FR3088099A1 - Connection element and connection device for a gas installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection element and connection assembly for a gas installation There is provided a connection element (2) designed to create a gas-tight connection between a fitting or a connection piece (5) and a flexible element, which element connecting (2) is provided with a tubular base body made of an elastomeric material, said base body comprising, on its inner face, a circumferential protuberance produced, by destination, to penetrate a notch (5c) on the taps or on the connecting piece (5). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Connection element and connection assembly for a gas installation The invention relates to a connection element according to claim 1, designed to create a gas-tight connection between a tap or a connecting piece (fitting) and a flexible element to a gas-tight connecting assembly according to claim 12, comprising such a connecting piece, a metallic hose and a fitting or a connecting piece (fitting), as well than a process according to claim 16, used for the connection of a tap or a connecting piece with a metal hose, for a gas installation.

It is known to connect to fittings, to connecting parts, or even also to fittings, flexible corrugated flexible ducts, made of stainless steel, which provide gas routing for gas installations. This is usually done using a specific hydraulic tool. The corresponding constituent elements are marketed by the applicant under the name HYDRA ® GS. In this case, at the end of the connection of the valve or of the connection piece (fitting), on the one hand, and of the metal hose on the other hand, the junction assembly created is usually surrounded by the outside, at the junction location, by a specific metal tape. This increases the complexity of manual assembly, knowing that it often happens, moreover, that wrapping with adhesive tape is made more difficult due to a situation of limited integration, or because of awkward handling of the flexible material used.

The invention aims to provide a remedy and to offer, in gas installations, a possibility of sealing the junction location, between a metal hose and a connecting piece, which requires a less assembly complexity (manual). In the present case, and in the remainder of the description, the expression “connection piece” is also used as a synonym for the fittings and fittings mentioned above.

This object is achieved by means of a connecting element having the characteristics of claim 1, by means of a gas-tight junction assembly having the characteristics of claim 12, as well as by means of a devolved process to the connection of a tap or a connection piece with a metal hose, for a gas installation.

Advantageous refinements of the inventive idea are the subject of dependent claims.

A connecting element according to the invention is used to create a gas-tight connection between a valve or a connecting piece (fitting) and a flexible element. The connecting element according to the invention is provided with a tubular base body made of an elastomeric material, said base body comprising, on its inner face, a circumferential protuberance intended to penetrate into a notch, on the taps or on the connecting piece.

A gas tight junction assembly according to the invention includes a connecting element according to the invention. It further comprises a metal hose and a tap or a connection piece (connection), knowing that the metal hose is connected to the tap or the connection piece at a junction location, substantially with gas tightness, and knowing that the connecting element externally covers the junction location, the connecting element being housed, by its internal protuberance, in a circumferential notch on the fitting or on the connecting piece.

A method according to the invention, devoted to the connection of a valve or a connecting piece with a metal hose, for a gas installation, consists in that the valve or the connecting piece is all firstly connected to the metal hose at a junction location, substantially with gas tightness, preferably by positive engagement and / or materially, and in that the junction location is covered from the outside, in the chain, by a connecting element according to the invention.

Due to the use of the proposed connecting element, in particular within the framework of the proposed joining assembly, wrapping with adhesive tape proves to be completely superfluous. The assembly complexity is thereby reduced and gas tightness is ensured, in a simple manner, at the junction location.

A first improvement of the connecting element, in accordance with the invention, provides that the basic body is made of silicone or of silicone rubber. With such materials, the best results have been obtained in extensive series of tests conducted by the applicant. Silicone, respectively silicone rubber, is resistant to aging and in particular to UV rays, while also offering advantageous properties which are sufficiently well known elsewhere.

Alternatively, the base body can also be made of vulcanized rubber or natural rubber.

Other material variants for the manufacture of the base body include polyurethane (PU) or EPDM.

In a corresponding improvement of the invention, the elastomeric material used preferably has a Shore hardness of around 45 to 75, preferably from 50 to 70, from 55 to 60 with maximum preference. Tests carried out by the applicant have revealed that the workability of the connecting element is optimal when the Shore hardness is not too high and is therefore preferably in the range of approximately 50 to 60, which will be the subject of a more precise comment. When installing the connecting element on the flexible element, respectively on the connecting piece, advantages are provided, in particular, when the elastomeric material used is not too hard.

