GB2491863A

GB2491863A - A strap for restricting separation in a conduit assembly, and a conduit assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2491863A
Application number: GB201110033A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Roy Evans
Original assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
Current assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-14
Filing date: 2011-06-14
Publication date: 2012-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-14
Also published as: GB201110033D0; GB2491863B

Abstract

The invention entails a strap 10 suitable for restricting separation of first and second collars / band clamps 35, 36 mounted to at least one conduit 25, the strap comprising a body with a rear surface adapted to locate against the at least one conduit 25, in use, and a front surface adapted to receive rear portions of the first and second collars, wherein the strap body has first and second abutments 20, 21 extending forward of the front surface, each abutment defining an inward surface for (laterally) engaging an outside portion of a respective collar. The rear surface of the strap / plate is ideally curved to match the conduitâ s curvature. A conduit assembly / pipe coupling is envisaged connecting two rigid pipes with an intermediate hose 26 and strap. The strap / band limits the movement and separation of the two components. The conduit assembly is envisaged in machines (e.g. in vehicles), and serves to prevent inadvertent separation while reducing transmitted vibration.

Description

Conduit Connector

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of clamping devices and more particularly to clamping devices used for joining two or more conduits or associated components. The present disclosure also relates to a method of joining conduits using such clamping devices.

Background

[0002] Rigid pipes, ducts and other conduits are used in many machines for transmitting fluids and particulates between various components and must therefore be joined to each other or to the components in an effective manner. To aid alignment and to minimize the transmission of vibrations between any two rigid conduits to be joined, an intermediary may be used in the form of a short length of flexible hose. Typically, the conduits may have a diameter slightly smaller than that of the hose and have an annular protuberance at or adjacent their free ends. The free end of a first conduit may be inserted into a first end of the hose and the free end of the second conduit may be inserted into a second end of the hose. Relative movement of the conduits and hoses may be restricted by the use of first and second expandable band clamps or collars disposed around the first and second end portions of the hose. The band clamps may be tightened so as to compress the end portions of the hose onto the end portions of the rigid conduits, so as to form an effective seal therebetween. The conduits are unlikely to detach from the hose since the protuberances on the end of the conduits are usually unable to pass beyond the respective portions of the hose compressed by the band clamps.

[0003] In some applications where high pressure fluid passes through the conduits, tie rods may be employed further to limit relative axial displacement of the conduits. For instance, each conduit may be furnished with a boss spaced from its free end and a tie rod extending between the conduits may be fastened to those bosses. Since the tie rod is generally non-extendable the conduits are unlikely to separate when under considerable pressure. However, the welding, cleaning and testing associated with affixing those bosses to the conduits may be time consuming and thus expensive. Also, the tie rod may transmit vibrations between two conduits interconnecting two components such as an engine and a radiator, which could reduce the life of the radiator.

[0004] Therefore, it is a principal object of the present disclosure, at least partially, to overcome the problems associated with known clamping arrangements.

Summjyof the Qjçlosure According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a strap for restricting separation of first and second collars mounted to at least one conduit, the strap comprising: a body having a rear surface adapted to locate against the at least one conduit in use and a front surface adapted to receive rear portions of the first and second collars, in use; and first and second abutments provided on the body and extending forward of the front surface, each of said first and second abutments defining an inward surface for engaging in use an outside portion of a respective first and second collar.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of connecting a first connecting end of a first connecting conduit to a second connecting end of a second connecting conduit, the method comprising the steps of: -3..

providing: an intermediate conduit having first and second intermediate ends; a first collar; a second collar; and a strap having first and second abutments spaced therealong; positioning one of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; positioning one of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the first collar around whichever of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end is located over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; locating the second collar around whichever of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end is located over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the strap inside the first and second collars such that the first abutment is disposed proximal to the first intermediate end and the second abutment is disposed proximal to the second intermediate end; and causing the first collar to contract around the overlapping first connecting end and the first intermediate end and causing the second collar to contract around the overlapping second connecting end and the second intermediate end, thereby securing the strap in position.

Brief Desçjjption of the Drawings [00051 By way of example only, one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a strap according to the

disclosure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of various conduits and fixings, including the strap of Figure 1, prior to assembly; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the conduits and fixings of Figure 2, after assembly; Figure 4 is a cross-section through the assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-section through a slightly different assembly from that of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cooling assembly associated with the components of Figures 1 to 4.

