초록 ▼

A breakaway pipe coupling comprising first and second telescoping pipe sections that are joined together by a load control mechanism designed to release in a controlled manner at a predetermined axial load. The load control mechanism, which may assume the form of a cutter ring carried by one pipe se

A breakaway pipe coupling comprising first and second telescoping pipe sections that are joined together by a load control mechanism designed to release in a controlled manner at a predetermined axial load. The load control mechanism, which may assume the form of a cutter ring carried by one pipe section and which bears against the exterior of the other section, or may be a plurality of external cylinders housing cutter rings attached to one pipe section which bear against rods passing through the cylinders and attached to the other pipe section. Such a load control mechanism holds the pipe sections together up to a certain predetermined tension load. A valve is disposed within the first pipe section and is joined by a crank and a rod to a second pipe section so that when the pipe sections are joined together, the valve is retained in an open position and fluid can freely flow through the coupling. When the pipe sections separate, the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow. When the coupling is subjected to a tensile force exceeding the predetermined tension load, the load control mechanism yields in a controlled manner by the action of the cutting ring(s) shearing material from the surface on which it bears. The sections separate at a rate proportional to the rate at which tension is applied. As the sections separate, the valve closes so that the contents of the pipeline are not discharged into the environment.

대표청구항 ▼

A breakaway pipe coupling comprising: (a) first and second pipe sections, said first pipe section coaxially joining with said second pipe section in a sealed relationship; (b) valve means situated within at least one of said pipe sections for regulating fluid flow therethrough; (c) retaining means a

A breakaway pipe coupling comprising: (a) first and second pipe sections, said first pipe section coaxially joining with said second pipe section in a sealed relationship; (b) valve means situated within at least one of said pipe sections for regulating fluid flow therethrough; (c) retaining means associated with said valve means for holding said valve means in an opened position when said first and second sections are joined together; and (d) load control means extending between said first and second pipe sections for securing said sections together, said load control means including a cylindrical housing secured to one of said pipe sections and extending axially over the other of said pipe sections, a radially extending cutting collar formed at one end of said cylindrical housing, said cutting collar engaging an exterior portion of the other of said pipe sections and cutting thereinto when said pipe sections separate, said load control means adapted to yield in response to a sustained tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit, thereby allowing said pipe sections to separate at a rate dependent on the magnitude and rate of said tensile loading and whereby said retaining means are disengaged and said valve means are permitted to shut, thereby terminating flow through said pipe sections at a rate proportional to the rate at which said sections separate.