EP1592912A1 - Clamping jaw type plug coupling device - Google Patents

Clamping jaw type plug coupling device

Info

Publication number
EP1592912A1
EP1592912A1 EP04707280A EP04707280A EP1592912A1 EP 1592912 A1 EP1592912 A1 EP 1592912A1 EP 04707280 A EP04707280 A EP 04707280A EP 04707280 A EP04707280 A EP 04707280A EP 1592912 A1 EP1592912 A1 EP 1592912A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
control sleeve
connecting means
clamping jaws
active
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04707280A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Francesco Gobbi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Emer SRL
Original Assignee
Emer SRL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Emer SRL filed Critical Emer SRL
Publication of EP1592912A1 publication Critical patent/EP1592912A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
    • F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
    • F16L37/0847—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of hooks
    • F16L37/0848—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of hooks rocking freely
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/28—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means
    • F16L37/38—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings
    • F16L37/40—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
    • F16L37/42—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/037—Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a jaw type plug coupling for providing a pressure-tight connection to a device having complementary connecting means.
  • the device of this invention also called “mandrel”
  • Plug coupling devices of the type and for the use mentioned above are already known.
  • a plug coupling device or mandrel comprising a cylindrical body which defines an axial guide housing, a holed piston sliding in the housing of said body between a forward idle position and an active retracted coupling position to a corresponding plug connecting means, clamping jaws at the front end of the piston and usually open, and cam ramps inside the body to close the clamping jaws on the plug connecting means when the latter is matched with the piston.
  • the locking of the plug coupling device to the complementary plug connecting means through the clamping jaws is achieved by a backward movement of the piston in the cylindrical body, whereas release is achieved by a forward movement of the piston.
  • the movements of the piston may be achieved by manual mechanical systems, such as a lever or like, with or without the help of the thrust of the fluid under pressure flowing through it.
  • the clamping jaws are integral with or applied directly to a front part of the piston and follow the movements of the piston inside the cylindrical body. Furthermore, the clamping jaws protrude from the front of the cylindrical body when the piston is in the forward release position.
  • One object of this invention is to provide a plug coupling device of the considered type, in which the clamping jaws are associated with a cylindrical body leaving, in this way, the front of the piston completely free for a correct connection to a respective connecting means.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device for the above mentioned use in which the clamping jaws remain motionless when the piston moves between the forward and retracted position with respect to the cylindrical body.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a plug coupling device in which the clamping jaws always remain surrounded and protected by the cylindrical body both in the locking and release positions, and the cam ramps for actuating the clamping jaws are on board an additional element surrounding the cylindrical body which guides the piston.
  • a further object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device including an innovative stop system of the clamping jaws in their closing position on the plug connecting means, which allows the piston to move freely on an axis with respect to the cylindrical body so as to adapt its position to that of the connecting means even in the presence of conspicuous differences in size and/or work tolerances compared to the nominal sizes of the components which require to be matched.
