Connector assembly for a pipeline

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a tap body connectable to a portion of a pipeline in a sealing manner. The tap body has a longitudinally extending tap body orifice. A valve body has a longitudinally extending valve body orifice. A block valve subassembly is connected to the valve body and actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice. A coupler is for connecting the tap and valve bodies to one another in such a manner that a seal is formed between the tap and valve bodies. The seal is conical. The valve and tap body orifices collectively define a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice when the tap and valve bodies are sealingly connected to one another via the coupler.

Description

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A PIPELINERelated Application

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 558,179, filed 27 February 2024, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to a connector assembly for a pipeline, a method for operably joining a connector assembly to a pipeline, and a method for operably connecting a pressure measuring instrument to a pipeline via one or more connection assemblies.Background

[0003] The measurement of fluid flow in industrial pipelines commonly employs an orifice plate, utilizing the principle of differential pressure. Installed within a pipeline carrying a fluid to be measured, the orifice plate creates a flow restriction, causing an increase in fluid velocity and a subsequent pressure drop. Pressure taps positioned upstream and downstream of the orifice plate allow for the measurement of this pressure difference.

[0004] The orifice plate is a thin, flat plate with a precisely machined hole (the orifice) in its center. The diameter of the orifice is calculated based on the expected flow conditions to create a pressure drop across the plate that is proportional to the flow rate.

[0005] Orifice plates are typically installed between two flanges in the pipeline. The flanges provide a means of securely attaching the orifice plate to the pipeline while allowing for easy installation and removal for maintenance or calibration.

[0006] Pressure taps typically are small holes drilled into the pipeline upstream and downstream of the orifice plate. The pressure taps are often provided on the flanges themselves. The pressure taps serve as connection points for one or more measuring instruments (e.g., differential pressure transmitters or gauges) that are used to measure static pressure at the pressure taps.

[0007] A measuring instrument is typically connected to the pressure taps via connection apparatuses. The connection apparatuses thus transmit the pressure from the taps to the measuring instrument. These connection apparatuses typically include male-threaded connections that are screwed into the pressure taps (which are typically female-threaded). The connection apparatuses also include connections via which the measuring device, manifolds, and / or adapters are operatively connected.

[0008] In order not to interrupt the flow through the pipeline block valves that selectively interrupt the flow of the fluid through the pressure taps are operatively connected to the pressure taps. The selective interruption of the fluid flow permits the installation and repair of downstream equipment such as, e.g., manifolds, measuring devices, adapters, and / or transmitters.

[0009] Various means are used to connect a block valve to its respective pressure tap(s). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,308, issued 4 December 1990 to Nimberger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,626, 1 May 1990 to Nimberger, U.S. Pat. No. 6,871 ,881 , issued 29 March 2005 to Hutton, U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,907, issued 21 July 2009 to Hutton, and U.S. Design Pat. No. US D541 ,645 S, issued 1 May 2007 to Hutton, the subject matter of each and all of which is herein incorporated by reference, each disclose connecting apparatuses (which are of either a one-piece or multi-piece construction) that are utilized to connect a separate block valve (i.e., separate from the connection apparatus) to associated pressure taps. On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,453, issued 10 May 2011 to George et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,851 ,030, issued 26 December 2017 to Keller et al., U.S. Pat. No. 10,221 ,962, issued 5 March 2019 to Hutton, U.S. Design Pat. No. US D615,617 S, issued 1 1 May 2010 to Hutton, and U.S. Design Pat. No. US D714,909 S, issued 7 October 2014 to Boothe, the subject matter of each and all of which is herein incorporated by reference, each disclose connection apparatuses (which are of either a one-piece or multi-piece construction) that include integral block valves.

[0010] The proximity of the connection apparatuses does not allow block valves with projecting parts to be rotated side by side without interference. The solution to one-piece constructions is to supply uninstalled parts that must be installed at the work site. The disadvantage to this approach is orienting the block valves to one another as they are rotated into the pressure taps and leak testing the assembled parts (which is typically carried out by the valve manufacturer). In addition, in such a configuration, the block valve(s) cannot be replaced without removing the entire assembly. The alternative solution is to segregate the block valves from associated tap bodies and provide ameans to easily connect them together at the work site. This too is not without its disadvantages, including the addition of joining hardware and the challenge of easily connecting and sealing a block valve to its associated tap body.Summary

[0011] In an aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, a connector assembly comprises a tap body connectable to a portion of a pipeline in a sealing manner. The tap body has a longitudinally extending tap body orifice. A valve body has a longitudinally extending valve body orifice. A block valve subassembly is connected to the valve body and actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice. A coupler is for connecting the tap and valve bodies to one another in such a manner that a seal is formed between the tap and valve bodies. The seal is conical. The valve and tap body orifices collectively define a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice when the tap and valve bodies are sealingly connected to one another via the coupler.

[0012] In an aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, a method for operably joining a connector assembly to a pipeline is provided. The pipeline has a flange with a threaded pressure tap that is in fluid communication with an interior orifice of the pipeline. The method comprises providing a tap body of the connector assembly. The tap body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces. A tap body orifice of the tap body extends longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the tap body. An interior conical surface of the tap body extends longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface toward the second end surface and defines a conical recession in the tap body. The conical recession defines a varying diameter portion of the tap body orifice. The tap body has a first externally threaded portion adjacent to the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body. The first externally threaded portion of the tap body is threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap such that a seal is formed between the tap body and the threaded pressure tap. A valve body of the connector assembly is provided. The valve body has a block valve subassembly of the connector assembly and a coupler of the connector assembly preassembled thereon. The valve body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces. A valve body orifice of the valve body extends longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the valve body. A conical projection of the valve body extends longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body. The preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler is joined to the tap body via the coupler in such a manner that (a) at least a portion of theconical projection is longitudinally inserted into the conical recession and directly engaged to the interior conical surface, (b) a conical seal is formed between the directly engaged conical projection and the interior conical surface, and (c) the valve and tap body orifices collectively define a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice, the block valve subassembly being actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice.

