The clamping system is used to connect a first and a second tube whose facing ends have bearing surfaces protruding relative to their cylindrical external surface. The clamping system has a clampable collar and a seal. The collar includes a belt able to cooperate with the bearing surfaces of the tubes by this internal periphery delimiting a recess into which the bearing surfaces can be inserted. The seal is supported by the collar in the unclamped state of the latter and has an annular sealing portion which includes a metal washer and a non-metal based washer fixed to the metal washer. The metal washer can carry support lugs to support the washers relative to the collar.

A coupling has first and second segments attached to one another end to end surrounding a central space for receiving pipe elements. A spring assembly attaches the segments at one end and an adjustable attachment assembly attaches the segments at the opposite end. The spring assembly biases the segments away from one another sufficient to permit insertion of the pipe elements into the central space while the segments are attached to one another. The coupling may include a split ring toothed retainer for coupling plain end pipe elements, or it may have arcuate keys which engage grooved or shouldered pipe elements.

A flanged connecting assembly, which comprises: a first flange (210); a second flange (220) with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first flange; and a third flange (230), provided with a first portion (231) and a second portion (232) forming a step; wherein the first portion (231) is fitted to the first flange (210) through a first sealing element (310), and the second portion (232) is fitted to the second flange (220) through a second sealing element (320); and the first flange (210) and the second flange (220) are spaced from each other by a first distance. In this way, a gap formed under the fit of the three flanges can allow a used sealing element to be taken out vie the gap and/or a new sealing element to be assembled in via the gap.

In an aspect 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.

In an aspect 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 gasket includes a thick portion providing a first face seal and a thin portion providing a second face seal. A fluid coupling has an annular gasket housing recess that includes a wide portion for housing the thick portion of the gasket and a narrow portion for housing the thin portion of the gasket.

A gasket includes a thick portion providing a first face seal and a thin portion providing a second face seal. A fluid coupling has an annular gasket housing recess that includes a wide portion for housing the thick portion of the gasket and a narrow portion for housing the thin portion of the gasket.

A tubular joint comprising first and second tubular members, an annular sealing element positioned between the tubular members and a clamping device for clamping the tubular members to each other with an end face of the first tubular member in contact with an end face of the second tubular member. The sealing element comprises an annular metallic body. Two sealing surfaces on the metallic body are designed to mate with tapered sealing surfaces on the tubular members. A first spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the first tubular member. A second spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the second tubular member. Seal members are prestressed upon clamping of the tubular members to each other.

A tubular joint comprising first and second tubular members, an annular sealing element positioned between the tubular members and a clamping device for clamping the tubular members to each other with an end face of the first tubular member in contact with an end face of the second tubular member. The sealing element comprises an annular metallic body. Two sealing surfaces on the metallic body are designed to mate with tapered sealing surfaces on the tubular members. A first spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the first tubular member. A second spring-energized polymeric seal member is mounted to the metallic body and configured to be in sealing contact with a radially extending sealing surface on the second tubular member. Seal members are prestressed upon clamping of the tubular members to each other.

A corrugated metal gasket for use between two flanges wherein the corrugated metal gasket is produced by a method comprising the steps of providing an annular gasket substrate and machining into that substrate a plurality of substantially uniform and generally concentric corrugations.