METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TUBE COUPLING, AND A TUBE COUPLING AND A CONDUIT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO SAID METHOD

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of disposing at at least one end (11) of a metal pipe (1) of any length and with a constant cross section a first rapid coupling half (1a) which can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from the first rapid coupling half. In this way, the rapid coupling halves (1a, 2a) are formed in one part with the respective metal pipes (1, 2) by cold-shaping of the ends (11, 21) of the pipes (1, 2). The invention also concerns a first rapid coupling half (1a) which is disposed according to this method in the end (11) of a metal pipe (1) of any length and with a constant cross section. The first rapid coupling half (1a) can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from this metal pipe (1). The first rapid coupling half (1a) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1).

Description: Method of manufacturing a tube coupling, and a tube coupling and a conduit manufactured according to said method The present invention concerns a method of disposing at at least one end of a metal pipe of any length and with a constant cross- section a first rapid coupling half which can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half which is separate from the first rapid coupling half. The invention also concerns a first rapid coupling half which is arranged according to this method in the end of a metal pipe of any length and having a constant cross-section, which rapid coupling half can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half which is separate from this first rapid coupling half. Finally, the invention concerns a pipeline for conveying a medium in a vehicle, which pipeline is essentially produced from a metal pipe of constant cross-section and with a first rapid coupling half which is disposed in at least one end and which is adapted to be connected to a second rapid coupling half which is separate from this line. A great number of rapid couplings of the above-mentioned type for joining together two metal pipe ends or for connecting a metal pipe end to the equipment of a hydraulic component or hydraulically-operating machine are already known and display the common characteristic that, unassembled, they produce a separate component. By means of a friction and/or clamp fitting, screwthreaded fitting or soldering, for example, the male and female parts of the coupling are connected to the respective pipe ends. Such pipe couplings have a proportionately complicated construction and therefore command a comparatively high price. A further disadvantage is the proportionately long time which is required and thus the high cost which is incurred by the assembly of the male and female parts with the respective pipe ends. Perhaps most important, however, is the fact that it is never possible to eliminate the risk of leaks occurring between the pipe couplings and the pipe ends which they are to connect. When a metal pipe is to be connected to a duct, for example, in a hydraulic component or machine, a screwed nipple is generally used for their connection. A disadvantage of such a connection, which is certainly well-tested and developed, is that the assembly and dismantling times are proportionately long. WO 93/13347 discloses a rapid coupling for connecting two fluid- conveying, mutually leaktight pipes. The first pipe has an end with a varying cross-section which is connected to a locking sleeve. The pipe end and locking sleeve together form a first rapid coupling half. A second rapid coupling half is disposed at the end of the second pipe. This patent concerns the possibility of disposing a rapid coupling half at the end of a pipe with a varying cross-section but it does not solve the problem of disposing a rapid coupling half on a pipe of any length and having a constant cross-section. One object of the present invention is to provide a method of the initially-mentioned type, which does not entail the above disadvantages. This object is achieved in that the first rapid coupling half is formed in one part with the metal pipe, and in that the first rapid coupling half is formed by cold-shaping of the pipe end. A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling produced according to the method of the invention. Such a coupling is characterized in that the first rapid coupling half is produced in one part with the metal pipe. A third object of the invention is to provide a pipeline of the initially-mentioned type. The line is characterized in that the first rapid coupling half is produced in one part with the metal pipe by cold-shaping of one end of said pipe, and that the length of the metal pipe is adapted to the distance over which the medium is to be conveyed in the vehicle. By virtue of features peculiar to the invention, the method according thereto permits rapid, functionally reliable and cost- effective connection of one metal pipe to another or to the equipment of, for example, a hydraulic component or machine, such as a fluid pump. Other notable characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figures la show schematically in longitudinal section a and lb female and a male part, respectively, of a rapid coupling produced according to method of the invention; Figure lc illustrates the female and male parts of Figures la and lb coupled to each other; Figure 2a shows a female part produced in the equipment at the opening of a duct, for example, of a hydraulic component; Figure 2b shows, partially in section, a female part in the form of an adapter; and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a pipeline according to the invention. In the drawings, 1 generally designates a metal pipe which, in the original state, has a circular constant cross-section, i.e. unvarying outer and inner diameters along the entire extension of the pipe. The metal pipe enters a pipeline 10 for conveying a medium in a vehicle. The length and shape of the pipeline are adapted to its area of application, which also necessitates corresponding adaptation of the metal pipe. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a pipeline according to the invention. The metal pipe 1 is connected to at least one end 11 of a first rapid coupling half la which is formed in one part with said metal pipe. This rapid coupling half la is adapted for connection to a second coupling half which corresponds to the first coupling half and which is separate from the metal pipe. In Figure lb the rapid coupling half is shown as a male part. In order to obtain a rapid coupling half, formed in one part with the metal pipe and having the simplifications in terms of production which it involves, the pipe end 11 is cold-shaped. Cold-shaping is performed at the end of the entire metal pipe length which is adapted to enter this pipeline. The cold-shaping can be performed before or after possible bending of the metal pipe. Figure lb shows a rapid coupling half la which is produced by the method according to the invention and is in the form of a male part. The cold-shaping of the pipe end 11 produces peripheral tracks at a predetermined distance from the pipe opening. O-rings are disposed in the outer peripheral track lal, la2, whilst the innermost peripheral track la3 forms a seat for a lock ring 6b fitted onto this male part. As a result of the cold-shaping of the pipe end 11, this section of the pipe receives a varying cross-section. The conveying of medium in the pipeline 10, however, is not prevented by the cold-shaped pipe end. The male part la is adapted so as to enter a corresponding female part 2a, 2b, 2c which is separate from the metal pipe. The female part can, however, also be produced in one part with the metal pipe of any length by cold-shaping of the end thereof. The female part can also be a detachable nipple intended to be mounted, for example by means of a screw connection, in a machine shown as a dashed rectangle in Figure 2b, to which the pipe is to be connected. In given applications, the most economical solution can be to produce a female part at 2c, as illustrated in Figure 2a, by machining directly in the machine equipment 4 (shown in section in Figure 2a). Figure lc shows the rapid coupling halves la, 2a according to Figures la and lb in the coupled position in which the O-rings 5a, 5b ensure leaktightness between the male part la and the internal wall of the female part 2a. Disposed between the male and female parts la, 2a in order to hold these parts in a relative position which ensures reliable tightening is a snap component which, in the examples of the female part shown in the drawings, is produced by a flange 6a, which points radially towards the opening in the female part, and by a lock ring 6b which is fitted on the male part la and which is secured by means of an annular flange 6bl which projects into the innermost peripheral track la3 of the male part. In this relative position, by means of radial coupling, the flange 6a can, in known manner, engage a corresponding cut-away section 6b2 in the lock ring 6b.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method of disposing at at least one end (11) of a metal pipe (1) of any length and with a constant cross-section a first rapid coupling half (la) which can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a, 2b, 2c) which is separate from this metal pipe, characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is formed in one part with the metal pipe (1); and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is formed by cold-shaping of the pipe end (11) . 2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is preferably in the form of a male part with peripheral tracks (lal, la2), which are known per se and are at a mutual distance, for receiving O-rings (5a, 5b). 3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second rapid coupling half is in the form of a female part (2a) produced by cold-shaping of the end (21) of a second metal pipe (2) which, by means of the rapid coupling halves (la, 2a), is to be coupled together with the first metal pipe (1). 4. First rapid coupling half (la) which is disposed according to the method of Claim 1 in the end (11) of a metal pipe (1) which is of any length and has a constant cross-section, which rapid coupling half can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from the metal pipe (1), characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1). 5. Pipeline (10) for conveying a medium in a vehicle, which line comprises a metal pipe (1), with a constant cross-section, and, disposed in at least one end (11), a first rapid coupling half (la) which is adapted so as to be connected to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from this line, characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1) by cold-shaping of the one end (11) of the metal pipe; and in that the length of the metal pipe (1) is adapted to the distance over which the medium is to be conveyed in the vehicle. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 29 January 1996 (29.01.96); original claims 1-5 replaced by amended claims 1-6 (3 pages)] 1. Method of disposing at at least one end (11) of a metal pipe (1) with a constant cross section, which pipe is to form part of a pipeline (10) for conveying medium in a vehicle, a first rapid coupling half (la) , which can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a, 2b, 2c) , which is separate from this metal pipe, characterized in that the length of the metal pipe (1) is adapted to the distance over which the medium is to be conveyed in the vehicle; and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1) ,* and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is formed by cold-shaping of the pipe end (11) in such a way that the conveying of medium in the pipeline (10) is unprevented by the cold-shaped end (11) ; and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is formed as a male part with peripheral tracks (lal, la2) at a mutual distance for receiving O-rings (5a, 5b) to ensure leaktightness between the first rapid coupling half (la) and the second rapid coupling half (2a, 2b, 2c) ; and in that one peripheral track (la3) is formed as a seat for a lock ring (6b) . 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second rapid coupling half is in the form of a female part (2a) produced by cold-shaping of the end (21) of a second metal pipe (2) so that the male part can enter the corresponding female part (2a) and so that a flange (6a) , which points radially towards the opening of the female part, adapted to engage a corresponding cut-away section (6b2) in the lock ring (6b) is formed, which second pipe (2) , by AMENDEDSHEET(ARTICtE19) means of the rapid coupling halves (la, 2a) and the lock ring (6b) , is to be coupled together with the first metal pipe (1) . 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second rapid coupling half is in the form of a female part (2b) produced as a detachable nipple, which is mounted in a machine (3) and shaped so that the male part can enter the corresponding female part (2b) and so that a flange (6a) , which points radially towards the opening of the female part, adapted to engage a corresponding cut-away section (6b2) in the lock ring (6b) is formed, which machine (3) , by means of the rapid coupling halves (la, 2b) and the lock ring (6b) , is to be coupled together with the first metal pipe (1) . 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second rapid coupling half is in the form of a female part (2c) produced by machining directly in machine equipment (4) so that the male part can enter the corresponding female part (2c) and so that a flange (6a) , which points radially towards the opening of the female part, adapted to engage a corresponding cut-away section (6b2) in the lock ring (6b) is formed, which machine equipment (4) , by means of the rapid coupling halves (la, 2c) and the lock ring (6b) , is to be coupled together with the first metal pipe (1) . 5. First rapid coupling half (la) which is disposed according to the method of Claim 1 in the end (11) of a metal pipe (1) which has a constant cross-section, and which pipe is to form part of a pipeline (10) for conveying medium in a vehicle with the length of the metal pipe (1) adapted to the distance over which the medium is to be conveyed in the vehicle, which rapid coupling half can be coupled to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from the metal pipe (1) , characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1) ; and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is in the form of a male part with peripheral tracks (lal, la2) at a mutual distance for receiving O-rings (5a, 5b) to ensure leaktightness between the first rapid coupling half (la) and the second rapid coupling half (2a, 2b, 2c) ; and in that one peripheral track (la3) forms a seat for a lock ring (6b) . 6 Pipeline (10) for conveying a medium in a vehicle, which line comprises a metal pipe (1) , with a constant cross-section, and, disposed in at least on end (11) , a first rapid coupling half (la) which is adapted so as to be connected to a second rapid coupling half (2a) which is separate from this line, characterized in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is produced in one part with the metal pipe (1) by cold-shaping of the one end (11) of the metal pipe; and in that the length of the metal pipe (1) is adapted to the distance over which the medium is to be conveyed in the vehicle; and in that the first rapid coupling half (la) is in the form of a male part with peripheral tracks (lal, la2) at a mutual distance for receiving O-rings (5a, 5b) to ensure leaktightness between the first rapid coupling half (la) and the second rapid coupling half (2a, 2b, 2c) ; and in that one peripheral track (la3) forms a seat for a lock ring (6b) . AMENDEDSHEET(ARTICLE 19} STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE19 The object of the above amendment of the claims is to more clearly define the scope of the invention with respect to the X category references mentioned in the international search report.

Inventors: GOERANSSON CARR LAGE, GOERANSSON, CARR, LAGE
Applicants: GOERANSSON CARR LAGE, HYCOP AB, GOERANSSON, CARR, LAGE
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: B21D51, F16L37