Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COUPLING
FIELD
100011 This application claims priority on US Patent Application No.
13/354,459 filed January 20, 2012,
US Patent Application No. 13/354,464 filed January 20, 2012, US Patent
Application No. 13/354,466
filed January 20, 2012 and US Patent Application No. 13/354,470 filed January
20, 2012.
[00021 This disclosure relates to piping. More specifically, this disclosure
relates to pipe coupling.
BACKGROUND
[00031 Pipe elements such as pipes, valves, and meters typically are not made
of one piece. Rather, such
pipe elements are formed in finite lengths and must be joined. One way
ofjoining such pipe elements
is through the use of a coupling member. A sealing gasket is typically
disposed in a coupling void of
at least one coupling segment which is thereafter tightened around the pipe
elements to be joined.
SUMMARY
100041 Disclosed is a slip-on coupling including at least one segment, each
segment including at least
one inner surface, at least one outer surface, at least two ends, and a
fastener pad protruding
proximate to each end, each fastener pad defining a fastener hole, each
fastener hole having an axial
length and a transverse length, wherein the transverse length is longer than
the axial length; an
annular gasket contacting the inner surface of at least one segment, the
annular gasket including at
least one sealing surface directed radially inwardly and an outer surface
directed radially outwardly;
and at least one fastener disposed within at least one fastener hole, each
fastener including a head
portion and a shaft portion, each shaft portion including at least one of a
threaded portion, a shank
portion, and a collar portion, wherein at least one portion of the shaft
portion is sized to engage at
least one fastener hole
100051 A coupling is disclosed including an annular gasket, the annular gasket
including at least one
sealing surface directed radially inwardly and an outer surface directed
radially outwardly; at least
one segment, each segment being approximately semi-circular and including at
least one inner
surface, at least one outer surface, and at least two ends, each segment
including a fastener pad
protruding proximate to each end, each fastener pad defining a fastener hole,
each end including at
least one of a tongue and a groove, each tongue protruding circumferentially
from at least one end,
each groove defined circumferentially in at least one end; and at least one
fastener, wherein at least
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one portion of a shaft portion of the fastener is sized to engage at least one
fastener hole in at least one
segment.
100061 An annular gasket is disclosed including an annular body; a pair of
sealing ribs each extending
substantially radially inwardly from the annular body and having an innermost
radial extent; and at
least one center rib extending substantially radially inwardly from the
annular body, the at least one
center rib having an innermost radial extent closer to the annular body than
the innermost radial
extent of each of the pair of sealing ribs.
100071 An annular gasket is disclosed including an annular body and a pair of
sealing ribs extending
substantially radially inward from the annular body, each sealing rib having a
sealing ridge, the
sealing ridge of each of the pair of sealing ribs having a sealing surface,
wherein the sealing surface is
about cylindrical at rest.Various implementations described in the present
disclosure may include
additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not
necessarily be expressly
disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that
all such systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure
and protected by the
accompanying claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
100081 The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to
emphasize the general
principles of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Corresponding features
and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference
characters for the
sake of consistency and clarity.
100091 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling in accord with one
embodiment of the
current disclosure.
100101 FIG. 2 is an outer perspective view of a segment of the coupling of
FIG. I.
100111 FIG. 3 is an inner perspective view of the segment of FIG. 2.
100121 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the segment of FIG. 2.
100131 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket of the coupling of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the coupling of FIG. 1 in an assembled and
untightened position.
100151 FIG. 7 is a side view of the coupling of FIG. 1 in an assembled and
tightened position, including a
cross-sectional view of pipe elements.
100161 FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 1 before
installation on pipe elements.
100171 FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. I during
installation on pipe elements.
100181 FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. I during
installation on pipe elements.
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[0019] FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 1 during
installation on pipe elements.
[0020] F1G. 8E is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 1 after
installation on pipe elements.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling taken in a plane
indicated by line 9 in FIG. 6.
100221 FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 1
assembled around pipe
elements and in an untightened position.
100231 FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 1
assembled around pipe
elements and in a tightened position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100241 Disclosed is a pipe coupling and associated methods, systems, devices,
and various apparatus.
The pipe coupling includes at least one segment, at least one tightening
element, and at least one
gasket. The pipe coupling is adapted to seal pipe elements in end-to-end
relationship. It would be
understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed pipe coupling is
described in but a few
exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description
should be considered
limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
100251 One embodiment of a pipe coupling 100 is disclosed and described in
FIG. I. The pipe coupling
100 of the current embodiment includes two segments 110,110' although any
number of segments
110 may be used in various embodiments. The current embodiment includes
tightening elements or
fasteners that are nut and bolt fasteners. Two bolts 120a,b are disposed to
interact with nuts 125a,b in
threaded engagement. Various types of tightening elements may be used in
various embodiments, and
the disclosure of bolts I20a,b, and nuts 125a,b should not be considered
limiting. Fastener pads
130a,b protrude from segment 110 and fastener pads 130a',b' protrude from
segment 110'. Fastener
holes 132a,b,a',b' are defined in fastener pads 130a,b,a',b', respectively. In
the current embodiment,
the fastener holes 132a,b,a',b' are about centered within the fastener pads
130a,b,a',13', although they
may be offset in various embodiments. Although the fastener pads I30a,b,a',b'
and fastener holes
132a,b,a',b' are described in the current configuration, various locations and
configurations of
fastener pads I 30a,b,a',b' and fastener holes 132a,b,a',b' are included in
various embodiments. A
gasket 150 is included with the pipe coupling 100. The gasket 150 of the
current embodiment is
annular and adapted to surround and to seal fluid piping, although various
configurations will be
included in various embodiments.
