TEST FLANGE ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
1. A test flange assembly, the test flange assembly comprising:
- a flange body configured to be coupled to a flanged component; and
a piston operatively coupled to the flange body, wherein the piston is configured to selectively translate relative to the flange body, wherein the piston has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body, wherein the outer surface defines a circular seal channel for operatively receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of the flanged component, and wherein a portion of the outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Test flange assemblies comprise a flange body and a piston. The piston is configured to translate relative to the flange body and has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body. The outer surface defines a circular seal channel for receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of a flanged component. The outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. Methods of testing pressure containing structures comprise operatively positioning the test flange assembly, positioning a seal structure within the circular seal channel of the piston, coupling the flange body to a flanged component, and pressurizing a volume between the piston and the flange body so that the piston compresses the seal structure between the piston and the flanged component.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A test flange assembly, the test flange assembly comprising:
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a flange body configured to be coupled to a flanged component; and a piston operatively coupled to the flange body, wherein the piston is configured to selectively translate relative to the flange body, wherein the piston has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body, wherein the outer surface defines a circular seal channel for operatively receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of the flanged component, and wherein a portion of the outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A test flange assembly, the test flange assembly comprising:
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a flange body configured to be coupled to a flanged component, wherein the flange body defines a piston recess; a piston operatively coupled to the flange body, wherein the piston is configured to selectively translate relative to the flange body, wherein the piston has an outer surface facing away from the flange body and an inner surface facing toward the flange body, wherein the inner surface of the piston is positioned within the piston recess, wherein the outer surface defines a circular seal channel for operatively receiving a seal structure between the piston and a flange surface of the flanged component, wherein a portion of the outer surface radially inward from the circular seal channel has a surface area that is less than a surface area of the inner surface, wherein the piston includes a projection extending from the inner surface of the piston and configured to engage the flange body to space the inner surface of the piston away from the flange body and thereby define a volume between the flange body and the piston, and wherein the projection is a circular projection extending from adjacent a periphery of the piston; a retention mechanism that operatively retains the piston to the flange body, wherein the retention mechanism permits the piston to freely float axially in relation to the flange body, wherein the retention mechanism includes one or more assembly fasteners that operatively couple the piston to the flange body, and wherein the one or more assembly fasteners include one or more threaded fasteners, wherein the flange body defines one or more threaded blind holes, wherein the piston defines one or more fastener bores, and wherein the one or more threaded fasteners extend through the one or more fastener bores and are threadingly secured within the one or more threaded blind holes, such that the piston is not tightened against the flange body; a seal member positioned between the piston and the flange body, wherein the seal member restricts passage of fluid from the piston recess to between the flange body and the piston; and a plurality of bolts and corresponding nuts configured to operatively couple the flange body to the flanged component, wherein the flange body defines a plurality of corresponding bolt holes extending through the flange body.
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Specification