TUBE COUPLING

Abstract: A beaded tube coupling having a rigid ferrule (l6) sealingly fixed to the tube (l0) with the rigid ferrule including radial flange portion (32) forming the bead and having a shank portion (34) extending axially outboard of the radial flange portion to thereby shorten, in effect, the unsupported length of the tube.

Description: This invention relates to tube couplings and, in particular, though not exclusively,to a tube coupling for thin walled tubes used, for example, as fuel lines in a diesel engine on a truck. Tube couplings with flared tube fittings are well known in the art. Also well known in the art are beaded tube couplings with an O-ring seal. There are two types of known beaded tube coupling. There is a rigid mount type, as shown for example in US patent nos. 3,092,404 and 3,393,930, in which a bead on the tube is clamped between metal or rigid surfaces defined by the parts of the tube coupling. There is also a soft mount type, as shown for example in US patent no. 2,560,263, in which a bead on the tube is not clamped between rigid surfaces, but engages one or more O-ring seals when the tube coupling is formed. It is known, however, that when such tubes and their couplings are used as a fuel line to supply fuel, for example, to a unit fuel injector in a diesel engine, such a fuel line tube will be subjected to the vibration of the engine. This excitation causes the fuel line tube to vibrate relative to its connecting points to the associate couplings. The amplitude of the fuel line tube's vibration determines the maximum bending stress of the fuel line tube which occurs at the connecting point of the couplings. In flared tube fittings, each of its connecting points is at the connecting nut to flared tube interface. In beaded tube type couplings, each of its connecting points is at the connecting nut to bead on tube interface. These known tube couplings are therefore susceptible to vibration failure. In a beaded tube coupling of the soft mount type it is intended to provide a tube coupling with vibration isolation for the tube by lowering the natural frequency of the tube. In practice, however, it has been found that this arrangement has the disadvantage of not being durable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tube coupling which is durable and which provides resistance to vibration failure. To this end, a tube coupling in accordance with the present invention is characterised by the features specified in the characterising portion of Claim l. The present invention relates to tube couplings of the beaded tube type wherein a rigid ferrule is rigidly and sealingly fixed to an associate end of the tube, each rigid ferrule including a radial flange portion which is outwardly extending and which defines, in effect, an annular bead encircling the tube and a shank portion extending axially outboard of the radial flange portion for a predetermined axial extent so that the point where maximum bending stress on each end of the tube is moved to the outboard end of the associate rigid ferrule. This invention therefore provides an improved tube coupling of the beaded tube type with O-ring seal wherein a rigid ferrule fixed to the tube has a radial flange portion thereof defining a bead encircling the tube and has an axial extending shank portion which is used to reinforce the tube. This invention also provides an improved tube coupling wherein a sealing ring encircling the tube defines a primary seal and wherein a rigid ferrule, fixed to the tube adjacent to the sealing ring associated with a coupling body member and, a tubular coupling nut forms a metal to metal seal, with the rigid ferrule having a shank portion of an axial extent comparable to the axial extent of the tubular coupling nut whereby to increase the natural frequency of vibration of the tube. This invention is further described, by way of example, with reference to the following detailed description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings; in which:- Figure l is a view in elevation and partly in section of a fuel line tube coupling arrangement with tube couplings, in accordance with the invention, at opposite ends thereof; and, Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the tube couplings of the fuel line tube coupling arrangement of Figure l. Referring first to Figure l there is shown for purpose of illustration a fuel line tube coupling arrangement, having tube couplings in accordance with the invention. The fuel line tube coupling arrangement includes a fuel line tube l0, made for example of steel, which is secured at opposite ends to first and second coupling body elements l2 one of which, for example, may be formed as part of a fuel supply manifold for a multi cylinder diesel engine while the other may be formed as part of a conventional unit fuel injector. In this arrangement fuel can be supplied from the fuel supply manifold to the unit fuel injector or, alternatively, they may be formed as separate coupling fittings for attachment to such parts. In the construction shown, the fuel line tube l0, adjacent to opposite ends thereof and outboard of the respective tube couplings is provided with bend portions l4, bent substantially at right angles. Intermediate these bend portions l4, the fuel line tube l0 is bent into an arcuate configuration, not shown, out of a vertical plane intersecting the axes of the tube couplings at opposite ends of the fuel line tube for a purpose well known in the art. As best seen in the left hand of Figure l and, in particular, in Figure 2, each tube coupling includes a coupling end ll of the fuel line