[0026] FIGs. 2, 3, and 4 show segment 110. In the current embodiment, segment
110' is substantially
identical to segment 110. As seen in FIG. 2, each segment 110 includes two
ends 203,207 and a
segment body 210 disposed bctween the two ends 203,207. Each segment 110 in
the current
embodiment is about semicircular, although other configurations may be used in
various
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embodiments. Proximate each end 203,207 is a shoulder 213,217 protruding
outwardly from the
segment 110. Each shoulder 213,217 provides a connection point for a fastener
which, in the current
embodiment, is a bolt 120. Each shoulder 213,217 includes fastener holes
132a,b defined in fastener
pads 130a,b.
[0027] Each segment body 210 includes a central portion 215 and at least one
edge portion 2256 (225a
not shown in FIG. 2). In the current embodiment, the edge portions 225a,b are
designed to interact
with a groove in the pipe elements to be sealed and joined, although some
embodiments may be
designed to interact with non-grooved pipe elements.
100281 As can be seen in FIG. 2, each fastener hole 132a,b includes a first
linear extent or an axial length
233,237 and a second linear extent or transverse length 243,247. The axial
lengths 233,237 and the
transverse lengths 243,247 are measured at top surfaces 364,314 of the
fastener pads 130a,b. These
dimensions increase through the fastener pads 130a,b in the current embodiment
because they are
cast, and a draft angle is used in casting. In various embodiments, these
dimensions may remain
constant if, for example, the fastener holes 132a,b are made via a machining
step. In the current
embodiment, each fastener hole 132a,b is about ovular in shape, although other
embodiments may
include various shapes. The shape of the current embodiment of the fastener
holes 132a,b provides
interference with the bolts I 20a,b to reduce rocking motion, as will be
described later with reference
to FIG. 9. Each segment 110 includes an outer surface 250 and an inner surface
260. A contact
surface 262b (262a shown in FIG. 3) is included on the inside of each edge
portion 225a,b. Also seen
in FIG. 2 is a tongue 280, as will be described in more detail with reference
to FIGs. 3, 4, and 6.
100291 As seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the tongue 280 protrudes from the end
207 of the segment 110.
The shoulder 217 can be seen protruding outwardly from the segment 110. In the
current
embodiment, the shoulder 217 includes a bottom surface 312 and a top surface
314. The bottom
surface 312 and the top surface 314 are substantially parallel in the current
embodiment and are
angled in order to ensure proper alignment upon deformable tightening of the
pipe coupling 100, as
will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 4. However, in some
embodiments, the bottom surface
312 and the top surface 314 are not angled. A wall 317 of the shoulder 217 is
seen along the outside
of the shoulder 217. The wall 317 in the current embodiment defines a draft
portion 316 having a
draft angle such that the thickness of the shoulder 217 at a beginning of the
draft 318 is thicker than
the thickness at an end of the draft 319. The angle of the draft portion 316
is consistent between the
beginning of the draft 318 and the end of the draft 319 so that the region
defining the draft angle is a
linear taper in the current embodiment, although other shapes may be used in
various embodiments. A
radiused portion 321 extends beyond the draft portion 316 to provide an end
334 of the shoulder 217
beyond the fastener hole 132b. The wall 317 includes an outer surface 322.
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[0030] As can be seen from the view of FIG. 3, the shoulder 217 includes a
taper portion 326. The taper
portion 326 terminates at the end 334 of the shoulder 217 and melds at the
other end with a parallel
portion 327 of the shoulder 217. As previously described, the bottom surface
312 is parallel to the top
surface 314 in the parallel portion 327. A ledge surface 331a,b provides a
quick transition to the taper
portion 326, which includes a taper bottom surface 332 that is not parallel to
the top surface 314. An
inner surface 335b of the fastener hole 132b can also be seen in the current
view.
[0031] The tongue 280 includes three portions in the current embodiment: a
central portion 342, a first
side portion 344, and a second side portion 346. The side portions 344,346 are
oriented with respect
to the central portion 342 such that an angle is formed between each. In the
current embodiment, the
angle is greater than ninety degrees. The tongue 280 includes an outer surface
352, an inner surface
354, and a mating surface 355. The mating surface 355 is angled at a tip angle
430, which is shown in
FIG. 4. The mating surface 355 is located on a leading edge of the tongue 280.
[0032] Shown along the other end 203 is the other shoulder 213. The shoulder
includes a bottom surface
362 and a top surface 364 that are substantially parallel. The shoulder 213
includes a draft portion 366
and a radiused portion 371. A taper portion 376 is included just like with
shoulder 203. A parallel
portion 377 is also included where the bottom surface 362 is parallel to the
top surface 364 in the
region. Ledge surfaces 381a,b (not shown) are also included just like ledge
surfaces 331a,b, and a
taper bottom surface 382 is also included.
100331 A groove 380 is defined in the shoulder 213. The groove 380 is sized to
accept the tongue 280.
The groove 380 includes a central wall 392 and two side walls 394,396. The
groove 380 is further
defined by a mating surface 395. In assembly, the mating surface 395 contacts
the mating surface
355' of another segment 110'. A groove shoulder surface 389 is included on the
inside of the groove
380. A draft portion 388 can be seen proximate the end of the segment 110
nearest the groove 380.
The draft portion 388 provides a relief from the inner surface 260 to the
mating surface 395 to line up
with the tongue 280', which is slightly set back from the inner surface 260'.
The draft portion 388
helps prevent the coupling 100 from pinching the gasket 150 during
installation, as pinching of the
gasket 150 can lead to failure of the gasket 150 including slicing and rupture
of the gasket 150. A
draft portion shoulder surface 387a,b (387b not shown) provides the part of
the step-down from a
shoulder surface 296a,b (296b not shown) to the mating surface 395.
