Abstract:
The present invention relates to a quick connection for the removable join of two pipes, which comprises a male element and a female element adapted to fit into each other along a principal axis of the connection, the female element comprising at least one ramp for receiving a radially projecting part of the male element with a view to locking these elements when the connection is in configuration of passage.  
     The ramp is formed in or fast with a ring mounted in the female element, being free to rotate and fixed in translation along the said axis, while the projecting part is fixed with respect to the male element and the ramp forms a first seat for locking the projecting part when the connection is in configuration of passage and a second seat, offset axially with respect to the first seat in a sense of opening the connection, for locking the projecting part in configuration of decompression of the downstream pipe.  
     Locking is obtained thanks to essentially axial movements of the elements of the connection with respect to one another.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a quick connection which comprises elements adapted to fit in one another for the removable join of two pipes through which a fluid under pressure flows.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is known to provide a quick connection with an outer button intended to control a mechanism for locking the male element of the connection inside the female element with a view to releasing this male element. The effort of manoeuvring such a button increases with the diameter of the connection and the pressure of the fluid transiting in this connection, as the locking mechanism comprises a spring whose stiffness constant increases as a function of these values. In addition, such locking mechanisms incorporating a button are relatively precise and expensive mechanisms.  
           [0003]    It is also known to use connections incorporating balls and a locking bush, the balls being controlled by the position of the bush around one of the elements of the connection. Such connections require a free volume around the connections sufficient for manoeuvring the bush, such a volume not always being available.  
           [0004]    It is also known, for example by U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,545, to provide on the body of a connection element ramps for receiving catches protecting radially from the body of the other element. The locking of the connection requires a combined relative movement of translation and of rotation of its constituent elements, which may reduce the reliability of the assemblies made.  
           [0005]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,479 discloses providing, on a connection, a sleeve adapted to penetrate in a bush equipped, on its inner surface, with studs provided to cooperate with ramps made on the outer surface of the sleeve. Upon opening of this connection, there exists a risk of a dangerous movement of a flexible pipe connected to the downstream side of the connection because of the pressure within this pipe.  
           [0006]    It is a particular object of the invention to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a novel type of connection which allows locking and unlocking without too great an effort, including in the case of a connection with large diameter and for fluids under high pressure, while it is not necessary to access the connection laterally in order to manoeuvre it.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    To that end, the invention relates to a quick connection for the removable join of two pipes, this connection comprising first and second elements adapted to fit in each other along a principal axis of the connection, the first element comprising at least one ramp for receiving a radially projecting part of the second element, with a view to locking these elements when the connection is in configuration of passage, wherein the ramp is formed in or fast with a ring mounted on one of these elements, being free to rotate and fixed in translation along the principal axis of the connection, wherein the ramp forms at least one seat for locking the projecting part when the connection is in configuration of passage and wherein the ramp forms a second seat, offset radially with respect to the first seat in a sense of opening the connection, for locking the projecting part in a configuration of decompression or venting of the downstream pipe of the connection.  
           [0008]    Thanks to the invention, the movement of locking and of unlocking of the connection, with a stop in the decompression configuration, may be essentially effected along an axial direction, without necessitating rotation by the user. In effect, the rotation corresponding to the locking is obtained by the automatic rotating movement of the ring with respect to the element on which it is mounted, whereas decompression or venting is obtained by blocking the projecting part on the second seat.  
           [0009]    Within the meaning of the present invention, the notion of “fixed in translation” means that the ring is immobilized axially between two stops. Of course, a certain clearance remains admissible, which corresponds to a possibility of axial movements of low amplitude for the ring.  
           [0010]    Other advantageous but facultative aspects of the invention will be apparent from accompanying subclaims.  
           [0011]    The invention can be used with different embodiments.  
           [0012]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, the ramp is formed on the inner radial surface of a ring which is mounted free to rotate and fixed in translation within the female element of the connection, whereas the projecting part is fixed with respect to the male element.  
