Plastic Pipe Gasket Ring Structure to Prevent Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing gaskets for plastic pipelines face challenges such as infiltration of dirt, reduced rubber surface contact area, and breakage of reinforcing bands, leading to compromised joint integrity and increased manufacturing and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A rubber/plastic gasket design with a reinforcing band of interconnected wedges and a flexible ribbon embedded within the rubber body, allowing for secure retention within a preformed pipe groove without external bonding, enabling inverse curvature and effective sealing under various pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid plastic reinforcing band is bonded to a rubber gasket body, then the gasket retention and resistance to extrusion are improved, but the rubber surface contact area is reduced and dirt infiltration occurs between the band and pipe groove
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing band is segmented into discrete wedge-shaped elements spaced around the gasket circumference, rather than forming a continuous rigid band. This segmentation allows the rubber to maintain full circumferential contact with the pipe groove while the discrete wedges provide localized reinforcement to prevent extrusion and displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing elements are concentrated at specific locations (the wedge-shaped elements) rather than distributing material uniformly. This provides maximum reinforcement where needed (at the interface between gasket and pipe groove) while maintaining full rubber contact area in other regions.
2Strength
If a rigid plastic reinforcing band is used, then the resistance to extrusion under pressure is improved, but the gasket flexibility and ease of manual installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structure is divided into discrete wedge elements connected by flexible material, allowing the gasket to be bent and flexed during manual installation while maintaining extrusion resistance when installed. The segmented structure can deform during installation but returns to its reinforced configuration in service.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket transitions from a rigid-reinforced state during operation to a flexible state during installation. The flexible connecting material between wedges allows the gasket to deform for installation, then the wedges provide rigid reinforcement under operating pressure.
3Ease of operation
If a homogeneous rubber gasket is used, then the ease of installation and flexibility are improved, but the resistance to displacement and extrusion under pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket combines homogeneous rubber material with discrete rigid wedge elements. The rubber provides flexibility and ease of installation, while the embedded wedges provide reinforcement to prevent displacement and extrusion under pressure, achieving both properties simultaneously.
4Stability of the object's composition
If bonding is used to attach the reinforcing band to the gasket body, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and potential for separation are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing wedges are integrated directly into the gasket molding process rather than being separately attached. The wedges are embedded in cavities within the rubber gasket body during a single molding operation, eliminating bonding steps and potential separation issues while simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid wedge elements are nested within cavities in the rubber gasket body. This nested configuration provides structural integrity without requiring external bonding, as the wedges are physically contained within the rubber matrix.
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 gasket provides enhanced sealing integrity, resistance to extrusion and displacement, and simplified installation, reducing manufacturing and field assembly complexities while maintaining flexibility for easy hand installation.
Implementation Method 1
a ring shaped elastomeric gasket body having a main body portion formed of rubber which, when viewed in cross section, includes a leading nose region, a lower compression region and a trailing tail region
Implementation Method 2
the hardened plastic band acts to prevent extrusion of the gasket from the groove provided in the female bell socket end of the thermoplastic pipe once a spigot end of a mating male pipe is installed to form a pipe joint and the pipe is pressurized
Implementation Method 3
The wedges on the hardened plastic band act in concert with the forward facing slope region of the arcuate raceway to wedge between the outer diameter of the male thermoplastic pipe end and the internal diameter of the female bell socket end in use
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a raceway provided within a socket end of a female bell plastic pipe end which Is assembled with a mating male pipe end to form a plastic pipe joint. The raceway in the female bail plastic pipe end is preformed during manufacture and the gasket is installed thereafter. The gasket has a rubber body portion which is reinforced by a hard plastic band formed as a series of integral, spaced wedges which are Interconnected by a flexible ribbon. The gasket is flexible enough to be flexed and placed in the pipe raceway and yet the hard plastic band acts to prevent extrusion of the gasket during a variety of pressure conditions as welt as preventing displacement during field assembly.