Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
j This invention relates to methods for joining lengths
jof non-threaded metal pipe. More particularly, it relates to
methods and apparatus for interference fit joining and
!interlocking lengths of lined conduit to form a continuously lined ¦
¦conduit and to the joint or coupling formed such methods.
Various methods have been used for joining lengths
of pipe to form a continuous conduit. Perhaps the most common
pipe joining method involves the joining of an externally
threaded pin end of one pipe section with an internally threaded
box end of another pipe section. The interconnection is generally
called a joint and in the case of threaded ends is called a
threaded joint.
While satisfactory for many purposes, threaded pipe
joints are relatively expensive to prepare and considerable
time is required to form a junction therebetween. For example,
at least one of the lengths of pipe must be rotated to join two
threaded pipe lengths, thereby rendering it difficult if not
impossible to join two relatively long lengths of pipe with
conventional threaded ends.
!! Other coupling methods, such as welding, are commonly
¦lused to join pipe. However, in many applications it is necessary !
Ito provide the entire inner surface of a conduit with a protective~
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I 114~18~ 1l I
1 lliner. The internal surfaces are best protected with a liner
jof polyvinyl chloride bonded to the internal surface of the pipe
las described in U.S. Patent No. 3,75a,361 to John J. Hunter or
lother lining materials such as polyester resins or the like.
When the internal surface of the conduit is protected by such
liners (referred to herein as "plastic" liners), means must be
provided for joining the liners at the junction of two pipe
jlengths so that the liner is continuous and the entire internal
Isurface of the conduit formed is continuously lined. Because of
Ithe heat required in welding pipe ends together, welding cannot
be commonly used to join lengths of lined pipe since the plastic
liner will melt and separate from the pipe walls when the pipe
is welded.
For forming conduits in which the pressure of the
lS fluid to be conducted through the pipe is relatively low,
various types of non-threaded joints have been devised. Non-
threaded joints are typically formed by enlarging the internal
diameter of one end of the pipe section to a diameter slightly
less than the external diameter of the pipe. The enlarged end
is commonly referred to as a bell and the end of the adjoining
pipe which fits within the bell is commonly referred to as the
pin end or spigot. Conventionally, the bell is formed by forcing
a mandrel of desired shape into one end of the pipe to form a
bell of enlarged dimensions with a flared end so that the pin
end may be inserted into the flared portion and forced into the
remaining portion of the bell. Such joints are referred to as
¦interference fit joints and are commonly used in applications
wherein the pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit is
~141~1~5
i
1 Irelatively low, such as, for example, in automobile exhaust
Ipipes and the like. Since the internal diameter of the bell
lis less than the external diameter of the pin, the bell must be
!slightly expanded radially as the pin is axially inserted
¦therein. The difference in diameters is conventionally known
¦Ias the interference and the friction between the walls interference
¦Ifitted together forms the joint or coupling force.
One of the main advantages of interference fit joints
¦is that they may be formed relatively quickly and inexpensively
Iand neither pipe section need be rotated to form the junction.
Furthermore, since excessive heat is not required to form an
interference fit joint, plastic lined pipe sections may be
formed with appropriately designed ends on the plastic liner
which mate or overlap in some manner to form a fully lined
conduit on assembly. Among the disadvantages of conventional
interference fit joints is that the joint is usually incapable
of withstanding high pressures and will either leak or separate
if the joint is subjected to high internal pressures.
Various methods for joininq ends of lined pipe have
~0 been devised whereby a fully lined conduit is formed. However,
in most cases the ends of the lined pipe are specially preparec
with lining extending out of one end of the pipe in some
particular form so that a fully lined conduit is formed when the
specially prepared ends are joined. Where the liner is a tubular
liner inserted in the pipe and bonded thereto, provisions may
Ibe made to appropriately extend the liner from the end of the
jpipe so that overlapping ends of the liner form a fully lined
Iconduit when the pipe sections are joined by interference fit
¦Imetho s. However, where the liner is formed in place, such as
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1~0185
1 !by spraying a coating onto the internal surface of the pipe,
lit has been heretofore irnpossible to form a fully lined conduit
¦Iby interference fit coupling. Fuxthermore, it is frequently
Inecessary to remove a portion of a conduit formed from lined
Isections to replace darnaged or faulty sections or to interconnect
the conduit with other conduits through a T or the like.
