Abstract:
A swickle connector includes a connector body with an inlet end and an outlet end that is adapted for engagement with a sealing member of a sampling device or the like. The outlet end of the connector body includes a central axis. A clamping seat is associated with the connector body and includes an equilibrium point that is coincident with the central axis such that a clamping force acting on the clamping seat extends only in the direction of the central axis to thereby cause substantially uniform sealing engagement of the outlet end with the sealing member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to sampling devices for in-line processing equipment, and more particularly to a swickle connector and assembly for drawing samples from, or otherwise diverting at least a portion of liquid from, a liquid flow line during transportation or processing of liquid substances and/or cleaning of the liquid flow line.  
         [0002]     Liquid processing assemblies often employ one or more swickle connectors for diverting a portion of liquid from a pipeline during sampling or cleaning operations. A valve is often associated with the swickle connector for automatic or manual release of a fluid sample from a processing line through the swickle connector for analysis. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,479 issued to Webster on May 19, 1981 discloses a portable fluid analyzer with a sampling section that connects with a discharge port of a swickle connector through a retainer structure. The retainer structure includes a U-shaped bar that engages a tang on the swickle connector and a conduit that engages an outlet end of the swickle connector. A spring-biased lever arm is operably associated with the U-shaped bar so that the conduit is urged in sealing engagement with the outlet end of the swickle connector. With this type of swickle connector, it has been found that leakage can occur due to uneven compression forces acting around the perimeter of the swickle connector outlet end.  
         [0003]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the present application, the manner in which leakage may occur with a prior art swickle connector  10  is illustrated. The swickle connector  10  is typically associated with a sampling device  14  and a clamping device  12  for connecting the sampling device to the swickle connector. The swickle connector  10  includes a first hollow body portion  16  that extends generally horizontally and a second hollow body portion  18  that extends downwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to the first hollow body portion. A tang  20  extends upwardly from the first hollow body portion. The first hollow body portion  16  may include a mounting flange  21  that connects with a mounting flange  23  of a valve  25  (only partly shown) or the like. The clamping device  12  includes a clamping body  22 , a U-shaped clamping bar  24  extending from the clamping body  22 , and a threaded clamping rod  26  extending through a threaded bore (not shown) of the clamping body. A knurled head  28  is located at an outer free end of the threaded clamping rod  26 . The sampling device  14  includes a main body portion  30  with an inlet end  32  and an outlet end  34 . A bore  36  extends between the inlet and outlet ends. A pair of grooves  37  extend along a length of the main body portion  30  for accommodating spaced legs  39  of the clamping bar  24 . The inlet end  32  includes a circular depression  38  and an annular seal  40  positioned within the depression. A tube  42  may be connected to the outlet end  34  for directing liquid to be tested into a container (not shown).  
         [0004]     In use, the sampling device  14  is connected to the swickle connector  10  by installing the bridge of the U-shaped clamping bar  24  over the tang  20  and tightening the threaded clamping rod  26  against the main body portion  30 . This tightening causes a first compression force to be exerted against the annular seal  40  by the peripheral edge  46  in a direction as represented by arrow  48 . A second compression force is also exerted against the tang as represented by arrow  50 . This second compression force causes relative rotational movement between the sampling device  14  and the swickle connector  10 , as represented by arrow  52 , resulting in uneven sealing pressure between the annular seal  40  and the peripheral edge  46  of the swickle connector  10 . Consequently, fluid may leak between the annular seal and the swickle connector, as represented by arrows  54 .  
         [0005]     In addition to the above, when the sampling device is disconnected from the swickle connector, there is a possibility that a worker may be sprayed with hot caustic solution during a cleaning operation due to the angle at which the second hollow body portion  18  extends.  
         [0006]     It would therefore be desirable to provide a device that substantially reduces or eliminates relative rotational movement between the swickle connector and the sampling device. It would further be desirable to provide a swickle connector that ejects cleaning fluid toward a safer location during a cleaning or sampling operation.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a swickle connector comprises a connector body with an inlet end and an outlet end that is adapted for engagement with a sealing member. At least one conduit extends between the first conduit and the outlet end. The outlet end of the connector body includes a central axis. A clamping seat is associated with the connector body and includes an equilibrium point that is coincident with the central axis such that a clamping force acting on the clamping seat extends only in the direction of the central axis to thereby cause substantially uniform sealing engagement of the outlet end with the sealing member.  
         [0008]     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a swickle assembly comprises a swickle connector, a clamping device, and a sampling device connected to the swickle connector by way of the clamping device.  
         [0009]     The swickle connector has a connector body with an inlet end and an outlet end. At least one conduit extends through the connector body between the inlet end and the outlet end. The outlet end has a central axis. A clamping seat is associated with the connector body and has an equilibrium point that is coincident with the central axis.  
         [0010]     The sampling device includes a main body portion with an inlet end connected to the outlet end of the swickle connector and an outlet end. At least one bore extends between the inlet and outlet ends of the main body portion.  
