U.S. patent application number 11/406611 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for restrained sleeve pipe coupling.
This patent application is currently assigned to EBAA Iron, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael L. Lundstrom.
Application Number | 20060192384 11/406611 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29732511 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060192384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lundstrom; Michael L. |
August 31, 2006 |
Restrained sleeve pipe coupling
Abstract
A restrained sleeve coupling assembly for interconnecting pipe
sections includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body with opposed
gasket engaging surfaces adjacent opposite ends of the body for
receiving fluid sealing gaskets forcibly engaged with the body and
opposed end rings which are sleeved over the respective pipe
sections to be joined. The end rings include flanges for engagement
with elongated tension bolt assemblies to secure the sleeve body,
the gaskets and the end rings in assembly with each other. The end
rings also include circumferentially spaced bosses and polygonal
shaped gripper members disposed in recesses in the bosses and
forcibly engageable with the outer surfaces of the pipe sections
over which the end rings are sleeved as determined by limited
torque bolt assemblies engageable with the gripper members.
Inventors: |
Lundstrom; Michael L.;
(Eastland, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
EBAA Iron, Inc.
Eastland
TX
|
Family ID: |
29732511 |
Appl. No.: |
11/406611 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11066837 |
Feb 24, 2005 |
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11406611 |
Apr 19, 2006 |
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10170477 |
Jun 12, 2002 |
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11066837 |
Feb 24, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
285/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 21/007 20130101;
F16L 25/12 20130101; F16L 21/08 20130101; F16L 23/024 20130101;
F16L 21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/339 |
International
Class: |
F16L 19/06 20060101
F16L019/06 |
Claims
1. An adaptor bell for coupling two sections of substantially
axially aligned pipe having dissimilar outside diameters,
comprising: a generally cylindrical body having first and second
opposed ends, a gasket engagement surface at the first end and a
gasket support surface at the second end, a first cylindrical
sleeve section adjacent the first end and a second cylindrical
sleeve section adjacent the second end, wherein the second
cylindrical sleeve section has a smaller diameter than the first
cylindrical sleeve section, and a shoulder between the first
cylindrical sleeve section and the second cylindrical sleeve
section.
2. The adaptor bell set forth in claim 1 wherein: the gasket
engagement surface at the first end of the generally cylindrical
body comprises a somewhat frustoconical surface.
3. The adaptor bell set forth in claim 2 wherein: the generally
cylindrical body includes a circumferential radially inwardly
projecting ridge delimiting the gasket engagement surface at the
first end thereof.
4. The adaptor bell set forth in claim 1 wherein: the shoulder
comprises a transverse end face delimiting the gasket support
surface opposite the second end thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] In the art of pipe fittings, there has been a continuing
need to provide a suitable coupling for connecting two sections of
similar pipe or connecting a section of one type of pipe to a
section of another type of pipe of generally the same diameter. The
criteria for such couplings includes the requirement of restraining
the pipe sections from axial separation from each other when
subjected to forces generated by hydrostatic pressure as well as
external forces tending to deflect or separate one pipe section
from another.
[0002] Prior art couplings that provide for restraining the pipe
sections from axial separation are typically subject to very
limited applications, are somewhat cumbersome to install, and/or
provide relatively low restraining or holding capability against
fluid pressure and other forces acting on the coupled pipe
sections. Accordingly, the need for an improved coupling or
so-called restrained sleeve has included the desiderata of
providing a device which is operable to join the plain ends of
pipes of either similar or dissimilar materials, is mechanically
uncomplicated, is easy to install and has the capability to
maintain joined pipe sections coupled in a fluid tight relationship
under substantial fluid pressures within the pipe sections. It is
to these ends that the present embodiment has been developed.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] The present embodiment provides an improved pipe coupling or
so-called restrained sleeve for joining pipe sections together at
adjacent ends thereof.
