GB2113789A - Pipe coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe coupling for connecting pipe ends 12 comprises a sleeve 13 into which the pipe ends fit, the sleeve being slidable along the pipe ends but secureable thereto by U-shaped staples 16 whose arms fit alignable grooves or channels 14, 15 in the sleeve and the pipe ends. In an alternative embodiment the sleeve may include a back plate (41, not shown) having bolt holes in order that the coupling may be secured to a surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipe coupling This invention concerns a pipe coupling for connecting pipe ends, particularly ends of rigid pipes.

Sleeve type couplings for flexible pipe sections are known but removal of pipe sections from such couplings involves removal of the coupling completely or distortion of the pipe section of the coupling is to be retained on adjacent sections.

Thus such couplings are not suitable for use with rigid pipe sections.

An object of this invention is to provide a pipe coupling which can permit easy and quick removal of pipe sections without disturbing adjacent pipe sections.

According to this invention there is provided a pipe coupling for connecting pipe ends which comprises a sleeve into which the pipe ends fit the sleeve being slidable along said pipe ends but securable thereto by removable means preventing sliding of said sleeve.

The removable means are preferably elongate members which fit alignable channels or grooves in the sleeve and the pipe ends. The sleeve can have two pairs of parallel channels, each pair being alignable with a pair of tangential channels or circumferential grooves of a pipe end. The pipe ends having the tangential channels or circumferential grooves preferably have thicker walls than the remainder of the pipe to strengthen the pipe ends.

Conveniently the elongate members are provided by the arms of U-shaped staples. The arms may be bent outwards slightly at approximately the mid-point thereof to assist retention of the arms in the aligned channels/grooves.

Alternatively, the elongate members may be threaded bolts for securable in correspondingly threaded holes in a part of the sleeve.

To facilitate fitting of the sleeve and pipe ends together, the sleeve can have a widening internal diameter towards its ends and the pipe ends can having decreasing external diameters towards their ends.

The sleeve may be provided with means for securement to a surface if a pipe line is to be a permanent fixture or if the extreme ends of a pipe line are to be fixed to a surface. Thus the sleeve may have a back plate with bolt holes therein.

Pipe lines embodying this invention may be used for carrying hydraulic fluid, say for operation of hydraulic rams of mine roof supports, in which case sealing means between the pipe ends and the sleeve will be needed. Such sealing means may be rubber "0" rings seated in annular grooves of the pipe ends or the sleeve.

Advantages of the coupling of this invention are that pipe sections can be removed for replacement or for seal renewal without disturbing the adjacent pipe sections. Furthermore assembly of a pipe-line can be carried out quickly and without the need for spanners or other tools. Also, allowance can be made in the sizes of the sleeve and pipe ends to accommodate thermal expansion thereof without affecting the seal between the pipe ends and the sleeve.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section in the longitudinal direction of one form of hydraulic pipeline pipe coupling; Figure 2 is a section on the line AA of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows another form of hydraulic pipeline pipe coupling.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, pipe sections 11 have thicker end portions 12 which fit into an electroless nickel plated coupling sleeve 13. The end portions 12 have a pair of parallel tangential channels 14 each of which pairs, which the pipe sections are correctly positioned in the sleeve 13, is aligned with one of a pair of parallel channels 15 of the sleeve 13.

To secure the pipe ends 12 in the sleeve 13 a pair of generally U-shaped stainless steel staples 16 are fitted into each set of aligned channels. The staples 16 have arms which form the U-end are slightly bent inwards and then at approximately midway along the arms are slightly bent outward.

This helps to keep the staples in position.

The joint formed between the pipe sections and the sleeve is sealed by means of "0" rings 18 held in annular grooves 19 near the end of each pipe end.

To facilitate fitting of the coupling, the sleeve has slight widening of its internal diameter at its ends (see 20) and the pipe sections have corresponding lessening of their external diameter at their ends (see 21).

As shown the pipe ends do not contact within the coupling. This is to allow for thermal expansion of the pipes.

When it is desired to remove a pipe section from the coupling to replace the pipe section or its seal, the staples are removed from the coupling at both ends of the pipe section and the coupling sleeves slid away from the pipe section along the adjoining sections until the pipe-section can be removed. Replacement of the pipe section is a reversal of the above.

To protect the outer surface of the ends of pipe sections, they are provided with a layer of stainless steel thereon by metal spraying.

Figure 3 shows a pipe coupling 40 made as a forging which can be secured to a wall or other surface.

The coupling has a back-plate 41 having two holes 42 through which bolts 43 can be passed to secure the coupling to a surface. Fitment of pipe sections 44 is similar to that of the coupling of Figures 1 and 2 except that four bolts 45 are used instead of two U-staples. The bolts 45 each have a threaded end portion 46 which screws into threaded holes in the back plate 41.

The coupling of Figure 3 can be used at every pipe junction along a pipeline or can just be used at the ends of the pipeline to take the pressure load.

Claims (13)

1. A pipe coupling for connecting pipe ends which comprises a sleeve into which the pipe ends fit, the sleeve being slidable along said pipe ends but securable thereto by removable means preventing sliding of said sleeve.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pipe ends and the sleeve have alignable channels or grooves therein into which elongate members fit.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sleeve has two pairs of parallel channels each pair alignable with a pair of parallel tangential channels of a pipe end.

4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 wherein the walls of pipe ends having the tangential channels therein are thicker than the remainder of the pipe wall.

5. A coupling as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the elongate members are the arms of Ushaped staples.

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 wherein the arms of the U-shaped staples are each bent outwards at approximately the mid point thereof.

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the elongate members are bolts having a threaded end portion for securement in correspondingly threaded holes in a part of the sleeve.

8. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the sleeve has a widening internal diameter towards its ends.

9. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the pipe ends have decreasing external diameters towards their ends.

10. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 having means forsecurement to a surface.

1 A coupling as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sleeve comprises a back plate having bolt holes therein.

12. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 including sealing means between the pipe ends and the sleeve.

13. A pipe coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein the sealing means are "0" rings in annular grooves of the pipe ends or of the sleeve.

14. A pipe coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 15 June 1982 Susperseded claims 1 to 14 Neworamendedolaims:~1 to 13 CLAIMS

1. A pipe coupling for connecting rigid pipes at their ends which comprises a sleeve into which the pipe ends fit and are sealed, the sleeve being slidable along said pipe ends but securable thereto by removable means preventing sliding of said sleeve, said removable means comprising a rigid self-retaining elongate member tangentially engaging with an alignable channel or groove in the pipe and hold in the sleeve.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve has two pairs of parallel channels each pair alignable with a pair of parallel tangential channels of a pipe end.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the walls of pipe ends having the tangential channels therein are thicker than the remainder of the pipe wall.

4. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the elongate members are the arms of Ushaped staples.

5. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein the arms of the U-shaped staples are each bent outwards at approximately the mid point thereof.

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the elongate members are bolts having a threaded end portion for securement in correspondingly threaded holes in a part of the sleeve.

7. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the sleeve has a widening internal diameter towards its ends.

8. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the pipe ends have decreasing external diameters towards their ends.

9. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 having means for securement to a surface.

10. A coupling as claimed in claim 9 wherein the sleeve comprises a back plate having bolt holes therein.

11. A coupling as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 including sealing means between the pipe ends and the sleeve.

12. A coupling as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sealing means are "0" rings in annular grooves of the pipe ends or of the sleeve.