TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a dynamical flange clamp useful for strengthening flange couplings or taking over the bolt forces in loaded flange couplings. In particular the invention is useful for bolt changes in a Hot Bolting operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flange couplings being loaded with inner pressure or outer forces have a limited possibility for inspection and change of bolts without weakening the integrity of the coupling at the same time. Traditional clamps are difficult to adjust in such a way that a flange couplings gasket stress is held constant during transferal of forces from existing flange bolts and to the clamp. Typical equipment being used to preload flanged couplings is designed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,477 A1. By using such equipment to ensure constant gasket stress during bolt change, it is difficult to increase the pressure used on the tool to compensate exactly for the reduction in bolt forces during the unscrewing of the bolts. Likewise it is challenging to reduce the pressure used on the tool to compensate exactly for the increase in bolt forces during tightening of new bolts. Old corroded or cracked bolts suddenly tearing during unscrewing, presents further challenges related to the adjustment of the tool pressure to compensate for the loss of bolt force.

By the use of a dynamical flange clamp according to the invention, the gasket stress is kept virtually constant during transfer of forces between the flange coupling bolts and the flange clamp. This is done without any further adjustments to the dynamical flange clamp.

According to the invention this is achieved by preloading the flange clamp to a higher force level than the existing force level of the flange coupling on which it is to be used, there are contraholders preventing the preload of the clamp from being transferred before the bolts of the flange coupling are unscrewed. The function of the contraholders is to limit the movement of the clamps in relation to each other in such a way that the clamp under preloading will be mechanically prevented from increasing the load on the flange coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The flange clamp according to the invention is illustrated by two drawings.

FIG. 1 presents a section of the flange clamp in a closed position, without flange coupling.

FIG. 2 gives a section view of the flange clamp in a closed position enclosing a typical flange coupling.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The two halves 1 and 2 of the flange clamp are preferred preloaded to each other by through bolts 4, but the claim 1 is not limited by this preloading method.

Clamp half 2 includes contraholders 3, being adjustable by using for example socket screws that are threaded in the clamp half 2, but the claims 1 and 2 are not limited by this specific type of contraholder.

Before the two halves 1 and 2 of the flange clamp are preloaded to each other, the contraholders must be adjusted to the appropriate height to achieve contact with clamp half 1. With use of socket screws as contraholders, the adjustment will be achieved by tightening each individual socket screw.

The size and number of bolts 4 must not be less than the flange connections bolts that are to be changed. The number of contraholders and their total contact area must not be less than the number and total area of bolts 4. The clamps with bolting are preferred manufactured in steel.

The dynamical flange clamp rings can be split in two or more segments to accommodate installation on pipeline flange couplings. Each segment will then contain bolts 4 and contraholders 3. A full flange clamp circle is not necessary if only a limited number of bolts shall be changed on a flange connection. In these cases, the clamp segment must be placed accordingly to these bolts.

A typical working procedure for application of the invention in a Hot Bolting operation could be:

1. Fit the dynamical flange clamp segments around the flange coupling
2. Ensure that the contraholders 3 are not touching the clamp half 1
3. Tighten the clamp bolts 4 until the clamp parts have full contact with the flanges
4. Let the clamp and bolts be tempered to the same temperature as the flange coupling
5. Adjust the contraholders 3 to achieve contact with clamp half 1
6. Preload the clamp bolts 4 to a higher force level than the existing force level of the flange coupling bolts
7. Change the flange coupling bolts and preload them to the required level
8. Remove the dynamical flange clamp.