JP7383123B2 - Nipples for screw-type couplings, couplings, and methods for connecting nipples - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to screw-type couplings, which are a type of quick-connect coupling. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to nipples for screw-type couplings and methods of connecting such nipples to couplings in screw-type couplings.

A quick connect coupling includes a male portion, the nipple, and a female portion, the coupling. A screw-type coupling is a type of quick-connect coupling that is connected by threading one of the nipples and the coupling into the other. As described above, screw type couplings are known, but their handling and operation have received attention in recent years. U.S. Pat. No. 2,967,069 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,379,519 disclose prior art useful for understanding the background art.

One challenge is, for example, the time required to screw a nipple into a corresponding coupling. This can take several minutes, and it is desirable to reduce that time significantly, preferably by 75%. Screw-type couplings are often quite large. The pressure within the coupling and within the fluid system to which it belongs makes this difficult. In many cases, there are environmental issues as well as spatial constraints on where the coupling is located. These problems make connecting screw-type couplings not only time-consuming but also labor-intensive.

A further challenge is that solutions to these problems must be connectable to conventional screw-type couplings. Regardless of any modifications made to the nipples or couplings in a screw-type coupling, the conventional nipples and couplings must be connectable to the modified nipples and couplings.

It would also be desirable to provide a screw-type coupling that is inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and robust. Furthermore, the screw-type coupling must be capable of providing good and reliable flow through the coupling. The present disclosure aims to overcome one or more of the problems mentioned above.

US Patent No. 2967069 British Patent No. 1379519

The object of the invention is to provide a nipple for a screw-type coupling and a method for connecting such a nipple and a coupling in a screw-type coupling.

This object can be solved by the features defined in the independent claims. Further configurations are characterized by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a nipple for a screw-type coupling is disclosed, the nipple being a hand-held movable nipple. The nipple has one or more threads 12 for a threaded connection in a coupling and has a locking sleeve 10 with a gear 20 and means 24 for meshing with the gear 20 and for connecting to an external rotating tool. a gear housing 30 having one or more pinions 22, a nipple body 40 rotatably supporting the lock sleeve 10 and supporting the gear housing 30, and relative rotation between the nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30; A stopper 50 is provided to prevent this. Gears 20 are circumferentially disposed about locking sleeve 10 and axially oriented away from the face of the nipple. The gear 20 is integral with the locking sleeve 10, so that the locking sleeve 10 and the gear 20 constitute the same part and are separate parts from the nipple.

According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10, gear housing 30, and nipple body 40 may be separate parts in the nipple.

According to one embodiment, nipple body 40 may have one or more openings 46 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22.

According to one embodiment, the one or more pinions 22 can be one pinion 22; or two pinions 22 can be arranged at 180 degrees to each other; or three pinions 22 can be placed at 120 degrees from each other.

According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gears 20 may form a bevel gear.

According to one embodiment, each of the one or more pinions 22 may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the nipple, and each of the one or more pinions 22 may have an axial projection 23. , each of its axial projections 23 can be supported by a nipple body 40.

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further include a holder 32 connected to the gear housing 30, which holder 32 may hold the pinion 22 of the bevel gear within the gear housing 30 and the nipple body 40. .

According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gears 20 may form a worm gear.

According to one embodiment, one or two means 24 for connecting to an external rotating tool may be arranged one at one end of the pinion 22 in the worm gear, or one at each end, in which case The two means 24 can be arranged one on opposite sides and can be aligned perpendicularly to the axial direction of the nipple.

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further include a locking mechanism 60, 62, 64 for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve 10 with respect to the nipple body 40.

According to one embodiment, the locking sleeve 10 can be installed between the nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30.

According to one embodiment, the stopper 50 may be a plurality of stops 50, each stopper 50 being partially positionable within the groove 52 of the nipple body 40 and partially disposed within the groove 52 of the gear housing 30. Can be placed within 54.

