Boltless flange

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:870900

Kirkham, Robert J ^[1]

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1. Blackfoot, ID

A boltless, reusable flange system for joining metal piping includes a circular, wedge-shaped tongue on an upper flange for mating with a groove containing a fusible alloy in a lower flange. The lower flange includes a heating element for melting the fusible alloy, and a thermocouple device to sense the alloy temperature. Heat can be controlled and supplied from a remote source and monitored by a remote temperature indicator. The upper flange is positioned above the lower flange, tongue and groove aligned, and the lower flange is heated until the fusible alloy melts to allow the upper tongue to settle down within the lower groove. Upon removal of the heat, the alloy hardens to further bring the two flanges together in a solid and sealed couple, compressing an optional gasket.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5620208
• OSTI ID: 870900
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

boltless
flange
reusable
joining
metal
piping
circular
wedge-shaped
tongue
upper
mating
groove
containing
fusible
alloy
heating
element
melting
thermocouple
device
sense
temperature
heat
controlled
supplied
remote
source
monitored
indicator
positioned
aligned
heated
melts
allow
settle
removal
hardens
bring
flanges
solid
sealed
couple
compressing
optional
gasket
heating element
remote source
temperature indicator
joining metal
upper flange
thermocouple device
alloy melt
remote temperature
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