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, a
mechanically uncomplicated pipe coupling or restrained sleeve is
provided which includes an elongated, generally cylindrical sleeve
body and opposed end rings which are adapted to cooperate with the
sleeve body to form a fluid tight joint and maintain the sleeve
body in a position sleeved over the ends of adjacent pipe sections
to maintain such pipe sections coupled to each other. The end rings
are adapted to include circumferentially spaced wedge or pipe
gripper members which are operable to forcibly grip a pipe section
over which the end ring is sleeved so as to secure the end ring to
the pipe section in a predetermined position. The end rings are
also adapted to be interconnected by circumferentially spaced
axially extending elongated tension bolts which hold the pipe
sections joined by the coupling assembly in fluid tight coupled
relationship.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present embodiment,
a pipe coupling or restrained sleeve assembly is provided which may
be manufactured of conventional engineering materials used for pipe
fittings and the like, is adapted to couple the plain ends of
adjacent pipe sections in fluid tight sealed relationship to each
other, wherein pipe sections may be of similar or dissimilar
materials including ductile iron, polyvinylchloride and high
density polyethylene, and such pipe sections being of so-called
standard pipe sizes. The restrained sleeve assembly is easily
connected to adjacent pipe sections and assembled to provide a
fluid tight seal between the sleeve body and the coupled pipe
sections and to further restrain the sleeve or coupling assembly
axially with respect to the coupled pipe sections to form a secure
fluid tight coupling. The sleeve or coupling assembly
advantageously utilizes pipe gripping wedge members and limited
torque bolt assemblies mounted on opposed end rings. The bolt
assemblies are engageable with the wedge or gripper members to
forcibly engage the members with the pipe sections over which the
end rings are sleeved so as to provide a substantially secure
non-slip connection between the end rings and the pipe
sections.
[0006] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
embodiment, a pipe coupling or restrained sleeve is provided which
includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body, a generally
cylindrical adaptor body and opposed end rings which are adapted to
cooperate with the sleeve body and the adaptor body to form a fluid
tight joint and maintain the sleeve body in a position sleeved over
the ends of adjacent pipe sections to maintain such pipe sections
coupled to each other. The restrained sleeve assembly including the
adaptor body is easily connected to adjacent pipe sections of
dissimilar outside diameter and assembled to provide a fluid tight
seal between the sleeve body, the adaptor body and the coupled pipe
sections and to further restrain the sleeve or coupling assembly
axially with respect to the coupled pipe sections to form a secure
fluid tight coupling. The sleeve or coupling assembly also
advantageously utilizes pipe gripping wedge members and limited
torque bolt assemblies mounted on opposed end rings. The bolt
assemblies are engageable with the wedge or gripper members to
forcibly engage the members with the pipe sections over which the
end rings are sleeved so as to provide a substantially secure
non-slip connection between the end rings and the pipe
sections.
[0007] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the
above-mentioned advantages and superior features of the present
embodiment, together with other important aspects thereof upon
reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pipe coupling or
restrained sleeve assembly of the present embodiment shown
connecting two adjacent coaxially aligned pipe sections to each
other;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an end view of the coupling or sleeve assembly
shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal central section view of the
coupling or sleeve assembly taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the pipe
gripping members associated with the coupling or sleeve assembly of
the present embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the end rings taken from the
direction opposite that of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a detail section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a detail section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
5;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a detail view of one of the gripper member
receptacles for the end ring shown in FIG. 5 and taken generally
along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal central section view of an
alternate embodiment of the coupling or sleeve assembly taken along
line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal central section view of an
alternate embodiment of the coupling or sleeve assembly taken along
line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] In the description which follows, like parts are marked
throughout the specification and drawing with the same reference
numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to
scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a pipe coupling or
so-called restrained sleeve assembly in accordance with the present
embodiment and generally designated by the numeral 10. The sleeve
assembly 10 includes a generally cylindrical tubular sleeve body 12
and opposed, generally cylindrical end rings 14a and 14b which are
essentially identical members. The sleeve assembly 10 is shown in
an assembled condition wherein the end ring members 14a and 14b are
interconnected by fastener means preferably comprising four,
equally circumferentially spaced elongated bolt and nut assemblies
16 to prevent axial separation of coaxially aligned adjacent pipe
sections 18 and 20 over which the sleeve body 12 is disposed. The
bolt and nut assemblies 16, each comprise a hex-head bolt 16a and
hex nut 16b or may comprise elongated threaded stud members with
nuts removably attached to each end. The pipe sections 18 and 20
may be of similar or dissimilar materials and may have at least
slightly different inside and outside diameters.
