Pipe couplings
A pipe coupling includes a coupling segment having an inner surface defining a ring groove proximate to an axial end of the coupling segment, the ring groove comprising a groove bottom surface extending from a first end of the coupling segment to a second end of the coupling segment; and a pipe connection ring disposed within the ring groove, the pipe connection ring defining a body with two ring ends and an outer surface, the outer surface of the pipe connection ring contacting the groove bottom surface at a midpoint between the first end of the coupling segment and the second end of the coupling segment when the pipe connection ring is in an uncompressed condition. The pipe connection ring may be a split ring defining an opening between the two ring ends, which may be square, tapered, angled, or stepped.
1. A pipe coupling comprising:
a coupling segment having an inner surface defining a gasket groove; and
a gasket disposed within the gasket groove, the gasket defining a body with a central rib, a plurality of tabs distributed circumferentially about and protruding radially inwardly from the central rib, a sealing rib extending axially from the central rib, a first sealing member extending radially inwardly from the central rib, and a second sealing member extending radially inwardly from the central rib, wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs is positioned axially between the first sealing member and the second sealing member;
wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs defines a curved outer edge extending from the central rib, each curved outer edge tapering radially inward from the central rib to an apex of the tab;
wherein the gasket defines a radially outer surface and wherein the sealing rib extends axially along the radially outer surface and axially terminates in an axially outer surface, the axially outer surface extending radially inwardly from the radially outer surface at a first angle relative to the radially outer surface, whereby a thickness of the sealing rib increases from the radially outer surface to a sealing ridge at which the sealing rib radially terminates; and
wherein the gasket further defines an axially outer drafted surface extending at a second angle between the axially outer surface and the sealing ridge.
2. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein the coupling segment is deformable between a non-assembled state and an assembled and tightened state.
3. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs has an axially outwardly facing tab surface, wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs is configured to bend when an end of a pipe element contacts the axially outwardly facing tab surface upon insertion of the pipe element into the coupling segment, and wherein each tab is further configured to resume an unbent position upon the pipe element being moved to a position in which the end of the pipe element opposes another end of another pipe element inserted into the coupling segment, the position leaving a gap between the ends.
4. The pipe coupling of claim 3 , wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs is further configured to extend into the gap when each tab resumes an unbent position, and wherein each tab separates the ends from one another to provide alignment between pipe connection rings and associated connection grooves defined by the inner surface of the coupling segment.
5. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein each tab in the plurality of tabs defines an axially facing tab surface, wherein when viewed along an axis of the gasket, the axially facing tab surface tapers as the tab progresses radially inwardly from the central rib to a radially inward facing tab surface.
6. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs comprises six tabs, each tab spaced apart from an adjacent tab by an angle of 60°.
7. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein the first angle ranges from about 19° to about 22°.
8. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein the second angle is between about 27° and about 28°.
9. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , wherein the sealing ridge comprises a sealing surface and an axially inner drafted surface defining a termination of the sealing ridge along an axially inward direction.
10. The pipe coupling of claim 9 , further comprising a gasket channel formed between the axially inner drafted surface and the first sealing member, the gasket channel configured to admit flow of fluid media to exert pressure against the sealing surface and to aid in sealing the sealing ridge against a pipe element inserted into the coupling segment.
11. The pipe coupling of claim 1 , further comprising:
a ring groove defined by the inner surface of the coupling segment, the ring groove located proximate to an axial end of the coupling segment, the ring groove comprising a groove bottom surface extending from a first end of the coupling segment to a second end of the coupling segment; and
a pipe connection ring disposed within the ring groove, the pipe connection ring defining a body with two ring ends and an outer surface, the outer surface of the pipe connection ring contacting the groove bottom surface at a midpoint between the first end of the coupling segment and the second end of the coupling segment when the pipe connection ring is in an uncompressed condition.