengths respectively into said first and second openings in said sleeve; providing a source of fluid under pressure, and conduit means for transporting said fluid from said source to said third opening in said sleeve; attaching said conduit means to said third opening and to said fluid source, to establish fluid communication therebetween; introducing fluid from said fluid source through said conduit means into said third opening and thence into said annular chamber, said fluid serving to exert force in a direction axially away from said annular chamber, to move each of said gripping means simultaneously into gripping engagement with its respective pipe section, and move said engaging means simultaneously into seaLing engagement with said pipe sections, thereby sealing each of said sections to said sleeve; terminating fluid communication between said fluid source and said sleeve; and, securely retaining said fluid in said sleeve, to thereby form a firm connection between said sections of pipe, and whereby fluid communication under high pressure may be established through said pipe sections and said sleeve.

Claim 2

A method suitable for connecting two pipe sections in difficult working environments, comprising: providing an elongate sleeve having a diameter suitable for fitting around said pipe sections, said sleeve having a first opening at one end thereof for receipt of one of said pipe sections, a second opening at the opposite end thereof for receipt of the other of said pipe sections, and a third opening in a side wall of said sleeve and communicating with a single annular chamber in said housing; supporting in said sleeve means axially spaced from said annular chamber to separately grip each of said pipe sections and means to separately sealingly engage each of said pipe sections, said gripping and sealing means being simultaneously responsive to fluid pressure applied through said single annular chamber for actuation thereof; subsequently guiding said pipe lengths respectively into said first and second openings in said sleeve; providing a source of fluid under pressure, and conduit means for transporting said fluid from said source to said third opening in said sleeve; attaching said conduit means to said third opening and to said fluid source, to establish fluid communication therebetween; introducing fluid from said fluid source through said conduit means into said third opening and thence into said annular chamber, said fluid serving to exert force in a direction axially away from said annular chamber, to move each of said gripping means simultaneously into gripping engagement with its respective pipe section, and move said engaging means simultaneously into seaLing engagement with said pipe sections, thereby sealing each of said sections to said sleeve; terminating fluid communication between said fluid source and said sleeve; and, securely retaining said fluid in said sleeve, to thereby form a firm connection between said sections of pipe, and whereby fluid communication under high pressure may be established through said pipe sections and said sleeve.

Claim 3

A method suitable for connecting two pipe sections in difficult working environments, comprising: providing an elongate sleeve having a diameter suitable for fitting around said pipe sections, said sleeve having a first opening at one end thereof for receipt of one of said pipe sections, a second opening at the opposite end thereof for receipt of the other of said pipe sections, and a third opening in a side wall of said sleeve and communicating with a single annular chamber in said housing; supporting in said sleeve means axially spaced from said annular chamber to separately grip each of said pipe sections and means to separately sealingly engage each of said pipe sections, said gripping and sealing means being simultaneously responsive to fluid pressure applied through said single annular chamber for actuation thereof; subsequently guiding said pipe lengths respectively into said first and second openings in said sleeve; providing a source of fluid under pressure, and conduit means for transporting said fluid from said source to said third opening in said sleeve; attaching said conduit means to said third opening and to said fluid source, to establish fluid communication therebetween; introducing fluid from said fluid source through said conduit means into said third opening and thence into said annular chamber, said fluid serving to exert force in a direction axially away from said annular chamber, to move each of said gripping means simultaneously into gripping engagement with its respective pipe section, and move said engaging means simultaneously into seaLing engagement with said pipe sections, thereby sealing each of said sections to said sleeve; terminating fluid communication between said fluid source and said sleeve; and, securely retaining said fluid in said sleeve, to thereby form a firm connection between said sections of pipe, and whereby fluid communication under high pressure may be established through said pipe sections and said sleeve.

Claim 4

A method suitable for connecting two pipe sections in difficult working environments, comprising: providing an elongate sleeve having a diameter suitable for fitting around said pipe sections, said sleeve having a first opening at one end thereof for receipt of one of said pipe sections, a second opening at the opposite end thereof for receipt of the other of said pipe sections, and a third opening in a side wall of said sleeve and communicating with a single annular chamber in said housing; supporting in said sleeve means axially spaced from said annular chamber to separately grip each of said pipe sections and means to separately sealingly engage each of said pipe sections, said gripping and sealing means being simultaneously responsive to fluid pressure applied through said single annular chamber for actuation thereof; subsequently guiding said pipe lengths respectively into said first and second openings in said sleeve; providing a source of fluid under pressure, and conduit means for transporting said fluid from said source to said third opening in said sleeve; attaching said conduit means to said third opening and to said fluid source, to establish fluid communication therebetween; introducing fluid from said fluid source through said conduit means into said third opening and thence into said annular chamber, said fluid serving to exert force in a direction axially away from said annular chamber, to move each of said gripping means simultaneously into gripping engagement with its respective pipe section, and move said engaging means simultaneously into seaLing engagement with said pipe sections, thereby sealing each of said sections to said sleeve; terminating fluid communication between said fluid source and said sleeve; and, securely retaining said fluid in said sleeve, to thereby form a firm connection between said sections of pipe, and whereby fluid communication under high pressure may be established through said pipe sections and said sleeve.