This invention relates to clamping apparatus and to a method of use and/or manufacturing clamping apparatus.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to clamping apparatus in the form of a V-Clamp, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the clamping apparatus can include any apparatus that allows the clamping of two or more items together, such as for example, a ring clamp, a band clamp, a G- coupling, a slip joint and/or the like.

A conventional V-Clamp typically consists of an outer band or strap which is substantially annular in shape having two opposing ends, each end is provided with a loop in the band or strap. A trunnion with an adjustable nut and bolt is provided between the two opposing loops to allow adjustment of the band size in use, thereby allowing the band to be easily located around and/ or removed from two pipe ends being joined together by the V-Clamp in use. A series of profiled segments are welded onto an inner surface of the outer band or strap to ensure secure engagement of the clamp with at least one of the pipe ends in use. This type of clamp is typically formed from Stainless Steel and is used for clamping together items, such as exhaust pipes or turbocharger pipes, that are exposed to relatively high operating temperatures, such as 500°C or greater.

In order for the.damp_tawil stani the fluid flowing through the pipes on which the clamp is located, the clamp is required to be formed from a relatively expensive high grade stainless steel material. Materials that are more cost effective, such as lower grades of stainless steel, are susceptible to load failure at high temperatures and conventionally have therefore not been used.

A further problem relates to heat loss at the junction of the clamp with the pipes. This results in equipment located downstream of the clamped pipe junction, such as for example a turbocharger and/ or an exhaust system, being inefficient. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide clamping apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problem.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of use and/or manufacturing clamping apparatus that overcomes the abovementioned problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided clamping apparatus for clamping two or more items together in use, said clamping apparatus including at least one clamping member having an inwardly facing surface or an inner surface arranged to be brought into contact, directly or indirectly, with an outer surface of at least one of the items being clamped in use, and wherein thermal insulating means are provided on or associated with the inwardly facing surface, the inner surface and/or between the inner surface of the at least one clamping member and the outer surface of said at least one item.

Thus, the provision of thermal insulating means with the clamping apparatus helps to reduce heat loss that may otherwise take place from the at least one item that is being clamped by the clamping apparatus. This is important in some applications where heat retention of fluid that may be flowing through the at least one item in use is used to maintain volumetric flow of the fluid to an energy recovery device, such as for example a turbocharger turbine or waste heat recovery device. It results in improved efficiency of equipment located downstream of the clamping apparatus /item(s) junction. In addition, the provision of the thermal insulating means reduces the temperature the at least one clamping member may be exposed to in use. This in turn means the at least one clamping member can be formed from a more cost effective material than may otherwise have been possible.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is formed from any material or combination of materials that provides at least a thermal insulating effect (i.e. significantly reduces, prevents or substantially prevents heat conductance between two adjoining or abutting components or materials). In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is formed from any material or combination of materials that also provides an electrical insulating effect or has electrical insulating properties.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is formed from any material or combination of materials that provides thermal insulation of approximately or at least 50°C compared to if the thermal insulating means was not provided.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is formed from any material or combination of materials that provides a thermal insulating effect at temperatures equal to or greater than 500°C.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is formed from any material or combination of materials that allows heat transfer across the same of less than 5W/mK, and further preferably is less than 2W/mK, and yet further preferably is between l-2W/m

Preferably the thermal insulating means consists of or includes zirconium oxide or zirconium ceramic.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided at a thickness sufficient to provide a thermal insulating effect.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is provided at a thickness of between 0.3mm-0.5mm. Preferably the thickness is a dimension taken in a radial direction (i.e. from the item towards the clamping apparatus or from the clamping apparatus).

Preferably the thermal insulating means is formed from a material that has sufficient abrasion resistance and/or compression strength to withstand forces associated with clamping the clamping apparatus to the at least one item in use.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is independent of and/or separate to the at least one clamping member and/or the at least one item. For example, the thermal insulating means could be in the form of a member movable into abutting relationship between the clamping member and the at least one item on use of the apparatus in a clamped position. The thermal insulating means could be removable from between the at least one clamping member and/ or the at least one item when in an undamped position.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is provided on, integral with or associated with the at least one clamping member, and further preferably is provided on, integral with or associated with at least the inwardly facing surface, the inner or innermost surface of the at least one clamping member.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is provided on, integral with or associated with the outer surface of the at least one clamping member in addition being provided on, integral with or associated with the inner or innermost surface of the at least one clamping member.

