Offset connector

Claim 2

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals is sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, alignment means on the opposite end of said connector tubes for axial connection with the ends of misaligned pipes, the periphery of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals, means connected between the connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attacHed misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion, tolerance variations in the length of the misaligned pipes, and permitting the connector tubes to pivot on the seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment.

Claim 3

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, alignment means on the opposite ends of said connector tube for axial connection of said opposite ends with the ends of misaligned pipes, the periphery of said connector tubes inside said integral tube in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals, an annular collar on each of said connector tubes, restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion or tolerance variations in the length of the misaligned pipes, and permitting the connector tubes to pivot on the seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment.

Claim 4

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, alignment means on the opposite ends of said connector tube for axial connection of said opposite ends with the ends of misaligned pipes, the periphery of said connector tubes inside said integral tube in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals, an annular collar on each of said connector tubes, restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion or tolerance variations in the length of the misaligned pipes, and permitting the connector tubes to pivot on the seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment.

Claim 5

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, annular openings at each end of said integral tube, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, means attached to the connector tubes adjacent the ends extending in the integral tube for holding the ends of the connector tube in the integral tube, the opposite ends of each connector tube having a seal rotatably mounted therein, means mounted on said opposite ends of each connector tube for holding the seals therein, each seal having an axially extending pipe receiving bore extending therethrough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of said tubes so that the pipe receiving bore can be moved in a circle by rotating said seals in said opposite ends of the connector tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said seals in the opposite ends of said connector tubes until the axes of said pipe receiving bore in said seals coincide with the axes of said misaligned pipes, said means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes including means for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes when said misaligned pipes extend through said bores.

Claim 6

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, annular openings at each end of said integral tube, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, means attached to the connector tubes adjacent the ends extending in the integral tube for holding the ends of the connector tube in the integral tube, the opposite ends of each connector tube having a seal rotatably mounted therein, means mounted on said opposite ends of each connector tube for holding the seals therein, each seal having an axially extending pipe receiving bore extending therethrough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of said tubes so that the pipe receiving bore can be moved in a circle by rotating said seals in said opposite ends of the connector tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said seals in the opposite ends of said connector tubes until the axes of said pipe receiving bore in said seals coincide with the axes of said misaligned pipes, said means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes including means for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes when said misaligned pipes extend through said bores.

Claim 7

The connector described in claim 3 including radially outwardly projecting inwardly open heat radiating annular channels formed on the opposite ends of the integral tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficient so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, the periphery of said connector tube in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment.

Claim 8

The connector described in claim 4 including an annular collar on each of said connector tubes, restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes for preventing their separation when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion or tolerance variations in the length of the misaligned pipes.

Claim 9

The connector described in claim 3 wherein said seal is an annular ring shaped Element formed from a suitable rubber-like material, said seal generally channel shaped in cross-section and comprising a first leg and a second leg separated by a webbed portion, said webbed portion defining an annular opening through said seal sized to receive and sealingly engage a pipe, the center of said annular opening offset from the center of said seal.

Claim 10

The connector described in claim 3 wherein said seal is an integral cylindrical element formed from a generally rubber-like material, said cylindrical element having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of the integral cylindrical element.

Claim 11

A connector comprising an integral tube, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposed ends of said integral tube and rotatably mounted therein, said connector tube shaped so the center of the opposed end of each connector tube is offset from the center of the end in said integral tube so that the center of said opposed end can be moved in a circle by rotating said one end of said connector tube in said integral tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said opposed ends of said connector tube by rotating said one end of said connector tube until the centers of the opposed ends coincide with the axes of said misaligned tube means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipe, and means connected between said connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the pipes are pressurized while permitting the connector tubes and attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into the integral tube to accommodate them thermal expansion and tolerance variations in the length of the pipes.

Claim 12

A connector comprising an integral tube, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposed ends of said integral tube and rotatably mounted therein, said connector tube shaped so the center of the opposed end of each connector tube is offset from the center of the end in said integral tube so that the center of said opposed end can be moved in a circle by rotating said one end of said connector tube in said integral tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said opposed ends of said connector tube by rotating said one end of said connector tube until the centers of the opposed ends coincide with the axes of said misaligned tube means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipe, and means connected between said connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the pipes are pressurized while permitting the connector tubes and attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into the integral tube to accommodate them thermal expansion and tolerance variations in the length of the pipes.

Claim 13

The connector described in claim 8 including radially outwardly projecting inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the integral tubes, annular seals mounted on said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficient so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, the periphery of said connector tube in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals to permit the connector tube to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment.

Claim 14

The connector described in claim 9 including an annular collar on each of said connector tubes, restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes for preventing their separation when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion or tolerance variations in the length of the connector tubes on the seal.

Claim 15

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment, the opposite ends of said connector tubes having annular pipe receiving openings, means related to the connector tubes for moving the axes of said pipe receiving openings around the periphery of a circle, pipes adapted to be sealingly connected to said opposite ends of said connector tubes in said pipe receiving openings whereby within Predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said pipe receiving openings in said opposite ends of said connector tubes until the axes of said pipe receiving openings coincide with the axes of said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion, and tolerance variations in length of the pipes.