[0013] In an aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, a method for operably connecting a pressure measuring instrument to a pipeline is provided. The method comprises joining two connector assemblies to the pipeline. Each connector assembly is sealingly connected to an associated pressure tap via a corresponding tap body. With the two connector assemblies joined to the pipeline, the pressure measuring instrument is directly or indirectly connected to the connector assemblies such that the pressuring measuring instrument is selectively operatively connected to the interior orifice of the pipeline via the connector assembly orifices.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of connector assembly according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aspect of Fig. 3;

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective top view of a tap body of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0020] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tap body of the aspect ofFig. 1 ;

[0021] Fig. 7 is a perspective bottom view of a valve body of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0022] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the valve body of the aspect ofFig. 1 ;

[0023] Figs. 9A-B illustrate an example manner in which a valve body of the aspect of Fig. 1 is joined to a corresponding tap body of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 10 illustrates a first step of an example method for operatively connecting a measuring instrument to a pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0025] Fig. 11 illustrates a second step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0026] Fig. 12 illustrates a third step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 13 illustrates a fourth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0028] Fig. 14 illustrates a fifth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0029] Fig. 15 illustrates a sixth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0030] Fig. 16 illustrates a seventh step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0031] Fig. 17 is a perspective top view of a positioning clip of the aspect of Fig. 16;

[0032] Fig. 18 illustrates an eighth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0033] Fig. 19 illustrates a ninth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0034] Fig. 20 illustrates a tenth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ;

[0035] Fig. 21 illustrates an eleventh step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 ; and

[0036] Fig. 22 illustrates a twelfth step of the example method for operatively connecting the measuring instrument to the pipeline via two connector assemblies of the aspect of Fig. 1 .Description of Aspects of the Disclosure

[0037] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0038] As used herein, the term “user” can be used interchangeably to refer to an individual who prepares for, assists with, and / or performs a procedure, and / or to an individual who prepares for, assists with, and / or performs the operation of a tool.

[0039] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” can include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” as used herein, can specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0040] As used herein, the term “and / or” can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” can be interpreted to include X and Y.

[0042] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of X and Y” can be interpreted to include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an element is described as having at least one of X and Y, the element may, at a particular time, include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y, the selection of which could vary from time to time. In contrast, the phrase “at least one of X” can be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

[0043] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example,“directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “directly adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature, whereas a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may not have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0044] It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a “first” element discussed below could also be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or Figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0045] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of this invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual and partial numbers within that range, for example, 1 , 2, 2.3, 3, 3.1 , 4, 5, 5.5 and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0046] The invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the following features, in any combination.

[0047] Figs. 1 -4 illustrate a connector assembly 100 that comprises a tap body 200, a valve body 300, a coupler 400, and a block valve subassembly 500. The tap body 200 includes longitudinally opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces 202, 204 and a tap body orifice 206 extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis 208 of the tap body 200 from the first longitudinal end surface 202 to the second longitudinal end surface 204. The term “longitudinal” is used herein to indicate a substantially vertical direction in the orientation of at least Figs. 1 -4, and is indicated at “LO” in the Figures. As shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5-6, the tap body 200 includes a conical recession 210 defined by an interior conical surface 212 of the tap body 200. The conical recession 210 extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis 208 toward the second longitudinalend surface 204 from the first longitudinal end surface 202 and that has a diameter that decreases as it extends longitudinally toward the second longitudinal end surface 204. The conical recession 210 also defines a portion of the tap body orifice 206. Therefore, a diameter of the tap body orifice 206 varies at the portion of the tap body orifice 206 that is defined by the conical recession 210. As shown in Fig. 6, a vertex angle a of the conical recession 210 (i.e., the angle between two opposing generator lines of the conical recession / interior conical surface 210 / 212) may be, e.g., 60 degrees, though conical recession 210 may have any other desired vertex angle.

[0048] Returning to Figs. 1-4, the tap body 200 includes a first externally threaded portion 214 adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent) to the first longitudinal end surface 202, and a second externally threaded portion 216 adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent) to the second longitudinal end surface 204. The thread 218 of the second externally threaded portion 216 may be an NPT thread, and thus the second externally threaded portion 216 may be conical or at least partially conical.

[0049] The tap body 200 may also include a third externally threaded portion 220 located longitudinally between the first and second externally threaded portions 214, 216. An engagement flange 222, via which the tap body 200 may directly engaged by a user or by a user-operated tool (e.g., a wrench) and driven / rotated, may be located longitudinally between the first and second externally threaded portions 214, 216, and furthermore, between the first and third externally threaded portion 214, 220 when the third externally threaded portion 220 is provided. The engagement flange 222, when provided, may comprise the portion of the tap body 200 with the largest lateral width. The term “lateral” is used herein to indicate a direction substantially perpendicular to the “longitudinal” direction, is shown as the horizontal direction in the orientation of at least Figs. 2 and 4, and is indicated at “LA” in the Figures.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 1-4, the valve body 300 includes longitudinally opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces 302, 304 and a valve body orifice 306 extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis 308 of the valve body 300 from the first longitudinal end surface 302 to at least the second longitudinal end surface 304. As shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7-8, the valve body 300 includes a conical projection 310 that extends longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface 304. The conical projection 310 has an exterior conical surface 312 defining an exterior diameter of the conical projection 310 in such a manner that the exterior diameter decreases as it extends longitudinally away from the second longitudinal end surface 304. The valvebody orifice 306 also extends longitudinally through the conical projection 310, and thus the conical projection 310 defines a portion of the valve body orifice 306. As shown in Fig. 8, a vertex angle p of the conical projection 310 (i.e., the angle between two opposing generator lines of the conical projection / exterior conical surface 310 / 312) may be less than and / or otherwise different from that of the vertex angle a of the conical recession 210. Therefore, the vertex angle p of the conical projection 310 may be, e.g., less than 60 degrees when the vertex angle a of the conical recession 210 is 60 degrees. In the example configuration shown in Fig. 8, the vertex angle p of the conical projection 310 is 59 degrees or is about 59 degrees (e.g., in the range of 58.8 to 59.2 degrees).

[0051] Returning to Figs. 1-4, the valve body 300 includes a laterally outwardly projecting double-sided connecting flange 314 that defines the first longitudinal end surface 302 of the valve body 300. The connecting flange 314 includes an opening 316 disposed on each lateral side. The connecting flange 314 also includes an annular groove 318 in which a sealing member (e.g., an O-ring or ring-shaped gasket 319 - see Fig. 16) may be at least partially inserted. The annular groove 318 extends circumferentially about the valve body orifice 306 and extends longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface 302 towards the second longitudinal end surface 304. On its opposite longitudinal end, e.g., adjacent and / or directly adjacent to its second longitudinal end surface 304, the valve body 300 includes an externally threaded portion 322.

[0052] The tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are connected to one another via the coupler 400 with a sealing effect by, e.g., the coupler 400 clamping the exterior conical surface 312 of the conical projection 310 against the interior conical surface 212 of the tap body 200 to such a degree that a seal 102 (e.g., a conical seal) is formed between the conical projection 310 and the tap body 200. In particular, the coupler 400 is in the form of a nut having an interior right-hand thread 402 and an interior left-hand thread 404 that is longitudinally spaced from the right-hand thread 402 via an interior central thread-free portion 406. An exterior surface of the coupler may include at least one marking 408 (e.g., one or more grooves, symbols, wording, and / or other marking features) thereon indicating the right-hand thread-side and / or the left-hand thread-side of the coupler 400. In the example configuration shown in Figs. 1-4, the markings 408 are grooves that are on and indicate the left-hand thread-side of the coupler 400.

