Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to flexible hose assemblies and to methods of making flexible hose assemblies. More particularly, the disclosure relates to flexible plastic hoses having a crimped end connection.

An example of a crimped end connection is disclosed in the document <CIT>. In this document, a hose assembly is shown, comprising: a hose including an end portion defining an inner bore and an outer surface; a connector body having an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end defining a nose portion received in the inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion including first and second annular flanges spaced apart to define a dog lock groove; and a collar including an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock received in the dog lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock in axial alignment with the first annular flange, and an inner end portion extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion, the inner end portion being in radial compression against the outer surface of the hose end portion; wherein the outer surface of the hose end portion has an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the step portion, such that the outer surface of the hose end portion is secured axially inward of the first annular flange; wherein the first annular flange defines a tapered side surface of the dog lock groove, with the dog lock contacting the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove.

In accordance with one embodiment, a hose assembly includes a hose, a connector body, and a collar. The connector body has an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end defining a nose portion received in an inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion including first and second annular flanges spaced apart to define a dog lock groove. The collar includes an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock received in the dog lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock in axial alignment with the first annular flange, and an inner end portion extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion, with the inner end portion being in radial compression against an outer surface of the hose end portion. The outer surface of the hose end portion has an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the step portion, such that the outer surface of the hose end portion is secured axially inward of the first annular flange. At least one of the first and second annular flanges defined a tapered side surface of the dog lock groove, with the dog lock contacting the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove to provide an electrically conductive connection between the collar end the connector body.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of making a hose assembly is contemplated. In the exemplary method, a collar is provided, including an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock, an annular step portion extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock, and an inner end portion extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion. A hose end is inserted into the inner end portion of the collar such that an axially outer edge of an outer surface of the hose end abuts an axially inner end of the annular step portion. A nose portion of a connector body is inserted through the outer end portion of the collar and into an inner bore in the hose end portion, such that the dog lock is axially aligned with an annular dog lock groove in an intermediate portion of the connector body. The collar is crimped radially inward, such that the dog lock is received in the dog lock groove, and the hose end portion is radially compressed between the inner end portion of the collar and the nose portion of the connector body.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Still further, while various alternative embodiments --such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on--may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as "approximate" or "about" a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values within <NUM>% of the specified value, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to be understood that the drawings accompanying the present disclosure may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Many applications have requirements for flexible hose to provide a fluid connection between two points in a fluid system, with the flexibility of the hose allowing for various fluid line routing requirements, thermal expansion, misalignment, and intermittent or continuous flexing (e.g., due to system vibrations). A flexible plastic hose configured to provide, for example, desired system temperature ratings, system pressure ratings, and chemical compatibility, commonly includes an inner or core plastic (e.g., PTFE, PFA) tube and an outer sheath, cover or other such reinforcement layer (e.g., a metal braided sheath) providing protection for the core tube while permitting bending movement.

To facilitate installation into a fluid system, hose assemblies are commonly provided with any of a variety of end connections, including, for example, tube fittings, tube ends (e.g., for welding or installation in a tube fitting), or quick disconnect couplings, and therefore require a leak-tight connection between the inner and outer flexible hose tube components and the end connection. For plastic hose assemblies, such end connections may be crimped to the hose ends. In some such applications, alignment of the hose end within the connector to be crimped may present challenges, with proper alignment of the hose end within the end connection being difficult to determine or ensure.

A connector body may be secured to a hose end by a crimped collar including an internal hose end locating feature configured to provide a tactile and/or visual indication of proper hose end insertion depth in the collar during installation of the hose end connection on the hose end. The hose end locating feature may be configured to position the hose end axially (i.e., along a central axis of the hose assembly components) inward of an interlocking annular flange of the connector body, for example, to prevent the capture of the hose sheath between the annular flange and a crimped interior surface of the collar. The connector body and collar may be provided in a variety of suitable materials, including, for example, metals (e.g., stainless steel).

The hose end locating feature may be provided as an inward radial projection in the internal bore of the collar, positioned to radially align with or interfere with an outer surface of the hose end to provide a positive stop for the inserted hose end. According to the invention, the hose end locating feature is provided as an annular step portion extending radially outward of and axially inward of an outer axial dog lock portion of the collar.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrates an exemplary collar <NUM> for a hose end connection, including an outer end portion <NUM> defining an inner radial dog lock <NUM>, an annular step portion <NUM> extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock <NUM>, and an inner end portion <NUM> extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular step portion <NUM> extends directly from the dog lock <NUM>. In other embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the step portion <NUM>' may be axially spaced apart from the dog lock <NUM>', forming a separate rib of material. In still other embodiments (not shown), the step portion may not be circumferentially continuous, instead forming discrete protrusions around the inner periphery of the collar, sufficient to provide positive stop abutment for the hose end portion.

