Pipe joints or couplings – Particular interface – Tapered
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-05-29
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Particular interface
Tapered
C285S334500, C285S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237968
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a pipe connector having a connecting portion formed onto one end of the pipe.
DE-PS 667 485 discloses a pipe connector for pipes made of soft materials such as copper, aluminum or the like which are easily deformable. A threaded member is provided with a stepped bore. Radius-shaped transitions are provided between the bore steps. The nut which can be threaded onto the connecting body is provided on a pipe which is widened at one end. A connecting sleeve is provided between the threaded member and the nut. The connecting sleeve is inserted into the widened ends of the pipe. The connecting sleeve, at its ends, includes conical faces. Stepped faces adjoin the conical faces. One of the stepped faces is designed as an undercut conical face. During tightening, the widened pipe ends are press fit with the identically designed ends of the connecting element. As the latter includes sharp-edged transitions, the pipe wall is cut into achieving a close connection. Such a design can only be applied to easily deformable pipes. Furthermore, it is only suitable for low pressures and, especially, for substantially static loads. For thick-walled pipe connectors subjected to high loads, like those used in hydraulic systems, such an embodiment is not suitable. In particular, when dynamic loads occur, the connection may tear off as a result of sudden pressure surges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe connector which enables the pipe to be securely clamped and sealed at high pressure and high dynamic loads.
In accordance with the invention, a pipe connector is provided with a connecting portion formed by a non-chip producing method onto an end of a pipe. The pipe end has an outer conical face with a cone angle of ninety degrees. The outer conical face, starting from the undeformed region of the pipe, increases in size towards the end face of the connecting portion. The connecting portion has a cylindrical outer face starting from the end face and extending towards the outer conical face. The connecting portion has a free-form face which, between the outer conical face and the end of the cylindrical outer face, facing the outer conical face, remains undefined during the non-chip forming operation. The connecting portion has a first conical bore which is tapered from the end face at a cone angle of twenty-four degrees. Towards the bore of the undeformed region of the pipe, the connecting portion has a further tapered bore portion. A first connecting element includes a receiving bore through which the undeformed region of the pipe is guided. The first connecting element, towards the connecting portion, has a conical supporting bore which matches the outer conical face. The conical supporting bore is designed to rest against the outer conical face. A sealing element is provided with a central through-bore. The sealing element also includes a first conical sealing face matching the first conical bore of the connecting portion. A second sealing face of the sealing element is designed to rest against a counter sealing face of a second connecting element. Alternately, the sealing element rests against a first conical bore of a further connecting portion formed onto a second pipe. Also, a means connects the first connecting element to the second connecting element.
The above embodiment in accordance with the invention can also be used for thick-walled pipes. Furthermore, as a result of the contours selected, the region of the connecting portion to be clamped is thickened. Thus, this secures a safe connection in the case of high and rapidly changing pressure values. Such a design also provides a high-quality replacement for so-called welded nipple connections where a connecting element is welded to the pipe end. As compared to such a connection, the operation of welding on the welding nipple is no longer required. Accordingly, a connection is achieved which can also be used for standardized components and in cutting ring connections which utilize a connecting body and a union nut.
To prevent, as far as possible, the flowing medium from whirling, the sealing element also fills the second conical bore of the connecting portion. Further, the diameter of the through-bore is adapted to the diameter of the bore of the pipe.
In a first embodiment, including a nut and a connecting body, the first connecting element is in the form of a nut with a threaded bore. The internal diameter of the nut is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical outer face of the connecting portion. The second connecting element is in the form of a connecting body with a conical connecting bore. The bore size decreases from its end face. The conical bore has a cone angle of twenty-four degrees, which forms a counter sealing face. The second connecting element also includes an adjoining through-bore. The second sealing face of the sealing element is designed as a matching outer conical face.
As a result, it is possible to select a DIN nut with its standard length and the standard conical bore of ninety degrees. Further, a connecting body can be standardized with a twenty-four degree conical bore. The nut may be used for connections other than cutting ring connections such as a connection with a formed-on connecting portion.
According to an alternative embodiment, the first connecting element is in the form of a flange with circumferentially distributed bolt through-bores to receive connecting bolts. The second connecting element includes a through-bore and threaded bores distributed around the through-bore in accordance with the bolt through-bores for the connecting bolts. A planar counter sealing face is positioned around the through-bore. The sealing element has a planar second sealing face which matches the counter sealing face. The longitudinal axis of the sealing element is positioned perpendicularly to the flange. The second connecting element can form part of a machine or a valve block or the like. The pipe is connected to the valve block or the like.
A particularly advantageous embodiment is achieved if two pipes are connected directly to one another. Here, a mirror-image-like arrangement is on both pipe ends with the characteristics in accordance with the invention. A pipe connector for connecting two pipes to connecting portions is formed by a non-chip producing method onto the pipe ends of the pipes. The connecting portions each comprise an outer conical face with a cone angle of ninety degrees. The conical face, starting from the undeformed region of the pipes, increases in size towards the end face of the connecting portion. The connecting portions each include a cylindrical outer face starting from the end face and extending towards the outer conical face. The connecting portions have free-form faces which, between the outer conical face and the end of the cylindrical outer face facing the outer conical face, remain undefined during the non-chip forming operation. The connecting portions, inside, have a first conical bore which is tapered from the end face at a cone angle of twenty-four degrees. Adjoining the first conical bore towards the bore of the undeformed region of the pipe is a further tapered bore portion.
A first connecting element and a second connecting element are each provided with a receiving bore to guide an undeformed region of the pipe through the connecting element. The connecting elements, towards the connecting portions, have a conical supporting bore. The supporting bore matches the outer conical face and is designed to rest against the face.
A sealing element, with a central through-bore with a first conical sealing face, matches the first conical bore of the connecting portions. A second conical sealing face of the sealing element is designed to rest against a counter sealing face of a second connecting element.
Also included is means to connect the first connecting element to the second connecting element. The first and second connecting elements are in the form of flanges. The flanges include circu
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Walterscheid Rohrverbindungstechnik GmbH
Wilson Neill
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