GB2057616A - Quick-link for connection of pipes and sluice valves without welding - Google Patents

Abstract

A quick link for pipes and sluice valves without welding is characterized by that it constitutes a sealing ring 2 compressed onto a pipe 4 by a metallic ring 1 tightened to a flange 5 of a valve body by bolts 3. Two pipe lengths may be joined by a pair of rings 1 joined face to face and comprising two sealing rings 2 and the surfaces of the sealing rings 2 may have annular ridges thereon. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Quick-link for connection of pipes and sluice valves without welding The present invention relates to a quick-link, that is to a mechanical coupling link which can be installed in a quick and efficient way into the #piping circuit which it occasionally serves. It is well known that the piping circuits are basically consisting of pipes and sluice valves, and consequently, the quick-link of the invention is adequate in order to sealingly connect sections of pipes to each other or a pipe to a sluice valve or to a special piece (fitting) through which for example a tapping, i.e., a branching from a main piping, is obtained.

Since many years the market certainly disposed several kinds of mechanical coupling links used for the above exposed purposes, but most of them depend their installation on at least one welding either on the pipe or on the sluice valve, whichever the case may be. A welding is a serious drawback when, as it often happens practically, it is necessary to remove the link in order to change for example a sluice valve or to install it for the first time. In this case, the only solution (provided there is enough space), is to cut-off the piece being removed, for example, by sawing or by oxygen flame, which necessarily leads to wear and destruction of said pieces.

There are also in the market screw type links, which are of course easily unscrewed for maintenance purposes or for changing of special parts, etc., but which show lack of tightness, resulting that after a certain period of time, a leakage of the fluid contained in the piping will be observed, particularly if its pressure is a little elevated. It must be anyhow stressed that it is impossible to use those knob screwed links in already existing installations, in which up to date only links needing welding are used.

The quick link of the invention constitutes a definite improvement of the relevant technology, because with it, all mentioned drawbacks are completely removed, since this link is absolutely tight and does not loosen its tightness with the lapse of time and, besides this, is very quickly assembled and dismantled from a newly built or already existing piping and consequently fulfills entirely its name as "quick-link".

Tests with the quick-link of the invention have proved that the time necessary for its assembly in a piping is generally varying from 1/20 to 1/25 of the time necessary for the corresponding assembly of a presently known link by welding or by any other known method. In special cases of very narrow spaces or of installations in inflammable surroundings (for instance, in ships), while the installation time of the inventive link is the same mentioned above (for example about fifteen minutes), the mounting of a sluice valve or the repair of a breakdown by the already known methods (if technically feasible at all) may require even days.

It is consequently self understood that an immense financial profit results from the use of the quick-link of the invention.

Said quick-link is consisting of two elastic or plastic sealing rings, of two metal rings for tightening the sealing rings and of a certain number of clamping screws (bolts). We see thus that this quick-link device is very simple, and from this point of view too, the invention offers a great improvement and economy in comparison to the presently known types of mechanical joints for pipings.

It must finally be mentioned that, as it appears from the following description, the quick-link of the invention makes possible the quick, easy and tightness-safe connection of sluice valves and of other special fittings, regardless of diameter and construction material of the piping, which fact is practically very important.

To make the above advantage more comprehensive, we will mention the cases of pipings made of plastic materials and even of glass.

In the annexed figures the object of the invention is shown in the form of some construction examples.

Figure 1 shows an elevational view of two quick-links (one of which is represented in cross section) through which a sluice valve is joined to a piping.

Figure 2 shows respectively plan views and half sections (by a diammetrical vertical plan) on the one hand of the sealing ring and on the other of the tightening ring of the inventive quick link.

Figure 3 shows an elevational view of two quick links (partly in section), through which two pipe lengths of a piping are joined together.

Figure 4 shows schematically the way to employ the inventive quick-link in order to join, in turn, a sluice valve, a branch connection (tapping) and two pipe lengths.

As seen in figure 1 , two sealing rings (2) made of rubber or of flexible plastic material are compressed through corresponding metallic tightening rings (1) on the one over the outer wall of a pipe (4) and on the other over the opening flange of a sluice valve (5). Said compression is obtained by the use of a certain number of bolts (3) (clamping screws) which are screwed through holes existing in the rings (1) and in said flanges (5), correspondingly, in the shown in this figure manner.

