Offset alignment pivotable coupling fitting for sealably interconnecting high pressure lines

Abstract

An offset aligned pivotable high pressure coupler fitting for removably and sealingly engaging two misaligned high pressure fluid lines. The coupler fitting includes: (i) a female part having a bore therethrough, one end of the bore configured to sealingly removably engage one end of a first high pressure fluid line and the other end having a symmetrical spherical recess; (ii) a male part having a bore therethrough, one end of the bore configured to sealingly removably engage with one end of a second high pressure fluid line and the other end having a symmetrical spherical projection that matches and slidably communicates with the spherical recess in the female part; and (iii) a removable engagement means configured to removably and sealingly engage the symmetrical spherical recess of the female part and the symmetrical spherical projection of the male part.

Description

technical field [0001] Various embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a coupling fitting for a high pressure fluid line. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an offset aligned pivotable coupling fitting for sealingly interconnecting two misaligned high pressure fluid lines. Background technique [0002] Ultra High Pressure (UHP) fluid lines are used in many industrial applications to convert pressurized kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Examples of fluids commonly used for hydraulics in complex industrial facilities at ultra-high pressure include water, steam, oil and selected gases. In large industrial facilities, hydraulic fluid is typically pressurized to high or ultra-high pressure by specialized equipment, such as in the range of 30,000 psi to 150,000 psi (207 mPa to 1034 mPa), and then delivered to one or more large equipment components at high or ultra-high pressure , to convert its kinetic energy into mechanical energy for industrial ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Sealed pressure systems of this type often contain significant amounts of stored energy which can pose a significant safety hazard to personnel and equipment if the piping infrastructure or its isolated substructure is not properly and completely vented prior to opening the high pressure fittings

Another problem associated with high pressure fittings is metal fatigue of one or both parts of the coupling fitting, which can be caused by the dynamic pressure exerted by the high pressure fluid flow through the high pressure piping infrastructure

A further problem associated with such high pressure coupling fittings is that if the two high pressure lines joined together are not perfectly in-line, it is difficult to adequately tighten the coupling fitting assembly together hermetically to maintain a leak-proof seal for extended periods of time

However, if the two high pressure lines joined together are not perfectly in line, it can be difficult to sealingly engage and tighten their coupling fitting assemblies together

Additionally, currently available coupling fitting assemblies tend to fail rapidly when installed to join together two misaligned high pressure lines

Another problem commonly encountered in industrial environments with large pieces of process equipment interconnected into a sealed high pressure piping infrastructure is the replacement parts for a piece of equipment that can be interconnected with one or more UHP lines May be of a different shape and / or size resulting in one or more misalignments between the UHP pipeline interconnected with the replacement part and the sealed high pressure piping infrastructure

Adding further to this problem is that the replacement part of the equipment is often of a different size and shape than it was before it was replaced, resulting in the sealing engagement of the replacement equipment with and into the sealed high pressure piping infrastructure. Additional Issues and Challenges

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