The present invention relates to a packing member for connecting pipes, and more particularly, to a packing member for water-sealing a pipe which provides an enhanced water-sealing structure when connected to a pipe.
Recently, there has been growing interest in water quality of public water supplies, and, as such water quality problems become important, the use of stainless steel water pipes, which are most suitable for water quality, is attracting much attention.
Water pipes which are buried in the ground and supply tap water require corrosion resistance to protect water quality, water sealing of connection parts, prevention of separation by water pressure, convenience of construction, structural stability sufficient to withstand external environmental changes, and the like. Stainless steel pipes are known to have material properties that are most suitable for such requirements of water pipes. In the case of a stainless steel pipe having a small diameter of 13 A (0.8 T) to 50 A (1.2 T), a method wherein a rubber ring is placed in a socket having an enlarged pipe end and a pipe is inserted there into, followed by joining together by pressing with mechanical force, i.e., a press-type pipe joint, may be used. In the case of a stainless steel pipe having a diameter of 80 A or more (2.0 T or more), it is impossible to perform field work using such press joining, and thus pipe connection has to be performed through welding operation. In this regard, it is very difficult to connect pipes having a diameter of 80 A or more by welding, which requires a skilled welding technician and causes delayed working processes, at the work site.
Flanges may be used in such connection of pipes. A flange may be configured so as to accommodate and fix end portions of two water pipes to be connected. The flange is fixed to form a continuous flow path between the two water pipes so that a fluid can flow continuously. In this case, the flange has to form a water-sealing structure that seals a connection part between the water pipes.
To form a rigid water-sealing structure, a packing and a water pipe must be strongly adhered to each other, and there should be no gap therebetween.
In addition, the packing may be rolled by friction with the water pipe while the water pipe is inserted into the packing. In this case, the packing may not maintain its normal shape and may be folded or turned over on an outer circumferential surface of the water pipe.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a packing member capable of maintaining a shape thereof by minimizing a rolling phenomenon occurring due to friction with a pipe during construction.
The above and other objects can be accomplished by the present invention described below.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provided is a packing member for water-sealing a pipe, including: an inner circumferential part 261 externally inserted onto the pipe; an outer circumferential part 262 inserted into the housing, one side thereof being connected to the inner circumferential part 261 to form a fluid accommodation part 265 between the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262; and the fluid accommodation part 265 to accommodate a fluid flowing in the pipe, wherein the inner circumferential part 261 is brought into close contact with the outer side surface of the pipe by pressure of the accommodated fluid, thereby forming a water-sealing structure with the pipe.
In this case, the outer circumferential part 262 is provided with a first flow path groove 266b, the inner circumferential part 261 is provided with a second flow path groove 266a, and, when the pipe is inserted into the inner circumferential part 261, the first and second flow path grooves 266b and 266a are brought into contact with each other to form a flow path connected to the fluid accommodation part 265 to allow a fluid to flow therebetween.
In addition, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, includes: the inner circumferential part 261 provided with a plurality of inner circumferential protrusions 261a to increase friction against the outer side surface of the pipe; or the outer circumferential part 262 provided with a plurality of outer circumferential protrusions 262a to increase friction against an inner side surface of the housing 200.
In addition, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, further includes a support part 263 provided on a side opposite a side in which an opening of the fluid accommodation part 265 is formed and having an end portion 2631 spaced apart from the pipe by a certain distance while the pipe is inserted.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe further includes a central separation part 267 positioned between the inner circumferential part 261 and the outer circumferential part 262 and separating the fluid accommodation part 265 into two spaces.
In addition, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is another embodiment of the present invention, is characterized in that the outer circumferential part 262 is provided with a first flow path groove 266b, or the inner circumferential part 261 is provided with a second flow path groove 266a, and the central separation part 267 is provided with a third flow path groove 266c, and, when the pipe is inserted into the inner circumferential part 261, the first and third flow path grooves 266b and 266c are brought into contact with each other, or the second and third flow path grooves 266a and 266c are brought into contact with each other, thereby forming a flow path connected to the fluid accommodation part 265 to allow a fluid to flow therebetween.
As is apparent from the fore-going description, the present invention advantageously provides a packing member that includes a support part and thus maintains a shape of a packing even when exposed to high-pressure fluid environments when connected to a pipe or after installation, thereby providing a highly efficient water-sealing structure.
