CONNECTION FOR FLUIDS

Abstract: Connection for fluids comprising a movable hollow joint (1) equipped with a lateral tubular duct (15) and two conical through-holes; opposite and coaxial (2) and (2′) whose axis is perpendicular to that of the lateral duct; a clamping screw inserted in the through-holes (2) and (2′) of the joint (1). The shank (3) of said screw is provided with a central duct (12) coaxial with the axis of said holes (2), a transversal hole (14) which connects said duct (12) with the internal cham­ ber (13) of the joint and two round grooves (10) and (11) at said through-holes (2) and (2′); and flexible round gaskets (9) and (9′) inserted in said grooves (10) and (11).

Description: This invention refers to a connection for fluids. More in particular, it refers to a connection for fluids with low, medium and high pressure. As noted, in some branches of industry, in particular the motor industry, connection systems are presently used with eye type joints to transport fluids, especially with low, medium and high operating pressure. The seal of these connection systems is guaranteed by a strong clamp torque applied to a screw which compresses the eye joint or connection between two annealed copper washers. In this way a stiff joint is created, watertight to the fluids that flow inside it. While substantially satisfactory from the functional point of view, the above type of joints present the problem of needing a strong clamping torque and a special manual capacity of the operators, who, in the assembly phase, must assemble the parts with a great deal of care and skill before starting to lock them. Consequently, applications times are fairly long and seal is not fully guaranteed. DE-A-2,439,527 describes, particularly in connection with Figure 4, a connection for fluids such as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Also this known connection device, however, is not free from drawbacks. The sealing is not fully guaranteed, particularly to the surface of the container or duct to be coupled, and the seal gaskets tend to extrude through the connection zone, especially for high clamping torque. The object of the present invention is to solve the above drawbacks by providing a connection for fluids in which the parts composing it are preassembled to one another, self-centered and ready for immediate use. According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a connection for fluids, in particular for fluids with low, medium and high pressure, comprising: a) a hollow movable joint of "eye" type provided with an internal chamber, a lateral tubular duct leading to said chamber, and two opposite coaxial through-holes, whose axis is substantially perpendicular to that of the tubular duct and which open through opposite faces of said joint, the through holes having conical shape with diameter increasing towards the external surface of the faces; b) a connecting member inserted in the through-holes of the joint with a shank provided with a central duct coaxial with the axis of said holes and communicating with said chamber by means of at least one transversal hole, the shank having a first and second groove adjacent said through holes of the joint, and c) a first and a second flexible annular seal gasket each inserted in respective grooves in the connecting member and in bearing contact against the through holes; wherein the connecting member comprises a clamping screw having a head and a shank with an end threaded zone which engages a threaded portion of a passage in a container or duct, the first groove being located adjacent the lower face of the head and the second groove being located adjacent the threaded zone, the central plane of the second groove and the second gasket substantially corresponding to the adjacent face of the joint, the second seal gasket also sealing against an unthreaded surface of the passage in the container or duct. Particular embodiments of the connection for fluids of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claim 2. The perimetral grooves may have any shape and size, according to the type of fluid used. For example, said grooves may have semi-circular, square or rectangular section, U-shaped with corners connected or with truncated cone shape. The round gaskets are preferably made of elastomeric material and have a preferably circular section, even if any material and section can be used. The connection of this invention has the following advantages: A) all parts forming the connection are pre-assembled to one another, self-centered and in state of immediate use, so the operations and application times are facilitated and reduced. B) Seal among the components is guaranteed by the flexibility and by the deformability and adherence of the gaskets constructed with rings in elastomeric or other suitable material, and by the arrangement of said gaskets between the conic surface of the joint holes and the groove of the clamping screw. C) Application of the connection needs no more than a strong clamping torque. D) The movable joint can be mounted in any position as it has a perfectly symmetrical structure with respect to the through-plane for the axis of the lateral duct. Asymmetrical structures can also be used according to specific applicative needs. The constructive and operating characteristics of the connection for fluids of this invention can be better understood from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the attached drawings which show a form of construction of this connection, and in which: fig. 1 shows the schematic view of a cross-section of this connection, and fig. 2 shows the schematic view of a cross-section of the clamping screw. With reference to the drawings, the connection for fluids comprises a movable eye type joint 1, provided, in the two upper and lower opposite faces 6 and 7, with parallel, coaxial through-holes 2 and 2′. In said holes 2 and 2′ is inserted the shank 3 of a screw. The head 4 of the screw, preferably of faceted type, and its threaded end 5, project respectively from the opposite parallel faces 6 and 7 of joint 1. The through-holes 2 and 2′ have a conic or truncated cone shape with diameter increasing towards the external surface of faces 6 and 7. Correspondingly, the shank 3 of the screw is provided with a first round groove 10, obtained near the lower face 8 of the head 4, and a second round groove 11, parallel to the first, obtained near its threaded zone 5 and substantially corresponding to the lower face 7. Said round grooves 10 and 11 have preferably a U-shape, as illustrated in fig. 2, which can be more easily obtained, guaranteeing at the same time excellent seal and vibration strength. In each groove 10 and 11 a round gasket 9 and correspondingly 9′ is positioned. In clamping phase, said gaskets 9 and 9′, besides being contained in round grooves 10 and 11 are engaged in the conic surface of the through-holes 2 and 2′, guaranteeing perfect adherence and seal. The round gaskets 9 and 9′ are preferably of the type with circular cross-section and are constructed in flexible material, e.g. an elastomeric material. The leg 3 of the screw is fitted with a central duct 12 which communicates with the internal chamber 13 of the movable joint 1 through at least one transversal hole 14. The internal chamber 13 is in turn connected to the tubular duct 15, connected to joint 1. The axis of said tubular duct 15 is substantially perpendicular to that of the through-holes 2 and 2′. As can be understood from what has been illustrated and described, all components of the joint are pre-assembled to one another, and, to instal them, it is sufficient to screw the threaded part 5 into the corresponding threaded hole of the duct or container A from which it comes, or in which the fluid to be conveyed is sent. During clamping, all components remain in their alignment position, and, finally, it is sufficient to tighten the screw firmly, but with a normal clamping load, until gasket 9 is squashed and pressed between its seat 10, the lower plane 8 of the head 4 and the conic surface of the upper hole 2, and the gasket 9′ is squashed and pressed between its seat 11, the conic surface of the lower hole 2′ and the surface of the duct or container A on which the movable joint 1 is fixed. In these conditions, gasket seal is guaranteed, like the connection of the parts to be put in communication, and the coupling operation takes place simply, rapidly and safely.

