Connecting device for pipe assemblies

• US 5,398,976 A
• Filed: 08/03/1992
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Environ-Opw, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Environ Products, Inc. (Future FinTech Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Webb, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shackelford, Heather Chun
• Application Number:
  US07/923,831
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 285/13, 285/93, 285/236, 285/235, 285/177, 285/332.4, 285/337, 285/127, 285/14, 285/133.1
• US Class Current: 285/93
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/00 Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/00 Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems the preceding groups and groups F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; nozzles B05B; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02; arrangements of draining devices for water main or service pipe systems E03B7/08; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10; draining devices for hydrants E03B9/14; for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/00; steam traps for draining of liquids from enclosures containing gases or vapours F16T; arrangements for sealing leaky tubes or conduits of heat-exchangers F28F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/12 by observing elastic covers or coatings, e.g. soapy water
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/283 for double-walled pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2892 for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5907 Collector for waste liquid derived from solid, gas or vapor

Abstract

A device for providing access to the interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which coaxially define the region. The inner pipe has at least one terminal end extending from the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of the inner pipe exposed to thereby expose the interstitial region. A boot is provided for defining a chamber with a larger end snugly fitting the outer pipe and a small end snugly fitting on the exposed outer wall of the inner pipe. The boot has an access port communicating with the interior of the chamber to provide access to the interstitial region.

Claims

1. A pipe system in which at least two double wall pipes define an interstitial region therebetween are connected, comprising:

inner pipe connector means connecting the respective inner pipes of said two coaxial pipes, at least one of said inner pipes having its connected terminal end extending from its outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed to thereby expose said interstitial region; and

boot means for defining a chamber with a larger end snugly fitting said outer pipe and a smaller end snugly fitting said exposed outer wall of said inner pipe, said boot means having an access port communicating with the interior of said chamber to provide access to said interstitial region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein both inner pipes have connecting terminal ends extending from their respective outer pipes to expose each of said interstitial region.

3. The device of claim 2, which further includes connector means for connecting the interstitial region of said connected pipes, said connecting means including tubing attached to the access ports of both of said boot means.

4. The pipe system of claim 3 further comprising a positioning means on the interior of the boot means for locating the access port relative to the end of the outer pipe.

5. The pipe system of claim 4 wherein the positioning means are a plurality of ribs.

6. The pipe system of claim 5 wherein the access port extends radially from the boot means and the ribs lie in a radial plane which intersects the access port, thereby locating the access port substantially adjacent to the end of the outer pipe and minimizing the blockage of the flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.

7. The pipe system of claim 6 wherein the ribs are circumferentially equally spaced about the interior of the boot means.

8. The piping system of claim 7 further comprising a clamp means for securing the larger end of the boot means to the outer pipe and the smaller end of the boot means to the exposed outer wall of the inner pipe.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of circumferential ridge regions on the outer side of the boot means for locating said clamp means.

10. In a coaxial pipe system formed from at least two double wall pipes having inner and outer pipes to define an interstitial region, a method of connecting the interstitial regions comprising the steps of:

connecting the respective inner pipes of said two coaxial pipes, said inner pipes having their connected terminal ends extending from its respective outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of each inner pipe exposed to thereby expose said interstitial region;

placing a boot means having a chamber with its larger end snugly fitting said outer pipe and its smaller end snugly fitting said exposed outer wall of said inner pipe over each of said exposed interstitial regions said boot means having an access port communicating with the interior of said chamber to provide access to said interstitial region; and

connecting said access ports to thereby connect said interstitial regions.

11. In a piping system having an inner pipe, an outer pipe and an interstitial region between the pipes forming part of the piping system, said inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending from the terminal end of said outer pipe to expose a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe, the improvement comprising:

(a) boot means for defining a chamber, having a first end engaging said outer pipe and a second smaller end engaging said exposed outer wall of said inner pipe, said boot means including;

(b) an access port communicating with the interior of said chamber to provide access to said interstitial region; and

(c) rib on the interior of said chamber for locating the boot means with respect to the terminal end of the outer pipe at a predetermined position with respect to the access port; and

(d) first clamp means for tightening said first end of the boot means onto the outer wall of said outer pipe and second clamp means for tightening said smaller end of the boot means onto said outer wall of said inner pipe; and

(e) said chamber including circumferential ridge regions on the chamber'"'"'s outer side for locating said clamp means and a central tapered region.

