Abstract: A valve and coupling for joining pipe elements has a valve body captured in a central space defined by a plurality of coupling segments attached to one another end to end. The inner surface of the valve body defines a bore. A liner on the inner surface surrounds the bore and forms a seal with a valve closing member. Circumferentially arranged projections on the segments engage and center the valve body within the central space. The liner has lobes that extend axially in opposite directions. The lobes are compressed between the segments and the pipe elements to form a fluid tight seal when connection members are tightened to draw the segments toward the central space and into engagement with the pipe elements.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam also has a traction surface extending around a cam body. A region of reduced radius in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The regions of reduced radius and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated.

Abstract: First and second pipe elements are joined end to end by a coupling. The first and second pipe elements have a circumferential groove at an end, and each of the grooves has a floor. A plurality of segments, each having oppositely disposed ends, and a respective connection member positioned at each end, form the coupling. A first end of each segment is connected to a second end of another of the segments such that said segments surround a central space for receiving the second pipe element.

Abstract: A pipe grooving device includes an assembly adapted to receive an end of the pipe. The assembly includes a cup which surrounds a pipe end stop. The cup and the pipe end stop may be mounted on a fixed pinion about which a carriage rotates. The carriage carries geared cams which engage the pinion and rotate synchronously when the carriage rotates relatively the pinion. The cams engage a pipe element received by the cup and form a circumferential groove in the pipe element. The cup and the pipe end stop move independently of one another axially along a pinion shaft to actuate rotation of the carriage. The cup accommodates dimensional pipe diameter tolerances and mitigates pipe flare and maintains pipe roundness during the grooving process.

Abstract: A method for cold working pipe elements use two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may also have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam may also have a traction surface extending around a cam body. The method includes contacting the pipe element with a plurality of cam surfaces simultaneously at a plurality of locations on the pipe element and rotating the pipe element, thereby simultaneously rotating the cam surfaces. Each cam surface engages the pipe element with an increasing radius and a region of constant radius if present to deform the pipe element and form the groove.

Abstract: A pipe grooving device having a plurality of geared cams uses synchronizing gears, each of which meshes with two of the geared cams, to synchronize the rotation of the cams which engage the pipe element to form the groove. The position of the groove relative to the end of the pipe is controlled by a stop body which incorporates a plate mounted ring which engages and disengages with a pipe stop surface on one or more of the cams to limit or permit cam rotation. The pipe stop body is positioned within a cup which receives the pipe element. The cup limits pipe end flare and limits the tendency of the pipe to go out of round during the grooving process. The device mounts on a powered chuck which turns the pipe element.

Abstract: A pipe element has a circumferential groove with a surface portion oriented at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis. A surface portion of the groove adjacent to the angled surface portion is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A mechanical coupling has projecting keys that engage the groove. The keys have mating surfaces that contact both the perpendicular and angled surface portions of the groove. When the pipe element and coupling are used in combination to form a pipe joint, axial load on the pipe, resisted by the mechanical coupling, is shared between the perpendicular and angled surface portions which results in a pipe joint that can withstand higher internal pressure than if the axial load were borne by the perpendicular surface portion alone.

Abstract: A roller set for roll forming pipe elements has an outer roller that engages the pipe element at three points to prevent teetering of the pipe element. The outer roller has a summit positioned on a raised feature, the summit comprising a curved surface adapted to burnish the pipe elements.

Abstract: A pipe grooving device having a plurality of geared cams uses synchronizing gears, each of which meshes with two of the geared cams, to synchronize the rotation of the cams which engage the pipe element to form the groove. The position of the groove relative to the end of the pipe is controlled by a stop body which incorporates a plate mounted ring which engages and disengages with a pipe stop surface on one or more of the cams to limit or permit cam rotation. The pipe stop body is positioned within a cup which receives the pipe element. The cup limits pipe end flare and limits the tendency of the pipe to go out of round during the grooving process. The device mounts on a powered chuck which turns the pipe element.