  • a still further object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device having a stop system of the clamping jaws in their closing position, which is not influenced in any way neither radially or axially by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the device, so that the coupling and uncoupling actions of the device in relation to the connecting means can be carried out by hand, easily and without any apparent effort.
  • Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section view of the device in the idle position
  • Fig. 2 shows, a longitudinal section view of the device and a related plug connecting means with the top half in the release or idle position and the lower half in an intermediate locking phase; and Fig. 3 shows an analogous section view to the one in Fig. 2, but with the top half in the release or idle position and the lower half in the locking position.
  • the plug coupling device 11 comprises a cylindrical body 13 which contains a piston 14 and has externally a control sleeve 15 covered with a grip cover 16.
  • the cylindrical body 13 is integrated with a connector 17 which forms an input chamber 18 which can be connected to a pipe - not shown- supplying a fluid under pressure to be fed through the device 11 and the connecting means 12 when matched.
  • a guide ring 20 Between connector 17 and the body 13 is a guide ring 20 provided with a seal 19 and formed with a valve seat 21 at one of its ends facing towards the input chamber 18.
  • the cylindrical body 13 forms, with its front section 13' and together with the fixed guide ring 20, a first housing 22 in which the piston 14 is positioned with the possibility of sliding between a forward position and a retracted position in said body.
  • An intermediate seal 23 is positioned at least between the piston 14 and the guide ring 20. Also to be noted that either the piston moves backwards and forwards in the body, the latter remaining still or the body moves forwards or backwards with the piston in this case remaining still.
  • Piston 14 has a conical zone 24 at the front which protrudes from the cylindrical body 13 and which is designed to be inserted into a corresponding inlet 25, located in a zone of the head of the plug connecting meams 12 in which a seal 26 is positioned to ensure a tight fit between the piston 14 and the connecting means 12 when they are matched.
  • the piston 14 has an axial hole 29 which in front is open towards the connecting means 12, while at the rear it is in fluid communication with the radial holes 30 machined in the piston between the intermediate seal 23 and the closing seal 28 associated with the plugging element 27.
  • the fixed cylindrical body 13 has, on a level with the front part of the piston 14, an annular recess 31 the diameter of which is slightly greater than the external diameter of the section of the head of the plug connecting means 12.
  • the cylindrical body 13 has a second housing 32 in which a stop sleeve 33 is placed and movable axially with respect both to the piston and to the cylindrical body, between a blocking forward position and a release retracted position of the control sleeve 15 as will become clearly evident later in the description.
  • a spring 34 positioned between the guide ring 20 and the movable stop sleeve 33 normally pushes the latter into said blocking position, in which, it rests and is stopped against a shoulder surface 35 at the front end of the second housing 32.
  • the stop sleeve 33 is moved back into its release position by piston 14.
  • piston 14 has a periphery shoulder 36 able to intercept and push the stop sleeve 33 back when the piston retracts into the body starting
  • the stop sleeve 33 has a peripheral groove 37 to interact with the blocking spheres 38 positioned in corresponding radial holes 39 provided in the walls of the cylindrical body 13 at the level with an intermediate part of the second housing 32.
  • the blocking spheres 38 are floating in their respective holes 39 and protrude from these alternately towards the stop sleeve 33 and towards the external control sleeve 15.
  • the blocking spheres 38 engages the peripheral groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 when the later is in the back release position and the control sleeve 15 when the stop sleeve is in the forward blocking position, the stop sleeve pushing, in this case, the spheres 38 towards the external of the holes 39, against the control sleeve 15.
