MXPA06008775A - Coupling assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling assembly includes a first coupling member (20) having a first exterior surface (27) and a second exterior surface (26) spaced from the first exterior surface by a rib having a first locking surface (31). A second coupling member (30) includes an inwardly facing surface (53) sized to receive the first coupling member (20) and an inwardly facing annular groove (54) having a second locking surface (55). The groove (54) is configured to reduce stress risers in the second coupling member (30). A resiliently expandable locking ring (60) is received in the inwardly facing annular groove (54) and is engaged and expanded to a larger radial size by the rib upon movement of the first coupling member (20) further into the second coupling member (30). The resiliently expandable locking ring (60) is configured to retract in diametrical size to become trapped between the first locking surface (31) and the second locking surface (55) upon further movement of the first coupling member (20) into the second coupling member (30).

Description

COUPLING ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fluid connectors of the style that is pushed to connect and, more particularly, to fluid connectors of the push-to-connect style that include a locking ring. Description of the Related Art There are many industrial applications where a high pressure hydraulic system requires that several connections can be made between a hose assembly and a component, such as a pump, a motor, a valve, etc. because there were no connection systems of the type that are pushed to connect (without threads) available that could operate at high pressure, the systems of the state of the art have made use of threaded fittings to make this connection. Recently, coupling assemblies of the push-to-connect style have become available, which can operate at high pressures. In one such coupling assembly, shown in Figures 1 and 2, a resiliently expandable closure ring is used to secure a male coupling member within a female coupling member. In the design of the state of the art, the female coupling member includes a beveled surface against which the locking ring is attached. during the connection of the male and female coupling members, and a retaining ring groove having two generally parallel sides positioned perpendicular to a surface facing inward from the groove. The closing ring is urged towards the retaining ring groove during disconnection of the coupling members. Although this design has proven to be successful in use, the transition point between the bevel and retaining ring groove, among other areas, creates an undesirable tension riser in the female coupling member during the connection of the male coupling members. and female These tension lifts can lead to localized cracking in the female member or an "outward flare" of a receiving end of the female member due to the force exerted by the male member on the female member through the closing ring during connection and the depressurization of the coupling assembly. For these and other reasons, an improved coupling assembly exceeding the limitations of the state of the art is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A coupling assembly is provided which includes a first coupling member extending along an axis from a guide end to a rear end. The first coupling member includes a first outer surface and a second outer surface separated from the first outer surface by a rib having a ramp that is extends outward and away from the first outer surface and a first closing surface extending inward toward the second outer surface. A second coupling member extends from a receiving end to a remote end and includes an inwardly facing surface dimensioned to receive the first coupling member. The second coupling member also includes an annular groove facing inwardly having a second sealing surface. The slit is configured to reduce the voltage lifts in the second coupling member. A resiliently expandable closure ring is received in the annular groove facing inwardly from the second coupling member in a first position. The resiliently expandable closure ring has an inner diameter dimensioned to receive the first outer surface of the first coupling member and to be linked and expanded to a larger radial size by means of the ramp upon movement of the first coupling member additionally towards the second coupling member. The resiliently expandable closure ring is configured to resiliently restrict diametral size to become trapped between the first closure surface and the second closure surface upon additional movement of the first coupling member toward the second coupling member. Other aspects of the invention will be apparent to the technicians in the field after a review of the drawings and the detailed description provided below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a coupling