Abstract: A pipe element has a circumferential groove with a surface portion oriented at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis. A surface portion of the groove adjacent to the angled surface portion is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A mechanical coupling has projecting keys that engage the groove. The keys have mating surfaces that contact both the perpendicular and angled surface portions of the groove. When the pipe element and coupling are used in combination to form a pipe joint, axial load on the pipe, resisted by the mechanical coupling, is shared between the perpendicular and angled surface portions which results in a pipe joint that can withstand higher internal pressure than if the axial load were borne by the perpendicular surface portion alone.

Abstract: A valve and coupling for joining pipe elements has a valve body captured in a central space defined by a plurality of coupling segments attached to one another end to end. The inner surface of the valve body defines a bore. A liner on the inner surface surrounds the bore and forms a seal with a valve closing member. Circumferentially arranged projections on the segments engage and center the valve body within the central space. The liner has lobes that extend axially in opposite directions. The lobes are compressed between the segments and the pipe elements to form a fluid tight seal when connection members are tightened to draw the segments toward the central space and into engagement with the pipe elements.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam also has a traction surface extending around a cam body. A region of reduced radius in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The regions of reduced radius and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated.

Abstract: A method for cold working pipe elements use two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may also have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam may also have a traction surface extending around a cam body. The method includes contacting the pipe element with a plurality of cam surfaces simultaneously at a plurality of locations on the pipe element and rotating the pipe element, thereby simultaneously rotating the cam surfaces. Each cam surface engages the pipe element with an increasing radius and a region of constant radius if present to deform the pipe element and form the groove.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear. The gears turn synchronously with one another. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam also has a traction surface extending around a cam body. A discontinuity in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The discontinuities and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated.

Abstract: A pipe grooving device includes an assembly adapted to receive an end of the pipe. The assembly includes a cup which surrounds a pipe end stop. The cup and the pipe end stop may be mounted on a fixed pinion about which a carriage rotates. The carriage carries geared cams which engage the pinion and rotate synchronously when the carriage rotates relatively the pinion. The cams engage a pipe element received by the cup and form a circumferential groove in the pipe element. The cup and the pipe end stop move independently of one another axially along a pinion shaft to actuate rotation of the carriage. The cup accommodates dimensional pipe diameter tolerances and mitigates pipe flare and maintains pipe roundness during the grooving process.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam also has a traction surface extending around a cam body. A discontinuity in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The discontinuities and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated.

Abstract: A device for forming circumferential grooves in pipe elements uses multiple geared cam bodies mounted on a carriage which rotates about a fixed pinion. The gears engage with the pinion which causes the geared cam bodies to rotate relative to the carriage. Traction surfaces and cam surfaces on the cam bodies traverse the outer surface of the pipe element and impress a circumferential groove therein. Each cam surface has a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius. Second cam surfaces, positioned in spaced relation axially to the first cam surfaces, may also extend around the cam bodies. The second cam surfaces have a constant radius and limit flare of the pipe element.

Abstract: A pipe grooving device has a flared cup which surrounds a pipe end stop. The cup and the pipe end stop are mounted on a fixed pinion about which a carriage rotates. The carriage carries geared cams which engage the pinion and rotate synchronously when the carriage rotates relatively the pinion. The cams engage a pipe element received by the cup and form a circumferential groove in the pipe element. The cup and the pipe stop move independently of one another axially along a pinion shaft to actuate rotation of the carriage. The flared cup accommodates dimensional pipe diameter tolerances and mitigates pipe flare and maintains pipe roundness during the grooving process.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear, the gears being synchronized to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. One or more cams may also have a traction surface extending around a cam body. A discontinuity in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The discontinuities and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated. An engagement body is mounted between the cams to engage and disengage from a stop surface on one of the cams. Engagement between the engagement body and a stop surface prevents rotation of the cams.

Abstract: A device for cold working pipe elements has two or more cams, each having a gear which meshes with a pinion to turn all of the cams. Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and may have a region of constant radius extending around a cam body. Each cam also has a traction surface extending around a cam body. A discontinuity in each cam surface is aligned with a gap in the traction surface of each cam. The discontinuities and gaps provide clearance for insertion and removal of the pipe element between the cams to form a circumferential groove when the cams are rotated. A cup adjacent the pinion is movable along the pinion axis to engage and disengage from a stop surface on one of the cams. Engagement between the cup and a stop surface prevents rotation of the cam.