Claim 16

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment, the opposite ends of said connector tubes having annular pipe receiving openings, means related to the connector tubes for moving the axes of said pipe receiving openings around the periphery of a circle, pipes adapted to be sealingly connected to said opposite ends of said connector tubes in said pipe receiving openings whereby within Predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said pipe receiving openings in said opposite ends of said connector tubes until the axes of said pipe receiving openings coincide with the axes of said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion, and tolerance variations in length of the pipes.

Claim 17

The connecotor described in claim 11 wherein said means for prevention separation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the pipes are pressurized,comprise an annular collar formed on each of said connector tubes, and restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes at the opposed ends of said integral tube.

Claim 18

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset to the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seal for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment seals rotatably mounted in the opposite ends of said connector tube, means mounted on said opposite ends of the connector tube for holding the said seals therein, each seal having an axially extending pipe receiving bore extending therethrough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of said tubes so that the pipe receiving bores can be moved in a circle by rotating said seal in said opposite ends of the connector tubes whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said seals in the opposite ends of said connector tube until the axes of said pipe receiving bore in said seals coincides with the axes of the misaligned pipes, said means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes including means for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tube from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion and tolerance variations in the length of the pipes.

Claim 19

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset to the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each of said connector tubes extending into the opposite ends of said integral tube, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seal to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seal for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misalignment seals rotatably mounted in the opposite ends of said connector tube, means mounted on said opposite ends of the connector tube for holding the said seals therein, each seal having an axially extending pipe receiving bore extending therethrough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of said tubes so that the pipe receiving bores can be moved in a circle by rotating said seal in said opposite ends of the connector tubes whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said connector tubes by rotating said seals in the opposite ends of said connector tube until the axes of said pipe receiving bore in said seals coincides with the axes of the misaligned pipes, said means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes including means for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing separation of the connector tube from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized but permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion and tolerance variations in the length of the pipes.

Claim 20

The connector described in claim 13 wherein said means for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the pipes are pressurized comprise an annular collar formed on each of said connector tubes, and restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes at the opposed ends of said integral tube.

Claim 21

The connector described in claim 13 wherein said rotatably mounted seal is an annular ring shaped element formed from a suitable rubber like material,said seal generally channel shaped in cross section and comprising a first leg and a second leg seperated by a webbed portion, said webbed portion defining an annular opening through said seal sized to receiving and sealingly engage a pipe, the center of said annular opening offset from the center of said seal.

Claim 22

The connector described in claim 13 wherein said seal is an integral cylindrical element formed from a generally rubber like material, asid cylindrical Element having a longitudinal bore extending therethough, the axes of said bore offset from the axes of the integral cylindrical element.

Claim 23

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposed ends of said integral tube and rotatably mounted therein, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misaligment, said connector tubes shaped so the center of the opposed ends of each connector tube is offset from the center of the end in said integral tube so that the center of said opposed ends can be moved in a circle by rotating said one end of said connector tube in said integral tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said opposed ends of said connector tubes by rotating said one end of said connector tube until the centers of the opposed ends coincide with the axes of the misaligned tube, means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized while permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion and tolerance variations in length of the pipes.

Claim 24

A connector of the class described comprising an integral tube, radially outwardly projecting heat radiating inwardly open annular channels formed on the ends of the tube, annular seals mounted in said channels, the thickness of said seals sufficiently large so they project beyond said channels inwardly into said integral tube, said seals defining annular openings at each end of said integral tube, the center of one annular opening offset from the center of the annular opening at the opposite end, connector tubes having opposed ends, one end of each connector tube extending into the opposed ends of said integral tube and rotatably mounted therein, the periphery of said one end of said connector tubes in sealing and pivoting engagement with said seals to permit the connector tubes to pivot on said seals for connection with pipes having some degree of non-axial misaligment, said connector tubes shaped so the center of the opposed ends of each connector tube is offset from the center of the end in said integral tube so that the center of said opposed ends can be moved in a circle by rotating said one end of said connector tube in said integral tube whereby within predetermined limits axially misaligned pipes can be connected to said opposed ends of said connector tubes by rotating said one end of said connector tube until the centers of the opposed ends coincide with the axes of the misaligned tube, means on said opposed ends of said connector tubes for making a sealing connection with said misaligned pipes, and means connected between the connector tubes for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the tubes are pressurized while permitting the connector tubes and the attached misaligned pipes to expand axially into said integral tube to accommodate thermal expansion and tolerance variations in length of the pipes.

Claim 25

The connector described in claim 17 wherein said means for preventing seperation of the connector tubes from inside said integral tube when the pipes are pressurized comprise an annular collar formed on each of said connector tubes, and restraining wires connected between the annular collars on the connector tubes at the opposed ends of said integral tube.