Patent Publication Number: US-2012037245-A1

Title: Swivel connector for a fluid handling system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Reels are commonly used to wind fluid delivery lines, such as hoses, that are used in a number of operations that involve fluid handling. Examples of the type of fluids that may need to be handled include water, lubricants, solvents, coolants, and various gases. The reels used in such operations typically employ the use of a swivel for connecting a fluid supply line to the fluid service line, which is wound around the reel. The swivel allows for the winding and unwinding of the service line, not only for ease in using and storing the service line, but also to prevent damage to the same. 
     Reels are typically supported on axles that further serve as a means to allow the rotation of the reel by the user. While the reel is rotating, the axle is kept in a stationary position. Similarly, the fluid source line, which extends from a fluid source such as a water faucet, must be kept in a stationary position to prevent the twisting or damaging of the line. The swivel allows the connection between the stationary fluid source line and the rotating fluid service line. However, current swivel connectors are either a complex assembly of intricate parts, which increase associated costs and maintenance issues, or made from inferior designs that are limited in use and require frequent repair. Leaking swivels has become a common problem in the hose and reel industry; ranking among the top complaints by users of inferior designs. 
     In many prior art swivel designs, the rotor and housing rotate with respect to one another in a less than accurate fashion. Frequently, there is a fair amount of concentric play between the rotor and the housing, which is a significant contributor to leaks. In an attempt to provide a swivel that does not leak, various prior art designs increase the pressure on the O-ring seals within the swivel assembly. One problem with this design approach, however, is that the increased pressure on the O-rings also increases the torque required to rotate the swivel. This oftentimes causes premature wear on the O-rings, which can shorten the life of the swivel and cause premature leaking; the very condition the design sought to avoid. Moreover, such increased torque in prior designs can cause the user&#39;s hose to kink. 
     Prior swivel designs are also difficult to repair when the O-rings fail. Conventional designs are meant to be replaced when the O-ring seals fail. This may happen routinely, increasing the operational costs to the user. If prior swivel designs are able to receive replacement O-ring seals, their design limitations require the disruption of the bearing raceway as the housing of the swivel is removed to gain access to the damaged O-ring. This is a fairly complicated repair in the field and may cause more problems than it resolves. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A swivel connector of the present technology is provided for use within a wide array of fluid handling systems that may incorporate the use of a reel, axle, fluid source line, and fluid delivery line. Generally, the swivel connector will include an elongated rotor, having open end portions and an open fluid pathway extending therebetween. A housing, having open end portions and an open fluid pathway extending between the end portions. The housing is placed in open fluid communication with one end portion of the rotor, such that the housing may freely rotate with respect to the rotor on a common axis. 
     In various embodiments, a rotary union bushing is provided, having an open end portions. The rotary union bushing is shaped to be coaxially, rotatably coupled with an exterior surface of the rotor. In some embodiments, a rotor cap is associated with the swivel connector and shaped to have open end portions and an open interior portion extending therebetween. The rotor cap is coaxially, rotatably coupled around a length of the rotor. One end portion of the rotor cap may be coupled with an end portion of the housing. In this manner, the rotary union bushing, the rotor cap, and the housing are selectively rotatable about a common axis with respect to the rotor. To facilitate the rotation of the housing, with respect to the rotor, a plurality of bearings are disposed within a raceway that is at least partially defined by a recess formed in the exterior surface of the rotor. The remainder of the raceway may be defined by portions of either or both of the rotary union bushing or the rotor cap. 
     In various embodiments, an O-ring seal is positioned between the housing and the exterior surface of the rotor, such that the passage of fluid from the fluid pathway of the rotor to the interior portion of the rotor cap is substantially prevented. In some embodiments, a locking O-ring is positioned between the housing and the rotor cap, whereby relative movement between the housing and the rotor cap is substantially prevented. 
