WO2003057385A1

WO2003057385A1 - Crimping apparatus for collars, method of crimping collars and a crimping kit

Info

Publication number: WO2003057385A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/041282
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric D. Orcutt; Chris Andreas
Original assignee: Eaton Corporation
Priority date: 2001-12-31
Filing date: 2002-12-23
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: AU2002364227A1

Abstract

A crimping die collet (44) is comprised of die segments (60) that are double tapered with an elastic material (62) between each segment (60) . The crimping die collet (44) is nested in a bottom crimping die ring (42) which has a tapered inner wall (50) corresponding in slope to one of the tapered surfaces (70) of the segments (60). An upper crimper die ring (46) has an inner wall (54) which is tapered in the opposite direction of the bottom inner wall (50) and engages the upper tapered surfaces (72) of the segments (60) so as normally to be held in spaced relation to the lower crimper die ring (42). Disposed between the upper (46) and lower crimper die rings (42) is a spacer ring (48) which determines how far the upper crimper die ring (46) may be advanced toward the lower crimper die ring (42) by a hydraulic pusher (12). This defines the diameter of the crimp performed by the crimping collet (44). The aforedescribed elements form a kit which may be used with an existing crimping press in order to increase the range of crimping collar and hose diameters which may be crimped by the crimping press. By having double taper crimping, the force applied by a crimping press is doubled and by having spacer rings of different vertical thickensses the diameter of crimps are selectable. Utilization of the aforedescribed apparatus and kit provides improvement in methods of crimping collars to hoses.

Description

CRIMPING APPARATUS FOR COLLARS , METHOD OF CRIMPING COLLARS AND A CRIMPING KIT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in crimping apparatus for collars, in methods of using that apparatus and in kits for effecting such improvements. More particularly, the present invention is directed to improvements in crimping apparatus and crimping kits, as well as in methods of using that apparatus for crimping collars around objects, such as but not limited to hoses, in order to attach fittings to such objects.

Background of the Invention:

Currently, it is necessary to deploy crimping machines of increased size and power as the diameter of collars, fittings and hoses increase. This entails additional equipment expense, additional room for equipment and an increase in the possibility that an improper crimping machine may be used to crimp a fitting to a selected hose. Using an improper machine to accomplish a crimp in reduces the reliability of a crimp. Since hoses are used on high pressure hydraulic systems, a failure of a crimped coupling can result in safety problems.

It is frequently desirable to have a portable crimping system which can be easily transported to a site where a crimping requirement is necessary. Since hoses of various diameters may need to be serviced by a crimping machine, it may be necessary to transport more than one crimping machine in a vehicle, which compounds the difficulty of servicing hoses in need of crimped couplings.

In view of these difficulties, there is a need for single crimping machine which can service relatively wide range of hose diameters.

Summary of the Invention:

In view of the aforementioned considerations, the present invention is directed to a method of crimping a collar to a metal reinforced hose by providing an array of double tapered crimping die segments with elastic material disposed between each of the segments, wherein the segments each have inwardly facing crimping surfaces defining a central opening. In accordance with the method, a collar and metal reinforced hose are placed within the central opening adjacent to the crimping surfaces defining the opening. At least one of a pair of opposed crimping rings, disposed around the tapered crimping die segments, is advanced in a axial direction toward the other crimping ring. This causes the crimping die segments to contract against the resiliency of the elastic spacers thus decreasing the diameter of the central opening defined by the crimping surfaces and crimping the collar to the hose. According to the method, the decrease in diameter of the central opening is limited by inserting at least one stop of a selected axial thickness between the crimping rings.

Further in accordance with the method, one crimping ring is held stationary and the other crimping ring is advanced axially over the array of segments toward the first crimping ring.

In order to accomplish the method, crimping rings have tapered surfaces which are at an angle in a range of 5° to 25° with respect to the central axis thereof; preferably in a range of 10° to 20° with respect to the central axis, and most preferably at an angle of about 15° with respect to the central axis.