In one embodiment where the at least one clamping member includes an outer band member and an inner band member or inner band member segments, the thermal insulating means is provided on, integral with or associated with at least the inner or innermost surface of the inner band member or inner band member segments.

In one embodiment where the at least one clamping member includes an outer band member and an inner band member or inner band member segments, the thermal insulating means is provided on, integral with or associated with at least the inner or innermost surface of the inner band member or inner band member segments and, the outer surface of the inner band member, the inner surface of the outer band member and/ or the outer surface of the outer band member. Thus, it is envisaged that in addition to the thermal insulating means being provided on a surface of the inner band member or inner band member segments facing towards the item being clamped in use, it could also be provided on any other surface or surfaces of the inner band member and/or the outer band member to further enhance the thermal insulating effect provided by the clamping apparatus.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is provided on, integral with or associated with the at least one item, and further preferably is provided on, integral with or associated with at least the outer or outermost surface of the at least one item.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means could be provided on and/or between the item and/ or on the at least one clamping member.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided as one or more members, coatings and/or layers on and/or between a surface of the at least one clamping member and/ or at least one item.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means comprises two or more members, coatings and/or layers provided on and/or between a surface of the at least one clamping member and/ or at least one item.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is applied to the at least one surface of the member, the at least one clamping member and/ or at least one item using plasma sputter coating technology or means, High Velocity Oxy-Fuel spray technology or means and/ or the like.

In one embodiment mask means or a mask member are provided on one or more surfaces of the member, at least one clamping member, the clamping apparatus and/or the at least one item to mask surfaces of the same on which the thermal insulating means is not required. This is typically provided during the application of the thermal insulating means to the clamping member and/ or the item.

Preferably the mask means includes a cover, mask, tape and/ or the like. In one embodiment the clamping apparatus is in the form of or includes a V- Clamp, a ring clamp, a band clamp, a G-coupling, a slip joint, a flange and/or the like.

Preferably the inwardly facing surface, inner surface or innermost surface of the at least one clamping member and/or the outer surface of the at least one item is profiled, such as for example, a V, U or W shaped profile or substantially V, U or W shaped profile, and further preferably is profiled in a direction perpendicular to the diameter or radius of the at least one clamping member and/ or a longitudinal axis of the at least one item.

Preferably the inwardly facing surface, inner surface or innermost surface of the at least one clamping member and/or the outer surface of the at least one item is non-planar, not flat, non-linear and/or the like, and further preferably in a direction perpendicular to the diameter or radius of the at least one clamping member and/ or a longitudinal axis of the at least one item.

In the embodiment where the clamping apparatus is in the form of a V-Clamp, the clamping apparatus comprises or consists of an outer band member, and at least one inner band member or inner band member segments, and preferably two inner bands (i.e. an innermost band and an intermediate band). Preferably the innermost band consists of two or more band member segments attached to an inner surface of the outer band member or the intermediate band. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an inner surface or inwardly facing surface of the two or more segments. However, the thermal insulating means could also be provided on any surface of the clamping apparatus, the outer or outwardly facing surface of the at least one inner band member and/ or the two or more segments, on the inner and/or outer surface of the intermediate band, and/ or on the inner and/ or outer surface of the outer band member.

In one embodiment where the clamping apparatus is in the form of a ring clamp, the clamping apparatus comprises or consists of an outer band member. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an inner surface or inwardly facing surface of the outer band member. Preferably the thermal insulating means is optionally also provided on or associated with the outer surface or outwardly facing surface of the outer band member.

In one embodiment where the clamping apparatus is in the form of a G coupling, the clamping apparatus comprises or consists of two or more outer band members that are hingedly or pivotably joined together. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an inner surface or inwardly facing surface or the two or more outer band members. Preferably the thermal insulating means is optionally also provided on or associated with the outer surface or outwardly facing surface of the two or more band members.

In one embodiment where the clamping apparatus is in the form of a band clamp, the clamping apparatus comprises or consists of a flat band and/ or annular band with a closure or adjustment mechanism or means provided on the same. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an inner surface of inwardly facing surface of the flat and/ or annular band. Preferably the thermal insulating means is optionally also provided on or associated with the outer surface or outwardly facing surface of the flat and/ or annular band.

In one embodiment where the clamping apparatus is in the form of a slip joint, the clamping apparatus comprises or consists of a flange element for location around an item, conduit, pipe or hose, at least one clamping member, and sealing means.

Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an inner or inwardly facing surface of the at least one clamping member and/ or on an outer or outwardly facing surface of the flange element and/ or the item, conduit, pipe or hose.