[0053] The left-hand thread 404 of the coupler 400 is configured to be threadably attached to (e.g., screwed onto) one of the thread 224 of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 214 and the thread 324 of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322, while the right-hand thread 402 of the coupler 400 is configured to be threadably attached to (e.g., screwed onto) the other of the thread 224 of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 214 and the thread 324 of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322. As shown in the example configuration of Figs. 1 -4, the thread 224 of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 214 is a right-hand thread and the thread 324 of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322 is a left-hand thread, though it should be noted that left-hand / right-hand threading arrangement of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 of other example configurations may be opposite to what is shown herein. As such, the right-hand thread 402 of the coupler 400 is configured to be threadably attached to the right-hand thread 224 of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 214, and the left-hand thread 404 of the coupler 400 is configured to be threadably attached to the left-hand thread 324 of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322.

[0054] In connecting the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 to one another, the coupler 400 is first threadably attached to one of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300. Then the other of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 is threadably attached to coupler 400. Torque may then be applied to the coupler 400 to cause the coupler 400 to rotate about the longitudinal axes 208, 308, which evenly draws the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 towards one another as a result of the oppositely directed threads 224, 322. The tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are drawn towards one another at least until the exterior conical surface 312 of the conical projection 310 and the interior conical surface 212 of the tap body 200 are clamped directly against one another to such a degree that the seal 102 is formed between the conical projection 310 and the interior conical surface 212.

[0055] The tap and valve bodies 200, 300 (or at least the conical projection 310 and the interior conical surface 212) of Figs. 1 -4 are formed from metal. Therefore, the seal 102 between the tap and valve bodies 200, 200 is a metal-to-metal seal. However, the connector assembly 100 may be configured such that one or both of the conical projection 310 and the interior conical surface 212 are formed at least partially from or has provided thereon a non-metallic material.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 2, the seal 102 is conical providing a radial seal with a longitudinal length that is defined by the longitudinal length that the conical projection310 extends into the conical recession 120. Therefore, the conical shape of the conical projection 310 and conical recession 210 allows the conical projection 310 to be driven longitudinally into and / or out from the conical recession 210 to increase and decrease the contact area of the seal 102. For example, even after an appropriate seal 102 is formed between the tap and valve bodies 200, 300, a user may apply additional torque to the coupler 400 to further drive the conical projection 310 into the conical recession 210 so as to increase the longitudinal length and contact area of the seal 102.

[0057] Furthermore, as discussed above, the (e.g., slight) angular difference between the vertex angles a, p of the conical recession 210 and the conical projection 310 at least partially prevents a full-surface contact between the interior conical surface 212 and the exterior conical surface 312 (while still permitting the formation of the seal 102), thereby providing better vibration resistance and a more consistent sealing pressure under varying loads than would otherwise be provided had the vertex angles a, been the same.

[0058] Fig. 2 also illustrates that the second longitudinal end surface 304 of the valve body 300 may be spaced longitudinally from (and, thus, may not be in contact with) the first longitudinal end surface 202 of the tap body 200 when the seal 102 is formed. The seal 102 may thus be formed without having to compress the second longitudinal end surface 304 of the valve body 300 directly against the first longitudinal end surface 202 of the tap body 200, which provides for a relatively small sealing contact area compared to that of prior art connector apparatuses. Consequently, the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 can be relatively easily sealed via the clamping force exerted by the torque of the threads 224, 324, 402, 404 and the relatively small contact area of the seal 102. The seal 102 between the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 is also particularly useful in high- fluidic pressure use environments as the seal 102 has a relatively small diameter that is only slightly larger than a diameter of the valve body orifice 306 and a diameter of at least the non-conical portion of the tap body orifice 206, though the connector assembly 100 may also be utilized or adapted to be utilized in use environments of having any level of fluidic pressure.

[0059] The connector assembly 100 may be configured such that the valve body's second longitudinal end surface 304, the tap body’s first longitudinal end surface 202, and at least a portion of the seal 102 are longitudinal located at the central thread-free portion 406 of the coupler 400 when the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are in sealing connection. An equal or substantially close to an equal number of roots and / or crests ofthe threads 224, 324 of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 may be threadably engaged to their respective sides of the central thread-free portion 406 of the coupler 400. In other words, when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection via the coupler 400, the longitudinal length that the tap body 200 extends into the coupler 400 is the same or about the same as the longitudinal length that the valve body 300 extends into the coupler 400. The central thread-free portion 406, when provided, may allow for variations in the installation lengths of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300, a convenient location for an inspection hole for inspecting the seal 102, and / or a location in which an elastomeric member may be provided longitudinally between the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 for a secondary or redundant sealing effect. The thread size of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 214, the thread size of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322, the thread size of the interior threads 402, 404 of the coupler 400, and / or a longitudinal length of the central thread-free portion 406 may be selected and / or adjusted to accommodate particular fluidic pressure ratings and / or the spacing needed to accommodate the valve body’s second longitudinal end surface 304, the tap body’s first longitudinal end surface 202, and at least a portion of the seal 102 at the central thread-free portion 406.

[0060] As shown in Figs. 9A-9B (which omit the coupler 400, for clarity), the conical shape of the conical projection 310 and interior conical surface 212 and the mutual engagement / contact between these two parts responsively causes at least one of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 to be urged and / or guided into a position in which the longitudinal axes 208, 308 of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are coextensive or at least substantially coextensive as the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are drawn together. Therefore, in addition to providing sealing functionality, the conical projection 310 and interior conical surface 212 also function as integral alignment features of the connector assembly 100. The tap and valve bodies 200, 300 can thus be properly aligned relative to one another without having to rely solely upon the threads 224, 324, 402, 404 of the coupler 400, the tap body 200, and / or the valve body 300, and / or without having to provide additional and / or separate alignment features.

[0061] When the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are aligned and in sealing connection, as is shown in Fig. 2, the tap body orifice 206 and the valve body orifice 306 collectively define a connector assembly orifice 106 that extends from the second longitudinal end surface 204 of the tap body 200 to the first longitudinal end surface 302of the valve body 300. This connector assembly orifice 106 may be selectively closed and opened via the block valve subassembly 500.

[0062] Returning to Figs. 1-4, the valve body 300 includes a laterally extending valve opening 326 that is perpendicular to and intersects the connector assembly orifice 106 (e.g., at the valve body orifice 306). The valve opening 326 is configured to receive a portion of the block valve subassembly 500. In particular, the block valve subassembly 500 includes a soft seat 502, a stem 504, a bonnet 506, a handle 508, and an O-ring 510. The soft seat 502 may be formed from a non-metallic material such as, e.g., an elastomer (silicone, PTFE, FKM, EPDM, or Nitrile). The soft seat 502 is inserted laterally into the valve opening 326 such that the soft seat 502 extends perpendicularly to and intersects the connector assembly orifice 106. The soft seat 502, however, includes a through-opening 512 so as to not occlude or substantially occlude the connector assembly orifice 106. An interior of the soft seat 502 provides a sealing surface for the stem 504 when the stem 504 is inserted at least partially therein. The soft seat 502 is at least partially held in a fixed position relative to the valve body 300 via frictional forces and / or via the bonnet 506 when the bonnet 506 is threadably attached to a threaded portion 328 of the valve opening 326. The stem 504 is connected (e.g., operably connected) to the handle 508 and has an externally threaded portion 513 threadably connected an interior threaded portion 514 of an interior bore 516 of the bonnet 506 such that the stem 504 is guided by the bore 516 and is driven laterally relative to the bonnet 506 and the soft seat 502 when the handle 508 is rotated. The O-ring 510 is provided on the stem 504 and provides a seal between the bonnet 506 and the stem 504 in the bore 516.

