Multi-Wall Corrugated Pipe Coupling With Integral Bell And Spigot
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for coupling three-wall corrugated pipes are complex, require additional reinforcement, and often result in joint failure and inability to form a water-tight seal due to the expansion of pipe bells, which increases weight, expense, and installation difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A water-tight, in-line bell and spigot design for three-wall corrugated pipes, where the bell and spigot portions are formed integrally with a corrugated wall and an outer wall, and a gasket is used to create a seal between them, maintaining a consistent diameter and reducing the need for additional reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pipe bells are expanded to form bell-shaped structures for coupling, then adjacent pipe sections can be joined together, but the pipe bells are weakened and require additional reinforcement means
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe structure is divided into distinct segments: a bell portion with corrugated wall and an outer wall, and a spigot portion with corrugated wall between inner and outer walls. This segmentation allows each part to maintain its structural integrity while enabling coupling, eliminating the need to weaken the entire pipe bell structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell portion is designed with a corrugated wall structure specifically at the coupling end, while the rest of the pipe maintains its standard three-wall corrugated structure. This localized corrugation provides the necessary coupling functionality without compromising the overall pipe strength or requiring additional reinforcement.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe bells are expanded to larger diameters to accommodate spigot insertion, then pipe sections can be coupled, but trenches must be dug to accommodate the larger bell
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the bell to a larger diameter and then reducing it, the invention inverts the approach by designing the bell portion to maintain a consistent outer diameter throughout. The coupling is achieved through the spigot inserting into the bell with the gasket sealing between them, eliminating the need for oversized trenches.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional coupling means are used, then pipe sections can be joined, but precise and careful excavation and installation are required to avoid misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The bell and spigot portions are designed with matching diameters and geometries that create a natural alignment interface. The gasket disposed in a groove extending around the circumference of the spigot portion ensures uniform contact and sealing, making the installation process more forgiving and less prone to misalignment errors.
4Strength
If more material is used at pipe bell ends to compensate for reduced strength, then bell strength is improved, but weight and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated wall structure is applied locally at the bell portion where coupling occurs, providing enhanced strength precisely where needed. The rest of the pipe maintains its standard three-wall corrugated structure with optimized material usage, avoiding unnecessary weight increase while ensuring sufficient strength at the coupling interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for multi-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a bell portion of corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a spigot portion of corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket disposed in a groove extending around a circumference of the spigot portion and engaged between the bell portion of corrugated wall and the spigot portion of corrugated wall. A multi-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of multi-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.