The present invention relates to a tool for use when working on tubes with end flanges. The work in question may include primary installation of tubes, replacement of tubes, replacement of worn gaskets, etc. Such work involves two prob- lems: the workers may get injured and the flanges may easily become damaged.

Injuries may occur when mounting heavy tubes, the tube to be mounted is usually hanging from a crane, as the workers must handle the tubes very closely when adjusting the position of the tube and when inserting the bolts in the flanges holding the tubes together, and fingers may then become crushed between the flanges. The flanges may also be damaged if they should hit each other creating grooves in the mating surfaces. Even small damage may prevent the flanges from mating correctly resulting in a leak joint. If this should happen, the damaged flanges must be machined to obtain their proper shape. This is a costly process, especially if it happens offshore and the tubes have to be taken to land for this operation. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to improve on this kind of work, so that personal injuries and damage to the flanges may possibly be prevented. This is obtained in a tool as defined by the appended claims. Essentially, the tool consists of a clamp to be mounted on the mating flanges.

The invention will now be described In reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows the inventive tool from two directions, Fig. 2 shows the tool in use.

The tool 1 consists of an F-shaped main body and a tightening set screw, Fig. 1. The main body includes a backbone 2 supporting first 3 and second 4 protruding members. The first member 3 is connected to the backbone 2 at one end of the backbone, while the second member 4 is connected to the backbone 2 further down the backbone. The second member must be sufficiently spaced from the first member to accommodate a flange of the tube to be handled there-between, while there should be an end 5 of the backbone projecting outside the second member 4. In the first member 3 there is inserted a set screw 6 in a threaded hole in said mem- ber. The set screw may include a handle 7, or be terminated in a common screw head.

Fig. 2 shows a number of tools 1 installed at the flange 8 of a tube 9 to be joined to another tube 10. When the tools are mounted as shown, the approaching flange of the other tube cannot meet the first flange directly, the tools acting as bumper pads between the flanges. Thus, the flanges cannot meet to damage each other, and the tools secure a safe distance between the flanges allowing space for the workers' fingers. In addition, the protruding ends of the tools will act as guides for the flange of the opposing tube, thus easing the positioning of the flanges. When the tubes have reached a position wherein the flange of the lower tube abutts against the tools, the operator may install the bolts fastening the tubes together. Thereafter, the tools may be dismounted and removed from the upper flange, and the bolts tightened to complete the joining process.

The tool may be produced with a main body of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, while the set screw may be produced in stainless steel. Aluminum is a preferred material for the main body, as it is light in weight, is malleably (ductile) and thus will not create grooves in the steel of a flange, and will not create sparks if hit by a steel object. Alternatively, the main body of the tool could be produced in a polymer material, such as fiber reinforced plastic.