Leaktight coupling

Details Leaktight coupling Leaktight coupling

2002-04-04

2004-07-27

Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)

Seal for a joint or juncture

Seal between fixed parts or static contact against...

Contact seal for a pipe, conduit, or cable

C277S602000, C277S598000, C285S124500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06767017

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to leaktight couplings.
More particularly, the invention provides a leaktight coupling for interconnecting channels formed respectively in first and second rigid pieces that are secured to each other, the leaktight coupling comprising at least one tubular insert including a rigid tubular strength member extending axially between first and second open ends, said first and second ends being covered with respective first and second elastomer beads which project axially beyond the corresponding end of the tubular strength member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The coupling can be used, for example, to establish continuity in channels for passing a fluid in the two pieces which are generally spaced apart from each other by one or more spacers. In practice, the fluid can be oil circulated under a pressure that is variable and possibly pulsating, lying in the range 0 to several tens of bars, and at temperature that is also highly variable (−40° C. to +150° C., for example). The pieces in question can form parts of casings, in particular in an automatic gear box.
Document FR-A-2 759 756 discloses a leaktight coupling of the above-mentioned type in which the tubular insert bears in leaktight manner against two opposite surfaces belonging respectively to the two pieces that are to be connected together. That leaktight coupling gives full satisfaction from the point of view of technical operation, but it nevertheless suffers from the drawback of not making it easy to interconnect the channels in the respective pieces when the channels are offset: it is then necessary to adopt an insert of large diameter or of oval section which is bulky and expensive.
Similarly, when the channels in one of the pieces are very close together, the couplings of document FR-A-2 759 756 are not easy to use since they require relatively large spacing between channels.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A particular object of the present invention is to mitigate those drawbacks.
To this end, according to the invention, a coupling of the kind in question further comprises a rigid intermediate block presenting first and second opposite faces into which a duct passing through said intermediate block opens out, the first face being provided with a sealing-device for pressing in leaktight manner against the first rigid piece so as to isolate said duct, the duct forming a cylindrical housing which extends between the second face of the intermediate block and a shoulder facing towards said second face, and the tubular insert being disposed in said housing with its first bead bearing axially in leaktight manner against the shoulder of said housing and with its second bead projecting from said housing, said second bead being designed to press in leaktight manner against the second rigid piece.
By means of these dispositions, it is possible to make a leaktight connection between channels extending in different pieces, even when the channels are on very different axes: under such circumstances, it is possible for the intermediate block to include an angled duct, and the duct remains relatively small in diameter.
In addition, when the channels in the first piece are very close to one another, it is possible: either to pierce a plurality of parallel ducts in the intermediate block and provide simple O-rings on the second face of said intermediate block pressing against the first rigid piece, when the channels in question correspond to fluid flows that must be kept separate; or else, in the contrary case, to cause the channels to open out into a common duct in the intermediate block.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is possible to make use of one or more of the following dispositions:
the bead of the insert has a peripheral projection of material for limiting sliding of the insert in its housing;
the housing has a peripheral projection of material for limiting sliding of the insert;
the sealing device is an elastomer ring overmolded on one of the faces of the intermediate block;
the sealing device is a tubular insert housed in a housing formed in a duct, said insert comprising a rigid tubular strength member extending axially between first and second open ends covered respectively in first and second elastomer beads, the first bead pressing against a shoulder formed in the housing, and the second bead being for pressing in leaktight manner against the first rigid piece;
the intermediate block includes a positioning device on one of its faces for bearing against one of the pieces, the positioning device being adapted to cooperate by engaging with at least one of the first and second rigid pieces;
the tubular strength member of the insert is provided with a continuous elastomer layer which is formed integrally with the first and second beads; and
the first elastomer bead is elastically compressible over an axial distance of at least millimeters (mm).


REFERENCES:
patent: 3340774 (1967-09-01), Brenneke
patent: 3570374 (1971-03-01), Stratton
patent: 3929356 (1975-12-01), DeVincent et al.
patent: 5010853 (1991-04-01), Kubis et al.
patent: 5944360 (1999-08-01), Crapart
patent: 2 759 756 (1998-08-01), None
patent: PC-WO 00/75538 (2000-12-01), None
French Search Report, Publication No. 0104639, Publication Date: Dec. 20, 2001.

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