So that the connecting element can be set up securely in the region of the aforementioned notch, on the connecting piece, it has proved advantageous that the inner protuberance is provided with a cross section. rectangular.

It has also been found advantageous that the rectangular protuberance has an axial extent of approximately 5 to 15 mm, preferably 6 to 10 mm, 7 to 8 mm with maximum preference. This, too, contributes to a secure connection of the connecting piece on the one hand, and the connecting element on the other. The aforementioned axial extent is preferably chosen as a function of a nominal width of the element endowed with flexibility, knowing that it can be admitted that the axial extent is all the greater as the nominal width of the The element endowed with flexibility is great.

Another improvement of the connecting element, according to the invention, provides that the inner protuberance occupies an extreme location relative to the base body.

In another improvement of the connecting element according to the invention, still different, the base body of said element can be externally provided with a bevel at its end, which bevel is preferably located at a end of the connecting element which is turned away from the protuberance.

In addition, in another structural arrangement of the connecting element according to the invention, it can also be provided that the base body is provided on its inner face, in the vicinity of the protuberance, with a first section with increased internal diameter. The connecting element advantageously cooperates, in the region of this first section, with a corresponding protuberance on the connection piece, which will be further explained below, in more detail.

In the context of an extremely preferential development of the connecting element according to the invention, provision may be made for the latter to comprise, in axial succession, the internal protuberance, the first section of increased internal diameter, and a second section which has a reduced internal diameter compared to the first section. While the inner protuberance is made to cooperate, by destination, with the already mentioned notch located on the connecting piece, with a view to permanently blocking the connecting element on the connecting piece, the aforementioned second section is provided , and made, to apply in a sealed manner from the outside, with preload, on the element endowed with flexibility or on an envelope of the latter, which will likewise be commented on below, with greater precision.

A first improvement to the junction assembly, in accordance with the invention, provides that the metal hose is produced in the form of a corrugated metal hose, preferably corrugated. Metallic hoses of this type - specifically supplied by the applicant - are endowed with a high degree of flexibility with excellent sealing, and that is why they are particularly well suited for gas installations.

In the context of another improvement of the junction assembly according to the invention, it can be expected that the metal hose is provided with an outer casing preferably consisting of a plastic material, of polyethylene (PE ) with maximum preference. The metal hose is thus protected from harmful external effects. The connecting element can be externally applied to the envelope in a partial area, in particular by the aforementioned second section, to which reference has already been made, and may also, moreover - in a corresponding improvement of the invention -, be physically connected to said envelope, by gluing with maximum preference.

In particular with a view to improving the permanent blocking of the connecting element on the connection piece, it has proved advantageous, in a corresponding improvement of the junction assembly, that the internal protuberance and the notch are mutually complementary realizations. Preferably, both the inner protuberance and the notch have a rectangular shape in cross section.

An axial dimensioning of the notch preferably corresponds, exactly for the most part, to the axial extent of the internal protuberance of the connecting element, already mentioned above, so as to establish a secure junction.

The description below also relates to a process according to the invention, which is used for the connection of a tap or a connection piece (fitting) with a metal hose, for a gas installation, and can be respectively implemented when using a connecting element according to the invention, or to create a junction assembly according to the invention.

In such a method, it is expected that the valve or the connecting piece (fitting) is first connected to the metal hose at the junction location, substantially with gas tightness, preferably by positive engagement and / or materially, preferably with the use of the HYDRA® GS system supplied by the applicant, and the junction location is covered from the outside, in the sequence, by a connecting element according to the invention.

In an improvement of the process according to the invention, it can be provided that the connecting element is inserted, by its inner protuberance, in a circumferential notch on the fitting or on the connecting piece.

In another improvement of the process according to the invention, which is also different, provision can also be made for the connecting element to be put in place on the fittings, or on the connection piece, even before the fittings or the connection piece is not connected to the metal hose, so that the connection element protrudes, by its free end, beyond a connection end of the fitting or of the connection piece.

