Universal pipe connectors and sealing element therefor

• US 20030127858A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krausz Industries Limited (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Krausz Industries Limited (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Krausz, Eliezer, Chiproot, Avi
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/113 the ends of the pipe being interconnected by a rigid sleeve

Abstract

A universal pipe connector for forming a connection with at least one pipe end includes a connector body having an opening for receiving the pipe end. A clamping ring, extending around, and mechanically engaging, the opening, features a tightening mechanism for tightening it between a first maximum diameter and a second minimum diameter which differ by at least a length d. An annular sealing element is deployed around an inner surface of the clamping ring for sealing around the pipe end. The sealing element is formed with a primary inner surface and at least one roughly cylindrical coaxial layer of thickness ½ d. The layer is connected to the primary inner surface by a readily severable connection such that, by selectively removing the layer and tightening the tightening mechanism, the pipe connector forms a sealing connection with pipes having diameters varying over a continuous range of at least 2 d.

Claims

1. A universal pipe connector for forming an angularly flexible connection with at least one pipe end, the universal pipe connector comprising:

a connector body having an opening for receiving the pipe end,

a clamping ring extending around, and in mechanical engagement with, said opening; and

an annular sealing element deployed around an inner surface of said clamping ring for sealing around the pipe end, wherein said sealing element is formed with a primary inner surface and at least one substantially cylindrical coaxial layer, said layer being connected to said primary inner surface by a readily severable connection.

2. The pipe connector of claim 1, wherein the inner girth of said connector body gradually increases away from the opening and wherein said opening is adapted to receive said clamping ring extending around said opening.

3. The pipe connector of claim 2, wherein said clamping ring comprises a tightening mechanism for tightening said clamping between a first maximum diameter and a second minimum diameter.

4. The pipe connector of claim 3, wherein said first and second diameters differ by at least a length d and wherein said cylindrical coaxial layer is of thickness ½

d such that, by selectively removing said layer and tightening said tightening mechanism, the pipe connector forms a sealing connection with pipes having diameters varying over a continuous range of at least 2 d.

5. The pipe connector of claim 4, wherein said clamping ring is formed as a split ring with outward-turned bolt flanges of substantially arcuate form, said tightening mechanism including a bolt connected between said bolt flanges.

6. The pipe connector of claim 5, wherein said tightening mechanism further includes at least one curved-base profile piece engaged against one of said bolt flanges.

7. The pipe connector of claim 2, wherein said sealing element comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical coaxial layers having complementary interlocking features configured to oppose relative movement of said layers in at least one axial direction.

8. The pipe connector of claim 2, wherein said annular sealing element further features an inner annular hollow in fluid communication with at least one lateral aperture for generating hydraulic enhancement of a sealing action.

9. A universal connector for forming an angularly flexible connection with at least one conduit end, the universal connector comprising:

a connector body having an opening for receiving the conduit end, said opening adapted to receive a clamping element extending around said opening;

a clamping element extending around, and in mechanical engagement with, said opening; and

a sealing element deployed around an inner surface of said clamping element for sealing around the conduit end, said sealing element being formed with a primary inner surface and at least one lining layer connected to said primary inner surface by a readily severable connection.

10. The connector as in claim 9, wherein the inner girth of said connector body gradually increases away from the opening.

11. The connector as in claim 10, wherein said clamping element features a tightening mechanism for tightening said clamping element between a first fully open state and a second fully closed state.