[0020] One advantage of the sleeve assembly 10 is its ability to
interconnect adjacent pipe sections which are made of the same
material and have exactly the same dimensions or are made of
different materials and have at least slightly different outside
diameters (as well as inside diameters). In most applications of
the sleeve assembly 10, the coupled or interconnected pipe sections
18 and 20 have the same or slightly different outside diameters, as
shown, and plain ends, such as the ends 18a and 20a, as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0021] Referring further to FIG. 3, the sleeve body 12 comprises a
generally cylindrical tubular middle section 22 extending over at
least about half of the overall length of the sleeve body and
opposed integral end sections 24 and 26 providing frustoconical
gasket engagement surfaces 24a and 26a, as shown in FIG. 3. The
opposite ends of sleeve body 12 are provided as relatively short,
cylindrical sections 24b and 26b for receiving opposed ring shaped
elastomer gaskets 28 and 30. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the ring shaped elastomer gaskets 28 and 30 shown in
FIG. 3 may be replaced with conventional standard mechanical joint
gaskets or transition gaskets depending upon the particular pipe
type to be coupled or restrained. The frustoconical surfaces 24a
and 26a terminate at their inner ends at reduced diameter, radially
inwardly projecting ridges 24c and 26c which are of a diameter
large enough to accommodate the requisite maximum pipe size for a
given sleeve assembly, which also give strength and rigidity to the
body 12 and delimit the surfaces 24a and 26a which extend between
the ridges 24c and 26c and the cylindrical end sections 24b and
26b, respectively. The sleeve body 12 may also include one or more
sets of spaced apart lifting rings 25a and 25b, as shown in FIG.
3.
[0022] Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 3, and as mentioned
previously, the end rings 14a and 14b are preferably of identical
construction. End ring 14b is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5
through 9 and the component portions thereof are identical in and
form a part of end ring 14a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, end ring
14b includes a substantially circumferential radially projecting,
planar disc flange portion 32 and four circumferentially spaced
wedge or gripper member receiving bosses 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d
which project from both sides of the flange 32, as shown in FIGS.
2, 5 and 8. Each of the bosses 34a-34d has a polygonal
cross-section and is also provided with a polygonal shaped
receptacle 35 formed therein, see FIGS. 7 and 8 by way of examples.
Each of the bosses 34a-34d also includes a radially outwardly
projecting integral boss part 36 including a radial extending
threaded bore 37, see FIGS. 7 and 8, opening into the recess 35,
also shown in FIG. 7 by way of example. The end rings 14a and 14b
each include a substantially cylindrical rim part 40, see FIGS. 2,
5 and 6, integrally formed with the flange part 32, FIG. 6, about
the circumference thereof. The cylindrical rim part 40 terminates
in a radially inturned integral circumferential flange forming a
generally transverse end face 42 adapted for engaging one or the
other of the gaskets 28 or 30, see FIG. 3 or the gasket 120, see
FIG. 9. The cylindrical flange 32 includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
5, four equally spaced, somewhat radially outwardly disposed
projections 39 and respective bolt receiving bores 41 extending
through the flange, see FIG. 6 also. The flange 32 may be
reinforced at the bolt receiving bores 41 by spaced-apart gussets
43, see FIGS. 5 and 6, which extend between the flange 32 and the
cylindrical rim part 40 and are integrally formed therewith. As
shown in FIG. 2, the flange 32 may be relieved slightly at
locations 32c to maintain generally uniform metal thickness
throughout the cross-sectional shape of the end rings 14a and 14b,
respectively.
[0023] Referring briefly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, each of the end rings
14a and 14b is adapted to support within its respective polygonal
recesses 35, a moveable pipe gripper or wedge member 46. Each
gripper member 46 has a polygonal cross-sectional shape,
corresponding somewhat to the shape of the recess 35, and opposed
lightening recesses 47a and 47b, FIG. 4, with a bolt engaging anvil
48 disposed therebetween. The gripper or wedge members 46 include
two spaced-apart integrally formed elongated parallel teeth 49a and
49b projecting from a bottom surface 50, see FIGS. 3, 4 and 9. The
elongated linear teeth 49a and 49b are operable to grip the outer
surface of a pipe section, such as a pipe section 18 or 20, for
forcibly retaining the pipe section connected to or restrained by
the sleeve or coupling assembly 10 or 100. The wedge or gripper
members 46 are disposed in respective ones of the recesses 35 and
may be suitably retained therein by elastomeric material, such as
opposed dabs of silicone rubber, not shown.