The present invention is also directed to a crimping apparatus for performing the aforedescribed method of crimping a collar about an object, wherein the crimping apparatus is comprised of an array of double tapered crimping die segments with elastic material disposed between each of the segments, the array defining a crimping opening therethrough about a central axis of a diameter determined by compressive force around the array. A pair of opposed crimping rings are disposed about the central axis and around the array of die crimping segments, the crimping rings being spaced axially from one another and engaging tapered surfaces of the crimping die segments to compress the array radially when at least one of the crimping rings is moved axially with respect thereto. A spacer arrangement is disposed between the opposed crimping rings to restrict axial motion thereof. This determines the diameter of the crimping opening defined by the array of segments when the spacer arrangement and crimping rings are in axial abutment.

In accordance with the crimping apparatus, both the crimping die segments and the opposed crimping rings have tapered surfaces which are at an angle in the range of 5° to 25° with respect to the central axis, preferably in the range of 10° to 20° with respect to the central axis, and most preferably at an angle of about 15° with respect to the central axis.

In another aspect of the invention, a crimping kit is provided for converting a single tapered crimping die press to a double tapered crimping die press for increasing the force available in the crimping die press. The crimping kit comprises an array of double tapered crimping die segments with elastic material disposed between each of the segments; a pair of opposed crimping rings for mounting around opposite ends of the crimping die segments, and spacers for positioning between the opposed crimping rings to restrict axial motion thereof to thereby also restrict radial motion of the double tapered crimping die segments when the pair of opposed crimping rings are mounted in the crimping machine.

In a further aspect of the crimping kit the opposed crimping rings have tapered surfaces which are at an angle in the range of 5° to 25° with respect to the central axis of the crimping die segments when assembled; preferably in a range of 10° to 20° with respect to the central axis, and most preferably about 15° with respect to the central axis.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the prior art crimping press over which the present invention is an improvement and with which a kit according to the present invention is utilized;

Fig. 2 is a view of the prior art crimping press according to the present invention, but deleting a die ring, caged collet, and spacer ring shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a conversion kit in accordance with the present invention for use with the crimping press of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a side view showing the kit of Fig. 3 assembled and mounted on the crimping press of Fig. 2 prior to crimping a collar around an object such as a hose;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the positions of components of the crimping kit after a crimp has been formed, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing wooden spacers disposed between crimping die segments which form a crimping collet when the spaces between the die segments of the collet are filled with an elastic material.

Detailed Description:

Referring now to Fig. 1 , there is shown a crimping press 10 configured in accordance with prior art wherein a pusher 12 is hydraulically driven to engage a spacer ring 14 that presses against an array of crimping die segments 16 forming a crimping collet 20. The crimping collet 20 is mounted in a die ring 22 which has a tapered surface 24 that engages tapered surfaces 26 on the crimping collet. The elements 14, 16, 20, 22, 24 and 26 form a removable prior art crimping assembly 28.

A hose 30 with crimping collar 32 having a fitting 34 is placed in the assembly of the spacer ring 14, crimping collet 20 and die ring 22. After the elements have been placed in abutment with one another about a central axis 28, they are slid laterally from engagement with a pair of front stops 36 into engagement with a pair of rear stops 38 so as to be positioned under the pusher 12. The pusher 12 is then hydraulically urged downwardly to compress each die segment 16 of the crimping collet 20 against the crimping sleeve 32 in order to permanently affix the crimping collar, and thus the fitting 34, to the reinforced hose 30.

Referring now to Fig. 2 in combination with Fig. 3, the prior art crimping assembly 28 is removed from crimping press 10 to make way for a kit 40 configured in accordance with the present invention and shown in Fig. 3. The pusher 12 (Fig. 2) remains in place for operating the crimping kit 40 which is placed on supporting platform 23. By using the crimping kit 40, the crimping press 10 is able to double its crimping force, allowing larger hoses 30 be crimped on smaller, more economical crimping presses such as the crimping press 10 of Fig. 1.

As is seen in Fig 3, the crimping kit 40 is comprised of a lower die ring 42, a crimping collet 44, an upper die ring 46 and a number of spacer rings 48A-48C. The lower die ring 42 has an inner wall comprised of a frustoconical surface 50 and a cylindrical surface 52, while the upper die ring 46 has an inner wall comprised of a frustoconical surface 54 and a cylindrical surface 56. Crimping collet 44 has a plurality of crimping segments 60 that are separated by elastic spacers 62 which may be made of rubber or a similar elastic material. The crimping segments 60 are arranged in an array to define a central opening 64. Each of the crimping segments 60 has an inner surface 66 which engages the crimping collar 32 with die portions 68 in order to press the crimping collar 32 radially into the hose 30 to attach the fitting 34 to the hose. This is affected by squeezing the crimping collet 44 about its circumference so that the crimping collet 44 reduces the diameter of the opening 64 defined by the spacers 62.

