US3874706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid actuated pipe connection
Assignee: HUGHES UNDERSEA COUPLINGS INCORPORATED A CORP OF
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Filing: 1972-09-28
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulic pipe connection having a plurality of individual fluid pressure actuated cam members for camming and locking the enlarged portion or ball on one coupling member in the socket or housing on the other coupling and a seal for sealing between the ball or enlarged portion and the socket or housing in the assembled condition. The fluid pressure force for actuating the cam or locking members is from an external source, thus permitting setting of the coupling in a difficult working environment, such as a subsea location.
Inventors
- 👤 James Flinnoy Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L19/00; F16L19/08; F16L25/00; F16L25/12; F16L27/00; F16L27/02; F16L27/026; F16L37/00; F16L37/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
In apparatus for connecting the ends of two pipes or the like, the combination comprising: a pair of coupling members, each of which is adapted for connection at one end thereof to the end of one of said pipes; with one of said coupling members having attached to the other end thereof an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having axially forward and rearward sides; a housing attached to the other end of said other coupling member, said housing being arranged to receive the forward side of said enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith; a plurality of cam members supported by said housing initially in a radially retracted position, whereby said enlarged portion can be freely mated with said housing, and said cam members being arranged for generally radially inward movement into positive camming and locking engagement with the rearward side of said enlarged portion; means for urging said cam members radially inward, including means for applying pressurized fluid to said housing to produce a force to actuate said cam members radially inward into engagement with the rearward side of said enlarged portion, with said force being sufficient in amount to cause said cam members to urge said enlarged portion into continual positive contact with said housing, whereby said enlarged portion and said housing are held against relative longitudinal movement therebetween; an annular seal interposed between one side of said enlarged portion and said housing for providing a fluid seal therebetween; and conduit means provided in said housing for applying pressurized fluid to said seal to urge said seal into sealing engagement between said enlarged portion and said housing; another annular seal interposed between the other side of said enlarged portion and said housing, said other seal being generally axially spaced from said first seal and forming an annular testing chamber therebetween; and another conduit means provided in said housing and communicating with said annular chamber between said enlarged portion and said housing and between said seals for testing said seals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
In apparatus for connecting the ends of two pipes or the like, the combination comprising: a pair of coupling members, each of which is adapted for connection at one end thereof to the end of one of said pipes; with one of said coupling members having attached to the other end thereof an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having axially forward and rearward sides; a housing attached to the other end of said other coupling member, said housing being arranged to receive the forward side of said enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith; a plurality of cam members supported by said housing initially in a radially retracted position, whereby said enlarged portion can be freely mated with said housing, and said cam members being arranged for generally radially inward movement into positive camming and locking engagement with the rearward side of said enlarged portion; means for urging said cam members radially inward, including means for applying pressurized fluid to said housing to produce a force to actuate said cam members radially inward into engagement with the rearward side of said enlarged portion, with said force being sufficient in amount to cause said cam members to urge said enlarged portion into continual positive contact with said housing, whereby said enlarged portion and said housing are held against relative longitudinal movement therebetween; an annular seal interposed between one side of said enlarged portion and said housing for providing a fluid seal therebetween; and conduit means provided in said housing for applying pressurized fluid to said seal to urge said seal into sealing engagement between said enlarged portion and said housing; another annular seal interposed between the other side of said enlarged portion and said housing, said other seal being generally axially spaced from said first seal and forming an annular testing chamber therebetween; and another conduit means provided in said housing and communicating with said annular chamber between said enlarged portion and said housing and between said seals for testing said seals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for rigidly connecting the ends of two pipes comprising; a pair of coupling members, each of which is connectible at one end thereof to the end of one of said pipes; one of said coupling members having attached to the other end thereof an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having axially forward and rearward sides, said forward side at least being spherically-shaped; the other coupling member having attached to the other end thereof a housing having a spherically-shaped internal surface portion in which the spherically-shaped forward side of said enlarged portion is freely received in generally mating engagement therewith thereby enabling the central axes of the respective coupling members to be inclined at an angle relative to each other for connecting similarly inclined pipe ends; annular seal means interposed between said enlarged portion and said housing for providing a fluid seal therebetween; a plurality of cam members supported in circumferentially disposed relation about said housing and movable between a generally radially retracted position to permit the spherically-shaped internal surface portion of said housing to freely receive the spherically-shaped forward side of said enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith as aforesaid and a generally radially extended and locked position engaging said rearward side at a plurality of points circumferentially thereAbout to urge said enlarged portion into continual positive contact with said housing, each said cam member and the spherically-shaped internal surface portion of said housing being mutually dependent on each other to prevent relative axial and flexing movement between said coupling members, thereby providing a rigid connection, and means for moving said cam members towards said extended and locked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for rigidly connecting the ends of two pipes comprising; a pair of coupling members, each of which is connectible at one end thereof to the end of one of said pipes; one of said coupling members having attached to the other end thereof an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having axially forward and rearward sides, said forward side at least being spherically-shaped; the other coupling member having attached to the other end thereof a housing having a spherically-shaped internal surface portion in which the spherically-shaped forward side of said enlarged portion is freely received in generally mating engagement therewith thereby enabling the central axes of the respective coupling members to be inclined at an angle relative to each other for connecting similarly inclined pipe ends; annular seal means interposed between said enlarged portion and said housing for providing a fluid seal therebetween; a plurality of cam members supported in circumferentially disposed relation about said housing and movable between a generally radially retracted position to permit the spherically-shaped internal surface portion of said housing to freely receive the spherically-shaped forward side of said enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith as aforesaid and a generally radially extended and locked position engaging said rearward side at a plurality of points circumferentially thereAbout to urge said enlarged portion into continual positive contact with said housing, each said cam member and the spherically-shaped internal surface portion of said housing being mutually dependent on each other to prevent relative axial and flexing movement between said coupling members, thereby providing a rigid connection, and means for moving said cam members towards said extended and locked position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said seal means includes a pair of axially spaced annular seal members defining an annular testing chamber therebetween, and conduit means provided in said housing and communicating with said annular testing chamber for pressure testing said seal members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further including: another conduit means provided in said housing and communicating with at least one of said annular seal members for applying pressure thereto to urge said one seal member into engagement with said enlarged portion.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |