Patent Publication Number: US-2023160517-A1

Title: Pipe coupling sleeve assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid conduit repair and couplings, and more particularly to an improved pipe coupling sleeve assembly. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Split repair and encapsulating sleeves or clamps are used in the repair or reinforcement of pipes. For example, conventional assemblies for coupling and sealing adjacent ends of two adjacent pipe sections include a sleeve, shell, ring or collar with each pipe end extending into a respective end of the sleeve. Gaskets are placed between the sleeve and each pipe end, respectively, such that tightening the sleeve to the pipe sections compresses the gasket against the pipe ends, thereby sealing the pipe coupling to the pipes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,210, entitled “Pipe Coupling,” discloses a sleeve, flanges and gaskets that are coupled together via bolts to compress the gaskets against pipe ends as the flanges are drawn towards each other. U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,458, entitled “Pipe Coupling With Gasket Locating Means,” discloses a pipe coupling having a split housing surrounding a split-ring gasket. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0327576, entitled “Pipe Coupler and Gasket With Positive Retention and Sealing Capability,” discloses a coupler which provides positive retention of a gasket about the circumference of the coupler. U.S. Pat. No. 8,776,351, entitled “Split-Ring Gland Pipe Coupling With Corrugated Armor,” discloses a pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes that includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and an annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,586, entitled “Pipe Seal Element,” is directed to a gasket that maintains contact with a pipe and a flange during and after seal compression. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With parenthetical reference to corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, an improved conduit coupling assembly ( 15 ) configured to clamp to a fluid conduit ( 19 ) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x) is provided comprising: an arcuate first clamp ring ( 16 ) having a first longitudinal edge ( 28 A) and a second longitudinal edge ( 28 B); a first connecting assembly ( 18 ) configured to tighten the first clamp ring ( 16 ) to the fluid conduit ( 19 ) from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; an arcuate first gasket ( 25 ) configured to be positioned radially between the first clamp ring ( 16 ) and the fluid conduit ( 19 ); the first clamp ring ( 16 ) comprising a first inner surface ( 53 ,  54 ,  55 ) radially facing a first outer surface ( 44 ) of the first gasket ( 16 ); the first clamp ring ( 16 ) comprising an inwardly extending annular first side wall ( 50 ,  51 ,  52 ); an arcuate second clamp ring ( 116 ) having a first longitudinal edge ( 128 A) and a second longitudinal edge ( 128 B); a second connecting assembly ( 118 ) configured to tighten the second clamp ring ( 116 ) to the fluid conduit ( 19 ) from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; an arcuate second gasket ( 125 ) configured to be positioned radially between the second clamp ring ( 116 ) and the fluid conduit ( 19 ); an arcuate middle ring ( 17 ) configured to extend axially between the first clamp ring ( 16 ) and the second clamp ring ( 116 ); the middle ring ( 17 ) comprising an outwardly extending annular first flange ( 23 ); at least a portion ( 84 ) of the first flange ( 23 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) disposed axially between and radially overlapping ( 90 ) at least a portion ( 66 ) of the first side wall ( 50 ,  51 ,  52 ) of the first clamp ring ( 16 ) and at least a portion ( 47 ) of an annular first side surface ( 41 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ); the first annular flange ( 23 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) comprising an axially extending first retention rim ( 85 ); the first retention rim ( 85 ) of the first annular flange ( 23 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) axially overlapping ( 91 ) and disposed radially between a first retained portion ( 47 ) of the first outer surface ( 44 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ) and a first opposed portion ( 53 ) of the first inner surface ( 53 ,  54 ,  55 ) of the first clamp ring ( 16 ); and the first retention rim ( 85 ) of the first annular flange ( 23 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) and the first retained portion ( 47 ) of the first outer surface ( 44 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ) forming a gasket retaining element restraining radial movement of the first side surface ( 41 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ) relative to the first flange ( 23 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ). 
