Tube testing connector

Abstract: A tube testing connector having a body member (4) with an axial bore (6) therethrough and a stem (16) slidably disposed within said bore for internal sealing of open ended thin wall deformable tubing which employs a wide elastomer seal (46) which provides for a more liquid tight seal. A relief groove (72) is provided at the rear end of the stem which allows pressure within the connector to be vented rearwardly as the relief groove moves axially beyond an O-ring (42) from a sealing position to a non-sealing position allowing venting of the tube prior to removal.

Description: This invention relates to tube testing devices. Connectors are known for temporarily sealing the end of tubes and conduits and pressurizing the tubes for testing to be sure that the tubing does not leak. Recently, to increase the surface area of copper tubing used in the refrigeration industry, a "Rifle ID" feature has been included. This feature involves a knurling operation which is performed on the inner diameter of the tubing. Problems have been encountered with the sealing devices used when pressure testing the components that utilize this copper tubing. Certain previous known devices have utilized an O-ring seal which provides inadequate sealing at high pressures and minimal seal life, due to the high internal pressure and the grooved inner diameter. Sealing on the outer diameter of the copper tubing has provided unsatisfactory results because the OD of the tube is not controlled to a sufficient tolerance to allow for consistent sealing. Another example of the prior art is featured in US-A-3542076 which generally discloses a tube testing device for insertion into an open ended tube for sealing one end thereof, comprising a body member having an axial bore and a terminal portion adapted to be inserted into the open end of the tube, a stem shiftably disposed in the bore, the stem having a first end adapted to enter the tube and a second opposite end adapted to remain out of the tube, handle means secured to the stem to move the stem between a first non-sealing position and a second sealing position, a first seal member mounted adjacent the terminal portion of the body member, the first seal member being made of a compressible resilient material to increase its outer diameter when compressed laterally so as to engage the inner periphery of the tube and seal against the escape of pressurized fluid, actuating means connected to the stem and engageable against the first seal member such that when the stem moves from said non-sealing position to said sealing position the actuating means laterally compresses the first seal member so as to increase its outer diameter to effect sealing engagement with the tube, a port defined in the body member adapted to communicate pressurized fluid from a pressure source to the axial bore, and a second seal member surrounding the stem towards the second end thereof to seal against the escape of pressurized fluid from the bore when the stem is in said sealing position. The tube testing device of US-A-3542076 presents the problem that when the pressure testing is completed and the internal seal is released, there is the tendency for the tube testing device to be forced out of the tube with a sharp, jarring effect. In accordance with the present invention as claimed, the aforesaid generally disclosed tube testing device is characterized in that a pressure relief groove is formed in the stem towards the second end, the groove being positioned such that when the stem moves from said sealing position to said non-sealing position, portions of the groove lie on either side of the second seal member thereby providing an exhaust passage for pressurized fluid from the axial bore, prior to removal of the tube being tested. The tube testing device of the invention overcomes the problem discussed above since the pressure relief groove provides an exhaust passage for pressurized gas within the tubing prior to removal of the tube testing connector, thereby simultaneously venting the tube to atmosphere as the seal within the tube is released. This allows for easier removal of the tube connector after the system is depressurized, thus extending the life of the seal. A preferred tube testing device provides a first seal member in the form of a wide elastomer seal which results in more sealing area than the previously discussed connector of the prior art utilized an O-ring seal, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the seal between the tube testing device and the tube being tested. In order that the present invention may be well understood there will now be described an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side view in cross-section of a tube testing device embodying the features of the invention in the non-sealing position; Figure 2 is a side view in partial cross-section of the same tube testing device in the actuated or sealed position; and Figure 3 is a partial end view of the tube testing device taken along line 3 - 3 in Figure 2. A tube testing device 2 provides for a more satisfactory seal when pressure testing thin wall deformable tubing having