subject: advantages of corrugated pipes [print this page] advantages of corrugated pipes advantages of corrugated pipes
A corrugated pipe connection joint structure and method for connecting two sections of corrugated pipe. The joint structure includes opposing bell-formed ends with reduced corrugations, a connector insert including a gasket on either end and a push-ring. The gasket(s) form a seal sufficient to keep fluid inside the pipe, and to help keep the joint structure from separating under normal use.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for joining two corrugated pipes sections comprising the steps of: bell-forming at least one end of a first corrugated pipe section and at least one end of a secondcorrugated pipe section; reducing an amount of corrugations at said bell-formed ends of said first and second corrugated pipe sections; inserting a connector insert having a first end and a second end adapted to fit within said first and secondbell-formed ends of said corrugated pipe sections into said first bell-formed end of said corrugated pipe section; and inserting said second bell-formed corrugated pipe section over said second end of said connector insert.
2. The method for joining two corrugated pipe sections of claim 1, wherein said reducing step further comprises reducing said corrugations in height.
3. The method for joining two corrugated pipe sections of claim 1, wherein said bell-forming step further comprises heating said at least one end of said first and said second ends of corrugated pipe section and molding said first and secondends of corrugated pipe section.
The present invention further includes a corrugated pipe connector insert including a pair of opposing ends, each capable of fitting into a bell-formed end on a section of pipe in which the bell-formed ends have an inner diameter greater than anouter diameter of the opposing ends of the insert, at least one gasket positioned on at least one of the opposing ends having an outer diameter greater than inner diameter of the bell-formed ends, and a push-ring disposed between the opposing ends havingan outer diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the bell formed ends.
The present invention also includes a method for joining two corrugated pipe sections including the steps of bell-forming at least one end of a first corrugated pipe section and at least one end of a second corrugated pipe section, reducingcorrugations at the bell-formed ends of the first and second corrugated pipe sections, inserting a connector insert having a first end and a second end into the first and second bell-formed ends of the corrugated pipe sections, respectively.
The advantages of this joint structure are many. A primary benefit is that the joint structure can be made in the field at the construction site using typical tools normally available, or easily acquired. The connector insert 12 can beprefabricated or in emergent situations, constructed as needed.
The joint structure can also be taken apart for maintenance or disassembly, and put back together relatively easily by generally reversing the steps set forth above.
In addition, the corrugated pipe joint structure allows some longitudinal offset deflection between adjacent pipe sections, depending on the length of the connector insert 12 positioned in the respective bell-formed end 14. The pipe sections areoffset with respect to the connector insert 12 by angling the pipe section relative to the connector insert to the extent allowed by the gasket compressibility. Some bending due to flexibility of the pipe sections and the connector insert can alsooccur. Shorter connector inserts 12 allow for greater flexibility in the pipe connection joint 10. The shorter the pipe section, the more offset angles can be formed between pipe sections in a given overall length, thus minimizing the radius ofcurvature allowed by the jointed pipe structure.
