Restrained sleeve pipe coupling

Abstract

A restrained sleeve coupling assembly for interconnecting pipe sections includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body with opposed gasket engaging surfaces adjacent opposite ends of the body for receiving fluid sealing gaskets forcibly engaged with the body and opposed end rings which are sleeved over the respective pipe sections to be joined. The end rings include flanges for engagement with elongated tension bolt assemblies to secure the sleeve body, the gaskets and the end rings in assembly with each other. The end rings also include circumferentially spaced bosses and polygonal shaped gripper members disposed in recesses in the bosses and forcibly engageable with the outer surfaces of the pipe sections over which the end rings are sleeved as determined by limited torque bolt assemblies engageable with the gripper members.

Description

[0001] In the art of pipe fittings, there has been a continuing need to provide a suitable coupling for connecting two sections of similar pipe or connecting a section of one type of pipe to a section of another type of pipe of generally the same diameter. The criteria for such couplings includes the requirement of restraining the pipe sections from axial separation from each other when subjected to forces generated by hydrostatic pressure as well as external forces tending to deflect or separate one pipe section from another.[0002] Prior art couplings that provide for restraining the pipe sections from axial separation are typically subject to very limited applications, are somewhat cumbersome to install, and / or provide relatively low restraining or holding capability against fluid pressure and other forces acting on the coupled pipe sections. Accordingly, the need for an improved coupling or so-called restrained sleeve has included the desiderata of providing a device which is ope...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present embodiment, a pipe coupling or restrained sleeve assembly is provided which may be manufactured of conventional engineering materials used for pipe fittings and the like, is adapted to couple the plain ends of adjacent pipe sections in fluid tight sealed relationship to each other, wherein pipe sections may be of similar or dissimilar materials including ductile iron, polyvinylchloride and high density polyethylene, and such pipe sections being of so-called standard pipe sizes. The restrained sleeve assembly is easily connected to adjacent pipe sections and assembled to provide a fluid tight seal between the sleeve body and the coupled pipe sections and to further restrain the sleeve or coupling assembly axially with respect to the coupled pipe sections to form a secure fluid tight coupling. The sleeve or coupling assembly advantageously utilizes pipe gripping wedge members and limited torque bolt assemblies mounted on opposed end rings. The bolt assemblies are engageable with the wedge or gripper members to forcibly engage the members with the pipe sections over which the end rings are sleeved so as to provide a substantially secure non-slip connection between the end rings and the pipe sections.

[0006] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present embodiment, a pipe coupling or restrained sleeve is provided which includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body, a generally cylindrical adaptor body and opposed end rings which are adapted to cooperate with the sleeve body and the adaptor body to form a fluid tight joint and maintain the sleeve body in a position sleeved over the ends of adjacent pipe sections to maintain such pipe sections coupled to each other. The restrained sleeve assembly including the adaptor body is easily connected to adjacent pipe sections of dissimilar outside diameter and assembled to provide a fluid tight seal between the sleeve body, the adaptor body and the coupled pipe sections and to further restrain the sleeve or coupling assembly axially with respect to the coupled pipe sections to form a secure fluid tight coupling. The sleeve or coupling assembly also advantageously utilizes pipe gripping wedge members and limited torque bolt assemblies mounted on opposed end rings. The bolt assemblies are engageable with the wedge or gripper members to forcibly engage the members with the pipe sections over which the end rings are sleeved so as to provide a substantially secure non-slip connection between the end rings and the pipe sections.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art couplings that provide for restraining the pipe sections from axial separation are typically subject to very limited applications, are somewhat cumbersome to install, and / or provide relatively low restraining or holding capability against fluid pressure and other forces acting on the coupled pipe sections.

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