GB780678A - Improvements in coupling devices for use for the insertion of fluid meters and otherapparatus into pipe lines - Google Patents

Abstract

780,678. Junction pieces; pipe couplings; indicating leakages at joints. GAS COUNCIL. May 18, 1956 [May 19, 1955; Sept. 8, 1955], Nos. 14506/55 and 25771/55. Classes 99(1) and 99(2). [Also in Group XXIX] A coupling device for connecting metering, regulating or other apparatus 40 into a pipeline comprises two housings 10, 11 provided with interior walls 18, 28 to form two conduits 29, 30 through each housing, the conduits in the housing 10 being aligned with those in the housing 11 to form separate inlet and outlet fluid paths through the assembled device. The housing 10 has inlet and outlet ports 12, 13 for connection to the pipe line, and a bleed channel which extends along the full length of the joint formed between the walls 18, 28 so that fluid passing through the joint will enter the channel and pass to the exterior of the device. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the housing 10 is in the form of a T-piece and has a screw-threaded inlet socket 12 disposed at an angle to screwthreaded outlet spigot 13, although the spigot and socket may be in axial alignment or laterally offset ; the wall 18, which divides the housing into two similar D-shaped conduits, has a thickened free end 20 formed with a groove 22 extending across the face 21 and to the outer edges of the flange 15 of the housing. The face 19 of the end 20 is co-planar with the face 21. A thickened free end of the wall 28 in the housing 11 is provided with a groove 34 corresponding to the groove 22. The housings are connected by bolts passing through the flanges 15 and 27 thereof, at least one of the bolts being offset from the common pitch circle to ensure correct assembly of the housings ; a gasket 35 having D-shaped openings is disposed between the flanges. The housing 11 is provided with a flange 39, which is secured to the casing 401 of the apparatus 40 and is extended to form a dome-shaped cover for the inlet side of the apparatus and to house a rotary valve 38 for controlling the flow of fluid. In a modification, the housings are connected by a nut 44, Fig. 5, and locating pins 49 extending from the stem 47 of the housing 48 engage in holes 50 provided in the flanged end 45 of the housing 46 ; the bleed grooves 51, 52 communicate with an annular space 57 between the flange 45 and the nut 44, the latter having at least one hole therein to allow fluid leaking into the space 57 to escape to atmosphere.