COUPLING SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR COUPLING TWO PIPE ENDS

Abstract

A coupling system for coupling two pipe ends (2, 3) which are each provided with an outer wall (21, 31) and, at at least one circumferential position on the outer wall (21, 31), a protrusion (20, 30) that extends radially outwardly, comprises a frame (10) which can adopt an open condition and a closed condition, the open condition allows the frame (10) to be put around the two pipe ends (2, 3) when put together for a continuation of a pipeline lumen, the frame (10) in the closed condition being configured to house the two pipe ends (2, 3) when put together for a continuation of the pipeline lumen, wherein the frame (10) comprises at least a first and a second restrictor part (11, 12), the first and second restrictor parts (11, 12) being configured to allow an abutment against the protrusions (20) of the opposite pipe ends (2) in the closed condition of the frame (10), so that the pipe ends (2, 3) are at least limited from moving away from each other in a pipeline direction by inability of the protrusions (20, 30) to pass beyond the first and second restrictor parts (11, 12), respectively.

Claims

1. A coupling system for coupling two pipe ends which are each provided with an outer wall and, at at least one circumferential position on the outer wall, a protrusion that extends radially outwardly, wherein the system comprises a frame which can adopt an open condition and a closed condition, the open condition allows the frame to be put around the two pipe ends when put together for a continuation of a pipeline lumen, the frame in the closed condition being configured to house the two pipe ends when put together for a continuation of the pipeline lumen, wherein the frame comprises at least a first and a second restrictor part, the first and second restrictor parts being configured to allow an abutment against the protrusions of the opposite pipe ends in the closed condition of the frame, so that the pipe ends are at least limited from moving away from each other in a pipeline direction by inability of the protrusions to pass beyond the first and second restrictor parts, respectively.

2. A coupling system according to claim 1, the frame having a central portion and end portions, wherein at least one of the restrictor parts is located between one of the end portions and the central portion, and wherein said one of the restrictor parts comprises a restriction surface which extends radially inwardly in a direction from the central portion to said one of the end portions, the restriction surface being configured to allow the abutment.

3. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the restrictor parts comprises a receiving space for housing a protrusion of one or of both of the pipe ends.

4. A coupling system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving space is an annular receiving space which has an inner shape and dimension for formfitting an outer annular part of a pipe end with an enlarged diameter, so as to prevent a relative movement between the pipe end and the frame when the pipe end is housed in the frame in the closed condition.

5. A coupling system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving space is an annular receiving space which has an inner shape and dimension for housing an outer annular part of a pipe end with an enlarged diameter, so as to permit a limited amount of relative movement between the pipe end with the outer annular part and the frame, when the pipe end is housed in the frame in the closed condition, and for variability in distance between two pipe ends within a limitation of the relative distance between the two pipe ends.

6. A coupling system according to claim 4, wherein the frame is provided with a further annular receiving space with an inner shape and dimension for formfitting or housing an outer annular part of another pipe end with an enlarged diameter.

7. A coupling system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving space is configured to receive outer annular parts of both pipe ends.

8. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system is free from a radial clamping mechanism.

9. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least two segments which are movable with respect to each other to change from the open to the closed condition of the frame, and preferably vice versa.

10. A coupling system according to claim 9, wherein the segments are fully separable from each other.

11. A coupling system according to claim 9, wherein the system further comprises a locking device for securing a position of the frame segments relative to each other when the system is in the closed condition.

12. A coupling system according to claim 11, wherein the locking device comprises a ring member, provided separately from the frame, and the frame comprises a receiving surface on its outer periphery on which the ring member is snugly mountable.

13. A coupling system according to claim 12, wherein the ring member is configured to be brought into frictional engagement with the receiving surface or to be form-fit on the receiving surface.

14. A coupling system according to claim 12, wherein the frame further comprises at least one locking protrusion on its outer periphery, the receiving surface located adjacent to the locking protrusion and between the locking protrusion and an end portion of the frame.

