CN1969142A

CN1969142A - Fitting for tube and pipe

Info

Publication number: CN1969142A
Application number: CN 200580019992
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·C·威廉斯; T·贝里; G·卡尔森; A·P·马沙尔; M·克拉森; M·贝内特; S·S·莫吉
Original assignee: Swagelok Co
Current assignee: Swagelok Co
Priority date: 2004-04-22
Filing date: 2005-04-22
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-22
Also published as: CN101666403B; CN101666403A; CN100554748C

Abstract

A fitting (10) for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component (12) adapted to receive the conduit end (T) ; a conduit gripping device (20,22) such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component (16) that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion (36) on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion (31) of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality.

Description

The accessory that is used for pipe and pipeline

Related application

The sequence number that the application requires to submit on April 22nd, 2004 is 60/564,358, denomination of invention is 60/633 for " HARDENED TUBE FITTING (sclerosis pipe fitting) " with in the sequence number that on December 7th, 2004 submitted to, 885, denomination of invention is the preference of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of " FITTING FORTUBE AND PIPE (accessory that is used for pipe and pipeline) ", and whole disclosures of these temporary patent applications are combined among the present invention fully by reference.

Background technique

For decades, non-flared type accessory is used for conduit always, as pipe and pipeline.Non-flared type accessory is used for connecting or in conjunction with two pipes or pipeline, perhaps catheter end being connected to another assembly, as container, valve, manifold or the like.How many kinds the assembly that uses with accessory has, and how many kinds are the purposes of accessory just have.A kind of very general non-flared type accessory is a hoop formula accessory.In hoop formula accessory, use one or more hoops that catheter end is connected to the accessory member, this accessory member is typically called the accessory body.The accessory body can be connected to another assembly (perhaps becoming the part of another assembly) then.In hoop formula accessory, one or more hoops must be set up fluid-tight, especially under pressure, and sufficiently conduit are clamped and protection is not subjected to the influence of vibrating fatigue.The high-performance accessory, as the accessory that can obtain from the Swagelok company in Ohio Solon city, can repeatedly stand the rated pressure of accessory, and do not leak, do not have vibrating fatigue nor can explosion to conduit will sealing suffer damage or bind round may lose the clamping of conduit before the point of explosion.

Be connected with other end and compare, the advantage of hoop formula accessory be except rectangle cheaply be shaped and deburring, they also do not rely on pipe or the special preparation of pipeline end.This is because hoop produces the clamping of sealing and pipe.

Because its high reliability uses the non-flared type accessory of hoop to be widely used for the precision chemical treatment device.For example, in semi-conductor industry, such accessory is guaranteed expensive or toxic chemical substance does not leak.Typically, these purposes high cleanings, and therefore depend on the conduit made from stainless steel or other low-corrosiveness high strength alloy.

Low-cost market, as automobile industry, convection cell connects the performance requirement that itself is arranged.Be apparent that most that the automobile assembling requires comparatively simple assembly program.Automobile industry adheres to using hoop formula accessory all the time, is not only the reason for cost, also because the needs of assembling.Hoop is the very circlet shape member that cost can reduce or reduce in the low-cost high yield equipment.Typical hoop formula accessory is also assembled with being commonly referred to as the mode that tightens by rotation.Two screw members, as nut and body, holding conduit end and one or more hoop.Assembling at first is to be tightened to hand-tight (finger tight) state, and then, the number of turns of regulation as 1 not only 1/4 circle or 1 but also 1/2 circle, is used for and will be tightened to its final assembled state on the accessory.Carefully the number of turns is made regulation to avoid over torque or to tighten deficiency.And on the other hand, automobile industry typically needs to come parts by torque.This uses torque wrench or instrument to carry out final assembling with regard to allowing, and correctly assembles to guarantee accessory.

Motor vehicle of future generation, especially the visitor uses vehicle, may belong to the alternative fuel field, as High Pressure Hydrogen, will the required pressure grade will be considerably beyond the rated pressure (though being not the pressure capability of the non-flared type accessory of high-performance hoop formula) of the present non-flared type accessory of hoop formula.For example, estimate that Gaseous Hydrogen will be with 15, the pressure of 000psi (15ksi) holds.The rated pressure of present non-flared type pipe fittings is below 10ksi.

For the non-flared type accessory of present high pressure, in some purposes at least, the material that must will be used for the flow element of accessory hardens.In order to achieve this end, the material mould of making the accessory body can be the material by the heat treatment sclerosis, and perhaps in the Austenitic Stainless Steel example, available work-hardening bar is made.For straight connection fittings, be suitable with the manufacturing of work-hardening bar.But, more complicated structure as elbow and T shape, requires bigger material mould basically.For the accessory of these types, wide variety of materials must be got rid of, so just improved manufacture cost.

On the other hand, some threaded tube accessories are with tight forging manufacturing, closely not only economical with materials but also save cost of forging.Forging the accessory element is accepted in low-pressure applications widely.But, forging process can cause anneal of material, and annealing causes carrying out the work-hardening in any early stage.Therefore, forge element and typically be unsuitable for high-pressure applications.

Summary of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of accessory, this accessory moves under the high pressure grade, and does not reduce by two leakages that banded penstock road accessory is realized of morning.The quality of clamping and vibration performance aspect, even in utilizing some embodiments of low-cost manufacturing process and material, also be like this.In one embodiment, positive accessory element as nut, comprises structure, and this structural limitations pipe Clamp is as one or more hoops.Like this, cooperate cloudy accessory element just to need not to make with hardened material.Therefore, according to other aspects of the invention, the invention provides the high-tension fitting of the accessory body that utilizes a kind of material, and cooperate nut to make with harder material.For example, the accessory body can be the annealing stainless steel, and nut can be the work-hardening stainless steel.This combination can be used for having greater than in 8ksi even the purposes greater than the elevated pressures of the rated pressure of 12ksi.This part ground is the use because of nut, and this nut has about 1.3: 1 to 2: 1 (Vickers hardness scale) even the bigger hardness ratio with respect to the accessory body.In another embodiment, utilization is carried out surface hardening so that stone hoop to be provided as low temperature carburization with hoop.In another embodiment, nut provides the secondary pressure sealing to the surface of accessory body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of accessory, this accessory has first element, and first element has the part that is suitable for limiting tube fixture, with the external process sclerosis of this element, for example, in the zone that radially limits.In one embodiment, with the selected part work-hardening of accessory, for example, by cloudy accessory element-external is partly gone up or lip-deep Material Physics distortion with the work-hardening of cloudy accessory element.Because the part work-hardening that will select, so cloudy accessory element can made with non-hardened material by forging or forging type at first.In another embodiment, work-hardening provides more useful structure to accessory.For example, work-hardening can comprise the outside thread circle that allows accessory to be connected with another device or structure.The invention still further relates to the method for optionally work-hardening, as by rolling circumferential ridge or screw thread, for example, on female thread accessory element, female thread accessory element can be made forging at first.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of hoop formula non-flared type accessory, can this accessory be tightened to its final assembled state on selectively by torque rather than rotation.In one embodiment, positive accessory element such as nut comprise a kind of structure, and this structure has the surface, and the surface engagement on this surface and the cloudy accessory element is so that tighten by torque.In another embodiment, provide hoop, and the surface engagement on flange and the cloudy accessory element is so that tighten by torque.In another embodiment, nut comprises the outer surface that engages with outer surface on the accessory body, for example, and the surface of tool engagement part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of hoop formula non-flared type accessory, this accessory allows by providing single assembly easily to install, and this single component has the one or more hoops with the clamping of accessory element.In one embodiment, tube head (cartridge) nut component allows one or more hoops were firmly held on the accessory element before installing, so that these hoops separated before installing with the accessory element.In another embodiment of the present invention, provide a kind of instrument, this instrument was firmly held in one or more hoops on the accessory element before installing, and can remove at assembly process.

