Flange connection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flange connector, comprising opposite flanges connected together by a plurality of bolts, wherein the flanges are provided with a connecting hole penetrating the flanges, and a connecting pipe with a variable length is provided between the opposite flanges, wherein the inner holes of the connecting pipe are respectively connected with the connecting holes on the opposite flanges, and the connecting pipe comprises a pipe body, wherein a telescopic section with a variable length is provided at the middle position of the pipe body, and fixing rings are respectively provided on the outside of both ends of the pipe body in the length direction, wherein the fixing rings are sealed and fitted on the surface of the flanges, and a connecting assembly is provided at the joint between the connecting pipe and the flanges, which connects the connecting pipe and the flanges together and keeps the fixing ring in a state of fitting on the surface of the flanges. The present invention has the feature that when the bolts become loose due to pipeline vibration, the connecting pipe with a variable length can still prevent water from leaking out from between the two connecting plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular to a flange connector. Background Art

[0002] A flange connection involves securing two pipes, fittings, or equipment to a flange, then placing a flange gasket between the two flanges and bolting them together to complete the connection. Some fittings and equipment already have built-in flanges, which also constitute a flange connection. Flange connections are a key connection method in pipeline construction. They are easy to use and can withstand high pressures. Flange connections are widely used in industrial piping, including chemical, construction, water supply, drainage, petroleum, light and heavy industries, refrigeration, sanitation, plumbing, fire protection, electric power, aerospace, shipbuilding, and other infrastructure projects.

[0003] The existing flange connection structure involves inserting a flange gasket between two flanges, which are then bolted together. Because the flange gasket and flanges are independent of each other, a good seal between the two flanges cannot be achieved unless the bolts are tightened to the maximum. Furthermore, mechanical vibration during use can cause the flanges to loosen over time. Failure to tighten the bolts promptly can degrade the seal, potentially allowing water in the pipe to leak through the flange connection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a flange connection which can prevent water from leaking out from between two connection plates through a connection pipe with a variable length even when a bolt becomes loose due to pipeline vibration.

[0005] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A flange connection piece includes opposite flanges connected together by a number of bolts, the flanges being provided with communicating holes passing through the flanges, and connecting pipes of variable length being provided between the opposite flanges, the inner holes of the connecting pipes being respectively connected with the communicating holes on the opposite flanges, the connecting pipes including a pipe body, a telescopic section of variable length being provided at the middle position of the pipe body, fixing rings being respectively provided on the outside of both ends of the pipe body in the length direction, the fixing rings being sealingly fitted on the surface of the flanges, and a connecting assembly being provided at the joint between the connecting pipe and the flange for connecting the connecting pipe and the flange and for keeping the fixing ring in a state of fitting on the surface of the flanges.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, by arranging a connecting pipe with variable length between the relative flanges, when the bolts connecting the flanges become loose due to mechanical vibration, the length of the connecting pipe can be synchronously extended as the flanges move, so that the two ends of the connecting pipe will not have gaps at the connection with the flanges due to the relative movement of the flanges, so that the two ends of the connecting pipe can still be sealed and connected to the flanges, so that when the bolts become loose, water will not seep out from between the relative flanges.

[0008] The present invention is further configured as follows: the connecting assembly includes a butt joint tube fixed on the surface of the flange facing the connecting pipe and with a fixing ring sleeved inside, and a connecting ring rotatably connected to the outside of the tube body; the connecting ring is located between the fixing ring and the telescopic section; the connecting ring is threadedly connected to the butt joint tube; the connecting ring abuts against the surface of the fixing ring facing away from the flange.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the connecting pipe and the flange can be quickly connected together by simply connecting the connecting ring and the butt pipe thread together.

[0010] The present invention is further configured as follows: the connecting ring includes a connecting portion threadedly connected to the butt joint pipe and a butt joint portion located outside the butt joint pipe, and an outer surface of the butt joint portion is provided with an anti-slip structure.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, it is easy to rotate the connecting ring, thereby connecting the connecting ring and the butt-joint pipe together.

[0012] The present invention is further configured as follows: an internal thread is provided on the inner hole wall of the butt joint tube, and an external thread is provided on the outer surface of the connecting portion to match the internal thread on the inner hole wall of the butt joint tube, and both the internal thread and the external thread are fine threads.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution and using fine threads, the connection between the butt pipe and the connecting part can have good sealing performance.