     The first retention rim ( 85 ) may comprise an arcuate inwardly facing first retention surface ( 73 ) in opposed orientation to the first retained portion ( 47 ) of the first outer surface ( 44 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ). The first retention surface ( 73 ) of the first retention rim ( 85 ) may comprise a cylindrical surface concentric with the fluid conduit ( 19 ). The first retention surface of the first retention rim may comprise multiple separate circumferentially arranged and spaced apart inwardly facing first retention surfaces in opposed orientation to the first retained portion of the first outer surface of the first gasket. 
     The first clamp ring ( 16 ) may comprise an outwardly extending inwardly facing first groove portion ( 63 ) forming the first opposed portion ( 53 ) of the first inner surface ( 53 ,  54 ,  55 ) of the first clamp ring ( 16 ) and providing a radial gap ( 95 ) between the radially facing first retained portion ( 47 ) of the first outer surface ( 44 ) of the first gasket ( 25 ) and the first opposed portion ( 53 ) of the first inner surface ( 53 ,  54 ,  55 ) of the first clamp ring ( 16 ). 
     The second clamp ring ( 116 ) may comprise a second inner surface radially facing a second outer surface of the second gasket; the second clamp ring ( 116 ) may comprise an inwardly extending annular second side wall; the middle ring ( 17 ) may comprise an outwardly extending annular second flange ( 123 ); at least a portion of the second flange ( 123 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) may be disposed axially between and radially overlap at least a portion of the second side wall of the second clamp ring ( 116 ) and at least a portion of an annular second side surface of the second gasket ( 125 ); the second annular flange ( 123 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) may comprise an axially extending second retention rim; the second retention rim of the second annular flange ( 123 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) may axially overlap and be disposed radially between a second retained portion of the second outer surface of the second gasket ( 125 ) and a second opposed portion of the second inner surface of the second clamp ring ( 116 ); and the second retention rim of the second annular flange ( 123 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ) and the second retained portion of the second outer surface of the second gasket ( 125 ) may form a gasket retaining element restraining radial movement of the second side surface of the second gasket relative to the second flange ( 123 ) of the middle ring ( 17 ). 
     The conduit coupling assembly may comprise a spanner ( 26 ) configured to extend across a longitudinal ring gap ( 29 ) between the first longitudinal edge ( 28 A) and the second longitudinal edge ( 28 B) of the first clamp ring ( 16 ). The first gasket ( 25 ) may comprise an outer gasket layer ( 40 ) and a separate inner gasket layer ( 30 ) and the inner and outer gasket layers configured to be selectively engaged ( 35 ,  46 ) with each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved assembly. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  2   , taken generally on line S-S of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  3   , taken generally within the indicated circle Y of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of the middle ring shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the middle ring shown in  FIG.  5   , taken generally on line AE-AE of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is an enlarged longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the middle ring shown in  FIG.  6   , taken generally within the indicated circle AF of  FIG.  6   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS.  1 - 3    thereof, an improved pipe coupling assembly is provided, of which a first embodiment is generally indicated at  15 . As shown, assembly  15  generally comprises middle encapsulation sleeve or ring  17  and two end ring gasket assemblies comprising end rings  16  and  116 , end spanners  26  and  126 , and end gaskets  25  and  125 , respectively, which surround pipe  19 . Middle ring  17 , end rings  16  and  116 , end gaskets  25  and  125 , and pipe  19  are all generally ring-like cylindrical structures orientated about axis x-x. In operation, middle ring  17 , end rings  16  and  116 , and end gaskets  25  and  125  are circumferentially disposed on the outside of pipe  19 . 