The present invention also provides the accessory with the cloudy accessory body of annealing and the combination of sun sclerosis nut, and this accessory has by what torque was carried out and tightens function.The present invention also provides has the accessory that tightens to the torque function combinations, and the nut of this accessory has one or more hoops are remained on the not function of installment state.The present invention also provides has the accessory that tightens to the torque function combinations, and the nut of this accessory has the function that the accessory body is formed sealing.The present invention also provides a kind of accessory with female thread body, and the female thread body has at least two tapers or cammed surfaces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of hoop formula non-flared type accessory, this accessory comprises positive nut, when accessory is in when tightening state the concordant or recessed accessory body with the accessory body of positive nut.In one embodiment, provide wedge shape sun nut, the hexagonal region of this wedge shape sun nut is removed to reduce its total length corresponding to wedge tool.

Description of drawings

By the following description that the present invention is carried out also with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art can understand feature of the present invention described above, in these figure:

Fig. 1 is the longitdinal cross-section diagram according to an one exemplary embodiment of accessory of the present invention;

Figure 1A, B and C show the different screw threads of the accessory element of the exemplary accessory that is used to be shown in Fig. 1 and select;

Fig. 2 is first amplification sectional view that binds round that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is second amplification sectional view that binds round that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is the sectional view of nut that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is the sectional view that is shown in the nut of Fig. 5, amplifies in the tube head zone;

Fig. 6 is the sectional view of accessory body that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1, and this accessory is in hand-tight state, and amplifies in the hoop zone;

Fig. 8 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1, and this accessory is in the state of tightening, and amplifies in the hoop zone;

Fig. 9 is used to be shown in the torque of exemplary accessory of Fig. 1 and the interpretative data plotted curve of nut;

Figure 10 is shown in the nut of exemplary accessory of Fig. 1 and the longitdinal cross-section diagram of two hoops, and nut and two hoops are installed on the instrument;

Figure 11 is shown in the perspective view of the instrument among Figure 10;

Figure 12 A and B are the side cross-sectional view that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Fig. 1, the figure shows the different step of utilizing instrument assembling accessory;

Figure 13 is the longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state;

Figure 14 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Figure 13, and this accessory is in the state of tightening, and amplifies in the hoop zone;

Figure 15 is the sectional view of nut that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is the sectional view that is shown in the nut of Figure 15, and this figure amplifies in the tube head zone;

Figure 17 is first amplification sectional view that binds round that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Figure 13;

Figure 18 is second amplification sectional view that binds round that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Figure 13;

Figure 19 is the longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state;

Figure 20 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram that is shown in the exemplary accessory of Figure 19, and this accessory is in the state of tightening, and amplifies in the hoop zone;

Figure 21 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state;

Figure 22 is the perspective view of the wedge tool used with the exemplary accessory that is shown in Figure 21;

Figure 23 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in the state of tightening;

Figure 24 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and this accessory is in hand-tight state, and amplifies in the hoop zone;

Figure 25 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another the exemplary accessory among the present invention, and this accessory is in hand-tight state, and amplifies in the hoop zone.

Embodiment

Though present invention is described with reference to multiple Structural Characteristics and material characteristics by concrete for this specification, these are described in is exemplary in essence, and should not make an explanation in limiting sense.For example, mainly the one exemplary embodiment of the Stainless Steel Tube subassembly that is used for the automobile purposes is described.But, those of skill in the art can easily understand any one or many aspects of the present invention and feature and all can be used for field outside the automobile industry, can use by other material outside stainless steel, and can use with many conduits, these conduits are including but not limited to pipe or pipeline.And many aspects of the present invention can be used for low Press fitting, perhaps, and higher rated pressure notion disclosed in this specification even when accessory itself will be used for low-pressure applications, also can be used in the accessory.Further, the one exemplary embodiment in this specification has illustrated common alleged cloudy formula accessory, refers to just that the moon (promptly inner) screw member holds and in abutting connection with end of conduit.As those of skill in the art can understand, many aspects of the present invention can be used in the positive formula accessory purposes.The present invention also can be used for and does not require in the furniture assembly purposes that is threaded between the accessory element, and for example, can use the accessory of clamping or bolt combination.The present invention also can be used in the connection purposes of the one exemplary embodiment in this specification head and shoulders above, these connections can be used in the flow element of broadness and very vast kind, these flow elements are including but not limited to other conduit, fluidic device, container and manifold, or the like.

Though this specification is described and illustrates different aspect of the present invention in conjunction with one exemplary embodiment, these different aspects can be separately or are combined in many alternate embodiments with the branch of various combination or these combinations and realize.Unless clearly get rid of outside this specification, these all combinations and branch combination all are intended to comprise within the scope of the present invention.Further, though the different alternate embodiments of different aspect of the present invention and feature can be described in this manual, as substitution material, structure, pipe, method, equipment, software, hardware, control logic or the like, but these describe the complete or exhaustive list that is not intended to available alternate embodiment, no matter are known today or later proposition.Those of skill in the art can easily be used for one or more aspects of the present invention, notion or feature the additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention, also are like this even if do not have under the disclosed clearly in this manual situation in these embodiments.In addition, though some feature of the present invention, notion or aspect can be described as preferred arrangement or method in this manual, it is desired or essential that such description is not intended to the such feature of suggestion, unless clear and definite explanation is arranged in this specification.And, can comprise exemplary or representative value and scope to help the understanding of the present invention, but, these values and scope should not make an explanation in limiting sense, and if such offering some clarification on arranged, only should be interpreted as strict value or scope.

Though the accessory element that this specification is made with stainless steel by concrete reference is described different embodiments, it is exemplary that such being described in is intended in essence, and should not make an explanation in limiting sense.Those of skill in the art can easily understand, can realize the present invention by using any amount of different types of accessory element material and metal pipeline material, these metal pipeline material are including but not limited to 316L, 304 and 304L 316; Any austenite or Ferritic Stainless Steel; Any pair of stainless steel; Any nickel alloy is as Hastelloy (HASTALLOY), English section alloy (INCONEL), monel metal (MONEL), alloy 825 and alloy 625; Any PH Stainless Steel is as 17-4PH; Brass and Cuprum alloy; Any carbon or low alloy steel are as the 12L14 steel.The importance that material is selected is preferably should be with a carburizing of pipeline holding device or through hardening to a ratio, at least 3.3 times of the ratios of the hardest pipeline material that this ratio will use greater than accessory, preferred 4 times or bigger.Therefore, the pipeline holding device needn't be used and the identical materials manufacturing of pipeline own.For example, pipeline clamping material can be selected from stainless steel material noted earlier, but perhaps carbon oozes other suitable material of sclerosis, and as magnesium, titanium and aluminium, these materials are listed in other example.

Referring to Fig. 1, accessory 10 comprises that the first accessory element, 12, the first accessory elements 12 can be with the form realization of female thread body, and the female thread body has internal thread 14.The first accessory element 12 engages or connects the second accessory element 16, the second accessory element 16 can be realized with the form of external screw thread nut, the external screw thread nut has outside thread 18, and outside thread 18 is when accessory 10 assembling or assembling and screw thread 14 screw-thread fit of first element 12.Different screw thread select and non-threaded be connected to design can be used for the first and second accessory elements.

Figure 1A, B and C show the different screw threads that are threaded that are used between body 12 and the nut 16 and select.Figure 1A shows symmetrical flank of thread 19a and the 19b that becomes (promptly 60 degree comprises the angle) 30 ° of angles with normal.Figure 1B shows the selection of inclined ladder shape screw thread design and uses, in this inclined ladder shape screw thread design, these flank of thread are asymmetric, and flank of thread 19a typically with the scopes of normal into about 45 degree in, adjacent flank of thread with normal into about 3 degree to the scopes of about 7 degree.This inclined ladder shape screw thread design provides the high strength load in a side, to help to reduce the enlarging of nut in high torque (HT) assembly process and high-pressure applications.Fig. 1 C shows the use of trapezoidal thread, and wherein flank of thread is symmetrical once more, but angle is steeper, as spending into about 3 degree extremely about 7 with normal.Compare with the screw thread of 60 degree, this trapezoidal thread design provides more high-intensity load equably.

Accessory 10 also comprises pipe gripping device.Hoop is the example of pipe gripping device, and comprises two hoops in this example: preceding first hoop 20 and back or second hoop 22.But, accessory can be designed so that with single hoop or alternative pipe gripping device.Nut 16 and bind round 20 and 22 and be installed among the end of conduit T, end of conduit T is held by body 12.

