The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1996
Richard McNealy, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Doug Stauffer, Sandy, UT (US);
Kennecott Holdings Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Abstract
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.