           [0013]    According to a second embodiment of the invention, the ramp is formed on the internal radial surface of a body of the female element of the connection, whereas the projecting part is fixed with a ring which is mounted free to rotate and fixed in translation around the male element.  
           [0014]    According to a third embodiment of the invention, the ramp is formed on the external radial surface of a ring which is mounted free to rotate and fixed in translation around the male element of the connection, whereas the projecting part is fixed with respect to the female element and protrudes radially towards its internal volume.  
           [0015]    According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the ramp is formed on the external radial surface of the male element of the connection, whereas the projecting part is fixed with a ring which is mounted free to rotate and fixed in translation within the female element, the projecting part protruding radially towards the internal volume of this female element. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description of six forms of embodiment of a quick connection in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a connection according to the invention, in uncoupled configuration.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with the connection in configuration of passage.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with the downstream pipe associated with the connection in configuration of decompression.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a view in partial perspective of the connection of FIGS.  1  to  3 , the female element being shown partially in dashed and dotted lines and with a part torn away.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a developed view of a ramp of the connection of FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a partial section, on a larger scale, along line VI-VI of FIG. 5.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the development of the ramp shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, for a connection according to a second form of embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1, for a connection according to a third form of embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1, for a connection according to a fourth form of embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7, for a connection according to a fifth form of embodiment of the invention and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 7, for a connection according to a sixth form of embodiment of the invention 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    Referring now to the drawings, the connection shown in FIGS.  1  to  5  comprises a male element A and a female element B both provided to be of substantially cylindrical shape with circular cross-section. The rear part of the male element A is fluidically connected to a first pipe C 1 , or upstream pipe, while the rear part of the female element B is connected to a second pipe C 2 , or downstream pipe.  
         [0030]    X-X′ denotes the principal axis of the connection formed by the elements A and B, i.e. the principal axis of the elements A and B in the configurations of FIGS.  1  to  4 , axis in the direction of which these elements may be fitted in each other.  
         [0031]    The element A comprises a body  11  inside which is arranged a valve  12  elastically loaded by a spring  13  exerting an effort F 1  tending to apply a head  14  of the valve  12  equipped with an O-ring  15  against a seat  16  formed by the body  11 . A second O-ring  17  is provided in an annular groove  18  made inside the body  11 . On its outer radial surface  19 , the body  11  is provided with two catches  20  and  21  diametrally opposite with respect to each other and extending in a direction Y-Y′ substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X′. The catches  20  and  21  are in one piece with the body  11 .  
         [0032]    The element B comprises a body  31  forming a pusher  32  provided to penetrate in the inner volume  22  of the body  11  and to push the valve  12  against the effort F 1 .  
         [0033]    A ring  33  is mounted in a housing  34  provided in the inner radial surface  35  of the body  31 , the ring  33  being free to rotate with respect to the body  31  about the axis X-X′ and fixed in translation with respect to this body along this axis, due to its bearing against the opposite edges  34   a  and  34   b  of the housing  34 .  
         [0034]    A bore  36  connects the housing  34  to the outside of the element B, through the body  31 .  
         [0035]    On its inner radial surface  37 , the ring  33  is provided with two ramps  40  and  41  hollowed in the surface  37 . The geometry of the ramp  40  is developed in FIG. 5 where the trace of the catch  20  is represented in several positions, in dashed and dotted lines.  
         [0036]    The ramp  40  comprises an inlet section  401  converging in the direction of a passage  402  extending substantially in a direction parallel to axis X-X′. A curved part  403  is also provided, this part extending in a hollow  404  of which the radius of curvature is such that it may receive and serve as stop for the catch  20 .  
         [0037]    When the male element A is being fitted in the female element B, the catch  20  advances in the section  401  in the direction of the passage  402 , as represented by arrows F 2 , F′ 2  and F″ 2  which correspond to different possible angular orientations of the catches  20  with respect to the ring  33  at the beginning of fit.  