Detailed Description

[0006] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a strap 10 forming part of a hose assembly 11 (shown in Figure 2). The strap 10 comprises a body 12 which may be elongate and which may define opposed front and rear surfaces 13,14, two sides 15,16 and first and second ends 17,18. The strap 10 may further comprise first and second abutments 20,21 spaced apart and extending forward of the front surface 13. In this embodiment, the body 12 comprises a thin strip of material having first and second ends 17,18 that may be upturned to define lips that may serve as the first and second abutments 20,21. Alternatively, the abutments may comprise protrusions embossed, forged or otherwise formed on the body. in a further arrangement, the abutments may be unitary pieces welded, soldered, brazed, adhered, moulded or otherwise secured to the body. The strap may be curved so as to cooperate with the outer face 26 of a cylindrical intermediate hose 25 (discussed in more detail below with respect to Figure 2) and may have a centre of curvature lying on an axis X arranged substantially parallel to the length of the strap 10, which length may correspond to the distance between the first and second ends 17,18. Furthermore, the axis X may be coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate hose 25. The strap 10 may have a substantially uniform cross-section when viewed at any point along its length, that cross-section possibly being arcuate.

[0007] The body 12 may be made from steel, plastics or any other material that generally resists elastic or plastic deformation when subject to a tensile load.

Preferably the material may have suitable characteristics that enable the strap 10 to deform plastically during suitable manufacturing processes so as to form the first and second abutments 20,21. Such processes may include pressing, folding, forging, moulding and so on.

[0008] In a further embodiment first and second inner abutments (not shown) may be provided between the first and second abutments 20,21 and may be arranged to extend forward of the front surface 13. A first portion may be defined between the first abutment 20 and the first inner abutment for receiving a first collar and a second portion may be defined between the second abutment 21 and the second inner abutment for receiving a second collar, described in more detail below. For example, the sides 15,16 of the body 12 may include flanges (not shown) disposed partway between the ends 17 and 18 and which may be upturned such that the ends of the flanges proximal to the first end 17 define the first inner abutment and the ends of the flanges proximal to the second end 18 defines the second inner abutment. Alternatively, the body 12 may be provided with first and second U-shape cuts defining first and second tabs that may be lifted to define the first and second abutments.

[0009] Hose assembly 11 will now be discussed in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The hose assembly 11 may include an intermediate hose 25 comprising a generally cylindrical tube defining circumferential outer and inner faces 26,27 and annular shaped first and second ends 28,29. The intermediate hose 25 may be made of rubber, plastics or other material capable of transmitting a fluid and possibly allowing some degree of deformation. The length of the intermediate hose 25 may be substantially equal to the length of the strap 10 and the inner radius of the intermediate hose 25 may be substantially equal to the outer radius of curvature of the strap 10. This way, the strap 10 may be mounted to the intermediate hose 25 so that its rear surface 14 bears against the circumferential outer face 26 of the intermediate hose 25 and the first and second ends 17,18 of the strap 10 locate at or near the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25.

[0010] There may also be provided first and second collars 35,36 configured to extend at least partially around the intermediate hose 25 and to overlie the strap 10. Collars suitable for this purpose are known in the field and are available in various forms. In this embodiment, the first and second collars 35,36 may each comprise a steel strip 37 that has been manipulated to form a steel band having closely spaced ends 38 and enclosing an interior space 39, the shape of which interior space may be selected to match the cross-section of the intermediate hose 25. The ends 38 may be inwardly turned and may be provided with threaded holes (not shown) for receiving a screw 47 that may be tightened to thaw the ends 38 closer together and thus reduce the size of the interior space 39.

[0011] A purpose of the hose assembly 11 is to interconnect first and second items 40,41, which may comprise two conduits, two components or a combination of conduits and components. Those items may be configured to cooperate with the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25. More specifically, the items may define first and second connection portions 42,43 that may be tubular and may be sized to locate in or over the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25. At or near the end of each of the first and second connection portions 42,43 there may be provided a protuberance 44,45 that may be annular so as to extend around its external peripheral surface so as to form an end stop, the purpose of which is discussed in more detail below. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) one or more discrete protuberance may be provided at or near the end of the connection portion, possibly arranged to form teeth that may be spaced equidistantly therearound. The or each protuberance may lie in a plane lying substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the connection portion, that is to say, the longitudinal axis may extend through that plane. The or each protuberance may be formed by pressing, embossing or otherwise deforming the connection portion. Alternatively the or each protuberance may be a separate unit that may be adhered, brazed, welded or soldered to the connection portion, or attached using any other suitable means.

