FR2824891A1 - Pipe connection comprises externally threaded end on one pipe which fits into a socket in the other, sealing ring being fitted between pipe end and base of socket and joint being secured by union nut - Google Patents

Abstract

The pipe connection comprises an externally threaded end (10) on one pipe (1) which fits into a socket in the other (2). A sealing ring (5) is fitted between the pipe end and the base of the socket and the joint is secured by a union nut (3) which screws on to a thread on the second pipe. A flexible clamping ring (4) is deformed by a seating (31) on the nut when it is screwed up. An Independent claim is included for a method for connecting pipes using the connector.

Description

in that the form wire (10) is in the form of "psi".

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  The present invention relates to a quick coupling for a fluid pipe having a threaded end, the term pipe relating to both pipes and fluid accessories. It has applications in the field of plumbing and more particularly for the connections of circuits to quick implementation. A connection method is also

included in the invention.

  Conventional fittings are generally of the screw connection type and the members to be assembled are generally provided with threads of standardized dimensions, for example, to the pitch

  gas, which allows the association of organs.

  The tightness between the coupling members is ensured by

  compression of a joint and, in general, a flat point.

  This type of assembly by screw connection is very widespread, simple and reliable. However, their implementation requires tools for tightening the members and the intervention time is a function, among other things, of the number of turns to be carried out so that the

  tightening the screw connection ensures the tightness of the fitting.

  Conversely, during disassembly, the number of turns is also an important factor in the intervention time. This time can be all the longer as the connection is difficult to access. In extreme cases of access, it is even sometimes very difficult to sufficiently tighten the coupling members and the tightness may be compromised. In addition, during disassembly-reassembly, it is necessary to remove the seal, to clean the bearing surfaces of the

  point and replace the seal with a suitable pattern.

  It is therefore desirable to have fittings which allow rapid implementation without any particular tool. Of

  such couplings, known as quick couplings, are known.

  Quick couplings between fluid circuits are widely used. We thus know the snap fittings in which the introduction of a first circuit in the second causes

  locking circuits within the fitting.

  The present invention provides a quick connector by screw connection. The invention therefore relates to a quick coupling

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  for a fluid line comprising a first end with an external thread and a second reamed end in which the first end engages, a seal disposed at the bottom of the bore and compressed by the first end ensuring the seal, a nut with internal thread being screwed onto the second end comprising an external thread, the nut further comprising a

  internal bearing at its end opposite the thread.

  In the context of the invention, the term pipe covers both a connection of pipes together and of accessories linked to the transport of fluid, for example a valve,

  meter, purge, etc ... between them or a pipe.

  According to the invention, it further comprises an elastic clamping ring open to the internal thread complementary to the thread of the first end, the ring being caused to be tightened on the thread of the first end by screwing the nut and the range of the nut abutting against the ring in order to drive the first end to the bottom of the bore and compress the seal by

screwing the nut.

  In various embodiments, the following means which can be combined according to all the technically possible possibilities are used: - the ring is made to be tightened by a conical bore of the complementary range of a first conical edge of the ring, - the second end further comprises a ring housing and the ring is made to be tightened by an end edge of the beque housing coming to bear on a second conical edge complementary to the ring, the tight beque can then engage in the ring housing by continuing to screw the nut, - the threads of the first end and of the ring are standard, - the seal is of the O-ring type, - the second end comprises a nipple for connection to a pipe,

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  - the connector also comprises a means of interrupting the circulation of the fluid when the first end and the second end are separated, a controlled valve obstructing the second end, - the second end comprises a first movable part and a second fixed part , the movable part receiving the seal and comprising a valve opening member, the fixed part comprising a valve seat and the valve, the screwing of the nut on the fixed part further causing the moving part to come together against the fixed part and the opening of the valve by pressing the opening member on the valve, and in that an elastic member ensures the closing of the valve during the separation of the first

  end and the second end.

  The invention also relates to an assembly which is intended to receive a threaded end and to form a quick coupling according to one or more of the preceding characteristics, said assembly comprising the second bored and threaded end, the bottom seal

  bore, the clamping ring and the nut.

  The invention also relates to a method of implementing the connector for a connection. According to the method of connecting a connector according to one or more of the preceding characteristics and in which an assembly intended to receive the first end to be connected comprises the second end bored and threaded, the seal at the bottom of the bore, the ring cramping and the nut: - it is checked that the nut is not tightened on the thread and that the cramping ring is dogged, - the first threaded end is introduced into the assembly until contact with the first end on the O-ring; - the nut is screwed in order to cause the compression of the cramping ring, the tightening of this ring on the thread of the first end, the translation of the first end, of the ring and of

  the nut causing compression of the O-ring.

