GB2525027A

GB2525027A - Marking gauge

Info

Publication number: GB2525027A
Application number: GB1406492.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Wagstaff; Andrew Roberts; Robert Beswick
Original assignee: Airbus Operations Ltd
Current assignee: Airbus Operations Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-10
Filing date: 2014-04-10
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-10
Also published as: GB2525027B; GB201406492D0

Abstract

A marking gauge 10 for marking a pipe (100, fig. 2) prior to a swaging operation comprises a resiliently deformable body 12 and an end cap 14. The resiliently deformable body defines a receiving space 16 for receiving a pipe such that the resiliently deformable body extends around and mechanically engages with the pipe. Such an arrangement allows the marking gauge to be clipped to a pipe for marking and unclipped from a pipe after marking. The end cap provides a stop for abutting the end of the pipe. This ensures the marking gauge is correctly located on the pipe being marked. The gauge may also comprise a window 22 to allow marking of the pipe. Also claimed is a method of marking a pipe for swaging, including the steps of engaging the marking gauge with the pipe, marking the pipe and disengaging the gauge from the pipe.

Description

MARKING GAUGE

BACKGROUND OF 11W INVENTION

100011 The present invention relates to a marking gauge. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a marking gauge for use with swaging fittings, in

particular in the aerospace manufacturing field.

100021 When pipes are swaged together, it is critical to the process that the fitting is swaged in exactly the right location with reference to the end of the pipe. Marking gauges made of metal may be provided which can be held up to the end of a pipe and used to mark the pipe for swaging. However, within the aerospace industry, manufacturer regulations may specify that there should be no metal to metal contact during the marking process. Also, marking gauges according to the prior art require a user to hold them in place during the marking process, and if an operator lets go of the marking gauge, the marking gauge may fall off the pipe end. In addition to being inconvenient, this may result in the marking gauge falling into the inside of another pipe, then becoming swaged within that pipe.

100031 The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved marking gauge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

100041 The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, a marking gauge comprising a resiliently deformable body, and an end cap, the resiliently deformable body defining a receiving space for receiving a pipe such that the resiliently deformable body extends around and mechanically engages with the pipe, and the end cap provides a stop for abutting the end of the pipe.

100051 Advantageously, the marking gauge engages with a pipe without requiring an operator to maintain the marking gauge in position. This allows an operator to clip the marking gauge to a pipe, ensure it is in the correct position, and use both hands during the marking process.

100061 The marking gauge may comprise a non-metallic material. The resiliently deformable body may comprise a non-metallic material. The non-metallic material may be a plastics material. An example plastics material is nylon. Providing a non-metallic marking gauge and/or resiliently deformable body enables the marking gauge to comply with aircraft manufacturer regulations regarding not having metal to metal contact during marking.

100071 The marking gauge may include a window located adjacent to the end cap.

The window may allow an operator to check that the end cap is correctly abutting the end of a pipe, and that the marking gauge is correctly located on the pipe. The end cap may comprise an open centre to allow easy engagement of the marking gauge with a pipe, and also provide another means by which to check the marking gauge is correctly abutting the end of a pipe. The end cap may comprise a lip to ensure that the pipe is corrected located within the marking gauge. The lip may comprise a window to allow an operator to check the end cap is correctly abutting the end cap. The windows may increase the flexibility of the marking gauge in the region between the end cap and the resiliently deformable body, thus making it easier to an operator to clip and unclip the marking gauge to and from a pipe, 100081 The marking gauge may comprise a window located away from the end cap positioned to allow the marking of a pipe. The marking gauge may comprise a plurality of windows located away from the end cap to allow the marking of a pipe.

100091 The window located adjacent to the end cap and/or the window or windows located away from the end cap may comprise apertures in the resiliently deformable body.

