Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2016905074 filing on 8 December 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a fitting for a pipe, in particular the invention relates to a pipe fitting for connecting pipes to other pipes or fittings.

Background

[003] Pipe fittings are commonly used to connect pipes. One type of piping is formed from a cross-linked polyethylene, commonly referred to as a "PEX" material. These types of PEX pipes are commonly connected using a pipe fitting having an internal bore and a ribbed end that is fitted into the PEX pipe. A metal crimp is used to compress and secure the PEX pipe onto the ribbed end of the pipe fitting. In use, a fluid, typically water or gas, flows from the PEX pipe through the internal bore of the fitting.

[004] A problem with these pipe fittings relates to the energy, pressure loss and velocity loss across the pipe fittings and the resulting greater pressure requirements or larger bore pipe sizing needed when, for example, many of the pipe fittings are used in a pipe network of a building.

[005] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary

[006] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a fitting for connecting one or more pipes, the fitting including an elongate body having opposing open ends, an intermediate section and first and second portions extending from either side of the intermediate section toward respective ones of the opposing open ends, the first and second portions being shaped to be received by the one or more pipes so as to be couplable therewith, wherein annular rims of the opposing open ends include curved inner edges so as to smoothly transition to a bore of the elongate body, the bore tapering inwardly in diameter from each of the opposing open ends toward the intermediate section.

[007] In an aspect, the curved inner edges are designed in accordance the Golden Spiral or Golden Ratio.

[008] In an aspect, the taper is designed in accordance with the Fibonacci Spiral, Ratio or Sequence.

[009] In an aspect, the bore includes a straight section of constant diameter substantially at the intermediate section.

[0010] In another aspect, the intermediate section includes an annular ridge extending proud of pipe gripping ridges of each of the first and second portions.

[0011] In another aspect, the annular rim of the opposing open ends include outer chamfered edges arranged to direct the one or more pipes over the respective first and second portions.

[0012] In another aspect, the curved inner edges are radiused edges, that follow the principle of the golden spiral or golden ratio also relates to that of Fibonacci Sequence, and extend from leading edges of the chamfered edges so as to transition smoothly an inner annual face of the tapered bore.

[0013] In another aspect, the fitting is a straight fitting. [0014] In another aspect there are a range of different fittings, namely equal elbows, unequal elbows, male elbows, female elbows, female elbow lugged, tee with centre female thread, loose nut adaptor, loose nut adaptor elbow, PEX to copper adaptor equal tees, unequal tees, unequal straight fittings, equal straight fittings, female union fittings, male union fittings, bath and shower breaching fittings.

[0015] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, a fitting for connecting one or more pipes, the fitting including a body with an internal bore having opposing open ends, the body being shaped to be received by one or more pipes and be retained thereto with a crimp or a compression sleeve, wherein at least one of the opposing open ends includes an annular rim having a curved inner edge so as to smoothly transition to a inner surface of the bore, the bore tapering inwardly in diameter from the at least one of the opposing open ends at least partially toward the other of the opposing open ends.

[0016] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a fitting for connecting one or more pipes, the fitting including an elongate body having opposing open ends, an intermediate section and first and second portions extending from either side of the intermediate section toward respective ones of the opposing open ends, the first and second portions being shaped to be received by the one or more pipes so as to be retainable therewith using a crimp, or in the case of initial connection of a pipe to source of supply it may have a threaded external section with Crimp or compression sleeve on the other side. In the case of all mechanical threaded fittings used in joining of pipes the same internal principles will apply as described above and herein. Wherein annular rims of the opposing open ends include curved or radiused inner edges so as to smoothly transition to a bore of the elongate body, the bore tapering inwardly in diameter from each of the opposing open ends toward the intermediate section

[0017] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, a fitting for connecting one or more pipes, the fitting including a body with an internal bore having opposing open ends, the body being shaped to be received by one or more pipes and be retained thereto with a crimp, sleeve, or in the case of initial connection of a pipe to source of supply it may have a threaded external section one side with Crimp or compression sleeve on the other side. Wherein at least one of the opposing open ends includes an annular rim having a curved inner edge so as to smoothly transition to a inner surface of the bore, the bore tapering inwardly in diameter meeting with a straight un-tapered section toward centre of the fitting

[0018] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, a fitting for connecting one or more pipes, the fitting including an elongate body having opposing open ends, an intermediate section and first and second portions extending from either side of the intermediate section toward respective ones of the opposing open ends, the first and second portions being shaped to coupled with one or more pipes, wherein annular rims of the opposing open ends include curved or radiused inner edges so as to smoothly transition to a bore of the elongate body, the bore tapering inwardly in diameter from each of the opposing open ends toward the intermediate section.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0019] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pipe fitting;

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating the pipe fitting;

[0022] Figure 3 is an end view illustrating the pipe fitting;

[0023] Figure 4 is a side view illustrating the pipe fitting;

[0024] Figure 5 is a side view sectional view illustrating the pipe fitting;

