Multiple material piping component

Abstract

The piping component is comprised in part of a metal housing that is positionable with a metal pipe. The metal housing forms an opening in which a piping component body is inserted. The body of the piping component can be fastened to the metal housing an epoxy adhesive, a set screw connection, a threaded connection, press fit connection, a key connection or a pin connection or a combination of these connections. The body is comprised of a plastic or a ceramic, which is less expensive than metal and facilitates forming, including machining or molding, while maintaining its structural integrity in a hostile fluid environment, such as in oil or gas. Piping components such as flowmeters, flow conditioners, small volume provers, static mixers, samplers, and valves are contemplated for use with these multiple materials.

1 . A flow conditioner, comprising:
 a steel housing defining an opening; and   a body fabricated from a non-metal material and positioned at least in part within said steel housing opening;   wherein said body having a substantially flat upstream face and a substantially flat downstream face; and   wherein said body having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures extending between said body upstream face and said body downstream face.   
     
     
         2 . The flow conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein said body positioned with said steel housing by compression fit in which said steel housing heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool. 
     
     
         3 . The flow conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein said body positioned with said steel housing with blocking shoulders. 
     
     
         4 . The flow conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic. 
     
     
         5 . The flow conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic. 
     
     
         6 . A piping component for conditioning fluid flow for measurement in a steel pipe, comprising:
 a substantially circular steel ring having a substantially flat ring upstream face and a substantially flat ring downstream face and having a substantially circular opening extending between said ring upstream face and said ring downstream face; and   a substantially circular body fabricated from a non-metal material having a body downstream face and a substantially flat body upstream face and sized to be positioned with said ring opening;   wherein said body fastened with said ring; and   wherein said body having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures through said body in predetermined locations each in a substantially straight path between said body upstream face and said body downstream face.   
     
     
         7 . The piping component of  claim 6 , wherein said body fastened with said ring by compression fit in which said ring heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool. 
     
     
         8 . The piping component of  claim 6 , wherein said body fastened with said ring with blocking shoulders. 
     
     
         9 . The piping component of  claim 6 , wherein said body downstream face being substantially flat. 
     
     
         10 . The piping component of  claim 6 , wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic. 
     
     
         11 . The piping component of  claim 6 , wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic. 
     
     
         12 . A piping system, comprising:
 a steel pipe; and   a flow conditioner fastened directly with said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand a fluid in said steel pipe and having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures in predetermined locations.   
     
     
         13 . The piping system of  claim 12 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw. 
     
     
         14 . The piping system of  claim 12 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin. 
     
     
         15 . The piping system of  claim 12 , wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat upstream face. 
     
     
         16 . The piping system of  claim 15 , wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat downstream face. 
     
     
         17 . The piping system of  claim 12 , wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic. 
     
     
         18 . The piping system of  claim 12 , wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic. 
     
     
         19 . A piping system, comprising:
 a steel pipe; and   a flow conditioner encased in said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand a fluid in said steel pipe.   
     
     
         20 . The piping system of  claim 19 , wherein said flow conditioner comprising a plurality of circular tubes. 
     
     
         21 . The piping system of  claim 19 , wherein said flow conditioner comprising equidistant spaced vanes extending between a longitudinal centerline of said steel pipe and the interior surface of said pipe. 
     
     
         22 . The piping system of  claim 19 , wherein said flow conditioner comprising a plurality of hexagonal tubes. 
     
     
         23 . The piping system of  claim 19 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw. 
     
     
         24 . The piping system of  claim 19 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin. 
     
     
         25 . A flow conditioner, comprising:
 a steel housing;   a plurality of flaps and fins disposed in said steel housing and fabricated from a non-metal material.   
     
     
         26 . The flow conditioner of  claim 25 , wherein at least one flap and one fin of said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said steel housing with an epoxy adhesive. 
     
     
         27 . The flow conditioner of  claim 25 , wherein at least one flap and one fin of said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said steel housing with screws. 
     
     
         28 . The flow conditioner of  claim 25 , wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic. 
     
     
         29 . The flow conditioner of  claim 25 , wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic. 
     
     
         30 . The flow conditioner of  claim 25 , further comprising a body fastened directly to said steel housing, wherein said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said body. 
     
     
         31 . The flow conditioner of  claim 30 , wherein said body fabricated from a non-metal material. 
     
     
         32 . A system for conditioning fluid, comprising:
 a steel pipe for transporting a moving fluid;   a measurement device disposed in said steel pipe; and   a flow conditioner disposed in said steel pipe upstream of said measurement device.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said flow conditioner comprising a steel housing defining an opening, and a body fabricated from a non-metal material and positioned at least in part within said steel housing opening. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein said body having a substantially flat upstream face and a substantially flat downstream face and a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures extending between said body upstream face and said body downstream face. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein said body connected to said steel housing by compression fit in which said steel housing heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein said body positioned with said steel housing with blocking shoulders. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein said measurement device comprising a flow meter. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened directly with said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand the fluid in said steel pipe and having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures in predetermined locations. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat upstream face.