         [0038]    In practice, the advance of the catch  20  corresponds to a relative movement of the catch with respect to the ring  33 , because the ring rotates about axis X-X′.  
         [0039]    The catch  20  then arrives in the passage  402 , then follows the curved part  403  as represented by arrow F 3 , with the result that it arrives into abutment in the hollow  404 . The configuration is in that case that of maximum fit of the male element A in the female element B.  
         [0040]    The user perceives that he has attained the maximum stroke and can release element A or element B, depending on which one he has in his hand. In that case, the effort F 3 , tends to push the pusher  32  towards the outside of the volume  22 , which induces a relative displacement of the male and female elements in the sense of opening. This involves a displacement of the catch  20  in the ramp  40  in the direction of a surface  405  inclined with respect to axis XX′, such displacement being represented by arrow F 4 . When the catch  20  is in abutment against the surface  405  and taking into account the orientation of this surface with respect to axis X-X′, the catch  20  slides against this surface until it is immobilized in a second hollow  406  of which the geometry is such that it, can serve as seat for locking the catch  20  in the ramp  40 .  
         [0041]    With this position of the catch  20  in the ramp  40 , the elements A and B are coupled in the position of FIG. 2, which means that the connection allows passage. A high pressure of the fluid transiting through the connection has no negative influence on the reliability of the relative immobilization of elements A and B.  
         [0042]    Arrow F 5  represents the progress of the catch  20  along the surface  405 .  
         [0043]    When it is desired to uncouple elements A and B, it suffices for the user to exert a fresh axial effort of fit of the male element in the female element, which has the effect of bringing the catch  20  into contact with a surface  407  which is inclined with respect to axis X-X′ in a direction opposite to surface  405 . The corresponding relative movement of the catch  20  is represented by arrow F 6  in FIG. 5. The surface  407  extends in a hollow  408  forming a stop, like hollow  404 , the movement of the catch  20  along the surface  407  being represented by arrow F 7 .  
         [0044]    When the user feels that he has reached the position of maximum fit of elements A and B again, it suffices for him to release the element which he is holding in his hand, for the catch  20  to be driven from the hollow  408  under the effect of the effort F 1 , this being represented by arrow F 8 .  
         [0045]    The ramp  40  comprises a second passage  409  substantially parallel to axis X-X′, this passage extending in a curved part  410  which opens out on a hollow  411  forming a second seat for locking the catch  20 .  412  denotes the outer surface of the ramp  40  at the level of the curved part  410 , this surface making it possible to guide the catch  20  in the direction of the hollow  411 , as represented by arrow F 9 .  
         [0046]    d 1  denotes the distance, taken parallel to axis X-X′, between the centre of the catch  20 , when it is in the hollow  404  and in the hollow  406 . This distance corresponds to the “excess stroke” made during fit of the elements A and B.  
         [0047]    The hollows  404  and  408  are substantially aligned in a direction D perpendicular to axis X-X′, in FIG. 5, with the result that the distance d 1  also corresponds to the distance, taken parallel to axis X-X′, between the centre of the catch  20  respectively in place in the hollows  406  and  408 . However, such alignment of the hollows  404  and  408  is not obligatory.  
         [0048]    d 2  denotes the distance, taken parallel to axis X-X′, between the centre of the catch  20  respectively in place in the hollows  406  and  411 . The value of the distance d 2  is chosen so that, when the catch  20  is in place in the hollow  411 , the connection is in the configuration of FIG. 3, in which the pusher  32 , although still engaged in the volume  22 , does not overlap a notch  23  provided on the body  11 , this allowing a flow of the fluid present in the downstream pipe C 2  in the direction of a volume V made around the pusher  32  and inside the body  31 . A notch  38  provided on an edge of the ring  33  allows an evacuation of the fluid towards the outside of the connection, through the bore  36 , such flow being represented by arrows E in FIG. 3.  
