Abstract:
A crimper die set for assembling a safety hose sleeve system includes an upper die comprising an upper curved compressive face, upper recess walls extending contiguous from the upper compressive face at an acute angel to the upper compressive face, each defining a portion of a cavity Thrust plate slots extend upward from ends of the upper recess walls. A lower die comprises a lower curved compressive face, lower recess walls extend contiguous from the lower compressive face at an acute angel to the lower compressive face and define another portion of each cavity. Lower thrust plate slots extend downward from an end of the lower recess walls, distal from the lower compressive face. Thrust plates extend from the lower thrust plate slot into the upper thrust plate slot, across the cavity at an acute angle to each of the recess walls, defining an outer abutment of the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/205,057, filed Jan. 14, 2009, also entitled Fluid Conduit Cover Installation Devices, Systems and Methods, which is also incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to pressurized conduits such as hoses and tubes, more particularly to devices, systems and methods for installing sleeve and collar safety assemblies that encloses the length of a high pressure conduit sleeves to protect against human injury and loss of life due to catastrophic failures in the form of bursts or pin-hole failures in such high pressure fluid conduits. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    As is well known within the hydraulics industry, injury resulting from hose bursts and pin-hole leaks can occur in a matter of milliseconds. Hydraulic systems may operate at very high pressures and a leak of pressurized fluid can penetrate the skin, causing severe tissue damage and burns. ISO 3457, EN474-1, and similar so called “line of sight” protection standards or guidelines state that for hoses carrying material (a fluid) at a pressure of 725 pounds per square inch (psi) or higher, wherein the hose assembly is located within one meter of an operator, or if the material carried within the hose exceeds 50 degrees Celsius, protection is required. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for installing sleeve and collar safety assemblies that enclose the length of a high pressure conduit to protect against human injury and loss of life due to catastrophic failures in the form of bursts or pin-hole failures in such high pressure fluid conduits. 
         [0007]    Related U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/068,538, filed Mar. 7, 2008, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/290,172, filed Oct. 28, 2008, both entitled “Safety and Indication Apparatus, Systems and Methods for High Pressure Conduits,” are both incorporated herein by reference. These applications disclose safety and indication apparatus, systems and methods for high pressure conduits, which provide operator protection, and preferably a warning, after a high pressure conduit has incurred damage in the form of a burst, pin-hole failure, or other damage. Conduit systems disclosed in these applications comprise a high pressure conduit, with an impervious sleeve disposed over the conduit. A coupling, or the like is typically disposed on each end of such a conduit and a collar may be disposed on each end of the sleeve. The collar may be compressed to secure the end of the sleeve between the collar and a ferrule that secures the coupling in the end of the conduit. This compression also preferably defines ends of a fluid channel, defined by an interstitial space between the conduit and the sleeve. The present inventive devices, systems and methods are directed to installing such sleeve and collar safety assemblies. 
         [0008]    In accordance with embodiments of the present invention a sleeve installation guide might comprise a body defining a generally symmetrical sleeve receptive passage therethrough. The passage preferably comprises a transverse elongated slot with guide channels defined in a top and a bottom of the passage. The passage may be flared at an entrance opening of the guide and is preferably tapered from the entrance of the guide to an outlet of the guide. 
         [0009]    A method for handling a sleeve in accordance with the present invention might include pressing against “edges” of flat sleeve stock, to flatten it in the opposite direction of its natural shape. Then the re-shaped sleeve stock may be further flattened with a sleeve guide, such as by aligning flattened edges of the sleeve stock with guide channels defined in the top and bottom of a passage through a body of the guide, to push the edges of the sleeve stock toward each other. The sleeve stock is fed into the opening of the sleeve guide, compressing the sleeve and allowing the edges of the sleeve to ride against the guide channels. The compressed sleeve exiting the guide may be cut using a heated device that fuses the material comprising the sleeve stock. The aforementioned edges of the sleeve stock may be one or two longitudinal seams of the sleeve or longitudinal folds or creases of the sleeve. 
