Abstract:
A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve ( 15 ) configured to clamp a main fluid conduit ( 16 ) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member ( 34 ), a second member ( 40 ) separate from the first member, and a connecting assembly ( 21 ) between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture ( 23 ) configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit ( 29 ), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket ( 32 ) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal ( 22 ) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit and to be offset a distance ( 57 ) from the branch aperture, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion ( 35 ) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and having a thickness ( 53 ), at least one inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead ( 37 ) extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first inwardly protruding portion of the aperture seal bead, the circumferential seal bead having a main length portion ( 39 ) having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the circumferential seal bead having a junction end portion ( 52 ) between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, the junction end portion of the circumferential seal bead having a non-uniform thickness, the protruding aperture seal having a non-uniform thickness ( 50 - 51 ), and the offset distance being non-uniform ( 57   a - c ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of pipe fittings, and more particularly to an improved tapping sleeve and gasket. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Tapping sleeves are used to enable or permit branch connections to be made to fluid carrying (i.e. water main for distribution) pipes and pipelines. Current tapping sleeve designs typically employ branch sealing (aperture) gasket bead geometries of constant height cross sections, and locate the aperture seal immediately adjacent to the branch transition. However, existing tapping sleeve and gasket assemblies have a limited range of the minimum to maximum pipe diameter on which a given sleeve effectively seals to the fluid carrying pipe. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    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, the present invention provides an improved tapping sleeve assembly ( 14 ) comprising a sleeve ( 15 ) configured to clamp a main fluid conduit ( 16 ) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member ( 34 ), a second member ( 40 ) separate from the first member, and a connecting assembly ( 21 ) between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture ( 23 ) configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit ( 29 ), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket ( 32 ) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal ( 22 ) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit and to be offset a distance ( 57 ) from the branch aperture, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion ( 35 ) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and having a thickness ( 53 ), at least one inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead ( 37 ) extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first inwardly protruding portion of the aperture seal bead, the circumferential seal bead having a main length portion ( 39 ) having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the circumferential seal bead having a junction end portion ( 52 ) between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, the junction end portion of the circumferential seal bead having a non-uniform thickness, the protruding aperture seal having a non-uniform thickness ( 50 - 51 ), and the offset distance being non-uniform ( 57   a - c ). 
         [0004]    The aperture seal may comprise a first outwardly extending ( 36 ) longitudinally running portion ( 48 ) and a first outwardly extending transversely running portion ( 49 ) and the radial thickness ( 56 ) of the first transversely running portion is reduced from the radial thickness ( 55 ) of the first longitudinally running portion. The first transversely running portion may have a thickness that changes in proportion to its transverse distance from the longitudinal axis, and the change in thickness may be non-linear. The connection assembly may comprise a first side bar element ( 19 ) connected to a longitudinally extending edge ( 74 ) of the first member and a second side bar element ( 24 ) connected to a longitudinally extending edge ( 73 ) of the second member, the first side bar comprising a first mounting plate ( 66 ) oriented in a plane substantially tangential to an outer surface of the conduit, the second side bar comprising a second mounting plate ( 67 ) oriented in a plane substantially tangential to an outer surface of the conduit, multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 28 ) extending from the first mounting plate and multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 26 ) extending from the second mounting plate at corresponding positions along the longitudinal axis, and a bolt ( 18 ) extending between each of the respective lugs on the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate at each of the longitudinal positions, whereby the first side bar and the second side bar may be drawn towards each other with a nut ( 20 ) on each of the respective bolts. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, the invention provides a tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve ( 15 ) configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit ( 16 ) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member ( 34 ), a second member ( 40 ) separate from the first member, and a connecting assembly ( 21 ) between the first member and the second member, a branch aperture ( 23 ) in the first member communicating with a branch fluid conduit ( 29 ) attached to the first member, the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position, a gasket ( 32 ) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising a flexible sheet ( 33 ) having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface and a thickened aperture seal ( 22 ) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit, and the aperture seal having a non-uniform radial thickness ( 50 ,  51 ) around the branch aperture between the first member and the main fluid conduit when the connection assembly is in the loosened position. 
