Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8240719B2/en
Timestamp: 2020-02-23 15:12:31
Document Index: 457109290

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 10', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 20', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 215', 'art 215', 'art 315', 'art 315', 'art 715', 'art 715', 'art 1415', 'art 1415']

US8240719B2 - Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port - Google Patents
US8240719B2
US8240719B2 US11/458,860 US45886006A US8240719B2 US 8240719 B2 US8240719 B2 US 8240719B2 US 45886006 A US45886006 A US 45886006A US 8240719 B2 US8240719 B2 US 8240719B2
US11/458,860
US20070052237A1 (en
2004-07-21 Priority to DE102004035354 priority Critical
2004-07-21 Priority to DE102004035354.9 priority
2006-01-20 Priority to US76055306P priority
2006-06-02 Priority to DE202006008916U priority
2006-06-02 Priority to DE202006008916.0 priority
2006-06-02 Priority to DE202006008916U priority patent/DE202006008916U1/en
2006-07-20 Priority to US11/458,860 priority patent/US8240719B2/en
2006-07-20 Application filed by Parker-Hannifin Corp filed Critical Parker-Hannifin Corp
2007-01-27 Assigned to PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION reassignment PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EHRKE, DIETER, UDHOFER, ANDREAS, GIROD, KENNETH P., MOREIRAS, LUIS, PATEL, HIRALAL, WEIL, ANDREAS, YU, LE
2007-03-08 Publication of US20070052237A1 publication Critical patent/US20070052237A1/en
2012-08-14 Publication of US8240719B2 publication Critical patent/US8240719B2/en
230000001808 coupling Effects 0 abstract claims description 182
238000010168 coupling process Methods 0 abstract claims description 181
238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0 abstract claims description 181
238000001125 extrusion Methods 0 claims description 30
An adaptor for converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, comprises a coupling nut/plug having an axially inner threaded end portion for threaded attachment to the threaded portion of the fitting/port body; a tube sealing member contained within the nut/plug for sealing to a tube having a locking surface spaced from the end of the tube; and a retention device retained in the nut/plug, which nut/plug has at an axially outer end thereof a central opening through which the tube can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug, whereby the locking surface can be engaged by the retention device to prevent axial withdrawal of the tube from the coupling nut/plug once inserted; wherein sealing and retention of the tube is effected within the confines of the coupling nut/plug and separate from and without requiring modification of the standard tube fitting/port body.
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending International Application No. PCT/US2005/026271 filed on Jul. 21, 2005 and to be published in English, which claims priority of German Application No. 10 2004 035 354.9 filed Jul. 21, 2004. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/760,553 filed Jan. 20, 2006 and German Application No. 20 2006 008 916.0 filed Jun. 2, 2006. All of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Push-to-connect tube couplings heretofore have been provided to allow for quick connection and sealing of a tube to the coupling simply by inserting the tube into the coupling. One such push-to-connect tube coupling is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,760. Here a coupling nut is screwed onto the threaded portion of a tubular body having a forward threaded end for connection to another device. A radially expandible lock ring is provided in a chamber in the coupling nut, and the lock ring when in a relaxed condition has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the push-in tube. The push-in tube has locking sleeve that is provided with a camming ramp that terminates as a locking surface. When the push-in tube is pushed through the coupling nut and into the tubular body, the camming ramp radially outwardly expands the lock ring into the chamber in the coupling nut to allow passage of the push-in tube. During further pushing of the push-in tube the expanded lock ring slips over the case, until the lock ring passes behind the locking surface thereby securely to fix the push-in tube in the tubular body by the screwed-on coupling nut. The sealing of this fitting is done via a seal inserted in an annular recess at the inside of the tubular body, which seal closely receives the end portion of the push-in tube in a region thereof that extends beyond the locking sleeve.
According to another aspect of the invention, an adaptor for converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, comprises a coupling nut/plug having an axially inner threaded end portion for threaded attachment to the threaded portion of the fitting/port body, the nut/plug having at an axially outer end thereof a central opening through which a tubular member can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug; an annular tube seal for sealing to an outer diameter surface of the tubular member; an annular body seal for sealing to a sealing surface of the standard tube fitting/port body; a seal carrier contained within the coupling nut/plug, the seal carrier supporting the tube and body seals in spaced apart relationship; and a retention feature for preventing axial withdrawal of the tubular member from the coupling nut/plug once inserted.
According to still another aspect of the invention, an adaptor for converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, comprises a coupling nut/plug having an axially inner threaded end portion for threaded attachment to the threaded portion of the fitting/port body, the nut/plug having in an axially outer end wall a central opening through which a tubular member can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug; an annular tube seal for sealing to an outer diameter surface of the tubular member; a support ring contained with coupling nut axially inwardly of the outer end wall of the nut and disposed radially outwardly of the annular tube seal; and a retention feature for preventing axial withdrawal of the tubular member from the coupling nut/plug once inserted.