Claims: A connection for fluids comprising: a) a hollow movable joint (1) of the "eye" type, provided with an internal chamber (13), a lateral tubular duct (15) leading to said chamber (13) and two through-holes (2,2'), coaxial and opposite, whose axis is substantially perpendicular to that of the tubular duct (15), and which open through opposite faces (6,7) of said joint, the through-holes (2,2') having a conical shape with diameter increasing towards the external surface of faces (6,7); b) a connecting member inserted in the through-holes (2,2') of the joint (1) with a shank (3) provided with a central duct (12) coaxial with the axis of said holes and communicating with the chamber (13) by means of at least one transversal hole (14), the shank having a first and a second groove (10,11) adjacent said through holes (2,2') of the joint (1); and c) a first and a second flexible annular seal gasket (9,9') each inserted in respective grooves in the connecting member and in bearing contact against the through-holes (2,2'); CHARACTERIZED in that the connecting member comprises a clamping screw having a head (4) and a shank (3) with an end threaded zone (5) which engages a threaded portion of a passage in a container or duct A, the first groove (10) being located adjacent the lower face (8) of the head (4) and the second groove (11) being located adjacent the threaded zone (5), the central plane of the second groove (11) and second gasket (9') substantially corresponding to the adjacent face (7) of the joint (1), the second seal gasket (9') also sealing against an unthreaded surface of the passage in the container or duct (A). The connection for fluids according to claim 1, wherein the first and second grooves (10,11) have a U-shaped section. The connection for fluids according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow movable joint (1) has symmetrical shape with respect to the axis of the lateral duct (15). The connection for fluids according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first seal gasket (9) is placed between the lower face (8) of the head (4), the first groove (10) and the conical surface of the hole (2). The connection for fluids according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second seal gasket (9') is placed between the second groove (11), the conical surface of the hole (2') and a surface of a container or duct (A) to be coupled. A connection for fluids according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable joint (1), the screw, including the head (4), the shank (3) and the threaded zone (5), and the two seal gaskets (9,9') are pre-assembled to one another in the exact working position.

Inventors: AIRAGHI, ATTILIO, DALLA BONA, ALFREDO
Applicants: MURRAY EUROPE S.P.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: F16L27
IPC codes: F16L27, F16L41