15. A coupling system according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises an outer periphery portion with a smaller diameter and a periphery portion with a larger diameter, as well as a transition portion mediating between the two periphery portions, wherein the transition portion comprises the restrictor surface on an inner side and the locking protrusion on an outer side.

16. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system is provided with sealing rings for ensuring that the continued pipe lumen is free from leakage.

17. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one socketed pipe end.

18. A coupling system according to claim 1, further comprising a pipe part that is free from sockets and that has a diameter suitable for being sealingly connected with and between two pipe ends.

19. A coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an adapter sleeve for mounting to a pipe end lacking a protrusion, the adapter sleeve comprising a protrusion extending radially outwardly.

20. An assembly of a pipe end and a coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the pipe end is a socketed pipe end comprising an outer wall and, at at least one circumferential position on the outer wall, a protrusion that extends radially outwardly, the pipe end being housable in the frame in the closed condition, such that one of the first and second restrictor parts is allowed to abut against the protrusion of the pipe end.

21. Method of connecting two pipe ends which are each provided with an outer wall and, at at least one circumferential position on the outer wall, a protrusion that extends radially outwardly, comprising the steps of: providing a coupling system with a frame which can adopt an open condition and a closed condition and comprising at least a first and a second restrictor part, the first and second restrictor parts being configured to allow an abutment against the protrusions of opposite pipe ends in the closed condition of the frame, putting the pipe ends together for a continuation of a pipeline lumen along a pipeline direction of the pipe ends; and putting the frame in the open condition around the two pipe ends and bringing the frame into the closed condition, so that the frame in the closed condition houses the two pipe ends and that the pipe ends are at least limited from moving away from each other in a pipeline direction by inability of the protrusions to pass beyond the first and second restrictor parts, respectively.

22. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 21, wherein the step of providing the coupling system is a step of providing a coupling system comprising an adapter sleeve for mounting to a pipe end lacking a protrusion, the adapter sleeve comprising a protrusion extending radially outwardly, the method further comprising the step of providing at least one pipe end with a socket by mounting the adapter sleeve to that pipe end.

23. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 22, wherein the adapter sleeve is fixed on the pipe end by gluing or screwing.

24. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 21, wherein the system further comprises at least two segments which are movable with respect to each other to change from the open to the closed condition and a locking device, the method further comprising the step of securing a position of the frame segments relative to each other using the locking device.

25. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 21, wherein the locking device comprises a ring member, provided separately from the frame, and the frame comprises a receiving surface on its outer periphery, the method further comprising the steps of: positioning the ring member around a first pipe end, prior to the step of putting the frame around the two pipe ends; and moving the ring member from a position on the first pipe end onto the receiving surface of the frame to snugly mount the ring member on the receiving surface.

26. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 25, wherein the step of positioning the ring member around the first pipe end is carried out prior to the step of putting the pipe ends together.

27. Method of connecting two pipe ends according to claim 21, wherein the step of putting the pipe ends together involves positioning a pipe part that is free from sockets and that has a diameter suitable for being sealingly connected with two pipe ends between the pipe ends.

28. A coupling system according to claim 14, wherein the frame comprises an outer periphery portion with a smaller diameter and a periphery portion with a larger diameter, as well as a transition portion mediating between the two periphery portions, wherein the transition portion comprises the restrictor surface on an inner side and the locking protrusion on an outer side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Preferred embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1A depicts an embodiment of a coupling system;

[0058] FIG. 1B is a sectional view of parts of the coupling system of FIG. 1A;

[0059] FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1B;

[0060] FIG. 2A is a sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling system;

[0061] FIG. 2B is an outside view of the coupling system of FIG. 2A;

[0062] FIG. 3A is a sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling system preventing any relative movement between two pipe ends;

[0063] FIG. 3B is a sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling system allowing for some relative movement between pipe ends;

[0064] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling system;

[0065] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the coupling system of FIG. 4;

[0066] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling system comprising a sleeve member;

[0067] FIG. 6B is a partial sectional view of the coupling system of FIG. 6A;

[0068] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling system comprising a sleeve member; and

[0069] FIG. 7B is a partial sectional view of the coupling system of FIG. 7A;

[0070] Like parts are denoted with like reference signs throughout the figure.