12. A device for use in a piping system, the piping system having an inner pipe located inside a larger diameter outer pipe and defining an interstitial region between the inner and outer pipes, the inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending beyond a terminal end of the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed allowing access to the interstitial region, the device comprising:

(a) a substantially frustum-shaped boot section, the base of the frustum section frictionally engaging the outer pipe and the top of the frustum section frictionally engaging the inner pipe thereby forming a sealed end to the interstitial region;

(b) an access port on the frustum section, communicating with the interstitial region to provide access to the interstitial region; and

(c) positioning means on the interior of the frustum section for locating the access port at a predetermined position relative to the terminal end of the outer pipe; and

(d) means for connecting said access port to an adjacent access port of a similar device.

13. In a two pipe assembly having inner and outer pipes spaced to define an interstitial space therebetween, the improvement comprising:

a boot sealed at one end to the outer pipe and sealed at the other end to the inner pipe and having an annular chamber between said ends communicating with said interstitial space; and

an access port on the boot means for communicating with the annular chamber; and

positioning means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs in said annular chamber for locating the boot with respect to one end of the outer pipe.

14. In a piping system having an inner pipe, an outer pipe and an interstitial region between the pipes forming part of the piping system, said inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending from the terminal end of said outer pipe to expose a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe, the improvement comprising:

boot means for defining a chamber, having a first end engaging said outer pipe and a second smaller end engaging said exposed outer wall of said inner pipe, said boot means including;

(a) an access port communicating with the interior of said chamber to provide access to said interstitial region; and

(b) ribs on the interior of the chamber for locating the boot means with respect to the terminal end of the outer pipe, said ribs being located substantially coplanar with the access port, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the outer pipe, thereby allowing a substantially continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.

15. The piping system of claim 14 wherein the ribs are circumferentially equally spaced about the interior of the chamber.

16. The piping system of claim 14 which includes means for connecting said access port to a monitoring system to monitor the interstitial region.

17. The piping system of claim 14 further comprising connection means for connecting the terminal end of a first inner pipe with the terminal end of a second inner pipe of the piping system;

and a tube means for connecting the access port of a first boot means with the access port of a second boot means thereby allowing the continuous flow of materials in the inner pipes and in the interstitial region.

18. A device for use in a piping system, the piping system having an inner pipe located inside a larger diameter outer pipe and defining an interstitial region between the inner and outer pipes, the inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending beyond a terminal end of the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed allowing access to the interstitial region, the device comprising:

a substantially frustum-shaped boot section, the base of the frustum section fictionally engaging the outer pipe and the top of the frustum section fictionally engaging the inner pipe thereby forming a sealed end to the interstitial region;

an access port on the frustum section, communicating with the interstitial region to provide access to the interstitial region; and

positioning means on the interior of the frustum section for locating the access port at a predetermined position relative to the terminal end of the outer pipe; and

connection means attached to the access port connecting to a monitoring system, thereby allowing the monitoring system to monitor the interstitial region.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the positioning means are a plurality of ribs radiating inward.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein the ribs are located substantially coplanar with the access port, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the outer pipe, thereby locating the access port near the terminal end of the outer pipe and allowing a generally continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.

21. A device for use in a piping system, the piping system having an inner pipe located inside a larger diameter outer pipe and defining an interstitial region between the inner and outer pipes, the inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending beyond a terminal end of the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed allowing access to the interstitial region, the device comprising:

a substantially frustum-shaped boot section, the base of the frustum section frictionally engaging the outer pipe and the tope of the frustum section frictionally engaging the inner pipe thereby forming a sealed end to the interstitial region;

an access port on the frustum section, communicating with the interstitial region to provide access to the interstitial region; and

positioning means on the interior of the frustum section for locating the access port at a predetermined position relative to the terminal end of the outer pipe; and

clamp means for tightening the base and top of the frustum section to the outer and inner pipes respectively.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the frustum section further comprises circumferential ridge sections on the outer side of the frustum section for locating the clamp means.