100341 Each edge portion 225a,b of the segment 110 includes a contacting
portion 292a,b and a support
portion 294a,b. The contact surface 262a,b is included at the end of the
contacting portion 292a,b.
The shoulder surface 296a (296b not shown) can be seen at the inside end of
the support portion 294a
(inside end of the support portion 294b not shown). Three nodes 297a,298a
(299a,b and 297b,298b
not shown) protrude from the shoulder surface 296a,b between the support
portion 294a,b and the
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contacting portion 292a,b. Each node 297a,b and 298a,b include a width that
decreases from the
support portion 294a,b to the contacting portion 292a,b. Although the nodes
297a,b, 298a,b, and
299a,b are pyramidal in the current embodiment, they may be various shapes in
various embodiments.
[0035] The gasket 150 is designed to interact with the inner surface 260 of
each segment 110 in the pipe
coupling 100, as will be discussed with reference to FIG. 5.
[0036] As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the top surfaces 314,364
and the bottom surfaces
312,362 are aligned at angles 415,416,417,418 with respect to a horizontal
axis 420 of the segment
110. A vertical axis 425 is shown for reference. The angles 415,416,417,418
allow for deflection of
the segment 110 in use. In some embodiments, the angles 415,416,417,418 will
be zero such that the
top surfaces 314,364 are aligned with the horizontal axis 420 when no
deflection is present. The tip
angle 430 of the tongue 280 can be seen such that the mating surface 355 is
aligned angularly with
respect to the horizontal axis 420. The tip angle 430 is greater than the
other angles 415,416,417,418
in the current embodiment, although other configurations may be found in
various embodiments.
When the segment 110 is deflected, the mating surface 355 contacts the mating
surface 395 of another
segment 110. In various embodiments, the tip angle 430 is approximately the
same as the angles
415,417 of the top surface 314 and bottom surface 312, respectively.
[0037] Also seen in cross-sectional view, each fastener hole 132a,b is drafted
such that each fastener
hole 132a,b defines a cone-shaped void that is approximately ovular in cross-
section, although
various cross-sectional shapes may be found in various embodiments. As such,
each fastener hole
132a,b includes a smaller aperture at the top surface 314,364 than where the
fastener hole 132a,b
emerges into the taper bottom surface 332,382 and the bottom surface 312,362.
This configuration
may be omitted in various embodiments.
(0038] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the gasket 150 is ring-shaped and includes an
annular body 510 having
a radially outer surface 515. The radially outer surface 515 interacts with
the inner surface 260 of
each segment 110 in the pipe coupling 100. The radially outer surface 515 of
the annular body 510
includes a deformation groove 517. The annular body 510 includes side portions
proximate axial ends
of the annular body 510. Extending substantially radially inward from the side
portions of the annular
body 510 are a pair of sealing ribs 520a,b. Each sealing rib 520a,b extends
substantially radially
inwardly and increases in thickness from radially outside to radially inside.
Each sealing rib 520a,b
also has an axially outer surface 521a,b extending from the radially outer
surface 515 to the start of an
axially outer drafted edge 522a,b. Each axially outer surface 521a,b is angled
with respect to a radial
direction. The angle of each axially outer surface 521a,b is consistent around
the entirety of the
annular body 510, so that axially outer surfaces 521a,b are shaped as a
truncated cone. In the current
embodiment, each axially outer surface 521,a,b is angled between nineteen and
twenty-two degrees
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with respect to a radius of the gasket 150, although other configurations may
be present in various
embodiments.
[0039] Each sealing rib 520a,b has a sealing ridge 525a,b extending axially
inward from a radially
inward end 551a,b of each sealing rib 520a,b. Each sealing ridge 525a,b
extends substantially axially
inward from the radially inward end 551a,b of each sealing rib 520a,b, such
that the two sealing
ridges 525a,b extend toward each other. The axially outer drafted edges 522a,b
extend from the
radially inward end 551a,b to a contact portion 555a,b. Each axially outer
drafted edge 522a,b may be
rounded, slanted, or various shapes in cross-section in various embodiments.
Such cross-sectional
shapes translate to conical and paraboloid shapes in various embodiments. Such
shapes are truncated,
as a full cone or paraboloid would not allow insertion of pipe elements in the
gasket 150. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the axially outer drafted edges 522a,b are slanted
at an angle
approximately between 27 and 28 from a radial direction, although various
other angles may be
present in various embodiments. Contact portions 555a,b extend along the
sealing ridges 525a,b from
the axially outer drafted edges 522a,b to an axially inner drafted edge
527a,b. Each contact portion
555a,b includes a sealing surface 526a,b facing radially inward and coplanar
or collinear with each
other in the cross-sectional view. The coplanar/collinear arrangement in cross-
sectional view denotes
a coannular surface profile of the sealing surfaces 526a,b in the current
embodiment, although the
surfaces may be of different diameters in various embodiments. The sealing
surfaces 526a,b are
intended to contact pipe elements placed inside of the gasket 150 to provide a
fluid seal for the pipe
elements. The sealing surfaces 526a,b face radially inwardly and extend
substantially axially at rest.
In other words, by "face radially inwardly," when the sealing surfaces 526a,b
are not in contact with
pipe elements, the sealing surfaces 526a,b approximate a cylinder that is
about coaxial with the pipe
elements intended to be used with the coupling 100. Thus, the sealing surfaces
526a,b appear as lines
that are parallel with the axis of pipe elements 710 in cross-sectional view,
as seen in FIGs. 8A-8E.
Any angle with respect to the pipe elements 710 is minimal.