The invention also provides a method of assembling an adaptor for converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, wherein the adaptor includes a coupling nut/plug having an axially inner threaded end portion for threaded attachment to the threaded portion of the fitting/port body, the nut/plug having in an axially outer end wall a central opening through which a tubular member can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug; an annular tube seal for sealing to an outer diameter surface of the tubular member; and a retention feature for preventing axial withdrawal of the tubular member from the coupling nut/plug once inserted. The method comprises the steps of axially inserting an annular lock ring recess defining member into a hole in the coupling nut/plug that opens to an axially outer end of the coupling nut/plug, and mechanically deforming a retention device to create an axial interference precluding withdrawal of the lock ring recess defining member from the coupling nut/plug. The retention device may include a radially outer end portion of the coupling nut/plug, and such portion may radially inwardly deformed as by bending or crimping. In another arrangement, the retention device may include a lock ring wire, and the lock ring wire may be inserted through a wire insertion hole in the coupling nut and formed around the outwardly opening hole in the coupling nut/plug.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another adaptor according to the invention, shown in combination with a standard port body and push-in tube;
FIGS. 15-29 are cross-sectional views of other adaptors according to the invention, each shown in combination with a standard tube fitting body and push-in tube;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of yet another adaptor according to the invention, shown in combination with a standard tube fitting body;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of FIG. 30 prior to insertion of a tube therein, and showing the coupling nut partway threaded onto the fitting body;
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 31, but showing the coupling nut tightened onto the fitting body;
FIG. 34 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 32; and
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the seal carrier and seals of FIG. 30 forming an adapter unit.
As seen in FIG. 1, the tube 19 is provided with a bulge 20 (which may also be referred to as a ridge) formed, for example, by deformation of the tube wall, which may be made of metal. The bulge 20 has a front expanding face or ramp 21 and a rear locking face 22. Both faces 21 and 22 may have conical shape with the slopes of the surfaces disposed opposite one another.
In FIG. 2 the lock ring 23 can be seen in its unloaded pushing position where it rests against a transition corner 26 between first recess step 24 and second recess step 25. When pressure and or tensile load is applied to the tube, the lock ring 23 will be completely shifted into the second recess step 25 whereupon the tube will be securely held in the fitting assembly against pull out even under high pressure/force conditions.
In view of the foregoing, the coupling nut 12, seal part 15, support disk 17 and lock ring 23 together form an adaptor 45 for converting the fitting body 10 to a push-to-connect tube fitting. Suitable means may be employed to hold the seal part 15, support disk 17 and lock ring 23 in the coupling nut when not assembled to a fitting body. For example, the seal part 15 may have an outer diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of corresponding portion of the chamber 13 in which is fits, whereby the seal part 15 will be retained in the coupling nut (or plug) with a friction fit and the support disk and locking ring will be retained in the coupling nut by the seal part. In another arrangement, the seal part may have on the outer diameter thereof a rubber or plastic ring which effects the friction fit with the interior or the coupling nut (or plug).
FIG. 9 shows another adaptor 145 according to the invention for converting a fitting body 110, particularly a standard 24° cone body, to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 108. The threaded fitting body 110 has a threaded connecting portion 111 provided with an appropriate thread onto which a coupling nut 112 is screwed to form a chamber 113 between a bottom wall 135 of the coupling nut 112 and a conical end of the threaded fitting body 110. Within this chamber 113 there is arranged a sealing ring 114 which includes a seal part 115 and a support ring 117 (which may also be referred to as a backup ring or disk).
Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seal part 115 includes a seal retaining sleeve, specifically a seal carrier 140, and a pair of annular seals, such as O-rings 141 and 142. The seal 141 is retained in an annular groove 144 formed in the outer surface of a conical portion 146 of the carrier. The conical portion 146 has the same cone angle as the interior surface 147 of the cone body 110, i.e., a 24° cone angle. Accordingly, the conical portion 146 will closely mate with the interior conical sealing surface 147 of the fitting body with the O-ring 141 sealing against the conical sealing surface 147.
The other O-ring 142 is received in an annular groove or notch 150 formed on the inner diameter surface of the seal carrier 140 for sealing to the outer diameter surface of the tube 119. The groove is preferably at the outer axial end face 151 of the seal carrier, and the O-ring is axially trapped in the groove by the support ring 117 that has an inner axial end face abutting the outer axial end face 151 of the seal carrier. As is preferred, the support ring 117 has a beveled surface radially inwardly of the inner axial end face 151 to form a triangular recess. The triangular recess is filled by a correspondingly sized anti-extrusion ring 154.