[0071] FIG. 1A is an outside side view of an embodiment of a coupling system 1.

[0072] The system 1 comprises a frame 10 which can adopt an open and a closed position. FIG. 1A shows the closed condition of frame 10 wherein the two pipe ends 2, 3 are housed in the frame 10. The coupling system 1 couples a first pipe end 2 and a second pipe end 3 so as to continue the pipeline lumen.

[0073] FIG. 1B is a sectional view of some essential parts of the coupled state of the coupling system 1 depicted in FIG. 1A.

[0074] In the case of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the first and the second pipe ends 2, 3 are themselves not part of the coupling system 1. However, the invention also comprises embodiments wherein one or both of the pipe ends are a part of the coupling system, i.e. wherein the coupling system comprises one or two pipe ends.

[0075] The frame 10 comprises a first restrictor part 11 and a second restrictor part 12. The first and second restrictor parts 11, 12 are integrally formed with the frame 10 and extend annularly along the inner circumference of the frame 10. However, the present invention also comprises embodiments wherein the restrictor parts are provided as separate members which are not part of the frame.

[0076] The first restrictor part 11 is configured to abut against the first protrusion 20 of the first pipe end 2, whereas the second restrictor part 12 is configured to abut against a second protrusion 30 of the second pipe end 3. The pipe ends 2, 3 are limited in moving away from each other any further in the pipeline direction D by an abutment of the protrusions 20, 30 against the first and second restrictor part 11, 12, respectively.

[0077] FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the part of FIG. 1B denoted with the arrow labelled A in FIG. 1B. There is no need to

[0078] use an adhesive and/or a solvent to mount a coupling system 1 as a movement away from each other of the pipe ends 2, 3 in the pipeline direction D is prevented by the abutment of the protrusions 20, 30 and the restrictor parts 11, 12. This makes it particularly environment-friendly. It also reduces manufacturing costs, as well as manhours required to mount the coupling system.

[0079] FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the coupling system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coupling system 1 couples first and second pipe ends 2, 3 which are each provided with an outer wall 21, 31, respectively, and, at one circumferential position on the outer wall 21, 31, with a protrusion 20, 30 that extends radially outwardly.

[0080] The coupling system 1 comprises a frame 10 which can adopt an open and a closed condition. In the open condition, the frame 10 can be put around the two pipe ends 2, 3 when put together for a continuation of the pipeline lumen. In the closed position, the frame 10 houses the two pipe ends 2, 3. This is the state shown in FIG. 2A.

[0081] FIG. 2B shows an outside view of the coupled state of the coupling system 1 and the pipe ends 2, 3.

[0082] The frame 10 comprises first and second restrictor parts 11, 12 which are configured to allow abutting against the protrusions 20, 30 of the opposite pipe ends 2, 3 in the closed condition of the frame 10. The frame 10 comprises a central portion 13 and end portions 14, 15. The restrictor parts 11, 12 are each located between one of the end portions 14, 15 and the central portion 13, respectively.

[0083] The restrictor parts 11, 12 each comprise a restriction surface 11a, 12a, respectively. For comparison, a restriction surface 11a is also provided for the embodiment of FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0084] The restriction surfaces 11a, 12a of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B extend radially inwardly at an oblique angle with respect to the pipeline direction. More specifically, they extend in a direction from the central portion 13 towards the corresponding one of the end portions 14, 15, respectively. The restriction surfaces 11a, 12a are configured to allow abutment with the corresponding protrusions 20, 30 of the pipe ends 2, 3.

[0085] The frame 10 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B comprises an annular receiving space 16 for housing both of the protrusions 20, 30 of the opposing pipe ends 2, 3. However, the present invention also includes embodiments wherein the frame comprises at least two cavities each for housing one protrusion of one of the pipe ends.

[0086] The coupling system 10 of FIG. 2 is free of a radial clamping mechanism. Therefore, the separation of pipe ends in the pipeline direction can be prevented without having to include the step of fastening a mechanical clamping mechanism in the radial direction.