100401 The orientation of the sealing surfaces 526a,b is intended to ease the
insertion of pipe elements
into contact with the sealing surfaces 526a,b of gasket 150. Extending from
each sealing surface
526a,b is the axially inner drafted edge 527a,b. The axially inner drafted
edges 527a,b may be
rounded, slanted, or various shapes in cross-section in various embodiments.
Such cross-sectional
shapes translate to paraboloid and conical shapes in various embodiments. Such
shapes are truncated,
as a full cone or paraboloid would not allow insertion of pipe elements in the
gasket 150. The axially
inner drafted edges 527a,b define the termination of the sealing ridge 525a,b
along the axially inward
direction.
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100411 A center rib 530 extends radially inward from the annular body 510. The
center rib 530 includes a
central groove 531 and two sealing members 557a,b which each include a sealing
surface 532a,b.
Each sealing member 557a,b in the current embodiment is a rounded protrusion
from the central
groove 531. In various embodiments, various shapes and configurations of
sealing members 557a,b
may be used, including flattened shapes, combinations of protrusions, and
unconnected surfaces,
among others. The sealing surface 532a,b is included on the sealing member
557a,b,respectively. The
central groove 531 is positioned between the sealing surfaces 532a,b such that
the sealing surfaces
532a,b of the sealing members 557a,b are capable of contacting the pipe
elements and providing
additional sealing interaction therewith.
100421 Each sealing rib 520a,b has an innermost radial extent as measured from
the annular body 510. In
addition, each sealing rib 520a,b has an edge radial extent as measured from
the annular body 510 to
an axially innermost end of each of the axially inner drafted edges 527a,b.
The center rib 530 has an
innermost radial extent as measured from the annular body 510. The innermost
radial extent of the
center rib 530 is closer to the annular body 510 than the innermost radial
extent of each of the pair of
sealing ribs 520a,b. Additionally, in the current embodiment, the innermost
radial extent of the center
rib 530 is closer to the annular body 510 than the edge radial extent of each
of the pair of sealing ribs
520a,b. The innermost radial extent of the center rib 530 may be as far from
the annular body as, or
farther from the annular body 510 than, the edge radial extent of each of the
pair of sealing ribs
520a,b in various embodiments. The innermost radial extent of the center rib
530 may also be equally
as far from the annular body 510 as the innermost radial extent of each of the
pair of sealing ribs
520a,b in various embodiments.
100431 The gasket 150 may be made of rubber, plastic, cork, wood, metal,
ceramic, polymer, clastomer,
rosin, foam, any combination of the foregoing materials, or any material
suitable for sealing two pipe
elements joined in end-to-end relationship. "Pipe elements" may mean pipes,
valves, meters, or any
other piping joint suitable to be sealed.
100441 The annular body 510, the sealing ribs 520a,b, and the center rib 530
define gasket channels
540a,b as seen in FIG. 5. The gasket channels 540a,b are pockets into which
fluid media may flow
when the gasket 150 is in use. The gasket channels 540a,b are tubular channels
in the current
embodiment but may be various shapes in various embodiments. When placed in
sealing contact with
an exterior surface of a pipe element, the gasket channels 540a,b allow some
fluid pressure to aid in
sealing the sealing ridges 525a,b against pipe elements, although such use is
not necessary for
successful sealing of the gasket 150. The center rib 530 decreases in
thickness from its radial
outermost to its termination radially inward.
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[0045] In addition, when the gasket 150 is in use, the sealing members 557a,b
and the groove 531 act to
prevent substantial fluid media flow into the gasket channels 540a,b. When
placed in sealing contact
with exterior surfaces of pipe elements, the sealing surfaces 532a,b of the
sealing members 557a,b
prevent substantial fluid media flow into gasket channels 540a,b, retaining
fluid media flow in the
groove 531. The gasket, in alternative embodiments, may include a plurality of
center ribs, each with
at least one sealing member and at least one sealing surface, which perform
the same function as
described above to prevent substantial media flow into the gasket channels.
100461 One problem that the center rib 530 can alleviate is the buildup of
fluids in the gasket channels
540a,b. For example, in applications where fluid media is water in cold
temperature environments,
preventing water buildup in the gasket channels 540a,b can lead to damage to
the gasket 150 if the
water freezes and, thereby, expands.
[00471 FIG. 6 shows the coupling 100 in an assembled but untightened position.
It can be seen in this
view that each top surface 314,314' is parallel to each bottom surface
312,312', respectively.
Likewise, each top surface 364,364' is parallel to each bottom surface
362,362', respectively.
However, the fastener pads 130a,b,a',b' are not aligned. In other words, the
surfaces of adjacent
fastener pads 130a,b,a',b' are not parallel. As can be seen, top surface 314
is not parallel to top
surface 364 because angles 415 and 416 do not align. This angular misalignment
allows each segment
110,110' to deflect under tightening pressure of the bolts 120a,b and nuts
125a,b to provide so that
the top surfaces 314,314' and 364,364' are substantially parallel when the
segments 110,110' are
deformed. In various embodiments, the top surfaces 314,314' and 364,364' may
be parallel before
deforming the segments 110,110'. In such embodiments, the top surfaces
314,314' and 364,364' may
be non-parallel after deflection.
100481 As can be seen in FIG. 6, the groove shoulder surface 389 of segment
110' is angled so that it
aligns with an outer surface 352' of tongue 280' of segment 110' upon
deformation of the segments
110,110'as will be shown below in FIG. 7. Upon deformation of the segments
110,110' (as described
below), the grooved shoulder surface 389 of segment 110 becomes parallel and
flush with outer
surface 352' of tongue 280' of segment 110', and grooved shoulder surface 389'
of groove 380' of
segment 110' becomes parallel and flush with outer surface 352 of segment 110.