  The connector of the invention is applicable to any valve or plumbing member intended to be connected to

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  another threaded or tapped member. In an advanced embodiment, a means of interrupting the circulation of fluid is incorporated into the connector in order to allow intervention while the upstream end comprising the valve is in charge. The use of an O-ring avoids the systematic replacement of the seal during interventions and makes it possible to obtain a seal with a lower seal compression, the low tightening torque avoiding the blocking of the threaded assemblies. The fitting can be tightened by loosening by hand and sealing is obtained with a number of

minimum tightening turns.

  Unlike conventional devices, it is not necessary to cut off the water supply during the intervention

  and the latter is also shortened in time.

  The present invention is implemented in the embodiments described below and in relation to the figures

su ivantes.

  Figure 1, longitudinal section of an assembled fitting, Figure 2, partial sectional view and perspective of an assembled fitting, Figures 3a and 3b, steps of assembling a fitting, Figure 4, perspective views of the elements of a fitting, Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, steps of assembling a fitting seen in longitudinal section with a controlled valve, Figure 6, the different elements of the fitting, Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, of the steps of assembling of a controlled valve connection, seen in longitudinal section, Figure 8, view in partial section and perspective of a connection

controlled valve assembled.

  In Figure 1, the first end 1 has an external thread 10 preferably of a standard type, for example of the gas type. The first end 1 is engaged in a bore of a second end 2 in contact with an O-ring 5 intended to seal the connection. A ring 4 is cramped by its internal thread 40 on the external thread 10 of the first end 1 by the action of a nut 3 having a bearing 31 with a bore

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  conical 32 complementary to a first conical edge 41 of the ring 4. The bepue 4 is further housed in a beque housing 21, an end edge 22 of the ring housing 21 causing the tightening of the ring by pressing on a second conical edge 42 of said ring when the nut 3 is screwed onto the second end 2 comprising complementary threads 30 and 20 respectively. Preferably, the threads 10 and 40 are

of a standard type.

  Preferably, the complementary threads 20 and 30 have a relatively large pitch allowing a translational displacement of the nut 3 which is large for a reduced rotation of the said nut, in order to obtain the tightness of sealing with a reduced rotation of the nut and , preferably around one turn. A flat seal can be used in place of the O-ring 5. The materials used to produce the various elements of the connector are preferably rigid metal parts made of copper or stainless material. The ring is made of an elastic material and preferably plastic material with a coefficient

  high elasticity to allow easy disassembly of the fitting.

  Preferably, the ring has a thread over at least one revolution. In Figure 2, we find the elements previously indicated in Figure 1, the upper cutting plane passing however at the opening of the ring, the latter being visible in section only in the lower cutting plane. The nut 3 preferably comprises an external gripping surface 33 intended to facilitate manual gripping. Other surface shapes are also envisaged to facilitate gripping and gripping, and for example a conventional hexagon, knurling, etc. FIGS. 3a and 3b show the steps for mounting the connector. At first, a nut 3 and a ring 4 are passed over the first end 1. A seal 5 is introduced at the bottom of the bore of the second end 2. The first end 1 is introduced into the bore of the second end 2 until contact with the gasket 5. The ring 4 and the nut 3 are then brought back to the

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  contact of the second end 2, ie screwing of the nut 3 causing the tightening of the ring 4, its cramping on the first end 1 and the translation of said first end at the bottom of the bore with compression of the seal 5. The tightening of the ring 4 allowing the cramping on the threading of the first end 1 is obtained by the implementation of complementary conical planes, conical bore 32 of the bearing surface 31 of the nut 3 and first conical edge 41 of the ring 4 as well as the end edge 22 of the ring housing 21 of the second end

  with the second conical edge 42 of the ring 4.

  In other forms of implementation, it is envisaged that one of these two means is omitted, and / or that other clamping means for clamping the ring and driving in translation

  during the screwing of the nut 3 are implemented.

  In Figure 4, the main elements of the fitting are shown in perspective with the exception of the first end which is a standard part. The second end 2 can be a

  adaptation piece, a nipple for example.

  The present invention can also be implemented with a means of interrupting the circulation of the fluid when the connector is dismantled. To this end, a controlled valve is implemented. Figures 5a, 5b, 5c detail the steps of

  operation of such an improved connection.

  In FIG. 5a, the connector is not tight and the valve 6 comprising a ball 60 actuated by a spring 61 closes the second end, the ball 60 being applied by the spring 61 to a seat or a joint 62. The second end is formed of two parts, a first movable part 23 comprising an opening member 27 in the central position and a second fixed part 24 in which the valve 6 is mounted. A seal 25 is arranged in a circular bore of the fixed part 24 in order to ensure the tightness of the connector when the latter is tightened. A nipple 26 is also used to allow the fitting of the valve and to serve it

of support.

