FLUID-TIGHT SEPARATING CLOSURE

Abstract

Method for the forming of a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit (1) involving the following steps: providing of a conduit (1) with a sleeve (2), positioning of the conduit (1) with the sleeve (2) between a die (3) and a stamp (4), compressing of the sleeve (2) by a relative movement between the die (3) and the stamp (4) in order to form a closure (5); severing of the closure (5) in a compressed region (6) by a severing tool (7) such that a contact line (8) between the severing tool (7) and the sleeve (2) during severing is shorter than an obtained severing edge (9) of the sleeve (2).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method for the forming of a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit, the method comprising: positioning a conduit with a sleeve of the conduit between a die and a stamp; compressing the sleeve by a relative movement between the die and the stamp in order to form a closure; and severing the closure in a compressed region by a severing tool such that a contact line between the severing tool and the sleeve during severing is shorter than an obtained severing edge of the sleeve.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a length of the contact line is at most 90% of a length of the obtained severing edge.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a central portion of the severing edge is formed at an end of the severing.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the stamp and the severing tool are moved relative to the die independently of each other.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the severing is done by cutting or punching.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the compressing is limited such that the compressed region of the sleeve acquires a predefined shape.

22. A device for forming a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit with a sleeve surrounding the conduit, the device comprising: a die and a stamp, wherein the die and the stamp can be moved relative to each other in order to form a closure, and a severing tool for a severing of the closure in a compressed region, wherein the stamp and the severing tool are movable relative to the die independently of each other.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the severing tool is a knife or a punching stamp.

24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the severing tool is arranged within the stamp.

25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the severing tool and the stamp jointly form a compression surface for compressing the sleeve, and wherein the severing tool can be moved so as to protrude from the compression surface for severing the closure.

26. The device according to claim 22, wherein the severing tool has a blade with a cutting edge shaped as at least one of: a straight line; a curved line; a curved line with a protruding central region; or a curved line with multiple recesses.

27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the die has a receiving surface for receiving the sleeve, and wherein the severing tool has a blade, and wherein shapes of the receiving surface and the blade deviate from each other.

28. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a stop for limiting the movement of the die and the stamp relative to each other.

29. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a first hydraulic cylinder for moving the stamp and a second hydraulic cylinder for moving the severing tool.

30. The device according to claim 22, wherein the die is configured in a pivotable manner.

31. A device for forming a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit with a sleeve surrounding the conduit, the device comprising: a die; a stamp moveable relative to the die, the die and the stamp configured to form a closure in a conduit disposed therebetween; and a severing tool for severing the closure in a compressed region thereof, the stamp and the severing tool movable relative to the die independent of one another.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the severing tool is a knife or a punching stamp.

33. The device according to claim 31, wherein the severing tool is arranged within the stamp.

34. The device according to claim 31, wherein the severing tool and the stamp jointly form a compression surface for compressing the sleeve, the severing tool moveable so as to protrude from the compression surface for severing the closure.

35. The device according to claim 31, further comprising a stop for limiting the movement of the die and the stamp relative to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0065] FIG. 1a to 1f: schematic illustrations of a severing according to the method of the present invention,

[0066] FIGS. 2 and 3: views of a conduit with a compressed sleeve,

[0067] FIGS. 4 to 8: views of a device according to the present invention,

[0068] FIGS. 9, 10a and 10b: views of the stamp and the severing tool of the device of FIGS. 4 to 8,

[0069] FIG. 11a to 11f: views of different blades for the device of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0070] FIGS. 12a and 12b: views of a device according to the present invention, wherein the die is configured in a pivotable manner.

[0071] FIG. 13: sectional side view of an operating head of an electrohydraulic apparatus.