The tube 119 is provided with a bulge 120 that has a front expanding face or ramp 121 and a rear locking face 122. Both faces 121 and 122 may have conical shape with the slopes of the surfaces disposed opposite one another. As shown, the portion of the tube forward of the bulge may have an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tube behind the bulge, if desired. The support ring 117 is correspondingly stepped at its inner surface, the axially outer portion corresponding in diameter to the outer diameter of the bulge and the axially inner portion corresponding in diameter to the outer diameter of tube forward of the bulge.
The coupling nut 112, seal part 115, support disk 117 and lock ring 123 preferably are preassembled to form the adaptor 145 for converting the fitting body 110 to a push-to-connect tube fitting. Suitable means may be employed to hold the seal part 115, support disk 117 and lock ring 123 in the coupling nut when not assembled to a fitting body. As mentioned elsewhere herein, such means may be press fitting the seal part or a retention ring into the coupling nut, which seal part or retention ring may be provided with a yieldable collar, such as a rubber or plastic collar, the provides a friction fit with the interior of the coupling nut (or plug). As will be appreciated, the seal carrier and/or support disk/ring may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
FIG. 10 shows another adaptor 245 according to the invention for converting a fitting body 210, particularly a Seal-Lok fitting body or other face seal fitting body that has an O-ring 261 fitted in a groove 262 in the end face 263 of the fitting body, to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 208. The adaptor 245 is the same as the adaptor 145 of FIG. 9, except for a different configuration of the seal part 215, and accordingly includes a coupling nut 212, a support ring 217, and a lock ring 223. The seal part 215 includes a seal carrier (seal retaining sleeve) 240 of generally cylindrical shape that, like the seal carrier 140, is provided at its rear axial end with an annular groove or notch 250 formed on the inner diameter surface of the seal carrier for receiving the O-ring seal 242 that seals to the outer diameter surface of the tube 219. The seal carrier, however, has a forward axial end face 265 that is perpendicular to the axis of the seal carrier and which is radially dimensioned to span substantially the full radial extent of the end face 263 of the fitting body 210. The axial end face 265 serves as a sealing surface contacted by the O-ring 261 to seal the interface between the seal carrier 240 and the fitting body 210.
FIG. 11 shows yet another adaptor 345 according to the invention for converting a fitting body 360, particularly a Triple-Lok 37° flare tube fitting body or other flared tube fitting body that has a flared tube sealing surface 361 at the nose of the fitting body, to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 308. The adaptor 345 is the same as the adaptor 145 of FIG. 9, except for a different configuration of the seal part 315. The seal part 315 includes a seal carrier (seal retaining sleeve) 340 of generally cylindrical shape that, like the seal carrier 140, is provided at its rear axial end with an annular groove or notch 350 formed on the inner diameter surface of the seal carrier for receiving the O-ring seal 342 that seals to the outer diameter surface of the tube 319. The seal carrier, however, has a forward axial end face 364 that is beveled to match the bevel 361 at the nose of the fitting body 360. The beveled end face 364 has formed therein an annular groove 365 for receiving an annular seal 366 such as an O-ring as shown. The O-ring 366 seals the interface between the seal carrier 340 and the fitting body 360.
In addition, adaptors for converting standard port bodies to push-to-connect tube fitting assemblies can employ separate seal and support rings within a chamber of a coupling plug similar to what is described above in relation to a coupling nut. One example of this is shown in FIG. 14 wherein a seal ring 615 includes a seal carrier (seal retaining sleeve) 640 and an annular seal 642, and a support ring 617 formed separately of the coupling plug. The seal carrier 640 also is sealed to the interior of the coupling plug by an annular seal 690, such as an O-ring retained in an annular groove formed in the outer diameter surface of the coupling plug as shown. The rear end of the seal ring and the forward end of the support ring may be provided with matching tapers at 691 as shown such that when pressure is applied to the fitting assembly, the seal ring will be forced radially inwardly into tight gripping relationship when forced axially against the support ring by applied pressure. This will take up an clearance that might otherwise provide a gap for extrusion of the seal. The support ring may also be provided with a taper for receiving an anti-extrusion ring 693 which functions as above described.
FIG. 15 Embodiment
FIG. 15 shows another adaptor 745 according to the invention for converting a fitting body 710, particularly a Triple-Lok 37° flare tube fitting body or other flared tube fitting body that has a flared sealing surface 761 at the nose of the fitting body, to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 708. The threaded fitting body 710 has a threaded connecting portion 711 provided with an appropriate thread onto which a coupling nut 712 is screwed to form a chamber 713 between an end or bottom wall 735 of the coupling nut 712 and a conical end of the threaded fitting body 710. Within this chamber 713 there is arranged a sealing ring which includes a seal part 715.