[0012] In a further arrangement shown in Figure 5, first and second protuberances 48,49 may be provided at or near the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose, so as to extend outwardly from the circumferential outer face 26. This hose shall be discussed in more detail below and might be used with items having connection portions provided without protuberances.

[0013] In a more specific example shown in Figure 6, the hose assembly may be used to interconnect components of an engine. For instance, the first item 40 may comprise a conduit coupled to a turbocharger compressor (not shown) and the first connection portion 42 may comprise a narrow end section of that conduit. Further, the second item 41 may comprise an intercooler provided.on a cooling assembly 50 and the second connection portion 43 may comprise a compressed air inlet. The hose assembly 11 may be used to secure the conduit to the intercooler so as to enable compressed air to be received and cooled by the intercooler. The hose assembly 11 may create a hermetic seal between any two components and may therefore be used for the delivery of liquids, gases or particulates.

[0014] In the above described arrangements, the intermediate hose 25 has a generally uniform, circular cross-section, but this is not necessary. In fact, the shape and size of the intermediate hose 25 may be selected to match the shape and size of the first and second connection portions 42,43 to which it may attach.

The intermediate hose 25 may taper or may be stepped to suit different size first and second connection portions 42,43 or may even have different shaped first and second ends 28,29 according to the shape of the first and second connection portions 42,43.

Industrial Applicability

[0015] The first and second items 40,4 1 may be connected using the hose assembly 11 in the following manner, though the precise order of steps may vary according to preference and the nature of those items. The first and second collars 35,36 may be located around the intermediate hose 25, such that the first collar 35 may be proximal to the first end 28 and the second collar may be proximal to the second end 29. The first connection portion 42 of the first item may be inserted inside the first end 28 of the intermediate hose 25 and the second connection portion 43 of the second item 41 may be inserted into the second end 29 of the intermediate hose 25. The length of each of the first and second connection portions 42,43 that may be inserted into the intermediate hose may vary according to the dimensions of the various parts. However, as a minimum, each of the first and second connection portions 42,43 may be inserted at least so its protuberance 44,45 extends beyond its respective first or second collar 35,36.

[0016] The strap 10 may then be passed behind the first and second collars 35,36 and mounted to the circumferential outer face 26 of the intermediate hose 25. The strap 10 may be aligned centrally along the length of the intermediate hose 25 such that the first and second abutments 20,2 1 are substantially equally spaced from the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25.

[0017] The first and second collars 35,36 may then be urged outwardly along the intermediate hose 25 so that they engage the first and second abutments 20,21. Once the first and second collars 35,36 are appropriately positioned, the screws 47 may be tightened so as to draw the ends 38 closer together, thereby closing the steel strips 37 onto the intermediate hose 25. This may cause the intermediate hose 25 to deform slightly so as to follow the contours of the first and second connection portions 42,43 more closely. The cross-sectional areas defined by the intermediate hose 25 in the planes of the protuberances 44,45 may be greater than the interior spaces 39 enclosed by the tightened first and second collars 35,36. This may limit relative axial displacement of the intermediate hose and the first and second collars 35,36. In particular, it may limit the likelihood of the first and second connection portions 42,43 being inadvertently detached from the intermediate hose 25, which might otherwise be a significant possibility due to the pressurized air flowing therethrough.

[0018] In one alternative arrangement shown in Figure 5 and described briefly above, the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25 may be provided with first and second protuberances 48,49. In this arrangement, installation may be effected by locating the first and second connection portions (which may or may not include protuberances) over the first and second ends 28,29 of the intermediate hose 25. The first and second collars 35,36 may then be positioned over the first and second connection portions 42,43 and the strap 10 may be located behind the first and second collars 35,36 so as to bridge the first and second connection portions 42,43. The first and second items 40,41 may be provided with partially deformable first and second connection portions so that they may contract against the circumferential outer face 26 of the intermediate hose 25 when the first and second collars 35,36 are tightened. In this arrangement the intermediate hose 25 may be substantially rigid. As the first and second collars 35,36 are tightened, the first and second connection members may deform around the first and second protuberances 48,49 and thus restrict relative axial movement of the first and second items 40,4 1 and the intermediate hose 25.