[0072] FIG. 1a to 1f show schematic illustrations of a severing according to the method of the present invention. Starting with FIG. 1a, a severing tool 7 is lowered onto a sleeve 2. At first, the severing tool 7 is brought into contact with the outermost portions of the sleeve 2 such that two short sections of a contact line 8 are formed (FIG. 1b). Therein, a central portion 10 of the sleeve is not yet in contact with the severing tool 7. With the severing tool 7 being lowered further, the sections of the contact line 8 become longer such that a length L.sub.c of the contact line 8 can be seen (FIG. 1c). The length L.sub.c is the sum of the lengths of the two sections of the contact line 8. Subsequently, also the central portion 10 of the sleeve contacts the severing tool 7 (FIG. 1d). Therein, the two sections of the contact line 8 merge. Finally, the entire sleeve is severed (FIG. 1e) and the severing tool 7 can be removed (FIG. 1f). By means of the described severing a severing edge 9 is obtained. The length L.sub.SE thereof is longer than the length L.sub.c of the contact line 8. This condition is fulfilled at all times during severing. As indicated in FIG. 1f, the length L.sub.SE of the severing edge 9 is measured along a curved line on the upper surface of the sleeve 2.

[0073] FIGS. 2 and 3 show views of a conduit 1 with a compressed sleeve 2. The severing shown in FIG. 1a to 1f can be performed with the shown conduit 1 and sleeve 2 in a compressed region 6, by means of which a closure 5 is formed.

[0074] FIGS. 4 to 8 show views of a device 11 for forming a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit 1 with a sleeve 2 surrounding the conduit 1. The device 11 can be used with the conduit 1 and the sleeve 2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thereby, the closure 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be obtained. Further, the severing depicted in FIG. 1a to 1f can be performed using the device 11 of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0075] The device 1 comprises [0076] a die 3 and a stamp 4, wherein the die 3 and the stamp 4 can be moved relative to each other in order to form the closure 5, and [0077] a severing tool 7 for a severing of the closure 5 in a compressed region 6, wherein the stamp 4 and the severing tool 7 are movable relative to the die 3 independently of each other. The severing tool 7 is arranged within the stamp 4 and hence not visible in FIGS. 4 to 8. In FIGS. 9, 10a and 10b the severing tool 7 is shown.

[0078] With the device 11 a method can be performed for the forming of the fluid-tight separating closure of the conduit 1 involving the following steps: [0079] providing of the conduit 1 with the sleeve 2, [0080] positioning of the conduit 1 with the sleeve 2 between the die 3 and the stamp 4, [0081] compressing of the sleeve 2 by a relative movement between the die 3 and the stamp 4 in order to form the closure 5; [0082] by cutting or punching, severing of the closure 5 in a compressed region 6 by a severing tool 7 such that—as shown in FIG. 1a to 1f—the contact line 8 between the severing tool 7 and the sleeve 2 during severing is shorter than the obtained severing edge 9 of the sleeve 2. The length of the contact line 8 is at most 90% of a length of the obtained severing edge 9. The central portion 10 of the severing edge 9 is severed at an end of the severing.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device 11 with a sleeve inserted into the die 3 prior to compressing. For clarity, the conduit 1 is not shown. FIGS. 5 and 6 are corresponding side views.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the device 11 prior to compressing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view after compressing. It can be seen that between the situations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the sleeve 2 has been compressed by the stamp 4 and the die 3.

[0085] In the shown device 11 the severing tool 7 is a knife, but could also be a punching stamp. From FIG. 6 it can be seen that the severing tool 7 is arranged within the stamp 4 such that the severing tool 7 and the stamp 4 jointly form a compression surface 12 for compressing the sleeve 2, wherein the severing tool 7 can be moved so as to protrude from the compression surface 12 for severing the closure 5. Also from FIG. 6 it can be seen that the die 3 has a curved receiving surface 14 for receiving the sleeve 2. The severing tool 7 has a blade 13, wherein the shapes of the receiving surface 14 and the blade 13 deviate from each other. The blade is shown in FIGS. 9, 10a, 10b and 11a to 11f.

[0086] As can be seen from FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the device 11 further comprises a stop 15 for limiting the movement of the die 3 and the stamp 4 relative to each other.

[0087] The device further comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 16 for moving the stamp 4 and a second hydraulic cylinder 17 for moving the severing tool 7.