Each segment 60 has a lower taper 70 and an upper taper 72 which both taper

at the same angle 2 with respect to the axis of the crimping collet 44. Preferably, the

angles θ of the tapered surfaces 70 and 72 are the same and are in a range of 5° to 25°, preferably in a range of 10° to 20°, and most preferred at an angle of about 15°. The kit 40 includes at least one spacer ring 48, however alternative spacer rings 48A, 48B and 48C are shown. Each spacer ring has a different thickness T in the axial direction, but has the same outside and inside diameter. The spacer rings 48A-48C also have flat upper and lower surfaces 78A, 78B and 78C and 79A, 79B and 79C, respectively. The spacer rings 48A-48C are used one at a time when the crimping kit 40 is assembled and mounted on the crimping press 10, as is seen in Fig. 4 and 5.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the components of Fig. 3 are shown in a crimping assembly 75 mounted on the platform 23 of the crimping press 10. In order to utilize the crimping assembly 75, the crimping die ring 42 is first placed on the platform 23 and the crimping collet 44 inserted in the opening 49 therethrough. The tapered surfaces 70 of the engage the tapered inner surface 50 of the crimping die ring 42 to support the crimping collet 44 therein. One of the spacer rings 48A-48C is then slid over the crimping collet 44 so that its bottom surface 79 rests on the top surface of the crimping die ring 42. A hose 30 with the collet 32 and the fitting 34 is then inserted through the slot 29 in the base 23 and up through the central openings 49 in die ring 42 and the central opening 67, then through the crimping collet 44 so as to project beyond the top of the crimping collet 44. The collar 32 on the hose 30 is then axially positioned within the crimping collet 44 in a usual manner and the upper die ring 46 slid over the upper tapered surfaces 72 until the tapered surface 54 of the upper die ring 46 engages the tapered surfaces 72. As is seen upon consideration of Figs. 1 and 2, the tapered crimping die assembly 75 is then slid within the slot 29 back into engagement with the stop pins 38 so that the pusher 12 can engage the top ring 46. In order to accomplish crimping of the collar 32, pusher 18 is hydraulically energized to push the upper crimping die ring 46 downwardly over tapered die surfaces 72. This pushes the entire crimping die assembly 44 downwardly so that the bottom tapered surfaces 70 on crimping segments 60 engage and are cammed inwardly by the tapered surface 50 of the crimping die 42. A radial force component against both surfaces 72 and 70, of the crimping collet 44 deforms the elastic spacers 62 so that the crimping segments 60 move inwardly against the crimping collar 32 and press the crimping collar 32 into tight engagement with the hose 30. This sufficient by deforms the crimping collar 32 and the hose 30 to form a permanent connection.

The upper crimping die ring 46 continues downwardly until it hits the top surface of stop 48 at which time the crimp in crimping collar 32 is complete. Hydraulic pressure applied to drive the pusher 12 down is then interrupted so that the crimping assembly 75 can return to its spaced configuration of Fig. 4 and be at least partially disassembled so that the hose 30 with the crimping collar 32 and fitting 34 affixed thereto can be removed.

