GB2393768A

GB2393768A - Pipe coupling having a leak-proof flange and retaining rings

Info

Publication number: GB2393768A
Application number: GB0301331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Manuel Jose Pires Alves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-02
Filing date: 2003-01-21
Publication date: 2004-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-21
Also published as: CH696599A5; DE10302359B4; IL154242A0; GB2393768B; GB0301331D0; ES2212732B1; PT102903A; PT102903B; DE10302359A1; DE20300963U1; ES2212732A1

Abstract

The flanges incorporate frustum-shaped anchoring or retaining metallic rings 1 and they form almost the whole of the circle which at their lower edge 1a shows some folds 2, made after die cutting 4 the related notches constituting a series of vertexes 3 at its farthest end where the ring is supported and stuck on the smooth surface of the pipe (fig 5,5), having several rings 1 of this kind, increasing thus the number of sticking vertexes 3 and having in addition a circular support 6 for placing and fastening the said anchoring rings 1, which is located within the flange and against the internal face of its wrapping rim 12 and is constituted by a die cut metallic sheet having a series of small tongues 9 arranged in quincunx and raised with a slope identical to that of the anchoring rings 1 themselves.

Description

( 2393768

l SPECIFICATION

This patent of invention relates improvements introduced to the leakproof flanges specially designed for their application in the connection of pipes for conducting fluids at low and high pressure, and namely used for connecting pipes the 5 external surface of them is completely smooth, without borders nor protrusions at all.

These improvements confer to the flange to which they are applied in their practical embodiment, significant characteristics of fitting and tightening, greatly increasing its strength to the different tensions which occur during the passage of the pressurized fluids within the pipe and which could provoke axial displacements thereof' 1 0 with subsequent withdrawal and later disconnection of one or both pipes reducing the possibilities of tears or damages on the surface of the pipes.

STATE OF T} IE ART

The present state of the art shows different embodiments referring to flanges for a leak-proof connection of pipes having smooth ends. Utility models 235,619; 15 U8600595; U8600609; U8603209, patents of inventions P8803941; P9401300 and P9601830 and the British patents 1,462,886; 1,582, 858 and 1,528,859 can be mentioned among others.

They all disclose devices based on flanges which, although they possess the suitable elements for achieving a required tightness, as well as the fastening of the ends 20 of the two pipes which are being connected, they have no elements which could guarantee the permanent tightness and fastening when it is dealt with a completely smooth surface of the ends and namely, as a determinant conditioning. in the pipes made of thermoplastic materials, such as vinyl polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and the like, having a relatively soft surface which can be torn or damaged 25 depending on the characteristics of the connecting flanges used, concretely for pipes made of such materials.

Essentially the improvements provided to the leak-proof flanges for connecting pipes having smooth ends object of this invention are characterized by the incorporation of anchoring or retaining metallic rings

and having significant strength and elasticity, provided with a series of folds, located on the whole of their internal perimeter, obtained by diecut and further folding, which will constitute a circular set of protruding vertexes which will be supported on the smooth surface of the ends of the pipes to which the flange will be applied for a leak-proof 5 connection, the said vertexes being facing the possible axial path of displacement followed by the pipes in the event that an unwanted disconnection of the flange is started. The improvements object of this patent of invention are also characterized in that they always have more than one anchoring or retaining ring, preferably three, and 10 in addition they are provided with a support for fastening and positioning them, a circular support coinciding with the interior of the protecting rim or casing of the flange, a place where will be housed the anchoring or retaining rings, essentially characterized in that such support as it is made from a metallic strap having a suitable strength and elasticity, through a die cut, folding and cutting process which profiles as well the 15 shape of the assembly as the retaining and fastening elements of the rings.

The incorporation of the improvements above described brings as an immediate consequence that the flange will place on the smooth surface of the end of the pipes to be connected several multiple sets of metallic vertexes which will be supported on the said smooth surface, decreasing in arithmetic progression the penetrating and retaining 20 action of such vertexes reducing therefore the risk of tears or damages on the pipe surface, without decreasing the total anchoring or retaining capacity, for the reason already stated of the number of retaining rings being multiplied.

As it is obvious, it must be added that according to the amount of rings to be placed, according to the kind of flange and its concrete application, considering the 25 factors of sizes, working pressures and the rest, the support will also vary because space and fastening and supporting elements for every and each the mentioned rings would be available. In order to expound in a clearer way and in details above description, drawings

are appended to this specification in which, for non limiting practical example, a

( practical embodiment of the improvements applied to a leak-proof flange are illustrated.