         [0006]    The aperture seal may comprise a first outwardly extending ( 36 ) longitudinally running portion ( 48   a ) and a first outwardly extending transversely running portion ( 49   a ) and the radial thickness ( 56 ) of the first transversely running portion is reduced from the radial thickness ( 55 ) of the first longitudinally running portion. The first transversely running portion may have a thickness ( 51 ) that changes in proportion to its transverse distance from the longitudinal axis, and the change in thickness may be non-linear. The aperture seal may comprise a second outwardly extending longitudinally running portion ( 48   b ) and a second outwardly extending transversely running portion ( 49   b ) and the radial thickness of the second transversely running portion is reduced from the radial thickness of the second longitudinally running portion. The aperture seal may comprise a portion ( 49 ) having a cross-sectional thickness ( 51 ) that changes substantially in proportion to its transverse distance from the longitudinal axis. The aperture seal may have a first portion ( 48 ) having a first thickness ( 50 ) and a second portion ( 49 ) having a second thickness ( 51 ), wherein the first portion is compressed between the first member and the main fluid conduit before the second member is compressed between the first member and the main fluid conduit when the connection assembly is tightened from the loosened position to the tightened position. The aperture seal may be offset ( 57 ) a distance from the branch aperture and the offset distance may be non-uniform. The aperture seal may be molded separately from the flexible sheet. The connection assembly may comprise a first side bar element ( 19 ) connected to a longitudinally extending edge ( 74 ) of the first member and a second side bar element ( 24 ) connected to a longitudinally extending edge ( 73 ) of the second member, the first side bar comprising a first mounting plate ( 66 ) oriented in a plane substantially tangential to an outer surface of the conduit, the second side bar comprising a second mounting plate ( 67 ) oriented in a plane substantially tangential to an outer surface of the conduit, multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 28 ) extending from the first mounting plate and multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 26 ) extending from the second mounting plate at corresponding positions along the longitudinal axis, and a bolt ( 18 ) extending between each of the respective lugs on the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate at each of the longitudinal positions, whereby the first side bar and the second side bar may be drawn towards each other with a nut ( 20 ) on each of the respective bolts. The first and the second side bars may be L-shaped members. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention provides a tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having an upper shell portion, a lower shell portion, a first spanner ( 30 ) configured to extend across a first longitudinally extending gap between the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion, a second spanner ( 31 ) configured to extend across a second longitudinally extending gap between the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion, and a connecting assembly between the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion, the first portion having a branch aperture configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit, the connecting assembly configured and arranged to tighten the upper portion, the lower portion, the first spanner and the second spanner around the main fluid conduit, a gasket ( 32 ) disposed between the first spanner and the main fluid conduit, the gasket having a recess ( 61 ) for receiving at least a portion of the first spanner, the recess having a depth ( 62 ) and the first spanner having a thickness ( 63 ) greater than the recess depth, and the first spanner having a chamfered longitudinally extending edge ( 59 ). 
         [0008]    The gasket may have a second recess for receiving at least a portion of the second spanner, the second recess may have a depth and the second spanner may have a thickness greater than the second recess depth, and the second spanner may have a chamfered longitudinally extending edge. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the invention provides a tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having a first member, a second member separate from the first member and a connecting assembly between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit, the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising a flexible sheet and a thickened aperture seal configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit, the aperture seal having a first inwardly extending portion ( 35 ) extending substantially parallel ( 48 ) to the longitudinal axis, the first portion of the aperture seal having a thickness ( 53 ), the gasket having at least one inwardly extending circumferential seal bead ( 37 ) extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first portion of the aperture seal bead, the circumferential seal bead having a main length portion ( 39 ) having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the circumferential seal bead having a junction end portion ( 52 ) between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, and the junction end portion of the circumferential seal bead having a thickness greater than the thickness of the main portion. 