[0088] FIGS. 9, 10a and 10b show views of the stamp 4 and the severing tool 7 of the device 11 of FIGS. 4 to 8. The severing tool 7 has a blade 13.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a perspective view, wherein the blade is received within the stamp 4 such that the blade 13 of the severing tool 7 and the stamp 4 jointly form a compression surface 12 for compressing the sleeve 2. This situation is also shown in FIG. 10a as a side view of the stamp 4, the blade 13 of the severing tool 7 and the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is shown in a compressed state. The blade 13 of the severing tool 7 can be moved out of the stamp 4 so as to protrude from the compression surface 12 for severing the sleeve 2. This is shown in FIG. 10b.

[0090] FIG. 11a to 11f show six views of different blades 13 for the device 11 of FIGS. 4 to 8. In FIG. 11a the blade 13 has the shape of a straight line. In FIG. 11b the blade 13 has the shape of a curved line with a protruding central region. In FIG. 11c to 11f the blade 13 has the shape of a curved line with multiple recesses.

[0091] FIGS. 12a and 12b show two embodiments of a device 11 for forming a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit 1 with a sleeve 2 surrounding the conduit 1. Unless specified otherwise, the devices 11 shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b have the same features that have been described before. In the devices 11 shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b the die 3 is configured in a pivotable manner. Therefore, a pivot point 19 is indicated in the figures. The die 3 can be pivoted around the pivot point 19. Thereby, the die 3 can be pivoted between a loading position (indicated by the die 3 in dashed lines) and an operation state (indicated by the die 3 in solid lines). Although in FIGS. 12a and 12b the die 3 is shown twice (once in dashed lines and once in solid lines), the devices 11 actually comprise only one die 3, which is shown in two different states.

[0092] The conduit 1 with the sleeve 2 can be moved towards the die 3 as indicated by the upper conduit 1 and sleeve 2 in dashed lines in FIG. 12a. Then, the die 3 can be pivoted into the loading state, which is indicated by the die 3 in dashed lines. This can be done, for example, by pushing the conduit 1 with the sleeve 2 against the die 3. If the die 3 is in loading state the conduit 1 and the sleeve 2 can be moved through a loading opening 20. This is indicated in FIG. 12a by the lower conduit 1 and sleeve 2 in dashed lines. Afterwards, the die 3 can be brought into the operation state, which is indicated by the die 3 in solid lines. In this state the compressing and severing can be performed. This is indicated in FIG. 12a by means of the conduit 1 and sleeve 2 in solid lines in a non-deformed state before compressing and severing and in a deformed state after compressing and severing.

[0093] In FIG. 12b a device 11 is shown that are similar to the device 11 of FIG. 12a. Only the differences are explained. The device 11 comprises a spring 18, by means of which the die 3 can be moved into the operation state. The spring 18 is shown in FIG. 12b twice, once for the operation state (wherein the spring 18 is not extended) and once for the loading state (wherein the spring 18 is extended). The device 11 actually comprises only one spring 18. Further, a lock 21 is shown, by means of which the die 3 can be locked in the operation state.

[0094] FIG. 13 shows an operating head 100 of an electrohydraulic apparatus which is suitable, and intended, in particular for single-handed operation. The operating head 100 has a cylinder 101, which is connected to the operating head in a fixed position. A piston 102 can be moved within the cylinder 101. The cylinder 101 has an opening 104, which is delimited by a collar 103. The piston 102 extends through the opening 104. On its end portion, which projects into the cylinder 101, the piston 102 has a seal 105, by means of which the piston 102 is sealed in relation to the cylinder 101. The seal 105 is a radial shaft seal, which is supported on an encircling flange 106.

[0095] In the position illustrated in FIG. 13 the flange 106 butts against the collar 103, and this therefore delimits the travel path of the piston 102.

[0096] The free end region of the piston 102, that is to say the region which is located opposite the region located in the cylinder 101, is connected to a stamp 107 directly or indirectly. The stamp 107 is connected to the end region 108 preferably in a releasable manner.

