Loose anti-rotation lock sleeve for pipe/flange assembly

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a loose anti-rotation lock sleeve design for use in a flange and pipe assembly. The design includes a lock sleeve positioned between a pipe and a flange to prevent rotation of the pipe relative to the flange. The lock sleeve includes at least two openings in a first end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least two pipe pins extending radially outward from the pipe. The lock sleeve further includes at least four openings in a second end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least four flange pins extending radially inward from the flange.

1 . An anti-rotation lock sleeve for use in a flange and pipe assembly, the lock sleeve positioned between a pipe and a flange to limit rotation of the pipe relative to the flange, the lock sleeve comprising:
 at least two openings in a first end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least two pipe pins extending radially outward from the pipe, the at least two openings extending completely radially through the first end of the lock sleeve; and   at least four openings in a second end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least four flange pins extending radially inward from the flange, the at least four openings including pockets extending only partially radially into the second end of the lock sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two openings in the first end of the lock sleeve includes two openings positioned about 180 degrees apart with respect to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two openings in the first end of the lock sleeve comprise slots that extend longitudinally from the first end of the lock sleeve towards the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least four openings in the second end of the lock sleeve are staggered with respect to the at least two openings in the first end of the lock sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least four openings in the second end includes four openings positioned about 90 degrees apart with respect to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the pockets in the second end of the lock sleeve include at least one curved edge. 
     
     
         7 . The anti-rotation lock sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the second end of the lock sleeve is larger than an outer diameter of the first end of the lock sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A lock sleeve for use in a flange and pipe assembly, the lock sleeve positioned between a pipe and a flange to limit rotation of the pipe relative to the flange, the lock sleeve comprising:
 a first section having at least two openings for receiving at least two pipe pins extending radially outward from the pipe, the at least two openings extending completely radially through the first section of the lock sleeve; and   a second section having at least four openings for receiving at least four flange pins extending radially inward from the flange, the at least four openings including pockets extending only partially radially into the second end of the lock sleeve,   wherein the first section and the section are joined at a stepped interface.