When such repairs or alterations are made, a pipe section rnust
be cut and the open end thereof joined with another pipe section
or other conduit means.
It will be observed, however, that when a plastic
¦lined pipe has been cut, the end facing of the rnetal pipe is
¦exposed. Accordingly, unless special precautions are taken
to protect the exposed end facing of the pipe, the exposed end
will be in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit
when the conduit is rejoined.
It will be appreciated, of course, that a conventional
flange cannot be welded directly to thin-walled pipe which has
a plastic liner since the heat generated by the welding process
will ordinarily destroy the liner. Purthermore, the pipe is
frequently of such thin-walled construction that it cannot be
conveniently threaded to attach a flange or nipple. Accordingly,
alternative joining means is required.
Conventional interference fit joints cannot ke formec
since the conduit is lined. Interference fit joints may be
formed in accordance with the invention, however, with either
¦Ithick-walled or thin-walled lined pipe by using a coupling sleeve
to join the ends of the lined pipe and special means for
protecting the end faces of the metal pipe within the sleeve
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185
1 j In accordance with the invention, methods and apparatus
¦lare providcd for joining the ends of two lined metal pipe sections
¦in which the ends of the liner and the end faces of the metal pipe
~lare substantially coterminous to form a continuous fully lined
Iconduit The end faces of the metal pipe sections are protected
¦by a plastic collar which is inserted in the open end of the
jlined pipe and has a flange extending radially to cover the end
llf the metal pipe. The flanged collars are forced together
jiinside a couplin~ sleeve which joins the two pipe sections
¦¦together by an interference fit coupling. A band of plastic
lliner is carried in an annular recess in the coupling sleeve
¦to mate with the radial edges of the flanged plastic collars
Iso that the conduit is fully lined. The ends of the sleeve are
¦then depressed into the pipe to form a mechanical interlock.
Accordingly, a connection is formed wherein tl-e ends of the pipe
section are joined to provide a fully lined conduit. Furthermore,
the joint is formed conveniently and rapidly without application
of sufficient heat to damage the lined pipe and the interconnectior
is sufficiently mechanically interlocked to withstand any
internal pressure which the remainder of the conduit will with-
stand.
The interconnection method of the invention may be
!conveniently used in the field to make repairs or alterations
¦in existing lined conduits since rotation of the pipe is not
Irequired to form the joint. In an alternative embodiment of
! the invention~ the plastic collar may be inserted into the
Ipin end of a lined pipe and used to complete a fully lined
11~`t~18S
junction with the bell end of another appropriately coated pipe section.
Accordingly, the invention also provides a means for coupling spray-coated
lined pipe by interference fit methods to fonn a fully lined junction.
Broadly stated, the invention provides a coupling joint inter-
connecting two lengths of metal pipe comprising: (a) first pipe means having
a plastic liner on the internal surface thereof, the end face of said plastic
liner substantially coterminous with the end face of said pipe means;
(b) an end fdce collar comprising a tubular plastic body, the external
diameter thereof substantially conforming to the internal diameter of said
liner in said first pipe means and having a radially extending flange at
one end thereof, said end face collar positioned within the open end of
said first pipe with said radially extending flange adjacent the end face
of said first pipe means; and (c) second pipe means having an internal
diameter at the open end thereof less than the external diameter of said
first pipe means and having a plastic liner on the internal surface
thereof, the end of said plastic liner terminating within said second
pipe means at a point removed from the open end thereof, wherein the end
of said first pipe means is telescopically interference fit within the open
end of said second pipe means and said radially extending flange overlaps
said plastic liner in said second pipe means.
Another broad aspect of the invention provides a method of
joining the open ends of two sections of metal pipe each having a plastic
liner bonded to the internal surface thereof to form a continuously lined
conduit comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a plastic collar in the
open end of one of said pipe sections, said plastic collar comprising a
cylindrical body having outer dimensions substantially conforming to the
inner dimensions of the liner in the pipe and having a flange extending
radially from one end thereof to mate with the end facing of the open end
of the pipe; and (b) telescopically inserting the open end of said one
pipe section into open end of the other pipe section until said flange
mates with the liner in said other pipe section.