  • the control sleeve 15 is composed of two parts, one rear part 15' and a front part 15", to enable the spheres 38 to be inserted in their respective radial holes 39.
  • the two parts of the coupling are screwed together and can be covered on the outside by the grip cover 16.
  • the control sleeve 15 can move lengthwise along the cylindrical body 13 between a retracted idle position and a forward active position.
  • the control sleeve 15 is, on the other hand, moved back manually into the idle position against the action of the spring 40. This position is ensured by the blocking spheres when they are thrust radially to protrude by the stop sleeve.
  • the rear part 15' of the control sleeve 15 has an internal inclined plane 41 facing forwards and having three functions. It rests against the spheres 38 establishing the idle retracted position of the control sleeve 15 when the stop sleeve 33 is moved forward and the spheres 38 are pushed and kept protruding by the stop sleeve as stated above.
  • the inclined plane 41 pushes the spheres towards the groove 37 in the stop sleeve.
  • control sleeve is free to move forward into the active position; consequently the inclined plane 41 rests against a shoulder 42 provided around the cylindrical body 13 setting in this way the maximum forward movement of the control sleeve on the body itself and therefore its limit in a longitudinal direction.
  • a groove 43 is envisaged around the front part of the cylindrical body 13 to which are attached, or that is, are "fulcrumed” a number of clamping jaws 44, each with its own connecting section 44' and with the help of a spring 45 which envelopes them.
  • the free end of these clamping jaws 44 protrude beyond the cylindrical body 13, remaining however surrounded by the control sleeve 15. They are able to move between an expanded open position and a contracted closed position according to the movements of the control sleeve 15 on the cylindrical body 13.
  • the clamping jaws 44 each have at least one internal protrusion 46 to engage with at least one annular recess 47 around the plug connecting means 12 and an external thrust section 48 designed to interact with a radial cam surface 49 provided inside the control sleeve 15 following the movements of the latter between the idle retracted and active forward positions.
  • the piston 14 is stressed by a preloaded spring 50 positioned in the inlet chamber 18 and operating in the direction to maintain the piston itself in the forward position in the cylindrical body 13.
  • the front part 24 of the piston 14 protrudes from the body 13; the seal 28 of the plugging member 27 rests against the valve seat 21 , closing it, and the radial holes 30 of the piston 14 are level with the guide ring 20 and are therefore obstructed and unable to communicate with the inlet chamber 18.
  • This corresponds to the idle position of the plug coupling device 11 when it is uncoupled from the connection 12 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the stop sleeve 33 is moved forward and blocks, through the spheres 38, the control sleeve in the idle retracted position which corresponds to the opening of the clamping jaws 44.
  • the plug coupling device 11 can be coupled to its respective connecting means 12.
  • the front part 24 of the piston 14 must be introduced into the connecting means 12 and the device must be pushed in the direction of the latter.
  • the guide and centring of the piston in the connecting means 12 is facilitated by the front recess 31 of the body 13. Consequently the piston 14 retracts into the cylindrical body 13, also moving the stop sleeve 33 back causing in order:
  • the fluid that enters the inlet chamber can then pass through the holed piston towards the connecting means and from here to the tank to be filled.
  • the piston can, on retracting into the body 13 until the groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 is level with the spheres 38 and having in this way blocked the control sleeve 15 due to its moving forward into the active jaws closing position, move forward slightly under the thrust of the rear spring 50, the stop sleeve 33 remaining still, restrained by the spheres 38.
  • the piston is able to adapt its position to the connecting means and ensure the tight connection and seal between piston and connecting notwithstanding the dimensional tolerances and defects in the parts to be matched.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Abstract

