Pipe seal for accommodating misalignments - has resilient ring of non-uniform section providing sealing and overload support

摘要

The pipe seal comprises a resilient element situated in a groove in the inner surface of an outer pipe end (E) and engages a smooth cylindrical outer surface of an inner pipe end. The element is a ring whose cross-section, when free, is flat (5) with a bulbous enlargement (4) at one end. When the inner pipe end is inserted into the seal, it slides past the flat portion with a clearance (8) and then compresses the bulbous portion. Sealing is effected by the compressed bulbous portion, the flat portion providing back-up support in case of overload or misalignment of the pipes.