Gasket for pipe coupling and pipe coupling incorporating same
First Claim
1. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent pipe ends or the like, which gasket comprises a generally circular ring-like base member formed of an elastomeric material, each peripheral edge portion of said base member having a generally radially inwardly extending flange member formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective axially inwardly facing integral lip, the radially innermost surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the workpiece to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in an axial direction of the workpiece relative to the length of each lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly for sealing, and radially directed compressive forces are applied thereto, the radially extending inner annular walls of said flange members assume an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to leak preventing gaskets contemplated for use with segmented pipe couplings, which generally include a pair of coupling segments adapted to receive a gasket which surrounds a pair of pipes to join the pipes together or to join a nipple or fitting to the pipe by tightening a pair of bolts and related fasteners with a corresponding pair of bolt pads on the segments. The couplings contemplated for use with the gasket of the present invention includes types which are adapted to attach grooved and flared end pipes, or non-grooved pipes in sealed relation to withstand fluid at temperatures up to and including 230° F. and higher, and at pressures of up to 1,000 psi. Although such pipes generally conduct water up to about 230° F., they may also be used for toxic and volatile chemicals. The gasket of the present invention is of the ring-type which is made of an elastomeric material such as synthetic or natural rubber or combinations thereof, and preferably, ethylene polypropylene diene monomer, commonly referred to as “EPDM”. The gasket provides improved sealing through a pair of sealing flanges having relatively planar and expansive inner walls, shorter sealing lips, and particular dimensional relationships with the grooved pipe ends. The invention also relates to a coupling incorporating such gaskets, as well as a method of providing a sealed coupling.
83 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent pipe ends or the like, which gasket comprises a generally circular ring-like base member formed of an elastomeric material, each peripheral edge portion of said base member having a generally radially inwardly extending flange member formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective axially inwardly facing integral lip, the radially innermost surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the workpiece to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in an axial direction of the workpiece relative to the length of each lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly for sealing, and radially directed compressive forces are applied thereto, the radially extending inner annular walls of said flange members assume an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
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24. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent pipe ends or the like, which gasket comprises:
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a) a generally circular ring-like base member formed of an elastomeric material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within a mechanical coupling assembly in circumferential relation with workpieces to be coupled, each pipe end defining a generally longitudinal axis;
b) a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending flange members formed integral with said generally circular ring-like base member, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an annular inner wall surface, each said flange member further having a respective inwardly facing, the radially innermost surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the pipe end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in the axial direction of the workpiece relative to the axial length of the corresponding lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly to couple two pipe ends, and radially directed mechanical compression forces are applied thereto by the coupling, said annular inner wall of each said flange member assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
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- 25. Mechanical pipe coupling having plural arcuate coupling segments, engagement means on the inner periphery of each said segment for securing the juxtaposed ends of pipe members, a gasket receiving channel in each coupling segment, and means for securing said coupling segments to each other in end-to-end relationship, and a gasket positioned within the gasket receiving channel of said coupling segment, said gasket comprising a generally circular ring-like base member formed of an elastomeric sealing material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within said channel, said ring-like base member having a pair of radially inwardly extending flange members formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an annular inner wall surface, each said flange member further having an inwardly facing axially extending sealing lip, the radially innermost surface of each said sealing lip being continuous with a radially innermost sealing surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface therewith for engagement with an arcuate surface portion of each respective pipe end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member relative to the axial length of each said corresponding lip being such that when said gasket is subjected to radially directed mechanical compressive forces by said coupling segments, each said annular inner wall of each said flange assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration so as to apply sufficient sealing force against internal fluid pressure between said coupling segments and the pipe ends.
Specification