     End rings  16  and  116  overlap the respective annular flanged edges  23  and  123  of middle ring  17 . End ring  16  includes semi-cylindrical half ring  18 A and semi-cylindrical half ring  18 B, which are bolted together via tightening assembly  18  to encapsulate pipe  19 . Semi-cylindrical half ring  18 A and semi-cylindrical half ring  18 B include abutting ends  27 A and  27 B and spaced ends  28 A and  28 B, respectively. Abutting ends  27 A and  27 B are configured to be securely coupled together in a generally gap-free relationship as shown in  FIG.  1   . With abutting ends  27 A and  27 B coupled via bolt  38  and nut  39 , spaced ends  28 A and  28 B define a variable gap  29  therebetween. Spaced end  28 A of half ring  18 A includes a first bolt lug projecting radially outwardly from spaced end  28 A. Similarly, spaced end  28 B of half ring  18 B includes a second bolt lug projecting radially outwardly from spaced end  28 B. Half ring  18 A and half ring  18 B are thereby connected and tightened around pipe  19  via bolt  38 , extending between openings in the respective lugs, and corresponding nut  39 . Similarly, end ring  116  includes semi-cylindrical half ring  118 A and semi-cylindrical half ring  118 B, which are bolted together via tightening assembly  118  to encapsulate pipe  19 . Half ring  118 A and half ring  118 B are thereby connected and tightened around pipe  19  via bolt  38  and corresponding nut  39 . 
     End gaskets  25  and  125  are configured to wrap around and encircle pipe  19  between the outer surface of pipe  19  and inner pockets  21  and  121  of end rings  16  and  116 , respectively, of assembly  15  to form a seal, with end gaskets  25  and  125  sealing on pipe  19 . Assembly  15  is thereby configured and arranged to be tightened around pipe  19 . 
     End gaskets  25  and  125  are disposed generally between the inner annular surfaces of end rings  16  and  116  and end spanners  26  and  126 , the inner cylindrical surfaces of rings  16  and  116  and end spanners  26  and  126 , the outer annular surface of flanges  23  and  123  of middle ring  17 , respectively, and the outer cylindrical surface of pipe  19 . Thus, end gaskets  25  and  125  are sandwiched between the inside cylindrical surfaces of end rings  16  and  116  and end spanners  26  and  126  and the outside cylindrical surface of conduit  19  to provide sufficient sealing force to prevent leakage of fluid. Elastic or sealing energy is imparted into assembly  15  by tightening end rings  16  and  116  from a loosened or a non-actuated position to a tightened sealed position. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 7   , each of end gaskets  25  and  125  comprises two nested gasket split-ring layers  30  and  40  that can be separated from each other. Each end gasket  25  and  125  comprises outer gasket split-ring  40  and removable inner gasket split-ring  30 . Inner split-ring or layer  30  may be removed from outer split-ring or layer  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , outer split ring gasket  40  is a specially-configured ring-shaped solid penannular member elongated along axis x-x, and is generally bounded by rightwardly-facing vertical annular surface  41 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  42 , leftwardly-facing vertical annular surface  43 , and outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  44 , joined at its right marginal end to the outer marginal end of surface  41 . As shown, surface  41  includes annular pressure assist cavity  45  to aid in sealing to pipe  19  under compressive pressure, and surface  42  includes annular channels  46  extending into surface  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , inner split ring gasket  30  is a specially-configured ring-shaped solid penannular member elongated along axis x-x and is generally bounded by rightwardly-facing vertical annular surface  31 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  32 , leftwardly-facing vertical annular surface  33 , and outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  34 , joined at its right marginal end to the outer marginal end of surface  31 . As shown, surface  34  includes first splines  35  extending outwardly from surface  34 . 
     Splines  35  of inner gasket  30  are orientated in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis x-x and mate with channels  46  of outer gasket  40 , respectively. Inner gasket split-ring  30  is manually removable from outer gasket split-ring  40  to allow end gaskets  25  and  125  to be installed on an oversize pipe. Inner split-ring  30  and outer split-ring  40  are loosely connected to each other via annular splines  35  of inner gasket  30  being nested in annular channels  46 , respectively, such that inner split-ring  30  is adapted to be removed from outer split-ring  40  at a predetermined location. This allows end gaskets  25  and  125  to be used with pipes of substantially different diameters. For pipes of greater outer diameter, inner split-ring  30  is manually separated from outer split-ring  40  and just outer split-ring  40  is used as the end gasket. 