         [0049]    When pipe C 2  has been drained, it suffices for the user to exert a fresh effort of axial fit of elements A and B, which has the effect of displacing the catch  20  in the direction of a surface  413  inclined with respect to axis X-X′ in the same direction as surface  407 , this being represented by arrow F 10  in FIG. 5. The catch then advances along this surface, as represented by arrow F 11 , and reaches a third hollow  414 , from which the catch  20  may be displaced, as represented by arrow F 12 , in the direction of a surface  415  inclined with respect to axis X-X′ in the same direction as the surfaces  405  and  412 . The catch  20  may then slide along this surface in the direction of the outlet opening  416  of the ramp  40 , as represented by arrow F 13 .  
         [0050]    The opening  416  corresponds, in fact, to the inlet opening of the ramp  41 . The angle α between the openings  401  and  416  is, in effect, equal to about 180°, each of the ramps  40  and  41  extending substantially over an inner semi-circumference of the ring  33 .  
         [0051]    From its position in the opening  416 , the catch  20  may easily be withdrawn from the ramp  40 .  
         [0052]    The surface  415  defines, with a surface  415 ′ inclined in the opposite direction with respect to axis X-X′, a nose  415 ″ substantially aligned axially with the hollow  414 . This nose opposes an axial introduction of the catch  20  towards the hollow  414  and deflects it towards the section  401  and the passage  402 , which is represented by arrow F′ 2  in FIG. 5.  
         [0053]    Taking into account the geometry of the ramp  40  and that of the ramp  41  which is similar, an efficient locking of the catches  20  and  21  with respect to the female element B is obtained by exerting solely substantially axial efforts, i.e. parallel to axis X-X′, on one or the other of the male or female elements of the connection. The advance of the catch  20  in the ramp  40 , as represented by arrows F 2  to F 12 , is therefore obtained by the essentially axial movements of one of these elements.  
         [0054]    It is therefore possible to manoeuvre the connection according to the invention without having lateral access to one of the connection elements, for example in the event of one of these elements being embedded, as represented in dashed and dotted lines, for element A, in FIG. 1.  
         [0055]    In addition, the ring  33  is mechanically protected against shocks and pollution by the body  31 . The catches  20  and  21  being in one piece with the body  11 , the endpiece A is very robust and may be mounted at the end of a flexible pipe.  
         [0056]    In order to improve reliability of the locking at the moment of passage of the catch  20  in the curved part  403 , the outer surface  417  of this part may be provided to be incurved towards the inside of the ramp  40 , as represented in dashed and dotted lines in FIG. 5, this inducing an acceleration of the relative speed of the catch with respect to the ramp after the passage of the catch at the level of the apex of the incurved part  417 . This avoids a release of the axial effort in the direction of the hollow  404 , hence the insurance that the catch  20  comes into abutment in this hollow.  
         [0057]    In the passage  402  there may be provided an elastic blade  418  fixed by a rivet  419  or any other means in the bottom  420  of the ramp  40 , this blade  418  tending, under the effect of its own elasticity, to detach its free end  418   a  with respect to the bottom  420 , as represented by arrow F 14 .  
         [0058]    When a catch  20  advances in the direction of the hollow  404  as represented by arrow F 15  in FIG. 6, it pushes the end  418   a  of the blade  418  in the direction of the bottom  420 , thanks to an elastic deformation of this blade. On the other hand, if the catch  20  returns in the direction of the passage  402  from the hollow  404 , it abuts on the blade  418  without being able to bend it down towards the bottom. The blade  418  therefore constitutes a non-return device of the catch  20  during the advance in the ramp  40 , which imposes the direction of advance of the catch  20  in the ramp  40  from the inlet section  401  up to the outlet opening  416 . In particular, it is not possible to uncouple the connection without passing the catch  20  via the second seat or hollow  411 , which allows a decompression of the downstream pipe C 2 .  