In an improvement of the method according to the invention, it can also be provided that, prior to the connection of the valve or the connecting piece with the metal hose, and after the establishment of the connecting element on the fitting or on the connecting piece, the connecting element is widened in the region of its free end and is folded down on the fitting or on the connecting piece.

Furthermore, in an improvement of the method according to the invention, it can, moreover, be provided that after the connection of the valve or the connecting piece with the metal hose, the connecting element is grasped in the region of its folded free end, then threaded onto the junction location as well as, by zones, onto the metal hose.

In this way, an extremely advantageous process is obtained for connecting a tap or a connection piece to a metal hose, for a gas installation, in which it can be completely renounced to wrap, afterwards, the '' junction location with adhesive tape. Due to its flexible design made of an elastomeric material, the connecting element can be put in place in a simple manner on the connecting piece even before the connection, proper, is established between the connecting piece and the metal flexible. In order not to hinder this connection, the connection element can be folded down or threaded in the manner described, so that it no longer projects, at the successive stage, beyond the aforementioned connection end of the connecting piece. It is then proceeded, strictly speaking, to the junction of the connection piece in the metal hose; as soon as the latter is completed, the connecting element is again threaded in such a way that, in the sequence, it covers the junction location with gas tightness.

Other properties and advantages of the invention are highlighted by the description of exemplary embodiments provided below, in support of the drawings:

[Fig-1] is a perspective representation of a gas tight junction assembly, according to the invention;

[Fig.2] shows the junction assembly of Figure 1, partially in longitudinal section;

[Fig-3] is a perspective illustration of a connecting element according to the invention;

[Fig.4] shows the connecting element of Figure 4, with direction of observation along the longitudinal axis of the latter; and [fig.5] is a section through the connecting element along line A-A in FIG. 4.

Figures 1 and 2 show a junction assembly designated, in its entirety, by the reference 1. The junction assembly 1 is produced in the form of a gas-tight junction assembly and includes a connecting element 2 which will also be the subject, below, of a more precise comment in support of FIGS. 3 to 5. The junction assembly 1 includes, in addition, a corrugated metal hose 3 provided, by zones, with 'An outer casing 4 preferably made of polyethylene (PE). The metal hose 3 is fitted into a connection piece (fitting) 5 by its connection end (on the left in FIG. 2), which connection piece 5 surrounds the metal hose 3 (and also, by zones, the casing 4 of the last). The connecting piece 5 is made in the form of a sleeve or socket and has a radially projecting central zone 5a, provided with a hexagonal external profile for the engagement of an appropriate (screwing) tool. A zone 5b of integration by screwing in which the connecting piece has a thread (outside) occupies, on one side (on the left in FIG. 2), a location axially adjacent to the projecting zone 5a. On the other side with respect to zone 5a (on the right in FIG. 2), there is an additional zone in which the connecting piece 5 is provided with a radial recess (notch or groove) 5c delimited, at its end , by a zone 5d projecting radially. A sealing ring 6 is housed in a circumferential recess of the connecting piece 5, between the zones 5a and 5b. In the region of its (external) thread 5b, the connecting piece 5 cooperates with a connecting part 7 (screwing part in overlap) correspondingly provided, at reference 7b, with a (internal) thread at using which it is, or can be respectively attached by screwing onto the (external) thread 5b of the connecting piece 5. In a manner known per se, the connecting part 7 serves to connect the assembly, composed of the metal hose 3 (together with the casing 4) and the connection part 5, to other components of the gas pipe or of a gas installation, which does not call for any detailed comment.

The connecting element 2, already mentioned, is provided in a junction area or in a junction location of the metal hose 3 (together with the casing 4) and the connecting piece 5 (see reference VS in FIG. 2), and it overlaps said location in order to improve the respective gas tightness of the junction, or of the junction assembly 1. In a partial area, the connecting element 2 is externally applied on the envelope 4 to which it can be physically connected, preferably glued. In previously known junction assemblies of this type, it is regularly used, in the region of the junction location VS, with adhesive tape wrapped from the outside around the connecting piece 5 and the metal hose 3, respectively of the casing 4.

