Fluid handling – Systems – Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-06
2003-09-16
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
C137S614000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06619319
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to fluid connectors, and more particularly to a multi-line hydraulic connector adapted for use in a tool coupler used with excavation, demolition and construction equipment.
BACKGROUND
Some types of construction equipment, such as backhoes or excavators, include a movable dipper stick (also referred to as an arm) to which a variety of tools, such as buckets, grapples, hammers and the like, can be attached. A hydraulic bucket cylinder coupled to the attached tool at a link pivot rotates the tool about a dipper pivot at the free end of the dipper stick. The bucket cylinder and a linkage to the link pivot are located on a distal (forward) side of the dipper stick relative to the cab where the operator sits. To simplify the process of changing tools, a tool coupler can be permanently attached to the dipper pivot and the link pivot. A selected tool can then be removably attached to the coupler with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism, in some cases, includes a locking pin on the tool coupler that engages a mating receptacle in the tool.
There is a trend in the industry to use an actuated quick-disconnect tool coupler for automatically connecting and disconnecting a tool. Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,342, to Horton, describes a quick-disconnect tool coupler that includes a latch pin biased by a spring to a forward locking position. The latch pin is retracted by extending a hydraulic latch pin cylinder located in the coupler. With this type of tool coupler, the equipment operator can switch tools without leaving the cab of the equipment.
Some tools include a hydraulically actuated mechanism. For example, some grapple attachments include a hydraulic cylinder for opening and closing the grapple jaws. The tool hydraulics typically require two hydraulic connections between the tool hydraulics and hydraulic lines extending to the end of the dipper stick. In presently available systems, these connections must be made manually. This reduces the efficiencies of the hydraulically actuated quick-disconnect tool coupler systems, because the equipment operator must leave the cab to make the connections or a second worker must be available to do so.
SUMMARY
The invention generally features a non-spill, multi-line fluid connector with a plurality of separate, substantially coaxial flow paths. The fluid connector can be incorporated into a latch pin assembly of a quick-connect tool coupler in a manner that does not compromise the latching mechanism of the quick coupler. The latching mechanism includes a latch pin in the tool coupler and a latch bracket that receives the latch pin in the tool. The latch pin is spring applied, and hydraulically released from the latch bracket. Each of the latch pin and latch bracket includes longitudinally movable internal parts that provide a pair of coaxial fluid channels. These parts cooperate when the latch pin is inserted into the latch bracket to provide connections between the pairs of channels.
The invention allows tools and existing couplers to be easily converted to the new system. An equipment operator can connect a hydraulically actuated tool to the tool coupler, including all hydraulic connections, without leaving the cab of the equipment. The fluid connector includes a locking mechanism that enhances the overall safety of the equipment by inhibiting accidental release of the hydraulic tool when pressure is hydraulic pressure is applied to hydraulic actuator in the tool.
According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid connector comprises a first part having a distal end and a second part having a proximal end adapted to be removably connected with the distal end of the first part, the first part comprising first and second fluid channels extending within the first part from respective first and second end seals at the distal end and coupling to respective first and second fluid ports, the end seals closing off the first and second fluid channels when the first part and the second part are disconnected, the second part comprising first and second fluid channels extending within the second part from respective first and second end seals at the proximal end and coupling to respective first and second fluid ports, the end seals of the second part closing off the first and second fluid channels of the second part when the first part and the second part are disconnected, wherein connecting the first part and the second part connects the first fluid channels of the first and second parts and also connects the second fluid channels of the first and second parts, and the second part further comprising a locking mechanism having a first, locking position that inhibits separation of the first part and the second part and a second, releasing position that permits separation of the first part and the second part, the locking mechanism comprising an annular locking member urged toward the first, locking position by fluid pressure applied through the first part and the second part.
Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features. The annular locking member comprises a split ring. The annular locking member is disposed for rotational displacement relative to the outer surface of the latch pin and/or the annular locking member is disposed for radial displacement relative to the outer surface of the latch pin. Preferably, the annular locking member is disposed for non-uniform radial displacement relative to the outer surface of the latch pin. The annular locking member is urged toward the first, locking position of the locking mechanism by one or more elongated regions of surface-to-surface contact.
According to another aspect of the invention, a latch bracket for attachment to a hydraulically operated tool having a hydraulic mechanism comprises a first fluid channel extending therethrough, with a first port coupled to the first fluid channel for coupling the first fluid channel to the hydraulic mechanism, and a second fluid channel extending therethrough, with a second port coupled to the second fluid channel for coupling the second fluid channel to the hydraulic mechanism, wherein the latch bracket is adapted to receive a male latch pin on a tool coupler to lock the tool to the tool coupler and to couple the first fluid channel to a first source of hydraulic pressure and to couple the second fluid channel to a second source of hydraulic pressure, through the latch pin, and the latch bracket further comprises a locking mechanism that inhibits the latch pin from retracting out from the latch bracket while fluid pressure is applied through the latch pin to the latch bracket.
Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features. The second fluid channel comprises an outer fluid channel concentrically surrounding the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel comprises a substantially annular inner fluid channel. The latch bracket further comprises an inner proximal o-ring positioned to provide a seal at a proximal end of the inner channel of the latch bracket and an outer proximal o-ring positioned to provide a seal at a proximal end of the outer channel of the latch bracket when a latch pin is disconnected from the latch bracket, the inner proximal o-ring and the outer proximal o-ring being arranged to unseal when a latch pin is connected to the latch bracket. Preferably, the latch bracket further comprises a body, including a cylindrical bearing at a proximal end adapted to receive and guide the latch pin, and an end cap at a distal end; an elongated plunger extending proximally from the body a first distance, including an outwardly sloped surface near a proximal end, and a proximal end face that first contacts a distal end of the latch pin when the latch pin is inserted into the cylindrical bearing, wherein the outwardly sloped surface comprises an o-ring groove in which the inner proximal o-ring is positioned; a substantially annular inner section member extending proximally from the body a se
Erickson Arthur A.
Horton Lee A.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Lee Kevin
Woods Equipment Company
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