In addition, the packing member according to the present invention may be installed without a separate tool while maintaining the shape of a packing, and thus it is easy to construct the packing member at a work site, construction speed is very fast compared to an existing packing member, and construction quality thereof is also excellent.
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in such a way that the present invention may be easily carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.
Referring to
A packing 260 is a constituent part to form a water-sealing structure of a housing (e.g., a flange or the like) inserted into an inner side surface. The packing 260 may be provided with the fluid accommodation part 265 on an inner side thereof to partially accommodate a fluid between two pipes to be connected.
The pipes may include all pipes with hollow holes to accommodate and transfer a fluid therein, in addition to water pipes.
Referring to
Referring to
The fluid accommodation part 265 may be filled with a hygroscopic expansion part formed of a hygroscopic material. When the hygroscopic expansion part absorbs a fluid, the volume thereof increases more than in a case in which the fluid accommodation part 265 accommodates only a fluid, thereby further enhancing the performance of a water-sealing structure.
Each of the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 is provided with flow path grooves 266 at an end portion thereof. The flow path grooves 266 have a groove shape formed from the end portion of each of the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 to the fluid accommodation part 265.
In this case, the flow path grooves 266 formed in the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 may be formed at opposite positions. That is, in a case in which the end portions of the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 contact each other, the flow path grooves 266 formed in the inner circumferential part 261 may contact the flow path grooves 266 formed in the outer circumferential part 262 to form a single flow path. The flow path grooves 266 may be formed in one or more pairs corresponding to each other along the end portions of the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262.
An independent flow path may also be formed at each of the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262.
The packing member for water-sealing a pipe, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is characterized in that the outer circumferential part 262 is provided with a first flow path groove 266b, the inner circumferential part 261 is provided with a second flow path groove 266a, and, when the pipe is inserted into the inner circumferential part 261, the first and second flow path grooves 266b and 266a are brought into contact with each other to form a flow path connected to the fluid accommodation part 265 to allow a fluid to flow therebetween.
As illustrated in
The first and second flow path grooves 266b and 266a form a single flow path when the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 are brought into contact with each other so that a fluid can be introduced into the fluid accommodation part 265 from the outside.
Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a cross-section of the fluid accommodation part 265, which is a certain space formed between the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262, may have a shape bent at a certain angle as illustrated in
The packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, may include: the inner circumferential part 261 provided with a plurality of inner circumferential protrusions 261a to increase friction against the outer side surface of the pipe; or the outer circumferential part 262 provided with a plurality of outer circumferential protrusions 262a to increase friction against an inner side surface of the housing 200.
The inner circumferential part 261 is provided with the inner circumferential protrusions 261a to increase friction against the outer side surface of the pipe.
As illustrated in
When external insertion of the inner circumferential part 261 is completed, the inner circumferential part 261 may pressurize the outer side surface of the pipe after a fluid is accommodated in the fluid accommodation part 265, thereby preventing the pipe from escaping therefrom. That is, the inner circumferential protrusions 261a having a saw blade shape as illustrated in
Through such configuration, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, facilitates insertion of a pipe and achieves an effect of preventing the pipe from escaping from the packing 260 to a maximum extent during pressurization through a fluid after insertion of the pipe is completed.
In addition, the outer circumferential part 262 is provided with the outer circumferential protrusions 262a to increase friction against the inner side surface of the housing 200.
The outer circumferential protrusions 262a may be formed as protruding projections as illustrated in
The outer circumferential protrusions 262a are pressed such that the packing 260 is inserted into the housing 200, and the inner side surface of the housing 200 is pressurized by pressure of a fluid accommodated in the fluid accommodation part 265. Through such configuration, binding strength between the housing 200 and the packing 260 may be increased, thereby preventing the housing 200 from rotating along the outer circumferential part 262 of the packing 260.
The packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, may further include the support part 263 for forming an opening toward the pipe to be inserted.
That is, the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is one embodiment of the present invention, may further include the support part 263 having the other side in which the fluid accommodation part 265 is opened and the end portion 2631 spaced apart from the pipe by a certain distance while the pipe is inserted.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the support part 263 according to the present invention may be formed in a letter “” shape such that the support part 263 protrudes from the lower surface of the packing 260 along a central axis of the packing 260 and is provided with the end portion 2631 protruding towards the inserted pipe.
