阅读说明：本技术 密封件以及包括这种密封件的夹紧装置和夹紧组合件 (Seal, clamping device and clamping assembly comprising such a seal ) 是由 克莱克·迪伦 雅克兰·阿诺德 于 2020-04-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：密封件(20)包括同轴的第一套筒(30)和第二套筒(40),第一套筒(30)和第二同轴套筒(24)一个围绕另一个设置,同时彼此相对保持。每个套筒由自身缠绕的条带(32、42)形成,该条带的端部被配置为通过允许减小套筒的直径而经由密封装置(34、44)配合在一起。两个套筒的密封装置成角度地错开。夹紧装置包括带有带件的夹紧轴环,密封件(20)布置在带件内同时相对于轴环轴向保持。(The seal (20) comprises a first sleeve (30) and a second sleeve (40) which are coaxial, the first sleeve (30) and the second coaxial sleeve (24) being arranged one around the other while being held opposite each other. Each sleeve is formed from a strip (32, 42) wound on itself, the ends of the strip being configured to fit together via sealing means (34, 44) by allowing the diameter of the sleeve to be reduced. The sealing means of the two sleeves are angularly offset. The clamping device comprises a clamping collar with a band in which a sealing member (20) is arranged while being axially retained relative to the collar.)

1. A seal (20) comprising first and second coaxial sleeves (30, 40) disposed one around the other while being held opposite one another, each sleeve being formed from a strip (32, 42) wound on itself and having ends (32A, 32B; 42A, 42B) configured to fit together via sealing means (34, 44) allowing a diameter of the sleeve to be reduced, the sealing means (34, 44) of the two sleeves being angularly offset.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the two sleeves (30, 40) are formed of different materials.

3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the strips forming the first sleeve (30) are formed of a mica-based material.

4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the strip (42) forming the second sleeve (40) is metallic.

5. The seal of claim 1, wherein the strips (32, 42) forming at least one of the first sleeve (30) and the second sleeve (40) naturally tend to loosen and remain wrapped by the other sleeve.

6. The seal of claim 1, wherein the sealing arrangement (34, 44) of at least one of the first and second sleeves comprises a male/female engagement configuration.

7. The seal of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sleeve (30) and the second sleeve (40) has at least one crush lobe (46) under which an edge on the other sleeve is crushed.

8. A clamping device, comprising: a collar (10), said collar (10) having a band (12) capable of being clamped by reducing its diameter; and a seal (20) according to claim 1, wherein the seal is provided inside the band, while the seal is axially retained with respect to the collar, and is configured to arrange an annular space (50) to allow insertion of an annular object (1A) between the seal (20) and the band (12).

9. Clamping device according to claim 8, wherein one of the elements comprising the collar (10) and the seal (20) comprises at least one spacer (47, 47', 47 ") which leaves an annular space between the seal and the band.

10. Clamping device according to claim 9, wherein the spacer comprises a radially outwardly projecting spacing lug (47B, 47' B, 47 "C) carried by the seal (20).

11. The clamping device as claimed in claim 8, comprising an angular sealing key (47C, 14) configured to determine the angular position of the seal (20) relative to the collar (10).

12. Clamping device according to claim 8, wherein one of the strip (12) and the seal (20) has a wedge-shaped edge (12A, 14A) and the other element has a wedge-shaped protrusion (47C, 48) which is able to cooperate with the wedge-shaped edge (14A) to retain the seal (20) against movement relative to the collar (10).

13. Clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the sealing member (20) has a front edge (41A) provided with at least one abutment (48) configured to cooperate with the front edge (12A) of the strip member (12) to hold the sealing member against movement in at least one direction relative to the strip member.

14. The clamping device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the abutment comprises an outwardly projecting lug (48).

15. Clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the strip has a window (14), the edge (14A) of the window (14) forming a wedge-shaped edge, and the seal has a retaining lug (47C) projecting in the window.

16. Clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the collar has clamping lugs (16A, 16B), the clamping lugs (16A, 16B) projecting radially relative to the band and being movable relative to each other to clamp the collar.

17. Pipe clamping assembly comprising a pipe (1) and a clamping device according to claim 8, the end (1A) of the pipe (1) being insertable between the seal (20) and the strip (12).

18. Pipe gripping assembly according to claim 17, comprising a pipe position key (49, 3A; 149, 3' A) determining the angular position of the pipe (1) with respect to at least one of the two elements, the seal (20) and the collar (10).