tube l0 with a rigid ferrule l6 suitably and sealingly fixed thereto, as by brazing; a seal ring in the form of an O-ring seal l7; a tubular coupling nut l8; and the coupling body element l2. As best seen in Figure 2, each coupling body element l2, in the construction illustrated, is provided with a stepped bore to define, in succession starting from the outboard end thereof, an internally threaded wall 20, an intermediate wall 22, a seal receiving wall 24 and a tube receiving wall 26, each of these walls being of reduced internal diameter relative to the maximum internal diameter of the internally threaded wall 20 and with the tube receiving wall 26 being of an internal diameter to loosely receive the coupling end ll of the fuel line tube l0. Internally threaded wall 20 and intermediate wall 22 define a first wall. Intermediate wall 22 and seal receiving wall 24 are interconnected by a flat shoulder 28. Seal receiving wall 24 and tube receiving wall 26 are interconnected by a gland shoulder 30 which is suitably inclined with seal receiving wall 24 being of a suitable internal diameter greater than or equal to the nominal external diameter of the O-ring seal l7 so as to loosely receive this O-ring seal. Tube receiving wall 26 define a fluid passage. Now in accordance with a feature of the invention, each coupling end ll of the fuel line tube l0 has the rigid ferrule l6, made for example of steel, suitably fixed thereto so as to provide a sealed joint therebetween. The rigid ferrule l6 includes a radial flange portion 32 which is outwardly extending and which, in effect, defines an annular bead encircling the fuel line tube l0, the annular bead being axially located thereon a predetermined axial extent from the associate free or pilot end portion l0a of the coupling end ll of the fuel line tube l0. The rigid ferrule l6 also includes a shank portion 34 of suitable thickness but of reduced external diameter relative to the external diameter of the radial flange portion 32. This radial flange portion 32 is sized so as to be loosely received by the intermediate wall 22 but has an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the seal receiving wall 24. The radial flange portion 32 of the rigid ferrule l6 thus provides opposed inboard and outboard abutment surfaces 32a and 32b, respectively; the inboard abutment surface 32a being adapted to sealingly engage the flat shoulder 28 of the coupling body element l2 while the outboard abutment surface 32b can be engaged by an inboard end surface l8d of the tubular coupling nut l8. Tubular coupling nut l8 is also provided with a wrench engaging head l8a, in the form of a hexagonal head in the construction illustrated; an externally threaded shank l8b for threaded engagement with the internally threaded wall 20 of the associate coupling body element l2; and a through-bore l8c therethrough of a suitable internal diameter so as to loosely receive the shank portion 34 of the rigid ferrule l6. Preferably, the axial extent of the shank portion 34 of the rigid ferrule l6 is at least substantially equal to the axial extent of the tubular coupling nut l8, as shown for the particular application illustrated, although it will be appreciated that, if desired, the axial extent of the shank portion 34 can be sized so as to extend axially outward of the attached tubular coupling nut l8. In addition, the inboard end surface l8d of the tubular coupling nut l8 is suitably formed to preferably provide a surface of reduced external diameter, as shown, so that the restraining torque of the surface contact of this inboard end surface l8d against the outboard abutment surface 32b is less than the restraining torque, in effect, seen by the surface contact between the inboard abutment surface 32a and the flat shoulder 28. This arrangement substantially prevents the rigid ferrule l6 from turning when the tubular coupling nut l8 is torqued down to effect sealing engagement between the inboard abutment surface 32a and the flat shoulder 28, and to effect compression of the O-ring seal l7. As should now be apparent, the O-ring seal l7 is initially positioned so as to encircle the pilot end portion l0a of the fuel line tube l0 in a position where it will abut against the inboard abutment surface 32a of the radial flange portion 32 of the rigid ferrule l6. As thus positioned, when the coupling end ll is inserted into the associate coupling body element l2, the O-ring seal l7 can loosely pass through the opening defined by the seal receiving wall 24 and then into compressed sealing engagement with the gland shoulder 30, as when the tubular coupling nut l8 is torqued down so as to compress the O-ring seal l7 to the positions shown in the drawings. This arrangement of the nominal external diameter of the O-ring seal l7 being less than or equal to the internal diameter of the seal receiving wall 24 differs from the arrangement shown in the previously mentioned prior art. In the above mentioned prior art, the O-ring seals are diametrically compressed on installation to establish an initial seal. This known arrangement has the disadvantage that the O-ring seal is prone to nicking, cutting or pinching during assembly, thereby leaking and (in the case of the rigid mount type of beaded tube coupling) substantially eliminiating the sealing capability of the lower metal to metal seal if the O-ring seal or pieces thereof were pinched between the metal surfaces. The known beaded tube couplings of the rigid mount type are prone to this type of failure. In the present invention, the risk of damaging the O-ring seal l7 on installation is substantially eliminated, the