GB2211573A

GB2211573A - Fixing pipe to flange

Info

Publication number: GB2211573A
Application number: GB8725337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazumasa Umehara
Original assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd
Current assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd
Priority date: 1986-06-13
Filing date: 1987-10-29
Publication date: 1989-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-29
Also published as: JP2515744B2; DE3736606C2; GB2211573B; GB8725337D0; JPS62292832A; DE3736606A1

Description

TITLE OF THEINVENTION

ARRANGEMENT FOR FIXIENG EEND OF THIN-WALTUED PIPE TO F T ANGE COUPLING BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an improved arrangement for fixedly connecting a flange coupling and an end of a thin-walled metal pipe of the type which has a relatively small diameter of approximately 50 mm or less and a wall thickness of approximately 2 mm or less and which is typically employed in an automobile, various kinds of machines and equipment in the form of a supply pipe through which oil or ai-r is supplied.

Descrintion of the Prior Art

Re--fer---ina to Fig. 33 showing a prior art arrangement of this kind, a planar flange 11 has an rncunting hole 12.1-:crmed through an axial portion thereof, and an end P 1_ of a m4ze is inserted into the mountina hole 12. In this state, the flange 11 is fixed to the pipe P, by heat brazing, as at 13, using a brazing metal material such as copper or brass.

Typically, the thickness of the flange 11 remar'!-,.-ably differs from that of the pipe P 1 Therefore, in the prior art fixing arrangement, a deterioration may occur in the mechanical properties of the brazed portion 13 of the pipe P. due to localized overheatina which mav be caused, as by an inexperienced operator during a heat brazing operation employing a burner or the 'Like. This deterioration may cause the formation of a crack or a breakaae in combination with vibration applied to a piping including the pipe P, while it is being used. Also, the brazing material may run on a mounting sheet surface o f the flange 11 by brazing heat. In addition, since the entire surface of a product is subjected to anti-corrosive plating after the aforesaid brazing operation, there is a problem in that the quality O'L corrosive resistance may deteriorate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved -fixing arrangement including a flanze hav-'Ln( a mountina hole.:,roj4ded with an radially enli-arged portion in which a resilient sealing member is inserted and a pipe having an end portion provided with an radially expanded portion, the end pcrt.-cn being inserted into the mounting hole such that the radially expanded portion is engaged with the back of the flange. In addition, the end of' the pipe is enlarged or a portion of the end portion of the pipe is radially expanded to press -the resilent sealing member and to clamp a radially inwardly projecting peripheral edge ofE the mounting hole between the radially expanded portion and the enlarged end or radially expanded end portion, thereby fixed1v connecting the flange and the pipe. This eliminates -described heat brazing and prevents a c_rack or the previously breakage from being formed by a deterioration in the mechanical properties of the fixed portion of the pipe as well as various troubles from occurring due to a brazing material running on the mounting sheet surface of the flange by brazing heat. In addition, it is possible to use previouslyplated flange and pipe, therebv remarkably improving the efficiency of fixing operation.

To this end, -'L-.he present invention provides an improved fixing arrangement for fixedly connecting one end of a thin-walled metal pipe and a flange coupling. The Improved fixing arrangement includes a planar flange having a mounting hole formed through an axial portion thereof, a radially expanded portion be-ina formed in _= portion of the peripheral surface o.:" -'L-.he mounting hole for receiving an annular resilient sealing member; and a pipe having one end provided with an pipe-diameter portion and a radially expanding annular portion. The radially expanding annular portion is engaged with the peripheral edge of the mounting hole on the back side of the -Elange to insert the pipe-diameter portion into the mounting hole. In addition, within the mounting hole, the end of the pipe-diameter portion is enlarged or a part of the pipe-diameter portion is radially expanded to press the resilient sealing member and to clamp the radially inwa--d1v mrojecting peripheral edge of t1-1e mounting hole between the ---,.-,,anded port-ien and en-arged -znc c= e exuanded end -,crzion, iereov 51ange and the pipe. Mhe 1-adialiv exna,-- ded -zor-zi--cn mav be formed In a g-oove-lke o- steiD-1-ke shape.

Further objects,. features and advantaces cz- the nresent invent-Lcn will become arParent from the --.'--llowina descr-mt-4on af- oreferred embodiments of the Dresent invention wizreference to the accompanying drawings. Z,Rl-I"L.F:)ESCR'-rPm---CN-X-JF 'THE DIRAWINGS Fig. I _js a cutawav, -,:.-!an view of a pf ref-erred emb-od-4r,-,ent of present invent-ion shcw--'nw an ar--anQement for IriXina one end o..L- a thin-walled metal pipe zo DESC--TW'ITON OF 'HE:RE'rRIRED EMBODMAMY7 Pre-zerred ey.nbod-.-.enzs of zhe:.,resen.: inventlon be described below with --e-:."erence -.-o Figs. 1 and 2.

