FITTING FOR CONNECTING TO A TUBULAR ELEMENT, TUBING CONNECTION AND A METHOD FOR CONNECTING A FITTING TO A TUBULAR ELEMENT
20170328498 · 2017-11-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
F16L2201/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16L13/142
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16L33/2073
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16L13/147
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16L13/146
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F16L13/14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16L33/207
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A fitting (3, 3′) for connecting to a tubular element (5, 5′) having a first end section (9, 9′) comprising at least one first connection element (21, 21′), wherein the diameter of at least a part of the first connection element (21, 21′) can be reduced in a radial direction in order to produce a connection, wherein the first connection element (21, 21′) comprises at least one first hook element (21, 21′) and/or at least one first crimp (237, 437) configured to be connected in force-fit and/or form-fit manner to at least one second crimp (7, 7′) and/or at least one second hook element (235) formed on the outer surface of the tubular element, when the diameter of at least a part of the first connection element (21, 21′) is reduced, as well as a tubing connection and a method for connecting a fitting to a tubular element.
Claims
1. Fitting (3, 3′, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 803, 903) for connecting to a tubular element (5, 5′, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 805, 905) having a first end section (9, 9′, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609, 809, 909) comprising at least one first connection element (21, 21′, 121, 321, 521, 621, 821, 921), wherein the diameter of at least a part of the first connection element (21, 21′, 121, 321, 521, 621, 821, 921) can be reduced in a radial direction in order to produce a connection, characterized in that the first connection element comprises at least one first hook element (21, 21′, 121, 321, 521, 621, 821, 921) and/or at least one first crimp (237, 437) configured to be connected in force-fit and/or form-fit manner to at least one second crimp (7, 7′, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 907) and/or at least one second hook element (235) formed on the outer surface of the tubular element (5, 5′, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 805, 905), when the diameter of at least a part of the first connection element is reduced.
2. Fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hook element (21, 21′) and/or the second crimp (7, 7′) is radially inwardly extending and/or the second hook element (235) and/or the first crimp (237, 437) is/are radially outwardly extending.
3. Fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the first crimp (437) and the second crimp (407) are connectable to each other by a securing element, preferably comprising at least one latch washer (441), at least one spring washer and/or at least one wave washer.
4. Fitting according to claim 1, characterized by at least one first sealing element (19, 19′), preferably arranged at least partly in at least one radially outwardly extending annular recess (17, 17′), wherein preferably the annular recess (17, 17′) is at least partly comprised by the first connection element and/or the first sealing element comprises at least one sealing ring, at least one O-ring (19, 19′), at least one elastomeric material, at least one viscous fluid type sealant, at least one adhesive sealant, at least one receptacle comprising at least one sealant, wherein the receptacle is preferably ruptured when the diameter of the section is reduced, whereby releasing the sealant contained in the receptacle, at least one metallic seal and/or, at least one labyrinth-sealing.
5. Fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing element (19, 19′) has an internal diameter being smaller, mainly identical or greater than the outer diameter of the tubular element and/or the inner diameter of the fitting.
6. Fitting according to claim 1, characterized by at least one second connection element (15, 15′, 29′) provided at a second end section (13, 13′) of the fitting (3, 3′), preferably located opposite the first end section (9, 9′), wherein the second connection element preferably comprises at least one threaded section (15, 15′), especially formed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the second end section (13, 13′), at least one third, especially radially inwardly extending, annular hook element (29′) and/or third crimp configured to be connected in force-fit and form-fit manner to at least one, especially radially inwardly extending, fourth crimp and/or, especially radially outwardly extending, fourth hook element formed on the outer surface of another tubular element when a diameter of at least a part of the second connection element (29′) is radially reduced, at least one click connection at least on capnut connection, at least one compression connection, at least one press connection, at least one flame joint connection, at least one flame free connection, at least one union connection, at least one flanged connection and/or at least one push connection.
7. Fitting according to claim 5, characterized in that the fitting comprises a plurality of second connection elements, especially forming a plurality of sockets, extending in different angular directions of the fitting with respect to the first connection element, another second connection element and/or a main axis of the fitting.
8. Fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the fitting (3, 3′) comprises at least one alignment element (25, 25′) for aligning the tubular element (5, 5′), especially the second crimp (7, 7′), at least one liner body (657, 857, 957) at least partly introduced into the tubular element (605, 805, 905) and/or the second hook with respect to the fitting (3, 3′), especially with respect to the first connection element, the second connection element, the first hook element (21, 21′) the first crimp, the third crimp, the fourth crimp, the third hook element and/or the fourth hook element, wherein the alignment element preferably comprises at least one inwardly extending projection (25′) and/or step (25).
9. Fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one gripping and/or cutting element (31′), preferably comprising at least one sharp edge (31′), at least one anchor element, at least one barb and/or at least one tooth, especially extending inwardly, wherein the gripping element (31′) engages the tubular element (5′), especially cuts into the tubular element.
10. Tubing connection (1, 1′) comprising at least one fitting (3, 3′) according to claim 1 and at least one tubular element (5, 5′) connected to the fitting (3, 3′), characterized in that the tubular element (5, 5′) comprises at least one second crimp (7, 7′) and/or at least one second hook element formed on the outer surface of the tubular element (5, 5′) and the at least one first hook element (21, 21′) and/or the first crimp of the fitting (3, 3′) engages the second crimp (7, 7′) and/or the second hook element in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.
11. Tubing connection according to claim 10, characterized by at least one liner body (657, 857, 957) at least partly introduced into the tubular element (605, 805, 905), wherein the liner body (657, 857, 957) preferably comprises at least one fifth crimp (659, 859) and/or cut out the fifth crimp and/or cut out being preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the fitting (603, 803, 903) and/or the tubular element (605, 805, 905) with respect to the first hook element (621, 821, 921) and/or the first crimp (607, 907).
12. Tubing connection according to claim 11, characterized in that, the liner body (659) comprises at least one second sealing element (663), especially arranged at least partly in at least one radially inwardly extending first annular clearance (661), for sealing a space between the liner body (659) and the tubular element (605), and/or at least one third sealing element (667), especially arranged at least partly in at least one radially inwardly extending third annular clearance (665), for sealing a space between the liner body (659) and the fitting (603), wherein the second sealing element (663) and/or the third sealing element (667) comprise(s) at least one sealing ring, at least one O-ring (663, 667), at least one elastomeric material, at least one viscous fluid type sealant, at least one adhesive sealant, at least one receptacle comprising at least one sealant, wherein the receptacle is preferably ruptured when the diameter of the section is reduced, whereby releasing the sealant contained in the receptacle, at least one metallic seal and/or, at least one labyrinth-sealing.
13. Tubing connection according to claim 11, characterized in that, the liner body (857, 957) comprises at least one gripping structure (873, 973) facing the tubular element (805, 905), especially comprising at least one tooth (873, 973), at least one barb and/or at least one cutting edge.
14. Tubing connection according to claim 10, characterized in that a wall thickness of the tubular (5, 5′) element in the area of the second crimp (7, 7′) and/or the second hook element is mainly constant, especially identical to the wall thickness of the remaining part of the tubular element (5, 5′) and/or the second crimp (7, 7′) comprises at least one first indentation on the outer surface of the tubular element (5, 5′) and at least one elevation on the inner surface of the tubular element (5, 5′), and/or the second hook element comprises at least one elevation on the outer surface and at least one indentation on the inner surface of the tubular element wherein the respective indentation and the respective elevation have complementary cross sectional forms and/or dimensions.
15. Tubing connection according to claim 10, characterized in that the tubular element (5, 5′) and/or the fitting (3, 3′) comprises at least one metallic material, especially copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, brass, cast material and/or forged material, at least one carbon material and/or at least one plastic material, especially polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, glass fiber and/or reinforced plastic, and/or combinations of at least two of the before mentioned materials.
16. Method for connecting at least one fitting (3, 3′) to at least one tubular element (5, 5′) comprising the steps of providing a fitting (3, 3′) according to claim 1, inserting the tubular element (5, 5′) into the fitting (3, 3′), at least partly reducing a diameter of at least one section (9, 9′) of at least a part of the fitting (3, 3′) in a radial direction, wherein by the reduction of the diameter at least one first hook element (21, 21′) and/or at least one first crimp of a first connection element of the fitting (3, 3′) and/or at least one securing element is/are deformed to engage at least one second crimp (7, 7′) and/or at least one second hook element formed on the surface of the tubular element (5, 5′) such that a force-fit and/or form-fit connection of the fitting (3, 3′) to the tubular element (5, 5′) is provided.
17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the first hook element and/or the first crimp of the first connection element and/or crimp (7, 7′) and/or the second hook element of the tubular element (5, 5′) is/are formed by the reduction of the diameter.
18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the first crimp (7, 7′), the first hook element, the second crimp and/or the second hook element is/are formed on the outer surface of the tubular element (5, 5′) and/or the inner surface of the fitting, especially the first connection element, prior to the pressing of the fitting (3, 3′), is/are especially preformed in the tubular element (5, 5′) and/or the fitting.
19. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that, before, during and/or after inserting the tubular element (605, 805, 905) into the fitting at least one liner body (657, 857, 957) is inserted into the tubular element (605, 805, 905).
20. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least partly reduction of the diameter is reached by pressing the at least one section (9, 9′) with at least on press tool, preferably a crimping tool, and/or by sliding at least a cap and/or ring onto the section, wherein especially the inner diameter of the cap and/or ring is in at least one sector decreasing in an axial direction of the ring and/or cap, preferably in a sector coacting with the section of the fitting and/or the ring and/or cap are threaded onto the section and/or connected to the section by at least one bayonet connection.
Description
[0049] Further aspects and advantages of the claimed invention become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention that are explained with the help of the following figures in which
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[0067] The thickness of the wall of the tubular element 5 is constant over the whole length of the tubular element 5, especially in the area of the crimp 7. The fitting 3 comprises a first section 5 including a first connection element 11. Furthermore the fitting 3 comprises a second end section 13 comprising a second connection element in form of a thread 15.
[0068] In the area of the end section 9 furthermore an annular grove 17 is provided in which a first sealing element in form of an O-ring 19 is located. According to the invention the first connection element 11 comprises a hook element 21 forming a first hook element in the sense of the claims. The hook element 21 is formed as an annular element that is projecting radially inwardly from the fitting 3.
[0069] To connect the fitting 3 to the tubular element 5 to provide the tubing connection 1 the tubular element 5 is introduced into the fitting 3 such that an end 23 of the tubular element 5 engages an alignment element in form of a step 25. With the step 25 it is secured that the crimp 7 is aligned with the hook 21. With a pressing tool known in the state of the art the end section 9 is then compressed such that the diameter of the fitting, especially of the area of the hook 21, is at least partly reduced, such that the hook 21 engages in a form-fit and force-fit manner into the crimp 7.
[0070] As already described above in
[0071] As can be taken from
[0072] The elements of the tubing connection 1′ that are functionally corresponding to the elements of the tubing connection 1 have the same reference number, however ticked. In comparison to the step 25 in the tubing connection 1′ a circumferential projection 25′ is provided. Furthermore the end section 13′ comprises an annular grove 27′ comparable to the grove 17′ and a hook element 29′ representing a third hook element in the sense of the claims comparable to the hook element 21′.
[0073] Thus to connect the tubular elements the tubular elements are inserted into the fitting 3′ and the end section 9′ as well as the end section 13′ are pressed such that at least a part of the diameter of the respective end sections, especially in the area of the hooks 21′, 29′, is reduced. Variations of such fittings and tubing connections provide multiple sockets with different angular directions and/or tube diameters. The tubular element 5 as well as the fitting 3 may be metallic or made of plastic.
[0074] In
[0075] In
[0076] In comparison to the before described embodiments in the embodiment shown in
[0077] In
[0078] In contrast to the before described embodiments the respective hook element of the first connection element is not formed in the fitting 203 but is provided in the tubular element in form of a hook element 235 representing a second hook element in the sense of the claims. The hook element 235 is cooperating with a crimp 237 that is formed in the fitting 203 and represents a first crimp in the sense of the claims.
[0079] In
[0080]
[0081] The tube connection 301 mainly differs from the tube connection 1 in that neither the (second) crimp 307 nor the (first) hook element 321 have been preformed in the tubular element 305 and a fitting 303, respectively. Both the crimp 307 and the hook element 321 have been formed when the diameter of the first connection element 311 has been at least partly reduced.
[0082] Thus in the unconnected state the fitting 303 and the tubular element 305 have a mainly flat or cylindrical cross sectional form. However by the pressing the hook element 321 is formed and due to the pressure that is transferred via the hook element 321 onto the surface of the tubular element 305 the crimp 307 is formed. However still a form-fit between the crimp 307 and the hook element 321 is reached such that due to the annular form of the hook element 321 and the crimp 307 a relative movement between the tubular element 305 and the fitting 303 also it high pressures is avoided.
[0083] In
[0084] In contrast to the tube connections 1, 1′, 101, 201, 301 described before the form-fit and force-fit connection between the fitting 403 and the tubular element 405 is not reached by a hook/crimp connection but a connection between two crimps. Similar to the tube connection 1 the tubular element 405 comprises a (second) crimp 407. Comparable to the tube connection 201 the fitting 403 comprises a (first) crimp 437. To reach a form-fit and force-fit connection between the crimps 407, 437 in the crimps a securing element in form of a latch ring 441 is positioned. To connect the tubular element 405 to the fitting 403 the latch ring 441 is located within the crimp 407, when the fitting 403 is pushed over the tubular element 405. However at this point of time before a pressing of the fitting 403 the diameter of the tubular element 405 is increased, especially in the area of the crimp 437 such that the latch ring 441 can be located in the area of the crimp 437. When the diameter of the first connection element 411 is at least partly reduced the crimp 437 engages the latch ring 441 leading to a form-fit and force-fit connection of the tubular element 405 and the fitting 403.
