Alignment tool for pipe couplings

• US 6,568,712 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taper-Lok Corporation (AFGlobal Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Taper-Lok Corporation (AFGlobal Corporation)
• Inventors: Aaron, John W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/596,504
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 285/24, 285/27, 403/13, 405/170, 292/37, 292/72, 292/814, 292/815, 294/64, 294/68, 228/49.3, 248/49.3, 269/43, 269/44
• US Class Current: 285/24
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/10 Pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0533 external pipe alignment clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53917 Tube with tube

Abstract

An alignment tool configured to be coupled to a first flange, the alignment tool having an alignment guide extending outward from the periphery of the first flange at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees from the axis of the first flange. A plurality of such alignment guides are coupled to the first flange so that a second flange which is positioned off-axis from the first flange, but between the alignment guides of the alignment tools will be constrained to move toward an on-axis position as the second flange approaches the first flange. In one embodiment, one or more of the alignment tools includes at least one alignment pin which extends through a bolt hole of the first flange and beyond the face of the flange so that the alignment pin can engage one of the bolt holes of the second flange and thereby maintain rotational alignment of the flanges. In one embodiment, the alignment pin comprises a spring-loaded, telescoping pin which, when the flanges are not rotationally aligned, is compressed and does not extend beyond the face of the first flange, and when the flanges are rotationally aligned, extends beyond the face of the first flange to engage a bolt hole of the second flange.

Claims

1. An alignment tool comprising:

an attachment body configured to be coupled to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange; and

an alignment guide connected to the attachment body;

wherein when the attachment body is coupled to the first flange, the alignment guide extends outward from a first point near the periphery of the first flange at an angle from the axis of the first flange; and

wherein the attachment body is configured to be attached to the first flange by one or more set screws which oppose the one or more pins.

2. An alignment tool comprising:

an attachment body configured to be coupled to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange;

an alignment guide connected to the attachment body; and

at least a first alignment pin coupled to the attachment body and configured to extend through a first bolt hole in the first flange, wherein the first alignment pin is configured to extend into a second bolt hole in a second flange when the second bolt hole is aligned with the first bolt hole

wherein when the attachment body is coupled to the first flange, the alignment guide extends outward from a first point near the periphery of the first flange at an angle from the axis of the first flange and

wherein the first alignment pin comprises a spring-loaded, telescoping portion, wherein when the second bolt hole is not aligned with the first bolt hole, the telescoping portion does not extend beyond the face of the first flange, and wherein when the second bolt hole is aligned with the first bolt hole, the telescoping portion extends into the second bolt hole.

3. An alignment tool comprising:

an attachment body configured to be coupled to a first flange; and

an alignment guide connected to the attachment body;

wherein when the attachment body is coupled to the first flange, the alignment guide extends outward from a first point near the periphery of the first flange at an angle from an axis of the first flange;

wherein the alignment guide comprises a first portion which is parallel to the axis of the first flange and a second portion which forms an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees with the axis; and

wherein the attachment body comprises

a central plate configured to fit between the first flange and a buoyancy can wall,

a base plate connected to a lower end of the central plate and configured to abut the buoyancy can wall, and

a pin plate connected to the central plate opposite the base plate, wherein the pin plate is configured to have one or more alignment pins removably threaded therethrough, the one or more alignment pins being configured to extend into corresponding bolt holes of the first flange, one of the one or more alignment pins being configured to extend beyond the face of the first flange for engaging a second flange.

4. A system comprising

a first flange

a plurality of alignment tools coupled to the first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into one or more corresponding bolt holes in the first flange, wherein each of the plurality of alignment tools includes an alignment guide extending axially forward and radially outward from the periphery of the first fiange;

and

a second flange configured to be coupled to the first flange;

wherein when the second flange is moved toward the first flange, the alignment guides constrain the movement of the second flange toward a position which is aligned with the first flange as the second flange becomes closer to the first flange, and

wherein each of the alignment tools comprises an alignment pin configured to extend through a corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the first flange, wherein a portion of the alignment pin extends beyond the corresponding bolt hole in the first flange for engaging a corresponding one of one or more bolt holes in the second flange.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein for each alignment tool, the alignment pin comprises a spring-loaded portion, wherein when the corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the second flange is not aligned with the corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the first flange, the spring-loaded portion does not extend beyond the face of the first flange, and wherein when the corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the second flange is aligned with the corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the first flange, the telescoping portion extends into the corresponding one of the one or more bolt holes in the second flange.

6. A method comprising:

attaching a plurality of alignment tools to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange, wherein each of the plurality of alignment tools comprises an alignment guide which extends radially outward and axially forward from the first flange;

positioning a second flange between the alignment guides;

moving the second flange toward the first flange, wherein the alignment guides guide the second flange into an aligned position as the second flange approaches the first flange; and

when the second flange is positioned against the first flange, securing the second flange to the first flange,

wherein the first flange is connected to a pipe section having a buoyancy can installed thereon and wherein the one or more pins are removable and are configured to be inserted in bolt holes of the first flange, wherein installing the alignment tools comprises, for each alignment tool, removing the removable pins, inserting the alignment tool between the first flange and the buoyancy can, and re-installing the one or more pins in the alignment tool.

7. A method comprising:

attaching a plurality of alignment tools to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange, wherein each of the plurality of alignment tools comprises an alignment guide which extends radially outward and axially forward from the first flange;

positioning a second flange between the alignment guides;

moving the second flange toward the first flange, wherein the alignment guides guide the second flange into an aligned position as the second flange approaches the first flange; and

when the second flange is positioned against the first flange, securing the second flange to the first flange,

wherein each alignment tool comprises one or more set screws opposing the pins, wherein installing the alignment tools comprises, for each alignment tool, loosening the one or more set screws, positioning the alignment tool at the periphery of the first flange with the one or more pins inserted into bolt holes of the first flange, and tightening the set screws to secure the alignment tool at the first flange.

8. A method comprising:

attaching a plurality of alignment tools to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange, wherein each of the alignment tools comprises an alignment guide which extends radially outward and axially forward from the first flange and an alignment pin configured to extend through a bolt hole in the first flange, wherein a portion of the alignment pin extends beyond the bolt hole for engaging a bolt hole in the second flange;

positioning a second flange between the alignment guides;

moving the second flange toward the first flange, wherein the alignment guides guide the second flange into an aligned position as the second flange approaches the first flange; and

when the second flange is positioned against the first flange, securing the second flange to the first flange.

9. A method comprising:

attaching a plurality of alignment tools to a first flange by one or more attachment pins configured to be inserted into corresponding bolt holes in the first flange, wherein each of the plurality of alignment tools comprises an alignment guide which extends radially outward and axially forward from the first flange;

positioning a second flange between the alignment guides;

moving the second flange toward the first flange, wherein the alignment guides guide the second flange into an aligned position as the second flange approaches the first flange; and

when the second flange is positioned against the first flange, securing the second flange to the first flange;

wherein each of the alignment tools comprises an alignment pin configured to extend through a bolt hole in the first flange, wherein a portion of the alignment pin extends beyond the bolt hole for engaging a bolt hole in the second flange, and

wherein the alignment pin comprises a spring-loaded portion, wherein when the second bolt hole is not aligned with the first bolt hole, the spring-loaded portion does not extend beyond the face of the first flange, and wherein when the second bolt hole is aligned with the first bolt hole, the telescoping portion extends into the second bolt hole.