According to one embodiment, a screw-type coupling comprises a nipple and a coupling according to embodiments disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for connecting a nipple according to any one of the embodiments described above and a coupling in a screw-type coupling. The method includes 910 aligning the nipple and the coupling to engage the threaded connection, and applying 920 the means 24 for connecting the hand-held electric rotary power tool 80 to an external rotary tool. operating the hand-held electric rotary power tool 80 to rotate the locking sleeve 10, thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling 930;

According to one embodiment, the method of the invention may further comprise the following steps when the nipple and the coupling with the locking mechanism are connected. That is, the method may further include a step 940 of locking the locking sleeve 10 to the nipple body 40 using the locking mechanisms 60, 62, 64.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a quick connect screw-type coupling is provided. In at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided, where the locking sleeve can be easily and quickly manipulated to establish a connection with the coupling. In at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manufacture, and robust. In at least one embodiment, a method for connecting such nipples and couplings in screw-type couplings is provided.

At least one of the embodiments described above provides one or more solutions to the problems and shortcomings in the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application provide only some of each described advantage. None of the advantages are critical to each embodiment. Any embodiment disclosed herein may be technically combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the above summary and the detailed description of the embodiments below, serve to exemplify the principles of the disclosure.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a coupling in a screw-type coupling without gears; FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a nipple in a screw-type coupling without gears; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section along line AA of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in FIG. 7; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section along line AA of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in FIG. 13; 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection method for connecting a nipple and a coupling in a screw-type coupling, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.

1 and 2 schematically show a screw-type coupling (TLX from CEJN®) without gears and do not show the nipple as claimed in the patent claims. Figure 1 shows the female part 1 (also known as coupling 1) in a screw-type coupling. Figure 2 shows the male part 2 (also known as the nipple 2) of the coupling. Both FIGS. 1 and 2 show, on the left, a cross-sectional view from the center of the screw-type coupling, and on the right, a schematic representation of the outer surface of the screw-type coupling. The nipple 2 includes a locking sleeve 10 that is rotatable relative to the nipple body 40. By rotating the lock sleeve 10, the inner thread of the lock sleeve 10 engages with the outer thread of the coupling 1, thereby drawing the coupling 1 and the nipple 2 together and completely connecting them. can. Thereafter, the pin 64 can be inserted to lock the locking sleeve 10 against the nipple body 40 in a non-rotatable manner. The pin 64 can be attached by a wire 66 to the nipple 2 or to a hose connected to the nipple 2.

3-14 depict schematic diagrams of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 3-8 show exemplary embodiments with bevel gears, and FIGS. 9-14 show exemplary embodiments with worm gears.

3 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment with a bevel gear, FIG. 4 shows an end view with nipple body 40 depicted, and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with a bevel gear. shows. FIG. 4 further shows a schematic diagram of how an external rotary tool 80 can be used to drive a bevel gear. The tool 80 can be inserted into one or more pinions having means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80, as explained below.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment with nipple bevel gears. Nipples are for screw type couplings. The nipple is a hand-held movable nipple. That is, the nipple can be handled and moved by an operator by hand, and can be lifted, for example, by human power. The nipple is therefore less than 70 kg, preferably less than 50 kg. There is no need to use external lifting tools or machinery to handle or move the nipple.

The nipple comprises a locking sleeve 10 with one or more threads 12 for a threaded connection in a coupling. The locking sleeve can have a single thread or a double thread. Preferably, the locking sleeve has a single thread so that the nipple can be connected to a coupling in other existing screw-type couplings. Lock sleeve 10 has gear 20. Gears 20 are circumferentially disposed about locking sleeve 10 and axially oriented away from the face of the nipple. The gear 20 is integral with the locking sleeve 10, so that the locking sleeve 10 and the gear 20 constitute the same part and are separate parts from the nipple. Alternatively, locking sleeve 10 and gear 20 may be separate parts. According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10 may be substantially cylindrical with one or more threads 12 inside one end thereof. According to one embodiment, the gear 20 is arranged at the other end of the locking sleeve 10 and can be axially oriented.

The nipple includes a gear housing 30 having one or more pinions 22 that mesh with the gear 20. Gear housing 30 may be a separate part, preferably an external part. Gear housing 30 can be substantially cylindrical and can have a nipple body 40 inside thereof. The one or more pinions 22 have means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80, as shown for example in FIG. Rotary tool 80 is not part of the nipple. Means 24 can be any connection for a rotating tool, such as an internal slot or cross drive; internal or external triangle, square, hex, or double square; internal or external Torx; any internal socket head screw; or Connections similar to these can be used. Preferably, internal connections are used for means 24. This allows the rotary tool to engage not only near or inside one or more pinions 22, but also inside the gear housing 30, thus improving stability and handling.

