Pipe coupling capsulation assembly

Abstract

A pipe coupling capsulation assembly includes a band having an inner annular seal element wrappable around a pipe, opposing clamp members that extend from the band, and one or more tightening elements for clamping together the clamp members. Retaining elements are assembled to the annular seal element.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling capsulation assembly comprising: a band having an inner annular seal element wrappable around a pipe; opposing clamp members that extend from said band; at least one tightening element for clamping together said clamp members; and a plurality of retaining elements assembled to said annular seal element, each of said retaining elements comprising a retaining flap arranged to block outward migration of said annular seal element, and wherein said retaining elements are received in radial slots formed in said annular seal element, and said radial slots are circumferentially spaced from each other to extend over more than half a periphery of said annular seal element.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said retaining elements comprises a mounting portion that is received in a slot formed in said annular seal element.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said retaining elements comprises a cap portion that extends axially across at least part of or all of a length of said annular seal element and subtends a circumferential segment of a circumference of said annular seal element.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein a mounting portion extends from said cap portion and extends radially inwards, and is received in a radial slot formed in said annular seal element.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said retaining flap extends from said mounting portion or from said cap portion and extends radially inwards.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said retaining elements is fastened to said band.

7. A pipe coupling capsulation assembly comprising: a band having an inner annular seal element wrappable around a pipe; opposing clamp members that extend from said band; at least one tightening element for clamping together said clamp members; and a plurality of retaining elements assembled to said annular seal element, each of said retaining elements comprising a retaining flap arranged to block outward migration of said annular seal element, and further comprising a retaining wire mounted through apertures formed in said retaining elements and said annular seal element.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said band and said annular seal element are constructed of two opposing halves clamped by two pairs of said clamp members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional illustration of a bell joint coupling after repair by an elastomer seal of the prior art, the figure also showing the external band clamp;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional illustration of a sleeve joint coupling after repair by an elastomer seal of the prior art;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a short piece of the seal of the prior art;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a seal of the prior art provided with sloping end faces;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a short piece of a seal of the prior art provided with an additional pair of fluid passageways;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a pipe coupling capsulation assembly, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is an exploded illustration of the pipe coupling capsulation assembly;

(9) FIG. 7A is detailed illustration of a retaining element inserted in a slot formed in the seal of the assembly, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 7B is detailed illustration of a retaining wire inserted in a hole of the retaining element of the assembly, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the seal of the assembly, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

(12) FIG. 8A is an enlarged illustration of the seal, showing holes formed to receive the retaining wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(13) Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7, which illustrate a pipe coupling capsulation assembly 20, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

(14) Assembly 20 includes a band 22 having an inner annular seal element 24 wrappable around a pipe (not shown). Band 22 is typically, but not necessarily, made of metal and annular seal element 24 is typically, but not necessarily, made of an elastomer, such as natural or synthetic rubber. Annular seal element 24 is similar to the abovementioned prior art seal 5 but with important structural differences as will be explained below.

(15) Opposing clamp members 26 extend radially outwards from ends of band 22 and are formed with mounting apertures 28. Clamp member 26 are clamped and tightened together with one or more tightening elements 30, such as but not limited to, bolts that pass through a bolt plate 31, and which are tightened by nuts 32 (with optional washers 33) at a nut plate 34.

(16) In the illustrated embodiment, band 22 and annular seal element 24 are constructed of two opposing halves and thus there are two pairs of clamp members 26 (top and bottom in the illustration). However, the invention can be carried out with one pair of clamp members 26, wherein band 22 and annular seal element 24 are split only once and are not two halves.

(17) In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of retaining elements 40 are assembled to annular seal element 24. The retaining elements 40 may be made of stainless steel or other suitably strong material. In the illustrated embodiment, each retaining element 40 includes a cap portion 42 that extends axially across at least part of or all of the length of seal element 24 and which subtends a circumferential segment of the circumference of seal element 24. A mounting portion 44 extends from cap portion 42 and extends radially inwards. Mounting portion 44 is received in radial slots 46 formed in annular seal element 24. A retaining flap 48 extends from mounting portion 44 (or from cap portion 42) and extends radially inwards. Retaining flap 48 blocks any outward migration of annular seal element 24. If desired, one or more of the retaining elements 40 may be fastened to band 22 by fasteners 43 through apertures 41 formed in retaining elements 40. Retaining elements 40 may be made by bending or other suitable method.

(18) Radial slots 46 have the additional function of making the seal more flexible so it is much easier to give the seal its annular shape for assembly.

(19) For additional resistance against outward migration of annular seal element 24, a retaining wire 50 may be mounted through apertures 52 and 54 formed in retaining elements 40 and annular seal element 24, respectively. The ends of the wires 50 may be joined to each other or to some other structure in the assembly, if need be, such as by fastening, twisting, soldering, bonding, etc.