19. The tubular clamping assembly of claim 18, wherein the seal has a tubular position key lug (49, 149) projecting radially outward from the seal (20) and configured to engage in a slot (3A, 3' a) formed at an end of the tubular (1).

20. The tubular clamping assembly according to claim 16, wherein the seal (20) comprises an anti-extraction lug configured to cooperate with a window (3B, 3' B) of the tubular (1) to prevent extraction of the seal from the tubular.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a seal, and a clamping arrangement and a clamping assembly comprising such a seal.

Background

Annular seals made of closed rings are known. In order to perform its sealing function, these seals must be compressed and must therefore be made of a material that allows this compression while having the quality necessary to withstand the environmental conditions to which the seal is subjected (for example in terms of pressure, temperature or variations in these parameters). In addition, typically, for such closed seals, the difference between the diameter of the seal in the free state and the diameter of the seal in the clamped state after compression is typically small. Therefore, these closed seals are not suitable for certain applications.

A clamping device is also known, for example from patents EP 2598785 and EP 3232107, which comprises a collar with a band that can be clamped by reducing its diameter and a pre-mounted seal in the collar. More specifically, the system includes a gasket including a closed annular portion forming a seal and lugs connecting the seal to a collar. Initially, the closed annular seal is held at a distance from the inner circumferential surface of the collar to engage the outer tube between the seal and the inner circumferential surface. The inner tubes are then sequentially engaged to contact the seal. The device is particularly suitable for clamping two pipe elements fitted together and having radially projecting flared surfaces which act as bearings for a clamping collar comprising a recess which can receive these radially projecting flared surfaces, the closed annular seal itself having a frustoconical shape, adapted to these flared surfaces.

Open seals, in particular made of strips wound on themselves and the ends of which cooperate with one another via sealing means, are also known. Such a seal is disclosed, for example, in document EP 1181477. This type of seal has the advantage of being easy to manufacture and, in particular due to the different manufacturing tools, allows in particular to manufacture seals of different diameters, since the diameter of the seal depends on the length of the strip forming the seal. Furthermore, this type of seal can be easily installed around or inside the objects that must ensure a sealed connection, and can be made of a material that does not have to deform significantly under radial compression, so that this material can be chosen to resist severe environmental constraints, for example in terms of temperature, pressure or gradients of these parameters. In particular, such a seal may be made of a metal of the stainless steel type.

Disclosure of Invention

For certain applications, there is a need to improve existing open seals. Indeed, although the ends in question are fitted together by means of a sealing arrangement, the opening of the seal, i.e. the junction between the ends of the strips forming the seal, may present a zone of weakness in terms of sealing. In addition, depending on the material forming the seal, the seal may have a spring action, that is, the strip forming the seal may easily come loose, which may complicate handling, storage and installation in certain applications.

The present disclosure is directed at least substantially to overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The present disclosure therefore relates to a seal comprising a first and a second coaxial sleeve disposed one around the other while being held opposite each other, each sleeve being formed by a strip wound on itself and having its ends configured to fit together via a sealing means allowing a reduction in the diameter of the sleeve, said sealing means of the two sleeves being angularly staggered.

Since the seals of the two sleeves are angularly offset, the seal of each sleeve is "bridged" by the other sleeve. Thus, the sealing means of each sleeve is radially covered on the outside or inside by a strip formed with the other sleeve. In addition, the sleeves are held relative to each other, which means that they maintain each other. In other words, the presence of each sleeve tends to prevent the other sleeve from loosening or not retaining its desired shape.

However, the seal retains the advantage of an open seal, i.e. that by adjusting the length of the strip in which the two sleeves are formed, it is possible to easily manufacture seals of different diameters and to achieve their sealing function by reducing the diameter, bringing the two ends of the two sleeves close to each other.

Optionally, the two sleeves are made of different materials, the strip forming the first sleeve being optionally formed of a mica-based material, and the strip forming the second sleeve being optionally made of metal.

Alternatively, the strip forming at least one of the first and second sleeves naturally tends to unwind and be held in winding by the other sleeve.

Optionally, the sealing arrangement of at least one of the first and second sleeves comprises a male/female engagement formation.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second sleeves has at least one squeeze lug under which an edge of the other sleeve is squeezed.