Fig. 2 is the amplification sectional view that is shown in first or preceding hoop of the exemplary accessory among Fig. 1.First hoop 20 is the common parts in the form of a ring with general cylindrical inwall 24, and inwall 24 slides above the outer surface S of tube end T (see figure 1).First hoop 20 has outer surface 26, outer surface 26 usually with the taper mode to forward part 28 to outwards being tapered to rear section 30.Can comprise sharp front edge 32 and round nose part 34 to forward part 28.Comprise truncated cone groove 36 to rear section 30, truncated cone groove 36 forms cam face 38.The outer surface 26 that attenuates can converge at the flange of axially aligning 40 (wherein the X-axis line is the central longitudinal axis of conduit and accessory 10).

Fig. 3 is the amplification sectional view that is shown in second or back hoop of the exemplary accessory among Fig. 1.Second hoop 22 is the common parts in the form of a ring with general cylindrical inwall 42, and inwall 42 slides above the outer surface S of tube end T (see figure 1).Second hoop 22 also comprises nasal portion 46 and axially extended outer surface 44, and axially extended outer surface 44 extends around rear section 48 hoop.Nasal portion 46 comprises that sharp front edge 50 and first tapering part, 52, the first tapering parts 52 48 extend towards the rear section from cusp edge 50 with the anterior angle α of 15 degree according to appointment.First tapering part 52 merges with second tapering part 54 as radius or combines along first curved section 56.Second tapering part 54 at the angle or edge 58 and axial component 44 merge or combine, angle or edge 58 also can be radiuses.Second tapering part 54 is with the angle β extension of 35 degree according to appointment.

Second hoop 22 also comprises rear end part 60, and rear end part 60 has driven surperficial 62.Driven surperficial 62 with according to appointment 5 the degree (with vertical with X-axis be reference) angle δ extend radially outwardly.Driven surperficial 62 merge or combine along second curved section 64 and axial component 44.

Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 shows the sectional view of the nut that is shown in the exemplary accessory among Fig. 1.Nut 16 has the total cylindrical structure that limits center hole 66, and at assembly process, center hole 66 holds tube end T.Nut 16 has the front end 68 that limits bearing, groove or cage 70.Bearing 70 is limited by cylindrical first portion 72 and truncated cone part 74, and truncated cone part 74 radially inwardly is tapered towards the rearward end 75 of nut 16.Truncated cone part 74 forms drive surfaces, during tightening, and this drive surfaces and second or driven surperficial 62 contacting of binding round of back.Drive surfaces 74 is with the angle τ formation of 15 degree according to appointment.Because angle τ is different from angle δ, bind round after the institute 22 driven surperficial 62 contact (see figure 7) in outer radius 64 with drive surfaces 74 at first.Difference angle φ guarantees that nut 16 and second binds round contacting with tube end T between 22 and radially separates, wherein φ=τ-δ; Like this, driven surperficial 62 with drive surfaces 74 between contact just not concordant.

Bearing 70 is radially forming in extension and common cylindrical wall or the tube head 76.Tube head 76 is made at least a portion to rear section 30 that also keeps preceding hoop 20 with the back of portion's maintenance within it hoop 22 according to size requirement, to form nut and hoop assembly or tube head nut component 78 (see figure 10)s.Word tube head as used in this specification is the simple connotation of accessory component concept, be external screw thread nut 16 in this example with a kind of structure, this structure can keep one or more hoops therein, even also is not like this when cooperating the accessory element to install at assembly.Therefore, the tube head nut component 78 that comprises tube head nut 16 and one or

more hoop

20 and 22 both can also can be used for these hoops and nut are kept together when assembly is not installed when assembly only is installed in the body 12 with hand-tight state.

Many different technology are used in final tightening and before one or

more hoops

20 and 22 are remained in the tube head nut 16, perhaps even with initial assembly remain in the cooperation accessory element.For example, pollution-free glue or tackiness agent can be used for

hoop

20 and 22 is kept in position, and glue is tightening its chucking power of release under the power.Perhaps, tube head wall 76 is slightly radially inwardly curled, remain among the tube head wall 76 will bind round 20 and 22.And can use tackiness agent, this tackiness agent splits into oiling agent when tightening, tighten torque to help to reduce.In another embodiment disclosed in this invention, utilize instrument that these parts are kept together and as assembly 78 (see figure 10)s.

Referring to Fig. 5, tube head 76 can comprise tapering part 82, and tapering part 82 is tapered towards rearward end 75 radially outwards of nut 16.Tapering part 82 is with the angle θ extension of 45 degree according to appointment.

Nut 16 also comprises tool engagement part 80, and tool engagement part 80 allows to use torque wrench or other instrument to tighten and to go up fitted component 10.The tool engagement part 80 of one exemplary embodiment realizes as hexagon part 80 among Fig. 1.Tool engagement part 80 can form in many ways.For example, nut 16 can comprise wedged hole, and this wedged hole allows to use corresponding wedge shape spanner to tighten and to go up fitted component, as in the description relevant with Figure 21 and 22.

Nut 16 also can comprise neck 77, and the external diameter of neck 77 reduces and a little between screw thread 18 and tool engagement part 80.Neck 77 can be used for providing intrinsic metering (intrinsicgauge) function with tightening of carry out of checking by torque and correctly tightening by tightening of carrying out of rotation.Intrinsic metering is meant and related structure or the device of accessory (opposite with independent instrument or measurer) itself, the indication that this structure or device provide accessory correctly to assemble and tighten to assembler.Multiple structure or device can be realized this intrinsic function of measuring, their example is at international application No.03/07739 and U.S. Patent application No.10/711,353 and U.S. Patent No. 6,640, open among 457 B2, whole disclosures of these patent/applications by reference in its entirety be combined among the present invention.Can use gap gauge in known manner, to confirm correctly tightening of accessory 10.

Referring to Fig. 6, female thread body 12 is the cylindrical generally parts that place on the central position of X-axis line.Body 12 has the opening 83 that is positioned at forward end 84, and forward end 84 is suitable for holding tube end T.Centre-drilling hole 86 extends through body 12 and forms port 88, and port 88 limits fluid flow passages.Port 88 can be used for setting up with the fluid of another parts and is communicated with, as valve, T shape pipe, bend pipe and manifold etc.It should be noted that, though shown female thread accessory element 12 is single individual components, but the feature of this element that is utilized when foundation is connected with the fluid of external screw thread accessory element can be combined in 85 of blocks, as manifold, valve, pump, jar etc., is commonly referred to as fluid port.

This male threaded shank also comprises the countersink 89 that forms shoulder 90.Tube end T is positioned at the bottom of shoulder 90 when being held by body 12.Countersink 89 can have tapering slightly, to help forming sealing around tube end T when accessory 10 tightens.

Cloudy accessory element 12 also comprises first conical surface and second conical surface, first conical surface such as frusto-conical surface 92, the second conical surfaces such as frusto-conical surface 94.First frusto-conical surface 92 forms first or hoop cam face and can axially be adjacent to the forward end of countersink 89 in body 12.Second frusto-conical surface 94 forms second or tube head cam face and can axially be adjacent to the forward end of first cam face 92 in body 12, or is positioned near the forward end of first cam face 92.First or the hoop cam face form with angle σ.But diagonal angle σ selects with the cam action of optimization with the nasal portion 34 of first hoop 20.In typical two hoops and single hoop accessory, this angle is about 20 degree, but can be to spend to any suitable value 45 degree from about 10.

Second or tube head cam face 94 form with angle ρ.In this example, this angle is about 45 degree, but and does not require this angle.Angle σ and ρ each other can be identical or different.In the example of this specification, these two angle differences are so there is the radially step 96 that two cam faces 92 and 94 are combined.This step can be angle or tapering or other profile radially or that can have itself as required.