Another broad aspect of the invention provides a method of
joining the open ends of two sections of metal pipe each having plastic
liners bonded to the internal surfaces thereof to form a continuously
lined conduit comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a plastic end face
collar in the open end of each of said pipe sections, said plastic collar
comprising a cylindrical body having outer dimensions substantially con-
forming to the inner dimensions of the liner in the pipe and having a flange
extending radially from one end thereof to mate with the end facing of the
open end of the pipe; and.(b) inserting the open ends of said pipe sections
in opposite ends of a coupling sleeve having an internal diameter less than
the external diameter of said pipe sections prior to insertion of said
pipe ends thereinto until said flanges meet in abutting relationship.
In another aspect of the invention a coupling sleeve is pro-
vided for joining the ends of two metal pipe sections comprising a cylindri-
cal body having an internal diameter less than the external diameter of
said pipe sections, an approximately centrally located annular recess in
the internal surface thereof, and a cylindrical plastic band having an
internal diameter at least as small as the internal diameter of said
coupling sleeve positioned within said annular recess.
The invention also broadly provides a coupling joint inter-
connecting two sections of plastic lined metal pipe comprising: (a~ a
plastic end face collar positioned within the end of each pipe section,
said end face collar comprising a cylindrical body with its outer surface
mating with the inner surface of the liner in the end portion of the
plastic liner and having a flange radially extending from one end thereof,
said flange mating with the end face of said pipe section; and (b) a
coupling sleeve comprising a cylindrical body having an internal diameter
less than the external diameter of said pipe sections prior to assembly of
said coupling joint surrounding the open ends of said pipe sections and
maintaining the end faces of said end face collars in abutting relationship.
114~85
Another broad aspect of the invention provides a coupling
joint interconnecting first and second lengths of metal pipe, said first
pipe having a bell on one end thereof and said second pipe having a pin
end telescopically inserted within said bell, the external diameter of
said pin end being greater than the internal diameter of said bell prior
to assembly of said coupling joint. The coupling joint comprises: (a) a
plastic liner bonded to the internal surface of said first pipe and ter-
minating in the throat of said bell; ~b) a plastic liner bonded to the
internal surface of said second pipe and terminating substantially in the
plane of the end face of said pin end; and (c) an end face liner comprising
a tubular plastic body, the external diameter thereof substantially con-
forming to the internal diameter of the liner in the pin end of said second
pipe and having a radially extending flange at one end thereof with a sub-
stantially axially extending portion extending from the outer edge thereof,
positioned within said pin end with the radially extending flange adjacent
the end face of said second pipe and said axially extending portion of said
flange overlapping said liner in the throat of said bell.
Other features and advantages will become more readily
understood from the following detailed description taken in connection
with the appended claims and attached drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the end portions of two lined
pipe sections and the coupling sleeve of the invention prior to assembly;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a coupling joint formed in
accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the end
face collar of the invention;
Figure 4A is a sectional view of one embodiment of the coupling
sleeve of the invention before reduction to include the sealing band;
Figure 4B is a sectional view of the coupling sleeve of
Figure 4A after the sleeve has been reduced in diameter to contain the
sealing band;
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1~4~185
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a coupling joint formed in
accordance with the invention using spray-coated lined pipe joined by
interference fit;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an end face collar for use
in joining bell and pin ends of lined pipe; and
Figure 7 is a sectional view of a coupling joint formed using
the end face collar of Figure 6.
Various methods are known in the art for forming
continuously lined conduit by joining the ends of lined pipe
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11~3185
1 Isections. Conventionally, metal pipe sections having a continuous
jtubular plastic liner such as polyvinyl chloride or other plastic
lare formed so that the plastic liners extend from the end of the
jsection and overlap at the joint or are formed in some other
¦manner so that the ends of the plastic liners are joined to
¦form a continuously lined conduit.
When a section of such lined conduit is removed, the
Iremoval is usually accomplished by merely cutting through
jthe pipe. The pipe may be cut for several reasons, such as to
¦remove a faulty, damaged or leaky section or to install a T or
¦other apparatus. However, when a portion of the conduit is
¦removed, such as by sawing or the like, the pipe and liner are
¦both severed in the same plane leaving an open end. The end
~face of the pipe is thus exposed and not coated with the liner.
In order to rejoin the pipe sections or to join the pipe sections
with other conduit, means must be provided to protect the exposed
end face of the pipe.
FIGURE 1 illustrates the opposed ends of two pipe
sections wherein the pipe liner and metal pipe are coterminous
and which are to be joined to form a continuously lined conduit.