[0024] Referring further to FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, each of the bosses 36
is operable to receive within its threaded bore 37 a limited torque
bolt assembly 58 having, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, a threaded
shank portion 60 including a circumferential washer face portion 62
and a washer 64 sleeved thereover. Each bolt assembly 58 also
includes a limited torque hexhead 66 comprising a hex shaped nut
which is engageable with a frangible drivehead of the bolt assembly
to shear same to expose a secondary drive head, not shown in the
drawing figures. For example, each of the limited torque bolt
assemblies 58 may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,627,774 issued Dec. 9, 1986 to Earl T. Bradley and assigned to
the assignee of the present embodiment.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the distal end 60a of each bolt
assembly 58 is engageable with the anvil surface 48 of a wedge or
gripper member 46 to displace same into forcible engagement with
the outer circumferential surface of a pipe section 18 or 20, as
shown. Accordingly, each of the bolt assemblies 58 may not be
over-tightened to strip the threads of either the bolt shank 60 or
the threads of the bores 37 or possibly damage the grippers 46 or
the pipe sections 18 or 20 to which the end rings 14a and 14b are
being secured. The gripper or wedge members 46 may be similar in
some respects to the wedges or grippers described and claimed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,993 issued Jan. 16, 2001 to Dennis D. Shumard
and Michael L. Lundstrom and assigned to the assignee of the
present embodiment. The subject matter of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,627,774
and 6,173,993 is incorporated by reference herein.
[0026] The coupling or sleeve assembly 10 may be assembled to join
two pipe sections, such as the pipe sections 18 and 20, together by
sleeving the end rings 14a and 14b over the respective pipe
sections along with disposing the sleeve body 12 over each of the
pipe sections or inserting each of the pipe sections within the
sleeve body, generally as shown in FIG. 3. One or the other of the
end rings 14a and 14b may be tightly secured to its associated pipe
section by tightening the limited torque bolts 58 and associated
gripper members 46 to engage the pipe section over which it is
sleeved. The sleeve assembly 10 may then be further assembled by
inserting the elongated bolts 16 through the bolt receiving bores
41 of each of the end rings 14a and 14b and tightening the bolts to
draw the other of the end rings and sleeve body toward the end ring
which is fixed to its pipe section so as to compress the gaskets 28
and 30 to the positions, substantially as shown in FIG. 3, whereby
the gaskets forcibly engage the outer circumferential surfaces of
the pipe sections 18 and 20 and also engage the gasket surfaces 24a
and 26a in fluid tight sealing relationship. After tightening of
the bolt assemblies 16 to sufficiently compress the gaskets 28 and
30, the other of the end rings 14a and 14b may be secured to its
pipe section by tightening the respective bolt assemblies 58 until
the nutlike heads 66 shear off to expose the secondary driveheads
discussed above.
[0027] Accordingly, a fluid-tight high pressure sleeve or coupling
assembly is advantageously provided in accordance with the
embodiment described hereinabove. In the assembly of the coupling
or sleeve assembly 10 to join two pipe sections together as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bolt assemblies 16 may be tightened at least
slightly before the end rings 14a and 14b and sleeve body 12 are
moved to their final position with respect to the pipe sections 18
and 20 and the bolt assemblies then tightened before the wedge or
gripper members 46 on either one of the end rings 14a or 14b are
tightened to forcibly grip the pipe section over which that end
ring is sleeved. However, once one of the end rings 14a and 14b has
been properly located with respect to the pipe ends 18a or 20a of
the associated pipe sections, it may be advantageous to tighten the
one ring to the pipe section so that the best position of the
coupling assembly 10 is substantially retained when the bolts 16
are tightened to pull the end rings 14a and 14b toward each other
and in forcible engagement with the gaskets 28 and 30.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a pipe coupling in
accordance with an alternate embodiment and generally designated by
the reference numeral 100. Similar to the pipe coupling 10 shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the pipe coupling 100 includes a generally
cylindrical tubular sleeve body 12 and opposed, generally
cylindrical end rings 14a and 14b. Cylindrical end rings 14a and
14b are essentially identical members except that end ring 14b has
a larger inside diameter compared to end ring 14a. The cylindrical
end rings 14a and 14b are interconnected in the same manner as
described in connection with FIG. 1 except that the
circumferentially spaced elongated bolt and nut assemblies 16 which
prevent axial separation of coaxially aligned adjacent pipe
sections 18 and 20 over which the sleeve body 12 is disposed may
include spherical nuts to accommodate the axial misalignment of the
bolts due to the larger diameter of end ring 14b compared to end
ring 14a.