         [0010]    The end portion may be tapered from substantially the thickness of the main portion to substantially the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal. The circumferential seal bead may have a dual lip configuration. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the invention provides a tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having a first portion, a second portion separate from the first portion and a connecting assembly between the first portion and the second portion, a branch aperture ( 23 ) in the first member communicating with a branch fluid conduit attached to the first member at a branch junction ( 54 ) and oriented about a branch longitudinal axis (y-y), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second portions to the main fluid conduit, a gasket disposed between the first portion and the main fluid conduit, the gasket having an aperture seal configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit and to be offset outwardly a distance ( 57 ) from the branch aperture, and the offset distance being non-uniform ( 57   a - c ). 
         [0012]    The aperture seal may comprise a first protruding portion ( 48 ) having an offset distance ( 57   a ) from the branch junction and orientated substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second protruding portion ( 49 ) having an offset distance ( 57   c ) from the branch junction and orientated substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the offset distance of the first portion is different than the offset distance of the second portion. The offset distance of the first portion may be less than the offset distance of the second portion. The aperture seal may comprises an arcuate protruding portion offset outwardly from the branch junction and having an inner radius of curvature ( 57   b ) relative to the branch longitudinal axis, wherein the branch fluid conduit has a branch diameter and the inner radius of the arcuate portion is less than about twenty-five percent of the branch diameter. The branch fluid conduit attachment to the first member at the branch junction may substantially stiffen the first member in a region proximate to the branch junction and the offset may be outside the stiffened region. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, the general object is to provide a tapping sleeve that provides for sufficient gasket sealing force and seal pressure to seal the tapping sleeve body to the main fluid carrying pipe with varying pipe outside diameters and pipe materials within a nominal pipe diameter range. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide a tapping sleeve that may be used on extended ranges of pipe outside diameters. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide a tapping sleeve that reduces the number of different sleeves that must be held in inventory to cover the range of pipe diameters encountered in a given nominal pipe diameter range. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide a tapping sleeve that at least doubles the range of pipe diameters on which a given tapping sleeve nominal size may be employed, compared to the current products available in the marketplace. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide a tapping sleeve having improved performance and operational efficiency. 
         [0018]    These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of an embodiment of the improved tapping sleeve and gasket assembly in engagement with a pipe. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , taken generally on line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 1  unrolled. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 5 , taken generally on line B-B of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 5 , taken generally on line C-C of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged detailed view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 8 , taken within the indicated circle K of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a partial cutaway isometric view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged detailed view of the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 10 , taken within the indicated circle J of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a left internal isometric view of the tapping sleeve shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a partial exploded isometric view of the tapping sleeve shown in  FIG. 1  without the branch line shown and including a projection of the branch aperture. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 14 , taken generally on line N-N of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged detailed view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 15 , taken within the indicated circle P of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is an unrolled side view of the upper gasket and spanner shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged detailed view of the upper gasket and spanner shown in  FIG. 17 , taken within the indicated circle R of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a partial schematic view of the upper shell, branch pipe and main pipe shown in  FIG. 3  in a non-actuated condition. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a partial schematic view of the minimum additional space filled by the upper gasket shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    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. 
         [0040]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, this invention provides an improved tapping sleeve and gasket assembly, of which the presently preferred embodiment is generally indicated at  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , assembly  14  generally comprises tapping sleeve  15 , which in operation is mounted on the outside of pipe  16 , and gasket  17 , which in operation is disposed between pipe  16  and sleeve  15 . 
         [0041]    Tapping sleeve  15  includes semi-cylindrical top half shell  34 , semi-cylindrical lower half shell  40 , and specially configured spanners  30  and  31 . Top half shell  34  and bottom half shell  40  are connected and tightened around pipe  16  with connection assembly  21 . 
         [0042]    Gasket  15  includes upper gasket  32  and lower spanning gasket  42 . As described in further detail below, upper gasket  32  and lower gasket  42  are flexible elastomeric matte gasket sheets having specially contoured raised or thickened sealing beads, including circumferential seal beads  37  and thickened branch aperture seal  22  on upper gasket  32 . 