[0063] Accordingly, the block valve subassembly 500 is operable to selectively close or open the connector assembly orifice 106 via the handle 508. In particular, turning the handle 508 in a closing direction causes the stem 504 to laterally move into and / or further into the soft seat 502 so as to both occlude the through-opening 512 of the soft seat 502 and create a seal between the soft seat 502 and the stem 504 that occludes the connector assembly orifice 106. Conversely, the connector assembly orifice 106 can be selectively opened via the turning of the handle 508 in an opposite opening direction, which responsible causes the stem 504 to laterally move at least partially out from the soft seat 502 so as to at least partially unblock and open the through-opening 512 of the soft seat 502, and thus at least partially unblock and open the connector assembly orifice 106.

[0064] Typically, the connector assembly 100 is joined to a structure via threadably attaching the thread 218 of the tap body’s second externally threaded portion 216 to a complementary shaped and threaded opening / tap of the structure. A surface on which the tap is located is typically either flat (or substantially flat) or rounded (or substantially rounded). For either surface configuration, the thread 218 of the tap body’s second externally threaded portion 216 may be an NPT thread that is sealed into the threaded tap via the threaded engagement. The connector assembly 100 may also include a stabilizing nut 600 to stabilize the connector assembly and to reduce stress on the seal (e.g., NPT seal) between the thread 218 and threaded tap. The stabilizing nut 600 includes an interior thread 602 and is threadedly attached to (e.g., screwed onto) the thread 226 of the tap body’s third externally threaded portion 220 before the thread 218 of the tap body’s second externally threaded portion 216 is threaded into the threaded tap. For flat surfaces, the stabilizing nut 600 is rotated so as to move longitudinally into longitudinal engagement with the flat surface, which “clamps down” on the flat surface to provide the above-mentioned stabilization and stress relief.

[0065] For round surfaces, a stabilizing adapter 700 of the connector assembly 100 may be provided and positioned between the stabilizing nut 600 and one or both of the thread 218 of the second externally threaded portion 216 and the tap body’s second longitudinal end surface 204. The stabilizing adapter 700 thus rests directly on the round surface (i.e., directly interfaces with the round surface), which longitudinally spaces the stabilizing nut 600 from the round surface. A first longitudinal portion 702 of the stabilizing adapter 700 is or is substantially U-shaped so as to better interface with the round surface and provide tangential contact points along the circumference of the round surface. A second longitudinal portion 704 of the stabilizing adapter 700 includes a flat adapter surface 706 for the stabilizing nut 600 to longitudinally “clamp down” on to provide the above-mentioned stabilization and stress relief.

[0066] Figs. 11 -16 and 18-22 depict an example method for operably connecting a measuring instrument 1100 (e.g., a pressure measuring instrument 1 100) to a pipeline 800, which includes a sub-method for joining at least one connector assembly 100 (here two connection assemblies 100) to the pipeline 800. Fig. 10 depicts an example pipeline 800 to which the pressuring measuring instrument 1100 and connector assembly(ies) 100 are connected in the example method depicted in Figs. 11 -16 and 18-22. The pipeline 800 may be configured to carry natural gas, e.g., or any other desired fluid. Installed on / in the pipeline 800 is an orifice plate 802 having a central hole 804. In theexample configuration shown in Fig. 10, the orifice plate 802 is installed between two flanges 806. Each flange 806 has a pressure tap 808 drilled, machined or otherwise provided therein that is in fluid communication with an interior orifice 810 of the pipeline 800. Therefore, the pressure taps 808 are located upstream and downstream of the orifice plate 802. These pressure taps 808 serve as the connection points (i.e., fluid communication points) for the connection assemblies 100 and, thus, the pressure measuring instrument 1100.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 1 1 , a tap body 200, a stabilizing nut 600, and a stabilizing flange 700 are provided. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the tap body 200 may be provided to the user (e.g., packaged) with the stabilizing nut 600 provided thereon, though these parts 200, 600 may be provided and / or packaged separately and connected at the installation site.

[0068] Fig. 12 depicts the stabilizing adapter 700 positioned on one flange 806 of the pipeline 800 in a location in which a longitudinal opening 708 of the stabilizing adapter 700 is aligned with a corresponding pressure tap 808 of the flange 806. Please note that the stabilizing adapter 700 is provided and utilized due to the pressure tap 808 being provided at a rounded portion of the flange 806. In a configuration in which the pressure tap 808 is instead provided at a flat portion of the flange 806, the stabilizing adapter 700 may be omitted.

[0069] As shown in Figs. 12-13, once the stabilizing adapter 700 is in position, the tap body 200 is inserted through the longitudinal opening 708 of the stabilizing adapter 800 and then threadably attached (e.g., screwed) into a threaded portion 812 (see Fig. 10) of the pressure tap 808. This threaded attachment may be accomplished by the user screwing the thread 218 of the tap body's second externally threaded portion 216 into the pressure tap 808 by hand. Fig. 14 depicts another tap body 200, stabilizing nut 600, and stabilizing adapter 700 that has been joined to a corresponding pressure tap 808 and flange 806 of the pipeline 800 in the same manner as described above.

[0070] Once the both tap bodies 200 are threadably attached to their corresponding pressure taps 808, additional torque may be applied to each tap body 200 (e.g., in an alternating manner) to sufficiently tighten each tap body 200 and create a proper seal between the tap bodies 200 and their associated pressure taps 808, as well as to longitudinally align the first longitudinal end surfaces 202 of the tap bodies 200 to one another so that they are “level”. As shown in Fig. 15, after the tap bodies 200 have been sufficiently tightened and leveled, the stabilizing nuts 600 may be may each be rotated(e.g., via a wrench) so as to move longitudinally into longitudinal engagement with the flat adapter surfaces 706 of the stabilizing flanges 700, which causes the stabilizing nuts 600 to “clamp down” on the flat adapter surfaces 706.

[0071] In Fig. 16, a valve body 300, a block valve subassembly 500, and a coupler 400 are provided. As illustrated in Fig. 16, the valve body 300 may be provided to the user (e.g., packaged) with block valve subassembly 500 attached thereto, in which case the valve body 300 and attached block valve subassembly 500 may be leak tested prior to being supplied to the user. However, the valve body 300 and block valve subassembly 500 may be provided to the user separately so as to be joined to one another at the installation site.