Preferably the at least one clamping member, an outer band member and/ or an inner band member is annular or substantially annular in form. Preferably the inner surface or inwardly facing surface of the outer band member, the at least one clamping member and/ or one or more band member segments has a V, W or U or substantially V, W or U shaped profile.

In one embodiment the at least one item being clamped, and preferably both or two of the items being clamped, is/are in the form of a conduit, pipe, hose, flange and/or the like. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with an outer surface or outwardly facing surface of the conduit, pipe, hose, flange and/ or the like. It is to be noted that the thermal insulating means could be provided on the outer surface of a remaining or non-flanged portion of the conduit, pipe or hose in addition to the flange portion.

In one embodiment the conduit, pipe, hose and/or the like is provided with an outwardly extending flange at or adjacent an end thereof. Preferably the thermal insulating means is provided on or associated with at least the outer surface of the outwardly extending flange.

The flange can be integral with the at least one item, conduit, pipe or hose or can be attached or detachably attached to the at least one item, conduit, pipe or hose.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means, member, coating and/ or layer is of uniform or substantially uniform thickness.

In one embodiment the thermal insulating means, coating and/ or layer is of nonuniform thickness.

The thermal insulating means can be provided as a continuous or substantially continuous layer or coating on the surface of the at least one clamping member and/or item, or it can be provided as a non-continuous or intermittent layer or coating on the surface of the at least one clamping member and/ or item. In one embodiment the thermal insulating means is solely or only provided on the surface or surfaces of the at least one clamping member and/or item that are brought into contact with each other when in a clamped position in use.

Preferably the clamping apparatus and/ or the at least one clamping member is movable between a clamped position, wherein the apparatus can clamp two or more items together in use, and an undamped position, wherein the two or more items can be located with and/or removed from the clamping apparatus in use.

Preferably the ends of the clamping member are movable between the clamped position, wherein the ends are relatively closer to each other, to an undamped position, wherein the ends are relatively further apart from each other.

Preferably the clamping apparatus includes adjustment means for allowing adjustment of the at least one clamping member or clamping apparatus and/or for allowing the clamping apparatus or at least one clamping member to be moved between the clamped and undamped positions in use.

Preferably the adjustment means includes any or any combination of one or more trunnions, threaded trunnions, nuts, bolts, threaded screws, clips, inter-engaging members and/ or the like.

Preferably the at least one clamping member is formed from any or any combination of one or more metals, stainless steel, plastic, rubber, carbon fibre and/or the like.

In one embodiment sealing means or a sealing member are provided with or associated with the clamping apparatus. The sealing means can, for example, include any suitable gasket, O-ring, sealing ring and/or the like. The sealing means may or may not be in contact with the thermal insulating means. Preferably the sealing means is provided between an inner or inner most surface of the clamping apparatus and an outer surface of the one or more items being clamped. In this embodiment the thermal insulating means could be provided between or associated with the inner surface of the clamping member and the sealing means and/or between or associated with the inner surface or inwardly facing surface of the sealing means and the one or more items being clamped.

In one embodiment thermal insulating means are provided on or associated with the sealing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing clamping apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using clamping apparatus for clamping two or more items together, said method including the step of moving at least an inner surface of at least one clamping member into contact, directly or indirectly, with an outer surface of at least one of the items being clamped, and providing thermal insulating means on or associated with an inwardly facing surface of the clamping member, the inner surface of the clamping member and/or between the inner surface of the at least one clamping member and the outer surface of said at least one item..

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided clamping apparatus for clamping two conduits together, at least one of the conduits having a flange portion adjacent an end thereof, and at least one clamping member of the clamping apparatus arranged to be located over or with said flange portion of said conduit when in a clamped position in use.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure la shows a perspective view of a V-Clamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb shows a a cross sectional view of a V-Clamp according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a and 2b show a perspective view and a cross sectional view of a conduit with a flanged end in overlapping engagement with a further conduit according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

Figures 3a and 3b show a perspective view and a cross sectional view of a V-clamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 4a and 4b show a perspective view and a cross sectional view of a V-clamp according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring firstly to figure la, there is illustrated clamping apparatus in the form of a V-Clamp 2 for clamping together the ends of two conduits used for the flow of hot gases therealong, such as for example exhaust gases, in use.