         [0010]    Hence, a method for disposing a sleeve on a fluid conduit might include positioning a sleeve through lead rollers, pressing sleeve edges together to flatten the sleeve against its normal geometry, aligning the flattened sleeve with opposing guide channels defined in an passage through a sleeve guide, feeding the sleeve stock through the passage, and compressing the sleeve in the passage, letting the edges of the sleeve ride against the guide channels to open the sleeve. A length of the compressed sleeve exiting the guide may be cut using a heated device that fuses the material comprising the sleeve stock around a circumference of the sleeve, leaving an inside of the sleeve clear to receive fluid conduit. Thereafter, a collar may be disposed around an end of the cut sleeve and over the conduit, then compressed, with an end of the sleeve captured between the collar and end of the conduit. As mentioned, this compressing preferably defines at least one raised portion in the collar. 
         [0011]    Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a system for installing a fluid conduit cover might include a sleeve guide comprising a body defining a generally symmetrical sleeve receptive passage therethrough. The passage might comprise a transverse elongated slot with opposing guide channels defined in the passage. A plurality of lead rollers or guide pins may be positioned at predetermined distances from the guide, aligning the sleeve, with edges of the sleeve indexed with the guide channels, opening the sleeve as the sleeve is passed through the guide. Preferably, the rollers/pins and guide are mounted on a tabletop or similar structure. A spool may be used to provide sleeve stock to the system. Also, as mentioned above, a heated device, such as a heat knife, may be employed to cut a length of the sleeve and fuse the material comprising the sleeve. Further, a press may be used in embodiments of this system for compressing a collar with an end of the sleeve captured between the collar and the conduit, or a coupling disposed on an end of the conduit. 
         [0012]    Such a press might employ complementary dies which define at least one raised portion in the collar providing a fluid flow passage from an interstitial space between the conduit and the sleeve. Thrust plates may be indexed between the dies. These thrust plates may operate to help define and retain the aforementioned collar raised portions. The press might be a mechanically operated press employing mechanical leverage to compress the dies. In such an embodiment, a toque calibrated handle, similar to a torque wrench, may be used to operate the press, in order to monitor the degree of compression applied to the collar. Alternatively, and in some cases preferably a hydraulic press might be used to compress the dies. 
         [0013]    Regardless, embodiments of a die set for compressing a collar with an end of the sleeve captured between the collar and the conduit, or a coupling disposed on an end of the conduit in accordance with the present systems and methods preferably employs a dies set comprising complementary dies which define at least one raised portion in the collar providing a fluid flow passage from an interstitial space between the conduit and the sleeve. Such dies may be indexed with one another using a thrust plate or the like. 
         [0014]    Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention a die set for completing assembly of a safety hose sleeve system might include an upper die having an upper curved compressive face and a pair of upper recess walls, one extending contiguous from the upper compressive face at an acute angel to the upper compressive face at each end of the upper compressive face. Each of these upper recess walls define an upper wall of a cavity at each end of the upper compressive face. The upper die also comprises a pair of upper thrust plate slots, each extending upward from an end of each of the upper recess walls, distal from the upper compressive face. The die set also preferably includes a lower die defining a lower curved compressive face and a pair of lower recess walls, one extending contiguous from the lower compressive face at an acute angel to the lower compressive face at each end of the lower compressive face. Each of these lower recess walls define an lower wall of a cavity at each end of the lower compressive face. The lower die also comprises a pair of lower thrust plate slots, each extending downward from an end of each of the lower recess walls, distal from the lower compressive face. A thrust plate extends from each lower thrust plate slot into the corresponding upper thrust plate slot, across each cavity at an acute angle to each of the recess walls, defining an outer abutment of the cavity. 
         [0015]    Each of the dies may be slideably disposed on a pair of spaced apart fasteners, such as through-bolts, and a spring may be disposed on each of the fasteners, between the dies, spring biasing the dies apart. The thrust plates are preferably of a sufficient length that they each extend between the dies when the dies are biased apart, but short enough to allow the dies to meet. The die set may be mounted to a base plate for ease of use with a press. 
