Pipe joints or couplings – Particular interface – Diverse metal
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2001-07-24
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Particular interface
Diverse metal
C285S330000, C285S290100, C285S290300, C285S293100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264249
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to objects cast to have a wear resistant portion and to a method for casting objects which have a wear resistant portion. The invention will be specifically disclosed in connection with a fluid coupling assembly having a wear resistant ring placed around a coupling body, so that the ring forms a part of the mold used to cast the coupling body, and so that the geometry of the coupling body serves to constrain movement of the ring relative to the coupling body after casting. The preferred form of the invention relates to a coupling assembly for a gasoline tanker trailer loading adapter having a wear resistant bronze ring cast around an aluminum coupling body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In commerce, there is often a need to transfer a large quantity of liquid from a first vessel to a second vessel. Conventionally, a hose runs from the first vessel to a rigid coupling termination, and another hose runs from the second vessel to a rigid coupling termination. The coupling of the first hose is connected to the coupling of the second hose, and then liquid is controlled (by valves, pumps and the like) to flow from the first vessel, through the connected hoses and into the second vessel. When dealing with a high rate and intermittent liquid flow, a lot of stress may be exerted on the connection between the couplings of the hoses. Therefore, the means for connecting the couplings must be designed to handle this large stress.
One example of this liquid transfer situation is the loading of gasoline between a storage tank and a tank on a tanker trailer. A hose runs from a gasoline tank to a rigid tank-side coupling having opposing latches. Another hose runs from the tanker trailer to a rigid trailer-side coupling having a surface to receive the latches. When the two couplings are connected the opposing latches of the tank-side coupling tightly clamp the receiving surface of the trailer-side coupling to effect a strong connection between the hoses. With this strong connection, a large and intermittent volumetric flow of gasoline will not compromise the connection between the hoses, and the transfer of gasoline between the tank and tanker trailer can be quickly accomplished.
Some conventional embodiments of this kind of tank and trailer couplings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,175 to Roberts et al., which is herein incorporated by reference. More specifically, Roberts et al. disclose a removable fluid coupling (i.e., a tank-side coupling) which can latch an annular surface of a flow valve (i.e., a trailer-side coupling).
Roberts et al. recognize that the latches of the fluid coupling cause wear on the annular receiving surface of the flow valve. The flow valve embodiments of Roberts et al. are constructed so that the annular receiving surface is located on a detachably attachable annular flange which fits around the body of the flow valve and can be secured thereto at various angular orientations. When the latches begin to cause sufficient wear at portions of the annular flange, the annular flange is removed and repositioned to a different angular orientation so that different, unworn portions of the annular flange receive the latches. Because the annular flange can be repositioned to be worn down at several positions, the life of the annular flange part is extended.
Of course, manual labor is required to periodically monitor and reposition the annular flange. Also, the means for detachably attaching the annular ring to the body of the flow valve must be provided at some cost. For instance, tapped holes and/or set screws, and further, this means for detachably attaching may be subject to mechanical failure.
In another conventional design for a trailer-side coupling, an annular receiving surface is made integrally with the body of an aluminum trailer-side coupling. The portion of the trailer-side coupling with the receiving surface is then treated to harden and provide additional wear resistance on the annular receiving surface. After treatment, the surfaces of the treated portions become rough, so the coupling is then remachined to smooth certain surfaces, such as the poppet valve seat. By this treatment, the latches of the tank-side coupling will cause less wear, thereby considerably extending the life of the trailer-side coupling.
However, the treatment and remachining are expensive processes and increase the amount of material required to make the coupling. Also, the fact that the treated products must be remachined after treatment can cause logistical and scheduling problems.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and process which obviates the above-described problems and shortcomings.
Another object of this invention is to provide a pipe assemblies, and other objects, which include two pieces which are fixed, stationary and in contact with each other without being bonded or attached by any separate attachment means.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of casting to make an assembly including a first object and a second object, so that the second object forms a part of the casting mold for casting the first object, and so that the first object does not bond to the second object, but rather is held in place by physical interference between the first and second objects.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a coupling assembly including a coupling body and a wear resistant sleeve of two different materials, where the sleeve is fixed and in contact with the pipe, without being bonded to the coupling body or attached by any separate attachment means.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a one-piece trailer-side coupling (or loading adapter) for a gasoline tanker trailer which has an aluminum body with an annular bronze ring to provide a wear resistant annular receiving surface for receiving latches.
According to the present invention, an assembly includes two solid, homogeneous objects. As used herein, homogeneous is defined to include objects which are homogeneous at the molecular level, as well as objects made of homogeneous mixtures (e.g., alloys, fiberglass, particle board). The first object has a first interface surface, and the second object has a second interface surface.
The first and second interface surfaces are in contact with each other, but not bonded to each other. The contacting first and second interface surfaces are shaped and oriented so that the objects will not come apart due to constraint of substantial relative movement between the two objects in some directions, or in all directions. The constraint is due to physical interference between the interface surfaces.
For example, the first object may be substantially in the shape of a cylinder with the second object being a ring fitting around the annular surface of the cylinder, wherein physical interference between the first and second interface surfaces prevent longitudinal and radial movement of the ring, while allowing angular movement (i.e., rotation of the ring about the central axis of the cylinder).
In one aspect of the present invention, a coupling assembly includes a coupling body and a sleeve. As used herein, the coupling body defines a conduit suitable for transferring liquid therethrough, including, but not limited to tubular conduits of substantially circular cross-section.
The coupling defines a longitudinal direction, a radial direction and an angular direction. The coupling has a sleeve interface surface. The sleeve has a coupling interface surface in contact with, but not bonded to, the pipe interface surface.
The coupling interface surface and sleeve interface surface are shaped to prevent any substantial relative motion between the pipe and the sleeve in the longitudinal direction. The shaping of the pipe and sleeve interface surface to prevent relative longitudinal motion can be accomplished in many ways. For example, a backdraft or protuberances in the surfaces can prevent longitudinal movement.
In some embodiments of the present invent
Delaware Capital Formation Inc.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Nicholson Eric K.
LandOfFree
Fluid coupling with locked sleeve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fluid coupling with locked sleeve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fluid coupling with locked sleeve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2567455