[0072] Furthermore, the valve body 300 may be provided to the user (e.g., packaged) with the coupler 400 thereon, though these parts 300, 400 be provided to the user separately so as to be joined to one another at the installation site. A benefit of preassembling the coupler 400 onto the valve body 300 is that the coupler 400 may at least partially cover (e.g., circumferentially cover) the conical projection 310 prior to joining the valve body 300 to the tap body 200. The coupler 400 may thus shield and at least partially protect the conical projection 310 from damage prior to the installation of the valve body 300. It should also be noted that providing the conical projection 310 on the valve body 300 instead of the tap body 200 also at least partially protects the conical projection 310 from damage prior to the joining of the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 since the risk of accidentally damaging the conical projection 310 during the installation of the tap body 200 into the pressure tap 808 is avoided. However, despite this risk, in certain configurations of the connector assembly 100, the tap body 200 may include the conical projection 310 and the valve body 300 may include the conical recession 210.

[0073] When the coupler 400 is preassembled on the valve body 300, the left-hand thread 404 of the coupler 400 can be threadably attached to the left-hand thread 324 of the valve body’s externally threaded portion 322 such that it is located at a predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body 300. The coupler 400 can remain at the predetermined longitudinal starting position until the valve body 300 and coupler 400 are joined to a corresponding tap body 200. The predetermined longitudinal starting position may be selected such that when the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 are in sealing connection with one another via the coupler 400, (1 ) the longitudinal length that the tap body 200 extends into the coupler 400 is the same or about the same as the longitudinal length that the valve body 300 extends into the coupler 400, (2) the valvebody’s second longitudinal end surface 304 is located at and / or adjacent to the central thread-free portion 406 of the coupler, (3) the tap body’s first longitudinal end surface 202 is located at and / or adjacent to the central thread-free portion 406, and / or (4) at least a portion of the seal 102 between the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 is located at and / or adjacent to the central thread-free portion 406.

[0074] As shown in Figs. 16-17, the connector assembly 100, at least in a preinstalled condition, may include a positioning clip 900 removably attached to the valve body 300 (e.g., at and / or adjacent to externally threaded portion 322). A longitudinal length of the positioning clip 900 is configured such that when the coupler 400 is screwed onto the externally threaded portion 322 of the valve body 300 and in longitudinal engagement with the positioning clip 900, the coupler 400 is located longitudinally at predetermined longitudinal starting position. Therefore, in a preassembled condition of the connector assembly 100 (i.e., a condition in which at least the valve body 300 is not sealingly connected to the tap body 200), the coupler 400 can be reliably located on the valve body 300 at the predetermined longitudinal starting position via use of the positioning clip 900. The positioning clip 900 thus is shown in Fig. 16 as being preassembled on the valve body with the coupler 400 in longitudinal engagement therewith.

[0075] In Fig. 18, the preassembled valve body 300, valve block subassembly 500, coupler 400, and positioning clip 900 are joined to a corresponding tap body 200. As shown in Figs. 18-19, the valve body 300 is held in a rotationally fixed position while the positioning clip 900 is removed from the valve body 300. With the positioning clip 900 removed, the coupling nut 400 may be rotated onto the tap body 200 so as to threadably engage the right-hand thread 402 of the coupler 400 to the right-hand thread 224 of the tap body’s first externally threaded portion 216 (Fig. 20). This rotation of the coupling nut 400 may be done by hand and in the clockwise direction due to the right-hand-to-right- hand threaded engagement of the coupler 400 and tap body 200. The rotation of the coupler 400 draws the tap and valve bodies 200, 300 evenly together. The rotation of the coupler 400 may be ceased on the valve body 300 contacts the tap body 200 as a final torque is provided to the coupler 400 in a later step.

[0076] Fig. 21 depicts another preassembled valve body 300, block valve subassembly 500, and coupler 400 that has been joined to a corresponding tap body 200 in the same manner as described above (and using an associated positioning clip 900 not shown in Fig. 21). Once both valve bodies 300 are at least partially coupledattached to their corresponding tap bodies 200 via their corresponding couplers 400, the user may check the longitudinal alignment of the first longitudinal end surfaces 302 of the valve bodies 300 to see if they are “level” to one another. If they are not level, they may be brought into longitudinal alignment with one another via rotation of one or both of the couplers 400. Alternatively or additionally, if the first longitudinal end surfaces 302 are not level, the user may remove one or both of the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and couplers 300, 500, 400, check / adjust the longitudinal alignment of the first longitudinal end surfaces 202 of the tap bodies 200, and then reinstall the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and couplers 300, 500, 400.

[0077] Once the valve bodies’ first longitudinal end surfaces 302 are longitudinally aligned and level, each valve body 300 may be longitudinally moved into sealing engagement with its associated tap body 200. In particular, for each valve body 300, the valve body 300 may be rotationally fixed by the user (e.g., via a wrench) while the final torque is applied to the associated coupler 400 by the user (e.g., via another wrench), which responsively causes the valve body 300 to move further into contact with the tap body 200 to create and / or longitudinally lengthen a conical seal 102 between the valve body 300 and the tap body 200. In particular, the final torque applied to the couplers 400 causes the conical projections 310 of the valve bodies 300 to move into or further into direct contact with the interior conical surfaces 212 of the tap bodies 200 so as to form and / or longitudinally length the conical seals 102 between the tap and valve bodies 200, 300. The final torque provided to each coupler 400 may be in the range of 15 to 20 ft- Ibs.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 22, a manifold 1000 (e.g., a 5-way manifold) is provided on the first longitudinal end surfaces 302 of the valve bodies 300. The manifold 1000 may be secured to the valve bodies 300 via the openings 316 of the connecting flanges 314 and fasteners 1002. Before or after the manifold 1000 is secured to the valve bodies 300, the pressure measuring instrument 1100 may be connected to the manifold 1000. Therefore, in following the above method, the pressure measuring instrument 1100 may be operatively connected to the pipeline 800 (e.g., to the interior orifice 810 of the pipeline 800) via the pressure taps 808 on the flanges 806, the connector assemblies 100, and the manifold. If desired, additional torque may be applied to one or both couplers 400 once manifold 1000 and pressure measuring instrument 1100 have been installed and all joints have been leak checked.

[0079] In summary, a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure provides at least the below example aspects, whether they be alone or in combination with one another.

[0080] Example aspect 1 . A connector assembly, comprising:

[0081] a tap body connectable to a portion of a pipeline in a sealing manner, the tap body having a longitudinally extending tap body orifice;

[0082] a valve body having a longitudinally extending valve body orifice;

[0083] a block valve subassembly connected to the valve body and actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice; and

[0084] a coupler for connecting the tap and valve bodies to one another in such a manner that a seal is formed between the tap and valve bodies, the seal being conical, the valve and tap body orifices collectively defining a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice when the tap and valve bodies are sealingly connected to one another via the coupler.

[0085] Example aspect 2. The connector assembly of example aspect 1 , wherein the conical seal is formed via a direct engagement between a conical projection of the connector assembly and an interior conical surface of the connector assembly.