         [0016]    Thus a method for completing assembly of a safety hose sleeve system might include disposing a collar, which is disposed over the end of the safety sleeve which in turn is disposed over a fluid conduit, between curved compressive faces of a pair of spaced apart dies of a die set. The collar is then compressed with at least one portion of the collar compressed by the curved compressive faces to capture an end of the sleeve between the collar and an end of the conduit. However, preferably, opposite portions of the collar are compressed, each capturing an opposite side of the sleeve between the collar and an end of the conduit. Regardless, at least one other portion of the collar is pressed into a cavity defined by the dies coming together to form at least one raised portion in the collar that provides a fluid flow path from an interstitial space defined between the sleeve and the conduit. However, preferably, opposite portions of the collar form oppositely disposed raised portions in the collar to provide fluid flow paths from an interstitial space defined between the sleeve and the conduit. 
         [0017]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification in which like numerals designate like parts, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid conduit cover installation system employing a guide and rollers mounted on a table top; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the system embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a top half of a sleeve guide; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bottom half of a sleeve guide; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a fragmented, generally cross-sectional, view of a sleeve guide assembled from the haves shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a fragmented perspective view of a the embodiment of a fluid conduit cover installation system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with a length of hose sleeving shown feed through the rollers and guide; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a manually operated press for use in a fluid conduit cover installation system or method; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hydraulic press for use in a fluid conduit cover installation system or method; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a partially fragmented perspective view of an open die set for use in a fluid conduit cover installation press; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a partially fragmented perspective view of a closed die set for use in a fluid conduit cover installation press; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a fragmented perspective view of an end portion of a hose showing a sleeve crimped onto the hose in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The present devices, systems and methods may be used to install a sleeve and collar safety assembly that encloses the length of a high pressure conduit to protect against human injury and loss of life due to catastrophic failures in the form of bursts or pin-hole failures in such high pressure fluid conduits. These sleeve and collar assemblies act as a safety and indication apparatus or system for the high pressure conduits. These conduit systems comprise a high pressure conduit, with an impervious sleeve disposed over the conduit. A coupling, or the like is typically disposed on each end of such a conduit and a collar may be disposed on each end of the sleeve. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention the collar may be compressed to secure the end of the sleeve between the collar and a ferrule that secures the coupling in the end of the conduit. This compression also preferably defines ends of a fluid channel, defined by an interstitial space between the conduit and the sleeve. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of an embodiment of fluid conduit cover installation system  100  employing guide  101  and rollers  105 - 107  mounted on surface or table top  110 . Sleeve guide  101  preferably comprises a body, which defines generally symmetrical sleeve receptive passage  112  therethrough. The passage might take the form of a transverse elongated slot with opposing guide channels  114  and  115  defined in the passage, preferably in the bottom and the top of the passage. Passage  112  may be flared at entrance opening  117  and is preferably tapered from entrance  117  to outlet  118 . 
         [0032]    A shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , the body of sleeve guide  101  may be formed from two, generally symmetrical halves  300  and  400 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of top half  300  of sleeve guide  101 , while  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of bottom half  400  of sleeve guide  101 .  FIG. 5  is a fragmented, generally cross-sectional view of sleeve guide  10 , such as it may be assembled from haves  300  and  400  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . While shown in the drawings as comprising generally symmetrical top and bottom halves, the body of a sleeve guide of the present invention could clearly be defined in any number of manners, such as from a single piece of material or from any number of split parts bolted or otherwise secured together. The guide may be made from any number of materials using any number of methods or process. For example, the guide may be machined, cast or forged from metal, or molded from a somewhat rigid plastic. 
         [0033]    As noted, system  100 , might also employ a plurality of lead rollers or guide pins ( 105 - 107 ), positioned at predetermined distances from guide  101 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , pins  105 - 107  preferably align sleeve  601 , with edges  603  and  605  of sleeve  601  indexed with guide channels  114  and  115 , opening sleeve  601  as it is passed through guide  101  for deployment on conduit  610 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, rollers/pins  105 - 107  and guide  101  are mounted on a tabletop  110  or similar structure. Which may provide threaded orifices, or analogous mechanisms, for securing pins  105 - 107  , guide  101  and possibly other system elements to the tabletop in a desired spatial arrangement. A spool (not shown) may be used to provide sleeve stock to the system. Also, as mentioned above, a heated device  615 , such as a heat knife, may be employed to cut a length of the sleeve and fuse the material comprising the sleeve. 