     In various embodiments, the swivel connector is used with reel assemblies of various designs. In many such embodiments, however, the reel assemblies will be configured to support one or more lengths of generally flexible fluid delivery lines. It is contemplated that the reel assemblies will include a line support section or hub that extends between opposite ends of the reel assembly. Some reel assemblies may include a pair of opposing flanges and that project outwardly from the opposing ends of the reel assembly, to form an annular channel for receiving a length of the fluid delivery line. The reel assembly will commonly include an axle that is provided to extend coaxially with the hub and be operatively coupled with the hub such that selective rotation of the hub about the axle is allowed. In some embodiments, the swivel connector may include an axle cap having an open end portions and an open interior extending therebetween. The axle cap may be positioned around the exterior surface of the rotor and secured with an end portion of the axle to secure the swivel connector in a static position with respect to the axel. One end portion of a fluid delivery line is coupled with the terminal end of the housing and the remainder of the fluid delivery line is coiled about the hub. In some embodiments, the fluid delivery line may be anchored to the hub using a hose clamp. 
     These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front, perspective view of one embodiment of the swivel connector of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation, cutaway view of the swivel connector depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exploded perspective view of the swivel connector depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation, cutaway view of the swivel connector depicted in  FIG. 1  and depicts one manner in which the swivel connector could be coupled with a reel assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a swivel connector  10  of the present technology may be used within a wide array of fluid handling systems that may incorporate the use of a reel, axle, fluid source line, and fluid delivery line. It is contemplated that the fluid handling system may be used in various operations that involve the handling of water, lubricants, adhesives, coolants, solvents, various gases, and other similar fluids. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, as the application of the system is changed for the handling of different fluids, the materials used, such as the nature and grade of fluid lines used, will change accordingly. However, for purposes of description only, the fluid handling system and the swivel connector  10 , more specifically, will be described as it would be used for the handling of water in a residential application. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the swivel connector  10  will include an elongated rotor  12 , having an open first end portion  14  and an open second end portion  16 . An open fluid pathway  18  extends between the first end portion  14  and the second end portion  16 . The swivel connector  10  will further include a housing  20 , having an open first end portion  22  and an open second end portion  24 . An open fluid pathway  26  extends between the first end portion  22  and the second end portion  24 . The first end portion  22  of the housing  20  is placed in open fluid communication with the second end portion  16  of the rotor  12 , whereby the open fluid pathway  18  of the rotor  12  is in open fluid communication with the fluid pathway  26  of the housing  20 . The second end portion  16  of the rotor  12  and the first end portion  22  of the housing  20  will be positioned so that the housing  20  may freely rotate with respect to the rotor  12  on a common axis extending through a length of the rotor  12 . 
     In various embodiments, the swivel connector  10  will include a rotary union bushing  28 , having an open first end portion  30  and an open second end portion  32 . The rotary union bushing  28  is shaped to be coaxially, rotatably coupled with an exterior surface of the rotor  12  between the first end portion  14  and the second end portion  16 . While it is contemplated that the rotary union bushing  28  may be formed from a wide array of materials, that include various polymers and metals, some embodiments of the present technology form the rotary union bushing  28  from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or similar materials that may be desirable for their ability to rotatably seal against opposing surfaces, such as the exterior surface of the rotor  12 , without undue wear or degradation over a significant lifetime of use. In various embodiments, a rotor cap  34  is associated with the swivel connector  10 . The rotor cap  34  will be shaped to have an open first end portion  36  and an open second end portion  38 , with an open interior portion  40  extending therebetween. The rotor cap  34  is coaxially, rotatably coupled around a length of the rotor  12 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rotary union bushing  28  is disposed within the interior portion  40  of the rotor cap  34 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the second end portion  38  of the rotor cap  34  may be coupled with the first end portion  22  of the housing  20 . In some embodiments, the second end portion  38  of the rotor cap  34  may be provided with mating threads  42  along an interior circumference. Mating threads  44  may likewise be formed along an exterior circumference of the first end portion  22  of the housing  20 , whereby the housing  20  and the rotor cap  34  may be threadably coupled with one another. In this manner, the rotary union bushing  28 , the rotor cap  34 , and the housing  20  are selectively rotatable about a common axis with respect to the rotor  12 . To facilitate the rotation of the housing  20 , with respect to the rotor  12 , a plurality of bearings  46  are coupled with the exterior