[0025] Figure 6a is a side part sectional view illustrating an dimensioned example of the pipe fitting for example purposes only,

[0026] Figure 6b is a detailed view illustrating curved inner edges of a rim of the pipe fitting;

[0027] Figure 7a is a side part sectional view illustrating another dimensioned example of the pipe fitting for example purposes only;

[0028] Figure 7b is a detailed view illustrating curved inner edges of a rim of the pipe fitting;

[0029] Figures 8a and 8b show velocity magnitude graphs to show a comparison between the subject fitting (NV) and a known fitting (OV), respectively;

[0030] Figures 9a and 9b show velocity magnitude and static pressure pictorial graphs along the length of subject fitting and the known fitting, respectively;

[0031] Figures 10a and 10b show velocity magnitude along the length of subject fitting and the known fitting, respectively; and

[0032] Figure 11 is an illustration of curvature associated with the golden ratio. Detailed Description

[0033] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a fitting 10 for connecting with one or more pipes, such as cross-linked polyethylene "PEX" pipes, using a crimp to compress the one or more PEX pipes onto the fitting 10. It is noted that the fitting 10 shown herein is a straight fitting. However, the fitting 10 may be provided in other forms such as elbows, reducing fittings, loose nut elbows, male lugged elbows etc. and as such is not limited to a straight fitting. Furthermore, fitting 10 may find application in other scenarios such as general plumbing and gas piping where the coupling of pipes is required. In other applications, the internal form of the fitting 10 may remain similar to that disclosed herein. However, the outside shape and methods of coupling to the pipe may be different such as a threaded section and other forms of couplings.

[0034] The fitting 10 includes an elongate body 12 having opposing open ends 14, an intermediate section 16 and first and second portions 18, 20 extending from either side of the intermediate section 16 toward respective ones of the opposing open ends 14. The elongate body 12 includes an internal bore 13 extending between the open ends 14.

[0035] The first and second portions 18, 20 are each shaped to be received by and retain the one or more pipes and include a plurality of annular ridges 22 extending from outer surfaces 24 of the first and second portions 18, 20. The intermediate portion 16 includes an intermediate annular ridge 26 extending from an outer surface 28 thereof. The intermediate annular ridge 26 stands proud of the plurality of annular ridges 22 of the first and second portions 18, 20 so as to a provide a backing 30 for the retainer point or strip 41 to which a plastic isolating washer (not shown) may be fitted to provide spacer between adjacently fitted one or more pipes.

[0036] The opposing open ends 14 each include an annular rim 32 having an inner edge 34 leading to the bore 13 and outer edges 36 leading to the outer surfaces 24. The inner edge 34 is curved or radiused, preferably based on a "Golden Spiral or Ratio", to meet with the internal surfaces 38 of the bore 13. The bore 13 then tapers inwardly from each of the first and second portions 18, 20 to the intermediate section 16. The taper may be based on the "Fibonacci curve, sequence or Spiral and or Golden Spiral" shaping. It is noted that the curvature of the inner edge 34 is arranged to begin from a location immediately adjacent an inner wall of the pipe (not shown) and transition to the bore 13. It is noted that the wall thickness of the fitting 10 increases toward the intermediate portion 16.

[0037] The intermediate section 16 includes a straight section 40 of constant diameter substantially at the intermediate section 16. Accordingly, in side cross section as shown best in Figure 5, each of the first and second portions 18, 20 is similar to a trumpet in shape with the straight section 40 there between. The outer edges 36 of the annular rim 32 in include a straight chamfer 33 arranged to direct the one or more pipes over the respective first and second portions 18, 20.

[0038] Figures 6a and 6b, and Figures 7a and 7b, each show dimensioned examples of the pipe-fitting 10. The configurations shown are similar to that described above and the features are not again described again herein. The dimensioned examples are simply provided as examples showing two implementations of the fitting 10 and are not to be taken to limit the scope of the various other forms and uses of the fitting 10. The two implementations in this case include approximations of the radiused inner edge 34 based on a "Golden Spiral" and the taper of the bore 13 based on the "Fibonacci curve and or Golden Spiral" shaping and such approximations may be required to assist with ease of manufacture.

[0039] In use, the first and second portions 18, 20 are received by the respective one or more pipes and crimped in place using a metal crimp or metal sleeve and crimping / sleeving tool. Such crimps, sleeves and tools are well-known and not described here in any further detail. The fluid or gas, typically water or natural gas, flows through the pipe and meets the fitting 10 at each of the opposing open ends 14 and is smoothly transitioned via the inner edges 34 to the bore 13.

[0040] The smooth transition is expected to reduce flow turbulence and friction and Kinetic energy loss, saving energy and hence pressure drop. Moreover, the gentle inward tapering of the bore 13 is expected to accelerate the flow away from the inner edges 34 to assist to further minimise turbulence and the straight section 40 is expected to assist to further stabilise the flow and accelerate it out of the other side of the bore 13 and past the inner edge 34 of the other one of the opposing ends 34. The fitting 10 may be formed from brass, other metals or other suitable materials such as nylon or plastics.

