ES2212732A1 - Pipe coupling having a leak-proof flange and retaining rings - Google Patents

Abstract

The flanges incorporate frustum-shaped anchoring or retaining metallic rings 1 and they form almost the whole of the circle which at their lower edge 1a shows some folds 2, made after die cutting 4 the related notches constituting a series of vertexes 3 at its farthest end where the ring is supported and stuck on the smooth surface of the pipe (fig 5,5), having several rings 1 of this kind, increasing thus the number of sticking vertexes 3 and having in addition a circular support 6 for placing and fastening the said anchoring rings 1, which is located within the flange and against the internal face of its wrapping rim 12 and is constituted by a die cut metallic sheet having a series of small tongues 9 arranged in quincunx and raised with a slope identical to that of the anchoring rings 1 themselves.

Description

Refinements introduced in the flanges Watertight for joining flat end pipes.

The present invention patent relates to improvements introduced in the watertight designed flanges especially for application in the pipe joint for conduction of fluids at high and low pressure, and especially used in the connection of those pipes whose surface The exterior is completely smooth, without any flanges or protrusions.

These improvements give the flange to which have been applied in its practical realization, some outstanding adjustment and tightening characteristics, increasing considerably its resistance to the various tensions that originate at the moment when the pressurized fluid passes through the interior of the pipes and that could cause axial displacements of the same, with the subsequent start and subsequent unpacking of one or both pipes, reducing the chances of tearing or deterioration of the surface of the pipes.

State of the art

The current state of the art presents various realizations as regards flanges for the tight connection of pipes with smooth ends. It can be cited, among others utility models 235.619, U8600595, U8600609, U8603209, the P8803941, P9401300 and P9601830 invention patents and patents British 1,462,886, 1,582,858 and 1,528,859.

All of them describe devices based of flanges that, although they have adequate elements to achieve required tightness, as well as clamping the ends of the two pipes that are spliced, do not have elements that can ensure tightness and permanent hold when it comes of pipes with completely smooth surface ends, and so special, as determining determinant, in those pipes made with thermoplastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and the like, of relatively soft surface that can tear or deteriorate depending on the characteristics of the splice flanges that are use, specifically for pipes of these materials.

Essentially, the improvements introduced into the tight flanges for splicing of pipes smooth ends object of this invention, are characterized by the incorporation of metal anchoring or retaining rings and considerable strength and elasticity, provided with a series of bent, located throughout its interior perimeter, obtained by die cut and bent back, which will constitute a set circular of projecting vertices that will rest on the surface smooth from the ends of the pipes to which the flange will be applied for tight connection, said vertices facing the possible axial path of travel that would follow pipes in case of initiating an accidental unpacking action of the flange

The improvements are also characterized object of the present invention patent, in the fact of having always more than one anchor or retention ring, preferably three, being provided in addition to a support for clamping and positioning thereof, circular support coinciding with the inside the protective tire or flange housing, where anchor or retention rings will be located, characterized essentially said support for being made from strapping metal of adequate strength and elasticity, through a die cutting, bending and cutting process that shapes both the shape of the set as of the retention and fixing elements of the rings

The incorporation of the improvements that are described above brings as immediate consequence the fact that the flange will place on the smooth surface of the end of the pipes to splice several multiple sets of vertices metallic that will rest on said smooth surface, decreasing in arithmetic progression the penetrating and retaining action of said vertices, thereby reducing the danger of tearing or deterioration of the pipe surface, without reducing the total anchoring or retention capacity, for the already stated reason of the multiplication of the number of retaining rings.

It remains to indicate, of course, that in agreement with the number of rings to be placed, depending on the type of flange and its specific application, considering factors of dimensioning, service pressures and others, will also vary the support, since it must have space and fasteners and  support for each and every one of the indicated rings.

In order to expose more clearly and detail described above, attached hereto drawings in which, by way of practical example not limitation, a practical realization of the improvements is represented applied to a tight flange.

In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional view transversely of the flange area where the improvements of the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail, in perspective, of a piece of one of the anchor or retaining rings;

Figure 3 is a detail view, also in perspective, of the support for clamping and positioning of the anchor rings;

Figure 4 is an illustrative schematic view of the process of elaboration of the support of the previous figure;

Figure 5 shows a side view, partially sectioned from the flange assembly, located on the ends of two spliced pipes, smooth surface; Y

finally, Figure 6 represents, partially, a frontal view of the closed flange.

The improvements object of the present invention patent consist of providing metal rings of anchor (1), circular, but not fully closed in its circumference and that constitutes a truncated conical surface, of very small height, corresponding to the width of the metal sheet with which it has been elaborated, being mechanized by means of a process die cut and folded, so that throughout the entire its inner edge (1a) the folds (2) have formed towards the outside of the ring, forming the vertices (3) in its most part extreme, thanks to the die cuts (4).

These vertices (3) are the ones that will support directly on the smooth surface of the end of the pipe (5).

In the example illustrated by the drawings that accompany this description, the flange is provided with three anchor rings (1), which are located and supported on the support (6), consisting of a metal sheet, also machined by die cutting, cutting and bending process, constituting the base (7), the contour (8), which fits in all its circular perimeter the flange of the outer rim (12) of the flange. On the basis (7) of the support, the timely die cuts that allow to properly lift the tabs (9), leaving the hole (10) below them, and giving them the right inclination to be perfectly positioned embedded, the anchor rings (1), which, in their form conical trunk, have the same inclination as the tabs (9) of the support (6). These tabs (9) have been punched out, and subsequently folded, to the tresbolillo in the example that draw, so that the first perimeter row of tongues shall constitute the support and fixation of the first of the rings (1), of Figure 1, the following will be of the ring (1 ') and the group third will be from the third ring (1``).

The set is completed by elements already known, such as the cylindrical sealing ring seal (11), with a characteristic profile, covered and protected all by the outer rim (12) which will be provided with closing and clamping elements generally constituted by threaded bolts (13) and corresponding through shafts (14), all this in order to allow and guarantee the adjustment of rings (1) on the ends of the pipes (5), as well as the own sealing ring seal (1).

They will be independent of the purpose of this invention, the materials, shapes and dimensions of the different elements that constitute the described improvements, as well as the entire flange to which they are applied, provided such variations do not alter the essentiality of the invention, all this being summarized in the claims that follow.

Claims (2)

1. Improvements introduced in the watertight flanges for splicing of smooth-ended pipes, characterized by incorporating metal anchoring or retaining rings to the aforementioned flanges, in a truncated cone shape and constituting almost the entire circle, which are provided, along its entire lower edge, with some bends, made after the corresponding notches have been cut, which allow a succession of vertices to be formed at its most extreme part, where the ring rests on the smooth surface of the pipe, so that said vertices are stuck on said surface avoiding axial displacement, these improvements being further characterized by the fact of having several anchoring or retention rings, in order to increase the number of vertices in mathematical progression, distributing the penetrating action of the themselves and decreasing the chances of tearing and deterioration of The surface of the pipes. 2. Improvements introduced in the tight flanges for splicing of smooth-end pipes, according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it has a support for placement and fixing of the anchor rings, a circular support that is located inside the flange and against the inner face of its wrapping rim, consisting of a metal sheet to which a uniform series of tabs have been stamped, arranged on the treadmill and raised at an inclination identical to the inclination of the anchoring rings themselves, so that each ring will be placed parallel, fixed against the corresponding row of tongues, and thus remaining perfectly affirmed, with its vertices on the smooth surface of the ends of the pipes to be spliced, the mentioned support being fixed by the ring seal of the flange , located under the tire.