         [0043]    Tapping sleeve assembly  14  is founded by joining and welding in place a cylindrical branch connection  29  to top half shell  34 , which is then mated to fluid carrying pipe  16  with upper gasket  32 , lower half shell  40  and lower gasket  42 . Gaskets  32  and  42  are sandwiched between the inside cylindrical surfaces of shells  34  and  40  and the outside cylindrical surface of main fluid carrying pipe  16  to provide sufficient sealing force to prevent leakage of fluid from the interface once a tap is made into fluid carrying pipe  16  through branch outlet  29 . Elastic (sealing) energy is imparted into the structure by tightening or actuating connections  21   a  and  21   b  from a loosened or non-actuated position, shown in  FIG. 3 , to a tightened sealed position. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , L-shaped sidebars  19   a  and  19   b  are welded to the two edges  73   a  and  73   b  of top shell  34  that are coincident with the longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16  and L-shaped sidebars  24   a  and  24   b  are welded to the two edges  74   a  and  74   b  of lower shell  40  that are coincident with the longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16 . As shown, each side bar is formed of a first generally horizontally extending member  65  and a second generally vertically extending member  66  joined at one longitudinal edge to the longitudinal edge of the respective shell and connected at the other longitudinal edge to the outer longitudinal edge of horizontal member  65 , with horizontal member  65  not being as wide as vertical member  66 . Thus, side bars  19  and  24  are configured such that they do not extend horizontally from axis x-x substantially beyond the longitudinal edges  73  and  74  of top shell  34  and lower shell  40 , respectively, when shells  34  and  40  are in an un-tightened or non-actuated position. Instead, a series of lugs, severally indicated at  26  and  28 , are in turn welded to sidebars  19  and  24 , respectively, to provide the necessary clearance outside of shells  34  and  40  for bolts  18 . Threaded bolts  18  extend between lugs  26  and  28  and corresponding nuts  20  are tightened on bolts  18  to draw sidebars  19  of top shell  34  and opposed sidebars  24  of lower shell  40  together, thereby tightening sleeve  15  to pipe  16 . Alternatively, connection assemblies  21  may be formed as complete castings. Connections  21   a  and  21   b  result in less stiffening of the longitudinal ends of shells  34  and  40  and thereby allow sleeve  15  to flex and actuate gasket  32  to form a tight seal when connections  21   a  and  21   b  are tightened. 
         [0045]    As shown in FIGS.  3  and  5 - 11 , upper gasket  32  is sized to encircle substantially completely the outside diameter of the smallest diameter fluid carrying pipe  16  for the given sleeve size. Lower matte gasket  42  is sized to span the zone of reduced gasket thickness and any gap between the longitudinal tapered proximal edge portions  44   a  and  44   b  of lower gasket  32 . Thus, as the pipe diameter on which assembly  14  is installed increases, upper matte gasket  32  ends  44   a  and  44   b  separate, and lower matte gasket  42  further engages upper gasket  32  to continue the sealing action. 
         [0046]    As explained in further detail below with respect to upper gasket  32 , lower gasket  42  includes inwardly extending raised seal beads that running circumferentially and transversely to the longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16 . The inner seal beads face the outer surface of fluid carrying pipe  16  to provide for increased localized gasket sealing pressure. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-20 , upper gasket  32  is formed of a flexible sheet  33  with a specially contoured thickened aperture seal  22  and multiple transversely extending protruding or raised inner circumferential seal beads  37 . Aperture seal  22  has a specially contoured profile and shape that includes protruding or raised inner aperture seal bead  35  and protruding or raised outer aperture seal bead  36 . While shown as being integrally molded as part of gasket  32 , main aperture seal  22  could be molded separately from the remainder of gasket  32 , thereby allowing for different main seal profiles to be used interchangeably, which provide manufacturing costs reductions and improved inventory efficiency. 