[0086] Example aspect 3. The connector assembly of example aspect 2, wherein the conical projection is on one of the tap and valve bodies and the interior conical surface is in the other of the tap and valve bodies.

[0087] Example aspect 4. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 2-3, wherein a vertex angle of the conical projection is different than that of a vertex angle of the interior conical surface.

[0088] Example aspect 5. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 3-4, wherein the conical projection is on the valve body and the interior conical surface is in the tap body.

[0089] Example aspect 6. The connector assembly of example aspect 5, wherein the tap body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, the tap body orifice extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the tap body, the interior conical surface extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface toward the second end surface and defining a conical recessionin the tap body, the conical recession defining a varying diameter portion of the tap body orifice,

[0090] wherein the valve body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, the valve body orifice extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the valve body, the conical projection extending longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body, and

[0091] wherein the conical seal is formed via the direct engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface.

[0092] Example aspect 7. The connector assembly of example aspect 6, wherein the first longitudinal end surface of the tap body and the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body are spaced longitudinally from one another when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

[0093] Example aspect 8. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 6-7, wherein the coupler has an interior right-hand thread and an interior left-hand thread, the right-hand thread of the coupler being configured to be threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of one of one of the tap and valve bodies and the left-hand thread of the coupler being configured to be threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of the other of the tap and valve bodies such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the tap and valve bodies, rotation of the coupler evenly drawing the tap and valve bodies longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal.

[0094] Example aspect 9. The connector assembly of example aspect 8, wherein prior to joining the valve body and the coupler to the tap body, the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body so as to circumferentially cover the conical projection.

[0095] Example aspect 10. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 8-9, wherein the coupler has an interior central thread-free portion interposed longitudinally between the interior right-hand and left-hand threads of the coupler, at least a portion of the conical seal being located longitudinally in the coupler at the central thread-free portion when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

[0096] Example aspect 11 . The connector assembly of example aspect 10, wherein prior to joining the valve body and the coupler to the tap body, the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body such that the coupler islocated at a predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body, the predetermined starting position being selected such that when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection with one another via the coupler,

[0097] (a) a longitudinal length that the tap body extends into the coupler is equal or substantially equal to a longitudinal length that the valve body extends into the coupler, and / or

[0098] (b) at least a portion of the seal between the tap and valve bodies is located at the central thread-free portion.

[0099] Example aspect 12. The connector assembly of example aspect 11 , further comprising a positioning clip that is configured to be removably attached to the valve body, a longitudinal length of the positioning clip being configured such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body and in longitudinal engagement with the positioning clip on the valve body, the coupler is located at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body.

[0100] Example aspect 13. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 8-12, wherein as the tap and valve bodies are drawn longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal, mutual engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface responsively causes at least one of the tap and valve bodies to be urged and / or guided into a position in which a longitudinal axis of the tap body is coextensively or substantially coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the valve body.

[0101] Example aspect 14. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 1 -13, wherein the tap body has a conical externally threaded portion for threadably connecting the tap body to a correspondingly threaded pressure tap of the pipeline in a sealing manner.

[0102] Example aspect 15. The connector assembly of example aspect 14, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the connector assembly further comprising a stabilizing nut threadably attached to the additional externally threaded portion, the stabilizing nut being configured to be selectively clamped down directly or indirectly on a portion of the pipeline.

[0103] Example aspect 16. The connector assembly of example aspect 15, further comprising a stabilizing adapter for directly interfacing with a rounded surface of thepipeline, the stabilizing adapter having an opening through which a least a portion of the tap body is inserted when threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, the stabilizing nut being configured to be selectively clamped down directly on a flat adapter surface of the stabilizing adapter.

[0104] Example aspect 17. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 1 -16, wherein the valve body is connectable to a pressure measuring instrument such that the pressure measuring instrument is operably connectable to an interior of the pipeline via the connector assembly.

[0105] Example aspect 18. The connector assembly of any of example aspects 1 -17, wherein the tap and valve bodies are separate parts of the connector assembly that are configured to be connected to one another via the coupler.

[0106] Example aspect 19. A method for operably joining a connector assembly to a pipeline, the pipeline having a flange with a threaded pressure tap that is in fluid communication with an interior orifice of the pipeline, the method comprising:

[0107] providing a tap body of the connector assembly, the tap body having opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, a tap body orifice of the tap body extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the tap body, an interior conical surface of the tap body extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface toward the second end surface and defining a conical recession in the tap body, the conical recession defining a varying diameter portion of the tap body orifice, the tap body having a first externally threaded portion adjacent to the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body;

[0108] threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap such that a seal is formed between the tap body and the threaded pressure tap;

[0109] providing a valve body of the connector assembly, the valve body having a block valve subassembly of the connector assembly and a coupler of the connector assembly preassembled thereon, the valve body having opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, a valve body orifice of the valve body extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the valve body, a conical projection of the valve body extending longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body; and

[0110] joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler in such a manner that

[0111] (a) at least a portion of the conical projection is longitudinally inserted into the conical recession and directly engaged to the interior conical surface,

[0112] (b) a conical seal is formed between the directly engaged conical projection and the interior conical surface, and

[0113] (c) the valve and tap body orifices collectively define a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice, the block valve subassembly being actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice.

[0114] Example aspect 20. The method of example aspect 19, wherein the first longitudinal end surface of the tap body and the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body are spaced longitudinally from one another when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

[0115] Example aspect 21 . The method of any of example aspects 19-20, wherein the coupler has an interior right-hand thread and an interior left-hand thread, the method further comprising:

[0116] prior to joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body, threadably attaching one of the right-hand thread and the lefthand thread of the coupler to a complementary externally threaded portion of the valve body, the coupler circumferentially covering the conical projection when threadably attached to the valve body.

[0117] Example aspect 22. The method of example aspect 21 , wherein the step of joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler comprises:

[0118] threadably attaching the other of the right-hand thread and the left-hand thread of the coupler to a complementary externally threaded portion of the tap body; and

[0119] with the right-hand thread of the coupler threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of one of one of the tap and valve bodies and the left-hand thread of the coupler threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of the other of the tap and valve bodies, rotating the couplerto evenly draw the tap bodies longitudinally towards one another at least until the conical seal is formed between the conical projection and the interior conical surface.

[0120] Example aspect 23. The method of example aspect 22, wherein as the tap and valve bodies are drawn longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal, mutual engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface responsively causes at least one of the tap and valve bodies to be urged and / or guided into a position in which a longitudinal axis of the tap body is coextensively or substantially coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the valve body.

[0121] Example aspect 24. The method of any of example aspects 22-23, wherein the coupler has an interior central thread-free portion interposed longitudinally between the interior right-hand and left-hand threads of the coupler, at least a portion of the conical seal being located longitudinally in the coupler at the central thread-free portion when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

[0122] Example aspect 25. The method of example aspect 24, wherein the step of threadably attaching the coupler to the externally threaded portion of the valve body prior to joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body further comprises:

[0123] locating the coupler at a predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body;

[0124] wherein the predetermined starting position being selected such that when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection with one another via the coupler,

[0125] (a) a longitudinal length that the tap body extends into the coupler is equal or substantially equal to a longitudinal length that the valve body extends into the coupler, and / or

[0126] (b) at least a portion of the seal between the tap and valve bodies is located at the central thread-free portion.