23. A connecting boot for accessing an interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which form a part of a piping system, the boot comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular body portion having means for sealing the body to the inner and outer pipes at axially spaced locations;

(b) an access port in the body portion; and

(c) rib means on the interior of the body portion adjacent to the access port for providing a continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.

24. The boot of claim 23 wherein the ribs are circumferentially equally spaced about the interior of the body portion.

25. The boot of claim 23 further comprising clamp means for tightening said boot onto the outer pipe and the inner pipe.

26. The boot of claim 25 further comprising a plurality of circumferential ridge regions on the outer side of the body portion for locating said clamp means.

27. A boot for accessing an interstitial region in a substantially coaxial piping system having inner and outer pipes, the boot comprising:

an elongated tubular body portion having means for sealing the body to the inner and outer pipes at axially spaced locations;

an access port which extends from the body portion; and

a plurality of projections means on the interior of the body portion adjacent the access port thereby allowing a continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port; and

clamp means for tightening said boot onto the outer pipe and the inner pipe; and

a plurality of circumferential ridge regions on the outer side of the body portion for locating said clamp means.

28. A boot for accessing an interstitial region in a substantially coaxial piping system having inner and outer pipes, the boot comprising:

an elongated tubular body portion having means for sealing the body to the inner and outer pipes at axially spaced locations;

an access port which extends from the body portion; and

a plurality of projection means on the interior of the body portion adjacent the access port thereby allowing a continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port; and

a connection means attached to the access port for connecting to a monitoring system, thereby allowing the monitoring system to monitor the interstitial region.

29. A device for use in a piping system, the piping system having an inner pipe located inside a larger diameter outer pipe and defining an interstitial region between the inner and outer pipes, the inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending beyond a terminal end of the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed allowing access to the interstitial region, the device comprising:

a substantially frustum-shaped boot section, the base of the frustum section frictionally engaging the outer pipe and the top of the frustum section frictionally engaging the inner pipe thereby forming a sealed end to the interstitial region;

an access port on the frustum section, communicating with the interstitial region to provide access to the interstitial region; and

positioning means on the interior of the frustum section for locating the access port at a predetermined position relative to the terminal end of the outer pipe.

30. A connecting boot for accessing an interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which form a part of a piping system, the boot comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular body portion having means for sealing the body to the inner and outer pipes at axially spaced locations;

(b) an access port in the body portion; and

(c) rib means on the interior of the body portion adjacent to the access port for providing a continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.-

31. A device for use in a piping system, the piping system having an inner pipe located inside a larger diameter outer pipe and defining an interstitial region between the inner and outer pipes, the inner pipe having at least one terminal end extending beyond a terminal end of the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of said inner pipe exposed allowing access to the interstitial region, the device comprising:

a substantially frustum-shaped boot section, the base of the frustum section frictionally engaging the outer pipe and the top of the frustum section frictionally engaging the inner pipe thereby forming a sealed end to the interstitial region;

an access port on the frustum section, communicating with the interstitial region to provide access to the interstitial region;

positioning means on the interior of the frustum section for locating the access port at a pre-determined position relative to the terminal end of the outer pipe comprising a plurality of ribs radiating inwardly located substantially coplanar with the access port, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the outer pipe, thereby locating the access port near the terminal end of the outer pipe and allowing a generally continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.

32. A connecting boot for accessing an interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which form a part of a piping system, the boot comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular body portion having means for sealing the body to the inner and outer pipes at axially spaced locations;

(b) an access port in the body portion; and

(c) a plurality of rib members circumferentially equi-spaced about the interior of the body portion adjacent to the access port for providing a continuous flow path from the interstitial region to the access port.