Abstract:
An electrically conductive hose cutting ring is shaped to provide a cutting edge for penetration of the inner layer(s) of a multiple layer fluid conveyance hose when it is forced onto a fluid connector. The cutting action by the cutting blade provides for a relatively low resistance electrical connection between an electrically conductive layer of the hose and the fluid connector. This can be used to provide a signal path from a sensing element on the hose to a system electronic component.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application relates to application Atty. Ref. No. 66777-0076 U.S. Ser. No. ______, entitled Fluid Connector with a Hose Cutting Clip and to application Atty. Ref. No. 65857-0194, U.S. Ser. No. ______, entitled Fluid Connector with Hose Cutting Blades, both of which were filed on the same day as this application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Traditionally, a hose that is to be connected to a system device such as a hydraulic pump is first connected to some type of hose fitting such as a fluid connector having a barbed nipple for connection to a fluid conveyance hose. The fluid connector is then typically connected to some type of device such as a pump or valve block using a connector nut. As the hose is forced over the barbs on the nipple, the barbs apply a retaining force by displacing the inner layer of the hose outward without cutting that inner layer. If there is a need for an electrical connection between an electrically conductive intermediate layer of the hose and an electronic system, then a jumper wire is required to be routed from the electrically conductive intermediate layer to the fluid connector or directly to the electronic system or to some type of fluid device to which the fluid connector is attached. These prior art electrical jumpers are unreliable and are expensive to assemble and are susceptible to damage either during assembly or during operation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present disclosure describes a fluid connector that includes a hose cutting ring that has a disc shape that surrounds the body of the fluid connector. In an alternative embodiment, the hose cutting ring has material removed to form at least one sharp cutting blade that extends from the ring body. The hose cutting ring provide a cutting function when a fluid conveyance hose, having a pliable inner layer which covers an electrically conductive layer, is installed onto the fluid connector. The inner layer of the hose is cut by the cutting ring so that there is an electrical path from the intermediate electrically conductive layer of the hose to the fluid connector and finally to the device to which the fluid connector is attached or, in the alternative, directly from the fluid connector to an electrical circuit. The hose cutting ring of this disclosure is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a hose that incorporates some type of sensing element in the hose such as a life sensing hose. The signal generated by the sensor must be carried by the electrically conductive layer of the hose through a fluid fitting or connector to a device where it is made available for use by other control or diagnostic systems. 
         [0004]    The hose cutting ring has a sharp edge and is shaped like a disc with an aperture in the center which surrounds the body of the fluid connector. This hose cutting ring provides a cutting function when the hose is fully installed onto the fluid connector such that the inner layer of a hose is cut by at least one of the cutting ring so that there is an electrical path from the intermediate electrically conductive layer of the hose to a fluid connector and finally to the device to which the fluid connector is connected or from the fluid connector directly to an electronic circuit such as an electronic diagnostic or control system. The conductive layer of the hose is usually a steel braid, spiral wound or knitted layer. 
         [0005]    Also disclosed is another embodiment where a connector socket that has cutting tabs extending inwardly is used with hoses having a second electrically conductive layer and an intermediate non-conductive layer that separates the first conductive layer from the second conductive layer. The cutting tabs which extend inwardly from an inside surface of a hose socket and cut into the outer layer of the hose and penetrate down to touch and slightly deform the second conductive layer. This completes the electrically conductive path from the second conductive layer to the socket. The socket is electrically insulated from the connector body by an insulator collar. In the case where higher fluid pressures need to be handled by the fluid connector and attached hose, this type of a crimped socket can be used to apply additional clamping force on the outside of the hose over the hose nipple. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a fluid connector assembly having the exemplary hose cutting ring with a hose just prior to installation on the fluid connector; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connector assembly of  FIG. 1  with a fluid conveyance hose installed; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is cross-sectional view  3 - 3  of an alternate embodiment of the exemplary cutting ring formed on an exemplary fluid connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Referring now to the discussion that follows and also to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
         [0010]    Moreover, a number of constants may be introduced in the discussion that follows. In some cases illustrative values of the constants are provided. In other cases, no specific values are given. The values of the constants will depend on characteristics of the associated hardware and the interrelationship of such characteristics with one another as well as environmental conditions and the operational conditions associated with the disclosed system. 