[0087] The coupling system 10 further comprises a first and a second locking device 40, 41 for securing the position of the frame 10 in the closed state. In the present case, the locking devices 40, 41 are separable from the frame 10, but the present invention also comprises embodiments wherein a locking device is formed as an integral part of the frame.

[0088] FIG. 3A is a sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling system 1. This embodiment allows no, or at least hardly any, relative movement between the pipe ends 2, 3 when the frame 10 is in the closed condition with the pipe ends 2, 3 housed in the frame 10. Nevertheless, the coupling system 1 is flexible in the sense that it can move together with the pipe ends 2, 3. Hence, it is particularly suited to connect pipe ends 2, 3 which will be buried in materials which move, such as soil. Despite movements of the material (e.g. soil), a separation of the pipe ends 2, 3 from the coupling system 1 is prevented.

[0089] The two pipe ends 2, 3 abut against each other and are received in an annular receiving space 16 which has an inner shape and dimensions for formfitting outer annular parts of the pipe ends 2, 3 with an enlarged diameter, i.e. the pipes with the protrusions 20, 30. This embodiment of a coupling system 1 provides an especially stable coupling with hardly any or no slack regarding relative movements between the pipe ends 2, 3.

[0090] In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the coupling system 1 of FIG. 3B permits a limited amount of relative movement between the pipe ends 2, 3 when they are housed in the frame 10 in a closed condition. The coupling system 1 of FIG. 3B has an annular receiving space 16 with an inner shape and dimensions for housing the outer annular parts of both pipe ends 2, 3 with an enlarged diameter, i.e., the parts with the protrusions 20, 30. Variability in the distance between the two pipe ends 2, 3 within the imposed limitation of relative distance is permitted. In this way, some movement of the pipe ends can be avoided by virtue of relative displacements of the pipe ends 2, 3 in the coupling system 1. Thus, stress concentrations are prevented from occurring on parts of the pipe ends 2, 3 and/or the coupling system 1. This is especially advantageous when pipes are buried in a material which can move (e.g. soil).

[0091] Moreover, both the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B comprise locking devices 40, 41 for securing a position of the frame 10 in the closed condition. Both embodiments comprise a pipe part 60 that is free from sockets and that has a diameter suitable for being sealingly connected with and between the two pipe ends 2, 3. Before connecting the pipe ends 2, 3, the pipe part 60 is inserted in-between, in order to continue the pipeline lumen even when a small distance separating the two pipe ends 2, 3 remains present. This is especially advantageous for an embodiment such as the one of FIG. 3B which permits some relative movement.

[0092] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling system 1. The system 1 is used to couple two socketed pipe ends 2, 3 having at at least one circumferential position on their outer walls protrusions 20, 30 that extend radially outwardly.

[0093] The system 1 comprises a sleeve member 60 which is connected with and between the two pipe ends 2, 3. In addition, the system 1 comprises a frame 10 consisting of two segments, a first segment 18 and a second segment 19. FIG. 4 depicts the frame 10 in an open condition wherein the first segment 18 and the second segment 19 are fully separated. However, the present invention also comprises embodiments wherein the segments 18, 19 are not fully separable but merely movable with respect to one another, in order to change from the open to the closed condition of the frame 10 and vice versa.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a state during mounting the coupling system 1. Sleeve member 60 has been brought into place, and the pipe ends 2, 3 to be coupled have been put together for a continuation of a pipeline lumen. The frame 10 is in an open condition wherein the frame segment 18, 19 can be put around the two pipe ends 2, 3 and brought together to form the closed condition.

[0095] The system 1 further comprises locking devices 40, 41. The locking devices 40, 41 have been previously slid onto the opposing pipe ends 2, 3, and they can be slid from the position shown in FIG. 4 onto corresponding receiving surfaces 42, 43 on the frame 10. The locking devices 40, 41 then secure the position of the frame segments 18, 19 relative to each other when the system 1 is in a closed condition.