     As shown, inner gasket layer  30  has an axial width between side surfaces  31  and  33  that is greater than the axial width between side surfaces  41  and  43  of outer gasket layer  40 . As shown, outer split-ring  40  does not entirely overlap inner split-ring  30 . Inner split-ring  30  has outer axial width along axis x-x and outer split ring  40  has outer axial width along axis x-x less than the axial width of inner split ring  30 . 
     Split-ring end gaskets  25  and  125  are formed of a resilient material and are cut radially so as to be penannular and not form a full ring. Thus, instead of being a full continuous annular ring, a radial break or gap is provided through each layer  30  and  40  at a circumferential location. Thus, each layer  30  and  40  has a radial split through the entire gasket cross-section. The edges of the gap may thereby be manually separated or pulled apart from each other to form a more open C-shaped member. Once installed on pipe  19 , the opposed ends of the split-ring gasket layers  30  and  40  will move back towards each other and the gap will close up. 
     To bridge gap  29  that is formed between spaced ends  28 A and  28 B of end ring  16 , end spanner plate  26 , orientated transverse to axis x-x, is employed to provide gasket compression across gap  29 . End spanner  26  is generally S-shaped in cross section and has an arcuate shape along its length. Spanner  26  is a metallic strip that spans arc-shaped gap  29  between opposed edges  28 A and  28 B of end ring  16 . The interior edges and surfaces of end ring  16  that are in contact with spanner  26  apply a normal force or pressure that is directed radially inward toward the center axis of pipe  19 , which develops the necessary sealing pressure between spanner  26  and pipe  19 . Spanner  26  is designed to compress gasket  25  across gap  29  between longitudinal edges  28 A and  28 B of end ring  16 . The opposed spaced ends  28 A and  28 B of end ring  16  are intended to slide, translate or slip over the outer surface of spanner  26 , and thereby provide diameter reduction and gasket compression upon the tightening of connection assembly  18 . As nut  39  is tightened on bolt  38  of connection assembly  18 , a radially orientated inward force is applied to spanner  26  and the opposed lugs of opposed ends  28 A and  28 B of end ring  16  are drawn together, thereby tightening assembly  15  to pipe  19 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   , middle ring  17  is a specially-configured cylindrical ring-shaped annular member elongated along axis x-x, and is generally bounded by rightwardly-facing vertical annular surface  70 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  71 , leftwardly facing vertical annular surface  72 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  73 , leftwardly-facing vertical annular surface  74 , outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  75 , rightwardly-facing vertical annular surface  76 , outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  77 , leftwardly-facing vertical annular surface  78 , and outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  79 , joined at its right marginal end to the outer marginal end of surface  70 . Surfaces  71  and  77  of middle ring  16  generally define cylindrical horizontal center portion  22 . Surfaces  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75  and  76  of middle ring  16  generally define annular flange portion  23  that extends radially outward from the left end of center portion  22 . Surfaces  70 ,  78  and  79  of middle ring  16  generally define annular flange portion  123  that extends radially outward from the right end of center portion  22 . Surfaces  73  and  74  generally define cylindrical retaining shoulder or rim  85 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , clamp ring  16  is a specially-configured ring-shaped solid penannular member elongated along axis x-x, and is generally bounded by rightwardly and slightly outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface  50 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  51 , leftwardly and slightly inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface  52 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  53 , rightwardly-facing vertical annular surface  54 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  55 , rightwardly and slightly inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface  56 , inwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  57 , leftwardly and slightly outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface  58 , outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  59 , leftwardly-facing vertical annular surface  60 , and outwardly-facing horizontal cylindrical surface  61 , joined at its right marginal end to the outer marginal end of surface  50 . Surfaces  55  and  59  of end ring  16  generally define cylindrical horizontal center portion  64 . Surfaces  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54   60  and  61  generally define inwardly facing generally U-shaped (in cross section) groove portion  63  that extends radially outward from the inner end of center portion  64 . Surfaces  56 ,  57  and  58  generally define annular outer portion  65  extending radially inward from the outer end of center portion  64 . When assembled, inner surfaces  55  and  53  of end ring  16  radially face outer surface  44  of gasket  25 . And surface  53  is orientated radially outward from surface  55  of end ring  16  by radial distance  94  such that first gasket groove portion  63  forms cavity  67  having radial gap  95  between radially facing outer surface  44  of gasket  25  and opposed inner surface  53  of end ring  16 . Retaining rim  85  extends into cavity  67  between inner surface  53  of groove portion  63  of end ring  16  and outer surface  44  of gasket  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the inside branch of groove portion  63  includes end portion  66  that is configured to radially overlap end portion  84  of annular flange  23  of middle ring  17  by radial overlap  90 . When assembled, end portion  84  of flange  23  of middle ring  17  is disposed axially between end portion  66  of groove portion  63  of clamp ring  16  on side  76  and a portion of surface  41  of gasket  25  on side  72 . Thus, axially abutting surfaces  76  and  52  of flange  23  of middle ring  17  and end portion  66  of end ring  16 , respectively, retain end ring  16  such that end ring  16  is restrained from moving axially to the left relative to middle ring  17 . 