         [0011]    Now referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a top plan view of the exemplary fluid connector  14  is shown having a cutting ring  10 . The cutting ring  10  extends from the body  20  of the fluid connector  14 . The hose cutting ring  10  has a cylindrical shape and has a sharp edge  12 . The cutting ring  10  can be formed or machined as part of the fluid connector  14  or it can be made as a separate piece that is slipped onto the mounting section  28  and then fastened to the body  20  by welding or other bonding method. 
         [0012]    The cutting ring  10  has a sharp edge  12  and is shown generally as triangular in cross-section but other shapes could be used depending on a variety of factors. For example, the sharp edge  12  of the cutting ring  10  can be segmented to form individual cutting elements, an example of with is shown in  FIG. 3  as cutting needles  10 A,  10 B,  10 C and  10 D. Other shapes other than a needle shape can be used such as a square like tab. Irregardless of the shape of the cutting ring  10 , the edge of the cutting ring  10  must penetrate the inner layer of a fluid conveyance hose to reach an electrically conductive layer of the hose. The intermediate flange  26  locates the cutting ring  10  at one side of the ring body  20  while a first barb  28  serves to locate the other side of the cutting ring  10  on the ring holding section  21  of the fluid connector  18 . The cutting ring  10  can be removable or permanently attached to the body  12  of the fluid connector  18  or alternately, the cutting ring  10  can be formed as an integral part of the body  12  of the fluid connector  18 . In that configuration, the cutting ring  10  would extend from the body  12  to cut the inner layer  42  of the hose  40  and electrically engage the conductive intermediate layer  44 . 
         [0013]    The hose cutting ring  10  provides a cutting function when the inner layer  42  of the hose  40  is cut by the cutting ring  10  to touch the inner electrically conductive layer  44  of the hose  40  and there is an electrical path established from this conductive layer  44  of the hose  40  to the fluid connector  18  and finally to the device to which the fluid connector  18  is attached such as to a hydraulic pump, motor, valve body, etc. or directly to the electronic circuit of a diagnostic or control system. The hose cutting ring  10  of this disclosure is particularly suitable for use in a hose  40  that incorporates some type of sensing element in the hose  40  such as a life sensing hose which generates an electrical signal which must be carried by the hose  40  through a fluid connector  18  to a device where it is made available for use by a control or diagnostic system. The mating fluid conveyance hose  40  is retained on the fluid connector  18  by at least one barb such as first barb  28  or by a multiplicity of hose barbs donated as barbed nipple  32 . The barbed nipple  32  of the fluid connector  18  makes up what is known in the art as the hose nipple of the fluid connector  18  and it is known to use the nipple to retain a fluid conveyance hose. 
         [0014]    The fluid connector  18  has a hex nut  20  which is fashioned to be engaged by a tool such as a wrench to hold the fluid connector  18  from rotating as the coupler nut  31  is tightened to a mating threaded fitting on a fluid device such as a pump or valve body. A central passageway  22  formed along a central axis  24  of the fluid connector  18  provides a path to allow a pressurized fluid to flow there through. A circumferential intermediate flange  26  extends outwardly from the body of the fluid connector  18  and positions the insulating collar  36 . Also shown is the hose socket  29  which is mounted on the flange  26  with the insulating collar  36  positioned between the hose socket  29  and the flange  26  if electrical insulation is needed between the socket  29  and the fluid connector  18 . This is typically the case when the outside layer  46  of the hose  40  is skived and a hose conductive layer is allowed to make electrical contact with the socket  29  with a subsequent electrical connection to an electronic circuit. Generally, the hose socket  29  is an optional part that is used for use with the handling of higher pressure fluids. It should be noted, if a socket  29  is used and no electrical insulation is required, then the insulating collar  36  can be eliminated. The connector nut  31  is used to attach the fluid connector  18  to another fluid handling device such as a pump or valve body. The intermediate flange  26  locates the cutting ring  10  at one side of the ring body  20  while a first barb  28  serves to locate the other side of the cutting ring  10  on the ring holding section  21  of the fluid connector  18 . 
