Fluid handling – Systems – Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-25
2003-10-14
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
C137S614030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631733
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to fluid connectors, and, in particular, to a multi-line hydraulic connector adapted for use in a tool coupler used with excavation, demolition and construction equipment.
Some types of construction equipment, such as backhoes or excavators, include a movable dipper stick (also referred to as an arm) to which a variety of tools, such as buckets, grapples, hammers and the like, can be attached. A hydraulic bucket cylinder coupled to the attached tool at a link pivot rotates the tool about a dipper pivot at the free end of the dipper stick. The bucket cylinder and a linkage to the link pivot are located on a distal (forward) side of the dipper stick relative to the cab where the operator sits. To simplify the process of changing tools, a tool coupler can be permanently attached to the dipper pivot and the link pivot. A selected tool can then be removably attached to the coupler with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism, in some cases, includes a locking pin on the tool coupler that engages a mating receptacle in the tool.
There is a trend in the industry to use an actuated quick-disconnect tool coupler for automatically connecting and disconnecting a tool. Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,342, to Horton, describes a quick-disconnect tool coupler that includes a latch pin biased by a spring to a forward locking position. The latch pin is retracted by extending a hydraulic latch pin cylinder located in the coupler. With this type of tool coupler, the equipment operator can switch tools without leaving the cab of the equipment.
Some tools include a hydraulically actuated mechanism. For example, some grapple attachments include a hydraulic cylinder for opening and closing the grapple jaws. The tool hydraulics typically require two hydraulic connections between the tool hydraulics and hydraulic lines extending to the end of the dipper stick. In presently available systems, these connections must be made manually. This reduces the efficiencies of the hydraulically actuated quick-disconnect tool coupler systems, because the equipment operator must leave the cab to make the connections or a second worker must be available to do so.
SUMMARY
The invention features a non-spill, multi-line fluid connector with a plurality of separate, substantially coaxial flow paths. The fluid connector can be incorporated into a latch pin assembly of a quick-connect tool coupler.
The connector design does not compromise the latching mechanism of the quick coupler. The latching mechanism includes a latch pin in the tool coupler and a latch bracket that receives the latch pin in the tool. The latch pin is spring applied, and hydraulically released from the latch bracket. Each of the latch pin and latch bracket includes longitudinally movable internal parts that provide a pair of coaxial fluid channels. These parts cooperate when the latch pin is inserted into the latch bracket to provide connections between the pairs of channels.
The invention allows tools and existing couplers to be easily converted to the new system. An equipment operator can connect a hydraulically actuated tool to the tool coupler, including all hydraulic connections, without leaving the cab of the equipment. The fluid connector includes a locking mechanism that enhances the overall safety of the equipment by inhibiting accidental release of the hydraulic tool when pressure is hydraulic pressure is applied to hydraulic actuator in the tool.
According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid connector includes a first part having a distal end and a second part having a proximal end adapted to be removably connected to the distal end of the first part. The first part includes first and second fluid channels extending within the first part from respective first and second end seals at the distal end and couple to respective first and second fluid ports. The end seals close off the first and second fluid channels when the first part is disconnected from the second part. The second part includes first and second fluid channels extending within the second part from respective first and second end seals at the proximal end and couple to respective first and second fluid ports. The end seals of the second part close off the first and second fluid channels of the second part when the first part is disconnected from the second part. Connecting the first part to the second part connects the first fluid channels of the first and second parts and also connects the second fluid channels of the first and second parts.
The first and second fluid channels of one or both of the first part and the second part can be arranged concentrically. With this feature, the first and second parts are cooperatively structured to permit the first and second parts to rotate relative to each other while connected together. In one embodiment, the second fluid channel of the first part includes an outer channel arranged concentrically around the inner, first channel of the first part, and the second fluid channel of the second part includes an outer channel arranged concentrically around the inner channel of the second part. The inner channel of the first part can be a central channel arranged on a central axis of the first part.
The first and second parts can be adapted to connect together with make-before-break seals such that the first end seal of one of the first and second parts establishes a seal with the other of the first and second parts before the first end seal of the other of the first and second parts opens, and such that the second end seal of the one of the first and second parts establishes a seal with the other of the first and second parts before the second end seal of the other of the first and second parts opens.
The first part can be constructed to include the following features: An elongated pin body has a central bore extending from the distal end to near a proximal end, and a pin head at the proximal end of the pin body. The pin head includes the first and second ports of the first part, wherein first and second connecting channels communicate between the first and second ports, respectively and the central bore. The bore has a pin central opening surface, which includes, at a distal end, a cylindrical distal portion and a tapered portion sloping radially inward toward the cylindrical distal portion, and which also includes, at a proximal end, a cylindrical proximal portion having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical distal portion of the pin central opening surface. The cylindrical distal portion and the tapered portion of the pin central opening surface can be on a pin outer sleeve that is substantially fixed in position at a distal end of the pin body. The first part also includes a tube having a proximal outer surface positioned adjacent the cylindrical proximal portion of the pin central opening surface. The tube is positioned such that it divides between the central channel and the outer channel. The first connecting channel communicates with the central channel and the second connecting channel communicates with the outer channel. A pin proximal seal is arranged to provide a seal between the proximal outer surface of the tube and the cylindrical proximal portion of the pin central opening surface. A pin inner sleeve includes a cylindrical surface at a proximal end adapted to slide along a cylindrical surface at a distal end of the tube. An outer surface of the pin inner sleeve has a cylindrical distal portion adapted to slide along the cylindrical distal portion of the pin central opening surface, and a tapered portion adapted to fit against the tapered portion of the pin central opening surface. An inner surface of the pin inner sleeve has a cylindrical distal portion and a tapered portion sloping radially inward toward the cylindrical distal portion of the inner surface of the pin inner sleeve. The second end seal of the first part includes a seal located between the cylindrical distal portion of the outer surface of the pin inner sleeve and the cylindrical distal portion of pin central opening surface
Erickson Arthur A.
Horton Lee A.
Lee Kevin
Woods Equipment Company
LandOfFree
Adjustably sealed multi-line fluid coupler does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustably sealed multi-line fluid coupler, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustably sealed multi-line fluid coupler will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3167510