         [0048]    As shown, sheet  33  of upper gasket  32  includes inwardly extending raised seal beads  37  that running circumferentially and transversely to longitudinal axis x-x of fluid carrying pipe  16 . Inner seal beads  37  face the outer surface of fluid carrying pipe  16  to provide for increased localized gasket sealing pressure. These circumferential seal beads provide for improved seal performance if main fluid carrying pipe  16  should suffer a complete circumferential break, as is possible when tapping sleeve  14  is used to branch into brittle conductor pipe materials such as ductile iron, asbestos cement or concrete pipe materials. These circumferential raised seal beads provide matte gasket stiffening support, and prevent the matte gasket from undergoing extrusion at the shell free ends. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , certain of circumferential seal beads  37  on the inside (pipe  16  side) of upper matte gasket  32  include a tapered portion  52  to an increased thickness where they approach and meet the longitudinally extending portion of inner aperture seal bead  35 . Inner aperture seal bead  35  is generally thicker than the main portion  39  of circumferential seal beads  37 . Tapered portion  52  thickens the end portions of beads  37  to about the same thickness as aperture seal bead  35 . This thickened portion supports seal bead  35  and provides more uniform compression and better seal strength. Circumferential seal beads employing this ramped or inclined section  52  in the vicinity of the main aperture seal  22  substantially reduce a potential leak path that might otherwise occur due to rubber “fold-over”. Thus, it helps reduce the chances of a leak path forming that might otherwise occur with an abrupt thickness change at the junction between aperture seal bead  35  and circumferential seal bead  37 . 
         [0050]    Circumferential seal beads  37  utilize a double o-ring radial inwardly-facing geometry. Thus, the main matte gasket circumferential seal beads (both upper and lower gasket sheets) have parallel (double) seal beads of semicircular cross section, raised by pedestal above the main gasket sheet sealing surface, to provide for increased seal pressure and seal reliability. 
         [0051]    As shown in FIGS.  3  and  5 - 8 , branch aperture seal  22  has a varying, non-uniform thickness relative to axis x-x and, as shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 - 15 , is substantially set back or separated from branch line  29  to upper shell  34  connection  54  by a varying and non-uniform distance  57 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view and shows the projection of shell aperture  23  on pipe  16  and set-off  57  relative to shell aperture  23 . As shown, in this embodiment the varying, non-uniform set-off  57  from shell aperture  23  is achieved by providing a generally rectangular aperture seal path  22  placed a distance  57  away from the generally circular aperture  23  in upper sleeve  34  and the upper sleeve  34  to branch  29  transition or connection  54 . As an alternative, seal contact path  22  may be elliptical, polygonal or rhombic. The top shell  34  to branch  29  attachment connection  54  (typically a welded joint) tends to stiffen a region of upper shell  34 , which limits deflection (radial flexure) in the vicinity of branch  19  as sleeve  15  is tightened to fluid carrying pipe  19 . Set-off  57   b  moves seal path  22  outward of this stiffened region, resulting in an improved seal as sleeve  17  is tightened to fluid carrying pipe  16 . 
         [0053]    In this embodiment, minimum set-off distance  57 a between the longitudinally extending portion of seal  22  and connection  54  and is about 1/16 of an inch. In this embodiment, the minimum set-off distance  57   c  between the transversely extending portion of seal  22  and connection  54  is about 1/16 of an inch, and is typically about ½ an inch and greater than set-off distance  57   a . The radius  57   b  of the inside curvature of seal bead  22 , where the transverse portion of aperture seal bead  22  meets the longitudinal portion, will typically be not greater than about 25% of the diameter of branch tube  29 . Thus, for a 6.625 inch diameter branch tube  29 , radius  57   b  is about 1.25 inches. 
         [0054]    Thickened branch aperture sealing portion  22  of upper gasket  32  utilizes specially profiled radial sealing bead heights or thicknesses  51  and  52  between top shell  34  and pipe  16 , which positions more gasket material against the fluid carrying pipe outer surface parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16 . The aperture seal profile gradually reduces in thickness (reduced gasket material) in the direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16 . Branch aperture sealing portion  22  employs sealing beads both on the inside  35  (fluid carrying pipe  16  side) and on the outside  36  (tapping sleeve side) of upper matte gasket  32  and sheet  33 . The additional branch aperture seal gasket thickness is distributed non-uniformly between the inside (fluid carrying pipe  16  side) and the outside (tapping sleeve side) of matte gasket  32 . Gasket sealing force at the minimum fluid carrying pipe diameter is thereby achieved by uniform compression of the additional thickness of the branch aperture seal material. And gasket sealing force at the maximum fluid carrying pipe diameter is thereby achieved by additional compression of the entire gasket sealing beads with no significant loss of material integrity or gasket service life. 
         [0055]    In particular, in this embodiment inner aperture seal bead  35  has a uniform radial thickness  53  or protrudes inwardly from sheet  33  a uniform distance. While in this embodiment inwardly facing gasket seal bead  35  is of uniform thickness  53  and projects at a uniform height above main gasket  33 , the total aperture seal bead thickness (inner seal bead  35  thickness, plus gasket sheet  33  thickness, plus outer seal bead  36  hyperbolic thickness)  50 / 51  may be distributed in such a manner that the inward facing aperture seal bead may be of non-uniform thickness or tip projection distance from main gasket sheet  33  in order to adjust for gasket compression. The thickness of main gasket sheet  33  may intersect the total aperture seal bead  22  thickness/height at any radial point along the total aperture seal bead  22  thickness. 
         [0056]    In this embodiment outer aperture seal bead  36  is not of a uniform radial thickness or height and instead varies between a thicker  55  or more raised profile portion  48  along that portion of seal  22  that is parallel to longitudinal axis x-x of pipe  16  to a reduced or thinning  56  profile portion  49  in the transverse direction or perpendicular to longitudinal axis x-x of fluid carrying pipe  16 . This results in positioning of more gasket material against the fluid carrying pipe outer surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid carrying pipe and reduced gasket material in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid carrying pipe. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the thickness  56  of thinned portion  49  of seal bead  36  is proportional to its transverse distance from longitudinal axis x-x. In this embodiment the thinnest sections  51  of seal  22  are at its intersection with the x-y plane, and from these points the thickness of portions  49  increase gradually, in this embodiment non-linearly, with the increase in transverse distance from longitudinal axis x-x, until reaching a maximum total thickness  50 . Alternative curves or tapers may be employed. 
         [0057]      FIG. 19  shows the general orientation and special geometry of upper shell  34 , branch tube  29 , and pipe  16  in a non-actuated condition, with gasket  32  omitted for clarity. Radials  80  and  81  in  FIG. 19  indicate the extents of region  54 , where branch tube  29  attaches to upper shell  34 . Above line  70  of  FIG. 19 , branch tube  29  is attached to upper shell  34 . Typically, attaching branch tube  29  to upper cylindrical half shell  34  stiffens the upper shell  34  sufficiently along the length of the shell to branch tube contact, the region above line  70 , to prevent radial inward deflection of upper shell  34  when downward forces are applied to ends  73   a  and  73   b  of upper shell  34  when connector  21  is actuated or clamped and gasket  17  is compressed during product installation. 
         [0058]      FIG. 20  shows the generation of hyperbolic triangle regions  71  and  72 , which represent in cross-section the minimum material that is added to seal bead  22  on the tapping sleeve shell side of main sheet gasket  32  in this embodiment. Thus, hyperbolic triangles  71  and  72  represent typical cross sections and thicknesses of the minimum additional outwardly extending material that is added to the sum of gasket sheet  33  and inwardly extending aperture seal bead  35  thicknesses to form an effective seal. The hyperbolic triangles are formed by arcs of different radii (pipe external radius  76  and shell internal radius  77 ) emanating from the same line  75 , terminating at what is the outermost extents of the aperture seal in this cross sectional view. 
         [0059]    The hyperbolic triangles depict the typical regions/areas/volumes that are to be filled with additional gasket material. However, the hyperbolic triangles do not define the extent or limit the extent, or shape, of the additional material thickness that may added to the gasket thickness, which may be more or less than the areas represented by hyperbolic triangles  71  and  72 , in order to adjust gasket compression. The amount of additional gasket material that may be added to the aperture seal bead is not limited to the volume or area of the region depicted by hyperbolic triangles  71  and  72 . The location and area/region/volume of the hyperbolic triangles depict the location of the typical voids that are filled with and occupied by the gasket material added to the sum of the gasket sheet thickness and the inner aperture seal bead thickness. 