         [0015]    The hose  40  is shown as being made of an inner layer  42 , an electrically conductive intermediate layer  44  and a wear resistant outer layer  46 . It should be noted that any number of layers beyond an inner layer  42  and an intermediate conductive layer  44  can be used for the hose. The inner layer  42  can be made of a PTFE or other chemically impervious material and can consist of more than one layer while the intermediate layer  44  is usually a braided or spiral or knitted steel wire although other electrically conductive material or configuration could be used such as a foil or carbon fiber. Then other hose layers can be added as required for a specific application. 
         [0016]    If the hose  40  has at least a first conductive layer  44  and it is desired to make an electrical connection between the conductive layer  44  and the hose socket  29 , then the outer layer  46  of the hose  40  can be skived to the conductive layer  44  so that the socket  29  having a smooth inner surface can contact the conductive layer  44  when it is crimped to the hose  40 . This configuration would create an electrical path from the conductive layer  44  in the hose  40  to the hose socket  29 . This electrical signal could then be used by a variety of electrical circuits. 
         [0017]    A chamfered section  25  is formed to engage a mating element formed in a hydraulic device such as a pump body to provide a sealed path for the fluid. The connector nut  31  is threaded on the internal face of the connector nut  31 . The threads  29  engage mating threads formed in the pump body or other hydraulic device where the connector nut  31  can be rotated and tightened to the hydraulic device by hex section  33  to draw the chamfered section  24  into the mating element of the hydraulic device. 
         [0018]    Attached to the body  20  at the insulating collar  36  is a hose socket  29 . The hose socket  29  is supported on the insulating collar  36  and surrounds and is crimped to the hose  40 . The hose socket  29  is crimped onto the hose to provide a clamping force on the hose  40  to force it against the nipple  32 . The insulating collar  36  can locate and hold a prior art type of socket  29  having a smooth inner surface if it used with a hose only having a single conductive layer. The connector socket  29  is shown in  FIG. 4  as a smooth bore version of connector socket  29 . With this version, if it is desired to have electrical conduction between the hose conductive layer  44  and the socket  29 , then the outer layer  46  of hose  40  can be skived off so that the inner surface of the socket  29  makes contact with the conductive layer  44  of the hose  40 . 
         [0019]    Now referring to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a cross-sectional view of the hose  40  fully installed on the fluid connector  18  is shown. Clearly shown is how the cutting ring  10  has sliced through the hose inner layer  42  to extend and make mechanical and electrical contact with the electrically conductive layer  44  thereby establishing a secure electrical path from the electrically conductive layer  44  to the cutting ring  10  and to the fluid connector  18 . This type of hose connection device is used to provide conduction of an electrical signal representing a hose performance state or internal fluid pressure to some type of electronic circuitry. 
         [0020]    The exemplary cutting ring  10  has a ring body  20  that extends in a ring like fashion outwardly from the ring body  20 . The cutting ring  10  is installed on the body of the fluid connector  18  or it is formed as an integral part of the fluid connector  18 . The hose cutting ring  10  provides a cutting function when the inner layer  42  of the hose  40  is cut by the cutting ring  10  to touch the inner electrically conductive layer  42  of the hose  40  and there is an electrical path established from this inner conductive layer  42  of the hose  40  to the fluid connector  18  and finally to the device to which the fluid connector  18  is attached such as to a hydraulic pump, motor, valve body, etc. or directly to the electronic circuit of a diagnostic or control system. The hose cutting ring  10  of this disclosure is particularly suitable for use in a hose  40  that incorporates some type of sensing element in the hose  40  such as a life sensing hose which generates an electrical signal which must be carried by the hose through a fluid connector  18  to a device where it is made available for use by a control or diagnostic system. 