[0097] The operating head 100 has guide means (not illustrated specifically) for the purpose of guiding the stamp 107. The guide means can be, for example, a tongue/groove guide. It is also possible for the operating head 100 to have an accommodating space 109, into which the stamp 107 can be introduced at least to some extent. However, in the operating state of the operating head 100, the stamp 107 cannot be moved out of the accommodating space 109. Preferably the maximum displacement path of the piston 102 is dimensioned correspondingly for this purpose. The distance between the rear side of the stamp 107 and the side surface 111 of the accommodating space 109, said surface running essentially parallel to the rear side 110, is greater than the maximum possible displacement path of the piston 102.

[0098] The piston 102 is designed in the form of a hollow cylinder. The piston 102 contains a piston 112, which can be moved in an axial direction of the piston 102. The piston 112 has seals 113, which serve for sealing purposes. Thus, a hydraulic fluid cannot flow through the hollow-cylindrical piston 102.

[0099] A rod 114 is connected to the piston 112. That end portion of the rod 114 which is located opposite the piston 112 is connected to a cutting tool 115. The cutting tool 115 can be displaced in the axial direction within the stamp 107. For this purpose, the stamp 107 has a corresponding gap 116. The rod 114 and the inner end region 108 of the piston 102 are designed such that the rod 114 is guided in the piston 102.

[0100] The piston 102 contains a shoulder 117, on which a bushing 118 is supported. A compression spring 119 is provided between the piston 112 and the periphery of the bushing 118 which is oriented towards the rod 114.

[0101] It can be seen from FIG. 13 that the stamp 107 is connected to a tension spring 120. The opposite end of the tension spring 120 is connected to the operating head 100 in a fixed position.

[0102] The stamp 107 and the cutting tool 115 form a moveable jaw. A two-part die 121 is arranged opposite the stamp 107. A spacer 122 is provided between the two parts of the die 121 and therefore the gap produced in the die 121 is sufficient for the cutting tool 115 to be able to project at least to some extent into said gap.

[0103] A pressure is generated within the cylinder 101 by means of an electrically operated hydraulic unit (not illustrated). The pressure in the cylinder 101 is sufficient to displace the piston 102 out of its starting position into the end position, which is illustrated in FIG. 13. The collar 103 here forms a stop for the flange 106. Until this end position is reached, the apparatus is designed preferably such that no movement or displacement of the piston 112 takes place. If a conduit with a sleeve (not illustrated) is located between the die 121 and the stamp 107, they are compressed with one another in a fluid-tight manner. When the piston 102 reaches its end position, as is illustrated in FIG. 13, then the pressure prevailing in the cylinder 101 acts on the piston 112. The piston 112 is displaced counter to the force of the compression spring 119, as a result of which the cutting tool 115, which is connected to the piston 112 by means of the rod 114, is introduced between the parts of the die 121 and therefore the fluid-tight closure (not illustrated) is severed.

[0104] The movement of the stamp 107 tensions the tension spring 120. The movement of the piston 112 compresses the compression spring 119. Once operation as such has been completed, the pressure in the cylinder 101 is reduced. The pressure is reduced to the extent where both the tension spring 120 and the compression spring 119 are relieved of stressing. This causes the piston 112 to be displaced into its starting position. In addition, the piston 102 is returned into its starting position as a result of the tension spring 120 being relieved of stressing. The movement of the piston 112 by the compression spring 119 also results in the cutting tool 115, which is connected to the piston 112 via the rod 114, being retracted into the stamp 107, and it is therefore preferably the case that the cutting tool 115, in its starting position, does not project out of the punch.

[0105] An electrohydraulically operating tool comprising the operating head illustrated in FIG. 13 is also suitable for compressing, and severing, a conduit with a sleeve of different diameters, this resulting in a fluid-tight separation closure of the conduit. It is possible here to use conduits of different diameters with sleeves of different diameters. The collar 103 and the flange 106 delimit the displacement path of the piston 102. This delimitation of the piston 102 and corresponding dimension of the stamp 107 can define a fluid-tight separation closure of a conduit for a lower limit of the conduit and of the sleeve.

