Pipe joints or couplings – With assembly means or feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-11-13
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
With assembly means or feature
C285S083000, C285S306000, C285S125100, C285S305000, C285S124100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315330
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to apparatus for containing and, more preferably, dispensing pressurized liquids. More specifically, the invention relates to the connection made between two liquid containing components which receive the pressurized liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Components containing and distributing pressurized liquids, such as adhesive gun manifolds and extrusion manifolds, must be fastened together to provide a fluid path for the liquid and to retain the liquid under higher than atmospheric pressure. In certain applications, these manifolds or blocks either include integrated outlets, such as nozzles, slots or orifices, or include attached gun modules, valves or other components to facilitate a dispensing operation. Such components, herein referred to as liquid containing components, are generally fastened together with threaded fasteners, such as screws or bolts.
Conventional fastening methods for liquid containing components require specific torque values to maintain the integrity of the threads and to allow for thermal expansion of the various components. Threads can also become damaged and, in the case of an internal thread in a manifold block, for example, may involve an expensive replacement of the threaded part. Also, attaching and removing the threaded fasteners, for example, during maintenance, repair or replacement of a liquid containing component or other component is a time consuming operation. Additionally, the mated liquid containing components usually require a compression-loaded seal, such as a face seal, to contain the liquid within the connected liquid containing components.
To overcome problems such as these in the general area of pressurized liquid containment and, more specifically, in dispensing technology, there is a need for manners of connecting two liquid containing components together without requiring threaded fasteners or other similarly disadvantaged fastening systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally provides apparatus for containing pressurized liquid and incorporating a pressure loaded quick disconnect assembly. In a general aspect, the invention provides a hydraulic pressure-operated connector for two components which are in fluid communication. In a more specific aspect, the hydraulic pressure-operated connector may also facilitate the fluid communication, or transfer of liquid, between the two components. In each case, the hydraulic pressure-operated connector is used to easily connect and disconnect the two liquid containing components for such purposes as maintenance, repair and replacement.
Generally, apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention includes a first liquid containing component having a first passage and a second liquid containing component which is in fluid communication with the first liquid containing component when the liquid containing components are in connected relation as described below. The second liquid containing component includes a second passage. A movable connecting member includes first and second portions respectively contained in the first and second passages. The second portion of the movable connecting member is disposed in the second passage in a manner preventing movement of the second portion into the first passage and allowing movement of the second portion farther into the second passage. A force transmitting member is connected with the movable member and operates to direct force against the first liquid containing component and toward the second liquid containing component when at least the second passage contains the pressurized liquid. In this regard, the movable connecting member acts as a piston under the force of the pressurized liquid and a second portion of the connecting member moves farther into the second passage thereby pulling the force transmitting member toward the first liquid containing component and also pulling the first liquid containing component against the second liquid containing component to achieve the connected relation referred to above.
In the preferred embodiment, the connector is further utilized to transfer liquid between the two liquid containing components. For this purpose, the movable connecting member includes a flow passage communicating between the first and second passages of the respective liquid containing components. In the preferred embodiment, for example, the second liquid containing component includes a liquid inlet passageway communicating with the second passage and the flow passage of the connecting member and the first liquid containing component includes an outlet passageway communicating with the first passage and the flow passage of the connecting member. In this manner, pressurized liquid flowing through the first and second liquid containing components, for example, to a downstream dispensing outlet, simultaneously pressurizes at least the second passage and, more preferably, the first and second passages to facilitate the hydraulic connecting function as described above. Alternatively, a separate liquid transfer path may be established between the two liquid containing components and the connector of this invention may be used solely for its connecting function and not for a liquid transferring function.
In the preferred embodiment, the force transmitting member is a spring-biased member connected with the movable connecting member. The spring-biased force transmitting member bears against an outer surface of the first liquid containing component to transmit the force as described above. The movable connecting member includes a portion extending outwardly from the first liquid containing component and the spring-biased member is selectively attachable to -that extending portion. More specifically, the spring-biased member is a one-piece spring clip that may be easily engaged and disengaged with the extending portion of the movable connecting member. The movable connecting member has a stepped diameter that increases in a direction extending from the first liquid containing component to the second liquid containing component and the first and second aligned passages in the first and second liquid containing components correspondingly increase in diameter. This causes hydraulic pressure to move the connecting member, in the manner of a piston, in a direction toward the increased diameter portions of the first and second aligned passages and movable connecting member. This provides a secure connection at the interface between the two liquid containing components.
A first pair of seal members is disposed between the first liquid containing component and the movable connecting member on opposite sides of the first, e.g., outlet liquid passageway and a second pair of seal members is disposed between the second liquid containing component and the movable connecting member on opposite sides of the second, e.g., inlet liquid passageway. The first and second pairs of seal members maintain liquid pressure within the aligned first and second passages and facilitate application of the necessary hydraulic pressure against the movable connecting member.
In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid containing component is connected for fluid communication with one or more dispensing outlets which may or may not be part of a separate dispenser, such as a gun. It will be appreciated that many other types of pressurized liquid dispensing or liquid transfer systems will benefit from the inventive principles as well.
As summarized above, and further detailed below, the present invention generally provides a quick connecting and disconnecting assembly for two liquid containing components that does not require threaded fasteners or other complicated fastening systems and which may be used to easily remove, repair and replace liquid containing components, such as manifolds or other internally pressurizable members. Moreover, the present invention utilizes the existing liquid pressure in the two connected liquid containing components to facilitate secure connection between two com
Nicholson Eric K.
Nordson Corporation
Wood Herron & Evans L.L.P.
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