[0014] The present invention is further configured as follows: a circular mounting ring groove is provided on the surface of the fixing ring facing the connecting ring, the center of the mounting ring groove is located on the axis of the fixing ring, and a circular ring-shaped convex ring is provided on the surface of the connecting ring facing the fixing ring, the center of the convex ring is located on the axis of the connecting ring, the convex ring matches the mounting ring groove, and the convex ring extends into the interior of the mounting ring groove and can rotate inside the mounting ring groove.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, it is ensured that the fixing ring and the connecting ring are in a coaxial state, so that when the connecting ring presses the fixing ring so that the fixing ring fits against the surface of the flange, the fixing ring can be evenly stressed, making it less likely that a gap will appear between the fixing ring and the flange.

[0016] The present invention is further configured such that: the fixing ring is threadedly connected to the tube body.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the fixing ring and the pipe body can be detached, thereby facilitating the installation of the connecting ring on the pipe body.

[0018] The present invention is further configured such that opposite side surfaces of the two connecting rings on the tube body are bonded together.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the two connecting rings are fitted together, thereby hiding the connecting pipe and avoiding damage to the connecting pipe.

[0020] The present invention is further configured such that a sealing member is provided between the two connecting rings.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the sealing between the relative flanges is further improved.

[0022] The present invention is further configured such that the telescopic section of the tube body is in a compressed state.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, when the bolts are loosened, the expansion section is in a compressed state and can automatically extend, thereby preventing the flange from pulling the docking pipe, causing a gap to appear at the connection between the flange and the fixing ring, and thus water seepage; at the same time, the expansion section is in a compressed state, and the expansion section can exert a force on the pipe bodies on both sides to move toward the flange, so that the fixing ring can fit more closely to the surface of the flange.

[0024] The present invention is further configured as follows: a sealing ring is provided on the end face of the fixing ring facing the flange, an annular groove is provided on the side surface of the fixing ring facing the flange, the sealing ring is embedded in the annular groove, and the sealing ring is exposed from the notch of the annular groove.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to install the sealing ring on the surface of the fixing ring.

[0026] In summary, the beneficial technical effects of the present invention are:

[0027] 1. When the bolts connecting the flanges become loose due to mechanical vibration, the length of the connecting pipe can be extended synchronously with the movement of the flanges, so that the two ends of the connecting pipe will not have gaps at the connection with the flanges due to the relative movement of the flanges, so that the two ends of the connecting pipe can still be sealed and connected with the flanges. Therefore, when the bolts become loose, water will not seep out from between the opposite flanges;

[0028] 2. When the bolts are loosened, the expansion section is in a compressed state and can automatically extend, thereby preventing the flange from pulling the butt pipe, causing a gap at the connection between the flange and the fixing ring, and thus water seepage;

[0029] 3. Since the expansion section is in a compressed state, the expansion section can exert a force on the tube bodies on both sides to move toward the flange, so that the fixing ring can fit more closely on the surface of the flange. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the flange connection;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the connecting plate and the butt pipe;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the flange connection;

[0033] Figure 4 It is an exploded diagram of the flange connection;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the butt joint;

[0035] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the connecting ring.

[0036] In the figure, 1. flange; 11. connecting hole; 12. through-hole; 2. butt-jointing pipe; 3. connecting pipe; 31. pipe body; 311. telescopic section; 32. fixing ring; 321. mounting ring groove; 322. annular groove; 4. connecting ring; 41. convex ring; 42. connecting part; 43. butt-jointing part; 431. convex ridge; 44. annular sealing groove; 45. avoidance recess; 5. sealing ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 , a flange connector disclosed in the present invention, includes opposing flanges 1 connected together by a plurality of bolts. Flange 1 is disc-shaped. A communication hole 11 is provided at the center of the surface of flange 1, penetrating flange 1. The axis of communication hole 11 is aligned with the axis of flange 1. A plurality of through-holes 12 are provided on the surface of flange 1, penetrating flange 1. All through-holes 12 are arranged in a circular array centered around the center of communication hole 11.

[0039] When connecting the opposite flanges 1 together by bolts, the communicating holes 11 on the opposite flanges 1 are aligned, and the through holes 12 on the flanges 1 are aligned one by one, and the bolts are passed through the opposite through holes 12 on the flanges 1 to connect the opposite flanges 1 together.

[0040] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 4 , on the side surface opposite the flange 1. A butt-joint pipe 2 is coaxially arranged with the flange 1 on the surface of the flange 1. The butt-joint pipe 2 and the flange 1 are integrally machined. The inner hole of the butt-joint pipe 2 is coaxially arranged with the inner hole of the flange 1. The inner hole diameter of the butt-joint pipe 2 is larger than the inner hole diameter of the flange 1, and the outer diameter of the butt-joint pipe 2 is smaller than the diameter of the flange 1. An internal thread is provided on the inner hole wall of the butt-joint pipe 2.