assembly of the state of the art; Figure 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a connector interface for the coupling assembly of the state of the art shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector interface of the coupling assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector interface of the coupling assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector interface of the coupling assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of another connector interface of the coupling assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Certain terminology will be used in the description for convenience of reference only and will not be limiting. The terms "front" and "rear" will refer to forward and backward directions of the coupling assembly shown in the drawings. The terms "to the right" and "to the left" will refer to addresses in the drawings in relation to which the terminology is used. The terms "inward" and "outward" shall refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the apparatus. The terms "up" and "down" will refer to directions as they are taken in the drawings in relation to which the terminology is used. All the above mentioned terms include their normal derivations and their equivalents. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a coupling assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes a first male member or member 20 and a second female member or member 30. Each of the male members 20 and female 30 extends along an axis AA when the assembly is in the engaged position as shown in figure 3. Male member 20 extends from a guide end 21 intended for insertion into female member 30 to a rear end 22, and has a passageway 23 extending therethrough. If desired, the rear end 22 can to be provided with external threads 24 for attachment to a threaded coupling (not shown) and a series of flat portions 25 defining a non-circular cross section (eg, hexagonal) for attachment by a wrench. In front of the hexagonal cross-section defined by the flat portions 25, the male member 20 has a rear outer cylindrical surface 26 and a cylindrical outer guide surface 27, which are separated by a rib. In one embodiment, the rib includes a ramp 28 that extends generally backward and outward of the guide outer surface 27. In one embodiment, the ramp 28 exhibits a generally linear profile when viewed in cross section and is extends at an angle relative to the axis AA in the range of about 10 to 25 °, such as, for example, an angle of about 18 °. In a particular configuration, the ramp 28 extends to a cylindrical surface 29 which is parallel to the axis and which extends rearwardly of the ramp 28 a distance of at least about 0.010 in (0.025 cm), such as, for example, around 0.030 in (0.076 cm). The final portion of the rib is a first closure surface 31. In the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first closure surface 31 extends generally back and inward from the cylindrical surface 29 to find the rear exterior surface. 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the first closure surface 31 exhibits a linear profile when viewed in cross section and tapering at an angle in the range of about 35 to 55 ° relative to the axis A-A, such as, for example, an angle of about 45 °. Alternatively, the ramp 28 extends to a point where it links the first closure surface 31 or a non-linear surface, such as a curved surface, positioned between the ramp 28 and the first closure surface 31. Additionally, the ramp 28 and the first closure surface 31 can exhibit a non-linear profile when viewed in cross section. The male member 20 may also include a release sleeve 33 having a rigid portion 34 and a thermoplastic and / or elastomeric sealing portion (e.g., TPE). In one embodiment, the rigid portion 34 includes a divided cylindrical wall 36 having a plurality of slots (not shown). The divided cylindrical wall 36 extends from a guide end 38 to an outward tapering wall portion 39. The grooves, if desired, may extend toward the tapered wall portion 39. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 , the divided cylindrical wall 36 and a cylindrical wall portion 45 of the sealing portion 35 cooperate to define a space 46. The sealing portion 35 includes a sealing flap 47 extending radially inwardly from a flange portion 44. The sealing flap 47 loosely links the rear cylindrical outer surface 26 and functions as a seal to prevent contaminants, such as dust, from entering the coupled coupling between the release sleeve 33 and the rear exterior surface 26. In one embodiment, the second female member 30 extends from a receiving end 50 to a remote end 51 , which may have adjacent external threads 52 or other suitable connection means for attaching to a separate connection (not shown). The portion of the second female member 30 adjacent the receiving end 50 is provided with an outer cylindrical surface 52 dimensioned to