The seal part 715 includes a seal carrier (seal retaining sleeve) 740 and a pair of annular seals, such as O-rings 741 and 742. The seal 741 is retained in an annular groove 744 formed in the outer surface of a conical portion 745 of the carrier. The conical portion 745 has the same cone angle as the sealing surface 761. Accordingly, the conical portion 745 will closely mate with the interior conical sealing surface 761 of the fitting body with the O-ring 741 sealing against the conical sealing surface 761.
The other O-ring 742 is received in an annular groove or notch 750 formed on the inner diameter surface of outer end portion of the seal carrier 740 for sealing to the outer diameter surface of the tube 719. The outer end portion has an inner diameter greater than the inner end portion of the seal carrier in which the O-ring 741 is retained. This allows for telescopic passage of the tube 719 into the seal carrier for engaging the O-ring 742. The groove 750 is preferably at the outer axial end face 751 of the seal carrier, and the O-ring is axially trapped in the groove by the end wall 735. As is preferred, the end wall 735 has a beveled surface radially inwardly of the inner axial end face 751 to form a triangular recess. The triangular recess is filled by a correspondingly sized anti-extrusion ring 754.
Under fluid pressure the O-ring 741 provides a seal at the interface with the conical sealing surface of the fitting body. The tube sealing O-ring will push on the anti-extrusion ring forcing it to slide down the taper on the end wall 751 closing any gap between the tube and the coupling nut. This prevents any extrusion of the O-ring between the coupling nut and the tube.
The coupling nut 712 has a central passage 753 extending through the end wall 735 of the coupling nut. The interior wall surrounding the central passage has formed therein a stepped recess in which a lock ring 722 is located. The stepped recess has a first recess step 724 and a second recess step 725 which correspond to the above described first and second recess steps 124 and 125 both in function and configuration except that the lock ring 722 will engage and latch in a locking groove 732 formed in the tube.
When the tube is inserted through the central opening in the bottom wall of the coupling nut and telescopically into the lock ring, the lock ring will be resiliently radially expanded to allow passage of the tube therethrough. When the lock ring reaches the groove 732, it will radially contract into the groove. Any attempt to axially withdraw the tube will cause the ring to be engaged in the second recess step 725 that will retain the locking ring engaged in the locking groove, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tube.
As will be appreciated, the seal carrier may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
FIG. 16 shows another adaptor 845 which is the same as the adaptor 745 except that a the locking recess is not fully formed in the bottom wall 835 of the coupling nut 812 but instead is fully formed in a support ring 817. The recess has a first recess portion 824 and a second recess portion 825 following the first portion 824. The first recess portion 824 has such a dimension that allows a lock ring 823 to expand radially outwardly a distance sufficient to allow the lock ring to slide over the tube 819 when the tube is pushed through the lock ring. The second recess portion 825 is dimensioned such that it will prevent the lock ring from expanding radially by an amount that would allow it to pass out of the locking groove 832.
As shown, the second recess portion 825 may be bounded by an inclined support finger portion of the support ring that engages a tapered surface of the bottom wall 835 of the coupling nut for added support. The radially inner portion of the inner end surface of the support ring may be beveled to form a triangular recess that may be filled by a correspondingly sized anti-extrusion ring 854.
As will be appreciated, the seal carrier and/or support disk/ring may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
FIG. 17 shows a further adaptor 945 which is the same as the adaptor 845 except that a the lock ring recess is not completely formed in the support ring 917. The locking recess has a first recess step 924 and a second recess step 925 formed in the support ring, but the axially outer end of the recess is formed by a beveled surface of the bottom wall 934 of the coupling nut 912. In particular, the second recess is formed by a cylindrical interior surface of the support ring that terminates at the outer axial end surface of the support ring that engages the axial inner surface of the bottom wall of the coupling nut.
FIG. 18 shows another adaptor 1045 which is the same as the adaptor 845 except that the support ring 1017 is axially spaced from the seal ring carrier 1040 by a spacer 1046 and is shaped somewhat differently. Again, the lock ring groove is fully formed in the support ring. It can be seen, however, that the outer end face of the support ring can be perpendicular to the axis of the ring and the coupling nut bottom wall 1035 can be provided with an inner axial end surface that also is perpendicular to the axis of the coupling nut. This same configuration may be used in the adaptor of FIG. 16 if desired.