The invention also relates to a clamping device comprising: a collar having a band capable of being clamped by reducing the diameter; and a seal according to the invention, wherein the seal is disposed inside the band while being axially retained with respect to the collar, and is configured to arrange an annular space to allow insertion of an annular object between the seal and the band.

Thus, such a clamping arrangement makes it possible to use the seal as an open seal previously mounted in the collar. When the seal is in place in the collar, the annular space allows insertion of an annular object, such as the end of a pipe, between the band and the seal. Thus, the clamping device is pre-mounted on the annular object which can receive another annular object, in particular an inner tube, which is to be fitted into the assembly, in particular by being fitted into the seal, so that once the collar is clamped on the fitting thus made, the seal is located between the two objects fitted to each other to ensure their sealed connection. .

Optionally, one of the two elements collar and seal comprises at least one spacer saving annular space between the seal and the band, the spacer optionally comprising a radially outwardly projecting spacer carried by the seal.

Optionally, the device comprises an angular seal key configured to determine the angular position of the seal relative to the collar.

Optionally, one of the two elements, the band and the seal, has a tapered edge and the other element has a tapered projection engageable with the tapered edge to retain the seal against movement relative to the collar.

Optionally, the seal has a leading edge provided with at least one abutment configured to cooperate with the leading edge of the tape to retain the seal against movement relative to the tape in at least one direction.

Optionally, the strip has a window, the edges of the window forming a wedge-shaped edge, and the seal has a retaining lug projecting in the window.

Optionally, the collar has clamping lugs projecting radially relative to the band and movable relative to each other to clamp the collar.

The invention also relates to a pipe clamping assembly comprising a clamping device according to the invention. A pipe fitting is disclosed, the end of which can be inserted between a seal and a band.

Optionally, the combination comprises a tubular position key determining the angular position of the tubular relative to at least one of the elements, the seal and the collar.

Optionally, the seal has a tubular position key lug projecting radially outward from the seal and configured to engage in a slot formed at an end of the tubular.

Optionally, the seal comprises an anti-extraction lug configured to cooperate with a window of the tubular to inhibit extraction of the seal from the tubular.

This description will be better understood and its purpose will become better apparent from reading the following detailed description of one embodiment and its variants, represented by way of non-limiting example.

Drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a pipe clamp assembly including a seal according to the present invention and a clamp according to the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a clamping device according to the present invention from a first perspective.

Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the clamping device of fig. 2A from another angle.

Fig. 3 shows the clamping device in a perspective view, with the sealing element shown separated from the collar.

Fig. 4A shows in perspective one of the sleeves of the seal of the clamping device of the preceding figures.

Fig. 4B to 4D show partial axial cross-sections of a portion of the seal.

Fig. 5 shows in perspective view a clamping device according to the invention, which is mounted at the end of the outer tube before the inner tube is fitted to the outer tube.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to fig. 1 of a variation.

Detailed Description

The assembly shown in fig. 1 comprises a clamping device which itself comprises a collar 10 and a seal 20 comprising a first sleeve 30 and a second sleeve 40. The assembly further comprises an outer tube 1 and an inner tube 2. The inner tube 2 is configured to fit into the outer tube 1 to connect two pipes. More specifically, the outer tube 2 is fitted into the end 1A of the outer tube 1, around which end 1A clamping collar is placed to clamp the assembly thus made. As will be seen below, in this assembled state, the seal 20 itself is disposed between the inner and outer tubes. For fitting, the seal 20 is placed in the end 1A of the pipe fitting 1, the clamping collar 10 is arranged around the end 1A of the pipe fitting 1, and the inner pipe 2 is fitted into the seal 20. In this example, the portions of the two pipe members 1 and 2 fitted to each other form a cylindrical surface without bulging. However, the end 1A of the outer tube 1 is delimited, on the opposite side of its free end 1' a, by a shoulder 1 "a. The end 1A is thus widened, while the remaining part 1B of the tube 1 has the same diameter as the tube 2.

With respect to the seal 20, each of the first sleeve 30 and the second sleeve 40 is formed by a strip 32 and 42, respectively, wound on itself and having its ends configured to cooperate with each other via sealing means.

Thus, the ends 32A and 32B of the strip 32 are fitted together via a sealing arrangement 34, which in this example comprises a male/female engagement. In this example, the sealing means comprises a notch 34A formed at the end 32A, and the notch 34A is delimited between contact edges 34' a formed by the inner edges of lugs 35A remaining on both sides of the notch 34A.