[0096] To install the coupling system 1, the frame segments 18, 19 are, in the open condition of the frame 10, brought together, i.e. they are moved towards each other in a radial direction of the pipe ends 2, 3, until they embrace the pipe ends 2, 3. Put differently, the frame 10 is converted from a withdrawn state, in which the frame 10 is withdrawn from the pipeline lumen, to an embracing state, in which the frame segments 18, 19 are brought together, so that the frame 10 is put around the pipe ends. The frame segments 18, 19 then form a shell which encloses the pipe ends 2, 3. The pipe ends 2, 3 need not be moved in the axial direction for the frame 10 to be transformed from the open into the closed condition as the frame segments 18, 19 can be brought into place by a movement which is mainly effected in the radial, rather than in the axial direction of the pipe ends.

[0097] FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of the coupling system 1 shown in FIG. 4. The sectional view also shows the restrictor parts 11 and 12 of the frame 10 which comprise restriction surfaces 11a, 11b configured to be brought into abutment with the protrusions 20, 30 at the pipe ends 2, 3.

[0098] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling system 1 which comprises an adapter sleeve 70 which is mounted to a pipe end which lacks a protrusion. The adapter 70 comprises a protrusion 71 extending radially outwardly and makes the pipe ends 72 compatible with the coupling system. In the case of FIG. 6A, merely one pipe end is provided with an adapter sleeve 70, but the invention also includes embodiments wherein both pipe ends are provided with adapter sleeves.

[0099] FIG. 6B is a sectional view of a pipe of the embodiment of the coupling system 1 of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B depicts a socketed pipe end 2 with the protrusion 20 and a pipe end 72 provided with the sleeve member 70 with a protrusion 71. In this way, the pipe end 72 also mimics a socketed pipe end. The coupling system 1 of FIG. 6 can also be provided as a replacement or a repair tool kit, in order to replace other couplings even when the corresponding pipe ends would seemingly not seem compatible with the system according to the present invention.

[0100] The system 1 depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B further comprises elastic ring members as locking devices 40, 41 for securing the frame 10 in place in the closed condition. The system 1 also comprises locking protrusions 44, 45 on the outer periphery of the frame 10, wherein the receiving surfaces 11a, 12a are located adjacent the locking protrusions 44, 45 and between the locking protrusions 44, 45 and the end portions 14, 15 at the frame 10.

[0101] The locking protrusion 44 may abut against the ring member 40 and thereby further prevent a displacement of the ring member 40. When a force tries to pull on a pipe end 2, the protrusion 20 of the pipe end 2 may abut against the corresponding restrictor part 11 with a restriction surface 11a. However, the forces acting from the protrusion 20 on the pipe end 2 onto the frame 10 may be at least partially compensated by counterforces acting from the ring member 40 onto the locking protrusion 44. The harder a force acts in order to pull the pipe end 2 out of the coupling system 1, the harder the locking protrusion 44 and the ring member 40 prevent the separation. An analogous view holds for the other pipe end 72.

[0102] The frame 10 of this embodiment comprises an outer periphery portion 80 with a smaller diameter, a periphery portion 81 with a larger diameter, as well as a transition portion 82 mediating between the two periphery portions 80, 81. The transition portion 82 comprises the restrictor surface 11a on an inner side and a locking protrusion 44 on the outer side.

[0103] In addition, the sleeve member 70 of this embodiment is glued to the pipe end 72 and is made from PVC, although the invention is not limited to this material for a sleeve member. Such an implementation of a sleeve member is especially cost-efficient.

[0104] FIG. 7A discloses a similar embodiment of a coupling system 1 which also comprises a sleeve member 70. FIG. 7B is a partial sectional view of the coupling system of FIG. 7A. However, this embodiment uses a stainless steel clamp. This is advantageous as the use of an adhesive may be avoided. This embodiment works with a screw mechanism 73 for fastening the sleeve member 70. However, the invention is not limited to any of the disclosed fixation mechanisms for a sleeve member, and the skilled person will readily acknowledge possible variations.

[0105] Many additional variations and modifications are possible and are understood to fall within the framework of the invention.