Wide-Range Compression Pipe Fitting for Gasket Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression pipe fittings fail to effectively seal and stabilize gaskets when connecting pipes of varying diameters, leading to leaks and undesirable pipe movement due to the escape of rubber gaskets and lack of grip ring engagement.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile compression fitting design featuring a tubular support body with a central section and tapered end sections, a gasket, and a fitting nut that biases the gasket radially inward, along with a grip ring and blocking member to prevent gasket unloading and ensure a secure seal across a range of pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oversized gaskets are used to accommodate a range of pipe diameters, then the gasket is less likely to escape from the fitting under load, but the fitting becomes physically larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into a central body section and multiple end sections, each with different inner diameters corresponding to different pipe sizes. This segmentation allows the fitting to accommodate multiple pipe diameters without requiring an oversized gasket, as each end section provides a tailored fit for its corresponding pipe size range.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the support body have different inner diameters optimized for specific pipe sizes. The central body section has a smaller inner diameter while the end sections have progressively larger inner diameters, creating local quality variations that enable the single fitting to properly seal and retain gaskets across multiple pipe diameter ranges without becoming uniformly oversized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If grip rings are used with rubber gaskets to seal pipes, then the fitting can accommodate various pipe materials, but incorrect pipes with smaller diameters cause the grip ring to fail to engage and the gasket to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is segmented into multiple end sections with different inner diameters, each designed to properly engage with grip rings of specific pipe sizes. This prevents the grip ring unloading problem that occurs with single-diameter fittings, as each end section provides the correct engagement geometry for its target pipe size range while maintaining material versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If fittings are designed for one diameter or pipe material, then the fitting structure can be optimized for that specific application, but it cannot accommodate pipes with different diameters or materials
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into a central body section and multiple end sections, each optimized for specific pipe diameter ranges. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured with precise dimensions for its intended application while the entire assembly provides versatility across multiple pipe sizes and materials, combining the benefits of optimization and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body with its multiple end sections of different diameters serves multiple functions: it can accommodate various pipe diameters, provide proper grip ring engagement for each size, maintain seal integrity, and work with different pipe materials. This multi-functionality allows a single fitting design to replace multiple specialized fittings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a reliable seal and prevents gasket unloading across a wide range of pipe diameters, ensuring effective sealing and stability without the need for physically larger or more expensive fittings.
Implementation Method 1
axially moving the fitting nut draws the support body and the gasket together in the axial direction and biases the gasket radially inward against the selected pipe
Implementation Method 2
each of the support body opposite end sections having an inner surface having a second diameter substantially equal to the maximum diameter, and an end face. A transition surface is between the central body section inner surface and each of the support body end section inner surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Compression fittings for pipes having a range of diameters, including a support body with a central section between end sections, the central section having a smaller diameter than the end sections, with a transition surface between the central section and each end section. A gasket fits over a pipe and engages one of the support body end section end surfaces. A fitting nut is movable axially over the support body to draw the support body and the gasket together in the axial direction and bias the gasket radially inward against the pipe. A grip ring encircles the pipe at one gasket end and has a surface engaging the fitting nut whereby the fitting nut biases the grip ring radially inwardly toward the pipe. An insert adapter has a hub with a radially extending flange may block the other gasket end to load the gasket between its axial ends.