GB2536694A

GB2536694A - Nipple

Info

Publication number: GB2536694A
Application number: GB1505201.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Berglund Magnus; Ekstrom Jorgen; Magnusson Johan
Original assignee: Cejn AB
Current assignee: Cejn AB
Priority date: 2015-03-26
Filing date: 2015-03-26
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-26
Also published as: GB201505201D0; CN106015793A; DE102016105297B4; KR101846653B1; CN106015793B; KR20160115820A; GB2536694B; DE102016105297A1; JP6085048B2; JP2016183778A

Abstract

A nipple for a quick connect coupling comprises a nipple body 100 with a through hole 200, and an end 300 for engaging a coupling. The through hole 200 comprises a first section 210 with a first diameter 212 and a second section 220 with a second diameter 222. The second section 220 is adjacent to and closer to the end 300 than the first section 210, and the second diameter 222 is larger than the first diameter 212, forming a shoulder 230 between the first section 210 and the second section 220. The shoulder can be used to engage with a valve in a female part of the coupling. The nipple body 100 and the through hole 200 comprise openings 240 extending through the shoulder 230. The openings 240 extend through part of the first section 210 and the shoulder 230, and can also extend through part of the second section 220. The nipple can be formed as one integral piece, negating the use of a separate pipe through the nipple. The second diameter 222 can vary, with it being wider towards the end 300.

Description

NIPPLE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to quick connect couplings. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a nipple for a quick connect coupling.

Background

Couplings, for example hydraulic couplings, often have a coupling and a nipple. The nipple may be referred to as the male part and the coupling may be referred to as the female part. Such couplings are used for connecting hydraulic fluids.

A known nipple, such as the high pressure hydraulic nipple in the 116 series of CEJN is made of a nipple body and a pipe inside the nipple. The pipe engages and opens the valve of the coupling when the nipple and a coupling are connected.

This construction causes several problems. It requires the two parts, the nipple body and the pipe, to be assembled and also to be assembled correctly relatively to each other. The pipe has a variation in its length, especially under the influence of heat. It is therefore desirable to overcome these problems and improve the nipple.

It is also desirable to provide a nipple that is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to manufacture, and is robust. The nipple must also be able to be manufactured in different sizes. The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a nipple for a coupling. This object can be achieved by the features as defined by the independent claim. Further enhancements are characterised by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a nipple for a coupling is disclosed. The nipple comprises a nipple body (100) comprising a through hole (200), and an end (300) for engaging a coupling. The through hole (200) comprising a first section (210) with a first diameter (212) and a second section (220) with a second diameter (222) of the through hole (200). The second section (220) is adjacent to the first section, the second section (220) is closer to the end (300) than the first section (210), and the second diameter (222) is larger than the first diameter (212), forming a shoulder (230) between the first section (210) and the second section (220). The nipple body (100) and the through hole (200) further comprising one or more openings (240) extending through the shoulder (230). According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and through the shoulder (230). According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230). According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230). Thus, in these embodiments, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least part of the nipple body (100).

According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and through the shoulder (230). Instead hereof, or in addition hereto, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230).

According to one embodiment, the nipple is one single integral piece. The second diameter (222) may vary. The second diameter may not be constant.

According to one embodiment, the first diameter (212) is constant and the second diameter (222) varies and is larger closer to the end (300).

According to one embodiment, the through hole (200) comprises one, two, three, four, five, or six openings (240). The shoulder (230) may extend perpendicular to an axis (202) of the through hole (200). An axis (242) of the one or more openings (240) may about 0 to 60 degrees to an axis (202) of the through hole (200), preferably 22 degrees.

According to one embodiment, the nipple is adapted for high pressure fluids, preferably 70 MPa or more. According to one embodiment, the coupling may be a quick connect coupling.

At least one of the above embodiments provides one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages with the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application obtain only a subset of the advantages set forth. No one advantage is critical to the embodiments. Any claimed embodiment may be technically combined with any other claimed embodiment(s).

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cross section of a nipple according to an

exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an end view of a nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a nipple according to an exemplary

embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here the nipple is shown as cut through its centre along its axis. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the same nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here the nipple is shown with a view of an end which is the end that enters the coupling. The coupling is not shown because it is not part of the disclosure. The nipple corresponds to a male part and the coupling corresponds to a female part and the male part and female part can be coupled together.

The nipple is for a coupling, preferably a quick connect coupling. The nipple may be for a high pressure coupling. High pressure may be 70 M Pa or more, or 100 MPa or more, or 150 MPa or more, or 200 MPa or more, or 300 MPa or more, or 400 MPa or more. The nipple may be for a fluid, such as air, gas, liquid, hydraulic fluids, etc. The nipple may be for a high pressure quick fit coupling.

