Patent attributes
Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an improved hub clamping system and method used to connect and seal a pair of API hubs. The hub clamping system generally includes a plurality of individually operated clamp units assembled within a single outer retaining ring. The clamp units disposed in the retaining ring may provide a multi-segment clamping arrangement to hold the API hubs together. The clamp units may each include a collet mechanism having a slanted surface shaped to engage one of the pair of hubs, a housing mounted to the outer retaining ring, and a screw device coupled to the collet mechanism via threads and disposed within the housing. The screw device may be rotatable relative to the housing to selectively move the collet mechanism between an activated position and a retracted position relative to the hubs.