100101 The resiliently deformable body may have an inner surface which in cross section has a partially circular, or arc, shape. The resiliently deforniable body adjacent the end cap may be approximately semi-circular in cross section, Alternatively, the resiliently deformable body adjacent the end cap may extend over a smaller sector of a circle, for example 160 degrees or 140 degrees of a circle. The resiliently deformable body away from the end cap may extend over a greater sector of a circle than a semi-circle, for example extending over 200 degrees, or 220 degrees of a circle. This end section allows the resiliently deforniable body to engage with a pipe, when an operator pushes the end over and around the pipe. The engagement of the marking gauge with the pipe may be an over-centre snap action fit, enabled by the resilience of the resiliently deformable body. Having the resiliently deformable body adjacent the end cap with a semi-circular or smaller cross-section allows the resiliently deformable body to be flexible enough for easy engagement with a pipe.

100111 The marking gauge may comprise a lobe extending away from the end cap or the resiliently deformable body. The lobe may comprise a lanyard attachment point. The provision of a lobe allows the marking gauge to be secured to loop or leash in order to reduce the risk of the marking gauge becoming lost, possibly within an aircraft pipe. The lobe may also increase the cross-sectional diameter of the marking device, reducing the risk of the marking gauge falling into a pipe.

[0012] The marking gauge may be brightly coloured in order to reduce the risk of the niarking gauge being lost, or not being noticed if it falls into a pipe.

[0013] The marking gauge may be arranged for use with a pipe of a specific diameter, The receiving space may be configured to receive a pipe of specific diameter, At least part of the receiving space may have approximately the same diameter as the pipe with which the marking gauge is intended for use. At least part of the receiving space may have an increased diameter in the area corresponding to the marking area of the pipe. The receiving space may have an increased diameter in the area located around the marking windows.

10014] According to a second aspect of the invention there is also provided a set of marking gauges, each marking gauge configured for use with a pipe with a specific diameter, wherein each specific diameter is different.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of marking a pipe for swaging, the method including the steps of: engaging a marking gauge according to the first aspect of the invention with the pipe, marking the pipe, and disengaging the marking gauge from the pipe.

[0016] The step of engaging and disengaging the marking gauge with the pipe may comprise clipping and unclipping the marking gauge to and from the pipe.

[0017] Tt will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: 100191 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a marking gauge according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0020] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one end of the marking gauge according to the first embodiment of the invention engaged with a pipe; [0021] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the base end of the marking gauge according to the first embodiment of the invention engaged with a pipe; [0022] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention engaged with a pipe; and [0023] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a number of marking gauges according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

100241 Figure 1 shows a marking gauge 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figures 2 and 3 show the marking gauge 10 engaged with a pipe 100. The marking gauge 10 comprises a resiliently deformable body 12 and an end cap 14. The resiliently deformable body defines a receiving space 16 for receiving a pipe which an operator wants to mark prior to swaging the pipe. The inner diameter of the receiving space 16 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the pipe to which it is arranged to be engaged during the marking process. This can deafly be seen in both figures 2 and 3, The marking gauge 10 also comprises a lobe 18 extending outwardly from the resiliently deformable body 12 at the end of the body 12 away from the end cap 14. In an alternative embodiment, the lobe may extend from the resiliently deformable body adjacent to the end cap 14, or extend from the end cap 14 itself. The lobe 18 increases the cross-sectional diameter of the marking gauge 10. The resiliently deformable body 12 includes two marking windows 22 which allow an operator to mark a pipe to which the marking gauge is engaged. The marking process comprises ink marks being made on the pipe through the marking windows 22.

100251 As can be seen in Figure 1, the resiliently deformable body 12 has cross-section with an approximately partially circular inner surface, which defines the receiving section 16. This partially circular inner surface approximately corresponds to the outer surface of the pipe to which the marking gauge is designed to be engaged with.