         [0060]    The range of pipe diameters on which conventional tapping sleeve designs can be sealed is limited by the top shell branch attachment connection  54  (typically a welded joint) which stiffens or “locks in” the tapping sleeve upper shell formed arc radius, and subsequently the tapping sleeve assembled diameter. This weld connection stiffens a region of the upper shell and prohibits further diametral deflection (radial flexure) in the vicinity of the branch, as the sleeve is tightened to the fluid carrying pipe. The limiting factor is the radius of the arc in the upper shell, which gets fixed at the junction of the upper shell and the branch tube. Typically the radius of that fixed arc in conventional products is about 0.100 to 0.300 inches greater than the radius of the branch pipe. In this embodiment, the radius of arc  85  in upper shell  34  at juncture  54  is typically about 0.6 to 0.7 inches greater than the radius of the smallest pipe  16  in the shell&#39;s range. For example, upper (branch side) shell  34  can be provided with an inside radius of 4.00 inches and be used on pipe  16  having a diameter range of between about 6.6 inches (3.3″ r) and about 7.4 inches (3.7″ r). For this configuration, gasket  32  maxes out at about a 0.7 inch thickness at the longitudinal run  48  of aperture seal  22 . 
         [0061]    As shown, sealing beads  35  and  36  are of a rounded rectangular shape and take advantage of the elastic deflection that occurs in the vicinity of the branch to upper shell connection  54  when sleeve assembly  14  is installed and bolt  18  tension is applied. While in this embodiment the cross sectional profiles of the both internal and external aperture seal beads  35  and  36  are rectangular with chamfered corners at the tip edges, the inner and outer aperture seal bead cross sections that may be rounded, square, rhombic, triangular, polygonal, multi-profiled, or any combination of same. 
         [0062]    Near shell to branch transition  54 , top shell  34  behaves as a rigid body. Between branch transition  54  and upper shell  34  sidebars  19   a  and  19   b , elastic bending occurs when bolts  18  are tightened. Also, elastic behavior of top shell  34  occurs at a distance from the body to branch transition  54 , providing gasket compression at main seal bead  22 . This elastic bending is utilized to energize specially configured gasket main seal  22 , which provides for gasket sealing on an increased range of fluid carrying pipe diameters for a given sleeve size. Thus, gasket seal  22  is thicker where shell  34  will flex to allow that flexure and the resulting conformance of sleeve  15  to the diameter of pipe  16 . Gasket seal  22  is thinner where shell  34  is more rigid and flexure is less likely to occur. The additional outlet seal bead thickness (stand off height) is also divided between the tapping sleeve shell side and the fluid carrying pipe side of the main matte sheet of the upper gasket to eliminate the potential for gasket rollover. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , spanners  30  and  31  are metallic strips that span the arc shaped gap between the longitudinally extending edges  73  and  74  of top half-shell  34  and lower half-shell  40  using the compression force exerted by the top and lower half-shell edges as sleeve  14  is tightened to fluid carrying pipe  16  to compress matte gaskets  32  and  42  to fluid carrying pipe  16 . Current tapping sleeve gasket designs employ spanner strips that are embedded into the matte gasket, lie flush with the surface of the tapping sleeve side of the matte gasket, and do not project above the “outer” surface of the main gasket sheet. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 18 , spanners  30  and  31  are of an increased thickness, and project beyond recess  61  in upper main gasket sheet  32  a distance  60 . The longitudinally extending edges of spanners  30  and  31  are chamfered and/or planished  59  to allow for the outer shell to climb up (slide under) the spanner shell band during sleeve installation and tightening without interference or snagging. By using thicker spanner material, and allowing it to project above the tapping sleeve side of gasket  32  surface, gasket extrusion is minimized while allowing for maximum gasket thickness between the spanner inner surface and the fluid carrying pipe outer surface. This reduces the overall matte gasket thickness required thereby reducing manufacturing costs. 
         [0064]    The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the improved tapping sleeve assembly has 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 spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.