As shown, a first recess portion 1025 of the locking recess may be bounded by an inclined support finger portion of the support ring 1017 that engages a beveled surface of the outer wall of the spacer 1046. The radially inner portion of the inner end surface of the spacer may also be beveled to form a triangular recess that may be filled by a correspondingly sized anti-extrusion ring 1054. The seal carrier and tube sealing ring essentially interact with the spacer 1046 in the same way that they interact with the inner end of the support ring of the adaptors shown in FIGS. 11 and 15.
FIG. 19 shows another adaptor 1145 which is the same as the adaptor 745 except in the manner in which the lock ring recess 1132 is formed in the coupling nut 1112. The bottom (end) wall 1135 of the coupling nut has formed at its outer end an annular groove 1136 that surrounds the central passage 1153 extending through the bottom wall 1135 of the coupling nut. The annular groove receives a support ring 1117 that is captured in the annular groove by a radially inwardly bent retaining ring portion 1155 of the coupling nut. As shown in FIG. 19A, the groove 1136 is initially formed as a counterbore that extend to the axially outer end face of the nut and forms an annular retaining ring portion. This allows the support ring 1117 to be axially inserted into the groove, after which the retaining ring portion is rolled radially inwardly and thus wrapped over the support ring to retain the support ring in the coupling nut.
The support ring is radially stepped as shown to form a lock ring recess. Axially inner and outer ring portions 1117 a and 11117 b of the support ring are joined by an intermediate portion 1117 c that has a radially inner beveled surface. The support ring forms the first and second recess steps of the lock ring recess 1132. The axially inner end of the first recess is bounded by an axially inner surface of the recess formed in the coupling nut. It is further noted that the smaller diameter outer end portion of the support ring has an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the central passage 1153.
FIG. 20 Embodiment
FIG. 20 shows an adaptor 1245 which is the same as the adaptor 1145 except for the configuration of the support ring and associated lock ring recess 1232 in the coupling nut 1212. As shown in FIG. 20A, initially the retaining ring portion 1255 is formed with a shoulder corresponding to the outer shoulder of the support ring 1217. The retaining ring portion is sized to allow the support ring to be inserted axially into the groove 1236. The retaining ring portion is then crimped radially inwardly to lock the support ring in position.
FIG. 21 Embodiment
FIG. 21 shows an adaptor 1345 which is the same as the adaptor 1245 except for the manner in which the support ring 1317 is retained in the coupling nut 1312. As shown, the support ring is retained in a counterbore in an axially outwardly opening counterbore or other retention chamber in the coupling nut by a retaining ring 1339. As seen in FIG. 21A, the retaining ring is formed and assembled in a retaining groove 1387 behind the outer shoulder of the support ring by inserting a wire through a hole 1384 tangent to the retaining groove. As the wire is pushed into the hole and into the groove, it will be forced to take the shape of the groove and generally form a ring when completely inserted into the coupling nut.
FIG. 22 Embodiment
FIG. 22 shows another adaptor 1445 according to the invention for converting a fitting body 1410, particularly a Triple-Lok 37° flare tube fitting body or other flared tube fitting body that has a flared tube sealing surface 1461 at the nose of the fitting body, to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 1408. The threaded fitting body 1410 has a threaded connecting portion 1411 provided with an appropriate thread onto which a coupling nut 1412 is screwed to form a chamber 1413 between an end or bottom wall 1435 of the coupling nut 1412 and a conical end of the threaded fitting body 1410. Within this chamber 1413 there is arranged a seal part 1415.
The seal part 1415 includes a seal carrier (seal retaining sleeve) 1440 and a pair of annular seals, such as O-rings 1441 and 1442. The seal 1441 is retained in an annular groove 1444 formed in the outer surface of a conical portion of the carrier. The conical portion has the same cone angle as the interior surface 1447 of the cone body 1410. Accordingly, the conical portion will closely mate with the interior conical sealing surface 1447 of the fitting body with the O-ring 1441 sealing against the conical sealing surface 1447.
The other O-ring 1442 is received in an annular groove or notch 1450 formed on the inner diameter surface of outer end portion of the seal carrier 1440 for sealing to the outer diameter surface of the tube 1419. The outer end portion has an inner diameter greater than the inner end portion of the seal carrier in which the O-ring 1441 is retained. This allows for telescopic passage of the tube 1419 into the seal carrier for engaging the O-ring 1442. The groove 1450 is preferably at the outer axial end face 1451 of the seal carrier. An anti-extrusion ring 1454 is provided axially outwardly of the O-ring 1442.
As shown in FIG. 22, the chamber 1413 is radially stepped along its axial length to form a shoulder 1439 that engages the axially outer end of the seal carrier that is retained in the larger diameter portion of the chamber. The axially outer portion of the chamber has a smaller diameter that may be the same as the diameter of the recess containing the O-ring 1442. This diameter is larger than the diameter of the opening 1453 in the bottom or end wall of the coupling nut through which the tube is inserted into the adaptor. The shoulder 1469 formed at the interface of the end wall opening and the chamber may be rounded as shown to match the diameter of a lock ring 1423 retained in a locking ring recess 1432 formed in the outer diameter surface of the tube 1419.