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[0086] Furthermore the tubing connection 501 differs from the before described tubing connections, especially fittings, in that the hook element 521 is formed by a plurality of teeth 547 that are formed on a plurality of tongues 545. In addition to the teeth 547 covering only a part of the circumference of the tubular element 505 respectively, the tongues 545 furthermore comprises respective sleeve retainers 549.
[0087] In
[0088] In not shown embodiments the sleeve and the fitting might be connectable via a threaded connection and/or a bayonet connection. Thus by a rotational movement of the sleeve a longitudinal movement of the sleeve along the fitting is caused.
[0089] In
[0090] To allow an electrical connection via the tubular element 605 the tubular element comprises a conductive pipe layer 655. Furthermore the tube connection 601 comprises a pipe insert 657. The pipe insert 657 is inserted partly into the tubular element 605 and comprises a indentation. This indentation might have the form of a fifth crimp 659 having a continuous thickness but might also be formed by a cut out, a pressed indentation or any other forming style.
[0091] Furthermore the pipe insert 657 comprises a first clearance 661 into which a second sealing element in form of an O-Ring 663 is inserted. By the O-Ring 663 a gap between the tubular element 605 and the pipe insert 657 is sealed. Furthermore the pipe insert 657 comprises a second clearance 665 into which a third sealing element in form of an O-Ring 667 is inserted. By the O-Ring 667 a gap between the pipe insert 657 and the fitting 603 is sealed.
[0092] In
[0093] The use of the pipe insert 657 further allows a user to better check the correct position of the fitting 603 relative to the tubular element 605 by a marking process. For this purpose the user can use the step 669 to align the pipe insert 657 with the tubular element 605 before the pressing of the fitting 603. In a first step the user positions the end of the tubular element 605 side by side to the pipe insert 657 such that the step 669 abuts the end 623 of the tubular element 605. The user then marks on the outside of the tubular element 605 where the fifth crimp 659 is located. In other words the user uses the crimp 659 as a guidance for a depth marking. In the next step the user then inserts the pipe insert 657 into the tubular element 605 as shown in
[0094] In case the tubing connection 601 is connected in the correct way the position of the marking will fall under the hook element 621. Thus in case the position of the marking and the hook element 621 will not fall together it is indicated to the user that the fitting 603 is not connected correctly.
[0095] In
[0096] Furthermore the tube connection might comprise, as shown in
[0097] Such a connection might also be provided by a pipe layer 655 that extends out of the tubular element 605 as shown in
[0098] In
[0099] As can be taken from
[0100] In
[0101] In comparison to the tube connection 601 the tube connection 801 comprises a pipe insert 857 that provides a gripping structure on the outer surface in form of teeth 873.
[0102] A variation of the tubing connection 801 is shown in
[0103] In
[0104] The features disclosed in the claims, the specification and the drawings might be relevant for the claimed subject-matter in its different embodiments separately or in any combination.
REFERENCE SIGN LIST
[0105] 1, 1′, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901 tubing connection [0106] 3, 3′, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 803, 903 fitting [0107] 5, 5′, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905 tubular element [0108] 7, 7′, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607 crimp [0109] 707, 907 indentation [0110] 9, 9′, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609, 709, 809, 909 end section [0111] 11, 11′, 111,211,311,411, 511, 611, 711, 811, 911 connection [0112] 13, 13′ end section [0113] 15 thread [0114] 17, 17′, 117, 217, 317, 417, 517, 617, 717, 817, 917 grove [0115] 19, 19′, 519, 619, 719, 819, 919 O-ring [0116] 21, 21′, 121, 321, 521, 621, 721, 821, 921 hook element [0117] 23, 23′, 123, 223, 323, 423,523, 623, 723, 823, 923 end [0118] 25, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525, 625, 725, 825, 925 step [0119] 25′ projection [0120] 27′ grove [0121] 29′ hook element [0122] 31′ edge [0123] 133, 533 cap [0124] 235 hook element [0125] 237, 437 crimp [0126] 239 end element [0127] 441 latch ring [0128] 543 fitting body [0129] 545 tongue [0130] 547 teeth [0131] 549 sleeve retainer [0132] 551 engagement surface [0133] 553 engagement element [0134] 655, 755, 855, 955 pipe layer [0135] 657, 757, 857, 957 pipe insert [0136] 659, 859 crimp [0137] 661, 761, 861, 961 clearance [0138] 663, 763, 863, 963 O-Ring [0139] 665, 765, 865, 965 clearance [0140] 667, 767, 867, 967 O-Ring [0141] 669, 769, 869, 969 step [0142] 671 pipe conductor [0143] 873, 973 teeth [0144] A section [0145] B direction