         [0011]     The clamping device includes a first adjustment portion in contact with the sampling device and a second adjustment portion operably associated with the first contact portion and movable between a locked and an unlocked position. The second adjustment portion has a clamping bar with at least one leg portion that extends substantially parallel with the central axis and a bridge portion that extends transverse to the at least one leg portion. The clamping bar can be embodied in several different ways, including solid and/or flexible bar members. The bridge portion is seated in the clamping seat when the adjustable clamping mechanism is in the locked position to thereby firmly connect the swickle connector to the sampling device. In this manner, a clamping force acting on the clamping seat by the clamping device extends only in the direction of the central axis to thereby cause substantially uniform sealing engagement of the swickle connector outlet end with the sampling device inlet end. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a prior art swickle connector and associated clamp;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the swickle connector and clamp of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a swickle connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the swickle connector of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a sectional elevational view of the swickle connector of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a swickle assembly including the swickle connector of  FIG. 3  and an associated clamping device;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the swickle assembly of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a swickle connector in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a swickle connector in accordance with an even further embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a swickle assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
       [0023]     It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Referring now to the drawings, and to  FIGS. 3-5  in particular, a swickle connector  100  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The swickle connector  100  includes a swickle body  102  with an inlet end  104  and an outlet end  106 . A first conduit or bore  108  extends into the swickle body  102  from the inlet end  104 . A second conduit or bore  110  extends into the swickle body  102  from the outlet end  106  and intersects the first bore  108 . Preferably, but not necessarily, the first and second bores are perpendicular. The swickle connector  100  may be constructed of various materials, such as stainless steel or other metals, plastic, composites, and so on.  
         [0025]     The inlet end  104  may include a boss  112  that extends laterally from a side surface  113  of the swickle body  102  and a mounting flange  114  that is connected to an outer free end of the boss  112 . The mounting flange  114  is adapted for connection with a mounting flange  23  of a valve  25 , pipe, or the like ( FIG. 1 ). It will be understood that the boss  112  and/or mounting flange  114  can be eliminated and the inlet end  104  can be directly connected to a valve, pipe or the like through welding, clamps, compression fittings, or other well-known connection means. It will be further understood that the outlet end and inlet end can be reversed.  
         [0026]     The outlet end  106  may also include a boss  116  that extends downwardly from a lower surface  118  of the swickle body  102 . A mounting flange (not shown) may be connected to a lower end of the boss  116 . Alternatively, the boss and/or swickle body  102  may be connected, through well-known connection means as described above, to an inlet port of a sampling device, an outlet tube, or other well-known structure for directing the flow of fluid from one location to another.  
         [0027]     A clamping seat  120  is formed in an upper surface  121  of the swickle body  102 . As shown, the clamping seat  120  is arcuate in shape with a first surface portion  120   a  and a second surface portion  120   b . A lower-most portion or equilibrium point  124  is at the intersection of the first and second surface portions and is in alignment with a central axis  122  of the outlet end  106  and second bore  110 . Preferably, the first surface portion  120   a  to the right of the equilibrium point  124  is symmetrical with the second surface portion  120   b  to the left of the equilibrium point, as viewed in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0028]     With additional reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a swickle assembly  150  in accordance with the present invention includes a swickle connector  100 , a sampling device  152 , and a clamping device  154  that connects the swickle connector  100  to the sampling device  152 .  
         [0029]     The clamping device  154  includes a clamping body  156 , a first adjustment portion in the form of a U-shaped clamping bar  158  extending from the clamping body  156 , and a second adjustment portion in the form of a threaded clamping rod  160  extending through a threaded bore (not shown) of the clamping body. A knurled head  162  is located at an outer end of the threaded clamping rod  160 . The U-shaped clamping bar  158  has a pair of leg portions  164  that extend downwardly from an arcuate bridge portion  166 .  
         [0030]     The sampling device  152  includes a main body portion  170  with an inlet end  172  and an outlet end  174 . A bore  176  extends between the inlet and outlet ends. A pair of elongate grooves  178  extend along a length of the main body portion  170  for accommodating the leg portions  164  of the clamping bar  158 . The inlet end  172  includes a circular depression  180  and an annular seal  182  positioned within the depression. A tube  184  may be connected to the outlet end  174  in a well-known manner for directing liquid to be tested into a container (not shown) or other receptacle. For the sampling of certain kinds of liquids, the tube  184  may be spiral-shaped as is well known in the art for slowing the flow of liquid.  