In order to control the diameter of the opening 67 through the crimping collet 44, the axial thickness in the direction T of the spacer ring 48 is selected by determining which of the spacing rings 48A, 48B and 48C to use. As is seen in Fig. 3, the spacing rings 48A, 48B and 48C each have a different thickness T. While three spacer rings 48 are shown, any useful number of spacer rings may be used in the kit 40.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the crimping die segments 60 are preferably assembled by utilizing hard wood spacers 80 which are disposed between adjacent segments. By utilizing wood spacers 80, as opposed to metal spacers, considerable expense is avoided in the manufacturer of crimping collets 44. After the spacers have been positioned between the crimping die segments 60, an elastic band 82 is placed around the assembly of the crimping die segments in order to pull them together and a liquid elastic 62, such as liquid rubber, is poured between the segments inboard of the spacers 80. After the rubber solidifies and cures, the plastic band 82 is removed and the wooden spacers 80 are removed. The resulting crimping collet 44 is then available for use in the crimping press 10.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing form the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A crimping apparatus comprising: an array of double tapered crimping die segments with an elastic material disposed between each of the segments, the array defining a crimping opening therethrough about a central axis of a diameter determined by compressive force around the array; a pair of opposed crimping rings disposed about the central axis and around the array, the rings being spaced axially from one another and engaging tapered surfaces of the crimping die segments to compress the array radially when at least one of the crimping rings is moved axially with respect thereto, and a spacer arrangement disposed between the opposed crimping rings to restrict axial motion thereof and to thereby determine the diameter of the crimping opening defined by the array of segments when the spacer arrangement and crimping rings are in axial abutment.

2. The crimping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spacer arrangement is comprised of at least one ring.

3. The crimping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one ring rests on one of the crimping rings.

4. The crimping apparatus of claim 5 wherein the spacer arrangement comprises spacers selected from a kit of spacers having predetermined axial thickness in order to select a diameter for the crimping opening.

5. The crimping apparatus of claim 1 both the crimping die segments and the opposed crimping rings have tapered surfaces which are at an angle in a range of 5° to 25° with respect to the central axis.

6. The crimping apparatus of claim 5 wherein the angle is in a range of 10° to 20° with respect to the central axis.

7. The crimping apparatus of claim 6 wherein the angle is about 15° with respect to the central axis.

8. A method of crimping a collar to a metal reinforced hose comprising: providing an array of double tapered crimping die segments with elastic material disposed between each of the segments, the segments each having inwardly facing crimping surfaces defining a central opening; placing the collar and metal reinforced hose within the central opening adjacent the crimping surfaces defining the opening; advancing at least one of a pair of opposed crimping rings in the axial direction toward the other crimping ring to cause the crimping die segments to contract against the resiliency of the elastic spacers to thereby decrease the diameter of the central opening defined by the crimping surfaces, and limiting the decrease in diameter of the central opening by inserting at least one stop of selected axial thickness between the crimping rings.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein one crimping ring is held stationary and the other crimping ring is advance axially over the array of segments toward the first crimping ring.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the stop is in the form of a ring.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the ring is selected from a group of rings having different axial thicknesses.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the double tapered crimping die segments and crimping rings each have tapered surfaces of an angle in a range of 5°-25° with respect to an axis central to the array and crimping rings.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the double tapered crimping die segments and crimping rings each have tapered surfaces of an angle in a range of 10°-20° with respect to an axis central to the array and crimping rings.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the double tapered crimping die segments and crimping rings each have tapered surfaces of an angle of about 15° with respect to an axis central to the array and crimping rings.

15. A crimping kit for converting a single tapered crimping die press to a double tapered crimping die press comprising: an array of double tapered crimping die segments with an elastic material disposed between each of the segments, the array defining a crimping opening therethrough about a central axis of a diameter determined by compressive force around the array; a pair of opposed crimping rings disposed about the central axis and around the array, the rings being spaced axially from one another and engaging tapered surfaces of the crimping die segments to compress the array radially when at least one of the crimping rings is moved axially with respect thereto, and a spacer arrangement disposed between the opposed crimping rings to restrict axial motion thereof to thereby determine the diameter of the crimping opening defined by the array of segments when the spacer arrangement and crimping rings are in axial abutment.

16. The crimping kit of claim 15 wherein said spacer arrangement comprised of at least one ring.

17. The crimping kit of claim 15 wherein the one ring rests on one of the crimping rings.

18. The crimping kit of claim 15 wherein the spacer arrangement comprises a group of rings having predetermined axial thickness in order to select a diameter for the crimping opening by selecting one of the rings.

19. The crimping kit of claim 15 wherein both the crimping die segments and the opposed crimping rings have tapered surfaces which are at an angle in a range of 5° to 25° with respect to the central axis.

20. The crimping apparatus kit of claim 9 wherein the angle is about 15 with respect to the central axis.