US 7,588,178 B2
Connecting conduits for fluids
Olav Vennemann, Wallenhorst (Germany); Axel Meyer, Hamburg (Germany); and F. Jorge Dos Santos, Luneburg (Germany)
Assigned to Acergy UK Limited, Bucksburn, Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
Appl. No. 10/416,352
PCT Filed Nov. 08, 2001, PCT No. PCT/GB01/04957
§ 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Dec. 15, 2003,
PCT Pub. No. WO02/39004, PCT Pub. Date May 16, 2002.
Claims priority of application No. 0027277.3 (GB), filed on Nov. 08, 2000.
Prior Publication US 2004/0089342 A1, May 13, 2004
Int. Cl. B23K 20/12 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 228—112.1  [228/2.1] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a tap through a metallic first wall at a desired tap location, the method comprising:
fitting against the metallic first wall a metallic connecting piece which comprises (i) a metallic mounting surface formed so as to fit directly against the metallic first wall and (ii) a metallic connecting wall surrounding the tap location providing an opening adapted for subsequent connection of a metallic conduit to complete said fluid connection, the material of said metallic mounting surface further extending at least partially within said opening;
bonding the material of the metallic connecting piece to that of the metallic first wall by means of a welding operation performed through said opening, the resulting weld surrounding the tap location and being surrounded in turn by the metallic connecting wall; and
subsequently removing the material of the metallic first wall at the tap location thereby to define an aperture and provide said conduit to complete said fluid connection surrounded by the weld between the metallic connecting piece and the wall.