Pipe connectors and methods of making and using pipe connectors to connect oil or gas pipe in oil and gas production, refining and distribution.

A method for using a gland assembly includes sliding a gland assembly over an end of a pipe, the pipe defining an outer surface, the gland assembly comprising a gland, a joint restraint assembly, and a gasket, the joint restraint assembly comprising a gripper and a spring, the spring configured to engage the gripper and the gasket; inserting the end of the pipe into a socket of a piping element; fastening the gland to the piping element; disabling a deactivation mechanism of the joint restraint assembly; and engaging the joint restraint assembly with the outer surface of the pipe to prevent removal of the pipe from the piping element.

A rigid entry fitting configured to form a seal between a flexible pipe segment and a sump wall includes a fitting body having an inner surface defining a tapered opening, an insert received in the tapered opening, a shell received in an opening of the insert, a first pair of gaskets between an outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the fitting body, a second pair of gaskets contacting an inner surface of the shell and opposite ends of the insert, and a nut configured to engage threads on an outer surface of the fitting body. When the nut is threaded onto the threads, the nut presses the shell and the insert into the tapered opening and presses the first pair of gaskets against the inner surface of the fitting body and the second pair of gaskets against the outer surface of the flexible pipe segment.

A retainer is equipped with a regulation segment, which regulates the position of an O-ring placed in an insertion hole, and a prevention segment, which engages with a spool of a pipe and prevents the pipe from being removed from the insertion hole. Moreover, by moving the retainer toward the minus side in the Y direction and attaching it to an attachment segment, the retainer becomes sandwiched between an opposing wall portion and a tube segment in the X direction. Because of this, the number of parts can be reduced and the retainer that regulates the position of the O-ring can be prevented from being moved in the X direction by the pressure of fluid flowing inside the pipe connector in the X direction.

A method for using a gland assembly includes sliding a gland assembly over an end of a pipe, the pipe defining an outer surface, the gland assembly comprising a gland, a joint restraint assembly, and a gasket, the joint restraint assembly comprising a gripper and a spring, the spring configured to engage the gripper and the gasket; inserting the end of the pipe into a socket of a piping element; fastening the gland to the piping element; disabling a deactivation mechanism of the joint restraint assembly; and engaging the joint restraint assembly with the outer surface of the pipe to prevent removal of the pipe from the piping element.

A gland assembly and a method for using a gland assembly are disclosed. The gland assembly can comprise a gland, the gland defining a gland bore; a joint restraint assembly comprising; a restraint base formed on the gland; a gripper disposed within the restraint base; and a spring comprising a retention tab and an engagement leg, the engagement leg configured to engage the gripper; and a gasket defining a recess, the retention tab configured to engage the recess.

Pipe connectors and methods of making and using pipe connectors to connect oil or gas pipe in oil and gas production, refining and distribution.

A rigid entry fitting configured to form a seal between a flexible pipe segment and a sump wall includes a fitting body having an inner surface defining a tapered opening, an insert received in the tapered opening, a shell received in an opening of the insert, a first pair of gaskets between an outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the fitting body, a second pair of gaskets contacting an inner surface of the shell and opposite ends of the insert, and a nut configured to engage threads on an outer surface of the fitting body. When the nut is threaded onto the threads, the nut presses the shell and the insert into the tapered opening and presses the first pair of gaskets against the inner surface of the fitting body and the second pair of gaskets against the outer surface of the flexible pipe segment.

In one aspect, an unloaded annular flexible seal is provided to receive an end of a conduit and to provide a seal between the conduit and a flange of a machine. The seal has a base having an inner surface, an upper surface, an outer surface, and a lower surface, and a leg having an inner surface, an upper surface extending from the inner surface of the base, an outer surface extending from the lower surface of the base, and a lower surface. A surface area of the outer surface of the leg is greater than a surface area of the lower surface of the leg. In another aspect, the seal is included in a seal assembly that also includes an annular back-up member having an L-shaped cross section, including a back-up member base and a back-up member leg configured to sit in the groove of the flexible seal.

A pipe connector includes: a housing in which an insertion hole is formed, a pipe being inserted into the insertion hole; at least one O-ring that forms a seal between an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole and an outer circumferential surface of the pipe; a restricting member that is attached to the housing from an outer side in a radial direction of the pipe; and a restricting portion that is provided at the restricting member, wherein the restricting portion bends towards an opposite side from an insertion direction of the pipe when the restricting member is pressed from the outer side in the radial direction of the pipe towards an inner side thereof, and elastically returns so as to restrict movement of the at least one O-ring towards the opposite side from the insertion direction of the pipe when the restricting member has been attached to the housing completely.