[0127] Example aspect 26. The method of example aspect 25, further comprising:

[0128] prior to threadably attaching the coupler to the valve body, a positioning clip of the connector assembly is removably attached to the valve body; and

[0129] removing the positioning clip after or while joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler;

[0130] wherein the step of locating the coupler at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body comprises moving the coupler into longitudinal engagement with the position clip, a longitudinal length of the positioning clip being configured such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body and in longitudinal engagement with the positioning clip on the valve body, the coupler is located at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body.

[0131] Example aspect 27. The method of any of example aspects 19-26, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the method further comprising:

[0132] prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, threadably attaching a stabilizing nut of the connector assembly to the additional externally threaded portion; and

[0133] with the first externally threaded portion of the tap body threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, moving the stabilizing nut into longitudinal engagement with a surface of the pipeline to clamp the stabilizing nut down on the surface of the pipeline.

[0134] Example aspect 28. The method of any of example aspects 19-26, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the method further comprising:

[0135] prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, threadably attaching a stabilizing nut of the connector assembly to the additional externally threaded portion;

[0136] prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, positioning a stabilizing adapter on a rounded surface of the pipeline such that an opening of the stabilizing adapter is aligned with the pressure tap; and

[0137] with the first externally threaded portion of the tap body threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, moving the stabilizing nut into longitudinal engagement with a flat adapter surface of the stabilizing adapter to clamp the stabilizing nut down on the flat adapter surface;

[0138] wherein the step of threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap comprises inserting the first externallythreaded portion of the tap body through the opening of the stabilizer plate and into the threaded pressure tap.

[0139] Example aspect 29. A method for operably connecting a pressure measuring instrument to a pipeline, the method comprising:

[0140] joining two connector assemblies to the pipeline in accordance with the method of any of example aspects 19-28, each connector assembly being sealingly connected to an associated pressure tap via a corresponding tap body; and

[0141] with the two connector assemblies joined to the pipeline, directly or indirectly connecting the pressure measuring instrument to the connector assemblies such that the pressuring measuring instrument is selectively operatively connected to the interior orifice of the pipeline via the connector assembly orifices.

[0142] While aspects of this disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the example aspects above, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various additional aspects may be contemplated. For example, the specific methods described above for using the apparatus are merely illustrative; one of ordinary skill in the art could readily determine any number of tools, sequences of steps, or other means / options for placing the above-described apparatus, or components thereof, into positions substantively similar to those shown and described herein. In an effort to maintain clarity in the Figures, certain ones of duplicative components shown have not been specifically numbered, but one of ordinary skill in the art will realize, based upon the components that were numbered, the element numbers which should be associated with the unnumbered components; no differentiation between similar components is intended or implied solely by the presence or absence of an element number in the Figures. Any of the described structures and components could be integrally formed as a single unitary or monolithic piece or made up of separate subcomponents, with either of these formations involving any suitable stock or bespoke components and / or any suitable material or combinations of materials. Any of the described structures and components could be disposable or reusable as desired for a particular use environment. Any component could be provided with a user-perceptible marking to indicate a material, configuration, at least one dimension, or the like pertaining to that component, the user-perceptible marking potentially aiding a user in selecting one component from an array of similar components for a particular use environment. A “predetermined” status may be determined at any time before the structures being manipulated actually reach that status, the “predetermination” beingmade as late as immediately before the structure achieves the predetermined status. The term “substantially” is used herein to indicate a quality that is largely, but not necessarily wholly, that which is specified--a “substantial” quality admits of the potential for some relatively minor inclusion of a non-quality item. Though certain components described herein are shown as having specific geometric shapes, all structures of this disclosure may have any suitable shapes, sizes, configurations, relative relationships, cross-sectional areas, or any other physical characteristics as desirable for a particular application. Any structures or features described with reference to one aspect or configuration could be provided, singly or in combination with other structures or features, to any other aspect or configuration, as it would be impractical to describe each of the aspects and configurations discussed herein as having all of the options discussed with respect to all of the other aspects and configurations. A device or method incorporating any of these features should be understood to fall under the scope of this disclosure as determined based upon the claims below and any equivalents thereof.

[0143] Other aspects, objects, and advantages may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:1 . A connector assembly, comprising: a tap body connectable to a portion of a pipeline in a sealing manner, the tap body having a longitudinally extending tap body orifice; a valve body having a longitudinally extending valve body orifice; a block valve subassembly connected to the valve body and actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice; and a coupler for connecting the tap and valve bodies to one another in such a manner that a seal is formed between the tap and valve bodies, the seal being conical, the valve and tap body orifices collectively defining a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice when the tap and valve bodies are sealingly connected to one another via the coupler.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conical seal is formed via a direct engagement between a conical projection of the connector assembly and an interior conical surface of the connector assembly.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the conical projection is on one of the tap and valve bodies and the interior conical surface is in the other of the tap and valve bodies.

4. The connector assembly of any of claims 2-3, wherein a vertex angle of the conical projection is different than that of a vertex angle of the interior conical surface.

5. The connector assembly of any of claims 3-4, wherein the conical projection is on the valve body and the interior conical surface is in the tap body.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the tap body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, the tap body orifice extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the tap body, the interior conical surface extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface toward the second end surface and defining a conical recession in the tap body, the conical recession defining a varying diameter portion of the tap body orifice,wherein the valve body has opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, the valve body orifice extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the valve body, the conical projection extending longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body, and wherein the conical seal is formed via the direct engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the first longitudinal end surface of the tap body and the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body are spaced longitudinally from one another when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

8. The connector assembly of any of claims 6-7, wherein the coupler has an interior right-hand thread and an interior left-hand thread, the right-hand thread of the coupler being configured to be threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of one of one of the tap and valve bodies and the left-hand thread of the coupler being configured to be threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of the other of the tap and valve bodies such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the tap and valve bodies, rotation of the coupler evenly drawing the tap and valve bodies longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein prior to joining the valve body and the coupler to the tap body, the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body so as to circumferentially cover the conical projection.

10. The connector assembly of any of claims 8-9, wherein the coupler has an interior central thread-free portion interposed longitudinally between the interior righthand and left-hand threads of the coupler, at least a portion of the conical seal being located longitudinally in the coupler at the central thread-free portion when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.1 1 . The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein prior to joining the valve body and the coupler to the tap body, the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body such that the coupler is located at a predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body, the predetermined starting positionbeing selected such that when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection with one another via the coupler,(a) a longitudinal length that the tap body extends into the coupler is equal or substantially equal to a longitudinal length that the valve body extends into the coupler, and / or(b) at least a portion of the seal between the tap and valve bodies is located at the central thread-free portion.

