GB2321509A

GB2321509A - Connector for releasably coupling two pipe ends

Info

Publication number: GB2321509A
Application number: GB9701693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Wilson
Original assignee: Crane Ltd
Current assignee: Crane Ltd
Priority date: 1997-01-28
Filing date: 1997-01-28
Publication date: 1998-07-29
Also published as: GB9701693D0

Abstract

The connector (14) comprises two parts (16) overlying, e.g. by flange ends (24), the pipe ends (10), having engagement means (12), e.g. grooves, accepting the flange ends. On the inside of the pipe connector (14), there is provided a sealing member (18). The two parts (16) of the pipe connector (14) have inter-engaging portions (28, 30) which allow for differing modes of engagement. These are castellations in which, in one engagement mode, the protrusions (28) abut, to provide clearance between the flange ends (24) and the pipe grooves (12) for joint flexibility. In the other engagement mode, the castellations (28,30) mesh, providing flange end-groove engagement for a rigid joint.

Description

Pipe connector The present invention relates to a pipe connector for releasably joining two pipe ends.

It is a necessity when constructing a piping system for fluids to join pipe sections. This is particularly necessary when the pipes go round walls, obstructions, etc.

In the past, such connections have been achieved by welding, which has the disadvantage that it is a permanent joint and therefore cannot be taken apart easily for inspection of the pipe section or replacement thereof.

Alternatively, large flange connections have been used but these have the disadvantage that the flanges are considerably larger in diameter than the pipe sections which they are joining. A further method of joining pipes is the use of screwed joints at the end of each pipe section. These existing systems all have the disadvantage that they are time-consuming to assemble. These existing systems have the disadvantage that they make rigid joints and it is therefore difficult to accommodate misalignment and vibration.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a pipe connector that is both economical with space, quick to assemble and enables both flexible joints or rigid joints for pipes.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a pipe connector for releasably joining two sections of pipe, the ends of which have engagement means, the outside edge of the connector is equipped with engagement means which cooperate with those on the pipe ends, the pipe connector comprises two parts which are releasably connected, on the inside of the pipe connector, there is provided one or more sealing members, in which the two parts of the pipe connector have inter-engaging portions which allow for differing predetermined degrees of engagement. This system provides the advantage that, on the one hand, in its loose connection, it will allow the pipes to cope with vibration misalignment or to be deflected, but when the other form is used, the pipes can be rigidly connected.

Preferably, the inter-engaging portions are protrusions provided on either end of the two parts, such that in one form the protrusions rest against each other and in the other form the protrusions inter-engage with each other.

Preferably, the protrusions are castellations. In a preferred embodiment, the two parts of the connector are substantially mirror images.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing member is a two-piece gasket, where each piece is bonded to its respective part. Alternatively, the sealing member is an annular gasket. Preferably, the gasket is made of flexible material such as rubber or plastics. Preferably, the two parts are releasably connected by two securing members. In a preferred embodiment, the securing members are nuts and bolts. Preferably, the engagement means on the connector comprises annular flanges on either side of the two parts which engage in annular grooves on the pipe ends. These further features provide the advantage that a connector is provided in which the two halves are identical, therefore requiring stocking of only one part and enabling an easy change between a firm fitting engagement and a loose engagement by turning one of the two parts of the connector round. However, in both forms, the gasket is tightly held to the pipe.

An example of a pipe connector made in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of two pipe ends for connection; Figure 2 is a side view of the two parts of the connector prepared for fitting to the pipe ends to provide a flexible joint; Figure 3 shows the pipe connector shown in Figure 2 fitted on to the pipe ends; Figure 4 shows the pipe connector prepared for fitting to the pipe ends to provide a rigid joint; Figure 5 shows the pipe connector shown in Figure 4 fitted on to the pipe ends; and Figure 6 shows a modified pipe connector with a two piece gasket.

Figure 1 shows two pipe ends 10 placed next to each other. The pipe ends 10 are both equipped with an annular groove 12 in their ends. This groove may be formed on the end of the pipe either as purchased or before assembly.

