Seal With Rigid Stop Ring

• US 20110037250A1
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Madara, Scott, Soloe, Thomas M., Wilk, Charles E. JR., Bowman, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,038,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/110
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/08 connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]

Abstract

A seal for pipe couplings and a method of connecting pipe elements. The seal has an elastic ring surrounding a rigid ring. The elastic ring has side portions connected by a recessed center portion. The recessed center portion has a diameter no greater than the final diameter of the elastic ring in its deformed shape which effects a fluid tight joint. The seal is positioned between segments of a pipe coupling. Pipe elements are inserted into the elastic ring against the rigid ring from opposite sides of the coupling. The segments are drawn toward one another by fasteners, compressing the side portions and effecting the fluid tight joint.

Claims

1. A seal for a pipe coupling having a plurality of segments attached in end to end relation surrounding a central space, said seal being positionable within said central space and comprising:

a first ring formed of a flexible, resilient material, said first ring having first and second oppositely disposed side portions extending circumferentially, and a center portion positioned between and connecting said side portions to one another, each of said side portions having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said center portion;

a circumferential groove positioned within said center portion and facing radially inwardly;

a second ring having an outer portion positioned within said circumferential groove and an inner portion projecting radially inwardly.

2. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential groove has a trapezoidal cross sectional shape.

3. the seal according to claim 2, wherein said second ring has a rectangular cross sectional shape.

4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential groove has a radially facing surface defining an inner diameter, said second ring having an outer diameter equal to or less than said inner diameter of said circumferential groove.

5. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said first ring is formed of an elastic material selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitrile, perfluoroelastomers and silicone.

6. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said second ring is formed of a rigid material.

7. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said second ring is formed of metal.

8. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said second ring has a plurality of lobes projecting radially outwardly from said outer portion.

9. The seal according to claim 8, wherein the distance from the center of said second ring to an outermost point on said lobes is equal to or less than the distance from the center of said first ring to said radially facing surface of said groove.

10. The seal according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first sealing surface positioned on said first side portion and facing radially inwardly;

a second sealing surface positioned on said second side portion and facing radially inwardly.

11. The seal according to claim 10, wherein each of said first and second side surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to an axis oriented perpendicular to a plane containing said first ring.

12. The seal according to claim 1, wherein said first and second side portions are arranged coaxially with said center portion.

13. A coupling for connecting pipe elements in end to end relation, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of segments attached to one another in end to end relation surrounding a central space, said segments being positioned in spaced apart relation relatively to one another;

a seal positioned within said central space, said seal comprising;

a first ring formed of a flexible, resilient material, said first ring having first and second oppositely disposed side portions extending circumferentially, and a center portion positioned between and connecting said side portions to one another, each of said side portions having an outer diameter sized to support said segments in said spaced apart relation, said center portion having an outer diameter smaller than said outer diameters of said side portions;

a circumferential groove positioned within said center portion and facing radially inwardly;

a second ring having an outer portion positioned within said circumferential groove and an inner portion projecting radially inwardly;

a plurality of adjustably tightenable fasteners for attaching said segments end to end, tightening of said fasteners drawing said segments toward one another and compressing said side portions radially inwardly.

14. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said circumferential groove has a trapezoidal cross sectional shape.

15. The coupling according to claim 14, wherein said second ring has a rectangular cross sectional shape.

16. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said circumferential groove has a radially facing surface defining an inner diameter, said second ring having an outer diameter equal to or less than said inner diameter of said circumferential groove.

17. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said first ring is formed of an elastic material selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitrile, perfluoroelastomers, and silicone.

18. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said second ring is formed of a rigid material.

19. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said second ring is formed of metal.

20. The coupling according to claim 13, wherein said second ring has a plurality of lobes projecting radially outwardly from said outer portion.

21. The coupling according to claim 20, wherein the distance from the center of said second ring to an outermost point on said lobes is equal to or less than the distance from the center of said first ring to said radially facing surface of said groove.

22. The coupling according to claim 13, further comprising:

a first sealing surface positioned on said first side portion and facing radially inwardly;

a second sealing surface positioned on said second side portion and facing radially inwardly.

23. The coupling according to claim 22, wherein each of said first and second side surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to an axis oriented perpendicular to a plane containing said first ring.

24. The seal according to claim 13, wherein said first and second side portions are arranged coaxially with said center portion.

25. A seal for a pipe coupling having a plurality of segments attached in end to end relation surrounding a central space, said seal being positionable within said central space and comprising:

a first ring having first and second surface portions facing radially outwardly for engagement with inner surfaces of said segments, and a third outwardly facing surface portion positioned between said first and said second surface portions, said third surface portion being recessed radially inwardly relative to said first and second surface portions;

a second ring surrounded by said first ring and positioned substantially concentric with said third surface portion, said second ring having an outer portion captured by said first ring and an inner portion projecting radially inwardly.

26. The seal according to claim 25, wherein said first ring further comprises a circumferential groove positioned opposite to said third surface portion and facing radially inwardly, said outer portion of said second ring being captured within said groove.

27. The seal according to claim 26, wherein said circumferential groove has a trapezoidal cross sectional shape.

28. The seal according to claim 27, wherein said second ring has a rectangular cross sectional shape.

29. The seal according to claim 26, wherein said circumferential groove has a radially facing surface defining an inner diameter, said second ring having an outer diameter equal to or less than said inner diameter of said circumferential groove.

30. The seal according to claim 26, wherein said first ring is formed of a flexible, resilient material and said second ring is formed of a rigid material.

31. A method of connecting first and second pipe elements in end to end relation, said method comprising:

using a coupling having a plurality of segments attached in end to end relation surrounding a central space;

supporting said segments in spaced apart relation on a seal positioned within said central space, said seal comprising a first ring formed of a flexible, resilient material, said first ring having first and second oppositely disposed side portions extending circumferentially, and a center portion positioned between and connecting said side portions to one another, each of said side portions having an outer diameter sized to support said segments in said spaced apart relation, said center portion having a diameter smaller than said diameters of said side portions;

inserting said first and second pipe elements into said first ring from opposite sides of said seal;

engaging said first and second pipe elements with a second ring having an outer portion positioned within a circumferential groove in said center portion of said first ring;

drawing said segments toward one another;

compressing said first and second side portions between said segments and said pipe elements.