According to the invention, the hose end has an outer surface with an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the step portion, such that the outer surface of the hose end portion is secured axially inward of the first annular flange. Many different types of hose may be utilized. As one example, a plastic (e.g., PTFE, PFA) hose may be provided with a flexible plastic core tube defining an internal bore or fluid passage, and an outer sheath (e.g., braided metal sheath), for example, to improve hose pressure containment and/or to protect the core tube from abrasion. <FIG> illustrates the collar <NUM> of <FIG> loosely assembled with (e.g., slip fit onto) an exemplary hose <NUM> including a hose end <NUM> having a plastic core tube <NUM> defining an internal bore <NUM>, and an outer sheath <NUM> (e.g., braided metal sheath) covering the plastic core tube <NUM> to define an outer surface <NUM> of the hose <NUM>. As shown, an outer diameter D1 of the hose end outer surface <NUM> is larger than an inner diameter D2 of the step portion <NUM>, such that the step portion provides positive stop abutment for the inserted hose end <NUM>. As shown, the inner end portion <NUM> may include a chamfered inner end <NUM>, for example, to facilitate alignment and receipt of the hose end portion <NUM> into the inner end portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, a collar <NUM> for a ½ inch hose has an inner end portion <NUM> diameter of about <NUM> inches, and a step portion <NUM> diameter D2 of about <NUM> inches.

To provide an end connection for the hose end <NUM>, a nose portion of a connector body may be inserted through the outer end portion of the collar <NUM> and into the internal bore <NUM> of the core tube <NUM>, with the collar <NUM> being crimped against the connector and the hose end <NUM> to provide a leak tight gripping engagement between the core tube <NUM> and the connector body nose portion, and to provide interlocking retention of the connector body with the collar <NUM>.

Many different collar-connector body interlocking arrangements may be utilized. According to the invention, a connector body includes a dog lock groove disposed between first and second annular flanges on an intermediate portion of the connector body, with the dog lock portion of the collar being crimped into the dog lock groove for interlocking retention of the connector body with the collar. <FIG> illustrates the collar <NUM> and hose <NUM> of <FIG> assembled with an exemplary connector body <NUM>, prior to crimped attachment, including an outer end portion <NUM> defining a fluid connector <NUM> (e.g., tube end, tube fitting, quick connect coupling), an inner end <NUM> defining a nose portion <NUM> received in the inner bore <NUM> of the hose end portion <NUM>, and an intermediate portion <NUM> including first and second annular flanges <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart to define a dog lock groove <NUM>. As shown, the nose portion <NUM> may include teeth or barbs <NUM> configured to provide an interference fit between the core tube <NUM> and the nose portion even before crimping attachment of the hose end connection.

When the connector body <NUM> is properly assembled with the collar <NUM> and hose end <NUM>, the dog lock <NUM> of the collar <NUM> is axially aligned with the dog lock groove <NUM>, and the first annular flange <NUM> of the end connection <NUM> is axially aligned with the annular step portion <NUM>. Many different techniques may be utilized to achieve axial alignment of the dog lock <NUM> with the dog lock groove <NUM>, including, for example, visual inspection, automated inspection/positioning, and/or the use of a gauge tool to axially position the collar <NUM> with respect to the connector body <NUM> (e.g., by abutment of a surface of the gauge tool with a surface of one of the collar and the connector body). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body <NUM> may be provided with a tool engaging groove <NUM>, which may be defined by an axial gap between the second annular flange <NUM> and a third annular flange <NUM> axially outward of the second annular flange. A gauge tool <NUM> may be received in or engaged with the tool engaging groove <NUM>, with a gauge surface <NUM> (e.g., end of axial projection <NUM> extending axially inward from the tool engaging groove) of the tool <NUM> being positioned to abut an end face <NUM> of the outer end portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> when the dog lock <NUM> is in proper axial alignment with the dog lock groove <NUM>.