The invention discloses a plug coupling device for providing a pressure-sealed connection to complementary connecting means (12). The coupling device comprises a cylindrical body (13), an axially holder piston (14) sliding in the body (13) from a forward idle position and an active retracted position, and a control sleeve (15) movable along said body (13). The pistons connects with the connecting means (12) while retracting in the body (13); the body (13) is provided with oscillating clamping jaws (44) to engage with the connecting means (12) when the piston (14) is in the retracted position; the control sleeve (15) has an internal radial cammed surface (49) which interact with clamping jaws (44) to closed them locking the piston (14) with the connecting means (12) when they are coupled.

Description

"CLAMPING JAW TYPE PLUG COUPLING DEVICE"
* * * *
Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a jaw type plug coupling for providing a pressure-tight connection to a device having complementary connecting means. The device of this invention, also called "mandrel", can be applied, for example, to the end of a pipe under pressure and is manually operated in particular to connect a gas supply systems for vehicles to a fuel inlet plug of a gas tank on board gas-fuelled vehicles. State of the Art
Plug coupling devices of the type and for the use mentioned above are already known. Among them there is a plug coupling device or mandrel comprising a cylindrical body which defines an axial guide housing, a holed piston sliding in the housing of said body between a forward idle position and an active retracted coupling position to a corresponding plug connecting means, clamping jaws at the front end of the piston and usually open, and cam ramps inside the body to close the clamping jaws on the plug connecting means when the latter is matched with the piston.
The locking of the plug coupling device to the complementary plug connecting means through the clamping jaws is achieved by a backward movement of the piston in the cylindrical body, whereas release is achieved by a forward movement of the piston. In such a plug coupling device the movements of the piston may be achieved by manual mechanical systems, such as a lever or like, with or without the help of the thrust of the fluid under pressure flowing through it. However, the clamping jaws are integral with or applied directly to a front part of the piston and follow the movements of the piston inside the cylindrical body. Furthermore, the clamping jaws protrude from the front of the cylindrical body when the piston is in the forward release position. Objects and Summary of the Invention
One object of this invention is to provide a plug coupling device of the considered type, in which the clamping jaws are associated with a cylindrical body leaving, in this way, the front of the piston completely free for a correct connection to a respective connecting means.
Another object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device for the above mentioned use in which the clamping jaws remain motionless when the piston moves between the forward and retracted position with respect to the cylindrical body.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a plug coupling device in which the clamping jaws always remain surrounded and protected by the cylindrical body both in the locking and release positions, and the cam ramps for actuating the clamping jaws are on board an additional element surrounding the cylindrical body which guides the piston.
A further object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device including an innovative stop system of the clamping jaws in their closing position on the plug connecting means, which allows the piston to move freely on an axis with respect to the cylindrical body so as to adapt its position to that of the connecting means even in the presence of conspicuous differences in size and/or work tolerances compared to the nominal sizes of the components which require to be matched.
A still further object of the invention is to propose a plug coupling device having a stop system of the clamping jaws in their closing position, which is not influenced in any way neither radially or axially by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the device, so that the coupling and uncoupling actions of the device in relation to the connecting means can be carried out by hand, easily and without any apparent effort.
The above aims and implicit advantages which follow are achieved by a clamping jaw type plug coupling device in accodance with at least claim 1. Brief Description of the Drawings
The device of the invention will however be described in more detail in the description that follows made with reference to the attached, indicative and not limiting drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section view of the device in the idle position;
Fig. 2 shows, a longitudinal section view of the device and a related plug connecting means with the top half in the release or idle position and the lower half in an intermediate locking phase; and Fig. 3 shows an analogous section view to the one in Fig. 2, but with the top half in the release or idle position and the lower half in the locking position. Detailed Description of the Invention
Said drawings show a plug coupling device 11 and a plug connecting
