Pipes and tubular conduits – Combined – With end structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-07-17
Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Combined
With end structure
C138S121000, C285S382000, C285S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260584
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to metal hose fittings and more particularly to fittings that are assembled at the ends of hoses with the juncture of the hose and fitting sealed against leakage of pressurized fluid from within the hose.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Constructing hose end fittings where the juncture of the hose and fitting does not leak when subjected to high internal hose pressure has been a perennial problem. In the case of metal hoses, various different approaches have been taken. Some fittings have been welded or brazed onto the metal hose. Constructing these kinds of fittings required specialized equipment and skilled operators.
When hoses have been constructed from annularly corrugated tubes, fittings formed from members that are screwed together to crush interposed tube corrugations were frequently employed. Usually the corrugations were crushed against a sealing face formed on one fitting member. Sealing material was sometimes applied where the crushed corrugations were seated to block leakage paths. In other hoses, seal rings were associated with the sealing faces so that the corrugations were crushed against the seal ring.
Although these fitting constructions were relatively easily assembled to corrugated tubes without requiring sophisticated tools or machinery, the hose performance was not optimal. Leakage occurred after repeated usage. Hose flexures and repeated internal hose pressure cycling caused leakage paths to develop.
The present invention provides a new and improved metal hose and method of making the hose wherein the hose and end fitting are assembled without the need of specialized equipment or skilled labor and the juncture of the end fitting and hose is resiliently sealed against leakage of pressurized fluid from within the hose and resists such leakage after long usage of the hose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A new and improved metal hose constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a metal tube having a corrugated wall with successive corrugations defining inner and outer peaks joined by imperforate wall sections and terminating adjacent a peak, a fitting body, an extension that projects from the fitting body, and a sealing member. The fitting body has a through opening and a seal seat that surrounds the through opening and defines a sealing surface extending outwardly from the through opening. The sealing surface has an outer peripheral shape that conforms to the outer peripheral shape of the tube cross section. The sealing member is shaped to conform to the sealing surface and to the tube end and is engaged with and between the seat and the tube end. The extension defines a tube corrugation positioner distal the fitting body and is deformed to shift the corrugation positioner toward engagement with the tube just beyond a corrugation peak. The corrugation positioner resiliently compresses at least a tube corrugation and the seal member between the corrugation positioner and the sealing surface.
The invention also provides a new and improved method of constructing a hose comprising the steps of: constructing a metal tube having a corrugated wall with successive corrugations defining inner and outer peaks joined by imperforate wall sections; terminating the tube adjacent a corrugation peak; fabricating a tube end fitting body having a through opening and a seal seat that surrounds the through opening and has a sealing surface that extends outwardly from the through opening and an outer peripheral shape that conforms to the outer peripheral shape of the tube cross section; forming an extension that projects from the fitting body and defines a tube corrugation positioner distal the fitting body; assembling a sealing member to the fitting body in contact with the sealing surface and placing the fitting body on the terminated tube end with the terminated end engaging the sealing member and the tube corrugation positioner located at least one corrugation peak from the seal member; deforming the extension so that the corrugation positioner moves toward engagement with the tube just beyond the at least one corrugation peak; and, resiliently compressing the tube corrugations and the seal member between the corrugation positioner and the sealing surface while deforming the extension.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention the extension is formed by a tubular wall that extends along the tube exterior. The projecting end of the extension is upset, or inelastically deformed, so that the corrugation positioner is moved inwardly into engagement with the tube.
In some circumstances, the hose may be equipped with a shroud to reinforce the hose against internal pressures. The new fitting not only seals the juncture of the fitting and the tube but also secures the shroud in place. In such a hose, the extension is constructed to extend along the exterior of both the tube and shroud. The extension is deformed to move the corrugation positioner and apply compressing force against the tube corrugation through the shroud. The corrugation in turn resiliently urges the seal into engagement with the sealing seat while the shroud is clamped and secured in place by the positioner at a location spaced axially from its end within the fitting.
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40 Properties Management, Ltd.
Brinson Patrick
Watts Hoffmann Fisher & Heinke
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