BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having the same reference character designations represent like elements throughout, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a saddle wye constructed in accordance with the present disclosure shown secured to a main pipe;
FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the saddle wye of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the saddle wye of FIG. 1 as taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged opposite end perspective view of the saddle wye of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the saddle wye of FIG. 1, showing a resistance heating wire arranged in a predetermined pattern in accordance with the present disclosure; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the saddle wye of FIG. 1, wherein broken lines are provided to illustrate that the predetermined pattern of the resistance heating wire comprises a parabola joined to a semi-ellipse.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, the present disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment of a saddle wye 10 for connecting a branch pipe to a heat fusible thermoplastic main pipe. FIG. 1 shows the saddle wye 10 secured to a sidewall 102 of a main pipe 100. The saddle wye 10 includes a heat fusible thermoplastic saddle 12 extending between first and second ends 14, 16. The saddle 12 is shaped and adapted to coaxially fit on the sidewall 102 of the main pipe 100. As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the saddle 12 includes top and bottom surfaces 18, 20 and an opening 22 extending between the top and bottom surfaces for alignment with an opening 104 in the sidewall 102 of the main pipe 100.
The saddle wye 10 also includes a tubular branch extension 24 extending at an acute angle from the top surface 18 of the saddle 12 such that a first open end 26 of the branch extension is connected to the opening 22 of the saddle and a second open end 28 of the branch extension extends above the second end 16 of the saddle. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the saddle wye 10 from the first end 14 of the saddle 12. The branch extension and saddle may be constructed from two separate pieces or molded as a single piece. As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, because the branch extension 24 extends at an acute angle a shape of the opening 22 of the saddle 12 generally includes a parabola connected to one of a semi circle and a semi ellipse and the parabola extends towards the second end 16 of the saddle. A semi circle or a semi ellipse will be present depending on the specific angle of the branch extension with respect to the saddle. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, a semi-ellipse is present in the shape of the opening 22 and extends toward the first end 14 of the saddle 12.
A shown in FIG. 5, a resistance heating wire 30 is secured to the bottom surface 20 of the saddle 12 around the opening 22 of the saddle in a predetermined pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pattern 50 includes a parabola 52 located between the opening 22 and the second end 16 of the saddle 12. The pattern 50 also includes one of a semi circle and a semi ellipse connected to the parabola 52 and located between the opening 22 and the first end 14 of the saddle 12. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the pattern 50 includes a semi ellipse 54. The semi ellipse 54 has ends that are joined to ends of the parabola 52. A joint line 56 is provided in FIG. 6 to illustrate the connection between the semi ellipse 54 and the parabola 52. In one exemplary embodiment, the resistance heating wire pattern 50 is substantially consistently spaced from the opening 22 throughout its path.
A resistance heating wire pattern 50 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure provides a more secure and complete fusing between the saddle wye 10 and the sidewall 102 of the main pipe 100. In particular, the wire pattern 50 assures that fusion occurs close to the opening 22 in the saddle 12 in order to prevent voids adjacent to the opening between the bottom surface 20 of the saddle and the sidewall 102 of the main pipe 100. Such voids might allow fluid to reach between the bottom surface of the saddle and the sidewall of the main pipe as the fluid travels between the branch pipe and the main pipe. The pattern 50 also helps to minimize the overall size of the saddle 12 required.
As shown best in FIG. 3, leads 32 of the resistance heating wire 30 are connected to electrical contacts 34 extending from the top surface 18 of the saddle 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the resistance heating wire 30 comprises a single elongated insulated wire having two non-insulated ends that comprise the leads 32, and wherein the wire is folded upon itself and spirally wound around the opening 22 of the saddle 12 such that a folded end 36 is nearest the opening 22 and the leads 32 are furthest from the opening. The resistance heating wire 30 may be molded into the saddle 12, embedded into the bottom surface 20 of the saddle, or adhered to the bottom surface of the saddle. An example of a suitable method for imbedding the wire is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,251.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, a diameter of the branch extension 24 is less than a diameter of the main pipe 100. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the branch extension can be equal to a diameter of the main pipe. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the saddle wye further comprises a reinforcing bead 38 between the saddle 12 and the first end 26 of the branch extension 24. The saddle fitting 10 is preferably molded and is manufactured with a substantial enough integral reinforcement around the branch opening to allow the part to form a fully pressure rated arrangement and to allow the part to resist all loads that will be imposed upon it in typical service.
All patents, published patent applications and other references disclosed herein are hereby expressly incorporated in their entireties by reference.
The present disclosure, therefore, provides a new and improved electrofusion saddle wye. It should be understood, however, that the exemplary embodiment described in this specification has been presented by way of illustration rather than limitation, and various modifications, combinations and substitutions may be effected by those skilled in the art without departure either in spirit or scope from this disclosure in its broader aspects and as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In addition, the saddle wye disclosed herein, and all elements thereof are contained within the scope of at least one of the following claims. No elements of the presently disclosed saddle wye are meant to be disclaimed.
Patent Application
20080001394