[0106] It is not imperative for the piston 102 to be displaced as far as its end position, which is illustrated in FIG. 13, by a movement of the stamp 107 when the sleeve is being compressed. If a conduit with a relatively large sleeve is introduced between the stamp 107 and the die 121, corresponding control or regulation of the pressure in the cylinder 101 can nevertheless achieve compression and severing. If, for example, a conduit has a greater external diameter, and a greater wall thickness, than the possible minimum, and if the sleeve associated with this relatively large conduit also has a correspondingly great diameter and great wall thickness, then the pressure generated in the cylinder 101 is high enough to compress the sleeve between the die 121 and the stamp 107. In this case, the collar 103 does not come into abutment against the flange 106. If the piston 102 has reached a position between the starting position and the collar 103, which can be referred to as the end position for a certain conduit-and-sleeve configuration, then the piston 112 is subjected to the pressure acting in the cylinder 101, and so the piston 112, and therefore also the cutting tool 115, causes the closure to be severed. Irrespective of the movement of the piston 112, the pressure in the cylinder 101 is kept essentially constant.

[0107] The bushing 118 serves to avoid a collision between the cutting tool 115 and the spacer 122, or generally to delimit the displacement path of the piston 112.

[0108] The end periphery of the bushing 118 thus also serves as a stop for the piston 112.

[0109] If an electrohydraulic apparatus is used with the described operating head 100 for the forming of a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit, the piston 102 with the stamp 107 and the die 121 can be considered parts of a closure unit. Within the closure unit, the die 121 and the stamp 107 can be moved relatively to each other. If a conduit with a sleeve is provided and positioned within the closure unit between the die 121 and the stamp 107, the sleeve can be compressed by such a relative movement between the die 121 and the stamp 107 in order to form a closure. The piston 112 with the cutting tool 115 can be considered part of a separating unit. By a relative movement between the closure unit and the separating unit the closure can be severed in a compressed region.

[0110] The closure can be severed in a compressed region by the cutting tool 115 such that a contact line between the cutting tool 115 and the sleeve during severing is shorter than an obtained severing edge of the sleeve. This cannot be seen from FIG. 13 since the cutting tool 115 conceals parts of the stamp 107. Nevertheless, the above description of the method for the forming of a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit applies to the described operating head 100 as well.

[0111] The closure unit comprising the piston 102 with the stamp 107 and the die 121 and the separating unit comprising the piston 112 with the cutting tool 115 can be considered parts of a device for forming a fluid-tight separating closure of a conduit with a sleeve surrounding the conduit.

[0112] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13 severing can be performed by cutting. The cutting tool 115 is preferably a knife. Alternatively, instead of the cutting tool 115 a punching stamp could be used (not shown in the figures). In that case, severing can be performed by punching. A stamped part produced by punching is preferably taken to a catching container.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0113] 1 conduit [0114] 2 sleeve [0115] 3 die [0116] 4 stamp [0117] 5 closure [0118] 6 compressed region [0119] 7 severing tool [0120] 8 contact line [0121] 9 severing edge [0122] 10 central portion [0123] 11 device [0124] 12 compression surface [0125] 13 blade [0126] 14 receiving surface [0127] 15 stop [0128] 16 first hydraulic cylinder [0129] 17 second hydraulic cylinder [0130] 18 spring [0131] 19 pivot point [0132] 20 loading opening [0133] 21 lock [0134] L.sub.c length contact line [0135] L.sub.SE length severing edge [0136] 100 operating head [0137] 101 cylinder [0138] 102 piston [0139] 103 collar [0140] 104 opening [0141] 105 seal [0142] 106 flange [0143] 107 punch [0144] 108 region [0145] 109 space [0146] 110 side [0147] 111 side surface [0148] 112 piston [0149] 113 seal [0150] 114 rod [0151] 115 tool [0152] 116 gap [0153] 117 shoulder [0154] 118 bushing [0155] 119 spring [0156] 120 spring [0157] 121 die [0158] 122 spacer