[0041] A connecting pipe 3 of variable length is disposed between the butt joints 2 on the opposing flanges 1. The connecting pipe 3 extends at both ends of its length into the interior of the butt joints 2 on the opposing flanges 1. The connecting pipe 3 is secured to the butt joints 2 at both ends via connecting rings 4 that fit over the ends of the connecting pipe 3. The connecting rings 4 are rotatably connected to the exterior of the butt joints 2 and threadedly connected to the butt joints 2. The inner bores of the connecting pipes 3 are positioned opposite the connecting holes 11 on the opposing flanges 1, thereby connecting the connecting holes 11 on the opposing flanges 1 through the connecting pipes 3.

[0042] Combine Figure 3 、 Figure 5 The connecting pipe 3 includes a pipe body 31 with a telescopic section 311 at the middle of its length. The outer diameter of the pipe body 31 is larger than the diameter of the connecting hole 11 in the flange 1. Retaining rings 32 are mounted on the outer ends of the pipe body 31 along its length. The retaining rings 32 are threadedly connected to the pipe body 31, and the retaining rings 32 and the pipe body 31 are connected using fine threads. The outer diameter of the retaining ring 32 is smaller than the diameter of the connecting pipe 2, allowing the retaining ring 32 to extend into the interior of the connecting pipe 2. The axial length of the retaining ring 32 is shorter than the axial length of the connecting pipe 2, allowing the retaining ring 32 to be completely inserted into the interior of the connecting pipe 2.

[0043] The telescopic section 311 is integrally formed with the tube body 31. The tube wall of the telescopic section 311 in the axial section is wavy. By setting the tube wall in the wavy shape, the length of the connecting tube 3 can be adjusted along the axial direction.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 6The connecting ring 4 is mounted on the butt joint 2 and is located between the telescopic section 311 and the fixed ring 32. A circular mounting groove 321 is provided on the surface of the fixed ring 32 facing the connecting ring 4. The center of the mounting groove 321 is located on the axis of the fixed ring 32. A circular convex ring 41 is provided on the surface of the connecting ring 4 facing the fixed ring 32. The convex ring 41 is integrally formed with the connecting ring 4 and extends into the mounting groove 321. The center of the convex ring 41 is located on the axis of the connecting ring 4. The convex ring 41 can rotate along the mounting groove 321. Through the matching mounting groove 321 and the convex ring 41, the connecting ring 4 and the fixed ring 32 are always in a coaxial state.

[0045] The main body of the connecting ring 4 comprises a connecting portion 42, whose outer surface is threaded with external threads that mate with the internal threads on the inner wall of the butt joint tube 2, and a butt joint 43, whose diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the butt joint tube 2. The connecting portion 42 and butt joint 43 are integrally formed. Both the internal threads on the inner wall of the butt joint tube 2 and the external threads on the outer surface of the connecting portion 42 utilize fine-pitch threads. The connecting portion 42 is located at the end facing the retaining ring 32, while the butt joint is located at the end facing away from the retaining ring 32, thereby threading the connecting portion 42 to the butt joint tube 2. The butt joint 43 is located on the outside of the butt joint tube 2.

[0046] The outer surface of the docking portion 43 is provided with several ridges 431 extending longitudinally along the axial direction of the connecting ring 4. The ridges 431 are integrally formed with the docking portion 43. The ridges 431 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the docking portion 43. The ridges 431 provide a roughened surface on the docking portion 43, facilitating rotation of the connecting ring 4.

[0047] Reference Figure 3 On the opposing surfaces of the two connecting rings 4, an annular sealing groove 44 is formed, enclosing the inner hole of the connecting ring 4. The annular sealing grooves 44 on the two connecting rings 4 are arranged opposite each other. When the opposing surfaces of the two connecting rings 4 on the connecting pipe 3 are brought together, the annular sealing grooves 44 on the connecting rings 4 face each other, forming a mounting groove. A sealing ring 5 is disposed within the mounting groove. When the opposing surfaces of the two connecting rings 4 are brought into contact, the sealing ring 5 is compressed within the mounting groove.

[0048] An annular groove 322 is formed on the side of the fixing ring 32 facing away from the connecting ring 4, enclosing the inner hole of the fixing ring 32. A sealing ring 5 is embedded in the annular groove 322 and extends from the notch of the annular groove 322. When the connecting ring 4 is connected to the docking pipe 2, the connecting ring 4 moves toward the end of the docking pipe 2 closer to the flange 1, thereby pushing the fixing ring 32 toward the flange 1 until the sealing ring 5 on the fixing ring 32 contacts the surface of the flange 1 and is squeezed.