The material of which the sealing rings (2) and the tightening rings are formed, is of the kind adapted to the nature of the liquid carried through the sluice valve and anyhow not to be damaged by this liquid. Due to adequate safety nuts screwed in the ends of the bolts (3) the intended clamping of the sealing rings and the full tightness of the device are easily obtained without need for any welding. This feature is specially precious, as mentioned before, in case of dismantling of said device.

In figure 2, we can see in (a) the sealing ring alone and in more detail. We remark that it is in the form of a concave tapered sector having a cambering of about 150. The inner cavity is cylindrical with an interior diameter by 2 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe on which the ring is going to be fitted. Due to the flexibility of the material from which the ring is made, "passing" of the ring over the pipe does not present any difficulty, in spite of the pipe's smaller diameter.

It can also be observed that the height of said ring is at least about 42 mm so as to ensure its tightness.

For reasons of better tightness it is possible, as seen in the variations of figure 2(a) to form the sealing ring with an inner and an outer, or only with an inner, or only with an outer toothed section.

In the part (b) of figure 2, we see respectively the form of the tapered tightening ring~(1 ) in figure 1~which in its concave side forms also an angle of about 150 in order to conform to the sealing ring (2), while in its convex side it presents a greater tapering (of about 300) for reasons of constructive rigidity. To increase this rigidity it is also possible to use ribs. In case that, as mentioned, the sealing ring (2) has a height of at least 42 mm, the height of the tightening ring must be at least 38 mm so as to insure full tightness and strength.

The inner diameter of the tightening ring must be a little greater (up to about 2 mm) than the outer diameter of the pipe on which the quick link is installed.

Finally, the diameter and the number of the bores destined for fitting of the bolts (3) clamping the quick link ring, as well as dimension "e" shown in figure 2(b), are determined according to the nominal diameter of the pipe (4) and to the pressure of the fluid transported by said pipe.

However, as seen in figure 2(b), the minimum thickness of the tightening ring material must not be less than 3 mm for reasons of strength.

In figure 3, we see the joining of two pipes sectors by the aid of two quick links of the invention being put opposite each other so that their sealing rings (2) are fully touching together under strong pressure. This pressure is created by screwing of the bolts (3) over the two cooperating tightening rings (1).

It must be noted that by forming special tightening rings (1), joining with the aid of inventive quick links, of pipes (4) of comparatively different diameters will also be possible.

Finally, in figure 4, we see schematically an imaginary case of simultaneous use, in neighbouring layout, of several fittings together with the inventive quick link, in order to accomplish in turn: ~the connection of a sluice valve, as seen in more detail in figure 1; ~the branching from a main piping of a tap, that is of a secondary line; and ~the connection of two pipe sectors, as seen in more detailed in figure 3.

Concerning the way it is assembled, the quick link of the invention is extremely simple. Its mounting is accomplished very quickly and notably without any need for special tools. The quick link is applied after suitably cutting the pipe on which it will be assembled, on the one or on the two sectors (according to each particular case) of the cut pipe, as seen in the figures. The sealing ring (2) is mounted first and then the tapered ring is applied over it and is clamped on it through its bolts. This way full sealing is accomplished within a few minutes.

Once again, it should be noted that the application of the quick link is possible both in new and in already existing pipings, and even in the most complex ones.

The new quick link of the invention and its advantages have thus been fully described. It is obvious that it is possible to make construction modification in the details of said device (in connection with the layouts seen in the figures, and described in the examples), but always within the frame of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. Quick link of pipes and sluice valves without welding, characterized by that it constitutes a mechanical coupling link which can quickly and effectively be installed in a piping circuit in order to connect sealingly together pipe sectors or a pipe with a sluice valve or with a fitting or with a branch tapping of said circuit.

2. Quick link as set forth in claim 1, characterized by that in its usual form it consists of two rubber or flexible plastic material sealing rings, of two metal rings for tightening said sealing rings and of a certain number of clamping bolts.

3. Quick link as set forth in claim 1, characterized by that its mounting is achieved within a few minutes, even in very restricted spaces, without needing any special tools, by the following actions: cutting of the pipe in appropriate length, "passing" of the sealing ring over the pipe sector, "passing" and fitting of the tightening ring over the corresponding sealing ring and tightening of same by the aid of an adequate number of bolts and nuts.

4. Quick link as set forth in claim 1, characterized by that it is suitable to be used both in new installations and in already existing pipings and in very restricted spaces.

5. Quick link as set forth in claim 1, characterized by that the special configuration (particular dimensions, angles of inclination, etc.) are shown in the figures and as described in present specification.