Fluid handling – Systems – Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-03-20
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
C137S614040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202692
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based upon and claims priority to German Patent Application 199 14 318.8 filed Mar. 30, 1999, which application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coupling valve for hydraulic lines.
Devices for coupling hydraulic lines are used, for example, in vehicles such as tractors, to provide a hydraulic connection between a hydraulic drive of an attached implement and a pressure means source on the side of the vehicle. Generally, to carry this out, several coupling muffs are provided on the side of the vehicle. The muffs are arranged at a small distance to each other at the rear of a tractor due to space limitations. Such coupling muffs are standardized and are formed to couple hydraulic connectors. The connectors are also standardized with respect to their dimensions by ISO 5675. The coupling muffs are provided as quick-connection muffs, but also can be formed as threadable muffs.
To insert, for example, a hydraulic connector, arranged at one end of a hydraulic hose, which leads to the implement-side hydraulic user into the vehicle-side hydraulic muff, opening of the coupling muff-sided as well as the hydraulic connector-sided valves is carried out, to provide a hydraulic connection. There are implements, in which the implement-side hydraulic devices still are under pressure after separation from the vehicle-side hydraulic supply. Thus, the coupling-in of the hydraulic connector by hand is nearly impossible even when the vehicle-side hydraulic supply is switched to a non-pressurized state. While coupling-in the projections of the cone valves of the muff and of the hydraulic connector abut each other and with further axial movement of the coupling muff and the hydraulic connector are displaced deeper into them, so that both valves are opened.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,998 relates to a connection arrangement with a coupling connector and a coupling muff, each having a valve. The coupling connector and the coupling muff are connected to each other by a rotary joint. In order to protect against damage, easy adjustment of the parts relative to the connected hose should be possible. Furthermore, while connecting the tools, the handling of the tools should be made easier by the larger space of movement. The opening of the respective valves takes place during the coupling-in process. If the system is pressurized, the coupling-in process takes place against the system pressure in this embodiment to provide the above described disadvantages.
Furthermore, coupling muffs are known, in which first the connecting process between the hydraulic connector and the coupling muff is carried out. Next, the opening of the connector valve is carried out by means of opening the muff valve by means of an actuating mechanism, which comprises an actuating lever. Such coupling muffs are described in DE 43 18 840 C2 or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,033, the specifications of which are incorporated by reference herein. Such switchable coupling muffs have, compared to the above described couplings, where the coupling-in takes place at the same time as the opening of the connector valve and of the muff valve, the advantage, that the valves will be opened by operating a lever by hand after having carried out the coupling process. Accordingly, coupling muffs and hydraulic connectors, which are under pressure, can be connected and their valves easily opened.
Because of the limited available space in vehicles, especially in tractors, normal coupling muffs can often not be replaced in general. Furthermore, in some implements the hydraulic connectors and the normal coupling muffs are easily coupled as they are not under pressure.
DE 196 47 936 A1 describes a fittings set for emptying, filling and/or airing of water parts of heating devices, e.g. gas boilers. Besides a manometer, a hand locking valve or such are connectable into a hose line by means of quick couplings (quick release couplings).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for coupling a hydraulic line. The invention enables, from case to case, use of a coupling muff, which allows an additional later connecting without changes to the existing coupling muffs of a customary design. Also, the invention enables easy coupling of systems, which are under pressure, and which device is held securely after connecting.
The invention provides a device for coupling hydraulic lines and comprises a coupling muff, with a connector socket to receive and fix a first hydraulic connector. The first hydraulic connector has a first connector valve. The coupling muff has a muff valve, and a hand actuating means. The muff valve and the first connector valve of the first hydraulic connector, via the hand actuating means, are transferred into an open position or a closed position, with the first hydraulic connector inserted in the connector socket. The device further comprises a second hydraulic connector. The second hydraulic connector is connected to an end of the coupling muff removed from the connector socket. The coupling muff and the second hydraulic connector form a unit. A mechanism fixing the unit to a first coupling muff is assigned to the second hydraulic connector. The mechanism includes a thread arranged on the second hydraulic connector and a nut adjustable thereon. The nut comprises a sleeve portion and is tensionable against a part of the first coupling muff.
The coupling muff according to the invention carries out the function of the normal coupling muff attached to the vehicle. Thus, hydraulic connectors can be coupled, which are under pressure. Only after finishing the coupling process can the opening of the first connector valve as well as of the second muff valve take place by operating the hand actuating means. The nut can be threaded with the front face of its sleeve portion against the front face of the housing. Thus, the device is tensioned against the housing and can be fixed secured. Devices according to the invention can be used, where the hydraulic drive of an implement can be coupled with the vehicle-side hydraulic power source and where pressure in the system is maintained, when the hydraulic connection is separated. The unit with the coupling muff with actuating means and the second hydraulic connector can be selectively used in a vehicle having standardized coupling muffs. Furthermore, the second coupling muff, which is fixed to the respective vehicle serves, at the same time, as the support for the device according to the invention. The device according to the invention can be used in a vehicle or a machine without any changes. The coupling can also take place with quick release muffs, which are attached to the vehicle, or with screwed fittings. Mainly the device will be used with internationally standardized and well known quick release muffs, which are used for coupling connectors according to ISO-Norm 5675. The principle is also applicable to other types of coupling muffs and connectors provided at a vehicle or machine.
In a first embodiment, the second hydraulic connector is directly connected to the housing of the coupling muff. For other applications it is possible for a better utilization of the space to arrange the second hydraulic connector with an off-set to the coupling muff. To achieve an offset, an intermediate housing may be provided. The intermediate housing is fixed in the housing of the coupling muff. Also, the intermediate housing carries the second hydraulic connector.
It is alternatively possible to connect the second hydraulic connector to the coupling muff by a pipe or a hose line. In such an embodiment, the coupling muff can be fixed to an empty space of the implement or of the vehicle, respectively. By means of the hose line the corresponding second hydraulic connector can be inserted into one of the second coupling muffs, which are provided at the rear of the tractor. It is also possible that the second coupling connector forms a unit with the coupling muff. Furthermore, it can be threaded to
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Lee Kevin
LandOfFree
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