IP Library Granted Patent US 11,112,035
Granted Patent B2
US 11,112,035 · App. 16/941,819 · Granted Sep 7, 2021

System and method for securing fittings to flexible pipe

Inventors: Matthew Allen Hegler (Kingwood, TX); Jagtar Thety (Cypress, TX)
Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
F16L3/1058F16L3/16F16L3/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,112,035
App. No.
16/941,819
Filed
Jul 29, 2020
Granted
Sep 7, 2021
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3631
USPC
248/490
Abstract

A system includes a flexible pipe that includes a liner surrounding a bore of the flexible pipe, a reinforcement layer surrounding the liner, and a shield layer surrounding the reinforcement layer. The system also includes a pipe fitting coupled to an end of the flexible pipe and a securing mechanism at least partially disposed in an opening in at least one of the liner layer, the shield layer, or both of the flexible pipe. The securing mechanism is configured to engage with the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe when the pipe fitting is coupled to the end of the flexible pipe.

Claims (32)

1. A securing mechanism for a flexible pipe, comprising:

a first leg configured to be at least partially disposed within a first opening that is formed in a liner layer of the flexible pipe such that the first leg extends alongside a bore of the flexible pipe, wherein the liner layer defines the bore of the flexible pipe and the flexible pipe comprises a reinforcement layer implemented around the liner layer;

a second leg configured to be at least partially disposed within a second opening that is formed in a shield layer of the flexible pipe such that the second leg extends alongside the bore of the flexible pipe, wherein the shield layer is implemented around the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe; and

a connector that connects the first leg and the second leg, wherein the connector is configured to enable the securing mechanism to be deformed such that the first leg and the second leg engage the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe to facilitate securing an end of the flexible pipe in a pipe fitting.

2. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first leg is configured to be disposed within the first opening and the second leg is configured to be disposed within the second opening such that the connector is flush with the end of the flexible pipe.

3. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first leg is configured to be disposed within the first opening and the second leg is configured to be disposed within the second opening such that a gap is left between the connector of the securing mechanism and the end of the flexible pipe.

4. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a crumple zone configured to at least partially collapse when a jacket of the pipe fitting is deformed around the flexible pipe to facilitate securing the end of the flexible pipe in the pipe fitting.

5. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, or both comprise serrations that extend perpendicular to the bore of the flexible pipe.

6. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, or both comprise a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

7. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the first leg comprises a convex inward-facing surface; and

the second leg comprises a concave inward-facing surface.

8. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:

the connector comprises a support ring;

the first leg comprises a first tab that extends out from the support ring; and

the second leg comprises a second tab that extends out from the support ring.

9. The securing mechanism of claim 8 , wherein:

the first tab extends out from an outer diameter of the support ring; and

the second tab extends out from an inner diameter of the support ring.

10. A securing mechanism for a flexible pipe, comprising:

a support ring configured to be disposed at an end of the flexible pipe that is to be secured in a pipe fitting;

a first plurality of tabs that extend out from the support ring, wherein each tab of the first plurality of tabs is configured to be inserted into a liner layer of the flexible pipe that is implemented within a reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe; and

a second plurality of tabs that extend out from the support ring, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to be inserted into a shield layer of the flexible pipe that is implemented around the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe.

11. The securing mechanism of claim 10 , wherein:

each tab of the first plurality of tabs extends out from an outer diameter of the support ring; and

each tab of the second plurality of tabs extends out from an inner diameter of the support ring.

12. The securing mechanism of claim 10 , wherein:

each tab of the first plurality of tabs is implemented at least in part by cutting and bending material along an outer diameter of the support ring; and

each tab of the second plurality of tabs is implemented at least in part by cutting and bending material along an inner diameter of the support ring.

13. The securing mechanism of claim 10 , wherein:

each tab of the first plurality of tab is configured to be forced outwardly through the liner layer of the flexible pipe to engage the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe when a jacket of the pipe fitting is deformed around the flexible pipe to facilitate securing the end of the flexible pipe in the pipe fitting; and

each tab of the second plurality of tabs is configured to be forced inwardly through the shield layer of the flexible pipe to engage the reinforcement layer of the flexible pipe when the jacket of the pipe fitting is deformed around the flexible pipe to facilitate securing the end of the flexible pipe in the pipe fitting.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2025
From: CACTUS WELLHEAD, LLC; FLEXSTEEL USA, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073804/0497 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2025
From: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL USA, LLC
Reel/Frame 069964/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2024
From: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068326/0846 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2024
From: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068327/0863 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2023
From: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 062926/0460 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16419180 · May 22, 2019
Provisional Application 62825442 · Mar 28, 2019
Related Publication 20200355298A1 · Nov 12, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,510,196