As illustrated in the drawings, a first pipe section 10
having a plastic liner 11 is to be joined with a second
section pipe section 12 haviny a plastic liner 13. The
metal pipes 10 and 12 both have exposed end faces 14 and 15
lying in the planes of the end faces of liners 11 and 13,
respectively. In order to protect the end faces 14 and 15 and
join the ends of the pipe sections 10 and 12 to form a continuously
lineo c duit, an end ~ace collar 30 is positioned within the
I! 114V18S
1.
1 ¦open end of pipe 10. As illustrated in FIGUR~ 3, the end face
collar 30 comprises an open-ended cylindrical body 31, the outer
Idimensions of which substantially conform to the internal dimension s
jof liner 11 in the pipe. The end face collar 30 includes a
_ radially extending flange 32 which radiates outwardly from
the end of the body 31 to mate with the exposed end face 14 of
the pipe 10 as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Preferrably the end
face collar 30 is of the same material as liner 11. Therefore,
end face collar 30 may be bonded to the liner 11 with a solvent
such as methyl ethyl ketone or any suitable conventional epoxy
cement or the like compatible with the materials used. Flange 32
radiates outwardly at least as far is required to completely
cover the exposed end face of the pipe and may have an external
diameter as much as 0.015 inch greater than the external diameter
of the pipe.
An identical collar 30 is similarly positioned within
the open end of the second pipe section 12.
The ends of the pipe sections 10 and 12 are arranged
coaxial with a coupling sleeve 20. Coupling sleeve 20 may be a
relatively short section of metal pipe having a~ internal diameter
slightly less the external diameter of the ends of pipe sections
10 and 12. In the preferred embodiment, the internal diameter
of coupling sleeve 20 is approximately 0.060 inch less than the
external diameter of the ends of the pipe sections 10 and 12.
The difference in internal and external diameters is known as
lthe interference and, as is known in the art, may vary depending
on the size and wall thickness of the pipe, tl-e material of the
~¦pipe, the axial leDgth of the interference and other factors.
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1 i!The open ends 23 and 24 of the coupling sleeve are preferrably
!flared outwardly as indicated in FIGURE 1 to aid in the insertion
¦of the open-ends of the pipe therein.
In the preferred embodiment, coupling sleeve 20 is
Iprovided with an approximately centrally located annular recess
or groove 21 which carries a sealing band 22. Sealing band 22
is preferrably of the same material as liner 11 and end face
collar 30. The sealing band 22 is preferrably bonded or otherwise
Isecured within the recess 21 with a suitable epoxy bonder or
¦the like. The internal diameter of sealing band 22 is at least
¦las small as the internal diameter of the remainder of coupling
sleeve 20 and may have an internal diameter as much as about 0.005
to about 0.015 inch less than the internal diameter of the
coupling sleeve 20.
l$ The coupling joint of the invention is formed by
either simultaneously or individually forcing the open ends of
pipes 10 and 12 fitted with end face collars 30 as described
hereinabove into the opposite open ends of the coupling sleeve 20.
I In order to assure a unifo'rm and stable joint, it is
¦preferred that the ends of pipe sections 10 and 12 be cleaned
and sized prior to assembly. It is well known that outer
diameters of pipe may vary slightly from manufacturer to
Imanufacturer and frequently pipe is not completely circular in
¦Icross-section. This may be particularly true where the conduit
2 5 !I has been previously used. Furthermore, buried or exposed conduit
Imay have corrosion on the exterior surface. Therefore, in order
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1 Ito prepare the ends for interference fit joining, the ends may
be cleaned to remove scale, corrosion and the like by conventional
¦means and sized by passing a circular sizing collar thereover.
jsizing the ends to the desired external diameter prior to assembly
¦assures that the desired interference is achieved and avoids
galling, etc., which would be detrimental to forming a satisfactory
interference fit joint.
If desired, a suitable solvent or bonding ayent may l,
Ibe applied to the flanges 32 immediately prior to asse~bly of
¦the coupling to provide a sealing bond between the opposed faces
¦of the flanges 32 and bet~leen the edges of the flanges and the
sealing band 22.
In forming interference fit joints a lubricating agent
is sometimes applied to the pin end of the pipe to aid in insertinc
the pin end within the bell. When a conventional lubricating
¦agent is used, care must be taken to avoid mixing the lubricating
¦agent with conventional plastic bonding agents such as PVC cement
¦and the like since the lubricating agent will interfere with a
¦formation of a bond between the plastic parts.