The nipple comprises a nipple body 40, which may also be referred to as the central part of the male part that connects to the female part of the coupling. The nipple body 40 rotatably supports the lock sleeve 10. This allows the locking sleeve 10 to rotate around the stationary nipple body and to pull together the nipple and coupling in a screw-type coupling. Nipple body 40 supports gear housing 30. The nipple can be for fluids, for example hydraulic, pneumatic, high pressure fluids. The nipple can be for a single fluid hose or can be a coaxial nipple.

The nipple is provided with a stopper 50 that prevents relative rotation between its body 40 and gear housing 30. The stop may be an elongated stop member 50 that lies partially within a groove in the nipple body 40 and partially within a corresponding groove in the gear housing 30. The nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30 can rotatably support the lock sleeve 10 together with the stopper 50. This allows locking sleeve 10 to rotate relative to nipple body 40 and gear housing 30. The locking sleeve 10 can be made non-rotatable relative to the nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 by separate locking mechanisms 60, 62, 64, as described below, thereby making it non-rotatable in screw-type couplings. The nipple and the coupling can be locked.

Locking sleeve 10, nipple body 40, and gear housing 30 may be separate parts of the nipple. The separate parts are clearly identified in FIGS. 3-14. This allows the nipple to be easily assembled. According to one embodiment, the locking sleeve 10 is mounted between the nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30, preferably rotatably mounted. Preferably, one end of locking sleeve 10 is rotatably mounted between nipple body 40 and gear housing 30. According to one embodiment, the gear housing 30 can partially overlap the locking sleeve 10. According to one embodiment, the gear housing 30 can partially overlap the nipple body 40. According to one embodiment, the locking sleeve 10 can not only be partially inserted into the gear housing 30 but also partially overlap the nipple body 40. Nipple body 40 may have an axial first surface 42 that prevents locking sleeve 10 from being axially disengaged from nipple body 40 . This allows the locking sleeve to be retained between the first surface 42 of the nipple body and the gear housing 30. The nipple body 40 can consist essentially of two parts, which parts can be assembled together, for example with a screw connection. One part can have a first side 42 and the other part can have a second side 44, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 13. The gear housing 30 and a portion of the locking sleeve 10 are retainable between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44 such that the gear housing 30 and a portion of the locking sleeve 10 are axially oriented by the nipple body 40. Retained. This allows the nipple to be easily assembled, resulting in a robust nipple.

According to one embodiment, nipple body 40 may have one or more openings 46 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22. This allows one or more pinions 22 to be rotatably supported by the nipple body 40. Gear housing 30 can have one or more openings 36 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22. This allows one or more pinions 22 to be rotatably supported by the gear housing 30, as best shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 13 and 14.

According to one embodiment, the one or more pinions 22 can be one pinion 22; or two pinions 22 preferably arranged at 180 degrees to each other; or three pinions 22. The pinions 22 can be preferably arranged at 120 degrees with respect to each other. This allows easy access with the rotary power tool 80 to manipulate the gears on the nipple in the screw type coupling.

According to one embodiment, the one or more pinions 22 and gears 20 may form bevel gears, as best shown in FIGS. 6-8. The bevel gear can be a straight bevel gear, a spiral bevel gear, a zero bevel gear, or a hypoid bevel gear.

According to one embodiment, each of the one or more pinions 22 can be arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the nipple. Each of the one or more pinions 22 may have an axial projection 23, and each axial projection 23 may be supported by a nipple body 40. The axial projection 23 can be directed towards the center of the nipple. Preferably, each axial projection 23 is fitable within a respective opening 46 in the nipple body 40. Thereby, one end of the axial projection 23 can be supported by the nipple body 40. Each of the one or more pinions 22 can have an extension 25, and each extension 25 can be supported by a holder 32.

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further include one or more holders 32 connected to the gear housing 30. Each holder 32 is capable of holding each pinion 22 of a bevel gear within the gear housing 30. The holder 32 may retain the pinion 22 within and/or relative to the nipple body 40, preferably within the opening 46. Thus, one end of the axial projection 23 can be supported by the nipple body 40 and the opposite end of the pinion 22 can be supported by the holder 32 and the opening 36 in the gear housing 30. The holder 32 can be a screw head with an opening for a pinion.