Body 12 also comprise with positive nut 16 on the female thread 14 of screw thread 18 screw-thread fit.It should be noted that and by closing or remove port 86 body 84 to be formed cap, as be used to cover the cap on the end of fluid line.Body 12 can be provided with the hexagon flat, to be convenient to downwards this body of clamping during tightening nuts 16 during tightening.Certainly, tighten the translation to axial that relates between accessory element, nut 16 and the body 12, in the case, this translation is to axial caused with relative rotation between the body by nut, no matter which accessory element of clamping and rotation which.In non-threaded connection, tighten the translation to axial that relates between two accessory elements that undertaken by the mode outside two screw members, for example, make two elements together by holding device.

Body 12 also can comprise from binding round the work-hardening part 81 that 20 and 22 common radially outwards form.Except from

pipe gripping device

20 and 22 radially outwards, also can suitably select to be used to specify purposes the amount and the position of work-hardening.Preferred work-hardening part extends to radially radially outer at least one position of step 96 from the forward end 84 of accessory body 12.But, work-hardening partly may extend into the whole length as the outer surface of the radially outer position of the end backward of first cam face 92 or extending body 12.Work-hardening is by realizing the material plastic deformation on the exterior section of accessory element 12.Can be in many ways with this material plastic deformation.For example, work-hardening can realize or realize by the outer external screw thread 98 on the rolling accessory body 12 by producing a series of rolling circumferential ridge usually.

Fig. 7 and 8 shows respectively at hand-tight state and the accessory body 10 that tightens state, and these figure amplify in the hoop zone.In the hand-tight state shown in Fig. 7, first or preceding hoop nasal portion 28 be positioned partially at by in the hoop cam face 92 formed cam mouths.Should notice that back hoop 22 engages with the drive surfaces 74 of nut 16 with difference angle φ.This rear end part 60 of just guaranteeing second hoop 22 during tightening can move from the outer surface S radially outward of tube end T or keep.Simultaneously, nasal portion 46 plastic deformations of back hoop 22 so that cusp edge 50 is nipped or recessed surfaces S, are so just produced strong pipe clamping shoulder 100 and fluid-tight.Hoop nose 46 is also according to hinge through so that part 102 radial compression of cylindrical wall 42 are on the S of tube wall surface, with will 22 extruding (swage) of back hoop or be embedded in engaging device 100 axially spaced surfaces on.This height radial compression of back hoop 22 and the zone of embedding provide the influence that the good protection of interlock or recess 100 is not vibrated.Therefore, back hoop 22 is designed to when distortion according to hinge through, and the embedding zone (collect area) 102 between the rearward end 60 that when tightening, influences interlock or recess 100 and bind round, and rearward end part 60 is moved or the radially outward maintenance from the outer surface S radially outward of tube end T.Except other means, the exact position that embeds zone 102 is also determined by the size of hoop 22.In some cases, embed zone 102 and can be adjacent to interlock or recess 100, and in other cases, this embedding zone radially separates with this interlock or recess and occurs.In some cases, embedding zone 102 also is characteristics with the convex shape, this convex shape extruding tube end.

Between two

accessory elements

12 and 16, carry out translation to axial, so that the conical surface forward 82 of tube head 76 contacts with second conical surface 94 of body 12 and be cam-shaped on second conical surface 94 of body 12.Contact the action that produces similar mold pressing between tube head 76 and the v shape surface 94, so that the strong fluid-tight that tube head conical surface 82 forms cam face 94.Simultaneously, preceding hoop surface especially on the preceding hoop surface at radius 34 places, forms the sealing to first cam face 92.Preceding hoop 20 can be selected the extruding or the tube wall S that nips, so that the clamping to pipe to be provided.

Hoop

20 and 22 fundamental function is fluid-tight and pipe clamping and opposing from the vibrating fatigue that external system caused.Before hoop 20 sealings that are used for basically body 12 and outer tube surface S, then bind round 22 and be used for the backup seal of outer tube surface S and good pipe clamping is provided.In these purposes, concrete geometrical shape and the operating method that can select a plurality of or single hoop according to the requirement and the employed material category of concrete purposes.For example, one or more grooves that back hoop 22 can be provided with in the interior cylindrical wall 42 of hoop, but and the driven surperficial 62 profiling manufacturings of hoop.And, hoop one or two in 20 and 22 all can be carried out surface hardening, for example, provide stone anticorrosive hoop by low temperature carburization.Can partly or entirely carry out surface hardening to what bind round the surface.A plurality of patent disclosures of having announced can be used for the surface hardening and the geometrical shape notion of these hoops, as U.S. Patent No. 6,629,708, No.6,547,888, No.6,165,597 and No.6,093,303 and PCT International Application No. WO 02/063195A2 and WO 02/063194A3, these U. S. Patents are licensing to assignee of the present invention, all disclosures of these patents are passed through reference in its entirety ground in conjunction with in the present invention, and these PCT international applications are also by with reference to combination in the present invention.But, the notion in these patents and this specification is to demonstration of the present invention in itself, and should not make an explanation on the meaning that limits.Many different surface hardening process and multiple geometrical construction are suitably controlled the plastic deformation of hoop during being used in and tightening, to guarantee enough sealings and pipe clamping.

Under elevated pressure, as 15ksi, tube wall tends to radial dilatation and therefore and outwards promotes hoop 20 and 22.Tube head 76 is used for radially holding

hoop

20 and 22 and avoid sealing loss with the pipe clamping.Attention: any part of hoop 20 does not have too many restriction before 12 pairs of the bodies.The stress of hoop 20 is realized by tube head 76 before radially holding under pressure, and the situation of binding round for the back also is like this.This point is extremely important, and reason will be described below.Should also be noted that: particularly in Fig. 1, also can work by tube head 76 is radially limited and is supported in the assembled state in selectivity work-hardening outside 81, to hold higher pressure.

When tightening, when tube head 76 when second cam face 94 in the body 12 engages, not only tube head can form the sealing of fluid pressure, and assembler also can be noticed and tightens sharply and significantly increasing of torque.Fig. 9 is the interpretative data plotted curve of torque and nut.Attention is in regional A, because hoop 20 and 22 is in pipe T and the plastic deformation when being cam-shaped on body cam face 92 and preceding hoop cam face 38 of nipping, so torque increases slightly slowly and stably.But, in case tube head 76 contacts with second cam face 94 in the body 12, the torque in the area B just sharply and significantly increases.By to suitably selecting corresponding to the suitable torque value that tightens, accessory 10 will be tightened by torque, rather than is tightened by rotation.Therefore, simple torque wrench just can assemble accessory 10.This and accessory of the prior art have formed obvious contrast, and in the prior art, torque increases when the hoop distortion gradually.Because too many factor can influence torque readings gradually, so torque always can not be used for accurately measuring correctly tightening of prior art accessory.And accessory of the prior art typically tightens by counting the displacement with respect to body of the number of turns or nut.For example, the regional A among Fig. 9 shows, compares with respect to the great displacement of body with nut, and the increase of torque can be considerably little, so just avoids the too close relation of the torque generation and the number of turns or displacement.

Make cam face 94 rotate an angle,, allow accessory 10 to form again as rotating with angle ρ.Accessory 10 each forms again and the tube head subassembly entered further be used for each body that forms again, even if not enough to swear by.For very rapid torque increase, angle ρ can approach 90 degree (with respect to X-axis).This alternative arrangement will provide the obvious increase of torque, to be tightened by torque, initially tighten the ability that forms accessory 10 again afterwards but can reduce in some cases.

Referring to Fig. 8 and as the alternate embodiment in Figure 14 and 21, tube head after also tightening in order to contacting of tightening of realizing being undertaken between front surface 82 and the body conical surface 94 for tube head by torque generation to the radial support of body.When further using, these embodiments' this feature helps the use of accessory when the high pressure that tightens function carried out with torque.

Other alternate embodiment can be used for realizing by tightening that torque is carried out, rather than tube head 76 is engaged with body 12.For example, hoop can be designed to realize that the mode that tightens of being undertaken by torque engages with body, as below by reference Figure 19 and 20 descriptions of being carried out.In addition, any two surfaces that are generally radially in nut 16 and the body 12 can be designed to engage when suitably the tightening of accessory, and increase so that rapid torque to be provided.For example, the outer surface on the accessory body can be designed to engage with the outer surface of nut when tightening fully.These surfaces, as cam face 94 and tube head conical surface 82, rotatable angle is to take into account the formation again of accessory.

