JPS628509Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Flange-type or hub-type fittings connecting fluid transfer conduits are commonly tested by applying internal pressure to the sealing element and checking for external pressure leakage. However, with this method, the above-mentioned tests cannot be carried out immediately after the conduit connection is completed, for example, immediately after installing the rising layer of the pipeline, or immediately after connecting the pipeline underwater to a multi-port vessel for underwater oil field and natural gas drilling. It may be inconvenient, expensive, or impossible to do so. It is advantageous to be able to check immediately after joining the joint whether the ring gaskets forming the sealing elements within the joint are correctly positioned and are fully in contact.

The present invention relates to a device for testing the sealing of a flange-type or hub-type joint between fluid conduits by applying external pressure to the seal immediately after the conduits have been joined.

A fitting for a fluid conduit includes a ring gasket fitted between opposing surfaces of the fitting halves and a test ring fitted around the ring gasket between the opposing surfaces. The space between the opposing surfaces of the joint halves and the test ring is closed by sealing means. An annular space is defined between the ring gasket and the test sealing ring means. The outer diameter of this test ring is
It is sized to fit within a means for intersecting the fitting halves together. A port or passageway is provided within one of the test ring or fitting halves, which extends from the annular space out of the fitting. The outer end of this port is connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The outer end of this port may connect to a nipple, which in turn may be connected to a source of pressurized fluid. If the port is formed in the test ring, the nipple will also serve as a handle for inserting or removing the test ring from the fitting. This test ring may be integrated with the ring gasket or may be glued to the gasket.

To test the ring gasket after connecting the port to a source of pressurized fluid, fluid pressure is applied to the annular space through the port to the test ring gasket. After testing, the fluid pressure in the annular space is relieved and the source of pressurized fluid is disconnected from the port.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments.

1 and 2, a series of studs 1
A flange-type joint 10 is shown bolted together by a nut 12 and a nut 12 screwed thereon. These studs are arranged circumferentially as shown in FIG. A metal sealing ring gasket 15 is provided between the flanged halves in an annular groove 16 formed in the opposing surfaces of the halves. A metal test ring 20 is further arranged between the flange halves. Test ring 20
has O-ring seals 21, 22 thereon, which seal the space between the opposing face of the flange-shaped half and the test ring 20, and seal the sealing ring 15. and O-ring 2
A closed annular space 19 is defined between the outer diameter 15' and the outer diameter 15'. Outer diameter 25 of test ring 20
is the size that allows the bolt in the bolted flange to fit therein (or the clamp on the clamped hub joint shown in FIG. 5) to fit therein. The thickness of the test ring is such that it can match the standard separation between the flanges (or hubs) after the bolts (or clamps) are fully tightened. The test ring 20 has a pressurization port 23 opening into the annular space 19, and a nipple 24 (loosely threaded into the test ring in FIG. 1) extends from the extension port 23' of the pressurization port 23. is provided. A portion of the nipple 24 is surrounded by a protective sleeve 26. The tube connection fitting 27 is attached to the flange bolt 1 as shown.
It is attached to the outer end of a nipple 24 that protrudes between the two. Nipple 24 with protective sleeve 26
doubles as a handle for attaching or removing the test ring 20 from the joint.

As shown in FIG. 3, fitting 27 is connected to a source of pressurized fluid 30 via a hose or conduit 31. As shown in FIG. The hose is further connected to a control valve 32 for pressurized fluid in the hose 31 and a pressure gauge 33 for measuring the pressure in the hose 31.

In operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, ring gasket 15 and test ring 20 are
are placed between opposing faces of the flange halves 10 as shown, and the flange halves are connected by tightening nuts 12 onto the studs 11. Pressurized fluid is supplied from a source 30 of pressurized fluid to a hose 31
and the release valve 32, and are introduced into the extension port 23' and the port 23 while adjusting the pressure within the annular space 19. Then close the valve 32 and
Trapping fluid pressure within the annular space 19. If the sealing by the sealing ring 15 is incomplete, fluid leakage from the annular space 19 will occur.
The pressure within the space will drop and the pressure drop will appear on the pressure gauge 33. However, if the seal is perfect, the pressure in the annular space remains constant, which can be confirmed via the pressure gauge 33.

After the test is completed, the fluid pressure in the annular space 19 is released and the hose 31 is disconnected. Next, the nipple 24 may be left as is and used as an overflow hole for long-term leakage monitoring, or it may be cut to leave a clean area at the joint, if necessary. .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the nipple is sealed. The test nipple 24 and sleeve 26 are cut at the point where they protrude from the flange, and the nipple 24 is welded sealed with a plug 40 as shown at the outer end of the nipple protection sleeve 26. In this case, an elastic back-up seal (O-ring) is provided for sealing with the sealing ring 15.

If the O-ring groove in the flange or hub or the spacing between opposing surfaces for the pressure port is insufficient, instead of placing one or both of the O-rings in the test ring, A test port is provided in-plane, as shown in FIG. 5, or drilled in one of the flanges or hubs, as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the clamping means 4
A hub-shaped joint 45 is shown having halves clamped together at 6. Sealing of the joint is provided by a metal double conical sealing ring or gasket 47. A metal test ring 48 is located between the opposing surfaces of the hub-shaped halves and is connected to the O-ring 4.
9 and 50 are in grooves formed in the opposing surfaces of the hub-shaped member 45, and these opposing surfaces and the test ring 4
8, and an annular space 51 is formed between the gasket 47 and the O-rings 49, 50. The test ring is provided with a pressurized port 52 that connects to the annular space 51, and a nipple 53 with an extension port 52' is connected to the test ring 48 as shown. The nipple 53 is protected by a sleeve 54 and is provided with a connecting fitting 54'.
4' is connected to the hose 31 in the same manner as the method of connecting the hose 31 to the joining fitting 27 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 above. This leakage test work is the same as described above.