It is now necessary to comment further, also with the support of FIGS. 3 to 5, the structural organization and the properties of the connecting element 2.

The connecting element 2 is produced in the manner of a sleeve or a socket and is respectively made, preferably, of silicone or of silicone rubber which is molded (by injection), then annealed in the sequence. The illustration in FIG. 5 clearly shows that the connecting element is provided with a substantially tubular base body, made of elastomeric material, which base body is designated by the reference 2a in FIG. 5. The body base 2a has, on its inner face, a circumferential protuberance 2b produced, by destination, to penetrate respectively into the notch or the groove 5c, on the connecting piece 5, as is clear, for example, from the illustration of Figure 2. The inner protrusion 2b is provided with a rectangular cross section. It preferably has an axial extent of approximately 5 to 15 mm, preferably from 6 to 10 mm, from 7 to 8 mm with maximum preference, depending on the nominal width of the metal hose 3 used. The inner protrusion 2b occupies an extreme location relative to the base body 2a. In the axial vicinity of the inner circumferential protrusion 2b, the connecting element 2 has a circumferential recess 2c made, by destination, to cooperate with the zone 5d projecting from the end of the connecting piece 5 (cf. FIG. 2) , and to style said area. The base body 2a correspondingly comprises, on its inner face, in the vicinity of the protuberance 2b, a first section 2c of increased internal diameter (recess). An additional zone 2d projecting radially inward and located in the continuity of zone 2c is produced, by destination, to come externally as a surface, with a certain prestress, on the metal hose 3 or on the casing 4, respectively which is similarly evident from FIG. 2. The connecting element 2a consequently comprises, in axial succession, the internal protuberance 2b, the section of increased internal diameter 2c (recess), and a second section (area) 2d of internal diameter. reduced compared to the first section 2c. In this way, the connecting element 2 covers the junction location VS (see Figure 2) and seals it outward. The connecting element 2 is then retained captively in the notch 5c, by its protuberance 2b, knowing that it is applied to the connecting piece 5, with a certain preload, in this region also.

As still shown in Figure 5, the connecting element 2 is provided at its outer face, in the area 2d, with a chamfer 2b pointing towards its end. Other chamfers 2f, 2g, 2e are also found on the edges of the projecting area 2d, as shown.

The reference L ’designates the longitudinal axis of the connecting element 2.

Figure 4 is a view of the connecting element 2 with direction of observation along the longitudinal axis L ’.

Additional information is also highlighted by the perspective illustration in Figure 3.

Particularly due to the fact that zone 2c is provided in which the connecting element 2 has a reduced wall thickness, and therefore increased flexibility, the connecting element 2 can, after being placed on the part connection 5 (see Figure 2), be folded, turned over or rolled up respectively towards connection piece 5 (to the left), preferably by its end (on the right) respectively facing the metal hose 3 or the casing 4, in the manner symbolized by the arrow Z in FIG. 2. The connecting element can, in this way, be advantageously placed on the connecting piece 5 (and folded down in the direction of the arrow Z) before that the metal hose 3 is introduced into the connection piece 5 together with the casing 4, without hindering the subsequent introduction of said hose. In the sequence, the connecting element 2 is then again "redeployed" in the opposite direction to the arrow Z, from which results the mounted state shown in FIG. 2.

Correspondingly, in the method used for the connection of the connecting piece 5 with the metal hose 3 (together with the casing 4), for a gas installation, the metal hose 3 is firstly connected to the connecting piece in a substantially gas-tight manner, preferably by positive engagement and / or materially, and the junction location VS is then covered from the outside by the connecting element 2. The connecting element 2 is then inserted by its inner protuberance 2b into the circumferential notch 5c, on the connecting piece 5, preferably even before the connecting piece 5 and the metal hose 3 are assembled, as described. The connecting element then protrudes initially, by its free end (on the right), beyond a connection end of the connection piece 5. As has already been described, it is however advantageous that prior to the connection of the connecting piece 5 and the metal hose 3, after the establishment of the connecting element 2 on the connecting piece 5, the connecting element 2 can be widened in the region of its free end and folded down on the connection piece 5, as already described above by pressing the arrow Z. After the connection of the connection piece 5 with the metal hose 3, the connection element 2 is then gripped in the region of its folded free end, then threaded onto the junction location VS as well as, by zones, on the metal hose 3 or respectively on the casing 4 of the latter as illustrated, on the Figures 1 and 2, as a final assembly state.