Accessory according to the present invention can be used in the pressure purposes that pressure is lower than 12ksi even 8ksi, but more obviously is the accessory that can be used as the higher nominal pressure that is higher than 8ksi even 12ksi.Many features of the present invention are relevant with the ability that aspect and accessory stand higher nominal pressure, in the description that will carry out.

Different with traditional cloudy formula accessory, the invention provides accessory 10, in this accessory,

hoop

20 and 22 especially before hoop 20 radially carry out pressure limit by positive accessory element rather than by cloudy accessory element.In other words, preceding hoop 20 engages with cam face 92 in the mode that is similar to cloudy accessory design of the prior art, but is carried out pressure limit and kept under pressure by tube head 76.

For the accessory made from stainless steel, nut 16 can be the work-hardening parts, as processing with pole stock, because nut must be sufficiently firm, with restricting

collar

20 and 22 under elevated pressures.But, cloudy body 12 need not to form with the work-hardening material, because cloudy body 12 needn't be used for

protection hoop

20 and 22 under pressure.Therefore, body 12 can form with annealed material, as passing through forging or foundry goods.The cost that forms accessory body 12 as Austenitic Stainless Steel by forging or foundry goods can be significantly less than by the cost of processing with sclerosis pole stock formation accessory body.Under the complex-shaped situation of accessory body (or its part) especially like this, as T shape or elbow-shaped.Therefore, utilize the present invention greatly to reduce cost.And, can not can be used for organizator by the Austenitic Stainless Steel that heat treated is hardened and need not steel work-hardening.Be good in many purposes with the Austenitic Stainless Steel organizator, because Austenitic Stainless Steel has fabulous corrosion resistance.

Provide the ability of the accessory 10 that can under higher nominal pressure or working pressure, move and have the annealing body also greatly to expand its effective use.For example, can be by in the multiple fluid element made from softer annealed metal, providing cloudy port to form accessory body 12, these flow elements such as pump casing, cylinder head, manifold and jar, or the like.But, another alternate embodiment regulation, if requirement is arranged, body 12 can be made or the part of body is carried out work-hardening with the work-hardening material, especially under higher nominal pressure and working pressure situation.

The part of accessory body 12 is carried out work-hardening selectively can make accessory stand high internal pressure, and also indeformable or damage, this distortion or damage can cause the leakage of accessory 10.Therefore, the part of accessory body being carried out advantage that work-hardening provided selectively is similar to and does not use body to protect

pipe gripping device

20 and 22 under pressure.Especially, body 12 can form with annealed material rather than sclerosis pole stock.The result who does like this is that accessory 10 can move under higher nominal pressure or working pressure, but cost is well below high-tension fitting of the prior art.

For example, if the rated pressure of accessory 10 is 15ksi, so,, typically accessory is met or exceeded the hydraulic pressure test of 4 times of rated pressures (4: 1 pipe gripping performance factors), perhaps 60ksi according to industrial custom.To adding up the test that a large amount of accessories reaches and surpass 60ksi, with confident and predict that reliably accessory can tolerate at least 4 times of expection working pressure and do not leak.The claimant has found that accessory 10 according to the present invention can tolerate about 75ksi and bigger pressure, so just provides at least 5: 1 pipe gripping performance factor.Therefore, the part of accessory 10 being carried out work-hardening selectively also allows relative softer forging to be used for accessory body 20.

Just as described previously, can come optionally accessory 10 work-hardening by part 81 plastic deformations accessory.To carry out work-hardening from a part of

binding round

20 and 22 radially outer accessories 10 by one group of periphery ridge on the rolling accessory body 12 or outer external screw thread 98.Work-hardening can be carried out simultaneously with the processing of accessory body 12 or other parts.Clearly, a part such as accessory body 12 are typically processed on multi-axis machine, this multi-axis machine has a plurality of indexing positions, and different machining operations carries out continuously at these indexing positions.One in these operations is that when work-hardening accessory body 12, this body just need not to carry out independent machining operation (leaving machine) with its sclerosis under the situation of rolling ridge or screw thread 98.Part 12 can be contained in the machine last time, and its processing is carried out with work-hardening, to form screw thread 98, then with its unloading.

In addition, the external screw thread 98 that can form in the work-hardening process can provide more useful structure to accessory 10.Especially, screw thread 98 can be used for some accessory enhancing is attached on the accessory.For example, lock nut can be threaded onto on the external screw thread 98 with further reinforcement accessory 10.Other example can comprise to be utilized screw thread 98 to be installed in accessory body 12 on the panel or adheres to a kind of device, and this device can support tube T, help pipe is remained in the accessory 10, helps the influence of decay external vibration or other that function is provided.

Can utilize among the present invention disclosed accessory 10 further to realize higher rated pressure, as 15ksi or higher, because the ability of surface hardening or carburizing hoop is arranged.This just allows

hoop

20 and 22 interlock work-hardening conduits and to the sealing of work-hardening conduit, required heavy wall pipe or 1/8 hard or strain-hardening material in work-hardening conduit such as the elevated pressures purposes.Accessory 10 provides the back hoop 22 with firm large volume material, so that hoop is stronger when the clamping conduit, and the conduit of can nipping.Further, provide secondary or backup seal by the 94 formed sealings of 76 pairs second cam faces of tube head to sealing by the formed body of the sealing of 20 pairs first cam faces 92 of preceding hoop.Can help the sealing of tube head by use to second cam face 94 than the soft annealing body.

But, the present invention is not limited in stainless steel material and uses.For example, automotive industry especially for the alternative fuel vehicle, can determine to carry out carbon steel rather than stainless steel is used for different accessories and conduit.Even can be by annealing with carbon steel sclerosis, but the present invention also be provided at the advantage in the use of carbon steel.These advantages including but not limited to the tube head notion (being described in detail below) that is used to be easier to assemble, provide tube head to body sealing and the accessory that tightens rather than tighten by rotation by torque is provided.

Figure 10 is the longitdinal cross-section diagram that is shown in nut 16 among Fig. 1 and two

hoops

20 and 22, and wherein, these two hoops are installed on the instrument 103.Instrument 103 is provided at before accessory 10 assembling and tube head 16 and one or

more hoop

20 and 22 is clamped together and as independent assembly.Therefore, assembly 78 and instrument 103 provide independent unit 104 jointly, and unit 104 can be installed in and cooperate in the accessory element, in cloudy accessory element 12, so that assembler only need be handled two fitting parts.So just do not have loose hoop to assemble, and these hoops can install in manufactory, to avoid setup error.Provide other technology of the use of tube head nut component such as tackiness agent to be described in front.

Figure 11 shows the perspective view of the one exemplary embodiment of instrument 103.Referring to Figure 10 and 11, instrument 103 comprises head 105, manually clamping or by the simple tools clamping, as pliers of head 105.Instrument 103 is independent plastic components, but also can use other material as requested.

Flexible finger

106a and 106b 105 stretch out and comprise protruding

lip

107a and 107b at their far-ends separately from the

head.Lip

107a and 107b and head 105 limits slit or tube heads 108, tube head nut 16 and bind

round

20 and 22 and can be installed on slit or the tube head 108.

Flexible finger

106a and 106b be compression sufficiently radially, to allow nut 16 and to allow

hoop

20 and 22 to move and arrive

lip

107a and 107b top towards head 105 then.In case through

lip

107a and 107b,

finger

106a and 106b outwards return rapidly and therefore will bind

round

20 and 22 and nut 16 keep together as independent assembly 78 and be positioned on the instrument 103.

Figure 12 A and 12B show the different step of utilizing in the instrument 103 assembling accessories 10.In order to assemble accessory 10, assembly 78 is inserted in the cloudy body 12, and assembler can easily use finger pressure to rotate and threaded joint nut 16 and body 12 (perhaps rotary nut enters in the cloudy port in another individuality).Because nut 16 is threaded onto in the body 12,

lip

107a and 107b will with the surface engagement in the body 12, be first cam face 92 under the situation of this example.The further axial displacement in body 12 of assembly 78 and instrument 103 makes

finger

106a and 106b because to the cam action of body 12 and radial compression.