surface of the rotor  12  and at least one of the rotary union bushing  28  or the rotor cap  34 . In some embodiments, a raceway  48  is at least partially defined by a recess formed in the exterior surface of the rotor  12 . The remainder of the raceway  48  may be defined by portions of either or both of the rotary union bushing  28  or the rotor cap  34 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , a first half of the raceway  48  may be defined by a channel formed in the exterior surface of the rotor  12 . In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the rotor  12  may be provided with a ridge  50  that extends radially outward from the exterior surface of the rotor  12 . In this manner, the raceway may be partially formed into the ridge  50  without intruding into the fluid pathway  18  of the rotor  12 . Similarly, grooves may be formed within either or both of the rotary union bushing  28  and the rotor cap  34 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , some embodiments may form a groove within the first end portion of the rotary union bushing  28  and a mirroring portion of the first end portion  36  of the rotor cap  34 . In this manner, the two grooves associated with the rotary union bushing  28  and the rotor cap  34  define the opposing half of the raceway  48 . In such embodiments, assembly of the thrust bearing is made easier due to the fact that the raceway  48  is divided between the rotor  12 , the rotary union bushing  28 , and the rotor cap  34 . This allows the assembly of the bearings  46  without an interrupting feature being formed in the raceway  48 . Previous designs of swivel connectors have required a cross-hole drilled into the raceway  48  to permit the installation of the bearings  46 . Moreover, the multi-component nature of the raceway  48  allows the swivel connector  10  to be repaired more easily to the extent that the raceway  48  may be easily dismantled. 
     While it is contemplated that the bearings  46  could be made from several different materials, such as hardened or stainless steel, some embodiments of the present technology form the bearings  46  from a plastic, such as Acetyl. The use of Acetyl bearings allows for a higher rate of rotation between the rotor  12  and the opposing structures, such as the rotary union bushing  28  and the rotor cap  34 . The Acetyl bearings also tend to wear longer than their steel counterparts. The low coefficient of friction associated with materials such as Acetyl are lower than steel bearings. Accordingly, the Acetyl bearings may rub against one another with a lower instance of disintegration, unlike steel balls. The design of the previously described raceway  48  and bearings  46  need only to provide for axial load and not radial load. Prior swivel connector designs used the bearings within the assembly for both axial and radial loads. The high precision machining required for such an arrangement is obviated by the present design. The rotary union bushing  28  supplies the radial load so that the bearings  46  can fit more loosely within the raceway  48  and not effect the sealing nature of any O-rings disposed within the swivel connector  10 . 
     In various embodiments, an O-ring seal  52  is positioned between the housing  20  and the exterior surface of the rotor  12 , whereby the passage of fluid from the fluid pathway  18  of the rotor  12  to the interior portion  40  of the rotor cap  34  is substantially prevented. In some embodiments, the O-ring seal  52  is positioned within an annular channel  52  defined by a portion of each&#39;of the rotary union bushing  28 , the housing  20 , and the exterior surface of the rotor  12 . In at least one embodiment, the annular channel is formed primarily within an interior circumference of the first end portion  22  of the housing  20 . The exterior surface of the rotor  12  and the first end portion  30  of the rotary union bushing  28  providing bearing and containment walls, accordingly. 
     In certain embodiments, a locking O-ring  54  is positioned between the housing  20  and the rotor cap  34 , whereby relative movement between the housing  20  and the rotor cap  34  is substantially prevented. In at least one embodiment, the locking O-ring  54  is positioned within a space defined by a portion of each of the rotary union bushing  28 , the housing  20 , and the rotor cap  34 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the sealing O-ring  52  and the rotor  12  are held more concentric due to the fact that the rotary union bushing  28  defines one side of the O-ring sealing gland. Traditionally, the O-ring sealing gland is contained completely within the housing of the swivel. The present design allows a rotating surface (in the present depicted design, the rotary union bushing  28 ) to touch the non-rotating rotor  12 . This design reduces the concentric play between the rotor  12  and the housing  20  which contains the sealing O-ring  52 . Accordingly, the present design requires less pressure to be applied to the sealing O-ring  52  in order to create a water tight seal. Moreover, the present design allows for relatively quick and easy changing of a damaged sealing O-ring  52  without disturbing the bearings  46 . The housing  20 , which contains the sealing O-ring  52 , may be removed from the swivel connector  10  by decoupling the first end portion  22  of the housing  20  from the second end portion  38  of the rotor cap  34 . The sealing O-ring  52  may then be replaced and the housing  20  re-coupled with the rotor cap  34  without disturbing the bearings  46  within the raceway  48 . To assist in the manual coupling and decoupling of the housing  20  and the rotor cap  34 , knurling or other such surface textures, may be associated with an exterior surface of the rotor cap  34 . The right angle bend associated with the second end portion  24  of the housing  20  typically provides a sufficient opposing surface for the user to grip when coupling or decoupling the structures. 