cutawav, -olar. -_Tiew af a -first 0 _e mresen.-- inventlon.31L-.cwi--.g an _"or -:,-.e and a thin-walled metalL uize --o a flanae and, Fig. a --r--ew S-imilar to F-jc. 'L show'."-c a Second -1 Referr-ing to Figs. -1 and 2, a planar flange 1 is of the type produced by forging, casting or punching of a steel material. The planar flange 1 has a mounting hole 2 formed through an axial portion thereof, and the mount-i.-.g hole 2 has a peripheral surface including an radially expanded portion 3 and an radiallv inwardly projecting peripheral edge!'. An annular resilient sealing member 4 made of a rubber or resin material is fitted in the radially expanded portion 3. A pipe P has one end portlon provided with an pipe-diameter portion P' and an radially expanded portion P" having an annular form. The radially expanded portion P" is engaged with the surface of the radially inwardly projecting peripheral edge 11 of the ricunting hole 2 which is exposed on -he back of the flance 1 to insert the pipe-diameter portion P' into the mounting portion 2. Within the mountina hole 22, the pipe-diameter portion P' is enlarged at its end (Fig. -1) or partially radially expanded by pressing or buckling (Fig.

2) 4 to press the resilient sealing member 4 against the wall of the enlarged portion 3 and at the same time to clamp the radially inwardly projecting peripheral edge 1' of t-he mounting hole 2 between the radially expanded portion P" and the Fig. 1 enlarged portion or the Fig. 2 radially expanded portion of the pipe-diameter portion P', thereby -f"xed-l,,, connecting the planar flange 1 and the pipe P. Incidentally, reference numerals 6 and 6' respectively denote holes receiving bolts secured to a base (not shown).

It is to be noted that the radially expanded portion may be formed in the peripheral surface of the mounting hole 2 in a stepped shape (Fig. 1) or in a groove-like shape (Fig. 2).

In accordance with the present inventi-on including the above-described arrangement, the pipe-diameter portion P' of the end portion of the pipe P is fitted into the mounting hole 2 having the radially expanded portion 3 in which the resilient sealing member 4 is fitted, and the pipe- diameter portion P' is enlarged at its end or a part of the same is radially expanded to press the resilient seal-ing member 4 aga-Lns-- the wa-11 of the radia-liv expanded portion -3. In addition, the radially inwardly peripheral peripheral edge 1' of' the mounting hole 2 is clamped between the radially expanded portion 3 and the enlarged end or radially expanded portion, thereby airtightly and firmly fixing the pipe P to the flange 1.

As described above, in the arrangement for fixing a thin-walled metal pipe to a flange coupling in accordance with the present invention, the pipe P is fixedly con.nected to the flange 'L by a pressure applied to the resilienz sealing member 4 by the radially outwardly expanded port- ion 33 and by a clampinq force act-ing upon the radially inwardly the mounting ho7e 2 between projecting peripheral edge 11 of the annularly expanded portion P" and the radlally enlarged end or the radially expanded portion 5. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a fixed portion which is heat-brazed, and this prevents various troubles from occurring on the mounting sheet surface of the flange 1 due to the formation of a crack, breakage or flowing of a brazing material owing to a deterioration in the mechanical properties of the fixed portion of the pipe P. In addition, the flange 1 and the pipe P which are previously plated may be used so that the efficiency of a mounting operation may be improved, thereby achieving a remarkably useful arrangement for -fixing an end of a thin-walled metal pipe to a flange coupling.

While this invention has been described in ccn-unc-ion with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident thar many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to emrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

C

Claims

1. An arrangement in wh-Lch a pipe is attached to a flange having a mounting hole receiving the pipe and the periphery of which has a radially inwardly directed projection, the pipe being expanded for abutment with one side of the projection, and secured by fixing means expandIng radially to press a resilient sealing member against the other side of the projection. 2. An arrangement for fixedly connecting and end cl' a thin-walled metal pipe to a flange coupling comprising:

a planar flange having a mounting hole formed through and axial portion thereof, a radially expanded portion formed in a nort- ion of the peripheral surface of the mounting hole for defining a radially inwardly projecting portion and an annular resilient sealing member inserted in the radially expanded portion; and a pipe having an annularly expanded portion which is radially expanded for engagement wiTh the portion of The peripheral edge of the mounting hole which is exposed on 'he back of the planar flange and fixing means expanding radially to press the resilient sealing mem.ber against the inner wall of the radiall-Y expanded pcr',.4Len and to clamc the radially inwardly proJecting portion in cooperation with the annularly expanded portion.

An arrangement- acecrd-ng to claim 1 or clair. wherein the pipe is enlarged at an end thereof. 1. An arrange-..=-nt accerding to claim 1_ or clai- the pipe has an end portion which is partially radially expanded. 5. An arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mounting hole is counterbored to a step-like form.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, and having a groove in its peripheral surface to form two spaced radially inwardly directed projections. 7. An arrangement in which a pipe is attached to a flange, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

-N Published 1989 atThe Patent Office, State House, 66171 ILghHolburn, Lond= WC1R4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office. Sales Branch, St Mary Gray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1187