Parabolic Bell Spigot Coupling Deflection Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe coupling technologies face challenges in maintaining secure seals under high pressure and allowing for sufficient deflection without losing pressure, especially in applications where misalignment and temperature variations are common, leading to increased assembly forces and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The use of a parabolic-shaped joint in bell and spigot couplings that allows for up to 10 degrees of deflection, reducing insertion forces and maintaining a seal, made from materials like ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, or plastics, with a K-type gasket and locking segments to prevent extrusion and ensure engagement even under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional push-on joints with rigid gaskets are used, then sealing is maintained under high pressure, but assembly forces become excessively high and deflection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bell joint from a traditional conical shape to a parabolic curve. This parameter change allows the joint to accommodate deflection while maintaining seal integrity, reducing the force required for assembly from hundreds of pounds to a manageable level, and enabling the joint to withstand high operating pressures without leaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a parabolic curve (a type of curvature) in the bell joint design instead of straight or conical surfaces. This curved geometry allows the locking segments and gasket to engage properly while accommodating angular deflection, maintaining sealing capability, and reducing insertion forces by distributing loads more evenly throughout the joint.
2Ease of operation
If bell and spigot couplings allow for deflection to meet installation needs, then ease of installation improves, but pressure retention and seal integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the geometric parameters of the joint to a parabolic curve with specific curvature characteristics, the patent enables the coupling to accommodate up to 10 degrees of deflection while maintaining seal integrity and pressure retention capability, solving the trade-off between installation flexibility and pressure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic joint that can adapt its geometry through the parabolic curve design, allowing the locking segments and gasket to reposition themselves during deflection while maintaining contact and sealing. This dynamic capability enables the joint to maintain reliability under varying installation and operating conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional joint designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the number of fittings and trench digging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parabolic curve parameter change in the bell joint design allows straight pipe sections to accommodate deflection without requiring additional bend fittings. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while improving installation efficiency by reducing the number of fittings needed and minimizing trench digging requirements.
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
This solution reduces the number of bend fittings and trench digging required, conserves land space, and maintains a secure seal during deflection, allowing for easier assembly and reduced assembly forces, while withstanding high pressures without leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-tight seal formed by an elastomeric seal between the bell and the spigot
Implementation Method 2
The use of a parabolic-shaped joint in bell and spigot couplings that allows for up to 10 degrees of deflection
Implementation Method 3
allowing for greater pipe deflection and stronger joint retention
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.