Process for producing gripping elements for sealing and restraint systems for fluid pipelines and pipe joints produced thereby
US11982386B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49428
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method is shown for manufacturing a hardened gripping element for a sealing and restraint system used for forming a pipe joint in a fluid pipeline. Instead of machining the gripping elements used in the system from a metal stock, a special series of metal injection molding steps are utilized. A metal polymer composite mix is first formed having a metal particulate phase and a polymer phase. A green metal composite article is formed by either extruding the composite mix or molding the composite mix into a metal polymer composite article having at least one gripping surface having a plurality of gripping teeth. The composite article is subjected to thermal debinding and sintering to produce a finished or near finished hardened gripping element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.