be loosely received in the cylindrical wall 45 of the release sleeve 33 and an inner cylindrical surface 53 sized to receive there the cylindrical wall portion. divided 36 of the rigid portion 34 of the release sleeve 33. An inwardly facing annular groove 54 extends outwardly from the inner cylindrical surface 53 and is sized to receive therein a resiliently expandable closure ring 60. The groove 53 it includes a second sealing surface 55 extending toward the receiving end 50 to find the inner cylindrical surface 53. A second inner cylindrical surface 56 of smaller diameter than the first cylindrical surface 53 is positioned towards the remote end 51 from the slit. annular 54 and is joined to it by means of a portion of pa 57 network that tapers inwards. The second inner cylindrical surface 56 is dimensioned to receive the guide outer surface 27 of the first male member 20. The second inner cylindrical wall surface 56 has therein formed an inwardly facing annular groove 58 in which an annular seal 59 of neoprene or other suitable sealing material is placed. and a rigid plastic ring 61 which is placed in the slit 58 between the annular seal 59 and the receiving end 50. The plastic ring 61 has an aperture dimensioned to loosely receive the outer guide surface 27 of the first male member and the annular seal 59 is dimensioned to receive in a sealed manner and to link such an outer guide surface 27. The presence of the rigid plastic ring 61 in a position to be linked by the guide end 21 of the first male member 20 serves to protect the annular seal 59 from cuts or other damages upon occurrence the insertion of the outer guide surface 27 therethrough. The rigid plastic ring 61 also serves to protect, the annular seal 59 against damage when used in systems that have high-impulse fluid flow. Alternatively, the annular seal 59 and the ring 61 can be received in a slit (not shown) in the male member 20. Positioned in the annular groove 54 is the resiliently expandable closure ring 60, which can be formed, between other materials, from a tempered phosphoric brass material for spring or, alternatively, a hardened stainless steel for spring. In an embodiment, the closing ring 60 is provided with a first end and a second end, which may be in stop relation or have a maximum space of about 0.03 in (0.076 cm) when the first male member 20 is disconnected from the second female member 30 The closing ring 60, when the parts are in the disconnected position, has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter defined by the outer end portion of the annular groove 54, but larger than the diameter of the first inner cylindrical surface 53. closure ring 60 has an internal diameter substantially equal to or slightly less than that of the rear outer surface 26 of male member 20 to loosely bond such rear outer surface 26 when male member 20 is attached to female member 30. As will be appreciated, the internal diameter of the closing ring 60, therefore, is considerably smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical surface 29. The sealing ring 60, by virtue of its dimensions, it will be retained in the annular groove 54 when the first male member 20 is disconnected from the second female member 30. However, by virtue of being divided, the diametrical size of the closure ring 60 can be expanded and the portions of end separated by moving the closing ring 60 over the ramp 28 and the optional cylindrical surface 29 upon insertion of the male member 20 into the female member 30. When the male member 20 is inserted into the female member - Locked, the guide end 21 and the outer guide surface 27 will pass through the closing ring 60 until the ramp 28 reaches the closing ring 60. The continuous movement inward of the male member 20 will cause the ramp 28 to expand the ring of closure 60, thereby opening the space between the ends of the closure ring in amounts that increase as the closure ring 60 moves toward the maximum diameter of the ramp 28 and on the optional cylindrical surface 29. Since the cylindrical surface 29 moves past the closure ring 60 upon continuous forward movement of the first male member 20, the closure ring 60, by virtue of its resilience, will contract to a size approaching its original size and, in doing so, will be positioned to prevent removal of the first male member 20 from the second female member 30 as the split closure ring 60 is caught between the first closure surface 31 and the second closure surface 55. Optionally, when the first closing surface 31 and the second closing surface 55 are linear surfaces, the two surfaces can be arranged at convergent angles in the direction towards the annular groove 54 when the first male member 20 is connected to the female member 30. This convergence results from the fact that the angle of the first closing surface 31 is greater than the angle of the second closing surface 55 relative to the AA axis. , as previously noted.