sealing action being provided by axial and radial crushing of the O-ring seal from the tightening of the tubular coupling nut l8 after the O-ring seal is installed. By the use of the rigid ferrules l6 fixed to opposite coupling ends ll of the fuel line tube l0, each above its respective connecting point, that is, the sandwiching point of the radial flange portion 34 between the flat shoulder 28 and the tubular coupling nut l8, the points on the fuel line tube l0 where maximum bending stress occurs is, in effect, moved to the top of each rigid ferrule l6 which, in the construction illustrated, corresponds to the outboard end of the respective tubular coupling nut l8. Thus in a given engine application, this shortens the effective length of the fuel line tube l0 cantilevered beyond these new effective attaching points. By shortening this effective length of the fuel line tube l0, the stiffness of this portion of the fuel line tube l0 is increased. Shortening the unsupported length of a fuel line tube l0, as disclosed, for a particular application, increases the stiffness or spring rate of the fuel line tube l0 by the inverse of the cube of this length. The natural vibration frequency of the fuel line tube l0 is thus also increased as the relative unsupported length decreases thereby improving its resistance to possible vibration induced fatigue failure over an extended period of time. In addition, by making the rigid ferrule l6 of a suitable extended axial length, as shown, allows the rigid ferrule to be mechanically crimped to the fuel line tube l0 for location and retention during brazing. While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth since it is apparent that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the tubular coupling nut has been shown as a male nut it will be apparent that the coupling body element could be modified for use with a female type coupling nut in a manner known in the art. As an additional example, in order to prevent rotation of the rigid ferrule relative to the coupling body element when the tubular coupling nut is tightened, the inboard end surface l8d of the tubular coupling nut l8 and the flat shoulder 28 in the construction illustrated could each be inclined at a suitable angle so that initial contact between the tubular coupling nut and radial flange portion of the rigid ferrule is at the shortest radius possible and/or the initial contact between the inboard abutment surface 32a of the radial flange portion 32 of the rigid ferrule l6 and the coupling body element l2 is at the maximum radius possible. The tube coupling of the present invention therefore provides an arrangement with substantially full sealing of all potential leak paths; which can be assembled without the risk of damage to the O-ring seal; which can be tightened without twisting the tube or damaging the tube or the tube coupling by over tightening; which is resistant to vibration failure; and which is therefore durable.

Claims: 1. A tube coupling for a tube (l0) of uniform external diameter and thickness, comprising a coupling body element (l2) having a stepped bore therein defining at least a first wall (20,22), a seal receiving wall (24) and a tube receiving wall (26) defining a fluid passage, each of walls being of progressively reduced internal diameter in the order named, the seal receiving wall and the tube receiving wall being interconnected by a gland shoulder (30) which is inclined, and a free end portion (l0a) of the tube (l0) being slidably received in the tube receiving wall; a rigid ferrule (l6) sealingly fixed to and encircling the tube adjacent to the free end portion, the rigid ferrule including a radial flange portion (32) which is outwardly extending and of an external diameter so as to be loosely received in the first wall and defining opposed inboard and outboard abutment surfaces (32a,32b) respectively, and a shank portion (34) extending from the outboard abutment surface a predetermined axial extent, the inboard abutment surface being located axially a predetermined distance from the free end portion of the tube; a seal ring (l7) encircling the free end of the tube in abutment against the inboard abutment surface and sealingly engaging the gland shoulder; and a tubular coupling nut (l8), with a through-bore (l8c) therethrough so as to slidably encircle the shank portion of the rigid ferrule and so as to be threadingly engaged with the coupling body element for abutment against the outboard abutment surface; characterised in that the first wall (20,22) and the seal receiving wall (24) of the coupling body element (l2) are interconnected by a flat shoulder (28); in that the through-bore (l8c) of the tubular coupling nut (l8) has an axial extent corresponding substantially to the axial extent of the shank portion (34) of the rigid ferrule (l6); and in that on threadingly engaging the tubular coupling nut to the coupling body element, the inboard abutment surface (32a) of the rigid ferrule is forced into abutment with, to sealing engage, the flat shoulder. 2. A tube coupling according to claim l, characterised in that the turning moment of the tubular coupling nut (l8) against the outboard abutment surface (32b) is less than the reaction moment between the inboard abutment surface (32a) and the flat shoulder (28). 3. A tube coupling according to Claim l or Claim 2, characterised in that the nominal external diameter of the seal ring (l7) is less than or equal to the internal diameter of the seal receiving wall (24).

Inventors: STRAUB, ROBERT D.
Applicants: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16L19
IPC codes: F16L19