[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the annular nature of the gasket 150 defines
a coupling void 410 within
the gasket 150 that is adapted for certain diameters of pipe elements. In
practice, when pipe elements
are introduced within the gasket 150, they are placed inside the coupling void
410. Also seen in
FIG. 6, a central axis of each of the bolts 120a,b is parallel to the vertical
axis 425 such that heads
612a,b of the bolts 120a,b sit at an angle with the top surfaces 314, 316. In
alternative embodiments,
the bolts 120a,b may be angled with respect to the vertical axis 425 such that
heads of the bolts
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120a,b sit flush against the top surfaces 314,364. In the current embodiment,
the gasket 150 sits
within the segments 110,110'. Each of the sealing surfaces 526a,b of the
gasket 150 has the same
cylindrical profile and the same radius as the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b'.
In alternative
embodiments, the sealing surfaces 526a,b of the gasket 150 may have a smaller
or a larger radius than
the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b'. In many embodiments, sealing surfaces
526a,b are in contact with
the outer surfaces of the pipe elements before the tightening elements (bolts
120a,b and nuts 125a,b)
are engaged. In those embodiments, further compression of the gasket 150 will
not necessarily
produce a more effective seal. However, in other embodiments, it may be
necessary for the segments
110,110' to compress the gasket 150 to effectuate a useful seal against the
outer surface of the pipe
elements. In many embodiments, sealing surfaces 532a,b are positioned in
contact with or slightly
above contact with the pipe elements. In those embodiments, deformation of the
gasket 150 is
necessary to seal the sealing surfaces 532a,b against the pipe elements. In
some embodiments,
however, sealing surfaces 532a,b are in sufficient engagement with the pipe
elements prior to
engagement of the tightening elements (bolts 120a,b and nuts 125a,b) so that
further tightening does
not necessarily effectuate a better seal.
[0050] Upon compression of the gasket 150 by the segments 110,110', the gasket
150 will most naturally
deform from about circular in shape to an oblong shape. In most applications,
compression by the
segments 110,110' on the gasket 150 will compress the gasket along the
vertical axis 425, but the
gasket 150 will tend to extend along the horizontal axis 420. This occurs
particularly because the
segments 110,110' first contact the pipe elements¨and, thus, first compress
the gasket 150¨at a
point central to the segments 110,110'. As shown in FIGs. 4 and 6, the tongues
280,280' of the
segments 110,110' extend beyond the horizontal axis 420, thereby preventing
the annular
deformation of the gasket 150. Deformation of the gasket 150 is properly
directed to the deformation
groove 517 by the tongue 280 and groove 380 configuration of the coupling 100.
The restraint against
oblong deformation provided by the tongues 280,280' promotes more uniform
compression of the
gasket 150 against the pipe elements, thereby providing a more reliable seal.
[0051] Tightening of the tightening elements (bolts 120a,b and nuts 125a,b)
seats the gasket 150 against
the pipe elements. When the segments 110,110' are properly deformed and the
gasket 150 is properly
seated, the coupling 100 restrains the pipe elements from pullout because the
contacting portion
292a,b.a',b' (not shown in FIG. 6) of each segment 110,110' is seated inside
at least one groove of at
least one pipe element. The gasket 150 is compressed in sealed engagement with
the pipe elements. In
some embodiments, the sealing members 557a,b may be replaced by a single
sealing member that
extends between the two pipes. Such deformation allows heads 612a,b of the
bolts 120a,b to seat
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
flush against the top surfaces 314,364 of segment 110 while nuts 125a,b seat
flush against the top
surfaces 314',364' of segment 110'.
100521 When properly seated, media (such as water, gas, or other fluid) may be
allowed to flow through
the pipe elements. The gasket 150 seals such media in at least one of two
ways. If the gasket 150 is
compressed so that sealing surfaces 532a,b of the sealing members 557a,b are
properly seated against
the outside of the pipe elements, such sealing interaction may be sufficient
to contain the media inside
the pipe elements without breaching the joint. In some applications, such
sealing engagement may be
impossible to attain, or the pressure of media within the pipe elements may be
too great for such a
sealing engagement to effectuate a proper seal. In such applications, media
may travel past the sealing
members 557a,b and into the gasket channels 540a,b.
100531 If media passes into the gasket channels 540a,b, there are two
safeholds against leakage. First, in
many applications, sealing surfaces 526a,b are in sealing engagement with the
pipe elements prior to
compression of the gasket 150 by the segments 110,110', and further
compression of the gasket 150
enhances such sealing engagement. In other applications, sealing engagement of
the gasket 150 with
the pipe elements is achieved by compression of the gasket 150 by the segments
110,110'. Second, if
media passes into the gasket channels 540a,b, it is assumed that such media is
of a higher pressure
than atmospheric. As such, the higher pressure in the gasket channels 540a,b
further forces the sealing
ridges 525a,b against the pipe elements. The higher pressure results in an
even more effective seal by
using the pressure of the media inside the pipe elements to effectuate a more
complete seal. If liquid
media is found in the pipe, such liquid may provide additional air-tight seal
to further aid the
engagement of the gasket 150 with the pipe elements. In some embodiments, gas-
proofing grease
may be applied to the contact surfaces 526a,b and 532a,b to aid in sealing. In
many embodiments,
grease is unnecessary.
100541 In the current embodiment, the coupling 100 is assembled in the
untightened position of FIG. 6
before use. En other embodiments, the coupling 100 may be assembled in various
pieces as part of the
method of use.