In this context, the corrugation of the metal hose 3, also imprinted in the casing 4, also provides a tight connection between the metal hose 3, the casing 4 respectively, and the connecting element 2 .

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Connection element (2) designed to create a gas-tight connection between a fitting or a connection piece (5) and a flexible element, which connection element (2) is provided with a tubular base body in one elastomeric material, said base body comprising, on its inner face, a circumferential protuberance produced, by destination, to penetrate a notch on the fitting or on the connection piece (5). [Claim 2] The connecting element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the base body is made of silicone or silicone rubber. [Claim 3] The connecting element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the base body is made of vulcanized rubber or natural rubber. [Claim 4] The connecting element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the base body is made of polyurethane or EPDM. [Claim 5] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastomeric material has a Shore hardness of about 45 to 75, preferably 50 to 70, 55 to 60 with maximum preference. [Claim 6] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the inner protuberance is provided with a rectangular cross section. [Claim 7] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the inner protuberance has an axial extension of approximately 5 to 15 mm, preferably 6 to 10 mm, 7 to 8 mm with maximum preference. [Claim 8] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the inner protuberance occupies an extreme location relative to the base body. [Claim 9] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the base body is provided externally with a bevel at one of its ends, preferably its end turned away from the protuberance. [Claim 10] Connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the base body is provided on its inner face, in the vicinity of the protuberance, with a first section having an increased internal diameter. [Claim 11] Connecting element (2) according to claim 10, comprising, in axial succession, the inner protuberance, the first section of increased internal diameter, and a second section which has a reduced internal diameter compared to the first section. [Claim 12] Joint assembly (1) gas tight, provided with a connecting element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a metal hose (3) and a fitting or a connection piece (5), in which the metal hose (3) is connected to the valve or to the connection piece (5) at a junction location (VS), substantially gas-tight, and in which the connecting element (2) covers the outside junction location (VS), knowing that the connecting element (2) is housed, by its inner protuberance, in a circumferential notch on the fitting or on the connection piece (5). [Claim 13] Junction assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the metal hose (3) is made in the form of a corrugated, preferably corrugated metal hose (3). [Claim 14] Junction assembly (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the metal hose (3) is provided with an outer casing (4) preferably consisting of a plastic material, polyethylene with maximum preference, and wherein the connecting element (2) is externally applied, in a partial area, on the casing (4) to which it is preferably physically connected, by bonding with maximum preference. [Claim 15] Junction assembly (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the inner protuberance and the notch are mutually complementary embodiments. [Claim 16] Method for connecting a valve or connection piece with a metal hose, for a gas installation, in which the valve or connection piece is first connected to the metal hose at a junction location , substantially gas tight, preferably by positive engagement and / or materially, and in which the junction location is covered from the outside, in the chain, by a connecting element according to one of claims 1 at 11. [Claim 17] Method according to Claim 16, in which the connecting element is inserted, by its internal protuberance, in a circumferential notch on the fitting or on the connecting piece. [Claim 18] Method according to claim 16 or 17, in which the connecting element is placed on the fittings, or on the connecting piece. [Claim 19] [Claim 20] cordage, even before the tap or connection piece is connected to the metal hose, so that the connecting element protrudes, by its free end, beyond one end of connection of the tap or of the connection piece. Method according to Claim 18, in which, prior to the connection of the fitting or of the connection piece with the metal hose, and after the establishment of the connecting element on the fitting or of the piece connection element, the connection element is widened in the region of its free end and is folded down on the fitting or on the connection piece. A method according to claim 19, in which, after the connection of the fitting or the connection piece with the metal hose, the connecting element is grasped in the region of its folded free end, then threaded onto the junction location as well as, by zones, on the metal hose.