The continuous axial displacement of assembly 78 and instrument 103 is sufficiently compressed

finger

106a and 106b, so that

lip

107a and 107b are dimensionally less than

hoop

20 and 22 and the inside diameter of nut 16.Therefore, instrument 103 self and these hoops disconnect.When this happens, instrument 103 easily can be extracted from assembly 78 and body 12.Attention instrument 103 can easily be applicable to the accessory of virtually any size, and can carry out color-code or be provided with other mark, with the indication information relevant with assembly 78, and as size, material with tighten torque, or the like.For example, groove 109 or other suitable mark, mark or structure can be located on the instrument 103, so that vision indication to be provided to the user, this vision indication shows that accessory being assemblied in fully hand-tight position easily takes off instrument allowing.

Figure 13 to 18 shows another the exemplary accessory among the present invention.Many functional characteristics of present embodiment are similar to the embodiment of front, except as otherwise noted.Exemplary accessory 110 among Figure 13 to 18 comprises female thread body 112 and external screw thread nut 114.Body 112 comprises first cam face 116 and second cam face 118.Second cam face 118 engages with angled surperficial 120, and the surface is 120 on the inner end 122 of tube head 124, and during tightening, tube head 124 forms (Figure 14) as the part of nut 114.The angle θ on surface 120 can be about 45 degree to X-axis with respect to the central longitudinal of accessory 110, but also can use other angle as requested.But, in this embodiment, tube head 124 comprises taper or cone-shaped wall 126, and wall 126 is formed for the taper bearing 128 of back hoop 130 and at least a portion of preceding hoop 132.During dismantling, taper bearing 128 can make nut 114 easily take out, because during nut took out, these hoops can be from breaking with contacting of wall 126.Wall 126 can be tapered to be the about 5 angle ε to about 20 degree with respect to central longitudinal to X-axis, but also can use other angle as requested.Back hoop 130 can comprise conical outer wall part 134 so that dismantle, and preceding hoop 132 also can comprise conical outer wall part 136.Back hoop and preceding hoop conical outer wall 134 and 136 can for example, be about 5 to about 20 degree with respect to X-axis, but also can use other angle as required to be suitable for realizing that the angle of desirable effect forms.Therefore, the present invention visualizes the design of a kind of tube head, in this design, when dismounting, the whole assemblies of being made up of nut 114 and two hoops 130 and 132 can be taken out or nut is pulled down separately.The taper bearing is included may be particularly useful for the elevated pressures purposes, because these hoops can not bond when tightening or apply high pressure or " welding " arrives taper bearing wall.When nut took out, these hoops can disconnect with taper bearing wall, can not be applying torque to during dismantling on these hoops.So just help to guarantee to carry out the formation again of accessory effectively.

Figure 19 and 20 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, and wherein Figure 19 is the longitdinal cross-section diagram that is in the accessory of hand-tight position, and Figure 20 shows and is in the accessory that tightens the position.In this embodiment, accessory 150 comprises nut 152 and body 154, and nut 152 and body 154 are similar to those embodiments described above in design.But, in this embodiment, the axial length 155 of tube head 156 is shortened, because tube head 156 only is used to keep back hoop 158.Preceding hoop 160 no longer is contained in the tube head 156.With can be used for as among the described embodiment in front, keeping independent element at the similar instrument of the instrument shown in Figure 10 to 12.

In this example, preceding hoop 160 comprises the radially extending flange 162 of increasing.The size of determining flange 162 is with in the boring 164 that is installed in accessory body 154.Flange 162 also comprises driven rear surface 166 and the sealing surfaces 168 to forward part 169 places that is positioned at flange.Sealing surfaces 168 extends with angle θ, according to appointment the angle of 45 degree.During tightening, sealing surfaces 168 engages with first cam face 170 of body 154.This just provides reliable secondary pressure sealing for torque design and has tightened, and this design is similar to the joint of tube head front end among the embodiment described above on function.

In this example, driven surperficial 166 are usually radially and engage with the front end 172 of tube head 156 during tightening, so that tube head directly drives forwards preceding hoop 160.Back hoop 158 also drives forwards preceding hoop 160, engages with preceding hoop flange 162 up to tube head 156.Preceding hoop 160 also comprises tapered nose section 174, and nasal portion 174 engages with second cam face 176 of body 154.Can suitably determine the size of flange 162, so that this flange supported by body wall 178, especially under pressure.Therefore, body 154 can form with the work-hardening raw material, perhaps uses work-hardening selectively at the annealing body.

Figure 21 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another exemplary accessory of the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state.In this embodiment, accessory 180 comprises body 182 and binds round 184 and 186 that hoop 184 and 186 is similar to those embodiments described above in design.But, in this embodiment, accessory 180 comprises different nut 188.Nut 188 has common cylindrical structure, and this structure limits the passage 190 that holds tube end T.Nut 188 has outside thread 192, and outside thread 192 is used for engaging cloudy accessory element such as accessory body 182 with the internal thread 194 of cloudy accessory element.Nut 188 has rear or the exterior face 196 that comprises wedged hole (key hole) 198.Wedged hole 198 is suitable for holding the wedge shape protrusion 200 of wedge shape spanner 202.

Referring to Figure 22, wedge shape spanner 202 has the handling portion 203 of elongation, and the cross section of handling portion 203 is rectangular usually.The sectional shape of handling portion 203 can be other shape beyond the rectangle.For example, handling portion 203 can have ellipse or circular cross-section.Wedge shape protrusion 200 approximately meets at right angles and stretches out from handling portion 203.Wedge shape is protruded 200 and can be stretched out from handling portion 203 with other angle beyond the right angle, but preferred right angle.Wedge shape is protruded 200 and is suitable for cooperating with wedged hole 198 with permission wedge shape spanner 202 nut 188 sufficiently being rotated and goes up fitted component 180.

Wedge shape spanner 202 also comprises lyriform pore 204, and lyriform pore 204 extends along the central axis 206 of handling portion 203.Size and the position of determining lyriform pore 204 engage with permission wedge shape spanner 202 leap conduits and with nut 188, and pipe are not impacted.

Length to nut 188 is selected, and is concordant or recessed with the end of body 182 with the rear 196 of nut 96 when nut screws in accessory body 182 fully.The standard hexagonal configuration of protruding from accessory body 182 not.The probability that therefore will reduce loosen nut 188 unintentionally or nut 188 is taken off is because the ability of dismounting accessory 180 only is limited among the personnel of specific wedge shape spanner 202.In addition, the wedged hole on nut 188 198 provides different positions to allow certain products (size etc.) and specific spanner to unite manufacturing.

Further, owing to nut 188 does not protrude from accessory body 182, so the accessory 180 after the assembling is less.This purposes that is of great rarity for the space is favourable, for example, and in the automobile purposes.At last, nut 188 also helps the reduction of cost, because complete nut can be silver-plated (being used for the lubricated of screw thread 192), and need not that double thread is electroplated or coating is peeled off (as carrying out the cloudy nut of standard) to reach decorative effect from hexagonal area.Therefore, can realize silver-plated by flooding whole nut 188.

Figure 23 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another exemplary accessory of the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in the state of tightening.In this embodiment, accessory 210 comprises body 212, nut 216 and binds round 220 and 222 that hoop 220 and 222 is similar to those embodiments described above in design.But, in this embodiment, body 212 comprises outer cam surface 224, and when suitably tightening, outer cam surface 224 can engage with the conical surface 226 on the nut 216.Outer cam surface 224 can be positioned on the forward end 228 of body 212.The conical surface 226 of nut 216 is tapered outside X axis and leaves body 212.For example, conical surface 226 can be positioned on the tool engagement part, as hexagonal part 230.