100551 The coupling 100 in FIG. 7 is shown tightened and deformed around a
pair of pipe elements
7I0b,a (710a not shown in FIG. 7). The segments 110,110' in the current view
are fully deformed in
the current embodiment, and contact surfaces 262b,a' touch a groove surface
714b,a (714a not shown
in FIG. 7), which is the outer surface of the pipe element 710 within the
groove 720b,a (not shown in
FIG. 7). Contact surface 262a of segment 110 and contact surface 2626' of
segment 110' are not
shown in FIG. 7 because they are obstructed by the view. As described above,
in some embodiments,
the shoulder surfaces 296a,b,a',b' may contact an outermost surface of each
pipe element 710a,b
outside of the groove 720b,a (not shown in FIG. 7), and the contact surfaces
262a,b,a',b' may never
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
contact the groove surface 714a,b of each pipe element 710a,b within each
groove 720a,b. In other
embodiments, the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b' contact the groove surfaces
714a,b.
100561 When the segments 110,110' travel toward each other and deform under
the tightening of the
tightening elements (nuts 120a,b and bolts 125a,b), the gasket 150 is deformed
in accord therewith. In
some embodiments, a rigid or semi-rigid gasket 150 may be included. The
process for
accommodating such a material may be altered from that described herein. The
gasket 150 includes
the deformation groove 517 to allow a place for material to go upon
deformation of the gasket 150.
100571 Installation of the coupling 100 on the pair of pipe elements 710a,b is
illustrated in FIGs. 8A-8E.
For the current embodiment, the coupling 100 is introduced to a pair of pipe
elements 710a,b in the
preassembled but untightened position of FIG. 6. Each pipe element 710a,b may
include at least one
groove 720a,b for alignment with contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b'. In the
currently described method, the
coupling 100 is aligned with an end 725a of the first pipe element 710a as
shown in FIG. 8A. The
coupling 100 is installed by placing the end 725a of the first pipe element
710a in the coupling void
410 and forcing the coupling 100 onto the first pipe element 710a as shown in
FIG. 8B. As seen in
FIG. 8B, sealing surfaces 526a,b and sealing surfaces 532a,b are a small
distance away from an outer
surface 715a of the first pipe element 710a, although the sealing surfaces
526a,b and 532a,b may
contact the outer surface 715a in some embodiments. In the currently-described
method, the entire
coupling 100 is forced beyond the groove 720a of the first pipe element 710a
so that the contact
surfaces 262b,b' have passed the groove 720a. In some embodiments, it may not
be necessary to force
the entire coupling 100 beyond the groove 720a. As seen in FIG. 8C, the second
pipe element 710b
having an end 725b is introduced in end-facing relationship to the end 725a of
the first pipe element
710a. In the current embodiment, the pipe elements 710a,b are approximately
the same diameter,
although non-uniform diameter pipe elements may be joined in various
embodiments. In the current
embodiment, each pipe element 710a,b has ends 725a,b that are flared slightly.
Grooves 720a,b can
be formed in one of two ways: rolled or machined. If the grooves 720a,b are
machined, the pipe
elements 710a,b are unlikely to have flares on the ends 725a,b as shown.
However, if the grooves
720a,b are rolled, the pipe elements 710a,b are more likely to have flares on
the ends 725a,b. As such,
the coupling 100 of the current embodiment is designed to accommodate the
potential flaring of ends
725a,b. The coupling 100 is sized to fit over the largest possible flare of
the ends 725a,b in the current
embodiment based on standard tolerancing for creating the grooves 720a,b.
100581 When the second pipe element 710b is about aligned with the first pipe
element 710a, the
coupling 100 is moved so that the gasket 150 is aligned on outer surfaces
715a,b over the ends 725a,b
of the pipe elements 710a,b and with the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b' aligned
with the grooves
720a,b, as shown in FIG. 8D. As seen in FIG. 8E, when the segments 110,110'
are clamped down, the
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
gasket 150 deforms into sealing engagement the outer surfaces 715a,b of the
pipe elements 710a,b
and the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b' sit within the grooves 720a,b and touch
groove surfaces 714a,b.
In various embodiments, the contact surfaces 262a,b,a'b' may not touch groove
surfaces 714a,b upon
clamping down the segments 110,100'.
100591 Several features of the gasket 150 ease installation as described.
Friction can cause installation of
rubber gaskets to bind against outer surfaces 715a,b of pipe elements 710a,b.
With reference to
FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and the method previously described with FIGs. 8A-8E,
axially outer drafted
edges 522a,b and axially inner drafted edges 527a,b are both drafted to ease
the pipe elements 710
into the coupling void 410. Axially outer drafted edges 522a,b and axially
inner drafted edges 527a,b
also help to prevent rollover of the sealing ridges 525a,b of the gasket 150
during sliding on and off,
as the drafted profiles are less likely to bind against the outer surfaces
715a,b of the pipe elements
710a,b. Additionally, contact portions 555a,b are substantially parallel to
the outer surface 715a,b of
the pipe elements 710a,b even when the gasket 150 is not seated on a pipe
elements 710a,b.
Additionally, the configuration of the center rib 530 with respect to the
sealing ribs 527a,b, as
discussed above with reference to FIG. 5, prevents the center rib 530 from
obstructing the installation
of the coupling 100 by providing limiting contact between the center rib 530
and the outer surface
715a,b of pipe elements 710a,b before deformation of the gasket 150. When the
segments 110,110'
are clamped down, the gasket 150 deforms, and the center rib 530 contacts the
outer surface 715a,b of
pipe elements 710a,b. This configuration allows the gasket 150 to slide onto
the pipe elements 710a,b
without biasing the sliding in one direction and prevents binding of the
sealing ridges 525a,b during
installation. These features prevent the gasket 150 from rolling over when the
coupling 100 is
installed on the pipe elements 710a,b and allows the gasket 150 to be properly
placed over the joint
between the pipe elements 710a,b for proper sealing, among other advantages.
