US4019371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for externally testing conduit connections
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1976-01-28
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Granted: 1977-04-26
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Expires: 1996-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed for externally testing flanged or hubbed connections used on fluid conducting conduits. A ring gasket fits between the faces of the connecting flanges or hubs to effect a fluid tight seal. A test ring also fits between the faces of the hub or flange connection in a manner so as to form a space between the test ring and the ring gasket. Seal means closes the space between the test ring and the faces of the flanges or hubs. The outside diameter of the test ring is confined within fastening means which secures the hubs or flanges together. Fluid under pressure, used to test the effectiveness of the ring gasket seal, is applied to the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means. The pressure in that space falls when the ring gasket is defective but remains constant if the ring gasket is sound. Following the test, fluid pressure is bled off the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means. The test fluid pressure is applied to and bled from such space through a pressure port or passageway formed in the test ring or in one of the flanges or hubs.
Inventors
- 👤 Gervase M. Chaplin
- 👤 Thomas W. Childers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2853; G01M3/2861; F; F16; F16L; F16L23/00; F16L23/16; F16L23/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits employing an external source of fluid pressure comprising: ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing flow of fluids into and from said conduits when said connection is made; test ring seal means in said connection, said test ring seal means and said ring seal means forming a space therebetween; and passageway means connecting said space to the exterior of said connection for transmitting fluid pressure from said source of fluid pressure to said space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits employing an external source of fluid pressure comprising: ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing flow of fluids into and from said conduits when said connection is made; test ring seal means in said connection, said test ring seal means and said ring seal means forming a space therebetween; and passageway means connecting said space to the exterior of said connection for transmitting fluid pressure from said source of fluid pressure to said space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said test ring seal means includes O-rings for sealing off the space between said test ring seal means and said connecting conduits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 including means connecting said passageway means to said source of fluid pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 including means for measuring fluid pressure in said closed space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said test ring seal means contains said passageway means; said apparatus including a nipple extending external of said connection and having a passageway connected to said passageway means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said connection includes two connector halves, said passageway means being formed in at least one of said halves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits employing an external source of fluid pressure, said connection including ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing flow of fluids into and from said conduits when said connection is made comprising: test ring seal means in said connection spaced from said ring seal means to form a closed space therebetween, said test ring seal means containing a port open to said space and including a nipple extending external of said connection and having a passageway connected to said port for transmitting fluid pressure from said source of fluid pressure to said port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits employing an external source of fluid pressure, said connection including ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing flow of fluids into and from said conduits when said connection is made comprising: test ring seal means in said connection spaced from said ring seal means to form a closed space therebetween, said test ring seal means containing a port open to said space and including a nipple extending external of said connection and having a passageway connected to said port for transmitting fluid pressure from said source of fluid pressure to said port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 in which said test ring seal means includes O-rings for sealing off the space between said test ring seal means and said connecting conduits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 including means connecting said nipple to said source of fluid pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 including means for measuring fluid pressure in said closed space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said connection includes two hub halves and means for securing said hub halves together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which said ring seal means comprises a conical wedge-type seal for sealing off against the faces of said hub halves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said connection comprises two flange halves and means for securing said flange halves together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said flange halves are provided with grooves, said ring seal means being arranged in said grooves.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for externally testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits comprising the steps of: installing ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing leaks through said connection when said connection is made; installing a test ring seal in said connection surrounding said ring seal means to form a closed annulus between said test seal ring and said ring seal means; connecting a source of fluid pressure to passageway means which extends from said closed annulus to the exterior of said connection; applying fluid pressure to said passageway means; shutting off the source of fluid pressure; and then measuring the fluid pressure in said closed annulus.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for externally testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits comprising the steps of: installing ring seal means in said connection for sealing off and preventing leaks through said connection when said connection is made; installing a test ring seal in said connection surrounding said ring seal means to form a closed annulus between said test seal ring and said ring seal means; connecting a source of fluid pressure to passageway means which extends from said closed annulus to the exterior of said connection; applying fluid pressure to said passageway means; shutting off the source of fluid pressure; and then measuring the fluid pressure in said closed annulus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 15 comprising releasing fluid pressure from said annulus.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for externally testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits, said connection including ring seal means for sealing off and preventing leaks through said connection when said connection is made comprising the steps of: installing a test ring seal in said connection surrounding said ring seal means to form a closed annulus between said test ring seal and said ring seal means, said test seal ring having a pressure port; connecting a source of fluid pressure to said pressure port; applying fluid pressure to said pressure port; shutting off the source of fluid pressure; and then measuring the fluid pressure in said annulus.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for externally testing a connection between fluid conducting conduits, said connection including ring seal means for sealing off and preventing leaks through said connection when said connection is made comprising the steps of: installing a test ring seal in said connection surrounding said ring seal means to form a closed annulus between said test ring seal and said ring seal means, said test seal ring having a pressure port; connecting a source of fluid pressure to said pressure port; applying fluid pressure to said pressure port; shutting off the source of fluid pressure; and then measuring the fluid pressure in said annulus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 17 comprising: releasing fluid pressure from said annulus
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 18 including the steps of: after releasing fluid pressure from said annulus, cutting off a test nipple, which contains a port connected to said pressure port and which extends beyond the outer rim of said connection, adjacent the outer rim of said connection and then welding shut said port in said test nipple.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-25 | 1980-10-25 | 1981-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-25 | 1984-10-25 | 1985-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-25 | 1988-10-25 | 1989-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |