Conduit coupling
First Claim
1. A conduit coupler, the coupler comprising:
- a link member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion adapted to span the region between two conduits to be coupled, the second portion coupled to the first portion and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
a circumferential, flexible sealing element, the sealing element adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the second portion of the link member; and
a constricting element surrounding at least a majority of the outer radius of the sealing element and adapted to slidably engage the sealing element and the outer surface of the second portion of the link member, the constricting element and the inner surface of the second portion of the link member compressing the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Conduits may be coupled end-to-end to form a secure flow coupling. In one aspect, a conduit coupler includes a link member, a circumferential, flexible sealing element, and a constricting element. The link member includes a first portion adapted to span the region between two conduits to be coupled and a second portion coupled to the first portion and including an inner surface and an outer surface. The sealing element is adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the second portion of the link member. The constricting element surrounds at least a majority of the outer radius of the sealing element and is adapted to slidably engage the sealing element and the outer surface of the second portion of the link member. The constricting element and the inner surface of the second portion of the link member compress the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A conduit coupler, the coupler comprising:
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a link member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion adapted to span the region between two conduits to be coupled, the second portion coupled to the first portion and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
a circumferential, flexible sealing element, the sealing element adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the second portion of the link member; and
a constricting element surrounding at least a majority of the outer radius of the sealing element and adapted to slidably engage the sealing element and the outer surface of the second portion of the link member, the constricting element and the inner surface of the second portion of the link member compressing the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A conduit system, the conduit system comprising:
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a first conduit;
a second conduit; and
a conduit coupler, the coupler comprising;
a link member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion adapted to span the region between the first conduit and the second conduit, the second portion coupled to the first portion and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, a circumferential, flexible sealing element, the sealing element adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the second portion of the link member, and a constricting element surrounding at least a majority of the outer radius of the sealing element and adapted to slidably engage the sealing element and the outer surface of the second portion of the link member, the constricting element and the inner surface of the second portion of the link member compressing the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for coupling conduits, the method comprising:
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positioning a sealing system around a first conduit, the sealing system comprising a circumferential, flexible sealing element and a constricting element, the constricting element surrounding at least a majority of the outer radius of the sealing element and adapted to slidably engage the sealing element, the constricting element causing the sealing element to be compressed radially and axially as the constricting element constricts;
positioning a link member around the first conduit and a second conduit, the link member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion adapted to span the region between the two conduits, the second portion coupled to the first portion and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface adapted to slidably engage the sealing element and to radially and axially compress the sealing element, the outer surface adapted to slidably engage the constricting element; and
constricting the constricting element until the sealing element engages the first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A conduit coupler, the conduit coupler comprising:
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a link member, the link member comprising;
a cylindrical middle sleeve, and two open-end portions, each end portion comprising an outwardly-flaring, circumferential flange having an inner surface and an outer surface; and
a first sealing system and a second sealing system, the first sealing system coupled to one of the flanges and the second sealing system coupled to the other of the flanges, each sealing system comprising;
a circumferential, flexible sealing element, the sealing element slidably engaging the inner surface of the associated flange and comprising;
a unitary, polymeric gasket; and
a pressure-assist cavity that opens toward the sleeve of the link member, a constricting element comprising a V-shaped cross-section curved element of unitary construction, a first leg of the constricting element slidably engaging the outer surface of the associated flange, a second leg of the constricting element slidably engaging the sealing element, the second leg comprising a plurality of radially-disposed slots, the constricting element defining an outer boundary of an inner cavity for a majority of the sealing element and, in conjunction with the inner surface of the associated flange, compressing the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts, the sealing element being axially forced toward the inner surface of the associated flange as the constricting element constricts, the constricting element adapted to engage an outer surface of a conduit on which the conduit coupler is to be installed to deter axial movement of the conduit coupler, a spanner comprising a V-shaped cross-section curved element of unitary construction, a first leg of the spanner slidably engaging the outer surface of the associated flange and the first leg of the constricting element, a second leg of the spanner slidably engaging the sealing element and the second leg of the constricting element, the spanner defining an outer boundary of an inner cavity for a portion of the sealing element and, in conjunction with the inner surface of the associated flange, compressing the sealing element radially and axially as the constricting element constricts, the sealing element being axially forced toward the inner surface of the associated flange as the constricting element constricts, and a fastening system coupled to the constricting element, the fastening system operable to constrict and relax the constricting element, the fastening system comprising;
a first lug coupled to a first end of the constricting element;
a second lug coupled to a second end of the constricting element;
a bolt spanning the distance between the first lug and the second lug; and
a nut tightenable on the bolt to draw the first lug and the second lug toward each other, the constricting element being constricted as the lugs are drawn toward each other, wherein the sealing system is adapted to form a seal over a range of outer conduit dimensions.
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Specification