Figure 2 shows a pipe connector 14 prepared for fitting to the pipe ends 10 in a loose fitting or flexible manner. The pipe connector 14 comprises two parts 16 which are substantially identical. Fitted over the ends 10 of the pipes is a gasket 18 which covers the area of actual ends of the pipes. The two parts 16 of the connector 14 each comprises substantially a semicircle. At either end of the semicircle, there is a protrusion 20 provided on the outside of the parts 16 with a hole 22 through it. The parts 16 have flanges 24 on the outside edge of their inside. There is a depression 26 between the two flanges 24, which will accommodate the gasket 18. On each end of the parts 16 where they come into contact with each other, there are two castellations 28 and two depressions 30.

Figure 3 shows the connector 14 fitted to the pipe ends 10. The two parts 16 of the connector 14 are releasably held together by two nuts and bolts 32, which engage the protrusions 20 and go through the hole 22 on each respective part 16. In this case, the tops of the two castellations 28 on each part 16 of the connector 14 rest against each other, as can be seen from the enlargement of Figure 3a. A cross-section of part of the joint is shown in the enlargement of Figure 3. From this enlargement, it can also be seen that the connector 14 holds the gasket 18 against the pipe ends 10. However, the flange 24 of the connector 14 does not touch the bottom of the annular groove 12 of the pipe ends 10. As can also be seen, the flange 24 is provided with a semicircular shoulder 34 which also does not touch the surface of the pipe. From Figure 3, it can be seen that this joint allows expansion or contraction and deflection or movement of the pipe.

Figure 4 shows the same view as Figure 2 except that one part 16 of the connector 14, in this case the bottom part 16, has been turned through 1800.

Figure 5 shows a rigid connection of the pipe. As can be seen from the enlargement of Figure Sa, which is equivalent to Figure 3a the castellations 28 on the upper part 16 inter-engage with the depressions 30 on the lower part 16. Similarly, the castellations 28 on the lower part 16 inter-engage with the depressions 30 on the upper part 16.

Figure 5 shows the same view as shown in Figure 3b.

As can be seen, the connector 14 compresses the gasket 18 more tightly. However, the flange 24 engages the bottom of the groove 12 on the pipe end 10. Furthermore, the shoulder 34 fits on to the pipe end 10 on the inside edge of the groove 12. This has the advantage of providing extra rigidity to the joint. As is readily apparent from Figure 5, this fitting of the connector 14 rigidly engages the two pipe ends 10.

Figure 6 shows a modified pipe connector 14 which is identical to the pipe connector described with regard to Figures 1 to 5, except that its gasket 18 is in two pieces, an upper piece 18a and a lower piece 18b. The gaskets 18a and 18b are both bonded to their respective parts 16. The gasket 18a is completely contained within the upper part 16 and at either end of the gasket 18a there is a sloping portion 40. The gasket 18b of the lower part 16 extends outside the part 16 with sloping portions 42 which match the sloping portions 40 on the upper gasket 18a, such that when the two parts 16 are fitted together around the pipe 10, the sloping end portions 42 of the lower gasket 18b fit within the upper part 16.

Claims

Claims:

1. A pipe connector for releasably joining two sections of pipe, the ends of which have engagement means, the outside edge of the connector is equipped with engagement means which cooperate with those on the pipe ends, the pipe connector comprises two parts which are releasably connected, on the inside of the pipe connector, there is provided one or more sealing members, in which the two parts of the pipe connector have inter-engaging portions which allow for differing predetermined degrees of engagement.

2. A pipe connector according to claim 1, in which the inter-engaging portions are protrusions provided on either end of the two parts, such that in one form the protrusions rest against each other and in the other form the protrusions inter-engage with each other.

3. A pipe connector according to claim 2, in which the protrusions are castellations.

4. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, in which the two parts of the connector are substantially mirror images.

5. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim in which the sealing member is a two-piece gasket where each piece is bonded in its respective part.

6. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the sealing member is an annular gasket.

7. A pipe connector according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which the gasket is made of flexible material such as rubber or plastics.

8. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, in which the two parts are releasably connected by two securing members.

9. A pipe connector according to claim 8, in which the securing members are nuts and bolts.

10. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, in which the engagement means on the connector comprises annular flanges on either side of the two parts which engage in annular grooves on the pipe ends.

11. A pipe connector substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.