When the gasket 150
is properly aligned over the joint, each of the sealing members 557a,b may
contact the outer surface
715a,b of one pipe element 710a,b or may be aligned above the surface 710a,b
of the pipe elements
715a,b. However, the alignment of the sealing members 557a,b is not critical
to effectuate a seal of
the joint.
100601 When the coupling 100 is aligned on the joint of the pipe elements
710a,b, the tightening
elements are used to draw the segments 110,110' together. In the current
embodiment, this takes the
form of nuts 125a,b tightening down on bolts 120a,b to compress the fastener
pads 130a,b,a',b'
toward each other. In some embodiments, the coupling 100 is rigid and includes
no deflection of the
segments 110,110'. In the current embodiment, the engagement of the tightening
elements (bolts
120a,b and nuts 125a,b) first cause the segments 110,110' to travel toward
each other. When the
segments 110,110' contact the pipe elements 710a,b, the segments 110,110'
deform (deflection) until
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
each segment 110,110' is in the desired engagement with the pipe elements
710a,b. The deformation
of the segments 110,110' can be seen by comparing FIGs. 6 and 7. The contact
surfaces 262a,b,a',b'
contact groove surfaces 714a,b of the grooves 720a,b in the pipe elements, at
which time the
segments 110,110' begin deflection. In some embodiments, shoulder surfaces
296a,b,a',b' (refer to
FIG. 4 for the location of shoulder surfaces 296a,b,a',b') contact the outer
surface of the pipe
elements such that the contact surfaces 262a,b,a',b' never contact the groove
surfaces 714a,b.
[00611 As can be seen in FIG. 7, the segments 110,110' may deflect so that
bottom surfaces 362,362' are
in contact with bottom surfaces 312',312, respectively, in some embodiments.
This configuration
need not be present in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the mating
surfaces 355,355' will
contact mating surfaces 395',395, respectively, before the bottom surfaces
362,362' contact bottom
surfaces 312',312, respectively. In some embodiments, bottom surfaces 362,362'
will contact bottom
surfaces 312',312 before mating surfaces 355,355' contact mating surfaces
395',395, respectively.
Because of the deflection and deformation of the segments 110,110', the angles
415,416,417,418, as
pointed out in FIG. 4 (angles 415',416',417',418' not shown), are reduced as
the top surfaces
314,314' and 364,364' and the bottom surfaces 312,312' and 362,362' approach a
position parallel
with the horizontal axis 420. As shown, mating surfaces 355,355' are in
contact with mating surfaces
395',395, respectively, as well.
[00621 Seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, each bolt 120a,b (b not
shown in FIG. 9) includes a
head 612a,b (b not shown in FIG. 9), a threaded portion 810a,b (b not shown in
FIG. 9), a shank
portion 815a,b (b not shown in FIG. 9), and a collar portion 820a,b (b not
shown in FIG. 9).
Combined together, each threaded portion 810a,b, shank portion 815a,b, and
collar portion 820a,b is
termed the shaft portion. Each shaft portion may omit any combination of the
threaded portion 810,
shank portion 815, and collar portion 820 in various embodiments. The nuts
125a,b (b not shown in
FIG. 9) engage the bolts 120a,b (b not shown in FIG. 9) along part of the
threaded portion 810a,b.
Tightening of the nuts 125a,b compresses the fastener pads 130a,b,a',b' and
deforms the segments
110,110' to conform to the shape of the pipe elements, as previously
described.
100631 As previously described, when the coupling 100 is installed onto pipe
elements, the assembled
and untightened coupling 100 is installed over the edge of the first pipe
element 710a until it passes
completely over any groove 720a in the first pipe element 710a after which the
second pipe element
710b is placed end-facing to the first pipe element 710a. The coupling 100 is
then slid into position
straddling the first and second pipe elements 710a,b. Although (as previously
described) it is common
for gaskets to bind during such installation, it is also possible for friction
to cause rocking of the
segments 110,110' not only against any gasket but also against the exterior of
the pipe elements
710a,b. If a leading edge of one segment 110,110' catches against the exterior
of the pipe element
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
710a,b, the segments 110,110' have a tendency to rock with respect to each
other. Rocking of
segments 110,110' can cause additional binding of the gasket 150, making
installation of the
coupling 100 difficult and potentially damaging to components of the coupling
100, including the
gasket 150.
100641 The shape of the fastener hole I 32a (see FIG. 2) includes an axial
length 233 (axial length 237 of
fastener hole 132b not shown) that tends to prevent such rocking of the
segments 110. For the
fasteners of the current embodiment, each of the heads 612a,b, threaded
portions 810a,b, and shank
portions 815a,b are symmetrical about the center of the bolt 120a,b,
respectively. The shank portions
815a,b are cylindrical, the threaded portions 810a,b are cylindrical except
that each has threading
along its outermost edge, and the heads 612a,b are cross-sectionally circular
at cross-sections taken
orthogonal to the center axis. However, the collar portions 820a,b are not
cylindrical but instead
include a profile approximating that of the fastener holes 132a,b as measured
at the top surfaces
364,314. Each collar portion 820a,b includes an axial length 830a,b that is
about the same as the
diameter of the shank portions 815a,b. The collar portions 820a,b also include
a transverse length (not
shown) that is proportionally larger than the axial length 830a,b. The axial
length 830a,b of each
collar portion 820a,b may be smaller than the axial length 233,237 of each
fastener hole 132a,b, the
transverse length of each collar portion 820a,b may be smaller than the
transverse length 243,247 of
each fastener hole 132a,b, and the axial length 233,237 of each fastener hole
132a,b is smaller than
the transverse length 830a,b of each collar portion 820a,b.
