Coupling Gaskets and Associated Methods

• US 20090146417A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Anvil International Incorporated (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lippka, Sandra M., Horgan, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,646,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/112
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/025 the sealing rings having radially directed ribs
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/22 made exclusively of a material other than metal

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention provide improved coupling devices for joining pipe ends that have improved sealing performance and manufacturability over known pipe coupling devices. One of the improvements provided by embodiments of the present invention is a unique design of the gasket. Various embodiments of the gasket include an innovative pipe interface profile that improves the manufacturability of the gasket itself and its sealing performance.

Claims

1. A coupling device for joining two pipes positioned end to end in substantial axial alignment and a joint therebetween comprising:

a housing having a plurality of segments configured to straddle the joint, wherein the housing defines an annular groove;

a plurality of fasteners configured to connect the plurality of segments; and

an annular gasket with a substantially C-shaped cross-section that defines a housing interface portion configured to engage the annular groove defined by the housing and two sealing portions directed inwardly and configured to engage respective outer surfaces of the two pipes,

wherein each of the sealing portions includes at least one tapered rib having a vertical component and a horizontal component wherein the vertical component is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal component.

2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the annular gasket is substantially symmetrical about a centerline.

3. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the vertical components are parallel with the centerline prior to engagement with respective outer surface of the two pipes.

4. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein each of the sealing portions includes a plurality of tapered ribs.

5. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the sealing portions include a transition component extending from the vertical component at an obtuse angle.

6. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the sealing portions are asymmetrical.

7. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the vertical components and the horizontal components have different lengths.

8. An annular gasket with a substantially C-shaped cross-section that defines a housing interface portion formed on the outer surface of the C-shaped cross-section and two sealing portions formed on the outer surface of the C-shaped cross-section proximate the respective termination portions of the C-shaped cross section, wherein each of the sealing portions includes at least one tapered rib that includes a vertical component and a horizontal component and wherein the vertical component is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal component.

9. The annular gasket of claim 8, wherein the cross-section of the annular gasket is substantially symmetrical about a centerline.

10. The annular gasket of claim 9, wherein the vertical components are parallel with the centerline.

11. The annular gasket of claim 8, wherein each of the sealing portions includes a plurality of tapered ribs.

12. The annular gasket of claim 8, wherein the vertical components and the horizontal components have different lengths.

13. An asymmetrical annular gasket comprising:

a substantially L-shaped housing interface portion defining a first leg and a second leg;

a pipe sealing portion extending substantially perpendicularly from said first leg and including a sealing portion defining at least one tapered rib configured to engage an annular surface; and

a flange sealing portion extending substantially perpendicularly from said second leg and configured to engage a flat surface.

14. The annular gasket of claim 13, wherein each of the sealing portions includes a plurality of tapered ribs.

15. The annular gasket of claim 15, wherein the vertical components and the horizontal components have different lengths.