A clamping system to connect a first and a second tube whose facing ends have protruding clamping surfaces is provided. The system comprises a collar comprising a belt able to be clamped around the clamping surfaces. The belt has a first and a second flank between which an internal recess able to receive the clamping surfaces is delimited. The collar carries an outer retaining clip comprising a retaining segment located on the side of the first flank and a first and a second link return linking respectively the retaining segment to a first and a second retaining member located on the side of the second flank. The collar is retained axially between the retaining segment and the first and second retaining members. The retaining segment is able to be elastically deformed to allow the insertion of the end of the tube and to retain it pre-mounted in the collar.

The method of providing a clamping connection comprising providing one or more clamping hubs, providing two or more clamping segments to engage the clamping hubs, constraining the clamping segments to move approximately radially with respect to the clamp hubs, providing a tension band around the clamping segments which slides circumferentially relative to the clamping segments, and adjusting the ratio of the contact area of the tension band to the clamping hubs and the area of the clamping hubs to compensate for the difference in loading on the clamping hub due to sliding friction between the tension band and the clamping hubs.

The clamping system is used for connecting two pipes whose facing ends have protruding bearing surfaces. The clamping system comprises a collar that can be clamped and a washer. The collar includes a belt whose internal periphery delimits a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted. The washer comprises an annular part disposed inside the belt and carrying support lugs which have a hook configured to hook on an edge of the belt and a link section which extends between the annular part and the hook. The link section carries at least one retaining wing bent radially outwardly and having a retaining edge, the retaining wing having a width, measured axially, which decreases towards its free end, the edge of the belt being housed in the space formed between the retaining edge and the hook.

The clamping system is used for connecting two pipes whose facing ends have protruding bearing surfaces. The clamping system comprises a collar that can be clamped and a washer. The collar includes a belt whose internal periphery delimits a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted. The washer comprises an annular part disposed inside the belt and carrying support lugs which have a hook configured to hook on an edge of the belt and a link section which extends between the annular part and the hook. The link section carries at least one retaining wing bent radially outwardly and having a retaining edge, the retaining wing having a width, measured axially, which decreases towards its free end, the edge of the belt being housed in the space formed between the retaining edge and the hook.

A fitting assembly includes a pipe fitting defining a fastener opening and a retaining groove; and an indicator assembly configurable in a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, the indicator assembly comprising: a fastener defining a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, the second fastener portion extending through the fastener opening; and a positive installation indicator oriented within the retaining groove between the fastener opening and the first fastener portion; wherein, in the tightened configuration, the positive installation indicator is compressed between the pipe fitting and the first fastener portion and extrudes at least partially out of the retaining groove, and in the loosened configuration, the positive installation indicator is substantially hidden within the retaining groove by the first fastener portion.

A preassembled combination connects a captured pipe element to a second pipe element. First and second segments are connected end to end surrounding a central space for axially receiving the second pipe element. The segments are configured to be drawn toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. An annular body forms the captured pipe element. An end face of the captured pipe element is retained within the central space by engagement between a bead projecting from a sealing surface of the captured pipe element and the coupling assembly.

A pipe coupling arrangement includes two end members, each having a pipe attachment end and a sealing end that engages the other's sealing end. Each sealing end includes radially inner and outer collars, which are radially separated by a pocket. When the sealing ends engage one another the pockets form a chamber. At least one seal member is positioned in the chamber. An alignment ring fits in the chamber, aligning the end members. A coupling pushes the end members towards each other, compressing the at least one seal member sufficiently to seal against fluid leakage. The inner collars engage one another while the outer collars of the end members are axially spaced apart by a gap selected to reduce to zero upon application of a selected clamping force on the end members, thereby limiting deformation of the outer collars.

A pipe coupling arrangement includes two end members, each having a pipe attachment end and a sealing end that engages the other's sealing end. Each sealing end includes radially inner and outer collars, which are radially separated by a pocket. When the sealing ends engage one another the pockets form a chamber. At least one seal member is positioned in the chamber. An alignment ring fits in the chamber, aligning the end members. A coupling pushes the end members towards each other, compressing the at least one seal member sufficiently to seal against fluid leakage. The inner collars engage one another while the outer collars of the end members are axially spaced apart by a gap selected to reduce to zero upon application of a selected clamping force on the end members, thereby limiting deformation of the outer collars.

A tube clamp for bioprocessing, comprising: a first clamp member (102) having a first end joined to a second end by a crescent shaped body comprising: an interior (118) having a groove (116) extending along the crescent shaped body and including a lower surface joined to a sidewall and a top surface joined to the sidewall by a tapered surface (124), wherein the tapered surface is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the lower surface and the top surface; an exterior surrounding the interior, the exterior including an exterior surface joined to an exterior sidewall by an exterior taper, the exterior taper is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the exterior surface and the exterior sidewall and the exterior sidewall is joined to the top surface; a closure region (112) joined to the first end; and an attachment region (110) joined to the second end; and a second clamp member having a first end joined to a second end by a crescent shaped body comprising: an interior including a groove extending along the crescent shaped body and including a lower surface joined to a sidewall and a top surface joined to the sidewall by a tapered surface (146), wherein the tapered surface is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the lower surface and the top surface; an exterior surrounding the interior, the exterior including an exterior surface joined to an exterior sidewall by an exterior taper (154), the exterior taper is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the exterior surface and the exterior sidewall and the exterior sidewall is joined to the top surface; a closure region joined to the first end; and an attachment region (130) joined to the second end.

A tube clamp for bioprocessing, comprising: a first clamp member (102) having a first end joined to a second end by a crescent shaped body comprising: an interior (118) having a groove (116) extending along the crescent shaped body and including a lower surface joined to a sidewall and a top surface joined to the sidewall by a tapered surface (124), wherein the tapered surface is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the lower surface and the top surface; an exterior surrounding the interior, the exterior including an exterior surface joined to an exterior sidewall by an exterior taper, the exterior taper is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the exterior surface and the exterior sidewall and the exterior sidewall is joined to the top surface; a closure region (112) joined to the first end; and an attachment region (110) joined to the second end; and a second clamp member having a first end joined to a second end by a crescent shaped body comprising: an interior including a groove extending along the crescent shaped body and including a lower surface joined to a sidewall and a top surface joined to the sidewall by a tapered surface (146), wherein the tapered surface is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the lower surface and the top surface; an exterior surrounding the interior, the exterior including an exterior surface joined to an exterior sidewall by an exterior taper (154), the exterior taper is angled at forty-five degrees relative to the exterior surface and the exterior sidewall and the exterior sidewall is joined to the top surface; a closure region joined to the first end; and an attachment region (130) joined to the second end.