Fluid handling – With indicator – register – recorder – alarm or inspection means – Fluid pressure responsive indicator – recorder or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-07
2001-08-28
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
C137S322000, C137S883000, C251S149400, C251S149500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279608
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection for connecting a measuring device to a gas unit.
Such connections are generally known.
Such a known connection is formed by a T-piece which is arranged in a gas pipe and wherein a tap is incorporated in at least one of the connections for the gas pipe, just as in the branch leading outward. To carry out a measurement a measuring instrument can be connected onto the outward leading branch, whereafter the tap present therein can be opened.
The other tap can be opened or closed depending on the type of measurement to be performed.
Connecting of a measuring device to such a connection requires a great deal of work, while the risk of erroneous measurement and of unsafe situations, for instance during removal of the measuring device when a tap is open, is very great.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide such a connection which requires fewer operations during connection and disconnection, and wherein safety is ensured.
This object is achieved by such a connection, which comprises:
a connecting element for arranging in the gas pipe which divides the gas pipe into a first and a second piece;
a connecting plug which can be coupled to the connecting element and which is connected to the measuring device by means of a measuring line, wherein the connecting element comprises a valve which is actuable by the connecting plug and which normally mutually connects the first and the second piece of the gas pipe and which, when the connecting plug is coupled to the connecting element, connects the first piece of the gas pipe to the measuring line and closes the second piece of the gas pipe.
As a result of these measures the valve is operated by the connecting plug, so that opening and closing of taps is no longer necessary. The operation of such a connection is therefore greatly simplified.
A perhaps even more important advantage lies in the fact that safety is ensured, since when the connecting plug is removed the measuring line is automatically closed.
It is important here that the connecting plug be inseparably connected to the measuring device, which will take place in most cases by means of a hose. The connecting plug is then connected by means of the cord to the measuring device for instance by means of a pressure clip or other permanent connection.
A structurally attractive embodiment is created when the valve comprises a valve body which is normally pressed against a first seat by a spring, whereby the first gas pipe is sealed in relation to the measuring line and the first and the second piece of the gas pipe are mutually joined; and that when the connecting plug is coupled to the connecting element the body is moved off the first seat onto the second seat by an actuating element mounted on the connecting plug, whereby the first piece of the gas pipe is sealed relative to the second piece of the gas pipe and the first piece of the gas pipe is connected to the measuring line.
This results in a simple, structurally attractive solution.
According to another embodiment the valve is adapted during coupling of the connecting plug to initially break the connection between the first piece and the second piece of the gas pipe and to subsequently couple the first piece of the gas pipe to the measuring line.
This is the most desirable configuration for the most frequently occurring types of measurement; the other configuration, wherein the first piece of the gas pipe is initially coupled to the measuring line and the connection between the first piece and the second piece of the gas pipe is subsequently broken, is however in no way excluded from the invention; this may be advantageous for particular applications.
A further attractive embodiment results when the connecting plug can be fixed onto the connecting element by means of a screw thread. A screw thread does after all result in a connection which is always firm, wherein it is not necessary to apply much force. The danger of such a connection becoming disconnected is virtually precluded.
According to yet another preferred embodiment the connecting plug comprises a sleeve which is provided with screw thread and which is rotatable relative to the measuring line. This enables arranging of the screw connection by rotating the sleeve, wherein the measuring line does not have to co-rotate.
The measure of claim
6
therefore results in a structurally attractive embodiment.
The option of the screw thread on the connecting element being external provides the possibility of applying sufficient force to the connecting plug when it is being arranged on the connecting element; it is then not necessary to arrange a separate component on the connecting plug in order to transfer the force of the user onto the screw thread.
According to the invention a closure cap can further be screwed onto the connecting element in order on the one hand to protect the screw thread thereof during for instance painting operations, while such a closure cap can on the other hand be provided with an indicator element for indicating the position of the valve. This provides additional safety, since if the valve were not to return to its original position this would be indicated by the indicator element.
Other possible attractive preferred embodiments are stated in the remaining sub-claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2218318 (1940-10-01), Fauser
patent: 2775256 (1956-12-01), Hanson
patent: 2881011 (1959-04-01), Coughlin
patent: 2918086 (1959-12-01), Eich
patent: 2923312 (1960-02-01), Wagner
patent: 5787916 (1998-08-01), Shaw
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Chambers A. Michael
Kamstrup B.V.
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