Split-ring Gland Pipe Coupling with Corrugated Armor and Pressure Assist Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional split-ring gland pipe couplings face issues with gasket bunching during installation, leakage due to gasket exposure, and the need for lubrication, which complicates handling and increases the risk of debris retention, while separate vent holes present manufacturing and usage drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of cross grooves on the inner side surface of the annular gasket and corrugated armor surfaces addresses gasket bunching and leakage by providing a fluid communication path and reducing friction, eliminating the need for lubrication, and utilizing two gland members securely coupled with a tangential fastener enhances rigidity without scissoring, and a reusably coupled gasket design accommodates varying pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate vent holes are included in the gasket, then pressurized fluid can flow into the pressure assist slot when the opening is clamped shut, but manufacturing complexity increases and the vent holes may become blocked by the pipe coupling structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cross grooves are integrated directly into the pressure assist slot structure, merging the venting function with the existing slot geometry. This eliminates separate vent holes and reduces manufacturing steps while ensuring fluid communication paths are built-in and less prone to blockage
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure assist slot is segmented into multiple sections by the cross grooves, creating alternative fluid communication paths. This segmentation ensures that if one path is blocked, fluid can still reach the pressure assist slot through other cross groove pathways, maintaining sealing reliability
2Reliability
If the gasket is compressed tightly by the split-ring gland, then sealing contact with the pipe is improved, but the opening of the pressure assist slot may be clamped down and closed off, blocking fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The cross grooves extend in a radial dimension perpendicular to the axial compression direction. This dimensional orientation ensures that radial fluid communication paths remain open even when axial compression closes the slot opening, maintaining both sealing contact and fluid flow
Solution Approach 2:
The cross grooves act as intermediary fluid channels that bypass the compressed slot opening. They provide an alternative pathway for pressurized fluid to reach the pressure assist slot interior, mediating between the compressed exterior and the sealed interior
3Ease of operation
If lubrication is applied to facilitate gasket installation, then handling is easier, but the risk of debris retention increases and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated armor surface provides self-lubricating properties through its geometric structure, reducing friction between the gasket and armor during installation. This eliminates the need for external lubrication while maintaining ease of installation and reducing debris retention risks
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations create curved, tapered surfaces that guide the gasket during installation, reducing friction and bunching without requiring lubrication. The geometric curvature facilitates smooth movement while maintaining cleanliness
4Ease of operation
If the split-ring gland is sized to circumscribe most of the circumference of the sleeve end and gasket, then installation is facilitated, but the gasket may be exposed radially out of the gap, causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The armor is merged with the split-ring gland structure, extending into the gland at each end to form a continuous sealing surface. This combination ensures that the gasket is fully contained and supported along the entire circumference, preventing radial exposure and leakage while facilitating installation
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 solution improves sealing performance, reduces installation complexity, and eliminates the need for lubrication, while allowing for easy adaptation to different pipe sizes without compromising sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the cross grooves defines a radially extending pathway from the slot opening... providing a fluid communication path into an interior portion of the pressure assist slot
Implementation Method 2
The corrugations are advantageously instilled by cold working and therefore provides both increased bending stiffness and tensile strength to the armor
Implementation Method 3
The collected pressurized fluid within the pressure assist slot forces the gasket to expand outwardly to produce a better sealing contact
Implementation Method 4
The ribs reduce the frictional contact between the annular gasket and the split-ring gland, thereby reducing the tendency of the annular gasket to bunch up
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and an annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap, which is spanned by an armor positioned in the gap to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion engaging the gasket during compression. The gasket includes a pressure assist slot configured to receive pressurized fluid leaking from the pipes and a plurality of cross grooves ensuring continued fluid communication with the pressure assist slot. The gasket also includes ribs engaging the split-ring gland and the armor to reduce or eliminate added lubrication necessary.