100651 The arrangement of each collar portion 820a,b engages the fastener hole
132a,b in assembly and
retains the bolt 120 in a fixed arrangement with respect to the segment 110 in
each fastener hole
132a,b. This allows a user to tighten the nuts 125a,b without need to restrain
the bolts 120a,b, as the
collar portions 820a,b retain the bolts 120a,b through interaction with the
fastener holes I32a,b. This
result occurs because the axial length 233,237 of each fastener hole 132a,b is
smaller than the
transverse length 830a,b of each collar portion 820a,b. Such an arrangement
would result even if the
orientation of the fastener holes 132a,b were at a different angle.
100661 However, the arrangement as displayed also prevents the rocking of the
segments 110,110' by
keeping the shank portions 815a,b, the collar portions 820a,b, and the
threaded portions 8I0a,b in
close proximity to the inner surfaces 335a,b,a',b' of the fastener holes
132a,b,a',b'. Should one of the
segments 110,110' begin a rocking motion, at least one of the inner surfaces
335a,b,a',b' will contact
at least one of the bolts 120a,b along at least one of the collar portions
820a,b, the shank portions
815a,b, and the threaded portions 810a,b thereby providing a mechanical stop
to prevent further
rotation of the segments 110,110' with respect to the bolts 120a,b and,
thereby, with respect to the
other segment 110',110.
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
100671 Although all sides of the fastener holes 132a,b,a',b' are shown as
drafted in the current
embodiment, some sides may be drafted or may be parallel in various
embodiments. For example, in
the current embodiment, fastener holes 132a,b,a',b' are drafted because the
segments 110,110' are
cast. However, if fastener holes 132a,b,a',b' were machined, it would not be
necessary to draft the
fastcner holes 132a,b,a',b'.
[00681 As seen in FIG. 10, each pair of contact surfaces 262a,b and 262a',b'
(262b and 262b' shown in
FIGs. 10 and 11) defines a predeformation radius 1001,1001'. Likewise, each
pipe element 710a,b
defines a radius 1002a,b. In the current embodiment, when the coupling 100 is
in the untightened
position, the predeformation radii 1001,1001' of each pair of contact surfaces
262a,b and 262a',b',
respectively, is greater than the radii 1002a,b of the pipe elements 710a,b.
Groove radii 1003a,b are
also shown on the pipe elements 710a,b, respectively. Because the
predeformation radii 1001,1001'
are larger than the radii 1002a,b, the coupling 100 can be more easily
maneuvered over each pipe
element 710a,b as described more thoroughly with reference to FIGs. 8A-8E.
Having larger
predeformation radii 1001,1001' than radii 1002a,b allows the coupling 100 to
be slid onto the pipe
elements 710a,b as a preassembled unit. As described above, once the coupling
100 is aligned over
the pipe elements 710a,b, no further assembly of the coupling 100 is required.
Instead, the user need
only tighten the nuts 125a,b on the bolts 120a,b to secure the coupling 100 in
sealing engagement
with the pipe elements 710a,b.
[00691 As seen in FIG. 11, once the nuts 125a,b are tightened onto the bolts
120a,b, each segment
110,110' of the coupling 100 deforms in conformity with the grooves 720a,b.
Once deformed, a
postdeformation radius 1101,1101' is defined by each pair of contact surfaces
262a,b and 262a',b'
(262b and 262b' shown in FIGs. 10 and 11), respectively. In the current
embodiment, each
postdeformation radius 1101,1101' is equal to the groove radii 1003a,b because
the contact surfaces
262a,b,a',b' contact the groove surfaces 714a,b. In embodiments where the
contact surfaces
262a,b,a',b' do not contact the groove surfaces 714a,b, the postdeformation
radii 1101,1101' may be
larger than the groove radii 1003a,b. Although not required in all
embodiments, the postdeformation
radii 1101,1101' will likely be smaller than the radii 1002a,b even if the
postdeformation radii
1101,1101' is larger than the groove radii 1003a,b.
[00701 This assembly configuration represents one of many possible assembly
configurations. One
skilled in the art will understand obvious variations of this assembly
configuration are included within
this disclosure, including variations of steps, combinations of steps, and
dissections of steps, among
others. Where materials are chosen for the elements of this
assembly¨particularly, rubber, metal, and
cast iron¨similar material choices may also be used and would be obvious to
one in the art. As
previously disclosed, the gasket 150 may be made of rubber, plastic, cork,
wood, metal, ceramic,
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CA 3066801 2020-01-07
polymer, elastomer, rosin, foam, any combination of the foregoing materials,
or any material suitable
for sealing two pipe elements joined in end-to-end relationship. The segments
110,110' may be made
of cast iron, steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass, various plastics,
polymers, resins, or any
material of sufficient strength to withstand the tightening load of the
fasteners.
100711 It should be emphasized that the embodiments described herein are
merely possible examples of
implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles
of the present disclosure.
Many variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiment(s)
without departing
substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure.
Further, the scope of the present
disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations
of all elements,
features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations
are intended to be
included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible
claims to individual
aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by
the present disclosure.
100721 One should note that conditional language, such as, among others,
"can," "could," "might," or
"may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within
the context as used, is
generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other
embodiments do not
include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional
language is not generally
intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required
for one or more
particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily
include logic for
deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features,
elements and/or steps are
included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
[0073] Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include
additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly
disclosed herein but will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the
following detailed description
and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods,
features, and advantages
be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying
claims.
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