The locking ring recess 1432 in the tube has a first recess portion that allows the lock ring 1423 to contact radially inwardly a distance sufficient to allow the lock ring to slide into and through the tube passage in the end wall of the coupling nut. A second recess portion tapers to a dimension that will prevent the lacking ring from contracting so that it can not be passed through the tube hole in the end wall of the coupling nut, thus locking the tube in the adaptor.
In FIG. 22, the radially inner side of the recess 1432 is an inclined surface sloped in relation to the axis of the tube. The surface extends to a land 1467 having about the same diameter as the tube at the other side of the lock ring recess. This annular land, on its side opposite the lock ring recess, has a beveled surface that extends to a reduced diameter end portion of the tube. The reduced diameter may be approximately the same as an inner diameter of a radially outwardly stepped portion of the seal ring's interior surface. The beveled surface on the land interacts with the anti-extrusion ring 1454 to prevent extrusion of the seal between the tube and coupling nut.
FIG. 23 Embodiment
FIG. 23 shows an adaptor 1545 which is the same as the adaptor 1445 except for the configuration of the lock ring recess 1532 in the tube. The lock ring recess has a distinct step defining the first and second portions 1524 and 1525 of the recess. The second recess step 1525 is dimensioned such that it has a generally cylindrical portion that will prevent the lock ring 1523 from radially retracting to a point that would allow the ring to pass through the tube hole in the end wall of the coupling nut.
FIG. 24 Embodiment
FIG. 24 shows an adaptor 1645 which is the same as the adaptor 1445 of FIG. 22 except that the tube 1619 does not have a reduced diameter end portion forwardly of the lock ring recess 1632 and thus no land, and the anti-extrusion ring 1654 interacts with a shoulder 1683 on the coupling nut 1612 rather than an annular shoulder on the tube 1619. As shown, the shoulder may be extended and beveled to engage the anti-extrusion ring. Moreover, the illustrated triangular anti-extrusion ring 1654 is inverted relative to its position shown in FIG. 22 such that the side engaging the shoulder will be commonly inclined. As will be appreciated, pressurized fluid in the tube and fitting will axially force the seal against the anti-extrusion ring, which in turn will be urged radially inwardly to tightly grip around the tube to prevent extrusion of the seal therebetween.
FIG. 25 Embodiment
FIG. 25 shows an adaptor 1745 which is the same as the adaptor of FIG. 22, except that a support ring 1717 is interposed between the seal carrier 1740 and shoulder on the coupling nut 1712. The radially outer portion of the support ring is sandwiched between the seal ring and shoulder. The radially inner portion is beveled at both sides for engaging the commonly inclined surface of the tube land 1767 and a commonly inclined surface of the anti-extrusion ring. As will be appreciated, the support ring, along with the seal carrier, may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
FIG. 26 Embodiment
FIG. 26 shows an adaptor 1845 which is the same as the adaptor of FIG. 24, except for the configuration of the lock ring recess 1832 which has first and second recesses configured the same as in the adaptor shown in FIG. 23.
FIG. 27 shows an adaptor 1945 which is the same as the adaptor of FIG. 25, except for the configuration of the lock ring recess 1932 which has first and second recesses configured the same as in the adaptor shown in FIG. 23.
FIG. 28 Embodiment
FIG. 28 shows an adaptor 2045 which is substantially the same as the adaptor 745 of FIG. 15, except for the seal carrier is replaced by a support ring 2017 that may also function as a seal carrier, and the adaptor is configured to mate with a fitting body 2010, particularly a standard 24° cone body. As shown, the support ring 2017 may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the coupling nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened. The support ring is disposed radially outwardly of an annular seal 2016 and an anti-extrusion ring 2054. Like any of the seals herein, the seal 2016 may be made of a suitable sealing material such as rubber, and the anti-extrusion ring 2054 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic. The annular seal seals to both the outer diameter of the tube 2019 and to the inner conical sealing surface of the fitting body 2010. The support ring may function as a carrier for the seal and/or anti-extrusion ring, which all may, for example, be glued or vulcanized or pressed together such that all rings become one composite part.
FIG. 29 Embodiment
FIG. 29 shows another adaptor 2145 which is similar to the adaptor 845. The locking recess in the support ring or member 2117 has a first recess portion 2124 and a second recess portion 2125. The first recess portion 2124 has such a dimension that allows a lock ring 2123 to expand radially outwardly a distance sufficient to allow the lock ring to slide over the tube 2119 when the tube is pushed through the lock ring. The second recess portion 2125 is dimensioned such that it will prevent the lock ring from expanding radially by an amount that would allow it to pass out of the locking groove 2132.