¦ In the preferred embodiment of the present invention
¦an epoxy resin is used as both a lubricating agent and to aid
lin forming metal-to-metal bond between the ends of the pipe and
¦the coupling sleeve 20. Any suitable conventional bonding agent
¦may be used. P~ two-part epoxy agent for forming metal-to-metal
!seals has been found particular suitable. The preferred epoxy
Iresin is a metal bonding agent sold under the name Steel Seam by
¦¦Cooks Paint & Varnish Company of Kansas City, Missouri.
¦This bonding agent is a two-part epoxy comprising a curing
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~ V18~
1 la~ent (sold under the trade designation 920L927) which is mixed
Iwith a base (sold under the trade designation 920W979). The
curing agent and base are mixed immediately prior to use and
lapplied to the external surface of the pipe ends immediately
S prior to insertion of the pipe ends in the coupling sleeve 20.
Care should be taken to avoid mixing the metal-to-metal bonding
agent with any PVC cement or solvent used to join the plastic
parts. The particular two-part epoxy described hereinabove,
however, may be used for both bonding PVC parts as well as the
metal joint. In this case no PVC cement used. Instead, the
two-part epoxy is applied to both the plastic parts and ends Or
the pipe before insertion of the pipe ends into the coupling
sleeve. While the plastic-to-plastic seal achieved is not of the
quality achieved with PVC cement, it has been found suitable in
most applications. Therefore, a single application of this
epoxy may serve as lubricating agent, the metal-to-metal bonding
agent and the plastic-to-plastic bonding agent to eliminate
problems of contamination.
Various commercially avail~ble apparatus may be
used for forcing the pipe ends into the coupling sleeve. For
example, a conventional pipe press or the like may be used.
In the preferred embodiment, the coupling sleeve is held
stationary and the end of one pipe telescopically forced there-
into until the leading edge of the flange 32 is approximately
centrally located within the sealing band 22. The other pipe
end is then forced into the opposite end of the coupling
sleeve 20 until the opposing flanges 32 meet in an abutting
jrele ionship within the sealing band 22.
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1 ¦ The completed joint is illustrated in FIGURE 2.
¦¦It will be observed that the opposed faces of the flanges 32
iare mated in a sealing relationship and their outer edges mate
¦with the sealing band 22 to form a sealed connection. The
S flanges 32 are held together by the end faces 14 and 15 of the
pipe ends which are fully encased within the plastic material.
Thus a fully plastic lined conduit is formed. However, structural
rigidity is maintained by the interference fit between the pipe
lends and coupling sleeve 20. In order to lock the ends of the
Ipipe in a fixed relationship, the flared ends 23 and 24 of couplinc
¦sleeve 20 are then radially compressed into the pipe sections 10
¦and 11, respectively.
Radial compression of the ends of the sleeve 20 to
jform a crimped interlock may be performed by various methods.
¦Any apparatus which deforms a portion of the sleeve into a
¦corresponding groove in the pipe formed by compressing the end
¦of the sleeve may be used. In the preferred embodiment, uniform
radial compression is accomplished by partially forcing a crimping
Icollar axially over the end of the sleeve 20 after the interferenc~
fit joint has been formed. The crimping collar has an internal
diameter which is divergent from a diameter of a slightly more
Ithan the external diameter of the pipe to an internal diameter
jgreater than the external diameter of the flared portion of the
!Isleeve. The flared crimping collar is placed over the pipe with
its internal diameter expandiny in the direction of the sleeve.
IIAfter the interference fit joint has been formed, the crimping
¦Icollar is moved axially over the pipe to engaye the flared end of
¦ithe sleeve. Since the crimping collar is internally flared and
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114018~i
1 !Icompletely surrounds the pipe, the end of the sleeve is uniformly
¦Iradially compressed and forced into the pipe to form a groove 25.
IThe end of the sleeve 20 is thus permanently deformed and fitted
llinto the groove 25 to forrn a interlocking joint as shown in
IFIGURE 2.
While it is preferred is that the crimped interlock be
formed by uniform radial compression for a full 360 around the
'end of the sleeve, it will be recognized that a full 360
¦Icrimp is not necessarily required. Any portion of the sleeve
Imay be crimped to interlock the pipe sections without departing
Ifrom the principles of the invention. When less than a full 360
¦crimp is us~d, however, the degree of mechanical interlock will
¦¦be proportionately reduced.
