External pipe coupling system with inflatable gasket
First Claim
1. An externally applied mechanical system for controlling leakage from and between tubular members, comprising an inflatable, elastomeric sealing gasket adapted to encircle and apply pressure to the wall of said tubular members, where said sealing gasket includes means for inflating same with a pressurized medium, and a support member in engagement with the wall of said tubular members and arranged to overlie said sealing gasket so as to confine the compressive pressure from said sealing gasket against a predefined annular portion of said tubular member, where said support member includes means for tightening same about said tubular members.
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Abstract
This invention preferably relates to an externally applied coupling system providing thrust restraint for a pair of axially aligned tubular members. The coupling system comprises a hydraulically/pneumatically inflatable, elastomeric sealing gasket adapted to encircle and apply pressure to the wall of the tubular members, where the sealing gasket includes means for inflating same, and a support member. The support member is defined by a pair of curved legs joined by a web portion along one end of each curved leg to reveal a U-shaped channel member. The free end of each curved leg cooperates with one of the tubular members to provide thrust restraint thereto, and further, the support member is adapted to overlie the sealing gasket so as to confine the compressive pressure from the sealing gasket against predefined annular portions of the tubular members.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. An externally applied mechanical system for controlling leakage from and between tubular members, comprising an inflatable, elastomeric sealing gasket adapted to encircle and apply pressure to the wall of said tubular members, where said sealing gasket includes means for inflating same with a pressurized medium, and a support member in engagement with the wall of said tubular members and arranged to overlie said sealing gasket so as to confine the compressive pressure from said sealing gasket against a predefined annular portion of said tubular member, where said support member includes means for tightening same about said tubular members.
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15. An externally applied mechanical system for a plastic tubular member, comprising a circular, elastomeric gasket adapted to encircle and compressably engage and apply pressure to the wall of said plastic tubular member, and a channel-shaped support member arranged to overlie said gasket to transmit compressive pressure applied thereby through said gasket against a predefined annular portion of said plastic tubular member, where said support member includes a pair of walls in contact with said plastic tubular member, means for tightening said support member about Said tubular member, and that said contact portion includes plural serrations to dig into the wall of said plastic tubular member by the action of said tightening means.
Specification