The radially inner portion of the inner end surface of the support ring 2117 may be beveled to form a triangular recess that may be filled by a correspondingly sized anti-extrusion ring 2154. As will be appreciated, the support ring may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
In the FIG. 29 embodiment, the adaptor 2145 converts a standard cone fitting body 2110 to a push-to-connect tube fitting assembly 108. The threaded fitting body 2110 has a threaded connecting portion 2111 provided with an appropriate thread onto which a coupling nut 2112 is screwed to form a chamber 2113 between a bottom wall 2135 of the coupling nut 2112 and a conical end of the threaded fitting body 2110. Within this chamber 2113 there is arranged an O-ring 2116 that forms a seal between the conical sealing surface 2147 of the fitting body and the outer diameter surface of the tube 2119.
In addition, a tubular nose piece 2190 is provided. The nose piece is telescopically inserted between the tubular end of the fitting body 2110 and the end of the tube 2119. The nose piece functions to radially constrain the end of the tube to prevent rocking of the tube which otherwise might occur because of the end of the tube having a diameter less than the counterbore in the fitting body that receives the end of the tube. The nose piece also constrains the O-ring seal 2116 against axially inward movement. The nose piece may be fixed to the tube end as by means of a press fit or other suitable means. In an alternative configuration the nose piece may be fixed in the fitting body. As shown, the outer diameter surface of the nose piece may conform in shape to the inner diameter surface of the fitting body, and the inner diameter surface may conform to the outer diameter shape of the tube.
FIGS. 30-35 Embodiment
FIGS. 30-35 show another adaptor 2245 that is similar to the adaptor 145 of FIG. 9. Unlike the adaptor of FIG. 9, the interior wall of the coupling nut 2212 that surrounds the central passage therethrough has formed therein a stepped recess in which a lock ring 2222 is located. The stepped recess has a first recess step 2224 and a second recess step 2225 which correspond to above described first and second recess steps both in function and configuration. The lock ring 722 will engage and latch in a locking groove 2232 formed in the tube 2219.
The adaptor further comprises an anti-extrusion ring 2254, a seal carrier 2240, and a pair of annular seals, such as O-rings 2241 and 2242. As best seen in FIG. 35, the seal 2241 is retained in an annular groove 2244 formed in the outer surface of a conical portion 2245 of the carrier. The conical portion 2245 has the same cone angle as the interior surface 2247 of the standard cone body 2210, e.g. a 24° cone angle. Accordingly, the conical portion 2245 will closely mate with the interior conical sealing surface 2247 of the fitting body with the O-ring 2241 sealing against the conical sealing surface 2247.
The other O-ring 2242 is received in an annular groove or notch 2250 formed on the inner diameter surface of the seal carrier 2240 for sealing to the outer diameter surface of the tube 2219. The groove is preferably at the outer axial end face 2251 of the seal carrier, and the O-ring is axially trapped in the groove by a radially inwardly extending lip 2295 as best seen in FIG. 34. The trapped O-rings enable the seal carrier (which itself could be called an adapter) to be handled as one part, whereby it can be replaced as a spare part. This is advantageous when the seals have to be replaced.
The manufacture of a groove 2250 with a radially inwardly extending lip 2295 (or nose) can be difficult. Instead of machining the seal carrier with a radially extending lip, the lip initially is formed as an axial protrusion on the end face of the seal carrier. The lip is then mechanically deformed with axial force to forge the axially extending lip such that it protrudes radially inwardly for capturing the O-ring. This radially inward deforming of the lip can be done when the nut 2212 is screwed and tightened on the fitting body 2210 by a desired torque. In FIGS. 31 and 32, the lip is shown prior to deformation and full tightening of the nut. In FIGS. 33 and 34 the nut has been tightened on the fitting body such that the bottom wall of the nut engages and deforms the lip radially inwardly. Thus, the groove can be manufactured in an easy way without creating an additional assembly process. As shown, the lip may also function to retain the anti-extrusion ring 2254 captured in the groove 2250 along with the seal 2242, for removal as a unit with the carrier/adaptor 2240.
As will be appreciated, the seal carrier 2240 may be made of a suitable metal or other material for transferring the pre-load from the nut to the fitting body front face if the nut has been tightened.