The V-Clamp 2 comprises two clamping members; an outer band 4 which is annular in form having two opposing ends 6, 8, each end 6, 8 having a loop portionl4, 16 associated with the same; and an inner band formed from three segments 12, 12', 12". (Although three segments are shown in the figure, any number of segments could be provided). The three segments 12-12" are joined in an end to end manner with a space between each of the ends. The three segments have a V-shaped cross sectional profile and are joined to the inner surface of the outer band 4.

Each end 6, 8 of the outer band 4 is provided with a strap portion 14, 16 respectively for the location of adjustment means in the form of a trunnion 18 and a nut 20. The adjustment means allows the distance between the free ends 6, 8 and the straps 14, 16 to be adjusted, thereby increasing or decreasing the size of the band aperture and allowing the clamp 2 to be moved between an undamped position, wherein the clamp 2 can be located over or removed from two overlapping conduits and the ends are a relatively large spaced distance apart, and a clamped position, wherein the clamp is clamped around two overlapping conduits and the ends are adjacent to each other or a relatively small spaced distance apart.

In one application of use of the V-Clamp 2, the conduits which are being clamped are arranged to allow hot exhaust gases to flow through channels defined in the same. In order to prevent the clamp 2 from becoming too hot, and in order to retain the heat of the gases within the conduit channels to maintain volumetric flow of the gases through the conduit channels, heat insulating means in the form of a zirconium oxide layer 22 is provided on the inner surface of the three segments 12, 12', 12"that face towards the conduit. The zirconium oxide layer has a thermal conductance of approximately 1.0-1.4 W/mK, thereby preventing heat from passing from the conduits to the clamp in use. The zirconium oxide layer is typically provided at a thickness of 03.-0.5mm on the segments. However, any suitable thermal conductance or thickness of the thermal insulating means could be provided so as to provide a thermal insulating effect.

In one example the zirconium oxide layer is applied to the inner surface of the inner clamping member segments 12-12" using a High Velocity Oxy-Fuel spray technique but any suitable technique could be used.

Thus, in this embodiment the zirconium oxide layer is directly in contact with the outer surface of the outer conduit in use, thereby thermally insulates the clamp from the gases/ fluids flowing in the conduits in use. It will be appreciated that the zirconium oxide layer may be indirectly in contact with the outer surface of the outer conduit in use if sealing means for example where also provided between the zirconium oxide layer and the outer conduit surface. The zirconium oxide layer retains the heat of the hot gases/ fluids within the conduit, thereby mamtaining the volumetric flow of the gases/ fluid along the conduits in use. This allows the clamp to be formed from a lower grade stainless steel than conventional clamps, or could allow the clamp to be formed from materials other than stainless steel, such as for example other metals, rubber, plastic, carbon fibre and/ or the like. Figure lb shows a further example of V-clamp 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein an intermediate band 10 is provided between the outer band 4 and the inner band segments 12-12".

Referring to figures 2a-2b, there is illustrated an example of two items in the form of condviits 24, 26 that could be joined together by clamping apparatus, such as for example by the V-clamp shown in Figures la-lb in use, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

One end of conduit 24 is provided with an outwardly extending flange portion 28 and the end 30 of conduit 26 is located in the channel of conduit 24. In this example in addition to the innermost surface of the clamp 2 being provided with a heat or thermal insulating layer 22, the outer surface of the flange portion 28 is provided with a heat or thermal insulating zirconium oxide layer 22. The provision of the heat insulating layer on the outer surface of the flange portion 28 of the conduit 24 provides the same benefits as the heat insulating layer being provided on the inner surface of the innermost clamping member. Thus, in both embodiments, a heat or thermal insulating layer is provided between the contacting surfaces of the conduit and clamping member to prevent heat from being transferred from the conduit to the clamping member and vice versa in use.

It will be appreciated that the heat insulating layer could be provided on the flange portion only of the conduit if required, and not on the clamping apparatus.

Referring to figures 3a and 3b, there is illustrated clamping apparatus 102 according to a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a V- clamp. The same reference numerals are used to describe the same features as previously described.

The V-clamp 102 is similar in form to the V-clamp shown in figure la with the exception that thermal insulating means, in the form of a zirconium oxide layer, is provided on the inner surface and the outer surface of the inner band segments 12. Referring to figures 4a and 4b, there is illustrated clamping apparatus 202 according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a V- clamp. The same reference numerals are used to describe the same features as previously described.

The V-clamp 202 is similar in form to the V-clamp shown in figures la, 3a and 3b with the exception that thermal insulating means, in the form of a zirconium oxide layer, is provided on the inner surface and the outer surface of the inner band segments 12, in addition to the inner and outer surfaces of the outer band 4.