The sealing device 34 also includes a tab 34B formed at the end 32B. It can be seen that the width of the notch (measured parallel to axis a) varies over a portion of its length (measured circumferentially). More specifically, in the portions of the notches that are close to the free ends of the lugs 35A, the width of the notches increases in the direction toward these free ends (that is, away from the bottom of the notches). Similarly, in a portion of the length of the tab 34B, the width of the tab increases in a direction away from its free end. Thus, as the collar is clamped, the diameter of the sleeve 30 is reduced and the tabs enter the recesses deeper, the contact pressure between the edges of the tabs and the contact edge 34' a increases, thereby achieving sealing contact. In the present example, the terminal portion of the tab and the bottom of the notch have a constant and equal width, which facilitates the advancement of the tab in the notch.

The second sleeve 40 is formed by a strip 42, the strip 42 being wound on itself and its ends 42A and 42B respectively being engaged by sealing means 44. In this example, the sealing device 44 includes a male/female engagement configuration. More specifically, the end 42A includes a notch 44A defined between two lugs 45A, and the end 42B includes a lug 44B, the lug 44B entering the notch 44A as the diameter of the sleeve 40 decreases. In this example, the tab is laterally defined by two slots 45B, with the lug 45A entering the slot 45B when the tab 44B enters the notch 44A. These slots 45B are themselves laterally delimited by lugs 45C. In the present example, the sealing means form an axial barrier, the contact area between the ends 42A and 42B being formed between the lugs 45C and 45A and the tab 44B.

Of course, other male/female arrangement configurations are possible. Thus, the sealing arrangement 44 of the sleeve 40 may have the geometry described above for the sealing arrangement 34 of the sleeve 30, and vice versa. In this example, other sealing means may be provided, whether directly on the strip 32 or 42, or integral therewith, or added to, for example, a more deformable material. Sealing can also be achieved by the baffle effect without having to achieve the contact constraints described above. Instead, for at least one sleeve, the seal may be associated with the contact constraints described above, in particular within male/female engagement, which constraints may even cause plastic or elastic deformation.

Referring also to fig. 3, it will be appreciated that when the sleeves 30 and 40 are assembled with one another to form the seal 20, their respective sealing devices 34 and 44 are angularly offset. Thus, as shown in fig. 3, the junction area between the ends 32A and 32B of the strip in which the sleeve 30 is formed is radially covered by the solid portion of the strip 42 in which the sleeve 40 is formed. Similarly, the junction of the ends 42A and 42B of the strip 42 in which the sleeve 40 is formed is radially covered by the solid portion of the strip 32 in which the sleeve 30 is formed. In the present example, the sleeve 30 is arranged around the sleeve 40 such that the seal 34 is radially covered on the inside and the seal 44 is radially covered on the outside.

Within the meaning of the present disclosure, the element facing the axis a of the seal (corresponding to the axis a of the band and the pipe of the collar when these elements are assembled) will be referred to as "inner", while the outer element is the element opposite this axis.

Furthermore, the qualifiers "front" and "rear" are to be understood in relation to the installation direction of the pipe elements. Thus, the end 1'a of the pipe member 1 is the front end thereof, and the pipe member 1 is fitted to the pipe member 2 from the end 1' a. The front edges 31A and 41A of the sleeves 30 and 40 are those closest to the free end 1' a of the pipe element, opposite the rear edges 31B and 41B of these sleeves, when the seal is placed around the end 1A of the pipe element 1.

One of the sleeves will naturally tend to loosen, whether internal or external, to provide a resilient effect. This may occur when the sleeve in question is made of metal, as is the case for the second sleeve 40, and may also be a sleeve made of a mica-based material, as is the case for the sleeve 30. However, the fact that the two sleeves are fixed relative to each other limits this tendency. In fact, the first sleeve 30, acting in the junction zone between the ends 42A and 42B of the second sleeve 40, in particular due to bridging, tends to prevent the distancing of these ends 42A and 42B, and therefore the loosening of the strip 42 in which the second sleeve 40 is formed.

In this example, the two sleeves may be held relative to each other by squeezing, as will be seen below. Even though both sleeves each have a certain elasticity making them easy to release, by bridging the junction of the ends of each sleeve with the other sleeve, a compressive constraint (or a constraint that is usually due to being held against each other) may be sufficient to prevent such release. The squeezing, which may be made in the form of a pinching, has the advantage of achieving the desired retention force, while allowing the two sleeves to move slightly relative to each other in the circumferential direction thereof, so as to allow the ends of the strips 32 and 42 to approach, thereby reducing the diameter of the seal under the action of the clamping collar.