[0019] In the arrangement described above where the strap 10 includes first and second abutments 20,2 1 and first and second inner abutments (not shown), the first and second collars 35,36 may be positioned on the first and second portions, respectively, such that the first and second abutments restrict outward movement of the collars and the first and second inner abutments restrict inward movement of the collars.

[0020] Furthermore, the hose assembly 12 may include a plurality of straps 10 that may be spaced around the outer surface 26 of the intermediate hose 25. For example, a pair of straps may be spaced around the outer surface 26 and located at diametrically opposed positions on the intermediate hose 25, which may increase security in applications where high pressure fluids are likely to pass between the first and second items 40,41.

[0021] Many combinations, alteration or modifications to the features of the above embodiments will be readily apparent to the skilled person and are intended to form part of the disclosure. Any of the features described specifically in relation to one embodiment or example may be used in any other embodiment by making the appropriate changes.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is: 1. A strap for restricting separation of first and second collars mounted to at least one conduit, the strap comprising: a body having a rear surface adapted to locate against the at least one conduit in use and a front surface adapted to receive rear portions of the first and second collars, in use; and first and second abutments provided on the body and extending forward of the front surface, each of said first and second abutments defining an inward surface for engaging in use an outside portion of a respective first and second collar.
2. A strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has opposed first and second ends provided with the first and second abutments, respectively.
3. A strap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body comprises a plate having upturned ends defining the first and second abutments.
4. A strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear face is profiled to cooperate with the outside surface of the at least one conduit to which the strap is to be mounted, in use.
5. A strap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body is curved.
6. A strap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body has a centre of curvature lying on an axis extending substantially coaxially with the axis of a cylindrical conduit to which the strap is to be mounted in use.
7. A group of parts for securing an intermediate conduit to first and second conduits associated with first and second items, the group of parts comprising: a first collar having a first inside face and adapted to define a first interior space for receiving portions of the intermediate conduit and the first conduit arranged one in side the other; a second collar having a second inside face and adapted to define a second interior space for receiving portions of the intermediate conduit and the second conduit arranged one inside the other; and a strap as claimed in any preceding claim and locatable through the first and second interior spaces such that its front surface bears against portions of the first and second inside faces of the first and second collars and the inward faces of the first and second abutments lie proximal to the first and second collars, respectively.
8. A group of parts as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second collars are expandable so as to adjust the size of the first and second interior spaces according to the size of the conduits to be received therein.
9. A group of parts as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the first and second collars are arranged to define first and second interior spaces that are at least partially circular and the body of the strip is curved.
10. A conduit assembly comprising: an intermediate conduit having opposed first and second intermediate end portions; a first connecting conduit having a first connecting end portion, one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion being located over the other of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion; a second connecting conduit having a second connecting end portion, one of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion being located over the other of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion; and the group of parts claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein: the first collar is disposed around the one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion located over the other of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion; the second collar is disposed around one of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion located over the other of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion; and the strap extends through the first and second interior spaces so as to be sandwiched between: the first collar and one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion; and the second collar and one of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion, the first and second abutments engaging outside faces of the first and second collars, respectively.
11. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second connecting end portions is provided with a protuberance, the first and second connecting conduits being positioned relative to the intermediate conduit such that the protuberance is disposed between the first and second collars.
12. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the first intermediate end portion is arranged to locate over the first connecting end portion and the second intermediate end portion is arranged to locate over the second connecting end portion, the length of the strap being substantially equal to the length of the intermediate conduit such that the rear face of the body bears against the outer face of the intermediate conduit.