When the first male member 20 is fully connected to the second female member 30, the outer guide surface 27 is sealedly connected to the annular seal 59, thereby preventing fluid leakage. Additionally, the receiving end 50 and portions of the second female member adjacent thereto are positioned in the space 46 between the cylindrical wall portion 45 of the sealing portion 35 and the divided cylindrical wall 36 of the rigid portion 34. The outer cylindrical surface 52 is loosely in contact with the inside of the cylindrical wall portion 45 to prevent, together with the sealing flap 47, contaminants from entering the area around the closure ring 60 when the members are in the linked position shown in the figure 3. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, when the male member 20 is in the fully engaged or linked position with the female member 30, there is a space between the receiving end 50 and the interior of the flange portion 44 that, in effect, is the end of the space 46. Additionally, the guide end 38 of the divided cylindrical wall 36 of the release sleeve is just touching or slightly spaced from the closure ring 60. When it is desired to disconnect the first male member 20. of the second female member 30, it is simply necessary to move the release sleeve 33 towards the guide end 21, causing the guide end 38 of the divided cylindrical wall 36 to urge the closure ring 60 axially towards the rib and, in doing so, is urged outwardly by the first closure surface 31 against which the closure ring 60 is urged by the release sleeve 33. As will be appreciated, when the closure ring 60 has been urged to a position in alignment with the surface cylindrical 29 of the rib, the first male member 20 will be released from the second female member 30 and can be removed therefrom. Referring to Figure 2, by comparison, a cross-sectional view of a connector interface of the coupling assembly of the state of the art is shown. The female coupling member of the state of the art includes a beveled surface 80 against which a locking ring 82 is linked during the connection of the male and female coupling members 84, 86. The female member 86 also includes the groove of the ring of retention 88 having two generally parallel sides 90, 92 positioned perpendicular to an inward facing surface 94 of the slit. The side 92 encounters the bevel surface 80 at a point 96 and the inwardly facing surface 94 at a point 97. It is points 96 and 97 that form tension lifts on the female member 30 during connection of the limb members. male and female coupling. These tension lifts can lead to localized cracking in the female member 86 or an "outward flare" of a receiver end 98 of the female member 86 due to the force exerted by the male member 84 on the member. 86 through the closing ring 82 during connection and pressurization of the coupling assembly. In the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, the slit 54 does not include points 96 and 97 found in the coupling of the state of the art. Similarly, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5, point 96 in the coupling of the state of the art is absent. In the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, a fillet radius 99 is disposed between the front surface of the slit 54 and the second closure surface 55 to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of tension risers in the member. of female coupling 30. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the second closure surface 55 in the slit 54 is a concave surface. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the second closure surface 55 is a convex surface. As will be appreciated from the review of FIGS. 4-7, the inwardly facing annular groove 54 of the present invention is configured to reduce stress risers in the female coupling member 30 by virtue of the geometry of the groove. In particular, the slit 54 reduces the number or completely eliminates the intersecting surfaces at a point that has been known to cause tension lifts in the coupling assemblies of the state of the art.

Although various embodiments of slit 54 that reduce tension lifts have been shown in the female coupling member 30, the slit profiles shown in Figures 4-7 are not intended to be limited thereto. The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preceding embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best ways to carry out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in the practice of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be protected by them. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a subsequent application directed to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a subsequent application.

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS 1. A coupling assembly, comprising: a first coupling member (20) extending along an axis (AA) of a guide end (21) to a rear end (22) and including a first surface outer (27) and a second outer surface (26) separated from the first outer surface by a rib including a ramp (28) extending outwardly and away from the first outer surface (27) and a first closing surface ( 31) extending inward toward the second outer surface (26); a second coupling member (30) extending from a receiving end (50) to a remote end (51) and including an inward facing surface (53) dimensioned to receive the first coupling member (20), the second coupling member (30) also including an inwardly facing annular groove (54) configured to reduce stress risers in the second coupling member (30), the inwardly facing annular groove (54) having a second locking surface (55); and a resiliently expandable closure ring (60) received in the annular groove facing inwardly (54) of the second coupling member (30) in a first position, the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) having an inner diameter sized to receive the first outer surface (27) of the first coupling member (20) and engaging and expanding to a larger radial size by the ramp (28) upon movement of the first coupling member (20) additionally towards the second coupling member (30), the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) configured for diametrally retracted resiliently to become trapped between the first closure surface (31) and the second closure surface (55) in a second position upon further movement of the first coupling member (20) to the second coupling member (30) The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the inwardly facing annular groove (54) is further defined by a front surface and a fillet radius (99) disposed between the front surface and the second closure surface (55). ). The coupling assembly of claim 2, wherein the transition between the front surface, the second closure surface (55) and the fillet radius (99) does not include a point. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the inwardly facing annular groove (54) is further defined by a second closure surface (55) extending outward and away from the inwardly facing surface (53). ), an internal slit surface connected to the second closure surface (55) and extending generally parallel to the inward facing surface (53), a front surface connected to the internal slit surface which is generally orthogonal to the internal slit surface, and a fillet radius (99) disposed between the front surface and the second closure surface. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second closure surface (55) is a bevel. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second closure surface (55) is a concave surface. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second closure surface (55) is a convex surface. The coupling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a release sleeve (33) having a member (36) adapted to engage and force the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) to the first closure surface (31). ), towards the annular groove (54) and over the rib to release the first coupling member (20) from the second coupling member (30). A coupling assembly, comprising: a first coupling member (20) extending along an axis (AA) of a guide end (21) to a rear end (22) and including a first outer surface (27) and a second outer surface (26) separated from the first outer surface by a rib including a ramp (28) extending outwardly and away from the first outer surface (27) and a first closing surface (31) extending inward toward the second outer surface (26); a second coupling member (30) extending from a receiving end (50) to a remote end (51) and including an inward facing surface (53) dimensioned to receive the first coupling member (20), the second coupling member (30) including an inwardly facing annular groove (54) extending outward from the inwardly facing surface (53), the groove (54) including a leading surface, a second non-linear closing surface (55) extending outwardly and away from the inward facing surface (53) and a fillet radius (99) separating the front surface and the second closure surface (55); and a resiliently expandable closure ring (60) positioned in the inwardly facing annular groove (54) of the second coupling member (30), the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) having an inner diameter sized for receive the first exterior surface (27) of the first coupling member (20) and linked and expanded to a larger radial size by the ramp (28) upon movement of the first coupling member (20) further towards the second coupling member (30), the ring of resiliently expandable closure (60) configured for diametrally retracted resiliently to become trapped between the first closure surface (31) and the second closure surface (55) in a second position upon further movement of the first coupling member (20) to the second coupling member (30) The coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the transition between the front surface, the second closure surface (55) and the fillet radius (99) does not include a point. 11. The coupling assembly of the claim 9, where the second closure surface (55) is a concave surface. The coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the second closure surface (55) is a convex surface. The coupling assembly of claim 9, further including a release sleeve (33) having a member (36) adapted to engage and force the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) to the first closure surface ( 31), towards the annular groove (54) and over the rib to release the first coupling member (20) from the second coupling member (30). A coupling assembly, comprising: a first coupling member (20) extending along an axis (A-A) of a guide end (21) at one end rear (22) and including a first exterior surface (27) and a second exterior surface (26) separated from the first exterior surface by a rib including a ramp (28) extending outward and away from the first exterior surface ( 26) and a first closure surface (31) extending inward toward the second exterior surface (26); a second coupling member (30) extending from a receiving end (50) to a remote end (51) and including an inward facing surface (53) dimensioned to receive the first coupling member (20), the second coupling member (30) including an inwardly facing annular groove (54) having a first surface portion that functions as a second closure surface (55) and a second surface portion that forms a transition to the first portion of surface without intersecting in a point; a resiliently expandable closure ring (60) placed in the inwardly facing annular groove (54) of the second coupling member (30), the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) having an inner diameter sized to receive the first outer surface (27) of the first coupling member (20) and linked and expanded to a larger radial size by the ramp (28) upon movement of the first coupling member (20) further towards the second coupling member (30), the ring from resiliently expandable closure (60) configured to diametrally retract in a resilient manner to become trapped between the first closure surface (31) and the second closure surface upon further movement of the first coupling member (20) to the second coupling member (30). 15. The coupling assembly of the claim 14, wherein the transition between the first and second surface portions includes a fillet radius (99). 16. The coupling assembly of the claim 14, where the second closure surface (54) is a bevel. 17. The coupling assembly of the claim 14, wherein the second closure surface (54) is a concave surface. 18. The coupling assembly of the claim 14, where the second closure surface (54) is a convex surface. 19. The coupling assembly of the claim 14, further including a release sleeve (33) having a member (36) adapted to engage and force the resiliently expandable closure ring (60) to the first closure surface (31), toward the annular groove (54). ) and on the rib to release the first coupling member (20) from the second coupling member (30).