Collet actuated ball and socket connector

摘要

A collet actuated ball and socket connector for rigidly interconnecting the ends of two pipes is disclosed having a ball coupling member adapted for connection to the end of one of the pipes, and a retaining flange freely disposed about the ball coupling member and engaging the outer surface of the member. A socket coupling member adapted for connection to the end of the other of the two pipes is provided for accepting the ball coupling member and provides a metal sealing ring for mating with the ball members. A collet locking means is mounted about the outer periphery of the socket coupling member and extends generally axially therefrom for permitting insertion of the ball coupling member into mating engagement with the socket coupling member when the collet means is open. An actuating means applies a predetermined axial force to the collet locking means for closing the collet means to engage the retaining flange and lock the ball and socket coupling members together in a sealed, rigid relationship. The predetermined axial force applied by the actuating means is multiplied into a larger known force acting through said retaining flange-ball coupling member mating interface for creating a metal-to-metal seal between the ball and socket members and the sealing ring, and cooperates with the coefficient of friction between the mating surfaces to form a rigid connection.