         [0021]    The fluid connector  18  has a hex nut  20  which is fashioned to be engaged by a tightening tool such as a wrench to hold the fluid connector  18  from rotating as the fluid connector  18  is attached to some type of hydraulic device such as a pump. The connector nut  31  is rotated to tighten the chamfer connector  24  to a mating surface on the hydraulic device. The internal threads  29  engage mating threads formed on the hydraulic (or pneumatic) device when the connector nut  31  is rotated by the nut hex  33 . A central passageway  22  formed along a central axis  25  of the fluid connector  18  provides a flow path to allow a pressurized fluid to flow there through. A circumferential intermediate flange  26  extends outwardly from the body  12  of the fluid connector  18  and helps to position the insulating collar  36 . The intermediate flange  26  locates the cutting ring  10  at one side of the ring body  20  while a first barb  28  serves to locate the other side of the cutting ring  10  on the ring body  20 . 
         [0022]    The mating hose is retained on the fluid connector  18  by at least one barb such as first barb  28  or by a multiplicity of hose barbs donated as barbed section  32 . The barbed section  32  of the fluid connector  18  makes up what is known as the nipple of the fluid connector  18 . 
         [0023]    The hose  40  is shown as being made of an inner layer  42 , an electrically conductive intermediate layer  44  and a wear resistant outer layer  46 . It should be noted that any number of layers beyond an inner layer  42  and an intermediate conductive layer  44  can be used for the hose. The inner layer  42  can be made of a PTFE or other chemically impervious material and can consist of more than one layer while the intermediate layer  44  is usually a braided or spiral or knitted steel wire although other electrically conductive material or configuration could be used such as a foil or carbon fiber. Then other hose layers can be added as required for a specific application. 
         [0024]    If the hose  40  has at least a first conductive layer  44  and it is desired to make an electrical connection between the conductive layer  44  and the hose socket  29 , then the outer layer  46  of the hose  40  can be skived to the conductive layer  44  so that the socket  29  having a smooth inner surface can contact the conductive layer  44  when it is crimped to the hose  40 . This configuration would create an electrical path from the conductive layer  44  in the hose  40  to the hose socket  29 . This electrical signal could then be used by a variety of electrical circuits. 
         [0025]    If the hose  40  has two conductive layers, then the first conductive layer can be electrically connected to the cutting ring  10  of the cutting ring  10  and the second conductive layer can be electrically connected to the socket  29  by skiving the hose outer layer  46  to expose it to the socket  29  when the socket  29  is crimped. 
         [0026]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a cross-sectional view  3 - 3  of the fluid connector  14  of  FIG. 2  is shown with an alternate embodiment of the cutting ring  10 ′. The cutting ring  10 ′ has been formed from the previous described cutting ring  10  by removing material from the cutting ring  10  to form four cutting needles  10 A,  10 B,  10 C and  10 D. Any number of cutting needles could be formed. Also, other shapes such as square tabs could be formed by segmenting the cutting ring  10 . At least one of the cutting needles  10 A- 10 D is used to penetrate and cut the inner layer  42  of the hose  40  to make electrical contact with the electrically conductive layer  44 . 
         [0027]    The hose  40  is shown as being made of an inner layer  42 , an electrically conductive intermediate layer  44  and a wear resistant outer layer  46 . It should be noted that any number of layers beyond an inner layer  42  and an intermediate conductive layer  44  can be used for the hose. The inner layer  42  can be made of a PTFE or other chemically impervious material and can consist of more than one layer while the intermediate layer  44  is usually a braided or spiral or knitted steel wire although other electrically conductive material or configuration could be used such as a foil or carbon fiber. Then other hose layers can be added as required for a specific application. 
         [0028]    The present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing illustrations, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the illustrations of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the disclosure should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing illustrations are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.