Pipe joints or couplings – Having plural independent paths – Parallel paths
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-30
2004-04-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Pipe joints or couplings
Having plural independent paths
Parallel paths
C285S414000, C285S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06715798
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a compact, mechanically-connected, fluid-flow system having compact port-face tube, pipe and hose connectors. More particularly, the system has compact two-bolt and four-bolt flanged and modular connectors which meet or exceed the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518 and which fit within the minimum pad width specified in SAE standard J518.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Four-bolt, split-flange connectors, such as illustrated in SAE standard J518, are known for connecting tube, pipe, hose or the like to a fluid-flow port face on an adapter plate, pump, or the like. These connectors are intended for use in hydraulic systems, or in industrial and commercial products, where it is desired to avoid the use of threaded connectors.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
(prior art), known split-flange connectors
8
have a flanged head fitting
10
, two split-flange clamp halves
18
, and four bolts
14
which are inserted through the clamp halves
18
and into threaded apertures
22
in the face plate
24
. The bolts
14
properly align the connector
8
with the port
6
. The four-bolt, split-flange connector
8
may optionally include lock washers
16
and an O-ring seal
20
on its port face mating surface.
In mechanical, fluid-flow systems, it is common to design several fluid-flow ports
6
adjacent one another.
The proximity with which fluid-flow ports
6
may be arranged is directly related to the diameter of the port and the widthwise and lengthwise dimensions of the prior art split-flange connectors
8
. The Engineering Society for Advancing Mobility Land Sea Air and Space (SAE) has developed a standard which covers the specifications for the flanged head
10
and split-flange clamp halves
18
applicable to the aforementioned prior art four-bolt, split-flange hydraulic connectors
8
.
SAE standard J518 covers complete general and dimensional specifications for the port
6
, flange head
10
and split-flange clamp halves
18
applicable to four-bolt, split-flange type tube, pipe and hose connectors. In addition to specifying the dimensions of four-bolt hydraulic flanged connectors and port dimensions for bolted flange connectors, SAE standard J518 specifies the material, finish, workmanship, material properties (minimum yield and minimum elongation), and maximum working pressure. Code 61 of SAE standard J518 recites the dimensions of standard pressure hydraulic flanged connectors while Code 62 recites the dimensions of high pressure hydraulic flanged connectors.
The minimum and recommended dimensions between adjacent fluid-flow ports
6
for bolted flange connectors are specified in SAE standard J518 with reference to a drawing reproduced substantially herein as FIG.
3
. SAE standard J518 specifies dimensions BB, CC, and DD as the minimum vertical and horizontal distances between the center of adjacent fluid-flow ports
6
. The recommended distances BB, CC, and DD are based on the recommended dimensions of the above-described four-bolt hydraulic flanged connectors and factor in a 0.06 inch clearance between flanges, dimensionally on the high limit, when the same size flanges are used on adjacent ports. SAE standard J518 also specifies the minimum pad width EE of the port face for both the standard pressure series Code 61 and high pressure series Code 62.
As used herein, the term “pad” refers to the surface of a block, pump, or the like immediately surrounding a port
6
to which a flanged hydraulic connector is attached. As used herein, the term “footprint” is used to describe the projected area of the mounting surface of the connector which abuts the “pad” of the block, pump, etc.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-3
(prior art), the recommended pad width FF of the hydraulic flanged connector is much wider than the minimum pad width EE. In order to design a high-pressure fluid flow system more compact than the prior art, it would be desirable to provide a flanged connector having a widthwise dimension which is equal to or less than the minimum pad width EE so that the port dimensions CC and DD can be reduced.
In order to satisfy the aforementioned objects, the widthwise dimension of prior art two-bolt or four-bolt, split-flange connectors cannot simply be reduced. A reduction in the widthwise dimension would likely reduce the maximum working pressure of the connector below the value specified in SAE standard J518. Therefore, it is a further object of the invention to provide a compact connector which requires only the minimum pad width EE but which also meets or exceeds the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a flanged connector having a widthwise dimension W which is less than the recommended pad width FF, preferably equal to or less than the minimum pad width EE, so that the port dimensions CC and DD can be reduced, and which also can meet or exceed the working pressure specified in SAE standard J518.
A one-piece, flanged fluid-flow connector of the invention can be used for connecting tube, pipe, hose or the like to a port face having a port diameter D
1
. The connector has an overall length L1.
The flanged connector has base portion having a height H, width W, a generally-flat port face mounting surface on one end, a generally cylindrical connection piece at the other end, and a reinforcement portion intermediate the port face mounting surface and the connection piece. The port face mounting surface may have an annular recess formed therein which is designed to receive an “O”-ring to seal the connector on a desired port face. The reinforcement portion may comprise a generally-conical, rectangular or ribbed extension.
A central, elongate, cylindrical channel extends lengthwise through the connector. The central channel has a nominal port diameter D
1
at the port face mounting surface.
The base has a maximum width W which is less than the minimum pad width FF, preferably less than or equal to the minimum pad width EE, specified in SAE standard J518 corresponding to the nominal port diameter D
1
of the connector.
A generally-cylindrical connection piece is fixed to and extends from the reinforcement portion. The connection piece has means for interconnecting with a variety of elements such as a tube extension, hose, or pipe. The connection piece may have a variable length depending on the intended element to which the connector is attached. The connection piece may have a threaded outer or other surface for releasable interconnection with the desired tube, pipe, hose or the like. Alternatively, the connection piece may be permanently connected to a tube, pipe or the like by, for example, brazing, welding or swaging. The connection piece may be straight or bent to change the direction of fluid flow. The connection piece has a length L2.
A plurality of tabs are fixed to and extend outwardly from the base portion. Each of the tabs has an aperture extending therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the (two-bolt) connector has two tabs diametrically opposed from one another on opposed sides of the central port. Alternatively, the (four-bolt) connector has two pair of tabs, each pair of tabs diametrically opposed from one another on opposed sides of the central port. The apertures are spaced apart a distance Z from one another in the two-bolt connector. The heightwise and widthwise spacing between apertures in the four-bolt connector are equal to Q and GG, respectively, as defined in SAE standard J518.
The tabs have a flat face surrounding the apertures on which the heads of fastening bolts are torqued. Preferably, the flat face comprises a semi-circular cut-out in the reinforcement portion in the area proximate the aperture.
The connector is manufactured from a high-strength structural material such as steel, iron or aluminum, or composite, preferably a medium carbon steel.
The dimensions of the connector are preferably selected such that W≦EE, D
1
≦A, and Z=(Q
2
+GG
2
)
1/2
wherein EE, A, Q, O and GG are defined in SAE standard J518. The connec
Albrecht David E.
Albrecht Jr. David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Dunwoody Aaron
Eilberg William H.
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