13. A method of connecting a first connecting end of a first connecting conduit to a second connecting end of a second connecting conduit, the method comprising the steps of: providing: an intermediate conduit having first and second intermediate ends; a first collar; a second collar; and a strap having first and second abutments spaced therealong; positioning one of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; positioning one of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the first collar around whichever of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end is located over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; locating the second collar around whichever of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end is located over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the strap inside the first and second collars such that the first abutment is disposed proximal to the first intermediate end and the second abutment is disposed proximal to the second intermediate end; and causing the first collar to contract around the overlapping first connecting end and the first intermediate end and causing the second collar to contract around the overlapping second connecting end and the second intermediate end, thereby securing the strap in position.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, and further including the step of locating the first and second collars so as to engage the first and second abutments, respectively.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, and further comprising the steps of: providing a first protuberance on the first connecting end and a second protuberance on the second connecting end; and arranging the first connecting conduit, the second connecting conduit and the intermediate conduit such that protuberances are located between the first and second collars.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSClaims 1. A conduit assembly comprising: an intermediate conduit having opposed first and second intermediate end portions; a first connecting conduit having a first connecting end portion, one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion being located over the other of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion; a second connecting conduit having a second connecting end portion, one of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion being located over the other of the second intermediate end portion and the second r connecting end portion; a first collar having a first inside face and adapted to define a first interior space for receiving portions of the intermediate conduit and the first conduit arranged one r in side the other; a second collar having a second inside face and adapted to define a second interior space for receiving portions of the intermediate conduit and the second conduit arranged one inside the other; the first collar being disposed around the one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion located over the other of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion; the second collar being disposed around one of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion located over the other of the second intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion; wherein at least one of the first and second connecting end portions is provided with a protuberance, the first and second connecting conduits being positioned relative to the intermediate conduit such that the protuberance is disposed between the first and second collars; and the assembly further comprising a strap for restricting separation of said first and second collars, the strap comprising: a body having a rear surface adapted to locate against the intermediate conduit and a front surface adapted to receive rear portions of the first and C" second collars; r 15 first and second abutments provided on the strap body and extending forward of the front surface, each of said first and second abutments defining an inward surface for engaging an outside portion of said r respective first and second collar; wherein the strap extends through the first and second interior spaces so as to be sandwiched between the first collar and one of the first intermediate end portion and the first connecting end portion and further between the second collar and one of the intermediate end portion and the second connecting end portion, the first and second abutments engaging outside faces of the first and second collars, respectively.2. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap body has opposed first and second ends provided with the first and second abutments, respectively.3. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strap body comprises a plate having upturned ends defining the first and second abutments.4. A conduit assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear surface of the strap body is profiled to cooperate with the outside surface of the intermediate conduit.5. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the strap body is curved.6. A conduit assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the strap body has a centre of curvature lying on an axis r extending substantially coaxially with the axis of the intermediate conduit which is cylindrical.7. A conduit assembly as claimed in any one of the r preceding claims, wherein the first and second collars are expandable so as to adjust the size of the first and second interior spaces according to the size of the conduits to be received therein.8. A conduit assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second interior spaces are at least partially circular and the body of the strap is curved.9. A conduit assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first intermediate end portion is arranged to locate over the first connecting end portion and the second intermediate end portion is arranged to locate over the second connecting end portion, the length of the strap being substantially egual to the length of the intermediate conduit such that the rear face of the body bears against the outer face of the intermediate conduit.10. A method of connecting a first connecting end of a first connecting conduit to a second connecting end of a second connecting conduit, the method comprising the steps of: providing an intermediate conduit having first and second intermediate ends, a first collar, a second collar, and a strap having first and second abutments spaced therealong; providing a first protuberance on the first connecting r end and a second protuberance on the second connecting end; positioning one of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; r positioning one of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the first collar around whichever of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end is located over the other of the first connecting end and the first intermediate end; locating the second collar around whichever of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end is located over the other of the second connecting end and the second intermediate end; locating the first and second collars so as to engage the first and second abutments, respectively and arranging the first connecting conduit, the second connecting conduit and the intermediate conduit such that protuberances are located between the first and second collars, locating the strap inside the first and second collars such that the first abutment is disposed proximal to the first intermediate end and the second abutment is disposed proximal to the second intermediate end; and causing the first collar to contract around the overlapping first connecting end and the first intermediate end and causing the second collar to contract around the overlapping second connecting end and the second intermediate end, thereby securing the strap in position. c\J c\J r