[0029] In a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
sleeve body 12 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular middle
section 22 and opposed integral end sections 24 and 26 providing
frustoconical gasket engagement surfaces 24a and 26a. The opposite
ends of sleeve body 12 are provided as relatively short,
cylindrical sections 24b and 26b for receiving opposed gasket
elements 28 and 30.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, the pipe coupling 100 includes an
adaptor bell 112. The adaptor bell 112 is interposed between the
sleeve body 12 and the end ring 14b. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that a pipe coupling 100 that includes the adaptor bell
112 may be advantageously employed in situations where the outside
diameter of the pipe section 18 is larger than the inside diameter
capacity of the sleeve body 12 and the associated gasket elements
28 and 30. The adaptor bell 112 essentially permits the coupling
and restraint of two pipes of dissimilar outside diameter and is
especially useful for joining pit cast grey iron pipe to
conventional ductile iron or PVC pipe.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 9, the adaptor bell 112, includes a
generally cylindrical tubular middle section 114 and opposed
integral end sections 116 and 118. The end section 116 provides a
frustoconical gasket engagement surface 116a. The end 116b of
adaptor bell 112 is provided as a relatively short, cylindrical
section 116b for receiving a ring shaped elastomer gasket 120. The
frustoconical surface 116a terminates at its inner end at a reduced
diameter, radially inward projection ridge 116c which is of a
diameter large enough to accommodate the requisite maximum pipe
size for a given sleeve assembly.
[0032] The adaptor bell 112 includes a substantially
circumferentially radially projecting, planar disc flange portion
122 integrally formed with the middle section 114. The adaptor bell
112 also includes a cylindrical rim part 124 integrally formed with
the flange portion 122 about the circumference thereof. The flange
portion 122 forms a generally transverse end face 126 adapted for
engaging the gasket 28 and rim part 124 forms a generally axial
face 128 adapted for supporting the gasket 28.
[0033] The coupling or sleeve assembly 100 may be assembled to join
two pipe sections, such as the pipe sections 18 and 20, together by
sleeving the end rings 14a and 14b over the respective pipe
sections along with disposing the sleeve body 12 over each of the
pipe sections or inserting each of the pipe sections within the
sleeve body, generally as shown in FIG. 9. In a manner similar to
the embodiment shown and described in FIG. 3, one or the other of
the end rings 14a and 14b may be tightly secured to its associated
pipe section by tightening the limited torque bolts 58 and
associated gripper members 46 to engage the pipe section over which
it is sleeved. The sleeve assembly 100 may then be further
assembled by inserting the elongated bolts through the bolt
receiving bores of each of the end rings 14a and 14b and tightening
the bolts to draw the other of the end rings and sleeve body toward
the end ring which is fixed to its pipe section so as to compress
the gaskets 28, 30 and 120 to the positions, substantially as shown
in FIG. 9, whereby the gaskets forcibly engage the outer
circumferential surfaces of the pipe sections 18 and 20, as well as
the axial face 128 of adaptor bell 112 and also engage the gasket
surfaces 24a, 26a and 116a in fluid tight sealing relationship.
After tightening of the bolt assemblies to sufficiently compress
the gaskets 28, 30 and 120, the other of the end rings 14a and 14b
may be secured to its pipe section by tightening the respective
bolt assemblies 58 until the nutlike heads 66 shear off to expose
the secondary driveheads discussed above.
[0034] Accordingly, a fluid-tight high pressure sleeve or coupling
assembly is advantageously provided in accordance with the
embodiment described hereinabove. In the assembly of the coupling
or sleeve assembly 100 to join two pipe sections together as shown
in FIG. 9, the bolt assemblies may be tightened at least slightly
before the end rings 14a and 14b and sleeve body 12 are moved to
their final position with respect to the pipe sections 18 and 20
and the bolt assemblies then tightened before the wedge or gripper
members 46 on either one of the end rings 14a or 14b are tightened
to forcibly grip the pipe section over which that end ring is
sleeved. However, once one of the end rings 14a and 14b has been
properly located with respect to the pipe ends 18a or 20a of the
associated pipe sections, it may be advantageous to tighten the one
ring to the pipe section so that the best position of the coupling
assembly 100 is substantially retained when the bolts are tightened
to pull the end rings 14a and 14b toward each other and in forcible
engagement with the gaskets 28, 30 and 120.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a pipe coupling
in accordance with an alternate embodiment and generally designated
by the reference numeral 200. Similar to the pipe coupling 10 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pipe coupling 200 includes a generally
cylindrical tubular sleeve body 212 and opposed, generally
cylindrical end rings 214a and 214b. Cylindrical end rings 214a and
214b are essentially identical to end rings 14a and 14b as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, except that cylindrical end rings 214a and 214b do
not include a cylindrical rim part 40 integrally formed with the
flange part 32 but instead include a generally transverse end face
242 adapted for abuttingly engaging an end face of the sleeve body
212. The cylindrical end rings 214a and 214b are interconnected in
the same manner as described in connection with FIG. 1.