The sealing ring can also be manufactured integrally with the test ring, as shown in FIGS. When constructed in this manner, the gasket or sealing ring and test ring 55 combination has a pressurized port 56 in its test ring portion 57 that extends into the annular space 59. It's communicating. It should be noted that the test ring portion 57 is comprised of an undercut or recessed surface within member 55 and is located between sealing ring portion 58 and an O-ring seal (not shown). The nipple 60 has a fitting 61 for the hose 31, a port 56, and an extension port 56'. The nipple 60 is connected to the portion 57 and is surrounded by a nipple protection sleeve 62 in the same manner as described in the embodiment of FIGS. In a one-piece test ring, the test ring portion serves to keep the sealing ring centered and aligned, and also for example during the operation of placing the sealing ring in the groove 16 of the flange 10 (see Figure 1). This is especially useful for underwater operations, as it greatly facilitates the process and minimizes the risk of damaging the sealing ring. Specifically, the outer diameter of the test ring is sized to fit just inside the circularly arranged bolts of the flange-type fitting, and its inner diameter is dimensioned to provide a hermetic seal to ensure correct positioning of the gasket. A dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ring or gasket (e.g., 1/16 inch).
Thus, when three or four bolts are installed in a joint, the test ring and gasket are inserted between the flanges or hubs and pressed against the bolts. This action automatically sets the gasket. Unless this gasket (or test ring) is properly positioned, the next bolt cannot be installed. This configuration is particularly useful in connecting conduits underwater, which are particularly difficult to see.

The sealing ring may also be adhered to the test ring with an elastomeric composition, such as a silicone rubber adhesive. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, where sealing ring 70 is shown bonded to test ring 71 with adhesive 72. The test ring 71 has an annular space 7 formed by processing the test ring 71 adjacent to the sealing ring 70 into an undercut or recessed shape.
It has a port 73 connected to 4. As also described in the other figures, the nipple 75 has an extended pressurized port 73' and is surrounded by a welded protective sleeve 76 and a test ring as shown. It is screwed into 71. In addition, this nipple can be attached to an appropriate joining fitting 7.
It has 7.

If a nipple “handle” is included, the test port may be located on one side of the flange or hub instead of on the test ring or nipple “handle.”
can be drilled into the Reference is made to FIG. 10, which shows a hub-shaped joint 80 having hub-shaped halves clamped by clamping means 81. A double conical metal sealing ring or gasket 82 seals the joint. This metal test ring 83 is placed between the opposing surfaces of the hub-shaped halves. The O-rings 84, 85 are positioned within grooves formed in opposing surfaces of the member 80 to seal the space between the opposing surfaces of the hub-shaped halves to provide an annular connection between the gasket 82 and the O-rings 84, 85. A space 86 is formed. The upper portion 80 of the hub-shaped halves has a pressurized port 87 extending from the annular space 86 to its exterior and connected to a conduit 88.
(This may be a nipple such as member 76 of FIG. 8). Note that the conduit is further connected to a suitable source of pressurized fluid 30 as shown in FIG.

If the sealing ring and test ring are of integral construction as shown in Figures 6 and 7, or glued together as shown in Figures 8 and 9, this It can be used for both type of joints, flange type and flange type. In addition, this sealing means
Depending on whether the test ring is adhered to or integral with the sealing ring, it is formed on the test ring or on a flange-shaped or hub-shaped member. Further, the sealing member and other elements are preferably made of metal, but may be made of non-metal.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to its preferred embodiment, the present invention is of course not limited to this embodiment, and may include other design modifications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention with a test ring having a pressurized port placed in a flange-type joint and an O-ring placed on the test ring; FIG. , a view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the test apparatus connected to the flange-type joint of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows a portion of the nipple and its protective sleeve. , a drawing similar to FIG. 2 showing a nipple plug, and FIG. 5 shows the test ring in FIG.
a diagram showing an embodiment in which the ring is arranged on the hub;
6 and 7 are a side view and a top view showing a part of the integrally formed sealing ring (gasket) and test ring in FIGS. 1 and 2 in cross section, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are
Sealing ring (gasket) shown in Figures 1 and 2
Figure 10 shows a side view and a top view, partially in cross section, of the test ring bonded to the gasket with adhesive. FIG. 10...Joint, 15...Sealing ring, 16...
Groove, 19... annular space, 20... test ring, 22, 22... O ring, 23... pressure port, 24... nipple.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) Between fluid conduits, the joint of which is provided with a sealing ring means that prevents fluid from flowing into or from the conduit when the fluid conduits are joined together. In an apparatus for testing leakage from the outside of a joint of a device, the device is connected to the sealing ring means so as to form a sealed space between the sealing ring means and the sealing ring means, and is arranged at a distance from the sealing ring means. a test sealing means, the test sealing means having a port opening into the space, and an O-ring surrounding the test sealing means for sealing the space between the test sealing means and the connecting conduit. and a leak test device comprising a nipple extending outside the fitting and providing passage to the port. (2) The device according to claim (1) of the utility model registration, wherein a pressurized fluid source is provided and a nipple is connected to the pressurized fluid source. (3) The device according to claim (2) of the utility model registration claim, which includes means for measuring fluid pressure in the sealed space. (4) The device according to claim 3, wherein the coupling portion includes two hub-shaped halves and means for fixing the two halves to each other. (5) The above joint part has two flange-shaped half parts,
and means for fixing these two halves to each other. (6) The device according to claim 4, wherein said sealing ring means comprises a conical wedge-shaped seal for sealing between opposing surfaces of said hub-shaped halves. (7) The device according to claim 5, wherein the flange-shaped half portion is provided with a groove, and the sealing ring means is disposed within the groove.