, While the invention has been particularly described
with reference to crimping the mouth end of the sleeve
by forcing a crimping ring thereover, it will be readily
appreciated that other means may be used for applying radial
compression to the mouth or other portion of the sleeve. For
example, a circumferentially rotating inwardly compressing
¦roller may be used to roll the mouth of the sleeve into the
Ipipe to accomplish similar results. Rolling the mouth
¦lof the sleeve to form the crimp does not apply uniform radial
llcompression to the mouth and thus may not form a uniformly
Ijcrimped joint. However, use of a circumferential radially
compressing roller permits deformation of the sleeve 20 at
locations other than the end thereof. For example, a circumferenti al
!radial roller may be used to form one or more grooves or sections
jof grooves at various locations along the length of the sleeve
ltO form similar mechanical interlocks.
1.
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1 , The interconnection method and apparatus described
hereinabove may be used equally well with conduit in which
the liner is a tubular liner bonded to the internal surface
of the pipe and with spray-coated liners formed in place
¦by spraying or otherwise applying a fluid liner to the
¦interior of the pipe to form a liner in place. However, the
¦formed in place liners are usually thinner than bonded tubular
¦liners and sometimes rupture when the groove 25 is formed by
jcompression of the open end of the sleeve. Obviously, if the
¦liner is ruptured, cracked or dislocated by the crimping
loperation, a fully lined conduit will not be formed. In
¦accordance with the preferred practice of the invention, the
¦tubular body 31 of the end face collar 30 must be of sufficient
axial length to extend past the groove 25 formed in the crimping
operation. If the tubular body is bonded to the liner 11 and
extends past the groove 25, the body 31 will merely be slightly
deformed at the groove but will not separate from the liner 11,
thus a fully lined conduit will be maintained.
Since the end faces 14 and 15 of the pipe section 10
and 12 may not lie exactly 90 from the longitudinal axis of
the pipe sections, the opposed flanges 32 may not be fully
engaged when the joint is assembled. Accordingly, the sleeve 20
is provided with a sealing band 22 as described hereinabove.
Therefore, even though there may be a partial gap between the
flanges 32 in the completed joint, any fluid entering the
gap can only contact the sealing band 22 so long as the ends
of the pipe sections are within the sealing band 22 in the
compl ted joiDt.
.
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4~185
1 Where relatively thick-walled Material is used for the
coupling sleeve 20, recess 21 may be formed bv cutting a centrally
llocated annular recess in the internal surface of the sleeve. A
jsealing band 22 of appropriate dimensions and of the desired
Imaterial may then be affixed within the recess. The sealin~ band
jmay~ of course, be a pre-cut section of material or may be
¦formed in place in the recess 21. Alternatively, where reduction
lof the wall thickness of the sleeve by grooving is undesireable,
ja pre-cut sealing band of the required dimensions may be
¦positioned and preferrably bonded within a sleeve 20 as shown
in FIGURE 4A. Thereafter, the sleeve 20 is reduced in
external and internal diameter on both sides of the sealing
band 22, thereby containing the sealing band 22 within a
groove 21 of the original diameter of the sleeve. Shrinking
of the sleeve 20 to the desired dimensions may be accomplished
by forcing a sizing ring thereover as described hereinabove
with respect to the pipe ends. In any case, the coupling sleeve
is formed to contain a sealing band of appropriate size and
material approximately centrally located therein having an
internal diameter which is less than the external diameter of
the pipe to be joined thereby.
The coupling joint described is particularly suitable
las a repair joint for coupling the open ends of an installed
,conduit in the field. While the joint has been described with
particular reference to joining two identical open pipe ends to
¦Iform a continuous conduit, it will be appreciated that the
¦¦principles thereof are equally applicable to joining one open
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318S
l ~ipe end with other conduit means where the coupling sleeve is
~ppropriately designed. For example, the coupling sleeve may
Ihave different internal diameters on opposite sides of the
¦sealing band if the sealing band is appropriately designed
Ito mate with collars of different external diameters to join
pipe sections having different external diameters. Likewise,
the coupling sleeve 20 may be an integral part of another
¦conduit section, valve, T or the like wherein the sealing
Iband forms part of or is previously bonded to an internal
L0 ¦liner. Likewise, although the invention has been described in
Iconnection with use of a PVC liner or the like, it will be
ireadily recognized that the principles of the invention are
equally applicable to other types of liners, including lining
materials which are formed in place in the conduit by spraying
or the like. Furthermore, although the invention as described
above is particularly useful in making repair joints in an
installed lined conduit, the principles thereof are equally
applicable to joining lengths of lined pipe sections to form a
lined conduit.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIGURE 5 wherein the end face collar 30 is used
to coat the end face of a pipe section 50 and form a fully lined
junction between two pipe sections joined by interference fit.