Figure 24 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another exemplary accessory of the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state.In this embodiment, accessory 250 comprises body 252, nut 256 and binds round the one 260, the first hoop and 260 is similar to those embodiments described above in design.But, in this embodiment, nut 256 comprises whole hoop 262, and hoop 262 both can substitute first hoop 260 as second hoop also can be as shown in Figure 24.To the geometrical shape of integral body hoop 262 (as conical outer surface part 264, radius part 266 and 268 and nasal portion 270 or the like) select, to realize the suitably radially inwardly pin joint action of whole hoop, to give a response the nasal portion driving is entered cam face, this cam face is as the cam face on rear section 274 272 of first hoop 260.The notion that is used in the integral body hoop in the accessory is open in International Publication No. WO 02/063194A2, whole disclosures of this international publication by reference in its entirety be incorporated among the present invention.But, this announcement and notion thereof are exemplary for the present invention in itself and should make an explanation in limiting sense.

Figure 25 is half longitdinal cross-section diagram of another exemplary accessory of the present invention, and the accessory shown in the figure is in hand-tight state.In this embodiment, accessory 280 comprises that body 282, nut 286 and first hoop, 290, the first hoops 290 are similar to those embodiments described above in design.But, in this embodiment, nut 286 comprises can divide hoop 292, and hoop 292 both can substitute first hoop 290 as second hoop also can be as shown in Figure 25.Can divide hoop 292 to be attached on the nut 286 by easily unloading mesh portions 294.When last fitted component 280, can divide hoop 292 and cam, as the cam face on rear section 298 296 of first hoop 290, and come off or separate from nut 286.In case separate, can divide hoop 292 to play the effect that is similar to the hoop among the embodiment described above.The notion that is used in the divided hoop in the accessory is open in International Publication No. WO 02/063195A2, whole disclosures of this international publication by reference in its entirety be incorporated among the present invention.But, this announcement and notion thereof are exemplary for the present invention in itself and should make an explanation in limiting sense.

Invention has been described by the reference preferred embodiment.After reading and having understood this specification, other people can make amendment and change the present invention.These modifications and variations be intended to be included in appending claims or the scope of the content that is equal to it within.

Claims

1. conduit fittings comprises:

The first accessory element, the described first accessory element is suitable for along central axis holding conduit end;

Pipe gripping device;

The second accessory element, the described second accessory element can be connected to the described first accessory element, also seals when assembling, to make the described pipe of described pipe gripping device clamping,

Wherein: the made of the described first accessory element than the material softer that is used to make the described second accessory element;

Wherein: the rated pressure of described accessory is higher than about 12ksi.

2. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the hardness ratio of described second accessory element and the described first accessory element was about Vickers hardness scale 1.3: 1 to 2: 1.

3. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the described first accessory element is made with annealed material and the described second accessory element is made with hardened material.

4. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the described first accessory element is a forging.

5. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the described first accessory element is a foundry goods.

6. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the described first accessory element is made with Austenitic Stainless Steel.

7. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: will be from the optionally work-hardening of a part of the described first accessory element of described pipe gripping device radially outward location.

8. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that: the part of described optionally work-hardening comprises periphery ridge group.

9. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: the front end of the described second accessory element limits retaining part further, and described retaining part is used for radially limiting described pipe gripping device with renitency.

10. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that: the described second accessory element also comprises the surface of radially extending, described surface is suitable for engaging with radially extensional surface on the described first accessory element, so that their joint makes that tightening the desired amount of torque of described accessory continuously sharply increases.

11. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 10, it is characterized in that: the radially extensional surface on the described first accessory element comprises second cam face, and the radially extensional surface radially outward on the described first accessory element is tapered and leaves the front end of the described second accessory element.

12. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: the radially extensional surface on the described nut becomes the angle of about 45 degree with described central axis.

13. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device comprises at least one hoop.

14. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device comprises two hoops.

15. a conduit fittings comprises:

Pipe gripping device;

Wherein: the described second accessory element comprises front end, and described front end is defined for the retaining part of described pipe gripping device;

Wherein: the rated pressure of described accessory is higher than about 8ksi.

16. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: described retaining part radially limits described pipe gripping device with renitency.

17. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device comprises first hoop and second hoop, and described retaining part radially limits described two hoops with renitency.

18. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15, it is characterized in that: the described second accessory element also comprises the surface of radially extending, described surface is suitable for engaging with radially extensional surface on the described second accessory element, so that their joint makes that tightening the desired amount of torque of described accessory continuously sharply increases.

19. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that: the radially extensional surface of the described second accessory element and the described first accessory element radially engage the secondary seal that forms fluid pressure between the extensional surface.

20. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 18, it is characterized in that: the radially extensional surface on the described first accessory element comprises second cam face, and the radially extensional surface radially outward on the described second accessory element is tapered and leaves the front end of the described second accessory element.

21. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 20 is characterized in that: the radially extensional surface on the described second accessory element becomes the angle of about 45 degree with described central axis.

22. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: the described first accessory element comprises the exterior section of work-hardening.

23. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: described retaining part comprises the tube head that radially extends usually.

24. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that: the described tube head that radially extends usually comprises cone-shaped wall, and described cone-shaped wall extends with the angle that becomes about 5 to 20 degree with described central axis.

25. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 24, it is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device comprises first hoop, described first hoop has to rear section and conical outer wall part, and described conical outer wall part is extended with the angle that becomes about 5 to 20 degree with described central axis and left described to the rear section.

26. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 24, it is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device also comprises second hoop, described second hoop has first end and the second end, described first end engages with at least one hoop and comprises that cusp edge is with the described conduit of nipping, described the second end limits driven surface, described driven surface is suitable for engaging with the drive surfaces of the described second accessory element, the drive surfaces of the described second accessory element and described end of conduit radially separate, wherein, described second hoop is radially limited by described retaining part.

27. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that: described second hoop comprises the conical outer wall part, and described conical outer wall part is to become about 10 to the 15 angles extensions of spending and to leave described the second end with described central axis.

28. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: before installing, described pipe gripping device and the described second accessory element are clamped together as single assembly and are in hand-tight state.

29. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that: described assembly by tool holding together.

30. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that: described assembly is clamped together by tackiness agent.

31. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 15, it is characterized in that: the described first accessory element comprises that female thread part and the described second accessory element comprise male screw portion, and described male screw portion is suitable for the female thread part threaded joint with the described first accessory element.

32. an accessory element, the described first accessory element are suitable for being connected to make pipe gripping device clamping pipe and sealing when assembling with the second accessory element of conduit fittings, the described first accessory element comprises:

Be used for described pipe gripping device remained to the described first accessory element before the described second accessory element is connected and as the structure of single component.

33. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: be used to keep the described structure of described pipe gripping device also described pipe gripping device to be remained to the described first accessory element and be in hand-tight state.

34. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32, it is characterized in that: described structure comprises bearing.

35. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device becomes whole with the described first accessory element.

36. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device is attached to when tightening on the described first accessory element and in the part of described accessory and separates.

37. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: instrument is cooperated with described structure described pipe gripping device is remained to the described first accessory element.

38. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: tackiness agent is cooperated with described structure described pipe gripping device is remained to the described first accessory element.

39. the first accessory element as claimed in claim 32 is characterized in that: the described structure that is used for described pipe gripping device is remained to the described first accessory element comprises conical socket.

40. a conduit fittings comprises:

The female thread body, described female thread body has internal drilling, and described internal drilling is used for along the central axis holding conduit, and described internal drilling has first and second cam faces, and wherein: described body and function annealed material is made;

First hoop, described first hoop usually in the form of a ring and have first end part and the second end part, described first end partly has conical outer surface, described conical outer surface be used for and described first cam with the primary seal of formation fluid pressure;

Second hoop, described second hoop usually in the form of a ring and have first end part that partly engages with the second end of described first hoop and the second end part that limits driven surface, described first end partly comprises the cusp edge of the described conduit that is used to nip; And

The external screw thread nut, described external screw thread nut is threaded with described female thread body, and described nut comprises the front end that the center that is used to hold described conduit connects boring and has the bearing that is limited by axially extended tube head; Described bearing has the second portion that is suitable for holding the first portion of described first at least a portion of binding round and is suitable for holding described second hoop; Described second portion limits drive surfaces, and described drive surfaces is suitable for the driven surface engagement with described second hoop that radially separates with described conduit; Described tube head has conical surface, described conical surface be used for and described second cam to form the backup seal of fluid pressure, wherein: engaging between described conical surface and described second cam face feasiblely tightens the desired amount of torque of described accessory continuously and sharply increases;

Therefore, described tube head radially limits described first and second hoops.

