Kennecott Holdings Corporation

Richard McNealy

Doug Stauffer

The present invention involves a pipe flange internally fitted with a lining. The pipe flange has a face with an annular groove extending outward from the inside surface along at least a portion of the face. The groove may be tapered becoming deeper as it travels outward from the inside surface. The lining extrudes into the annular groove partially filling the groove and protruding beyond the face of the flange. The unfilled portion of the annular groove forms an expansion cavity into which the lining can extend when the lining is mated to another object using compressive force. The present invention also provides a pipe flange connection where the face of the internally lined pipe flange is mated to another object using compressive force. The present invention also provides a method of applying an elastomeric lining inside a pipe flange. The method involves affixing a mold to the face of a flange having an annular groove. The mold having an inner plate which ensures creation of an expansion cavity within the annular groove and an outer plate which ensures consistent protrusion of the lining beyond the face of the flange. After the lining has cured and a gasket template and grinding template are attached to the face of the flange simulating the affects of mating an object to the flange using a compressive force. The lining is ground against the grinding template removing any inwardly bulging deformations caused by the assembly of the pipe flange connection.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Richard McNealy