12. The connector assembly of claim 1 1 , further comprising a positioning clip that is configured to be removably attached to the valve body, a longitudinal length of the positioning clip being configured such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body and in longitudinal engagement with the positioning clip on the valve body, the coupler is located at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body.

13. The connector assembly of any of claims 8-12, wherein as the tap and valve bodies are drawn longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal, mutual engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface responsively causes at least one of the tap and valve bodies to be urged and / or guided into a position in which a longitudinal axis of the tap body is coextensively or substantially coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the valve body.

14. The connector assembly of any of claims 1 -13, wherein the tap body has a conical externally threaded portion for threadably connecting the tap body to a correspondingly threaded pressure tap of the pipeline in a sealing manner.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the connector assembly further comprising a stabilizing nut threadably attached to the additional externally threaded portion, the stabilizing nut being configured to be selectively clamped down directly or indirectly on a portion of the pipeline.

16. The connector assembly of claim 15, further comprising a stabilizing adapter for directly interfacing with a rounded surface of the pipeline, the stabilizing adapterhaving an opening through which a least a portion of the tap body is inserted when threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, the stabilizing nut being configured to be selectively clamped down directly on a flat adapter surface of the stabilizing adapter.

17. The connector assembly of any of claims 1-16, wherein the valve body is connectable to a pressure measuring instrument such that the pressure measuring instrument is operably connectable to an interior of the pipeline via the connector assembly.

18. The connector assembly of any of claims 1-17, wherein the tap and valve bodies are separate parts of the connector assembly that are configured to be connected to one another via the coupler.

19. A method for operably joining a connector assembly to a pipeline, the pipeline having a flange with a threaded pressure tap that is in fluid communication with an interior orifice of the pipeline, the method comprising: providing a tap body of the connector assembly, the tap body having opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, a tap body orifice of the tap body extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the tap body, an interior conical surface of the tap body extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end surface toward the second end surface and defining a conical recession in the tap body, the conical recession defining a varying diameter portion of the tap body orifice, the tap body having a first externally threaded portion adjacent to the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body; threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap such that a seal is formed between the tap body and the threaded pressure tap; providing a valve body of the connector assembly, the valve body having a block valve subassembly of the connector assembly and a coupler of the connector assembly preassembled thereon, the valve body having opposite first and second longitudinal end surfaces, a valve body orifice of the valve body extending longitudinally between the first and second longitudinal end surfaces of the valve body, a conical projection of the valve body extending longitudinally outward from the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body; andjoining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler in such a manner that(a) at least a portion of the conical projection is longitudinally inserted into the conical recession and directly engaged to the interior conical surface,(b) a conical seal is formed between the directly engaged conical projection and the interior conical surface, and(c) the valve and tap body orifices collectively define a longitudinally extending connector assembly orifice, the block valve subassembly being actuatable to selectively close the connector assembly orifice.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first longitudinal end surface of the tap body and the second longitudinal end surface of the valve body are spaced longitudinally from one another when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.21 . The method of any of claims 19-20, wherein the coupler has an interior righthand thread and an interior left-hand thread, the method further comprising: prior to joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body, threadably attaching one of the right-hand thread and the lefthand thread of the coupler to a complementary externally threaded portion of the valve body, the coupler circumferentially covering the conical projection when threadably attached to the valve body.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the step of joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler comprises: threadably attaching the other of the right-hand thread and the left-hand thread of the coupler to a complementary externally threaded portion of the tap body; and with the right-hand thread of the coupler threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of one of the tap and valve bodies and the left-hand thread of the coupler threadably attached to a complementary externally threaded portion of the other of the tap and valve bodies, rotating the coupler to evenly draw the tap bodies longitudinally towards one another at least until the conical seal is formed between the conical projection and the interior conical surface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein as the tap and valve bodies are drawn longitudinally towards and into engagement with one another to form the conical seal, mutual engagement between the conical projection and the interior conical surface responsively causes at least one of the tap and valve bodies to be urged and / or guided into a position in which a longitudinal axis of the tap body is coextensively or substantially coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the valve body.

24. The method of any of claims 22-23, wherein the coupler has an interior central thread-free portion interposed longitudinally between the interior right-hand and left-hand threads of the coupler, at least a portion of the conical seal being located longitudinally in the coupler at the central thread-free portion when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of threadably attaching the coupler to the externally threaded portion of the valve body prior to joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body further comprises: locating the coupler at a predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body; wherein the predetermined starting position being selected such that when the tap and valve bodies are in sealing connection with one another via the coupler,(a) a longitudinal length that the tap body extends into the coupler is equal or substantially equal to a longitudinal length that the valve body extends into the coupler, and / or(b) at least a portion of the seal between the tap and valve bodies is located at the central thread-free portion.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: prior to threadably attaching the coupler to the valve body, a positioning clip of the connector assembly is removably attached to the valve body; and removing the positioning clip after or while joining the preassembled valve body, block valve subassembly, and coupler to the tap body via the coupler; wherein the step of locating the coupler at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body comprises moving the coupler into longitudinal engagementwith the position clip, a longitudinal length of the positioning clip being configured such that when the coupler is threadably attached to the externally threaded portion of the valve body and in longitudinal engagement with the positioning clip on the valve body, the coupler is located at the predetermined longitudinal starting position on the valve body.

27. The method of any of claims 19-26, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the method further comprising: prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, threadably attaching a stabilizing nut of the connector assembly to the additional externally threaded portion; and with the first externally threaded portion of the tap body threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, moving the stabilizing nut into longitudinal engagement with a surface of the pipeline to clamp the stabilizing nut down on the surface of the pipeline.

28. The method of any of claims 19-26, wherein the tap body includes an additional externally threaded portion longitudinally adjacent to the conical externally threaded portion, the method further comprising: prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, threadably attaching a stabilizing nut of the connector assembly to the additional externally threaded portion; prior to threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap, positioning a stabilizing adapter on a rounded surface of the pipeline such that an opening of the stabilizing adapter is aligned with the pressure tap; and with the first externally threaded portion of the tap body threadably attached to the threaded pressure tap, moving the stabilizing nut into longitudinal engagement with a flat adapter surface of the stabilizing adapter to clamp the stabilizing nut down on the flat adapter surface; wherein the step of threadably attaching the first externally threaded portion of the tap body to the threaded pressure tap comprises inserting the first externallythreaded portion of the tap body through the opening of the stabilizer plate and into the threaded pressure tap.

29. A method for operably connecting a pressure measuring instrument to a pipeline, the method comprising: joining two connector assemblies to the pipeline in accordance with the method of any of claims 19-28, each connector assembly being sealingly connected to an associated pressure tap via a corresponding tap body; and with the two connector assemblies joined to the pipeline, directly or indirectly connecting the pressure measuring instrument to the connector assemblies such that the pressuring measuring instrument is selectively operatively connected to the interior orifice of the pipeline via the connector assembly orifices.

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