Seal for a joint or juncture – Process of static sealing – Pipe – conduit – or cable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-12-11
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Process of static sealing
Pipe, conduit, or cable
C277S316000, C277S605000, C277S646000, C277S910000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of preventing water leakage with a waterproof seal inserted in a clearance for connection between pipe and pipe to be used in the soil or under water or between sheet piles to be driven into the ground.
2. Prior Art
Methods of preventing water leakage by use of water-absorbing, expandable rubber (hereinafter called water-swelling rubber) are already known. They use the rubber, for example, as packings for water intake pipes and effluent pipes to be embedded in the ground or laid on the seabed, for flanged joints of pipings for water supply, Hume pipes, propelling pipes, and U-drains; and as segment seals for sheet piles and shields for structures. Such water-swelling rubber pieces absorb surrounding water and swell to volumes large enough to seal joints of piping and the like. Japanese Patent Application Kokoku Nos. 58-27435 and 58-27436 disclose waterproof seals of a structure consisting of a water-swelling rubber piece filled in a fabric tube which has a lower expansion rate but permits permeation of water to constrain the rubber expansion toward the contacting surfaces and allow the rubber to absorb water until it attains a sufficient leakproof pressure. Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 6-249377 introduces a pipe joint structure using a packing of water-swelling rubber for the connection of water intake pipings installed under water and the like. It claims that the structure facilitates pipe joining work. Actually, however, it usually takes as long as about one week before such seals used with Hume pipes and the like in the soil or on the seabed absorb water to develop an adequate leakproof pressure (generally 2-20 kgf/cm
2
, preferably 5-6 kgf/cm
2
). This can retard the whole work, and the problem is how to shorten the above time period.
In an attempt to solve the problem, Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 9-133272 reveals a method of obtaining an adequate leakproof pressure by use of a hollow seal packed with a synthetic resin or other filler material. It is not easy, however, to transport such filler material and filling equipment to the site of work and complete the seal on site. Therefore, a simpler approach to the problem has been sought.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to shorten the time period required to attain an adequate leakproof pressure by a waterproof seal inserted in a clearance of joint between pipe and pipe to be installed in the soil or under water or between sheet piles to be driven into the ground for the prevention of water leakage, and also to permit the work to be performed with ease.
The invention resides, in essence, in a method of preventing water leakage which comprises the steps of interposing a waterproof seal which consists of a hollow, water-absorbing, swelling rubber piece covered with a fabric tube in a clearance between the ends of pipes or planks to be joined together, injecting air into the hollow of the rubber piece and thereby block off the clearance and obtain a contacting surface pressure greater than a leakproof pressure just needed, and thereafter allowing the water-absorbing, swelling rubber piece to swell with water. The waterproof seal may have an inlet valve through which air is forced into the hollow. Alternatively, the seal may be pierced through with a hollow needle from the outside to inject air into the hollow.
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“A Study of Durability of Water Swelling Seal”, The 21st Forum on Polymer and Water, Nov. 25, 1983, The Hall of “the Chemical Society of Japan” in Tokyo, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.
Acacia Kakou Co., Ltd.
Browne Lynne H.
Marshall Gerstein & Borun
Pickard Alison K.
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