Patent ID: 9217530
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A tapping sleeve assembly comprising: a sleeve configured to clamp a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis; said sleeve having a first member, a second member separate from said first member, and a connecting assembly between said first member and said second member; said first member having a branch aperture configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit; said connecting assembly configured and arranged to tighten said first and said second members to said main fluid conduit; a gasket configured to be disposed between said first member and said main fluid conduit; said gasket having a protruding aperture seal configured to extend around said branch aperture between said sleeve and said main fluid conduit and to be offset a non-uniform distance from said branch aperture; said protruding aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a radial profile thickness relative to said longitudinal axis; at least one inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead extending from said first inwardly protruding portion of said protruding aperture seal away from said branch aperture in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis; wherein said first inwardly protruding portion of said protruding aperture seal is closer to said branch aperture than said circumferential seal bead; said circumferential seal bead having a main length portion having a radial profile thickness relative to said longitudinal axis less than said radial profile thickness of said first inwardly protruding portion of said protruding aperture seal; said circumferential seal bead having a junction end portion between said main length portion and said first inwardly protruding portion of said protruding aperture seal; said junction end portion of said circumferential seal bead having along its length a non-uniform radial profile thickness relative to said longitudinal axis; and said protruding aperture seal having along its length a non-uniform radial profile thickness relative to said longitudinal axis.