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  In other forms of implementation, the nipple 26 is omitted and the valve is held in place by other means,

snap-fastening, clipping for example.

  In other forms of implementation, the valve 6 is of the translational or rocking valve type. Figure 5b, the first end 1 was introduced into the bore of the movable part 23 of the second end and the start of tightening the nut 3 allowed the tightening of the ring 4, the cramping of the first end 1 and the translation of said first end 1 towards the bottom of the bore and the compression of the seal 5. The continued screwing of the nut 3 causes the moving part 23 of the second end to move, which causes the valve to open 6 by the opening member 27 coming to bear on the ball 60. The seal 25 is then compressed between the movable part 23 and the fixed part 24 of the second end, thus ensuring sealing between these two parts. In Figure 6, the main parts used in the

  previous fitting are shown.

  Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 8 show a variant of the connector according to the invention and a means of interrupting the circulation of the fluid. In this variant, the opening member 27 ′ acting on the valve 6 is peripheral and the seat or seal 62 ′ provides a double sealing function for the ball 60 on the one hand, when the connector is dismantled, and, on the other hand, the seal between the movable part 23 and the fixed part 24 of the second end when the connector is tight and the fluid circulates. Such an arrangement has the advantage of eliminating the seal 25 and the corresponding bore of the fixed part 24. Furthermore, it also has the advantage of signaling to the operator an assembly error, when the valve is ajar and that the movable part 23 is not yet in contact with the seal 25 for sealing or

  that the opening member 27 'has not gone down sufficiently.

  Figure 8 is a different view of the assembly of Figure 7c.

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  Preferably, [the end user providing the connection to an Usam assembly in uslne comprising the second BLE16e and aloe (2) extrAmMA, the Joint (5) has FalAsage at the bottom, the cramping tab (4) and the nut (I When connecting the user must ensure that the nut is not tight and that the ring is released in Fenseme Sound

  Introduce the first fAgE extrAmMA in the set.

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  REVE ND i CATI ONS 1. Quick coupling for fluid line comprising a first end (1) with external thread (10) and a second reamed end (2) into which the first end engages, a seal (5) arranged in base of bore and compressed by the first end ensuring sealing, a nut (3) with internal thread (30) being screwed on the second end comprising an external thread (20), the nut further comprising a bearing (31 ) internal at its end opposite the thread, characterized in that it further comprises an open clamping ring (4) with internal thread (40) complementary to the thread of the first end, said ring being caused to be tightened on the thread (18) of the first end by screwing the nut (3) and the seat (31) of the nut abutting against the beque (4) in order to drive the first end to the bottom of the bore and compress the seal (5)

by screwing the nut.

  2. Connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the begue (4) is caused to be tightened by a conical bore (32) of the bearing surface (31) complementary to a first conical edge (41) of the

ring (4).

  3. Connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second end further comprises a ring housing (2) and the ring (4) is caused to be clamped by an end edge (22) of the housing ring (21) bearing on a second conical edge (42) complementary to the ring, the tight beque can then engage in the ring housing by

further tightening of the nut.

  4. Connection according to any one of the claims

  previous, characterized in that the threads (10, 40) of the

  first end and ring are standard.

  5. Connection according to any one of the claims

  above, characterized in that the anointed (5) is of the toric type.

  6. Connection according to any one of claims

  previous, characterized in that the second end has

  a memelon of connection to a pipe.

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  7. Connection according to any one of the claims

  previous, characterized in that it further comprises a means of interrupting the circulation of the fluid when the first end and the second end are separated, a valve (6) controlled from obstructing the second end (2). 8. A connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the second end (2) comprises a first movable part (23) and a second fixed part (24), the movable part receiving the seal and comprising an opening member (27 , 27 ') of the valve, the fixed part comprising a valve seat and the valve, the screwing of the nut (3) on the fixed part further causing the moving part to come together against the fixed part and opening the valve by pressing the opening member on the valve, and in that an elastic member (61) ensures the closure of the valve upon separation of the

  first end and the second end.

  9. An assembly characterized in that it is intended to receive a threaded end and to form a quick connector according to one

  any of the preceding claims, said set

  comprising the second bored (2) and threaded (20) end, the seal

  (5) at the bottom of the bore, the cramping ring (4) and the nut (3).

  10. Method for connecting a connector, characterized in that

  as for the connector according to any one of claims 1 to

  8 and in which an assembly intended to receive the first end to be connected comprises the second bored (2) and threaded end, the seal (5) at the bottom of the bore, the clamping ring (4) and the nut (3) , - it is checked that the nut is not tightened on the thread (20) and that the cramping ring is released; - Introducing the first threaded end into the assembly until contact with the first end on the O-ring; - the nut is screwed in order to cause compression of the clamping lug (4), the tightening of this ring on the thread of the first end, the translation of the first end, of the