In the said drawings: Fig. l is a cross sectional view of the area of the flange where the improvements of the invention have been applied; 5 I;ig. 2 is a detail, in perspective, of a piece of one of the anchoring or retaining rings; Fig. 3 is a detailed view, also in perspective, of the support for fastening and positioning the anchoring rings; Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the process of making the support of the 10 preceding figure; Fig. 5 shows a partly sectional side view of the assembly of the flange, located on the ends of two pipes connected, having a smooth surface; and last, Fig. 6 partly shows a front view of the closed flange.

The improvements object of this patent of invention consist in providing 15 circular anchoring metallic rings (1), but not completely closed on their circumference and which constitutes a frustum-shaped surface, not too high, corresponding to the width of the metallic sheet with which it has been made, and it is mechanized through a process of die cut and folding, so that along the full internal edge (la) folds (2) have been formed outwardly the ring, forming the vertexes (3) at its farthest end, thanks to 20 die cuts (4).

Such vertexes (3) are those which are directly supported on the smooth surface of the pipe end (5).

In the example illustrated by the drawings appended to this specification, the

flange is provided with three anchoring rings (I), which remains located and supported 25 on the support (6), constituted by a metallic sheet, also mechanized through the die cut, cutting and folding process constituting the bottom (7), the outline (8) which fits on the whole of the circular perimeter to the border of the external rim ( 12) of the flange. On the bottom (7) of the support due die cut have been made which allows to suitably raise the small tongues (9), leaving under them the hole (l0) and providing them with the

( suitable slope in order that the anchoring rings ( I) are located perfectly socketed, which in their frustum shape possess same slope as the small tongues (9) of the support (6).

Such small tongues (9) have been die cut, and then folded, in quincunx in the example illustrated so that the first perimetric row of small tongues will constitute the support 5 and fastening of the first of the rings (I) of the figure 1, the following ones will be that of the ring ( I') and the third group will be that of the third ring ( I ").

The assembly is completed with already well-known elements, such as the annular cylindric sealing gasket (11), having a characteristic profile, covered and protected all of it by the external rim (12) which is provided with the closing and 10 fastening elements generally constituted by the threaded bolts ( 13) and the I corresponding through shafts (14), all of it with the aim of allowing and guaranteeing the rings (1) fit on the ends of the pipes (5) as well as that of the annular sealing gasket itself ( I).

Will be independent from the object of this invention, the materials, shapes and 15 sizes of the different elements constituting the improvements described, as well as the full flange to which their are applied, provided that such variations do not impair the spirit of the invention which is all summarized in the following claims.

Claims

( CLAIMS

1 improvements introduced to the leak-proof flanges for connecting pipes having smooth ends, characterized m that they incorporate to such flanges frustum-

shaped anchoring OT retanug metallic rings and constituting almost the whole ot the circle which are provided along their lull lower edge with folds, made after the die cut ot conespondng notches which allow to form a series of vertexes at it farthest end where the ring Is supported on the smooth surface of the pipe, so that such vertexes remans stuck on the said surface preventing their axial displacement, such 10 improvements are in addition charactenzed m that they have several anchoring or retanng rmgs. with the aim ot mcreasmg in mathematc progression the number for vertexes dstrbutm; the penetratm;, action of them and decreasing the posshhtes ot tears and damages on the surface ot the pipes 15 Improvements Introduced to leak-proof flanges tor connecting pipes having smooth ends, according to claim I characterized m that they have a support for placing and tastenmg the anchoring rmgs, a circular support which Is situated within the flange and against the internal face oi its wrapping nm, constituted by a metalhc sheet on which an even series of small tongues have been die cut, arranged m qumcunx and 9() raised In a Lope Identical to the slope ot the anchoring rings themselves, so that each ring Will be located parallel, fastened against the corresponding row of small tongues and will remain thus perfectly fit with their vertexes on the smooth surface ol the ends ot' the pipes tic be connected, the mentioned support remammg taxed by the annular seahug gasket ot' the flange, located under the wrapping rim.

a. Improvcmcnt ncluccd to leak-proof t'langes t'or connecting pipes havmg smooth ends, substantially as herembet'ore described with reference to and as shown m Figs I to 6 of the accompanying drawings.