GB842201A - Swivel pipe coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

842,201. Pipe couplings. FOOD MACHINERY & CHEMICAL CORPORATION. July 7, 1958, No. 21715/58. Class 99(1). A fluid-conducting swivel coupling 10 comprises inner and outer tubular members 12, 14 journalled for relative rotary motion and restrained from relative axial motion, and an annular seal 76 of sheet material rigidly secured to one of the members and extending radially therefrom across a clearance space 40 between the members into sliding sealing engagement with a radially extending annular face 72 of the other member. As shown in Fig. 1, the members are retained in coaxial alignment by balls 28 accommodated in races 24, 26 formed in the members, and the member 14 comprises a socket 52 and coupling section 54 releasably but rigidly secured to each other by screws 56 extending through the flange 62 of the section 52 and screwed into holes in the flange 66 of the section 54. The seal 76 of slightly flexible sheet material has the outer peripheral portion thereof engaged between the flanges 62, 66 and is located by the shanks of the screws 56. An annular recess 86 in the section 54 houses a backing ring 94 which serves to distribute the force exerted by a number of springs 88 throughout an annular area of the inner peripheral region 80 of the ring 76 and causing the latter to press against the end face 72 of member 12 ; the springs are loosely mounted on pins 90, and displacement of the ring 94 from the recess is prevented by tongues 96 projecting radially inwardly from the wall of the recess. A shoulder 102 on the ring 94 provides an annular space 104 between the ring and the ring 76, and a clearance 106 between the ring and recess 86 allows fluid conveyed by the coupling to penetrate to the space 104 and act on the ring 76. By loosening all and removing one of the screws 56, the ring 76 may be withdrawn from between the flanges 62, 66. In modifications, the periphery of the ring 94 is relieved at apaced intervals to provide sectors thereof of reduced radius, to form with the tongues 96 a bayonet joint arrangement whereby a rotary movement of the ring allows the ring to be releasably retained in the recess 86, and the member 12 is formed with an external, annular groove for reception of a sealing ring so that lubricant between the members is retained in the space 40.