In a case in which there is no friction between a pipe 1 and the packing 260, as illustrated in
In other words, when the pipe 1 is installed, the inner circumferential part 261 receives force due to friction against the pipe 1 in a direction opposite to the direction D1 in which the packing 260 proceeds, i.e., a direction in which the pipe 1 is inserted. While the outer circumferential part 262 receives external force so as to proceed in the direction D1, the inner circumferential part 261 receives force in a direction opposite to the direction D1 due to the friction with the pipe 1, and, accordingly, the packing 260 continuously receives a counterclockwise rotational force as viewed in a cross-sectional view.
Due to such installation circumstances, the packing 260 is unable to maintain a normal shape due to winding, partial folding, or the like, resulting in installation in a deformed shape. Such deformation may occur even when the pressure of an internally flowing fluid increases after connection between a pipe and a flange.
In the present invention, the above-described problems may be addressed such that, when the inner circumferential part 261 is externally inserted along the outer side surface of the pipe 1, even when the pressure of a fluid inside the pipe 1 increases after connection between the pipe 1 and a flange, the end portion of the support part 263 is spaced apart from the pipe 1 so as to form a certain distance therebetween.
That is, an interface between the support part 263 and the inner circumferential part 261 or the outer circumferential part 262 may be in a state of being firmly connected by a method such as double injection molding or the like.
As described above, to prevent deformation of the packing 260 when the packing 260 is connected to the pipe 1, the end portion 2631 of the support part 263 is brought into contact with the pipe 1. In a state in which the end portion 2631 of the support part 263 contacts the pipe 1, the packing 260 resists a counterclockwise winding force. Consequently, within the hardness limit of the support part 263, an effect of preventing the packing 260 from being wound counterclockwise may be obtained.
In addition, in the present invention, the support part 263 may be formed of a material that is different from that constituting the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262. In particular, the support part 263 may be formed of a material with a greater hardness than that of the material constituting the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262. Such a double material structure may be realized by a method such as double injection molding or the like.
That is, when the support part 263 is formed of a material having a greater hardness than that of the material constituting the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262, the support part 263 has a stronger force against deformation and thus performs a support function so that the packing 260 can maintain a normal shape.
Hereinafter, a process in which the packing 260 forms a water-sealing structure with a pipe while a fluid is accommodated in the fluid accommodation part 265 will be described with reference to
In a case in which the pressure of a fluid in the pipe 1 increases, the fluid is discharged in an external direction D2 of the pipe 1 via an end portion of the pipe 1, and then, while flowing between the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 1 and the inner circumferential surface of a flange, the fluid consecutively passes through other packings 280 and 270 positioned adjacent to each other as illustrated in
Next, the fluid may be introduced into the fluid accommodation part 265 via a flow path formed as a result of direct contact between the first and second flow path grooves 266b and 266a.
As such, the packings 280 and 270 consecutively form a water-sealing structure, and, when a relatively high pressure occurs as in a case in which the pressure of a fluid instantaneously increases, the water-sealing structure may be maintained by the packing 260.
As described above, the deformation of the packing 260 may occur even under high fluid pressure conditions. Even in this case, deformation of the packing 260 may be prevented by the support part 263.
A packing member for water-sealing a pipe, according to another embodiment of the present invention, may further include a central separation part 267 that is positioned between the inner circumferential part 261 and the outer circumferential part 262 and separates the fluid accommodation part 265 into two spaces.
As illustrated in
The central separation part 267 is positioned between the inner and outer circumferential parts 261 and 262 and separates the fluid accommodation part 265 into two spaces, and thus may be formed in an annular shape.
As illustrated in
Similarly, as described above, the first and second fluid accommodation parts 265a and 265b may be filled with a hygroscopic expansion part formed of a hygroscopic material.
The packing member for water-sealing a pipe, which is another embodiment of the present invention, is characterized in that the outer circumferential part 262 is provided with the first flow path groove 266b, or the inner circumferential part 261 is provided with the second flow path groove 266a, and the central separation part 267 is provided with a third flow path groove 266c, and, when the pipe is inserted into the inner circumferential part 261, the first and third flow path grooves 266b and 266c are brought into contact with each other, or the second and third flow path grooves 266a and 266c are brought into contact with each other, thereby forming a flow path connected to the fluid accommodation part 265 to allow a fluid to flow therebetween.
Flow path grooves 266 formed in the central separation part 267 may be in a groove shape formed from an end portion thereof to the first or second fluid accommodation part 265a or 265b.
In this case, the flow path grooves 266 formed in the central separation part 267 may be formed at a position opposite the flow path grooves 266 formed in the end portion of the inner or outer circumferential part 261 or 262.
