US 11,708,922 B2
Piping connections and connection sockets
Benjamin L. Lawrence, Elkhart, IN (US); David A. Bobo, Granger, IN (US); Christopher W. Mason, Granger, IN (US); Ronald Dale Paige, Granger, IN (US); and Richard D. Latham, Granger, IN (US)
Assigned to NIBCO INC., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed by NIBCO Inc., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/87,020.
Application 17/087,020 is a continuation of application No. 15/670,239, filed on Aug. 7, 2017, granted, now 10,823,316.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/534,324, filed on Jul. 19, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/491,854, filed on Apr. 28, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0048126 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. F16L 13/14 (2006.01); F16L 37/092 (2006.01); F16L 21/03 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 13/142 (2013.01) [F16L 21/03 (2013.01); F16L 37/0925 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connection socket for a tubular connection, comprising:
a socket cup comprising a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion;
a primary seal positioned within the sealing portion, the primary seal comprising an elastomeric material;
one or more spacer rings positioned within the sealing portion; and
one or more locking rings positioned within the sealing portion,
wherein the one or more spacer rings are between the one or more locking rings and the primary seal,
wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises multiple biting features,
wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a metal alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal alloy composition of the socket cup,
wherein each of the one or more locking rings aids in sealing a pipe under high temperature exposure of the pipe and the connection socket, and
further wherein each of the one or more spacer rings comprises a metal alloy composition with a CTE that is greater than the CTE of the metal alloy composition of the socket cup, and wherein each of the one or more spacer rings aids in sealing the pipe under high temperature exposure of the pipe and the connection socket.