     It is contemplated that the swivel connector  10  may be used with reel assemblies of a nearly endless number of different designs. Commonly, however, a reel assembly  58  used with the swivel connectors  10  disclosed herein will be configured to support one or more lengths of generally flexible fluid delivery lines  60 . Some examples of such fluid delivery lines  60  include hoses designed for the delivery of various gases, such as compressed air and liquids, such as water and other chemical compositions. Accordingly, irrespective of the specific design of the reel assembly  58 , it is contemplated that the reel assembly  58  will include a line support section or hub  62  that extends between opposite end portions  64  and  44  of the reel assembly  58 . The hub  62  may be shaped as a drum with a partially open or continuous exterior surface  68 , which is adapted for supporting a length of the hose  60 . Some reel assemblies may include a pair of opposing flanges  70  and  72  that project outwardly from the opposing end portions  64  and  66  of the reel assembly  58 , to form an annular channel for receiving a length of the fluid delivery line  60 . The reel assembly  58  will commonly include an axle  74 , having a first end portion  76  and a second end portion  78 , that is provided to extend coaxially with the hub  62  and be operatively coupled with the hub  62  in a manner that permits selective rotation of the hub  62  about the axle  74 . Components of applicant&#39;s reel assembly, described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,790, issued on Jun. 24, 2008, and other currently pending U.S. patent applications, may provide an exemplary embodiment of a reel assembly  58  that may be used with the swivel connector  10  of the present technology. 
     In some embodiments, the swivel connector  10  may be provided with an axle cap  80  having an open first end portion  82 , an open second end portion  84 , and an open interior portion  86  extending therebetween. The axle cap  80  may be positioned around the exterior surface of the rotor  12  and secured with the second end portion  78  of the axle  74 . In this regard, mating threads or other mechanical fastener features may be associated with the interior portion  86  of the axle cap  80  and the second end portion  78  of the axle  74 . In some embodiments, an axle cap flange  88  is formed to extend radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the rotor  12 , between its first end portion  14  and second end portion  16 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , when the axle cap  80  is coupled with the second end portion  78  of the axle  74 , the axle cap flange  88  is disposed between the second end portion  78  of the axle cap  74  and the second end portion  84  of the axle  80 . In this manner, the swivel connector  10  may be securely coupled with the axle  74  and, hence, the reel assembly  58 . Moreover, in this orientation, the first end portion  14  of the rotor  12  may be coupled with a terminal end portion of a first supply line  90  that extends from a fluid source, such as a faucet, and is at least partially disposed within an open interior portion of the axle  74 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the second end portion  24  of the housing may extend freely from a second end portion  66  of the hub  62 . In some embodiments, the second end portion  24  of the housing  20  may be disposed at an angle with respect to a long axis of the axle  74 . In at least one embodiment, the angle of the second end portion  24  of the housing  20  approximates a 90 degree angle. One end portion of the fluid delivery line  60  may be coupled with the second end portion  24  of the housing  20 . A fluid delivery line opening  92  is provided to penetrate the second flange  72 , adjacent the hub  62 . Once the fluid delivery line  60  is passed through the fluid delivery line opening  92 , it may be coiled about the hub  62  in a standard fashion. However, in some embodiments, the fluid delivery line  60  may be anchored to the hub  62  using a hose clamp  94 . It is contemplated that the hose clamp  94  may be provided in a variety of different designs that include a loop, which encircles an exterior of the fluid delivery line  60 , and a tab or other projection that extends from the loop and is secured with the hub  62  or the flange  72  using a screw or other mechanical fastener. The hose clamp  94  will prevent over stressing of the hardware of the present system, such as the swivel connector  10  when a user attempts to overextend the fluid delivery line  60  from the reel assembly  58 . 
     Although the system and methods of employing the same have been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).