[0049] At the opposing ends of the connecting rings 4, located at either end of the connecting tube 3 in the longitudinal direction, a relief recess 45 is formed on the surface of the connecting ring 4, coaxially arranged with the inner hole of the connecting ring 4. The diameter of the relief recess 45 is larger than the maximum diameter of the telescopic section on the connecting tube 3. When the opposing surfaces of the two connecting rings 4 are brought together, the telescopic section 311 on the connecting tube 3 is located within the space formed by the two relief recesses 45 in the two connecting rings 4.

[0050] When installing the flange connector, first align the two ends of the connecting pipe 3 along the length direction with the corresponding butt joint 2 on the flange plate 1. Then, thread the connecting rings 4 at both ends of the connecting pipe 3 along the length direction to the butt joint 2 until the fixing rings 32 at both ends of the connecting pipe 3 along the length direction are tightly attached to the surface of the flange plate 1. Finally, bolt the opposing flange plates 1 together until the opposing surfaces of the two connecting rings 4 are in contact. When the opposing surfaces of the fixing rings 4 are in contact, the expansion section 311 is in a compressed state.

[0051] When the bolts become loose, gaps appear between the fitting connection rings 4. At this time, the length of the fitting fixing rings 4, which are in a compressed state, automatically extends as the fitting fixing rings separate, thus avoiding water seepage.

[0052] The embodiments of this specific implementation method are all preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flange connection, comprising two opposing flanges (1) connected together by a plurality of bolts, wherein the flanges (1) are provided with a connecting hole (11) penetrating the flanges (1), Features: A connecting pipe (3) with a variable length is arranged between the opposite flanges (1), the inner holes of the connecting pipe (3) are respectively connected to the connecting holes (11) on the opposite flanges (1), the connecting pipe (3) comprises a pipe body (31), a telescopic section (311) with a variable length is arranged at the middle position of the pipe body (31), fixing rings (32) are respectively arranged on the outside of both ends in the length direction of the pipe body (31), the fixing rings (32) are sealingly attached to the surface of the flange (1), and a connecting component for connecting the connecting pipe (3) and the flange (1) together and making the fixing ring (32) attached to the surface of the flange (1) is arranged at the joint between the connecting pipe (3) and the flange (1); The connection assembly comprises a butt joint pipe (2) fixed to a surface of a flange (1) facing the connecting pipe (3) and having a fixing ring (32) sleeved therein, and a connecting ring (4) rotatably connected to the outside of the pipe body (31); the connecting ring (4) is located between the fixing ring (32) and the telescopic section (311); the connecting ring (4) is threadedly connected to the butt joint pipe (2); and the connecting ring (4) abuts against a surface of a side of the fixing ring (32) facing away from the flange (1); The connecting ring (4) comprises a connecting portion (42) threadedly connected to the butt joint pipe (2) and a butt joint portion (43) located outside the butt joint pipe (2), and an outer surface of the butt joint portion (43) is provided with an anti-slip structure; A sealing ring is arranged on the end surface of the fixing ring (32) facing the flange (1), and an annular groove (322) is arranged on the side surface of the fixing ring (32) facing the flange (1). The sealing ring is embedded in the annular groove (322) and is exposed from the notch of the annular groove (322).

2. The flange connection according to claim 1, Features: The inner hole wall of the butt joint tube (2) is provided with an internal thread, and the outer surface of the connecting portion (42) is provided with an external thread that matches the internal thread on the inner hole wall of the butt joint tube (2), and both the internal thread and the external thread are fine-pitch threads.

3. The flange connection according to claim 1, Features: A circular mounting groove (321) is provided on one side surface of the fixing ring (32) facing the connecting ring (4), the center of which is located on the axis of the fixing ring (32); a circular convex ring (41) is provided on one side surface of the connecting ring (4) facing the fixing ring (32), the center of which is located on the axis of the connecting ring (4); the convex ring (41) matches the mounting groove (321), and the convex ring (41) extends into the interior of the mounting groove (321) and can rotate inside the mounting groove (321).

4. The flange connection according to claim 1, Features: The fixing ring (32) is threadably connected to the tube body (31).

5. The flange connection according to claim 1, Features: The surfaces of the two connecting rings (4) on the tube body (31) on opposite sides are fitted together.

6. The flange connection according to claim 5, Features: A sealing member is arranged between the two connecting rings (4).

7. The flange connection according to claim 1, Features: The telescopic section (311) of the tube body (31) is in a compressed state.

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