Preload apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a preload to mated pipes including a ring-shaped body formed by a sidewall and an attachment structure on a portion of the body. The ring-shaped body includes an aperture that extends through the sidewall. The attachment structure corresponds to an attachment portion of a pipe in the mated pipes and the attachment structure enables removable fastening of the body to the pipe. The apparatus may further include an adjustable preload mechanism that can be removably attached to the body to hold the body in a preloaded position. The preload mechanism can be adjusted to release a portion of the preload held by the body.