Device for sealing the end of sheath pipe

Claim 2

Sealing means whereby a main pipe can be concentrically supported inside a sheath pipe that has an inside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of the main pipe, and whereby the main pipe is protected against vibration and the like imparted to the sheath pipe and entry of foreign matter into the space between the pipes is prevented, said sealing means comprising: A. a pair of annular sealing elements of resiliently yieldable material, each of said sealing elements 1. being substantially cup-shaped in cross section to have a. a concave surface that faces in one axial direction and terminates at substantially coplanar inner and outer edges of the sealing element and b. a convex surface that faces in the opposite direction, 2.

Claim 3

each sealing element when in relaxed condition having a. an inside diameter to loosely fit around a main pipe and b. an outside diameter to loosely fit inside a sheath pipe, and 3. each sealing element having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes therethrough, the bolt holes in the two sealing elements being located to align with one another when said sealing elements are concentrically disposed with their concave surfaces facing one another; B. a pair of annular flange members of substantially rigid material, each of said flange members having 1. an inside diameter at least as large as the inside diameter of the sealing elements, 2. an outside diameter no larger than the outside diameter of the sealing elements, and 3. bolt holes therethrough arranged to align with the bolt holes in the sealing elements when the flange member is disposed in concentric relation to the sealing elements; C. threaded means on one of said flange members cooperable with bolts received in its bolt holes; and D. a plurality of bolts, each extending through aligned bolt holes in both flange members and both sealing elements and holding them in concentric relation with said inner and outer edges on the two sealing elements respectively engaging one another and with the flange members overlying the opposite convex surfaces of the sealing elements, said bolts

Claim 4

each sealing element when in relaxed condition having a. an inside diameter to loosely fit around a main pipe and b. an outside diameter to loosely fit inside a sheath pipe, and 3. each sealing element having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes therethrough, the bolt holes in the two sealing elements being located to align with one another when said sealing elements are concentrically disposed with their concave surfaces facing one another; B. a pair of annular flange members of substantially rigid material, each of said flange members having 1. an inside diameter at least as large as the inside diameter of the sealing elements, 2. an outside diameter no larger than the outside diameter of the sealing elements, and 3. bolt holes therethrough arranged to align with the bolt holes in the sealing elements when the flange member is disposed in concentric relation to the sealing elements; C. threaded means on one of said flange members cooperable with bolts received in its bolt holes; and D. a plurality of bolts, each extending through aligned bolt holes in both flange members and both sealing elements and holding them in concentric relation with said inner and outer edges on the two sealing elements respectively engaging one another and with the flange members overlying the opposite convex surfaces of the sealing elements, said bolts

Claim 5

having threaded shanks engaged with said thread means on said one flange member and 2. having heads overlying the other flange member so that tightening of said bolts resiliently deforms the sealing elements in axial compression and thus expands them radially inwardly and

Claim 6

having threaded shanks engaged with said thread means on said one flange member and 2. having heads overlying the other flange member so that tightening of said bolts resiliently deforms the sealing elements in axial compression and thus expands them radially inwardly and

Claim 7

outwardly. 2. The sealing means of claim 1, further characterized by: E. a plurality of sleeves secured to one of said flange members, one for each bolt hole therein, each sleeve being secured to the flange member concentrically with its bolt hole and having an inside diameter such that one of the bolts can extend therethrough with a close fit, said sleeves being closely receivable in the bolt holes in the sealing element adjacent to the last mentioned flange member and projecting axially from that flange member towards the other one to cooperate with the latter in limiting the amount of axial compressive force that can be applied to the sealing elements by means of the bolts.