41. one kind is connected to the method for the first accessory element with conical surface with end of conduit, said method comprising the steps of:

Provide boring in the described first accessory element, to hold described end of conduit, wherein: described boring comprises first cam face;

Pipe gripping device is provided;

Provide the center to connect boring to the second accessory element, to hold described conduit, wherein: the described second accessory element is suitable for being connected with the described first accessory element; The described second accessory element comprises retaining part;

At least a portion of described tube end, described pipe gripping device and the described second accessory element is placed described boring; And

By connecting the described second accessory element and the described first accessory element tightens described accessory, wherein: described pipe gripping device forms the hydrodynamic pressure to described first cam face, and the described second accessory element fluid pressure radially limits described pipe gripping device, and wherein: the conical surface of the described second accessory element engages so that tighten the desired amount of torque of described accessory continuously with the described conical surface of the described first accessory element sharply to be increased.

42. a conduit fittings comprises:

Pipe gripping device;

The second accessory element, the described second accessory element can be connected to the described first accessory element, to make described pipe of described pipe gripping device clamping and sealing when assembling, the described second accessory element has when assembling and the conical surface engaging portion of the described first accessory element.

43. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that: engaging between the described part of the described second accessory element and the conical surface of the described first accessory element makes that tightening the desired amount of torque of described accessory continuously sharply increases.

44. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 42 is characterized in that: the described part of the described second accessory element that engages with the conical surface of the described first accessory element when assembling is the surface that radially outward was tapered and left the described front end of the described second accessory element.

45. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 43 is characterized in that: the described radial surface on the described second accessory element becomes the angle of about 45 degree with described central axis.

46. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 43 is characterized in that: described conical surface is positioned on the tool engagement part of the described second accessory element.

47. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 43 is characterized in that: described conical surface is positioned on the tube head that radially extends usually.

48. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 42, it is characterized in that: described pipe gripping device comprises nasal portion and the flange that radially extends, wherein: described conical surface on described flange, radially outward is tapered and leave the surface of the described front end of the described second accessory element.

49. a conduit fittings that is used for end of conduit, described conduit fittings comprises:

Cloudy body, described cloudy body is suitable for holding described end of conduit;

The conduit holding device;

Sun nut, described positive nut can be connected to described cloudy body and also seal to make the described conduit of described pipe gripping device clamping when assembling,

Wherein: will be from the outer part work-hardening of the described cloudy body of described holding device radially outward location.

50. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: described clamping assembly comprises at least one hoop.

51. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: described conduit clamping assembly comprises first hoop and second hoop; Described first hoop has conical outer surface, described conical outer surface is used for forming with described cloudy body the primary seal of fluid pressure, described second hoop has first end and the second end, described first end and described first hoop engage and comprise the cusp edge of the described conduit that is used to nip, described the second end limits driven surface, described driven surface is suitable for engaging with drive surfaces on the described positive nut, and described positive nut radially separates with described end of conduit.

52. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: described cloudy body and function annealed material is made.

53. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: described cloudy body is a forging.

54. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: described cloudy body and function Austenitic Stainless Steel is made.

55. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: the part of described external process sclerosis comprises periphery ridge group.

56. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: the part of described external process sclerosis comprises external screw thread.

57. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 56 is characterized in that: described external screw thread can be assembled into the female thread device.

58. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 57 is characterized in that: described female thread device comprises lock nut.

59. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 57 is characterized in that: described female thread device comprises the parts that are used for conduit support.

60. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 57 is characterized in that: described female thread device comprises the parts that are used for attenuation vibration.

61. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 49 is characterized in that: the described second accessory element comprises drive part, and described drive part comprises rear, and described rear has wedged hole, and described wedged hole is suitable for holding the wedge shape protrusion of wedge shape spanner.

62. conduit fittings as claimed in claim 61 is characterized in that: when tightening described accessory, concordant with the described first accessory element or the recessed described first accessory element of described rear.

63. a cloudy accessory element, described cloudy accessory element is suitable for being connected to the positive accessory element of conduit fittings, and to make pipe gripping device clamping pipe and sealing when assembling, described cloudy accessory element comprises:

Structure, described structure is used to limit described pipe gripping device;

Outer part, described outer partly in radially restricted area work-hardening,

Wherein: described female element forms with annealed material.

64. a conduit fittings that is used for end of conduit, described conduit fittings comprises:

Cloudy accessory element, described cloudy accessory element has internal drilling and positive accessory element, and described positive accessory element is connected with the described first accessory element, so that described accessory is assembled on the end of conduit;

Be used for the parts that end of conduit keeps, described parts are positioned at described boring;

Wherein: will be from the outer part work-hardening of the described cloudy accessory element that is used for the described parts radially outward location that end of conduit keeps.

65. a manufacturing is used for the method for the conduit fittings of end of conduit, the rated pressure of described conduit fittings said method comprising the steps of more than 12ksi:

The first accessory element is provided, and the described first accessory element is made with annealed material that can work-hardening;

Processing boring in the described first accessory element;

In described boring, provide the conduit clamping assembly, described end of conduit is remained in the described first accessory element.

66. as the described method of claim 65, it is characterized in that: also comprise the step of the outer part of the described first accessory element of work-hardening, the described outer part of the described first accessory element is from described conduit clamping assembly radially outward.

67. as the described method of claim 65, it is characterized in that: described work-hardening step comprises the outer part plastic deformation with the described first accessory element.

68. as the described method of claim 65, it is characterized in that: described work-hardening step is included on the outer part of the described first accessory element rolled threaded.

69. as the described method of claim 65, it is characterized in that: described work-hardening step is included in and produces a plurality of periphery ridges on the outer part of the described first accessory element.

Connect boring 70. an instrument that keeps the accessory element, described instrument have the center, as single assembly, described instrument comprises the perforation boring of described center with pipe gripping device:

Head;

A plurality of flexible fingers, extend from described head described finger, and wherein: at least two in described a plurality of fingers comprise protruding lip, and described protruding lip is positioned at the far-end of described finger;

Wherein: the protruding lip that is arranged at least two far-end of described a plurality of fingers is cooperated with described head, so that the pipe gripping device on described accessory element and the described instrument is kept as single assembly.

71. as the described instrument of claim 70, it is characterized in that: described instrument is made of plastic.

72. as the described instrument of claim 70, it is characterized in that: described a plurality of flexible fingers are two fingers.

73. as the described instrument of claim 70, it is characterized in that: described head also comprises retained part.

74. the method for a ducts accessory said method comprising the steps of:

The first accessory element is provided, and the described first accessory element has the boring that is used for the holding conduit end;

The second accessory element is provided, and the described second accessory element has the bearing that is used to hold pipe gripping device;

Described pipe gripping device is remained in the described bearing, so that described pipe gripping device is become single assembly with the described second accessory arrangements of components;

Described end of conduit and described single component are installed in the described first accessory element boring;

Described accessory is tightened to guarantee that described end of conduit is in the described first accessory element.

75. as the described method of claim 74, it is characterized in that: the described step that described pipe gripping device is remained in the described bearing also is included in the step that tackiness agent is provided between described second accessory element and the described pipe gripping device, and described tackiness agent discharges under the strain that tightens described accessory.

76. as the described method of claim 74, it is characterized in that: the described step that described pipe gripping device is remained in the described bearing comprises that also the part of the described second accessory element that curls is to remain on described pipe gripping device the step in the described bearing.

77., it is characterized in that: the described step that described pipe gripping device remains in the described bearing is further comprising the steps of as the described method of claim 74:

Instrument is provided, and described instrument comprises:

Head;

Wherein: described protruding lip and described head limit tube head;

At least one hoop and nut are located along described tube head, and wherein: described at least one hoop is arranged in described bearing.

78. as the described instrument of claim 70, it is characterized in that: in the time of in inserting cooperation accessory element, self disconnects described instrument from described pipe gripping device.

79. as the described instrument of claim 78, it is characterized in that: be included in the parts on the described instrument, described parts indicate the abundant assembling with mating member, so that described instrument disconnects from described pipe gripping device.