A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

A coupling manifold assembly has both regulated and unregulated flow orientations and includes a manifold body and a pressure regulator couplably received into the manifold body. The manifold body includes a pair of connection ports between which flow is movable through the manifold body, with the pressure regulator being received into a flow path between the connection ports. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate flow in a first direction between the connection ports and to allow for unregulated flow in an opposite second direction between the connection ports.

A coupling manifold assembly has both regulated and unregulated flow orientations and includes a manifold body and a pressure regulator couplably received into the manifold body. The manifold body includes a pair of connection ports between which flow is movable through the manifold body, with the pressure regulator being received into a flow path between the connection ports. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate flow in a first direction between the connection ports and to allow for unregulated flow in an opposite second direction between the connection ports.

A method for joining a first conduit section with a second conduit section. The method includes: a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in an open first end of the first conduit section with a gasket extending between an inner surface of the first conduit section and an outer surface of the second conduit section; b) positioning a flexible substrate having a bonding agent provided on at least a portion of an inner side of the flexible substrate to extend from an outer surface of the first conduit to an outer surface of the second conduit; c) applying pressure to the flexible substrate whereby the bonding agent is pressed against an outer surface of the first and second conduit sections; and d) heating the bonding agent whereby the bonding agent is secured to the outer surface of the first and second conduit sections.

A method for joining a first conduit section with a second conduit section. The method includes: a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in an open first end of the first conduit section with a gasket extending between an inner surface of the first conduit section and an outer surface of the second conduit section; b) positioning a flexible substrate having a bonding agent provided on at least a portion of an inner side of the flexible substrate to extend from an outer surface of the first conduit to an outer surface of the second conduit; c) applying pressure to the flexible substrate whereby the bonding agent is pressed against an outer surface of the first and second conduit sections; and d) heating the bonding agent whereby the bonding agent is secured to the outer surface of the first and second conduit sections.

The invention relates to a force generator for generating a linear pressure force, including a housing, an output wedge displaceably arranged in the housing, and a drive wedge for transmitting an externally exerted pressing force into a linear movement of the output wedge. The output wedge is connected to a first pressure element. The housing is connected to a second pressure element. A force applied to the drive wedge causes displacement of the first pressure element relative to the second pressure element. The force generator solves the technical problem of providing a high pressure force and using the known press jaws for this purpose.

Disclosed is a sealing arrangement (10) for producing a sealing function in an, in particular static, pipe connection, in particular between a fluid-carrying pipe (11) and a connection sleeve (12). The sealing arrangement (10) comprises a ring seal (20) arranged in a circumferential groove (121), a seal seat (30) and a clamping element (40) for clamping the ring seal (20). The sealing arrangement (10) has a pressure side. The seal seat (30) is arranged in the circumferential groove (121) on the pressure side and has overflow openings (31) so that the ring seal (20) is exposed to the pressure of the fluid on the pressure side. Additionally or alternatively the seal seat (30) is arranged in the circumferential groove (121) and is configured to be conically tapering in the direction of the pressure side so that by clamping the ring seal (20) this is compressed in a radial direction, wherein the circumferential groove (121) remains accessible on the pressure side.

The method of providing a connector suited for quickly connecting and testing joints of pipe for a subsea pipeline and similar applications by concurrently locking, preloading, sealing and testing of the connection to eliminate the usual sequential time requirements for each of these operations. Additionally, time for coating and X-Ray inspection of the welded connection in critical path time are eliminated as the welding and coating operations are able to be done on shore in non-critical path time.

The method of providing a connector suited for quickly connecting and testing joints of pipe for a subsea pipeline and similar applications by concurrently locking, preloading, sealing and testing of the connection to eliminate the usual sequential time requirements for each of these operations. Additionally, time for coating and X-Ray inspection of the welded connection in critical path time are eliminated as the welding and coating operations are able to be done on shore in non-critical path time.

A pipe fitting comprising three annular coaxial sections including a grip section, middle section, and a seal section, the grip section and seal section being separately fixed to the middle section, an annular array of grips in the grip section, an annular semi-rigid seal in the seal section, a hydraulic grip actuator in the housing for radially constricting the grips into gripping engagement with an exterior of a pipe extending into the housing, and a hydraulic seal actuator hydraulically and mechanically independent of the grip actuator, for forcing the seal radially into engagement with an exterior of the pipe, a first mechanical lock for maintaining the grips in contact with the pipe and a second mechanical lock maintaining the seal in contact with the pipe.