This is because, when the central separation part 267 is brought into contact with the end portion of the inner circumferential part 261, the flow path grooves 266 formed in the central separation part 267 and the flow path grooves 266 formed in the inner circumferential part 261 may contact each other to thereby form a single flow path.
In another embodiment, when the central separation part 267 is brought into contact with the end portion of the outer circumferential part 262, the flow path grooves 266 formed in the central separation part 267 and the flow path grooves 266 formed in the outer circumferential part 262 may contact each other to thereby form a single flow path.
These flow path grooves 266 correspond to each other and may be formed in one or more pairs around end portions of the central separation part 267 and the inner circumferential part 261, or around end portions of the central separation part 267 and the outer circumferential part 262.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to
As illustrated in the drawings, the first fluid accommodation part 265a is disposed between the central separation part 267 and the inner circumferential part 261, and the third and first flow path grooves 266c and 266b are respectively formed from the respective end portions of the central separation part 267 and the inner circumferential part 261 to the first fluid accommodation part 265a.
The third and first flow path grooves 266c and 266b form a single flow path when the central separation part 267 and the inner circumferential part 261 are brought into contact with each other so that a fluid can be introduced into the first fluid accommodation part 265a from the outside.
In addition, the second fluid accommodation part 265b is disposed between the central separation part 267 and the outer circumferential part 262, and the third and second flow path grooves 266c and 266a are respectively formed from the respective end portions of the central separation part 267 and the outer circumferential part 262 to the second fluid accommodation part 265b.
The third and second flow path grooves 266c and 266a form a single flow path when the central separation part 267 and the outer circumferential part 262 are brought into contact with each other so that a fluid can be introduced into the second fluid accommodation part 265b from the outside.
As illustrated in
The central separation part 267 includes an insertion part 267a and a separation part 267b.
The insertion part 267a is inserted into an inner side surface of the fluid accommodation part 265 and is fixed to a step 261b formed at an inner side surface of the inner circumferential part 261 and a step 262b formed at the outer circumferential part 262.
The separation part 267b is fixedly connected to the insertion part 267a and separates the fluid accommodation part 265 into two spaces, i.e., the first and second fluid accommodation parts 265a and 265b.
Hereinafter, a process in which the packing 260 forms a water-sealing structure with a pipe while a fluid is accommodated in the first and second fluid accommodation parts 265a and 265b will be described with reference to
In a case in which the pressure of a fluid in the pipe 1 increases, the fluid is discharged in the external direction D2 of the pipe 1 via an end portion of the pipe 1, and then, while flowing between the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 1 and the inner circumferential surface of a flange, the fluid consecutively passes through the packings 280 and 270 positioned adjacent to each other as illustrated in
Next, the fluid may be introduced into the first fluid accommodation part 265a via a single flow path formed by the third and first flow path grooves 266c and 266b when the central separation part 267 and the inner circumferential part 261 are brought into contact with each other, and the fluid may be introduced into the second fluid accommodation part 265b via a single flow path formed by the third and second flow path grooves 266c and 266a when the central separation part 267 and the outer circumferential part 262 are brought into contact with each other.
As such, the packings 280 and 270 consecutively form a water-sealing structure, and, when a relatively high pressure occurs as in a case in which the pressure of a fluid instantaneously increases, the water-sealing structure may be maintained by the packing 260.
Hereinafter, a use of the packing member for water-sealing a pipe, according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described.
The housing 200 may be formed in a hollow pipe shape as illustrated in
The packing accommodation part 201 is a certain spatial part formed by protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the housing 200 to the outside. The packing accommodation part 201 accommodates the packing 260 to be fixed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 200.
The insertion restricting part 205 is a constituent part that restricts an insertion depth of a pipe inserted into the packing accommodation part 201. The insertion restricting part 205 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the housing 200 and is formed in an inwardly protruding shape. Meanwhile, the insertion restricting part 205 may be further provided, at an inner end portion thereof, with an extension part 206 upwardly protruding along a central axis direction.
In addition, the housing 200 may be provided, at an upper end thereof, which is an end portion thereof on the side into which a pipe is inserted, with a first fixing projection 220 having a hook shape to allow a clamp to be fastened therewith.
In the following description, as illustrated in
While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments and should be interpreted by the appended claims. In addition, it is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/KR2014/012077 | 12/9/2014 | WO | 00 |