Connection of and sealing of tubular members.

摘要

An annular collar (14.1) having an internal annular recess (48.1) is connected to a tubular member (12.1) by positioning it over the end of the tubular member which is then deformed radially into the recess (40.1) by the expansion of a synthetic rubber sleeve (58.1) under the effect of internal fluid pressure. The sleeve (58.1) forms part of a connection tool (24.1) comprising a mandrel (34.1) having screw-threaded ends (36.1, 38.1) carrying confining rings (42.1) which, in conjunction with anti-extrusion members (64.1), confine the sleeve (58.1) in an axial direction and thus cause its expansion to be radially outwardly. The mandrel (34.1) is held in position by a flange (26.1) bolted to a second flange (16.1) which is welded at (18.1) to the collar (14.1). The mandrel has an axial bore (78.1) for connection to a source of fluid pressure and which communicates with a radial bore (80.1) leading to an internal recess (60.1) in the sleeve (58.1) to produce the required expansion.