Swagelok Company

Gregory L Piper

Gerald A Babuder

Timothy A Barney

A coupling assembly includes first and second coupling members or glands having end faces that sealingly engage opposite faces of an annular gasket. An end face of the coupling member includes a circumferentially continuous seal bead disposed adjacent the bore of the coupling member. A bead thus contacts the gasket along a radially inner region thereof. Disposed over a major portion of the radial face is a substantially planar region. The planar region is adapted to engage the gasket during make-up so that the user encounters an increase or positive feedback of increased torque once the coupling assembly is properly made-up. The end face also includes a raised ring disposed along the radial perimeter. The ring extends outwardly from the end face a dimension slightly greater than that of the bead so that it provides initial engagement with the gasket. This locks the coupling member and gasket against relative rotation during make-up. Moreover, recesses are preferably provided in the ring at spaced circumferential locations to receive the gasket therein and lock the coupling member to the gasket.

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North Ridgeville, OH, United States of America

Gregory L Piper