a "Rifle ID" feature, and provides for an extended seal life. Generally, as shown in Figure 1, the tube testing device 2 has a body 4 which includes an axial bore 6 extending throughout its entire length. The body 4 has a shoulder portion 8 and a terminal portion 10. The terminal portion 10 is adapted for insertion into a tube 12. The bore 6 is enlarged at the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4 and its function will hereinafter become apparent. A stem 16 is shiftably disposed within the bore 6 between the unsealed position illustrated in Figure 1 and the sealed position illustrated in Figure 2. The stem 16 includes a threaded first end 18 and an enlarged second end 20 which projects beyond the shoulder portion 8 of body 4. The stem 16 is in close tolerance relationship with the bore 6 at the terminal portion 10 of the body 4. A passage means 24 is formed between the bore 6 and the stem 16, at the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4. The stem 16 is provided with a longitudinal groove or channelway 26 which extends substantially from a point immediately below a portion of the passage means 24 to the threaded first end 18 of the stem 16 as seen in Figure 3. The channelway 26 provides a passage for pressurized gas to flow into the tubing. A handle 30 is pivotally attached to the enlarged second end 20 of the stem 16 by a pin 32. The handle 30 has a first end 34 and a second end 36. A cam washer 38 is disposed between the first end 34 of the handle 30 and the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4, which provides a camming surface for handle 30 when it is pivoted through an arc of 90° as will hereinafter become apparent. A counterbore 40 is defined in the left end of body 4 adjacent the cam washer 38 in communication with bore 6. A sealing member such as an O-ring 42 is disposed in the counter bore 40 to seal the left end of bore 6 adjacent the enlarged second end 20 of the stem 16 in fluid tight relationship. A wide elastomer seal 46, an actuating ring 48 and a spacer member 50 are disposed about the first end 18 of the stem 16. The elastomer seal 46 has a wall thickness to length ratio of approximately 1 to 3. The seal 46 is preferably made from chloroprene rubber which is sold under the trade name "Neoprene" by E. I. du Pont although other elastomers may be substituted if they are compatible with the test fluid and other test conditions. Seals which have been utilized effectively have the following sizes: (a) .89 cm (.35")OD x .56 cm (.22")ID x .48 cm (.19") long, and (b) .74 cm (.29")OD x .41 cm (.16")ID x .48 cm (.19") long. The ring 48 and the spacer 50 encircle the stem 16 and move with it. The elastomer seal 46 abuts the terminal portion 10 of the body 4. The actuating ring 48 has a narrow end 51 and an inclined surface 52. A retaining ring 56 is disposed on the inclined surface 52 of the actuating ring 48 between the elastomer seal 46 and the spacer member 50. The spacer member 50 has a projecting portion 58 which provide the means whereby the retaining ring 56 is urged up the inclined surface 52 of the actuating ring 48 into an anchoring or locking position. A stop nut 62 and washer 64 are secured to the threaded first end 18 of the stem 16 so as to retain the elastomer seal 46, actuating ring 48, retaining ring 56 and spacer member 50 in the relative positions shown in Figure 1. A resilient stop member 66 is located on the outer periphery of the terminal portion 10 of the body 4 adjacent the shoulder portion 8. Upon insertion of the connector 2 into a tube 12, the stop member 66 engages the inner periphery of the end of tube 12 and forms a gap 68, between the tube 12 and the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4 thereby preventing the tube 12 from abutting the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4 and being damaged. A fluid inlet port 70 is located in the shoulder portion 8 of the body 4, and is in communication with the passage 24. This inlet port 70 is adapted to receive pressurized fluid from a pressure source (not shown). A pressure relief groove 72 is formed in the stem 16 at the second end 20 to provide for venting of the pressurized gas. In operation, the tube testing device 2 is inserted into a tube 12 for testing with the handle 30 in the unlocked, unsealed position as shown in Figure 1. Once fully inserted so that the tube end firmly engages the stop member 66, the handle 30 is rotated counterclockwise through an arc of 90° to a locked and sealed position as shown in Figure 2. When the handle 30 is rotated, the stem 16 is pulled to the left, as viewed in Figure 2, thereby moving the actuating ring 48 to the left, causing the compression of the elastomer seal 46 thereby increasing its outer diameter and forcing the same into sealing engagement with the internal wall of the tube 12 to form a tight seal. At the same time, the spacer member 50 is also moved to the left and the projecting portion 58 acts upon the retaining ring 56 to drive it up the inclined surface 52 of the actuating ring 48. This causes the retaining ring 56 to also engage the internal wall of the deformable tube 12 to form an internal groove and an external bead to anchor the tube testing device 2 securely in place within the tube 12. In the unsealed position of Figure 1, the relief groove 72 has portions lying on either side of the seal 42. In the sealed position of Figure 2, the relief groove 72 is shifted entirely to the left of the O-ring 42 which seals against the escape of gas. Thus, a pressure tight seal is formed at the end of the tube 12 where the tube testing device 2 is attached. Normally a pressurized gas is used for testing the tubing but other pressurized fluid including pressurized liquids can also be used. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the tube testing device 2 via the inlet port 70. The fluid flows through the passage 24, through the longitudinal groove 26 in the stem 16 and into the tube 12 to be pressure tested. When the test has been completed, the opposite sequence of steps is followed. As the handle 30 is returned to its non-sealing position of Figure 1, a portion of the relief groove 72 passes the O-ring 42 as shown in Figure 1 and provides for a release of the pressure which has built up inside the tube 12. The elastomer seal 46, actuating ring 48, retaining ring 56 and spacer member 50 return to the non-sealing position shown in Figure 1. This thereby allows for an easier removal of the tube testing device 2 and less wear on the O-ring 42 and elastomer seal 46.

Claims: A tube testing device for insertion into an open ended tube (12) for sealing one end thereof, comprising a body member (4) having an axial bore (6) and a terminal portion (10) adapted to be inserted into the open end of the tube (12), a stem (16) shiftably disposed in the bore (6), the stem (16) having a first end (18) adapted to enter the tube (12) and a second opposite end (20) adapted to remain out of the tube (12), handle means (30) secured to the stem (16) to move the stem (16) between a first non-sealing position and a second sealing position, a first seal member (46) mounted adjacent the terminal portion (10) of the body member (4), the first seal member (46) being made of a compressible resilient material to increase its outer diameter when compressed laterally so as to engage the inner periphery of the tube (12) and seal against the escape of pressurized fluid, actuating means (48) connected to the stem (16) and engageable against the first seal member (46) such that when the stem (16) moves from said non-sealing position to said sealing position the actuating means (48) laterally compresses the first seal member (46) so as to increase its outer diameter to effect sealing engagement with the tube (12), a port (70) defined in the body member (4) adapted to communicate pressurized fluid from a pressure source to the axial bore (6), and a second seal member (42) surrounding the stem (16) towards the second end (20) thereof to seal against the escape of pressurized fluid from the bore (6) when the stem (16) is in said sealing position; characterized in that a pressure relief groove (72) is formed in the stem (16) towards the second end (20), the groove (72) being positioned such that when the stem (16) moves from said sealing position to said non-sealing position, portions of the groove (72) lie on either side of the second seal member (42) thereby providing an exhaust passage for pressurized fluid from the axial bore (6), prior to removal of the tube (12) being tested. A tube testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first seal member (46) has a wall thickness to length ratio of approximately 1 to 3. A tube testing device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the actuating means (48) includes an actuating ring (48) disposed on said first end (18) of the stem (16). A tube testing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuating ring (48) has a narrow end (51) and sloping sides (52). A tube testing device as claimed in claim 4, including a spacer member (50) disposed adjacent the actuating ring (48). A tube testing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a retaining ring (56) is disposed between the first seal member (46) and the spacer member (50) on the actuating ring (48) at said narrow end (51) such that when the stem (16) moves from said non-sealing position to said sealing position, the retaining ring (56) is pushed up the sloping sides (52) of the actuating ring (48) by the spacer member (50) and engages the inner periphery of the tube (12) to secure the tube testing device (2) in the tube (12). A tube testing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a resilient stop (66) carried by the terminal portion (10) of the body member (4) on the outer periphery thereof, the stop (66) being adapted to engage the open end of the tube (12) to be tested. A tube testing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first seal member (46) overlies and encircles the stem (16) and is positioned between an end of the terminal portion (10) and the actuating means (48) for compression therebetween.

Inventors: HENDZEL ADAM J, HENDZEL, ADAM J.
Applicants: TUTHILL CORP, TUTHILL CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G01M3
IPC codes: G01M3