         [0031]     In use, the sampling device  152  is connected to the swickle connector  100  by positioning the leg portions  164  of the U-shaped clamping bar  158  on either side of the swickle connector and aligning the bridge portion  166  with the arcuate clamping seat  120 . The threaded clamping rod  160  is then tightened against the main body portion  170  until the bridge portion  166  is firmly seated at the equilibrium point  124  of the clamping seat  120 . The symmetrical nature of the clamping seat  120  on opposite sides of the central axis  122  facilitates alignment of the outlet end  106  with the opening  183  in the annular seal  182 . Since the equilibrium point  124  of the arcuate clamping seat  120  is in alignment with the central axis  122 , and further since the leg portions  164  of the U-shaped clamping bar  158  are parallel with the central axis  122 , the outer peripheral surface  188  of the boss  116  exerts an equal pressure on the annular seal  182  only in the direction of the central axis  122 , as represented by arrow  185  in  FIG. 7 . In this manner, leakage due to uneven sealing pressure as in the prior art is eliminated.  
         [0032]     In addition to the above, when the sampling device  154  is disconnected from the swickle connector  100 , the downward facing position of the outlet end  106  reduces the possibility of spraying a worker with sample fluid during a sampling operation and/or hot caustic solution during a cleaning operation.  
         [0033]     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a swickle connector  190  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The swickle connector  190  is similar to the swickle connector  100  with the exception that the arcuate clamping seat  120  is replaced with a triangular clamping seat  192 . As shown, the clamping seat  192  has a first surface portion  192   a  and a second surface portion  192   b  that intersect at a lower-most portion or equilibrium point  194  that is in alignment with the central axis  122  of the second bore  110  so that the outer peripheral surface  188  of the boss  116  will exert an equal pressure on the annular seal  182  ( FIG. 7 ) when the bridge portion  166  (shown in phantom line) is firmly seated on the triangular clamping seat  192 .  
         [0034]     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a swickle connector  195  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The swickle connector  195  is similar to the swickle connector  100  with the exception that the arcuate clamping seat  120  is replaced with an aperture  196  that extends through the swickle body  102 . The aperture  196  has a circular clamping seat  198  with a first surface portion  198   a  and a second surface portion  198   b  that intersect at a lower-most portion or equilibrium point  200 . As in the previous embodiments, the equilibrium point  200  is in alignment with the central axis  122  of the second bore  110  so that the outer peripheral surface  188  of the boss  116  will exert an equal pressure on the annular seal  182  ( FIG. 7 ) when the swickle connector  195  is connected to the sampling device. Although the U-shaped clamping bar may be used with this embodiment, the bridge portion  166  may be split to permit its insertion into the aperture  196  from opposite sides of the swickle connector  195 .  
         [0035]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a swickle assembly  210  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The swickle assembly  210  includes a swickle connector  100 , as previously described, connected between a conventional valve assembly  212  and a sampling device  152 . The swickle connector  100  is connected to the sampling device  152  by way of the clamping device  154  as previously described. The swickle connector  100  is also connected to the valve assembly  212  by way of a tubular extension  214 . Preferably, the tubular extension  214  is directly welded to the swickle connector and the valve assembly. However, it will be understood that conventional connection means can be used, such as mounting flanges, clamps, compression fittings, and so on. The valve assembly  212  is preferably of conventional construction and includes a valve body  216  that houses an internal valve (not shown) and an adjustment knob  218  for opening and closing the internal valve in a well-known manner. The adjustment knob  218  may be operated by hand and/or electrically and/or pneumatically to alternatively direct or stop fluid flow through the valve body  216 . A mounting flange  218  or other connection means may be provided on the valve body  216  for connecting the valve assembly  212  to a fluid ejection port or the like of a liquid flow line (not shown). In this manner, the swickle assembly can control the release of a fluid sample or cleaning solution from a liquid flow line and direct the released fluid through the swickle connector  100  and the sampling device  152  or the like.  
         [0036]     It will be understood that terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification, such as laterally, downwardly, lower, and upper, as well as their respective derivatives and equivalent terms denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions.  
         [0037]     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. By way of example, the clamping seat may be of different shapes, such as a flat C-shaped channel and so on, and may be formed separately and connected to the main body, as long as an equilibrium point of the clamping seat is in alignment with the central axis of the seal contact surface of the outlet end so that equal compression forces are present around the periphery of the outlet end when connected to a sampling device, receptacle, tube, or the like.  
         [0038]     In addition, the clamping bar may take other forms, such as a single leg portion with a hook-shaped end for engaging the clamping seat or double leg portions with hook-shaped ends for engaging opposite ends of the clamping seat. Instead of a rigid material, the clamping bar may alternatively be embodied as a flexible cable or cord and tightened around the clamping seat using well-known techniques.  
         [0039]     In yet a further embodiment, the clamping device may be embodied as an over-center lock mechanism so that adjustment of a lever arm causes the clamping bar to be drawn and locked into the clamping seat of the swickle connector.  
         [0040]     Moreover, the mounting flange may take other forms or be eliminated and directly welded to a valve body, or a separate clamping mechanism may be provided.  
         [0041]     It will be further understood that the swickle connector may have more than one inlet and/or outlet, may be provided with different shapes, and so on.  
         [0042]     It will be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.