     When assembled, at least annular shoulder or rim  85  of end flange  23  axially overlaps corner portion  47  of gasket  25  to the outside of surface  44  of gasket  25 , thereby retaining corner  47  of gasket  25  such that surface  41  of gasket  25  is restrained from moving radially outward relative to surface  72  of flange  23  of middle ring  17 . Axially extending retention rim  85  of annular flange  23  of middle ring  17  is configured to axially overlap surface  44  of gasket  25  by axial overlap  91 . When assembled, retention rim  85  of annular flange  23  of middle ring  17  is disposed radially between retained portion  47  of outer surface  44  of gasket  25  on side  73  and surface  53  of U-shaped portion  63  of clamp ring  16  on side  75 . Radially abutting surfaces  73  and  44  of middle ring  17  and gasket  25 , respectively, retain gasket  25  such that gasket is restrained from moving radially outward. Thus, retention rim  85  of annular flange  23  of middle ring  17  and retained portion  47  of outer surface  44  of gasket  25  form a gasket retaining element restraining radial movement of annular side surface  41  of gasket  25  relative to side surface  72  of flange  23  of middle ring  17 . Although the surfaces are shown as being substantially cylindrical or annular, other cross-sectional profiles, shapes, or contours could be used to form a retaining shoulder or protrusion. 
     Gasket  25  is thereby mounted concentrically in retaining portion  21  of end ring  16  such that it does not move axially out of retaining portion  21 . At least a portion of gasket  25  is captured axially between surface  56  of outer portion  65  of end ring  16  and surface  72  of flange  23  of middle ring  17 . At least a portion of gasket  25  is captured radially between surface  55  of center portion  64  of end ring  16  and pipe  19 . At least a portion of gasket  25  is captured radially between surface  73  of shoulder  85  of end flange  23  of middle ring  17  and pipe  19 . Thus, outer portion  65  of end ring  16 , center portion  64  of end ring  16 , retaining rim  85  of middle ring  17 , and flange  23  of middle ring  17  collectively define gasket seat  21  for split-ring gasket  25 . 
     Retaining rim  85  of middle ring  17  provides a number of unexpected benefits over the prior art. For example, and without limitation, retaining rim  85  locates and positions gasket  25  so that gasket  25  does not move and is retained in seat  21  instead of sliding around relative to sleeve  16  and  17 . Retaining rim  85  provides improved control over and uniformity of gasket pressure in the vicinity and region of gasket end  41 . Retaining rim  85  retaining depth  91  can be selected to control overall gasket compression. Retaining rim  85  provides for increased seal pressure and seal reliability and provides an improved circumferential seal when assembly  18  is tightened and assists in the progressive seal that occurs during installation and bolt tightening. 
     End ring  116 , end spanner  126 , and end gasket  125  are configured and function substantially the same as end ring  16 , end spanner  26  and end gasket  25 . End flange  123  of middle ring  17  may also be configured and function substantially the same relative to end ring  116  and end gasket  125  as end flange  23  relative to end ring  16  and end gasket  25 . 
     The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while forms of the improved coupling assembly have been shown and described, and a number of alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the claims.