[0036] In a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
sleeve body 212 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular middle
section 222 and opposed integral end sections 224 and 226. End
section 224 includes a recess 224a and end section 226 includes a
recess 226a for housing a conventional O-ring gasket 228 and 230,
respectively. Preferably as shown in FIG. 10, the generally
cylindrical tubular middle section 222 of sleeve body 212 is
relatively thin compared to end sections 224 and 226. Also, it is
preferred that sleeve body 212 include transition sections 224b and
226b of generally increasing diameter between the middle section
222 and the end sections 224 and 226, respectively. End section 224
terminates in a generally transverse end face 224c and end section
226 terminates in a generally transverse end face 226c.
[0037] The coupling or sleeve assembly 200 may be assembled to join
two pipe sections, such as the pipe sections 18 and 20, together by
sleeving the end rings 214a and 214b over the respective pipe
sections along with inserting each of the pipe sections 18 and 20
within the sleeve body 212, generally as shown in FIG. 10, whereby
the O-rings 228 and 230 forcibly engage the outer circumferential
surfaces of the pipe sections 18 and 20 in fluid tight sealing
relationship. In a manner similar to the embodiment shown and
described in FIG. 3, one or the other of the end rings 214a and
214b may be tightly secured to its associated pipe section by
tightening the limited torque bolts 58 and associated gripper
members 46 to engage the pipe section over which it is sleeved. The
sleeve assembly 200 may then be further assembled by inserting the
elongated bolts through the bolt receiving bores of each of the end
rings 214a and 214b and tightening the bolts to draw the other of
the end rings and sleeve body toward the end ring which is fixed to
its pipe section so as to bring the transverse end face 242 of each
of the end rings 214a and 214b into abutting engagement with the
end faces 224c and 226c of the sleeve body, respectively,
substantially as shown in FIG. 10. After tightening of the bolt
assemblies to bring each of the transverse end faces 242 of the end
rings 214a and 214b into abutting engagement with the end faces
224c and 226c of the sleeve body, the other of the end rings 214a
and 214b may be secured to its pipe section by tightening the
respective bolt assemblies 58 until the nutlike heads 66 shear off
to expose the secondary driveheads discussed above.
[0038] Accordingly, a fluid-tight high pressure sleeve or coupling
assembly is advantageously provided in accordance with the
embodiment described hereinabove. In the assembly of the coupling
or sleeve assembly 200 to join two pipe sections together as shown
in FIG. 10, the bolt assemblies may be tightened at least slightly
before the end rings 214a and 214b and sleeve body 212 are moved to
their final position with respect to the pipe sections 18 and 20
and the bolt assemblies then tightened before the wedge or gripper
members 46 on either one of the end rings 214a or 214b are
tightened to forcibly grip the pipe section over which that end
ring is sleeved. However, once one of the end rings 214a and 214b
has been properly located with respect to the pipe ends 18a or 20a
of the associated pipe sections, it may be advantageous to tighten
the one ring to the pipe section so that the best position of the
coupling assembly 200 is substantially retained when the bolts are
tightened to pull the end rings 214a and 214b toward each other and
in abutting engagement with the transverse ends 224c and 226c of
the sleeve body 212.
[0039] The construction and use of the sleeve or coupling assembly
10 may be carried out in accordance with known processes for
manufacturing pipe fittings and the like. The materials used in
constructing the components of the sleeve assemblies 10, 100 and
200 may be standard for the industry and known to those skilled in
the art. For example, the sleeve body 12 and 212 and the end rings
14a and 14b or 214a and 214b may be formed of cast ductile iron and
the gaskets 28, 30 and 120 formed of suitable elastomers. The wedge
or gripper members 46 may also be formed of cast or forged steel
with hardened gripper teeth 49a and 49b. The bolt assemblies 58 may
be formed in accordance with known practices for high strength
threaded fasteners. Accordingly, it is believed that those skilled
in the art will be able to practice the present embodiment based on
the foregoing description.
[0040] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail
herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various
substitutions and modification may be made without departing from
the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *