Boltless flange
Abstract
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. 4 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 462860
- Patent Number(s):
- 5620208
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-446,186
- Assignee:
- Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 15 Apr 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; PIPES; FLANGES; DESIGN; TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT; MELTING; JOINING
Citation Formats
Kirkham, R J. Boltless flange. United States: N. p., 1997.
Web.
Kirkham, R J. Boltless flange. United States.
Kirkham, R J. Tue .
"Boltless flange". United States.
@article{osti_462860,
title = {Boltless flange},
author = {Kirkham, R J},
abstractNote = {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. 4 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1997},
month = {4}
}