As those skilled in the art will appreciate, various features of the above-described embodiments can be replaced with one another. For example, the lock ring recesses can take any one of a variety of forms, including those illustrated in the herein described embodiments. In addition, the seal rings can be interchanged for use with different types of standardized fittings, although only a few examples thereof have been shown and described herein. This also true of the support rings and other components.
an annular tube seal contained within the coupling nut/plug coaxially with the axially inner threaded end portion of the coupling nut/plug for sealing to an outer diameter surface of a tubular member having a locking surface spaced from the end of the tubular member;
a radially expandable and contractible retention device retained in the coupling nut/plug for axial movement relative to the tubular member during insertion of the tubular member into the adaptor, which coupling nut/plug has at an axially outer end thereof a central opening through which the tubular member can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug, whereby the locking surface can be engaged by the retention device to prevent axial withdrawal of the tubular member from the coupling nut/plug once inserted;
a body sealing surface or seal separate from the annular tube seal for sealing to the seal or sealing surface of the standard tube fitting/port body.
4. An adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the body sealing surface or seal includes a sealing member for sealing against a conical sealing surface of a cone style standard tube fitting/port body.
5. An adaptor according to claim 4, wherein the annular tube seal has an axially extending tapered lip portion for sealing between the conical sealing surface of a standard tube fitting/port body and the outer diameter surface of the tube.
10. An adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the body sealing surface or seal includes an annular body surface formed on an axial end face of the retaining sleeve.
11. An adaptor according to claim 1, in combination with a tubular member, and the tubular member is made of metal and has a bulge formed by a wall of the tubular member.
12. A method of converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, comprising threading onto the threaded portion of the standard tube fitting/port body an adaptor as set forth in claim 1.
13. An adaptor according to claim 1, assembled to the fitting/port body.
14. An adaptor for converting to a push-to-connect tube fitting/port a standard tube fitting/port body having a threaded portion for threaded attachment of a nut/plug, comprising:
a tube sealing member contained within the nut/plug for sealing to a tubular member having a locking surface spaced from the end of the tubular member;
a seal carrier contained within the coupling nut/plug, the seal carrier having an annular groove that opens to an axially outer end of the seal carrier and in which the tube sealing member is supported by the seal carrier; and
a retention device retained in the nut/plug, which nut/plug has at an axially outer end thereof a central opening through which the tubular member can be inserted into the coupling nut/plug, whereby the locking surface can be engaged by the retention device to prevent axial withdrawal of the tubular member from the coupling nut/plug once inserted;
wherein sealing and retention of the tubular member is effected within the confines of the coupling nut/plug and separate from and without requiring modification of the standard tube fitting/port body.
15. An adaptor as set forth in claim 14, wherein the retention device includes a lock ring, and wherein a support ring is contained with the coupling nut, the support ring having formed therein a radially inwardly opening lock ring recess bounded by the support ring on both axial sides.
16. An adaptor according to claim 14, wherein the axially inner threaded end portion opens to an axially inner end of the coupling nut/plug, and the tube sealing member and seal carrier are inserted into the coupling nut/plug from the axially inner end of the coupling/plug, whereby the tube sealing member will be trapped between the axially outer end of the coupling nut/plug and the fitting/port body when the adaptor is attached to the fitting/port body, and wherein an anti-extrusion ring is interposed between the tube sealing member and a radially extending support surface separate from or integral with the coupling nut/plug.
17. An adaptor according to claim 14, assembled to the fitting/port body.
US11/458,860 2004-07-21 2006-07-20 Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port Active 2029-09-06 US8240719B2 (en)
US76055306P true 2006-01-20 2006-01-20
DE202006008916U 2006-06-02
DE202006008916U DE202006008916U1 (en) 2006-06-02 2006-06-02 Insertion connection for metal pipes with seal adapters has support ring in recess in adapter in addition to sealing ring
DE202006008916.0 2006-06-02
US11/458,860 US8240719B2 (en) 2004-07-21 2006-07-20 Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port
PCT/US2005/026271 Continuation-In-Part WO2006012598A1 (en) 2004-07-21 2005-07-21 Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port
US20070052237A1 US20070052237A1 (en) 2007-03-08
US8240719B2 true US8240719B2 (en) 2012-08-14
ID=37829388
US11/458,860 Active 2029-09-06 US8240719B2 (en) 2004-07-21 2006-07-20 Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port
US (1) US8240719B2 (en)
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2006-07-20 US US11/458,860 patent/US8240719B2/en active Active
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US20070052237A1 (en) 2007-03-08
US20110309615A1 (en) 2011-12-22 Fitting with adapted engaging surfaces
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:UDHOFER, ANDREAS;EHRKE, DIETER;PATEL, HIRALAL;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20061013 TO 20061117;REEL/FRAME:018813/0753
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:UDHOFER, ANDREAS;EHRKE, DIETER;PATEL, HIRALAL;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018813/0753;SIGNING DATES FROM 20061013 TO 20061117