Importance

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Abstract

An articulated clamp connector is for interconnecting pipes, cables, etc. preferably underwater, where interconnecting ends of pipes are provided with connecting flanges with outer conical surfaces which interact with opposite surfaces of the clamp. When joining the pipes, the connecting flanges are pressed against each other and provide a metal seal between the flanges. The clamp connector has a set of outer articulated clamp halves for placing around the joining flanges, and a first tightening bolt for closing the outer clamp halves around the joining flange. Further, the clamp coupling has a split activating ring slideably arranged inside the outer clamp halves, a second tightening bolt arranged for tangential movement of the split activating ring, a number of spring elements arranged between the split activating ring and locking segments. These spring elements are placed in grooves, respectively, in the inner part of the split activating ring and the outer part of the locking segments. Tangential movement of the split activating ring when tightening the second tightening bolt, thus produces radial movement of the locking segments and the inner coned surfaces of the locking segments press the joining flanges together. Thus, an even distribution of pretension around the joining flanges is achieved, which initiates and maintains pretension in a metal sealing connection.

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First Claim