The tool engaging groove <NUM> may be adapted or adopted for additional uses. For example, the tool engaging groove <NUM> may provide a location for fixturing (e.g., for welding operations) or for attachment of a protective end cap or other accessory. Additionally or alternatively, the tool engaging groove may provide a location for leak testing. In such an arrangement one or more of the first annular flange <NUM>, the second annular flange <NUM>, and the dog lock <NUM> may be provided with a hole, notch, or other discontinuity configured to provide a passage for fluid that has leaked past the seal between the core tube <NUM> and the connector body nose portion <NUM>. As used herein, "annular" may include both features that are circumferentially continuous and features that have one or more discontinuities (e.g., an annular flange having one or more holes or notches).

When the connector body <NUM> is properly assembled with the collar <NUM> and hose end <NUM>, the collar <NUM> is crimped radially inward (e.g., using a conventional crimp machine), such that the dog lock <NUM> is received in the dog lock groove <NUM>, and the inner end portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> is radially compressed against the outer surface <NUM> of the hose end portion <NUM> to radially (and sealingly) compress the core tube <NUM> against the nose portion <NUM> of the connector body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As shown, the barbs <NUM> on the nose portion <NUM> may provide increased gripping and sealing engagement between the core tube <NUM> and the nose portion. A portion of the crimped core tube <NUM> may be extruded between the first annular flange <NUM> and the annular step portion <NUM> without affecting the gripping and sealing retention of the hose <NUM> with the end connection. The relative axial widths and radial heights of the first annular flange <NUM> and annular step portion <NUM> may be selected to limit or control this extrusion. In one exemplary embodiment, the annular step has an axial width that is slightly greater than an axial width of the first annular flange, and the radial heights of the first annular flange <NUM> and step portion <NUM> are selected to provide a small radial gap g (e.g., about <NUM> inches to about <NUM> inches, or about <NUM> inches) upon crimping.

According to the invention, the dog lock groove of a crimped collar hose connection is provided with at least one tapered side surface extending from a larger outer width of the groove to a smaller inner width of the groove, with the dog lock having an axial width greater than the inner width but smaller than the outer width. In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in <FIG>, the second annular flange <NUM> defines a tapered side surface 38a of the dog lock groove <NUM>, extending from a larger outer width w1 of the groove to a smaller inner width w2 of the groove, with the dog lock <NUM> having an axial width w3 greater than the inner width w2 but smaller than the outer width w1. The tapered surface 38a may include a constant angle taper (i.e., frustoconical), for example, a <NUM>° - <NUM>° taper, or an approximately <NUM>° taper, or may include a rounded or other such contoured tapered surface. In other embodiments, the first annular flange may additionally or alternatively define a tapered side surface of the dog lock groove.

With the dog lock <NUM> having an axial width w3 greater than the inner width w2 but smaller than the outer width w1, the aligned, crimped dog lock is ensured of both (a) being sufficiently interlockingly received in the dog lock groove <NUM> and (b) being in contact with the side surfaces 38a, 38b of the dog lock groove. This contact may, for example, provide for an assurance of an electrically conductive connection between the collar end the connector body (provided in stainless steel or other conductive materials) in applications where this may be desirable. Additionally or alternatively, the contact may provide for more rigid mechanical affixation of the connector body <NUM> with the collar <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hose assembly comprising:
a hose (<NUM>) including an end portion (<NUM>) defining an inner bore (<NUM>) and an outer surface (<NUM>);
a connector body (<NUM>) having an outer end portion (<NUM>) defining a fluid connector (<NUM>), an inner end (<NUM>) defining a nose portion (<NUM>) received in the inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion (<NUM>) including first and second annular flanges (<NUM>, <NUM>) spaced apart to define a dog lock groove (<NUM>); and
a collar (<NUM>) including an outer end portion (<NUM>) defining an inner radial dog lock (<NUM>) received in the dog lock groove, an annular step portion (<NUM>) extending radially outward of and axially inward of the dog lock in axial alignment with the first annular flange, and an inner end portion (<NUM>) extending radially outward of and axially inward from the step portion, the inner end portion being in radial compression against the outer surface of the hose end portion;
wherein the outer surface of the hose end portion has an outer diameter (D1) that is larger than an inner diameter (D2) of the step portion, such that the outer surface of the hose end portion is secured axially inward of the first annular flange;
wherein at least one of the first and second annular flanges defines a tapered side surface (38a) of the dog lock groove, with the dog lock contacting the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove; and
wherein the dog lock has an axial width greater than an axial inner width of the dog lock groove, such that an inner surface of the dog lock and an outer surface of the dog lock groove define an annular radial gap.