[0041] Turning now to the Figures 8a to 10b there are shown experimental results of a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulated comparison of a known standard fitting (OV) and the subject fitting (NV) disclosed herein. Testing was undertaken on the two fittings to prove that the NV (subject fitting) has significant gains over OV (Standard straight bore fitting). Both the NV & OV fittings have similar inlet conditions in the testing computation.

[0042] Referring to Figures 8a "Load case 1160" this is shown as a % of increase of flow through the fitting of 5250 mm/s from the starting point. So Starting at 62,300 <mm/s> and increasing to 67,550 mm/s the NV fitting shows an 8.427% increase through the fitting.

[0043] Referring to Figure 8b "Load case 1450" this is shown as a % of increase of flow through the fitting of only 2300 <mm/s> from the starting point. So Starting at 49,200 <mm/s> and increasing to 51,500 <mm/s> the NV fitting shows an 4.466% increase through the fitting.

[0044] Therefore the NV fitting as shown in "Load case 1160" has an increased performance of 47% in increased flow or velocity over the OV fitting as shown as "Load case 1450", based on NV = 8.427% and OV = 4.466%. Or 56.19% more volume based on NV = 5250 mm/s and OV = 2300 mm/s.

[0045] In addition, based on the inlet comparisons between NV & OV it is clear that the leading rolled edges which are shaped based on the Golden Spiral or Golden ratio have a distinct impact on the reduction of static pressure enabling the Velocity magnitude to increase substantially as shown Figures 9a and 9b.

[0046] There is a 29.39% increase in Velocity magnitude in the NV fittinh shown in Figure 9a over against the standard fitting as shown in Figure 9b which still has a lead in chamfer but that chamfer of the OV fitting is not based on the Golden spiral or Golden ratio. NV = VM-m/s : 76.1626 and OV = VM-m/s : 58.8595 therefore NV fitting is 29.39%) more in VM-m/s. It is also noted that the static pressure is higher on the OV (standard fitting) at the entry point even though it has a wider chamfer in inlet taper as shown in Figure 9b.

[0047] The OV (standard fitting) has a 6.28%> higher static pressure even though it has a large lead in chamfer. With no taper in bore or other parameters mentioned in patent, the resistance is very high in the opening compared to the NV see diagram waves between two drawings, this is based on NV = static kPa 544.087 and OV = static kPa 578.245.

[0048] Within the fitting itself we also have another factor adding to the overall increase in flow and that is the velocity magnitude is at its peak as a result of the "FLAT/ STRAIGHT/PARALLEL" section in the middle of the fitting - see comparison of Figures 10a and 10b. The OV fitting has maximum Velocity magnitude at the start of the flow in the fitting of 58.8595 -VM-m/s as shown in Figure 9b and dropping to approximately 50.00 -VM-m/s on outlet. Compared to the NV fitting which has an average exit of 65 -VM-m/s as shown in Figure 9a.

[0049] Referring finally to Figure 11, the principal of the Golden spiral or Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci Ratio is summarised as below. The Fibonacci spiral: an approximation of the golden spiral created by drawing circular arcs connecting the opposite corners of squares in the Fibonacci tiling; this one uses squares of sizes 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 and 21.

[0050] The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where a number is found by adding up the two numbers before it. Starting with 0 and 1, the sequence goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so forth.

[0051] In mathematics, the Fibonacci numbers are the numbers in the following integer sequence, called the Fibonacci sequence, and characterized by the fact that every number after the first two is the sum of the two preceding ones: 1, 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 13 , 21 , 34 , 55 , 89 , 144.

[0052] The Golden ratio is a special number found by dividing a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part. It is often symbolized using phi, after the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet. In an equation form, it looks like this: a/b = (a+b)/a = 1.6180339887498948420... As with pi (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter), the digits go on and on, theoretically into infinity. Phi is usually rounded off to 1.618. This number has been discovered and rediscovered many times, which is why it has so many names— the Golden mean, the Golden section, the Golden spiral divine proportion, etc. Historically, the number can be seen in the architecture of many ancient creations, like the Great Pyramids and the Parthenon. In the Great Pyramid of Giza, the length of each side of the base is 756 feet with a height of 481 feet. The ratio of the base to the height is roughly 1.5717, which is close to the Golden ratio. [001] Advantageously, there has been described a pipe fitting that includes a curved edge at the entry opening which has been design in accordance with the Golden Spiral or Golden Ratio) to an inwardly tapered bore in accordance with the Fibonacci Spiral, Ratio or Sequence that is expected to reduce flow turbulence, friction and Kinetic energy loss, saving energy but actually accelerate flow or increase velocity. The pipe fitting thereby reducing associated pressure losses.

[002] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[003] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[004] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein, for all pipe connecting fittings either crimp or sleeve style or mechanical threaded and in either in metal or plastics

[005] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.