Pipe coupling - using a flexible (polybutadiene) spacer to link finned heating pipes without stress concentration

摘要

A 'T' junction is made between a pair of finned pipes by cutting a hole in the running pipe to match the bore of the branch pipe and clamping the pipes together with the joint defined and sealed by a suitably profiled resilient adaptor which butts against the running pipe and makes a spigot joint with the branch pipe. Pref. the adaptor is made of butadiene, and moulded with concentric seal ribs on the concave face which butts against the surface of the running pipe. The independent spacer reduces stress generation and concn. due to e.g. thermal expansion or bonding movements on either pipe compared with use of welded joints or 'T' profile couplings, and reduces the variety of components required to build a pipe system. Method is esp. suitable for coupling finned metal or plastic pipes as used e.g. for space heating systems or heat exchangers.