Therefore, the inner surface of the resiliently deformable body 12 may be in contact with a pipe during the marking process. A section 20 of the inner surface away from the end cap 14 has a slightly greater diameter than the rest of the inner surface of the resiliently deformable body, located on the same part of the resiliently deformable body as the marking windows. In this particular region of the inner surface of the resiliently deforniable body, the pipe does not conic into contact with the inner surface during the marking process. The increased inner diameter in the area of the marking windows allows the marking process to be completed without the risk of the marking gauge smudging the marks during the removal process.

[0026] As can be seen in Figure 1, the circular sector covered by the resiliently deformable body 12 at the end of the marking gauge adjacent to the end cap 14 is approximately a semi-circle. This is shown in Figure 3. The circular sector covered by the resiliently deformable body 12 at the end of the resiliently deformable body 12 away from the end cap 14 is more than a semi-circle, in this case, a circular sector of

-C -

approximately 220 degrees. This is shown in Figure 2. The circular sector covered by the resiliently deformable body 12 gradually increases from one end of the body 12 to the other, This arrangement allows an operator to easily push the marking gauge over a pipe and slide the gauge into the marking position, where the end cap 14 is abutting the pipe end. The arrangement also enables the resiliently deformable body to engage with, or clip on to, the pipe in a secure manner, such that the marking gauge will not fall or disengage from the pipe once an operator lets go of the marking gauge. As can be seen in Figure I, the end cap 14 includes a number of windows 24 which allow an operator to check that the end cap 14 is correctly abutting the end of a pipe prior to beginning the marking process. The end cap 14 also comprises a lip in which the windows 24 are located. The lip assists an operator in correctly seating the marking gauge on a pipe.

100271 Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention, where the marking gauge 50 is of a similar configuration to that shown in figures ito 3, though with the lobe 52 located extending away from the end cap 54. This may improve the handling characteristics of the marking gauge 50 when the lobe is connected to a lanyard or other securing device, This may increase the ease of use of the marking gauge 50. Figure 4 shows the marking gauge 50 engaged with a pipe 200, 100281 Figure 5 shows a number of marking gauges, the marking gauges corresponding with that described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, each marking gauge configured for use with a pipe of a different diameter. The third embodiment of the invention comprises a set of these marking gauges, 100291 Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

100301 Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth, Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. Tt will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

CLAiMS A marking gauge comprising a resiliently deformable body, and an end cap, the resiliently deformable body defining a receiving space for receiving a pipe such that the resiliently deformable body extends around and mechanically engages with the pipe, and the end cap provides a stop for abutting the end of the pipe.
2. A marking gauge as claimed in claim I, comprising a non-metallic material.
3. A marking gauge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resiliently deformable body comprises a non-metallic material.
4, A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, including a window located adjacent to the end cap.
5. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a window located away from the end cap positioned to allow the marking of a pipe.
6. A marking gauge as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein a window comprises an aperture in the resiliently deformable body.
7. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body has an inner surface which in cross section has a partially circular shape.
8. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body adjacent the end cap is approximately semi-circular in cross-section.
9. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body away from the end cap extends over a greater sector of a circle than a semi-circle.
10. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a lobe extending away from the end cap or the resiliently deformable body.
1 I. A marking gauge as claimed in claim 1 0 wherein the lobe comprises a lanyard attachment point.
12. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the marking gauge is arranged for use with a pipe of a specific diameter.
13. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiving space is configured to receive a pipe of specific diameter.
14. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the receiving space has approximately the same diameter as the pipe with which the marking gauge is intended for use.
15. A marking gauge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the receiving space has an increased diameter in the region of the marking window or windows.
16. A set of marking gauges, each marking gauge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 and configured for use with a pipe with a specific diameter, wherein each specific diameter is different.
17. A method of marking a pipe for swaging, the method including the steps of: engaging a marking gauge according to claim 1 with the pipe, marking the pipe, and disengaging the marking gauge from the pipe.
18. A method of marking a pipe as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of engaging and disengaging the marking gauge with the pipe comprises clipping and unclipping the marking gauge to and from the pipe.