The nipple comprises a nipple body (100). The nipple body (100) may be made out of one single piece. The nipple body (100) may be made out of, for example, stainless steel, zinc plated, or chemically nickel-plated steel for use in corrosive environments. A separate pipe, as required in the prior art, is not necessary. The nipple body (100) comprises a through hole (200), and an end (300) for engaging a coupling. The through hole (200) goes all the way through the nipple body (100) so as to allow fluid to pass through the nipple. The trough hole (200) is preferably round. The trough hole (200) has an axis (202), which may also be a central axis of the whole nipple body (100). The end (300) is the end of the nipple body (100) that enters the coupling, the female part.

The through hole (200) comprises a first section (210) with a first diameter (212) and a second section (220) with a second diameter (222). The diameters may not be constant and vary. The first section (210) and the second section (220) are different parts of the through hole (200). For a better understanding, the first section (210) has been indicated as Si in FIG. 1 and the second section (220) as S2 in FIG. 1. The second section (220) is adjacent to the first section (210). The first section (210) and the second section (220) of the through hole (200) are next to each other. The second section (220) is closer to the end (300) than the first section (210). Looking from the end (300), the second section (220) is followed by the first section (210).

The second diameter (222) of the second section (220) is larger than the first diameter (212) of the first section (210). At least, the second diameter (222) of the second section (220) adjacent the first section (210) is larger than the first diameter (212) of the first section (210). Hereby a shoulder (230) is formed between the first section (210) and the second section (220). This shoulder (230) is adapted to engage a valve in the coupling when the nipple engages the coupling. The shoulder is formed because second diameter (222) is larger, wider, than the first diameter (212) of the through hole (200). This difference between the adjacent first section (210) and the second section (220) makes the first section (210) extend further in, the through hole (200) being narrower, than the second section (220) where the through hole (200) is wider, and this difference, the extension, forms the shoulder (230). The shoulder may be like a shelf extending around and substantially radially to the axis (20) of the through hole (200).

The nipple body (100) and the through hole (200) further comprise one or more openings (240) extending through the shoulder (230). The one or more openings (240) open partially up the shoulder (230) so that fluid can flow between the first section (210) and the second section (220) via the one or more openings (240). Such a fluid flow may take place when the shoulder (230) engages and opens a valve in a coupling. A plurality of the openings (240) separates the shoulder (230) in to a plurality of segments. The openings (240) may be a machined round hole as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGs 1-3. The openings (240) may be any shape, such as rectangular, polygonal, semi-circular, etc. According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and through the shoulder (230).

According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230). According to one embodiment, the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230). In these embodiments, the one or more openings (240) open partially up the shoulder (230) so that fluid can flow between the first section (210) and the second section (220) of the through hole (200) via the one or more openings (240). Such a fluid flow may take place when the shoulder (230) engages and opens or closes a valve in a coupling.

According to one embodiment, the nipple is one single integral piece. The nipple body may be manufactured out of one solid single integral piece, preferably made of the same material. It may be taken from FIGs 1-3 that the nipple, the nipple body (100), is made from one single integral piece made of the same material. The nipple body (100) may be made out of, for example, stainless steel, zinc plated, or chemically nickel-plated steel for use in corrosive environments. By using only one single integral piece and providing it with one or more openings (240) as described above, the need for a separate pipe is eliminated.

According to one embodiment, the second diameter (222) of the second section (220) of the through hole (200) may vary. The second diameter (222) may not be constant. A variation in the second diameter (222) may form a second section (220) that opens up, for example like a cone, towards the end (300). The second diameter (222) may increase, or decrease, or both, constantly, or not, over the whole, or only a part, of the second section (220). The example of the second section (220) in FIG.1 shows a second section (220) with an opening, towards the end (300), and an increasing second diameter (222), forming a truncated cone, or a frustum of a cone.

According to one embodiment, the first diameter (212) is constant and the second diameter (222) varies and is larger closer to the end (300). This exemplary embodiment is illustrated by FIG. 1. Here the second diameter (222) of the second section (220) may increase constantly towards the end (300), while the first diameter (212) of the first section (210) may be constant. In this embodiment, the second diameter (222) is adjacent the first diameter (212) so as to form the shoulder (230). According to one embodiment, the nipple body (100) and the through hole (200) comprises three openings (240). The openings (240) could be, for example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten openings (240). These openings (240) may be arranged to each other with a regular distance. For example, as shown in FIGs 2 and 3 they may be arranged equally 120 degrees from each other around the through hole (200). In this way the shoulder (230) is evenly divided into a plurality of shoulder sections. This provides an even flow and a good mechanical engagement of a valve when the nipple engages a coupling.

