Abstract: A method of attaching a tubular member, having an attachment flange defining a plurality of bolt holes, to a valve fitting comprising a valve body having a loading surface and a valve flange. The valve flange includes a flange, defining a plurality of bolt holes, for engaging the attachment flange and a plurality of axial loading members movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position protruding to bear on the loading surface. The method includes threading a threaded end of the valve flange onto a threaded end of the valve body, rotating the valve flange until the bolt holes of the valve flange are geometrically aligned with the bolt holes of the tubular member and moving at least one of the axial loading members into its second extended position to bear on the loading surface to impart an axial tensile force between the valve body and valve flange.

Abstract: A threaded connection comprising a first threaded member threadably connected with a second threaded member and an axial loading member. The first threaded member defines an opening for passage of the axial loading member therethrough, wherein the axial loading member protrudes from the first threaded member when in an extended position. The second threaded member has a loading surface defining a recess therein for receipt of the axial loading member when in the extended position such that the axial loading member bears on the loading surface and imparts an axial tensile force between the first and second threaded members. A method for connecting the members includes threading together the first and second threaded members, and passing the axial loading member through the opening defined by the first threaded member, so as to bear on the second threaded member within the recess, imparting the axial tensile force between the threaded members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a flanged connection between a tubular member having a flange and a valve fitting having a valve flange and a valve body, and in particular to an apparatus for axially loading the mated threads of the valve flange and the valve body after geometrical alignment of the bolt holes of the flange on the tubular member and of the bolt holes of the valve flange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a flanged connection between a tubular member having a flange and a valve fitting having a valve flange and a valve body, and in particular to an apparatus for axially loading the mated threads of the valve flange and the valve body after geometrical alignment of the bolt holes of the flange on the tubular member and of the bolt holes of the valve flange.