         [0059]    As is more particularly visible in FIG. 7, the different surfaces  403 ,  407  and  413 , which lead to the hollows  404 ,  408  and  414  and are inclined with respect to axis X-X′, are respectively opposite the surfaces  405  and  412 , which lead to the seats  406  and  411  and are inclined in the opposite direction with respect to this axis.  
         [0060]    In this way, when axial movements are exerted on one of the parts constituting the connection, which is translated by displacements in the direction of the vertical arrows in FIG. 7, one of these surfaces is attained, either from a hollow or from a seat.  
         [0061]    In other words, the surfaces for respectively guiding towards the hollows or towards the seats, are axially aligned with seats or hollows in which the catches may change direction or rest.  
         [0062]    In the second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention, shown respectively at FIGS.  8  to  10 , the elements similar to the ones of the first embodiment have the same references.  
         [0063]    The second embodiment is different from the first one by the fact that the ramps, only one of which is to be seen on FIG. 8 with reference  40 , are made on the internal radial surface  35  of the body  31  of the female element, whereas the diametrally opposed catches  20  and  21  are formed on a ring  24  which is mounted in a groove  25  formed on an external radial surface  19  of the body  11 . Locking of the male and female elements A and B is obtained by rotation of the ring  24  around the longitudinal axis X-X′ of the connection, the ring being fixed in translation along this axis by abutment against the opposite sides  25   a  and  25   b  of the groove  25 .  
         [0064]    In the third embodiment, two catches  20  and  21  are fixed on the body  31  of the female element B and protrudes with respect to the surface  35  towards the axis X-X′. A ring  26  is provided within a groove  27  formed on the external radial surface  19  of the body  11 , this ring forming ramps  40  and  41  on its external radial surface  26   a . The ring  26  is mounted free to rotate within the groove  27  and is fixed in translation, along the axis X-X′ by its abutment against the opposite sides  27   a  and  27   b  of the groove  27 .  
         [0065]    In the fourth embodiment of the invention, the ramps  40  and  41  are machined directly on the external radial surface  19  of the body  11  of the male element, whereas a ring  39  bearing two catches  20  and  21  is fitted with a possibility to rotate, within a groove  42  formed on the internal radial surface  35  of the body  31  of the female element B. The ring  39  can freely rotate around the axis X-X′, whereas it is fixed in translation along this axis, since it comes into abutment against the opposite sides  42   a  and  42   b  of the groove  42 .  
         [0066]    The second, third and fourth embodiments function in a way similar to the one described with respect to the first embodiment.  
         [0067]    In the representation of FIG. 11, a ramp  1040  is formed and delimited by surfaces S 1  to S 5  of which each is terminated by a stop B 1  to B 5 . In fact, the stops B 2  and B 4  are seats equivalent to seats  406  and  411  of the first embodiment, while the stops B 1 , B 3  and B 5  correspond to hollows in which the projecting parts may be reoriented by sliding on a surface S 1 , S 3  or S 5  to go in the direction of another surface S 2 , S 4  or in the direction of the exit of the ramp  1040 .  
         [0068]    Another difference with respect to the first embodiment resides in the fact that the ramp  1040  has a common zone  1401  for entrance and exit of a projecting element, of the type such as stud  20 .  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 12 shows a sixth form of embodiment in which six surfaces S 1  to S 6  inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis X-X′ of the connection define five stops B 1  to B 5  of which two, stops B 2  and B 4  constitute seats for retaining a projecting part, three other stops B 1 , B 3  and B 5  constituting zones of change of direction of the projecting part inside the ramp  4040  thus formed. As in the second and fourth embodiment, the entrance and exit of the ramp  4040  are constituted by a common zone  4401 .  
         [0070]    In the forms of embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, the surfaces S 1  to S 6  are located opposite the stops B 1  to B 5 , being axially offset with respect thereto. The same observations are applicable for the surfaces and hollows identified in the first embodiment.  
         [0071]    The invention is not limited to the examples described, and the technical characteristics of the different forms of embodiment may be combined together.