In this example, the two sleeves are held relative to each other by compression, as described above. Thus, at least one of the first sleeve 30 and the second sleeve 40 has at least one squeeze lug 46, and an edge of the other sleeve, in particular an edge perpendicular to the axis a of the sleeve, is squeezed under the at least one squeeze lug 46. In this example, the second sleeve 40 has crush lobes 46, and the edge of the first sleeve 30 is crushed under the crush lobes 46. In the present example, the crush lobes 46 are provided on the front edge 41A and the rear edge 41B of the sleeve 40 so as to be able to crush the front edge 31A and the rear edge 31B of the sleeve 30. In the present example, the crush lobes are formed by extensions folded on the outer surface side of the sleeve 40 as long as the sleeve 40 is arranged inside the sleeve 30. For assembly of the two sleeves, the crush lobes may first be bent radially and then, once the sleeve 30 is disposed around the sleeve 40, the crush lobes fold against the outer surface of the sleeve to pinch the edge of the sleeve 30.

In fig. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the lug 49' is longer than the squeeze lug 46 just described. This lug 49' has a pressing function in addition to the extraction prevention and tube key function which will be described below. Due to its length, it compresses not only the edge of the sleeve 30, but also the lug 35A (the lug near the rear edge of the sleeve 30) and the adjacent edge of the tab 34B of the sleeve. As will be seen below, the lug 49, which performs both the pressing function and the tube key function, presses against the other lug 35A and the edge of the tab 34B adjacent to the other lug.

Furthermore, the free end of the tab 34B is itself pressed under a slightly raised lug 46' cut out of the strip 42.

In this example, crush lobes 46, 49 and 49' are distributed on each of the front and rear edges of the sleeve 40. For example, three to fifteen crush lobes, e.g., four to ten crush lobes, can be provided on each of the front and rear edges. Of course, the number of clamping lugs may depend on the diameter of the sleeve.

It is also possible to provide more crush lobes on one edge (e.g., the rear edge) of the sleeve, for example because the other edge will include other lobes or formations that perform other functions, as will be disclosed below in the following manner.

In this example, the squeeze lug is formed in the inner sleeve and folded outwardly, thereby smoothing the inner circumference of the seal.

The clamping device according to the invention comprises a clamping collar 10 and the seal just described. As shown in fig. 1, 2A, 2B and 3, the collar 10 comprises a strip 12 which can be clamped by reducing its diameter. The band 12 defines a cylindrical shape coaxial with the sleeves 30 and 40 of the seal 20 when the seal is disposed in the collar and clamped around the pipe elements.

As better seen in fig. 2A and 2B, when the seal 20 is disposed in the band 12 of the collar 10, an annular space 50 is disposed between the outer periphery of the seal 20 (in this example, the outer periphery of the sleeve 30) and the inner periphery of the band 12. This allows the end 1A of the pipe element 1 to be inserted into the annular space, as shown in figure 1.

An annular space 50 may be reserved by means of spacers extending between the seal and the band. In the present example, the spacer comprises at least one spacing lug 47, which spacing lug 47 is supported by the seal 20 and projects radially outwards. More specifically, in the present example, the spacing lugs 47 are carried by the sleeve 40 and, like the squeeze lugs 46, 49 and 49', are made of outwardly folded extensions of the sleeve.

As can be seen in fig. 4A-4D, the spacing lugs may have several configurations. Fig. 4A and 4B show spacing lugs 47, the spacing lugs 47 projecting radially from the front edge 41A of the sleeve 40 along a section 47A in height h, then folded back parallel to the sleeve along the section 47B, and then again projecting radially along an end section 47C. Taken together, the portion of the sleeve 40 near its edge 41A, section 47A and section 47B has an axial U-shaped cross-section. The segment 47B cooperates with the inner periphery of the band 12 to maintain the above-mentioned annular space 50, the radial height of which corresponds to the height h. However, the band 12 of the collar has a window 14 through which the end segment 47C projects. The end segments 47C of the spacer lugs 47 projecting in the windows 14 thus form means for wedging the seal 20 relative to the collar, as will be explained below.