According to one embodiment, the shoulder (230) extends perpendicular to the axis (202) of the through hole (200). This gives a proper support for engaging a valve in a coupling. The shoulder (230) may instead, or in addition, lean in any direction, for example +/-60 degrees angle to its perpendicular orientation.

According to one embodiment, an axis (242) of the one or more openings (240) is about 0 to 60 degrees to the axis (202) of the through hole (200), preferably 22 degrees. The axis (242) of the one or more openings (240) is indicated in FIG. 1 and forms an angle of about 22 degrees with the axis (202) of the through hole (200). The axis (242) may be parallel to the axis (202). The axis (242) may form any angle of 0 to 60 degrees with the axis (202).

According to one embodiment, the nipple is adapted for high pressure fluids.

High pressure fluids may be 70 MPa or more, or 100 MPa or more, or 150 MPa or more, or 200 MPa or more, or 300 MPa or more, or 400 MPa or more. The nipple may be for a fluid, such as air, gas, liquid, hydraulic fluids, etc. The nipple may be for a high pressure quick fit coupling. The adaptation may be made by selecting appropriate metal, dimensions, and machining. The nipple may in one embodiment be made of steel and treated chemically and/or heated to become harder.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, the nipple does not need to have an internal pipe for engaging a valve in a coupling. By eliminating the pipe with the possibility of variations in the length of the pipe, a more accurate opening of the valve can be achieved. Since the nipple body is made out of one single integral piece, assembly costs can be eliminated and the nipple is robust. The nipple is also inexpensive to manufacture because only one or more openings (240) needs to be done. The nipple is also easily manufactured in different sizes. The manufacturing process results in high and easy controllable quality of the nipple.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the nipple. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed nipple. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

List of elements Nipple 100 nipple body through hole 202 axis of though hole 210 first section 212 first diameter 220 second section 222 second diameter 230 shoulder 240 one or more openings 242 axis of one or more openings 300 end (for engaging a coupling)

Claims

Claims 1. A nipple for a coupling, the nipple comprising a nipple body (100) comprising a through hole (200), and an end (300) for engaging a coupling; the through hole (200) comprising a first section (210) with a first diameter (212) and a second section (220) with a second diameter (222), the second section (220) being adjacent to the first section (210), the second section (220) being closer to the end (300) than the first section (210), and the second diameter (222) being larger than the first diameter (212), forming a shoulder (230) between the first section (210) and the second section (220); and the nipple body (100) and the through hole (200) further comprising one or more openings (240) extending through the shoulder (230).
2. The nipple according to claim 1, wherein the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and through the shoulder (230).
3. The nipple according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230).
4. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is one single integral piece.
5. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second diameter (222) varies.
6. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first diameter (212) is constant and the second diameter (222) varies and is larger closer to the end (300).B
7. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the through hole (200) comprises three openings (240).
8. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shoulder (230) extends perpendicular to an axis (202) of the through hole (200)
9. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an axis (242) of the one or more openings (240) is about 0 to 60 degrees to an axis (202) of the through hole (200), preferably 22 degrees.
10. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is adapted for high pressure fluids.
11. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is for a quick connect coupling.
12. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the through hole (200) comprises one or two or four or five or more openings (240).
13. A nipple substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to thedescription and/or the drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. A nipple for a coupling, the nipple comprising a nipple body (100) comprising a through hole (200), and an end (300) for engaging a coupling; the through hole (200) comprising a first section (210) with a first diameter (212) and a second section (220) with a second diameter (222), the second section (220) being adjacent to the first section (210), the second section (220) being closer to the end (300) than the first section (210), and the second diameter (222) being larger than the first diameter (212), forming a shoulder (230) between the first section (210) and the second section (220); and the nipple body (100) and the through hole (200) further comprising one or more openings (240) extending through the shoulder (230).2. The nipple according to claim 1, wherein the one or more openings (240) extend through at least a part of the first section (210) and through the shoulder 40) (230)."1-20 3. The nipple according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more openings (240) CJ extend through at least a part of the second section (220) and through the shoulder (230).4. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is one single integral piece.5. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second diameter (222) varies.6. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first diameter (212) is constant and the second diameter (222) varies and is larger closer to the end (300).7. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the through hole (200) comprises three openings (240).8. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shoulder (230) extends perpendicular to an axis (202) of the through hole (200) 9. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an axis (242) of the one or more openings (240) is about 0 to 60 degrees to an axis (202) of the through hole (200), preferably 22 degrees.10. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is adapted for high pressure fluids.11. The nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nipple is for a quick connect coupling.12. The nipple according to claim 1, wherein the through hole (200) comprises one or two or four or five or more openings (240).40) 13. A nipple substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to thedescription and/or the drawings.C