Inner-Flange Clamping for Pressurized Bolt Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot bolting operations for pressurized bolt connections in pipe installations often damage gaskets due to increased force and uneven load, leading to potential leakage and integrity issues during bolt replacement.

Innovation Solution

A device with clamping members that apply force to the inner parts of the flanges between bolts, reducing the moment on the gasket and directing force through the raised faces or full circumference of the flanges to minimize gasket damage, allowing for safe bolt replacement or continued operation without depressurizing the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamp is positioned at the flanges to maintain compression force for hot bolting operation, then the bolt connection integrity is maintained during operation, but the gasket becomes permanently damaged due to increased force and uneven load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebolt connection integrityVSAvoidgasket damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two separate clamping members (first clamping member and second clamping member) that act on opposite flanges independently. This segmentation allows each member to apply compression force through its own contact portion at the inner part of the flange, distributing the load more evenly and avoiding concentration of force that damages the gasket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying compression force at the outer edges of the flanges (conventional approach), the invention applies force at the inner part of the flanges between the bolts and the tubular body. This inverted approach to force application eliminates the moment that causes uneven loading on the gasket while still maintaining the necessary compression force for connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If compression force is applied to maintain flange connection, then bolt replacement can be performed under pressure, but the edges of the gasket are compressed to permanent damage due to moment on the gasket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebolt replacement under pressureVSAvoidgasket integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by applying compression force at the inner part of the flanges rather than at the outer edges. This inversion eliminates the moment arm that creates uneven loading on the gasket, allowing bolt replacement to proceed under pressure without damaging the gasket edges through excessive compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping members are designed with contact portions that specifically engage at the inner part of the flanges (local region) rather than distributing force across the entire flange surface. This localized force application at the optimal position maintains connection integrity while avoiding gasket damage, demonstrating local quality optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If force is applied to maintain flange compression during operation, then the connection remains secure, but the gasket becomes reoriented to a slanted state causing medium leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmedium leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the force application point to the inner part of the flanges, the invention prevents the gasket from experiencing the moment that causes it to reorient to a slanted state. The force is applied in a way that maintains uniform compression across the gasket, ensuring it remains properly oriented between the flanges and preventing medium leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping members are designed with contact portions that engage at the inner part of the flanges to preemptively prevent gasket misorientation before it can occur. By applying force at this specific location, the invention cushions against the development of slanted gasket orientation that would otherwise lead to leakage, maintaining proper gasket alignment throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11506325B2Device for operation on a pressurized bolt connection between a first flanged tubular and a second flanged tubular

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 IK NORWAY AS

AI summary

A device is for operation on a pressurized bolt connection between a first flanged tubular and a second flanged tubular. The device has a first clamping member with a first contact portion adapted to bear against the flange of the first tubular, a second clamping member with a second contact portion adapted to bear against the flange of the second tubular, and a connection arrangement for pulling the first clamping member and second clamping member together. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are adapted to bear at an inner part of the flanges between the bolts of the bolt connection and the body of the two tubulars.