In fig. 4C, the spacing lugs 47' are folded over the exterior of the sleeve 40 to form crush lugs of the sleeve 30. It therefore has a fold section 47'a, which fold section 47' a forms a squeeze lug pressing on the outer circumference of the sleeve 30. However, the free ends 47'B of the lugs 47' project radially so as to be of a radial height h relative to the inner circumferential limit of the sleeve 40. Thus, the lugs 47 'engage with their raised ends 47' B with the solid portions of the strip 12 and may form spacers. This lug 47' can replace the lug 49 and fulfil the pinching function, the spacer function and the tube key function already mentioned for the lug 49, which will be described below.

In FIG. 4D, the lug 47 "is first raised radially and then folded back, thus having a first section 47" A and a second section 47 "C similar to the first section 47A and the second section 47B of the lug 47 of FIG. 4B. Thus, the segment 47 "C may cooperate with the inner periphery of the band to define the annular space 50 described above. In this example, the lugs 47 "do not contribute to the squeezing or pinching of the sleeve 30, but do contribute to the axial wedging thereof by aligning its front edge 31A with the front edge 41A of the sleeve 40.

Optionally, the device comprises an angular seal key configured to determine the angular position of the seal relative to the collar. In this example, the corner seal key utilizes a ledge 47 as shown in fig. 4A and 4B. In fact, as mentioned above, the free ends 47C of the projections of the lugs 47 enter the windows 14 of the band, which wedge into the seal at an angle with respect to the collar. It can thus be provided that the sealing element 20 is oriented at an angle relative to the collar, so that the sealing arrangement of the ends of the two sleeves 30 and 40 is in a specific position. With respect to the open collar in this example, this may prevent these arrangements from aligning with the slot 15 that exists between the ends of the collar.

In this example, the corner key is formed by the ends of spaced lugs 47. In the same way it can be provided that the corner key is formed by the end of a lug having another function, in particular a correspondingly arranged and extended squeeze lug, which can cooperate with a recess of the front edge of the tube 1 to further realize the tube position key function, as will be described later.

Furthermore, the angular key not only prevents the seal from moving relative to the collar, in the circumferential direction as disclosed, but also in the axial direction parallel to axis a. Thus, the edge 14A of the window 14 forms a wedge-shaped edge which cooperates with a wedge-shaped projection made of the lug end section 47C to retain the seal 20 against axial movement relative to the collar 10.

However, in the example shown, the leading edge of the seal also has other wedge-shaped protrusions. In the present example, as can be seen in particular in fig. 4A, the front edge 41A of the sleeve 40 has tabs 48 that project radially and jointly define a diametrical dimension greater than the inner diametrical dimension of the band 12. This is best seen in fig. 2B, where it can be seen that the sleeve 40 has a plurality of radially projecting lugs 48, the lugs 48 retaining the seal 20 by cooperating with the leading edge 12A of the band. Thus, in this example, the leading edge 12A of the tape acts as a wedge-shaped edge.

In the example shown, the seal 20 comprises three regularly spaced lugs, namely two lugs 47 of the type shown in figure 4B and a lug 47 "of the type shown in figure 4D, and four wedge-shaped lugs 48. Of course, a different number of lugs may be provided. The lugs 48 act as abutments against rearward movement of the seal relative to the band. The wedge-shaped protrusion 47C formed by the end portion of the lug 47 prevents axial movement in both directions thereof.

In this example, the seal 20 also includes a tubular position key that determines the angular position of the gripping device relative to the tubular when the gripping device is disposed at the end 1A of the tubular 1. In this example, the tubular position key includes a tubular position key lug 49 that projects radially outward from the seal and is configured to engage in a slot formed in the end of the tubular. With reference to fig. 1, it can indeed be seen that the end 1A of the tube has a slot 3, which in the present example comprises a first slot portion 3A forming a notch on the edge 1' a of the tube and a second portion 3B forming a substantially Y-shaped window, which in the present example has a closed profile. As can be seen in fig. 5 (in which a portion of strip 12 covering slot 3 is torn away to facilitate understanding), when the collar with seal 20 is fitted on end 1A of tube 1, the position keying lug 49 of the tube engages in notch 3A and thus makes it possible to wedge the collar angularly with respect to the tube. In this example, the tube position key lug 49 is folded back from the front edge of the sleeve 40. Its free end 49A is folded forward by being pinched by itself. As described above, the tube position key lug 49 may also assist in blocking the front edge of the sleeve 30 relative to the sleeve 40 by its portion folded over the sleeve 30. It may also contribute to the spacing as its free end 49A projects to keep the seal at a distance from the band 12 of the collar.