According to one embodiment, each pinion 22 may have a diameter that fits into each opening 36 in gear housing 30. According to one embodiment, the stopper 50 may be a plurality of stops 50, each stopper 50 being partially positionable within the groove 52 of the nipple body 40 and partially disposed within the groove 52 of the gear housing 30. Can be placed within 54. According to one embodiment, each groove 52 for a stopper 50 in the nipple body 40 may be of the same length as the stopper 50, and/or each groove 54 for a stopper 50 in the gear housing 30 may be of the same length as the stopper 50. The stopper 50 can be longer than the stopper 50 to allow relative sliding movement between the nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30 during nipple assembly. This is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 12.

9 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment with a worm gear, FIG. 10 shows an end view with the nipple body 40 depicted, and FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with a worm gear. shows. Figure 10 further shows a schematic diagram of how an external rotary tool 80 can be used to drive a worm gear.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment with a nipple worm gear. Nipples are for screw type couplings. According to one embodiment, the one or more pinions 22 and gear 20 form a worm gear (worm drive). According to one embodiment, the nipple comprises only one pinion 22, which may be a worm in the form of a screw. The worm can mesh with gear 20. Gear 20 may be a worm gear. The worm gear can be a straight worm gear, a spiral worm gear, a zero worm gear, or a hypoid worm gear.

According to one embodiment, the nipple has one or two means 24 for connecting to an external rotating tool 80, i.e. one at one end of the pinion 22 in the worm gear, or one at both ends of the pinion 22 in the worm gear. You can have both. The two means 24 can be arranged opposite each other and can be aligned perpendicularly to the axial direction of the nipple. The two means 24 may be coaxial. The worm gear 22 has means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80, as shown for example in FIG. Rotary tool 80 is not part of the nipple. Means 24 can be any connection for a rotating tool, such as an internal slot or cross drive; internal or external triangle, square, hex, or double square; internal or external Torx; any internal socket head screw; or Connections similar to these can be used. Preferably, internal connections are used for means 24. This allows the rotary tool to engage not only near or inside one or more pinions 22 (worm gears 22), but also inside the gear housing 30, thus improving stability and handling.

According to one embodiment, two means 24 are provided, each connectable to an end of the worm gear 22. Preferably, this connection is made by a threaded connection, as best shown in FIG. 12. Each end of the worm gear 22 is connectable to a holder 32, eg by a bolt, to a means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80. Each means 24 can have an extension 25 connected to each end of the worm gear 22 by a holder 32.

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further include a locking mechanism 60, 62, 64 for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve 10 with respect to the nipple body 40. The locking mechanism is best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12. The pin 64 can be inserted through the hole 62 in the locking sleeve 10. The pin 64 can be inserted from the outside of the locking sleeve 10 through one hole 62 until it emerges from the other aligned coaxial hole 62 in the locking sleeve 10. The pin 64 can prevent the sides of the nipple body 40 from rotating. Therefore, pin 64 may be parallel to side surface 60. This allows the locking sleeve 10 to be non-rotatably locked together with the nipple body 40.

According to one embodiment, the screw-type coupling includes any of the embodiments described herein with respect to nipples and couplings. Compatibility can be ensured by ensuring that locking sleeve 10 has the same threads and diameter as conventional locking sleeves in other screw-type couplings. In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking sleeve 10 is freely configurable with the same thread and diameter.

Illustrating the method of the present invention, FIG. 15 shows a nipple according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein and a coupling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a screw-type coupling. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a method for connecting with. The first two method steps 910, 920 can be performed in any order, and the other method steps 930, 940 can be performed in order. The method illustrated in FIG. 15 includes steps 910 of aligning the nipple and coupling to engage the threaded connection and applying the means 24 for connecting the hand-held electric rotary power tool 80 to an external rotary tool. 920 and operating the hand-held electric rotary power tool 80 to rotate the locking sleeve 10, thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling 930.

According to one embodiment, the method of the invention further comprises the following steps as a final step when the nipple is provided with a locking mechanism and the nipple and coupling are connected. That is, the method further includes a step 940 of locking the locking sleeve 10 to the nipple body 40 using the locking mechanisms 60, 62, and 64.

According to one embodiment, a hand-held electric rotary power tool 80 is used to manipulate the nipple according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein to establish a quick, firm connection. be able to. Even if residual pressure remains in the system connected to the screw-type coupling, the nipple and coupling can be connected by a hand-held electric rotary power tool.