As indicated above, conventional interference fit couplings cannot
be formed to join two lengths of spray coated lined pipe and
form a fully lined conduit since the pin end of the pipe is
either not coated or the coating thereon is so thin or weak that
~it i damaged by lnsertion of t`ne pin into the ~ell. In
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il4~:i185
1 ccordance with the invention, one end of the pipe section 52 is
~nlarged to form a bell 54 havinq an internal diameter slightly
¦less than the pin end of pipe section 50. The bell 50 is thus
connected to the pipe 52 by a tapered throat 55. A formed in
place coating 51 is formed on the internal surface of the pipe
sections 50 and 52 by conventional means such as spraying or
the like. The coating on the pin end 50 therefore extends
only to the end face of the pipe or may actually cover all or
part of the end face. Any such formed in place coating,
0 however, would be too fragile to withstand an interference fit
¦coupling. The coating in the bell end extends at least
¦through the throat 55 but does not extend substantially into
the bell 54. Obviously, any coating 51 extending into the
bell 54 would be scraped from the metal pipe surface by the pin
end when the interference fit joint is formed and may interfere
with the formation of an interference fit joint.
To form a fully lined coupling, an end face collar 30
as described herein above may positioned within the pin end of
pipe section 50 with the radially extending flange 32 covering
~0 the end face of the pin end 50. The tubular body 31 of the
end face collar extends into the pipe 50 well past the point
where the groove will be formed when the mouth of the bell is
deformed and is bonded to liner 11, all as described hereinabove.
The pin end 50 is then telescopically forced into the bell 54
'5 until the flange 32 on the end face of the pin mates with and
overlaps the leading edge of the coating 51 in the throat 55.
s described hereinabove, the pin end of the pipe 50 and the
flange 32 are coated with a bonding agent prior to insertion
into the bell so that the flange 32 may be bonded directly to the
~0 ;liner 5 in the throat 55. Thus a metal-to-metal interference
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~fit coupling is formed between the pin end 50 and the bell 54
~hile a bonded plastic-to-plastic seal is formed between the
lliner 51 in pipe section S2 and the end face collar 30 forming 1
¦a continuously lined conduit. The mouth 56 of the bell 54 may
¦then be deformed radially inwardly to form and interlock
~ith a groove 57 as described hereinabove to form an
¦interlocked interference fit coupling. Since the tubular
body 31 of the end face collar 30 extends past the mouth of the
bell 5~ and lS bonded to the liner 51 in pipe section 50, any
!0 rupture or displacement of the liner 51 by formation of the groove
is covered by the body 31, thus insuring a fully lined coupling.
In order to form an extended overlap of the
plastic liner in the joint, the end face collar 30 may be
modified as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. In the modified end face
collar of FIGURES 6 and 7 the radially extending flange 32 is
extended axially and reverse curled to taper inwardly as shown
at 32A. The inwardly tapered extension 32A thus overlaps ll
and mates with the liner 51 in the ihroat 55 of the bell. The I
overlapped extension 32A may therefore be bonded directly to
~O ¦the liner 51 in an extended overlap region to form a more effective
plastic-to-plastic bond in the joint and form a more effective
lined joint. In all other respects, the joint formed as
shown in FIGURE 7 is the same as the joint formed as shown in
FIGURE 5.
~5 From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the
couplings described hereinabove may be formed using various
types of liners for either repair couplings, modification, or
Ifor original installation coupling of pipe lined with
¦formed in place liners. Accordingly, it is to be understood that
although tile invention has been described with particular
reference to specific embodiments thereof, the forms of the
!
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11~:18S
1 ~nvention shown and described in detail are to be taken as
~referred embodiments thereof, and that various changes and
~odifications may be resorted to without departing from the
: ¦spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
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1,
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