         [0035]    With attention directed to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of fluid conduit cover installation system  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown practicing a method for handling sleeve  601  in accordance with the present invention, such as to dispose sleeve  601  on fluid conduit  610 . Sleeve  601  is positioned in and run through a series of rollers  105 - 107  to provide tension on sleeve  601  and to keep it in a vertical position before flattening. Optionally, a small metal or plastic ball (not visible) may be inserted inside sleeve  601 , preferably after rollers  106  and  107 , to help break apart any filaments that may occasionally hold sleeve  601  closed. Exiting rollers  106  and  107 , edges  603  and  605  of sleeve stock  601  are pressed toward one another to flatten the sleeve against its normal geometry, and the flattened sleeve is fed into sleeve guide  101 , with top edge  603  aligned with top channel  115  of sleeve guide  101  and bottom edge  605  aligned with bottom guide channel  114 . Edge  603  and/or  605  of the sleeve stock may be a longitudinal seam of the sleeve and/or a longitudinal fold or crease of the sleeve. Sleeve stock  601  is fed into opening  117  of sleeve guide  101 , allowing the edges of the sleeve to ride against guide channels  114  and  115  as it is fed or drawn through guide  101 , compressing the sleeve. Feeding sleeve stock  601  through guide passage  112  compresses the sleeve in the passage, with edges  603  and  605  of sleeve  601  riding against guide channels  114  and  115 , opens the sleeve. The opened sleeve exiting guide outlet  118  may be cut to a desired length using heated cutting device  615  that fuses the material comprising sleeve stock  601  around a circumference of the sleeve, leaving an inside of the sleeve clear to receive fluid conduit  610 . Thereafter, as discussed in greater detail below a collar may be disposed around an end of the cut sleeve and over conduit  610 , then compressed, with an end of sleeve  601  captured between the collar and end of conduit  610 . This compressing preferably defines at least one raised portion in the collar providing a fluid flow path from an interstitial space between conduit  610  and sleeve  601 . 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7 through 11 . Press  700  or  800  of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , respectively, or other compressive mechanisms, may be used in embodiments of this system for compressing collar  1101  ( FIG. 11 ) with an end of sleeve  601  captured between collar  1101  and conduit  610 , or coupling  1105  disposed on an end of the conduit. The press might be a mechanically operated press, such as press  700  of  FIG. 7 , employing mechanical leverage to compress dies  710  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). In such a mechanical press embodiment, a toque calibrated handle, similar to a torque wrench, may be used to operate the press, in order to monitor the degree of compression applied to the collar. Alternatively, and in some cases preferably, a powered press, such as hydraulic press  800  of  FIG. 8  might be used to compress dies  710 . Regardless, the press employed preferably employs complementary die set  710  which defines at least one raised portion  1112  in collar  701  to provide a fluid flow passage  1125  from an interstitial space between conduit  610  and sleeve  601 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of open die set  710 , while  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of die set  710  closed. Die set  710  is preferably made-up of a pair of generally complimentary dies  715  and  717 . However, die set  710  could be made up of any number of dies adapted to provide the desired crimping of collar  1101 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8  thrust plates  720  and  721  may be indexed between dies  715  and  717  to maintain alignment of the dies. The dies themselves define a generally curved compressive face  725  and  727  which bears-on and compressed collar  1101  to secure sleeve  601  to hose  610  or fitting  1105 . Each die also defines at least a portion of a cavity  730  and  732  used to form raised potion  1112  in collar  701  during compression of collar  701 . Cavities  730  and  732  are illustrated as having a generally trapezoidal shape to facilitate formation of the raided portion shape shown in  FIG. 11 . However, raised portion  1112  could have any number of shapes, as long as a fluid flow passage from the interstitial space between conduit  610  and sleeve  601  is provided. Correspondingly cavities could have shapes to provide these alternative shapes. As illustrated thrust plates  720  and  721  may be disposed in thrust plate slots and operate to help define and retain collar raised portions  1112 . Die set  710  is shown as being spring loaded. This facilitates use of the dies, for example providing opening of the dies following crimping to make removal of the crimped hose assembly from the press easier, and assisting retention of the dies in the press. The die set may be mounted to base plate  750  for ease of use with a press. The dies are described as “complementary” in that they cooperate to form the desired shape for a collar. The illustrated die set is a pair of dies having generally reflected shapes, each making up a half of the desired result shape of the collar. 
         [0038]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.