Big Inch Marine Systems

Other

Emil E Dopyera

Jack E Miller

A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange. The swivel coupling element includes an annular mounting flange having a leading end which defines a seating face for seating on the seating face of such an annular coupling flange, the annular mounting flange being shaped to define a segmental spherical surface which is on the trailing side of the leading end of the annular mounting flange, a tubular member having a trailing end for connection to a tubular element, and having a leading end pivotally positioned in the bore of the mounting flange, the leading end having a convex segmental spherical outer surface which is complementary to the concave segmental spherical surface of the mounting flange to cooperate therewith, and an annular retainer flange which is located on the tubular member and which is displaceable relatively to the mounting flange between an unlocked position where the tubular member is free to pivot or swivel relatively to the mounting flange, and a locked position where the leading end of the tubular member is fixed in the bore of the mounting flange.

Swivel coupling element

A locking slip joint has primary utility in the making up of a tie-in in pipeline laying and repair operations. In a preferred embodiment the slip joint comprises an inner sleeve telescopically received within an outer sleeve. Means for locking the sleeves together is disposed in an annulus between the sleeves and comprises a seal ring having annular teeth in communication with both sleeves. A pair of opposed tapered annular pistons engage mating recesses in the seal ring and are hydraulically actuated to deform the seal ring outwardly thereby embedding the teeth into both sleeves. The embedment provides an irreversible metal-to-metal seal.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Emil E Dopyera