Optionally, seal 20 also includes anti-extraction lugs 49'. In this example, the lug 49 'is formed by the rear edge 41B of the forwardly folded sleeve 40 extending outwardly and forwardly, the free end 49' a of which is slightly convex. As can be seen in fig. 1, this lug 49' projects in a part of the slot 3B of the tube 3 when the clamping device is arranged on the end 1A of the tube 1. The geometry of the slot portions and lugs 49' are such that the lugs cooperate with the slots to prevent the seal from being withdrawn forwardly relative to the pipe elements. This lug 49' also performs the tubular position key function by wedging the seal angularly with respect to the tubular 1.

In this example, the end 1A of the tube 1 is provided with a slot 3, so that when clamping the collar, the diameter of the end 1A can be reduced by reducing the width of the slot.

However, this slot is bridged on the inside by the solid part of the seal 20. The portion 3B of the slot 3 forms a window with which the anti-extraction lug 49' cooperates.

The spacing lugs (lugs 47, 47' and 47 ", and even 49) already described are located at the front edge of the seal so as not to interfere with the engagement of the end 1A of the pipe element 1 between the band 12 and the seal 20, as shown. However, the lugs 49' may also perform a spacer function, keeping the seal at a distance from the band, as long as it can be eliminated when fitting the end 1A of the pipe element 1 in the clamping device.

For example, the strips forming the first sleeve 30 are formed of a mica-based material. For example, it is a material comprising mica and a silicone-based binder. For example, it may be under the trademark high temperature resistant

And contains 90% or more mica and 10% or less binder by mass. For example, the strip forming the second sleeve 40 may be made of metal, in particular stainless steel. It is here an option to place the metal sleeve inside the other sleeve, because the metal sleeve carries integrally the squeeze lugs of the other sleeve, which are folded outwards. The arrangement can be reversed by placing the metal sleeve on the outside while achieving a suitable fixation of the two sleeves with respect to each other. In this example, the outer sleeve may of course carry the seal and/or the tubular key and the spacing lugs.

Fig. 6 shows a variant which differs only from the one just described by the configuration of the slot formed on the end 1A of the fitting 1 and therefore by the configuration of the anti-extraction and fitting position key lugs carried by the seal 20 and more particularly by the sleeve 40. Therefore, only these elements are described with reference to fig. 6. In the present example, the slot 3' formed at the end 1A of the tube element comprises two basic axial slot segments, in particular a front basic slot segment 3' a, which is open on the front edge 1' a of the tube element, and a closed basic slot segment 3' B, which forms a window 3' B and is located behind this slot segment 3' a and is slightly angularly offset with respect to the slot segment 3' a. The sleeve 40 portion has a tube position key lug 149, the tube position key lug 149 being folded back on the outside of the sleeve 40 and sized to engage in the open slot portion 3' a of the tube. The sleeve 40 also has an anti-extraction lug 149 'folded forward from the rear edge of the sleeve and slightly angularly offset with respect to the lug 149 and configured to allow it to engage in the closed slot portion 3' B to prevent extraction of the seal forward with respect to the fitting 1.

In the example shown, the collar 10 is of the open type, which means that the ends of the strip 12 are folded radially to form clamping lugs 16A and 16B, which clamping lugs 16A and 16B can be moved relative to each other to clamp the collar. These clamping lugs cooperate in the present example with a clamping bar 18, which in the present example is formed by the shaft of a screw comprising a head 18A held behind a clamping lug and a nut 18B held behind another clamping lug, possibly via a spacer 19. In the particular case of the clamping lugs 16A and 16B, the rear of a clamping lug is the side of the lug opposite the other clamping lug. Thus, the slot 15 of the collar is arranged between the clamping lugs 16A and 16B. The angular positioning of the seal 20 with respect to the collar allows to prevent the end of the strip formed with the sleeve from aligning with the slot.

Finally, it is to be noted that the collar has a plurality of series of windows 14 arranged symmetrically with respect to a median radial plane of the collar perpendicular to its axis a. The collar may be arranged indiscriminately in either direction relative to this median radial plane (that is, with its trailing edge replacing its leading edge, and vice versa) while allowing the seal to be correctly positioned in the collar.