In accordance with at least one embodiment disclosed herein, a nipple for a screw-type coupling is provided that can be quickly connected and that residual pressure in the system can be overcome by force. be. According to at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided, where the locking sleeve can be easily and quickly manipulated to establish a connection with the coupling. According to at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manufacture, and robust. According to at least one embodiment, a method for connecting such nipples and couplings in screw-type couplings is provided.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the nipples in screw-type couplings and the methods for connecting the nipples. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the disclosed nipple specification and examples. The description and examples herein are intended to be considered as exemplary only, with the actual scope being defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

1 Coupling 2 Nipple
10 lock sleeve
12 Thread
20 gear
22 pinion
23 Axial projection
24 Means for connecting to external tools
25 Extension
30 gear housing
32 holder
36 Opening of gear housing 30
40 Nipple body
42 Page 1
44 Second page
46 Aperture
50 Stopper
52 Groove of nipple body 40
54 Gear housing 30 groove
60 sides
62 holes
64 pin
66 wire
80 External rotating tools

Claims (15)

A nipple for a screw type coupling, the nipple being a hand-held movable nipple,
- a locking sleeve (10) with one or more threads (12) for a threaded connection in a coupling and with a gear (20);
- a gear housing (30) having one or more pinions (22) meshing with said gear (20) and including means (24) for connecting to an external rotating tool;
- a nipple body (40) that rotatably supports the lock sleeve (10) and also supports the gear housing (30);
- a stopper (50) that prevents relative rotation between the nipple body (40) and the gear housing (30);
In a nipple comprising:
The gear (20) is circumferentially disposed about the locking sleeve (10) and oriented axially away from the face of the nipple, the gear (20) being in contact with the locking sleeve (10). A nipple, characterized in that it is integral and that the locking sleeve (10) and the gear (20) constitute one and the same part and are separate parts from the nipple. A nipple according to claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve (10), the gear housing (30) and the nipple body (40) are separate parts of the nipple. A nipple according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nipple body (40) has one or more openings (46) for accommodating at least a portion of the one or more pinions (22). have a nipple. Nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one or more pinions (22) are one pinion (22) or two pinions (22) arranged at 180 degrees to each other. Nipple, which is one pinion (22) or three pinions (22) arranged at 120 degrees to each other. Nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pinion or pinions (22) and the gear (20) form a bevel gear. 6. A nipple according to claim 5, wherein each of the one or more pinions (22) is perpendicular to the axial direction of the nipple, and each of the one or more pinions (22) is , having axial projections (23), each of said axial projections (23) being supported by said nipple body (40). The nipple according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a holder (32) connected to the gear housing (30), the holder (32) connecting the pinion (22) of the bevel gear to the gear housing. (30) and a nipple held within the nipple body (40). Nipple according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pinion or pinions (22) and the gear (20) form a worm gear. 9. A nipple according to claim 8, wherein at one end of the pinion (22) in the worm gear one means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool is arranged and in the axial direction of the nipple. two means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool are arranged perpendicularly to the worm gear, or at each end of the pinion (22) in the worm gear, one on opposite sides; A nipple aligned perpendicularly to the axial direction of said nipple. The nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a locking mechanism (60, 62, 64) for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve (10) with respect to the nipple body (40). A nipple further comprising. Nipple according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking sleeve (10) is mounted between the nipple body (40) and the gear housing (30). The nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the stopper (50) is a plurality of stoppers (50), and a portion of each stopper (50) is attached to the nipple body (40). ), and a portion of each stop (50) is located in a groove (54) of the gear housing (30). A screw-type coupling comprising a nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a coupling. A method for connecting a nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a coupling in a screw type coupling, comprising:
- aligning the nipple and the coupling to engage a threaded connection (910);
- applying (920) a hand-held electric rotary power tool (80) to a means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool;
operating the hand-held electric rotary power tool (80) to rotate the locking sleeve (10), thereby connecting the nipple of the screw-type coupling with the coupling (930);
method including. 15. The method according to claim 14, using a locking mechanism (60, 62, 64) and locking the locking sleeve (10) when the nipple according to claim 10 and the coupling are connected. The method further comprising locking (940) against the nipple body (40).

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