Seal mechanism for bayonet-type connector

Abstract: A seal mechanism (10) for conveniently coupling bayonet-type connectors (12, 14) while providing stable compression of the seal (28) therebetween. The mechanism enables a more rigid configuration providing increased resistance to deformation from lateral forces. The mechanism incorporates an internally threaded coupling nut support element (22) which cooperates with a threaded flange (24) projecting from the plug sleeve (14) to maintain a hermetic seal under conditions applying lateral forces to the connection. Interaction between the support element and the threaded flange permit the support element to be installed onto or removed from the connector assembly.

Description: The present invention relates generally to quick connect couplings and, more particularly, to a bayonet-type connector providing for stable compression of a hermetic seal therein. US 2 230 098 discloses such a coupling whereby adjustment of the hermetic seal is made before the bayonet coupling is engaged. The present invention provides a bayonet-type coupling apparatus as defined in claim 1. Preferred features of such a coupling are set out in dependent claims 2 to 6. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a bayonet-type connector having a seal locking arrangement which provides a stable and secure seal that resists deformation under lateral forces. An internally threaded coupling nut support element is employed in the connector assembly to be threaded onto a coupling ring in order to secure the two parts of the connector together and maintain the gasket seal under stable compression. This more rigid configuration resists deformation by lateral forces which might otherwise breach the conventional gasket seal. One part of the connector is a coupling ring having three internal, inwardly directed pins equally spaced about the central bore. In conventional bayonet coupler fashion, these pins slide into three spiral cam surfaces in the other connector part as the two parts are rotated relative to each other, thereby drawing the connector parts together. The pins become seated in recesses at the ends of the cam slots to provide engagement of the bayonet coupler until forcibly released. The part of the connector with which the coupling ring is associated has an outwardly projecting shoulder extending about the shell portion at its rearward end. The coupling nut support element has a radially inwardly directed shoulder portion which bears against the shoulder portion of the shell and, when the coupling nut support element is threaded onto the coupling ring, the two interfering shoulders develop an axially directed force which increases the compression of the seal gasket beyond the extent which is developed by the standard bayonet coupling arrangement. Tightening of the support element on the coupling ring also makes the overall assembly more rigid, thereby serving to protect the bayonet coupler against lateral deformation. The rearward portion of the coupling ring and the outwardly projecting shoulder portion of the shell are both threaded to match the internal thread of the coupling nut support element. As a result, when the coupling nut support element is unthreaded from the coupling ring, as when the bayonet coupler is disconnected, it can be removed from the associated connector portion by unthreading it to move past the outwardly projecting shoulder of the shell portion. Conversely, the forward part of the coupling nut support element is able to move into operative position by threading the part past the projecting shoulder in the opposite direction during assembly. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the bayonet-type connector of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view, partially broken away, of the arrangement of FIG. 1 in assembled form; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and FIG. 4 is a side view, partially broken away, like that of FIG. 2 but showing the arrangement in partially disassembled form. Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, there is shown seal mechanism 10 having a generally cylindrical connector shell 12 and a generally cylindrical plug shell 14. Generally cylindrical coupling ring 16 telescopes over plug shell 14 and is threaded with external threads 17 at its rearward end, remote from connector shell 12. Connector shell 12 has three helical grooves 13 for receiving corresponding locking pins 18 which are directed radially inward from coupling ring 16, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3. At the terminal end of each helical groove 13 of the connector shell 12 is a recessed portion 15, creating a slightly curved cam-shaped surface which permits the coupling ring 16 to withdraw slightly from connector shell 12 in response to the compression force of seal 20 (FIG. 2). Seal 20 comprises a flat washer 20a and a spring, or wave, washer 20b. This construction permits the two parts of washer 20 to rotate relative to each other as the bayonet-type coupling engages or disengages. As shown in FIG. 2, coupling nut support element 22 has internal threads for threading onto the externally threaded collar 17 of coupling ring 16. Coupling nut support element 22 has an inwardly extending shoulder portion 25 remote from its threaded end which bears against an outwardly projecting flange or shoulder 24 on the sleeve 26. The flange 24 is threaded with threads 27 which correspond to the threads 17, both of which match the threads 23. As coupling nut support element 22 is threaded and tightened onto coupling ring 16, the interference between outwardly projecting flange 24 of sleeve 26 and the inwardly extending shoulder portion 25 of coupling nut support element 22 draws the two parts 12 and 14 of the connector 10 more tightly together, compressing the gasket seal 28 further and thereby maintaining gasket 28 under stable compression. This arrangement also makes the overall connector more rigid and better able to resist deformation by lateral forces. FIG. 4 illustrates the way in which the internal threads 23 of the coupling support member 22 mate with the external threads 27 of the plug shell 14, thus permitting the coupling support member 22 to be threaded onto the shell 14 for engagement with the threads 17 during assembly. Conversely, the coupling support member 22 may be unthreaded for disengagement and removal from the plug shell 14 during disassembly.

Claims: A bayonet-type coupling apparatus (10) comprising first and second connectors having corresponding connector shells (12, 14) associated therewith, the first connector shell (12) having a plurality of spiral grooves (13) for receiving inwardly projecting pins (18) of a coupling ring (16) rotatable mounted on the second connector shell for drawing the two connectors into a coupling with each other by rotating the coupling ring to move the pins along the grooves, and a circular gasket (28) mounted on one connector shell in a position to bear against a sealing surface on the other connector shell to establish a compression seal for the joint between the pair of mating connectors, the compressive force on the gasket (28) being determined by the retention of the coupling ring pins (18') in the grooves of the first connector shell, characterized by a coupling nut support element (22) surrounding and engaging portions of the coupling ring (16) and the second connector shell (14) to increase the compressive forces on the gasket and rigidize the bayonet-type coupling by drawing the second connector shell toward the first connector shell in a rigid juxtaposition. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by the second connector shell (14) including an outwardly projecting flange (24) extending about the shell in a position remote from its forward end, and the coupling nut support element (22) including an inwardly extending shoulder portion (25) positioned to bear against the outwardly projecting flange (24) of the second connector shell when the coupling nut support element is rotated into final position. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rearward portion of the coupling ring (16) is characterized by an externally threaded collar (17) and the forward portion of the coupling nut support element is characterized by having internal threads (23) matching the external threads of the coupling ring collar, such that the two threaded portions, when tightly threaded together, serve to propel the second connector shell toward the first connector shell to increase the compressive force on the gasket and to rigidize the overall bayonet-type coupling (10). The apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the outwardly projecting flange (24) of the second connector shell (14) has an external thread (27) which matches the internal thread of the forward portion of the coupling nut support element in order that the coupling nut support element may be installed and removed past the flange of the second connector shell. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1-4 wherein the coupling nut support element (22) and the second connector shell (14) are configured to removably retain the coupling nut support clement (22) on the second connector shell while providing freedom to the two parts to rotate and move axially relative to one another. The apparatus of any one of claims 2-5 whereby the coupling nut support element (22) is removable from retention by the second connector shell (14) by rotating the coupling nut support element in a direction to unthread it past the threaded flange (24) of the second connector shell.

Inventors: LUTERSTEIN ALEX, LUTERSTEIN, ALEX
Applicants: WHITTAKER CORP, WHITTAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37, F16L15