Push-Fit Pipe Coupling With Crush Seal and Grip Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of connecting pipes, such as welding and soldering, are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and existing push-fit technologies may not provide a reliable seal, especially in applications requiring high fluid integrity like refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
A push-fitting design featuring a housing with a threaded section, annular shoulders, a grip ring with flexible teeth, a bonnet, and seal members that deform to create a crush seal, allowing for secure and leak-proof connection of pipes without the need for additional sealing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding or soldering is used to connect pipes, then a reliable fluid-tight seal is achieved, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal joining methods (welding/soldering) with a mechanical push-fit system. The fitting uses a grip ring with teeth that mechanically engage with the pipe exterior surface, combined with seal members that create a fluid-tight barrier through mechanical deformation rather than thermal fusion. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming heating and cooling cycles of traditional methods while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from thermal bonding to mechanical deformation. The seal members are designed to deform under compression when the fitting is assembled, creating a crush seal that adapts to the pipe surface. This parameter change from thermal to mechanical sealing enables faster installation while preserving reliability.
2Productivity
If push-fit technology is used to reduce installation time, then connection speed improves, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into multiple components: seal members positioned at different locations within the fitting bore, and a grip ring with multiple teeth. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall seal integrity, with the seal members providing primary sealing and the grip ring providing mechanical retention and secondary sealing through pipe surface deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting employs composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties: the housing provides structural support, the grip ring with flexible teeth provides mechanical engagement, and the seal members provide fluid barrier functionality. This composite approach ensures both rapid installation and reliable sealing by distributing functions across specialized components.
3Reliability
If traditional soldering materials and procedures are used, then reliable connections are achieved, but material usage and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the pipe material itself (as in soldering where the pipe and fitting are joined) and places it into separate, dedicated seal members within the fitting. This extraction allows the sealing function to be independently optimized and replaced without affecting the structural components, simplifying assembly while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip ring with flexible teeth automatically deforms the pipe exterior surface upon insertion, creating its own mechanical anchor without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly steps. The seal members are self-contained within the fitting bore, eliminating the need for external sealing materials or multi-step sealing procedures.
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 enables quick and reliable connection of pipes with enhanced sealing capabilities, reducing material usage and assembly time while maintaining a fluid-tight seal, even under pressure, thus addressing the inefficiencies of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A grip ring having a plurality of flexible teeth is positioned within the housing and is configured to be seated against the second annular shoulder, wherein the flexible teeth are configured to grip an exterior surface of the pipe or conduit
Implementation Method 2
a pair of seal members are positioned between the bonnet washer and the bonnet that are configured to sealingly engage with the exterior surface of the pipe or conduit
Implementation Method 3
The annular nub is configured to deform when bonnet is seated against the first annular shoulder and form a crush seal
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting including a housing defining a bore. The bore of the housing at the first open end including a first threaded section, a first annular shoulder located inboard from the first threaded section, and a second annular shoulder located inboard from the first annular shoulder. A grip ring having a plurality of flexible teeth is positioned within the housing and seated against the second annular shoulder, wherein the flexible teeth grip an exterior surface of the pipe or conduit. A bonnet is seated against the first annular shoulder and has an exterior threaded surface that mates with the first threaded section of the bore. A bonnet washer is positioned between the grip ring and the bonnet, and a pair of seal members are positioned between the bonnet washer and the bonnet that sealingly engage with the exterior surface of the pipe or conduit.