The Voelker EC Coupler (Patent Pending)
Technical information and specification

EC Coupler (Patent Pending)

The EC Coupler is intended for the pipe industry to be used in applications where the piping is subject to movement along the longitudinal axis of the pipe (e.g., elongation, contraction). Some plastic pipe products, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, when used in various applications, are subject to stresses and strains and potential failure resulting from expansion and contraction of the pipe. The EC Coupler has considerable applications in water and gas piping where pipe expansion and/or contraction is a factor in pipe failure or deflection, and where a pressure- and water-tight seal must be maintained. There are many different types of uses for this type of gasketed slip flange, particularly in landfill applications where differential settlement and temperature fluctuations can be problematic.

The objective of this device is to provide a relatively inexpensive, lightweight, long-wearing pressure flange that allows two pipes to be coupled together with a telescoping slip joint allowing movement of one pipe relative to the other. The EC Coupler that I have designed is fabricated from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). However, it is conceivable that the flange could be manufactured from various other pipe materials as well (e.g., stainless steel, ductile iron, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride).

The EC Coupler is designed to allow a smaller diameter pipe to telescope within a larger diameter pipe in order to adjust to changing conditions. The expansion flange eliminates pressures exerted at the pipe joint while maintaining a pressure seal within the pipe. The EC Coupler is used in conjunction with a flange adapterm stub ends and backing rings or a drilled stub end. The EC Couplers conform to vital dimensions of ASTM standards such as outside diameter, bolt circle, bolthole number and size. The flange is designed in 2 conjoining pieces to enable ease of installation, maintenance, and removal. The flanges are fabricated with a gasket groove in the center of the bore, which is filled with gasket material suitable for the application and environment in which the flange is installed. Following assembly the expansion flanges are fixed in place with a stainless steel band clamp to maintain flange alignment.