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US 10,760,698 B2Granted
Coupling seal having ramp surfaces
AssigneeVictaulic Company
InventorYang Bae Park
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal for a coupling joining pipe elements has angularly oriented ramp surfaces on an outer surface. The ramp surfaces are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs which are positioned at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions at the interface between segments forming the coupling. The ramps are expected to mitigate pinching of the seals between the segments as the segments are drawn together, compressing the seals to form a fluid tight pipe joint.
Claims32
In combination, a seal and a coupling for joining pipe elements, said seal comprising:
- an outer ring surrounding an axis oriented coaxially with said outer ring, said outer ring having an outer surface facing away from said axis;
- first and second ramp surfaces monolithically formed with said outer ring, said first and second ramp surfaces positioned adjacent to one another on said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being contiguous along a first apex projecting outwardly from said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being angularly oriented with respect to a first line extending radially from said axis to said first apex, and
- said coupling comprising:
- a plurality of segments attached to one another end to end surrounding and in direct contact with said seal, said segments fully enclosing said seal within a central space defined by said segments, each said segment having attachment members located at opposite ends, each said segment having arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said pipe elements.
1 more element
In combination, a seal and a coupling for joining pipe elements, said seal comprising:
- an outer ring surrounding an axis oriented coaxially with said outer ring, said outer ring having an outer surface facing away from said axis;
- first and second ramp surfaces monolithically formed with said outer ring, said first and second ramp surfaces positioned adjacent to one another on said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being contiguous along a first apex projecting outwardly from said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being angularly oriented with respect to a first line extending radially from said axis to said first apex;
- third and fourth ramp surfaces positioned adjacent to one another on said outer surface, said third and fourth ramp surfaces being contiguous along a second apex projecting outwardly from said outer surface, said third and fourth ramp surfaces being angularly oriented with respect to a second line extending radially from said axis to said second apex,
- wherein said first and second apexes are diametrically opposite to one another;
- and
- said coupling comprising:
- a plurality of segments attached to one another end to end surrounding and in direct contact with said seal, said segments fully enclosing said seal within a central space defined by said segments, each said segment having attachment members located at opposite ends, each said segment having arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said pipe elements.
4 more elements
In combination, a seal and a coupling for joining pipe elements, said seal comprising:
- an outer ring surrounding an axis oriented coaxially with said outer ring, said outer ring having an outer surface facing away from said axis;
- first and second ramp surfaces monolithically formed with said outer ring, said first and second ramp surfaces positioned adjacent to one another on said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being contiguous along a first apex projecting outwardly from said outer surface, said first and second ramp surfaces being angularly oriented with respect to a first line extending radially from said axis to said first apex;
- third and fourth ramp surfaces positioned adjacent to one another on said outer surface, said third and fourth ramp surfaces being contiguous along a second apex projecting outwardly from said outer surface, said third and fourth ramp surfaces being angularly oriented with respect to a second line extending radially from said axis to said second apex, said first and second apexes being diametrically opposite to one another;
- and
- said coupling comprising:
- a plurality of segments attached to one another end to end surrounding and in direct contact with said seal, said segments fully enclosing said seal within a central space defined by said segments, each said segment having attachment members located at opposite ends, each said segment having arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said pipe elements.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.