means 12 which can be complementarily matched. The plug coupling device 11 comprises a cylindrical body 13 which contains a piston 14 and has externally a control sleeve 15 covered with a grip cover 16.
In its rear portion, the cylindrical body 13 is integrated with a connector 17 which forms an input chamber 18 which can be connected to a pipe - not shown- supplying a fluid under pressure to be fed through the device 11 and the connecting means 12 when matched.
Between connector 17 and the body 13 is a guide ring 20 provided with a seal 19 and formed with a valve seat 21 at one of its ends facing towards the input chamber 18. Internally, the cylindrical body 13 forms, with its front section 13' and together with the fixed guide ring 20, a first housing 22 in which the piston 14 is positioned with the possibility of sliding between a forward position and a retracted position in said body. An intermediate seal 23 is positioned at least between the piston 14 and the guide ring 20. Also to be noted that either the piston moves backwards and forwards in the body, the latter remaining still or the body moves forwards or backwards with the piston in this case remaining still.
Piston 14, has a conical zone 24 at the front which protrudes from the cylindrical body 13 and which is designed to be inserted into a corresponding inlet 25, located in a zone of the head of the plug connecting meams 12 in which a seal 26 is positioned to ensure a tight fit between the piston 14 and the connecting means 12 when they are matched.
In a rear zone of piston 14, which protrudes into the input chamber 18, there is a plugging element 27 in the shape of a nut, with an associated seal 28 which will rest against the valve housing 21 formed by the guide ring 20 to close it hermetically when the piston 14 is in the forward position in the body 13.
The piston 14 has an axial hole 29 which in front is open towards the connecting means 12, while at the rear it is in fluid communication with the radial holes 30 machined in the piston between the intermediate seal 23 and the closing seal 28 associated with the plugging element 27.
Once again, on the inside, the fixed cylindrical body 13 has, on a level with the front part of the piston 14, an annular recess 31 the diameter of which is slightly greater than the external diameter of the section of the head of the plug connecting means 12. Between the front portion 13' and the guide ring 20 which form the first housing 22 for the piston 14, the cylindrical body 13 has a second housing 32 in which a stop sleeve 33 is placed and movable axially with respect both to the piston and to the cylindrical body, between a blocking forward position and a release retracted position of the control sleeve 15 as will become clearly evident later in the description. A spring 34 positioned between the guide ring 20 and the movable stop sleeve 33 normally pushes the latter into said blocking position, in which, it rests and is stopped against a shoulder surface 35 at the front end of the second housing 32. The stop sleeve 33 is moved back into its release position by piston 14.
For this purpose, piston 14 has a periphery shoulder 36 able to intercept and push the stop sleeve 33 back when the piston retracts into the body starting
from its forward position.
The stop sleeve 33 has a peripheral groove 37 to interact with the blocking spheres 38 positioned in corresponding radial holes 39 provided in the walls of the cylindrical body 13 at the level with an intermediate part of the second housing 32. The blocking spheres 38 are floating in their respective holes 39 and protrude from these alternately towards the stop sleeve 33 and towards the external control sleeve 15. The blocking spheres 38 engages the peripheral groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 when the later is in the back release position and the control sleeve 15 when the stop sleeve is in the forward blocking position, the stop sleeve pushing, in this case, the spheres 38 towards the external of the holes 39, against the control sleeve 15.
The control sleeve 15 is composed of two parts, one rear part 15' and a front part 15", to enable the spheres 38 to be inserted in their respective radial holes 39. The two parts of the coupling are screwed together and can be covered on the outside by the grip cover 16.
The control sleeve 15 can move lengthwise along the cylindrical body 13 between a retracted idle position and a forward active position. A spring 40 placed between the body 13, or to be more precise, between the connector 17 and the control sleeve 15, normally pushes the latter into the active forward position when the piston is matched with the connecting means 12, that is to say when the piston is in the retracted position in the cylindrical body and the peripheral groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 is aligned with the blocking spheres 38. The control sleeve 15 is, on the other hand, moved back manually into the idle position against the action of the spring 40. This position is ensured by the blocking spheres when they are thrust radially to protrude by the stop sleeve.
The rear part 15' of the control sleeve 15 has an internal inclined plane 41 facing forwards and having three functions. It rests against the spheres 38 establishing the idle retracted position of the control sleeve 15 when the stop sleeve 33 is moved forward and the spheres 38 are pushed and kept protruding by the stop sleeve as stated above. When the piston and with it the bushing retract into the cylindrical body, the inclined plane 41 pushes the spheres towards the groove 37 in the stop sleeve. In this way the control sleeve is free to move forward into the active position; consequently the inclined plane 41 rests against a shoulder 42 provided around the cylindrical body 13 setting in this way the maximum forward movement of the control sleeve on the body itself and therefore its limit in a longitudinal direction.
A groove 43 is envisaged around the front part of the cylindrical body 13 to which are attached, or that is, are "fulcrumed" a number of clamping jaws 44, each with its own connecting section 44' and with the help of a spring 45 which envelopes them. The free end of these clamping jaws 44 protrude beyond the cylindrical body 13, remaining however surrounded by the control sleeve 15. They are able to move between an expanded open position and a contracted closed position according to the movements of the control sleeve 15 on the cylindrical body 13. On their free ends, the clamping jaws 44 each have at least one internal protrusion 46 to engage with at least one annular recess 47 around the plug connecting means 12 and an external thrust section 48 designed to interact with a radial cam surface 49 provided inside the control sleeve 15 following the movements of the latter between the idle retracted and active forward positions.
The piston 14 is stressed by a preloaded spring 50 positioned in the inlet chamber 18 and operating in the direction to maintain the piston itself in the forward position in the cylindrical body 13. In this position, the front part 24 of the piston 14 protrudes from the body 13; the seal 28 of the plugging member 27 rests against the valve seat 21 , closing it, and the radial holes 30 of the piston 14 are level with the guide ring 20 and are therefore obstructed and unable to communicate with the inlet chamber 18. This corresponds to the idle position of the plug coupling device 11 when it is uncoupled from the connection 12 as shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, in this idle position, the stop sleeve 33 is moved forward and blocks, through the spheres 38, the control sleeve in the idle retracted position which corresponds to the opening of the clamping jaws 44.
Starting from this position, the plug coupling device 11 can be coupled to its respective connecting means 12. To carry this out the front part 24 of the piston 14 must be introduced into the connecting means 12 and the device must be pushed in the direction of the latter. The guide and centring of the piston in the connecting means 12 is facilitated by the front recess 31 of the body 13. Consequently the piston 14 retracts into the cylindrical body 13, also moving the stop sleeve 33 back causing in order:
- the placing of the groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 level with the blocking spheres 38,
- the radial movement of the spheres 38 in said groove 37, pushed by the inclined plane 41 of control sleeve 15 stressed by the respective spring 40,
- moving forward into the active position of the control sleeve 15 until it engages with the clamping jaws 44 with the cam surface 49, that is to close said clamping jaws around the connecting means 12 level with the annular recess 47. The control sleeve 15, thrust by the spring 40, then remains in the forward clamping jaws closed position. On the other hand, with the retraction of the piston 14 into the body 13, and the connection of the device to the connecting means through the clamping jaws 44, the plugging member 27 and the relative seal 28 move away from the valve seat 21 to open it. Also, the radial holes 31 of the piston are positioned level with the inlet chamber 18 of the fluid. Thus this chamber will communicate with the connecting means through the axial hole 30 of the piston. The fluid that enters the inlet chamber can then pass through the holed piston towards the connecting means and from here to the tank to be filled. It should be pointed out that the piston can, on retracting into the body 13 until the groove 37 of the stop sleeve 33 is level with the spheres 38 and having in this way blocked the control sleeve 15 due to its moving forward into the active jaws closing position, move forward slightly under the thrust of the rear spring 50, the stop sleeve 33 remaining still, restrained by the spheres 38. In this way the piston is able to adapt its position to the connecting means and ensure the tight connection and seal between piston and connecting notwithstanding the dimensional tolerances and defects in the parts to be matched.
For the successive uncoupling of the device 11 from the connecting means, all that is needed is to manually move the control sleeve back into its idle position against the action of the spring 40. Due to this movement the cam surface 49 moves away from the external thrust section 48 of the clamping jaws 44 which, disengaged, can now open. At the same time, the rear part of the control sleeve 15 releases the spheres 38 which, thrust by the sleeve 33 stressed by the spring 34, move radially towards the outside into the initial locking position of the control sleeve in the idle position. The piston 14 moves forward thrust by the relative rear spring 50, causing the seal 28 of the plugging member 27 to rest against the valve seat 21 so as to close it, stopping the flow of the fluid in the device.

Claims

"CLAMPING JAW TYPE PLUG COUPLING DEVICE"
* * * *
CLAIMS 1. A plug coupling device for providing a pressure-tight connection to a device having complementary plug connecting means, comprising a cylindrical body (13) defining an inlet chamber (18) of a fluid under pressure and axial guide housing, a piston (14) sliding in said housing of said body between a forward idle position and a retracted active coupling position to a corresponding plug connecting means (12), clamping jaws
(44) normally in an open position, radial cam means (49) for closing the clamping jaws onto the connecting mans when said piston and connecting means are matched, the piston being normally held by a spring in the forward idle position and on moving into the active retracted position in response to the coupling to said connecting means, and having holes
(29,30) to place said fluid inlet chamber in fluid communication with said connecting means, characterised by the fact that:
- a control sleeve (15) is provided around the cylindrical body (13) and movable axially lengthwise along said body from an idle retracted position to an active forward position,
- the clamping jaws (44) are associated with said cylindrical body, oscillating between an open expanded position and a closed contracted position and enclosed by the control sleeve, and where
-the control sleeve (15) is normally stopped in the idle retracted position by mechanical locking means (33,38) when the piston is in the idle forward position and moves into the active position thrust by a spring (40) when the piston is in the active retracted coupling position to the connecting means and said locking means are neutralized, and
-the radial cam means (49) for closing the clamping jaws on the connecting means are inside said control sleeve and interact with the clamping jaws in order to close them when the control sleeve is in said forward active position.
2.The plug coupling device according to claim 1 , in which the clamping jaws (44) are fixed externally to the cylindrical body, are enveloped by a restraining spring and extend beyond the free end of the piston designed to be matched with the connection, and where said radial cam means (49) for closing the clamping jaws are on the internal surface of said control sleeve (15), the jaws having an internal protrusion (46) to engage with at least one annular recess (47) around the connecting means (12) and an external thrust section (48) to interact with said radial cam means (49) inside the control sleeve (15) in response to the movement of the control sleeve (15) from the idle retracted position and to the active forward position.
3. The plug coupling device according to claims 1 and 2, in which an annular recess (31) encircling the piston and designed to receive one part of the connecting means when matched with the piston, is provided at the front end of said cylindrical body (13).
4. The plug coupling device according to claim 1 , in which a valve seat at a rear end of the axial housing of the piston is provided to place the fluid inlet chamber in said body in communication with the holes in said piston, and in which the piston has a plugging member closing said valve seat so as to prevent the passage of fluid from said chamber to said holes when said piston is in the forward idle position and opening of said valve seat to allow the fluid to flow through the piston when the latter is retracted in the active position.
5. The plug coupling device according to the previous claims, in which said blocking means of the control sleeve in the idle retracted position include spheres (38) assembled and movable radially on the cylindrical body (13), and co-operating means in said body to receive said spheres in a blocking position for the movement of the control sleeve in the forward active position and to thrust said spheres in the block position of the control sleeve in its idle retracted position, said co-operating means being comprising a stop sleeve sliding along the piston and moving both together with and independently of said piston, and of a spring engaging said stop means to hold it in a thrust position of the spheres in the blocking position of the stop sleeve, the control sleeve having an inclined internal surface to engage said spheres to move them towards said control sleeve in the release position when the control sleeve moves forward into the active position.
EP04707280A 2003-02-12 2004-02-02 Clamping jaw type plug coupling device Withdrawn EP1592912A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBS20030014 2003-02-12
IT000014A ITBS20030014A1 (en) 2003-02-12 2003-02-12 CLAMP AND PRESSURE HOLDING COUPLING DEVICE.
PCT/IT2004/000035 WO2004072537A1 (en) 2003-02-12 2004-02-02 Clamping jaw type plug coupling device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1592912A1 true EP1592912A1 (en) 2005-11-09

Family

ID=32866041

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04707280A Withdrawn EP1592912A1 (en) 2003-02-12 2004-02-02 Clamping jaw type plug coupling device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1592912A1 (en)
IT (1) ITBS20030014A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004072537A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT502420B1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2007-08-15 Fronius Int Gmbh COUPLING DEVICE FOR A WATER VAPOR CUTTING DEVICE
JP4896070B2 (en) * 2008-04-30 2012-03-14 日東工器株式会社 Female joint member and male joint member
CN105953008B (en) * 2016-06-24 2019-02-15 中航光电科技股份有限公司 Female connector and the rapid connector component for using the female connector
CN114484118B (en) * 2022-01-28 2024-01-26 爱发科东方检测技术(成都)有限公司 Joint

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3039794A (en) * 1958-07-14 1962-06-19 On Mark Couplings Inc Quick disconnect coupling for high pressure fluids
GB1104697A (en) * 1964-05-04 1968-02-28 Lucas Industries Ltd Pipe couplings
US4685490A (en) * 1983-01-19 1987-08-11 Swagelok Company Coupling
DE9217629U1 (en) * 1992-07-17 1993-02-18 Weh GmbH, Verbindungstechnik, 7918 Illertissen Quick coupling
SE506405C2 (en) * 1996-03-22 1997-12-15 Nyberg Bo Erik Quick release with pressure relief for safe release
IT1295712B1 (en) * 1997-10-10 1999-05-27 Pres Block Spa TAKE-OFF BODY FOR A QUICK-RELEASE SAFETY COUPLING.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004072537A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004072537A1 (en) 2004-08-26
ITBS20030014A1 (en) 2004-08-13

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