US3750928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum seal for internal pipeline line-up clamp
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-06
•
Granted: 1973-08-07
•
Expires: 1991-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum seal system is utilized in combination with an internal pipeline line-up clamp used in the welding of abutted elements, particularly lengths of pipe. A resilient and expansible seal is adapted to be attached to and movable with the actuating plungers or dogs of the internal alignment clamp. The seal is adapted to extend slightly above the 180* lower portion of the pipe joint to be welded. A vacuum or withdrawal of air in the sealed space will override the gravity influence of the welding process.
Inventors
- 👤 L Valentine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:31
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K37/00; B23K37/04; B23K37/053; B23K37/0531; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53983
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
In an internal pipeline line-up clamp having parallel circumferential coaxial rows of outwardly expandable dogs alignable within said pipe to straddle and maintain abutted pipe ends for welding, the improvement comprising in combination, seal means movable with said dogs to engage with the inner periphery of said pipe and create a substantially confined space which extends slightly above the lower coaxial half of said abutted pipe ends; and means to withdraw air from said space to create a lower than atmosphere pressure in said space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
In an internal pipeline line-up clamp having parallel circumferential coaxial rows of outwardly expandable dogs alignable within said pipe to straddle and maintain abutted pipe ends for welding, the improvement comprising in combination, seal means movable with said dogs to engage with the inner periphery of said pipe and create a substantially confined space which extends slightly above the lower coaxial half of said abutted pipe ends; and means to withdraw air from said space to create a lower than atmosphere pressure in said space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said seal means includes: a first arcuate expandable boot sealably attached coaxially to the body of said clamp adjacent one row of said dogs and having a coaxial arcuate seal strip ring section attached to said dogs; a second arcuate expandable boot sealably attached coaxially to the body of said clamp adjacent the other row of said dogs and having a coaxial arcuate seal strip ring section attached to said dogs; and transverse seal means terminating said arcuate boots and strip rings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said space extends approximately the lower 225* of said pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A clamp according to claim 1 wherein said means to withdraw air from said space includes a vacuum pump, inlet accumulation chamber and at least one conduit communicable between said chamber and said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A clamp according to claim 4 including three equally spaced conduits communicable between said chamber and said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A clamp according to claim 4 wherein said means to withdraw is controllable as a function of the desireD lower than atmosphere pressure in said space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3018358A
Cited
US3233315A
Cited
US3387761A
Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |