GB2573103A

GB2573103A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2573103A
Application number: GB1806454.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nyfelt Leif
Original assignee: Cejn AB
Current assignee: Cejn AB
Priority date: 2018-04-20
Filing date: 2018-04-20
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-20
Also published as: SE1950459A1; GB2573103B; GB201806454D0; DE102019110060A1; SE543095C2

Abstract

A connector for connecting to a pipe, comprises a cylindrical central body 10, first body 20, second body 30, and elastic member 50. The central body comprises inner and outer sides 12, 14, first and second axial ends 16, 18, and passage 40. The first and second bodies are connected to the central body. The elastic member has first and second ends 52, 54, the first end being attached to the first axial end of the central body and the second end being attached to the second axial end of the central body. The elastic member is detached from the inner side of the central body, and the passage is in fluid communication with a volume 70 between the inner side and the elastic member. Each end of the elastic member can be clamped between the central body and the first and second bodies respectively. The elastic member can extend in a circumferential direction around the entire inner side of the central body. A method for attaching such a connector to a pipe 200, the pipe having any diameter between X and X/2, and the connector having an inner diameter (d) equal to X.

Description

Connector

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a connector and a method for attaching a connector to a pipe of various diameters. More particularly, the connector may be an air bag connector. More particularly, two connectors may be used to splice pipes.

Background

In the industry, such as for example testing equipment, there is a need to fast and easily make a connection to pipes of various diameters. For example, in the car industry where a few hundred car engines are made and tested per day, if a few minutes or even seconds can be saved in making connections, then time savings of several hours per day can be made. Materials such as hose clamps and tubes are also wasted during such connections where tubes are attached and removed. The pipes to which connections must be made may vary in sizes and in shapes. Ergonomic aspects for workers when making connections are also important considerations.

It is desirable to provide a connector that can easily and fast connect to pipes of various diameters and shapes, and that can overcome the above mentioned problems, but that is also inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to manufacture, easy to use, and is robust. The connector must also be able to be used with existing equipment in the industry. Parts that are worn out must easily be replaceable. The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for connecting to a pipe and a method for connecting the connector to a pipe. This object can be achieved by the features as defined by the independent claim. Further enhancements are characterised by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a connector for connecting to a pipe is disclosed. The connector comprises a central body (10), the body being cylindrical with an inner side (12), an outer side (14), a first axial end (16) and a second axial end (18), and the central body (10) comprising a passage (40). The connector comprises a first body (20) connected to the central body (10), a second body (30) connected to the central body (10), and an elastic member (50) comprising a first end (52) of the elastic member (50) and a second end (54) of the elastic member (50). The first end (52) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the second axial end (18) of the central body (10), the elastic member (50) is detached from the inner side (12) of the central body, and the passage (40) being in fluid communication with a volume (70) between the inner side (12) and the elastic member (50). Fluid entering the passage (40) into the volume (70) expands the elastic member (50) and allows, for example, a pipe to be held by the connector.

According to one embodiment, the first end (52) of the elastic member (50) is clamped between the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the first body (20), and wherein the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) is clamped between the second axial end (18) of the central body (10) and the second body (30). According to one embodiment, the elastic member (50) extends in a cylindrical and circumferential direction over the entire inner side (12) of the central body (10).

According to one embodiment, the first body (20) or the second body (30) is in the shape of a cylinder (34) with a flange (32) at one end, the flange being connected to the central body (10). According to one embodiment, the flange (30) extends inwardly of the inner side (12) of the central body (10) for stopping a pipe (200) to be inserted in the connector.

According to one embodiment, the first body (20) and the second body (30) are each connected by fastening means (e.g. bolts) to the central body (10). According to one embodiment, the elastic member is made out of rubber or silicon.

According to one embodiment, the connector further comprises a valve (100) for controlling fluid flow to the passage (40). According to one embodiment, the connector further comprises a port (60) attached to the central body (10), and a tube (90) between the port (60) and the valve (100). The valve (100) may be removable attached to the connector.

According to one embodiment, two connectors are combined and the two connectors are joined and facing away from each other.

According to one embodiment, a method for attaching a connector to a pipe is disclosed, the pipe having any diameter between X and X/2, and the connector having an inner diameter (d) equal to X. According to one embodiment, a method for attaching a connector according to any one of the embodiments above to a pipe having any diameter from and including 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) to and including 5.08 cm (2 inches) may comprise providing three such connectors. The first connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 5.08 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 5.08 cm (2 inches) to 2.54 cm (1 inch); the second connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 2.54 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 1.27 cm (1/2 inch); and the third connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 1.27 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 1.27 cm (1/2 inch) to 0.635 cm (1/4 inch). The method may comprise further selecting one of the three connectors that has the same or a larger diameter and is closest in diameter to the pipe; inserting the pipe into the connector; and providing fluid to the passage to inflate the elastic member. The providing of fluid to the passage may comprise providing compressed fluid of 150000 Pa (1.5 bar) or more.

According to one embodiment, the method of using the two connectors may comprise using the two connectors to splice a pipe or join pipes.

At least one of the above embodiments provides one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages with the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application obtain only a subset of the advantages set forth. No one advantage is critical to the embodiments. Any claimed or described embodiment may be technically combined with any other claimed or described embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cut of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a part of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cut through of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGs. 2 and 3 are a diagrammatic illustration of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector is suitable to be connected to pipes, such as posts, hose posts, nipples, sleeves, spigots, couplings, etc. For example, testing parts of a motor, such as test benches for engines, involves making connections to pipes of the motor and these pipes vary in shape and diameters. With at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector can connect to a variety of diameters and shapes. With just a few connectors with each a different diameter a large variations of pipe diameters from and including 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) to and including 5.08 cm (2 inches) can be connected to. Not using, and not be limited by a connector using, balls, hooks, screws, clamps, etc. allows for adaptation and connections to any kind of pipe.

The easy use and operation of the connector using a fluid such as, for example, air or liquid allows for a flexible integration into existing industry. Using compressed air or hydraulic fluid to expand the elastic member to engage the pipe is very convenient because it is normally readily available. The easy handling and operating of the connector result in a very ergonomic connector.

According to FIGs. 1 to 4, and at least one embodiment disclosed herein, a connector for connecting to a pipe is disclosed. The connector comprises a central body (10), the central body (10) being cylindrical with an inner side (12), an outer side (14), a first axial end (16), and a second axial end (18). The central body (10) is substantially cylindrical in shape. The central body may have a rectangular profile and may be made out of metal. The central body (10) may have openings for attachment means, such as for example bolts. The openings may be symmetrically and circumferentially arranged around the central body (10) facing each of the first axial end (16) and the second axial end (18). The central body (10) comprising a passage (40). The passage (40) may be for a fluid, such as air, compressed air, oil, hydraulic fluid, etc. The passage (40) may extend all the way through the central body (10) in the radial direction. It may lead fluid through the central body (10), between the inner side (12) and the outer side (14).

The connector has a first body (20) connected to the central body (10) and a second body (30) connected to the central body (10). The first body (20) and the second body (30) are each substantially cylindrical in shape. The first and second bodies may have a rectangular profile and may be made out of metal. The first and second bodies may have openings for attachment means, such as for example bolts. The openings may be symmetrically and circumferentially arranged around each the first body (20) and the second body (30). Hereby the first body (20) and the second body (30) can be connected to the central body (10), for example by attachment means, such as for example bolts.

The connector has an elastic member (50) comprising a first end (52) of the elastic member (50) and a second end (54) of the elastic member (50). The first end (52) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the second axial end (18) of the central body (10). The elastic member (50) is detached from the inner side (12) of the central body, and the passage (40) being in fluid communication with a volume (70) between the inner side (12) and the elastic member (50). In this way the elastic member may be inflated, expanded, by fluid entering the passage (40) and filling the volume (70) between the inner side (12) and the elastic member (50). In this way the elastic member (50) is expanded inwardly and the connector may clamp onto a pipe, as for example illustrated in FIG 4. From this FIG 4 it may be taken that the pipe (200) has an irregular shape and that therefore the elastic member (50) expands, moves away from the inner side (12) differently over the axial length of the connector. A technical effect of having the first end (52) of the elastic member (50) attached to the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) attached to the second axial end (18) of the central body (10), is that the elastic member (50) does not roll when inflated and when an axial force acts on the connected pipe. If the elastic member (50) would be in the shape of, for example, a tube or a ball, then such an elastic tube tends to roll, rotate, in relation to the central body (10) and this does not allow for a good clamping force, especially not for holding the clamped pipe against axial forces. Consequently, embodiments of the present disclosure have an improved axial holding force and clamping force compared with other air bag connectors.

According to one embodiment, the first end (52) of the elastic member (50) may be clamped between the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the first body (20), and the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) may be clamped between the second axial end (18) of the central body (10) and the second body (30). Fastening means, such as bolt or clamps, may be used to hold the first and second ends of the elastic member (50) between the first body (20) and the central body (10) on one side and the second body (30) and the central body (10) on the other side. Such clamping holds the elastic member in the connector in an easy and effective was, and allows for convenient exchange of worn features, especially the elastic member (50).

According to one embodiment, the elastic member (50) may extend in a cylindrical and circumferential direction over the entire inner side (12) of the central body (10). A radial cut through the elastic member (50) may show the U-shape as illustrated by FIGs 1 and 4. The centre of the U may cover the inner side (12) of the central body (10), while the two sides of the U may extend in the radial direction, being clamped as described above. By covering the complete inner side (12), instead of only partly, the connector may effectively connect to pipes.

According to one embodiment, the first body (20) or the second body (30) may be in the shape of a cylinder (34) with a flange (32) at one end, the flange being connected to the central body (10). In FIG. 1 this is illustrated by the second body (30) being in the shape of a cylinder (34) with a flange (32). According to a further embodiment, the flange (30) may extend inwardly of the inner side (12) of the central body (10) for stopping a pipe (200) to be inserted in the connector. This allows proper alignment and positioning of the connector to a pipe (200).

According to one embodiment, the first body (20) and the second body (30) may each be connected by fastening means to the central body (10). The fastening means may be, for example, bolts, screws, clamps, holders, plugs, etc.

According to one embodiment, the elastic member (50) may be made out of rubber or silicon. The elastic member (50) may be made of entirely, or party of, Nitrile rubber, NBR.

According to one embodiment, the connector may further comprise a valve (100) for controlling fluid flow to the passage (40). Such a valve (100) may be an electric valve or it may be a hand operated valve, such as a rotating valve. Such a valve allows for swift and ergonomic handling of the connector to connect to pipes.

According to one embodiment, the connector may further comprise a port (60) attached to the central body (10), and a tube (90) between the port (60) and the valve (100). The tube (90) may be long so that the valve (100) is far away from the connector, or the tube may be short so that the valve (100) is close to the connector. The tube (90) and the valve (100) may be arranged such that the operation of the connector can be made with one single hand. This would allow for a very efficient handling and ergonomics of connecting the connector to pipes. According to one embodiment, the valve (100) may be removable attached to the connector. According to one embodiment, the valve may be on the central body (10), for example directly attached to the passage (40).

According to one embodiment, a method for attaching a connector to a pipe (200) is disclosed. The connector may be any one embodiment of the connector described herein. The pipe may have any diameter between and/or including X and X/2, the connector having an inner diameter (d) being equal to X (or slightly larger). The inner diameter (d) is illustrated in FIG 1 and is the diameter between the inside of the elastic material when the elastic material is against the inner side (12) of the central body (10). X may be any number. For example, if X is 3, then the pipe (200) has a diameter of 3 (for example 3 cm). A connector having an inner diameter (d) of 3 may then connect, clamp on to, pipes with any diameter from and including 1.5 to and including 3.

According to one embodiment, a method, according to the embodiment given above, or according to any one embodiment of the connector described herein, for attaching the connector to a pipe (200) having any diameter from and including 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) to and including 5.08 cm (2 inches). The method comprises providing three connectors as follows. The first connector having an inner diameter (d) of, about, 5.08 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 5.08 cm (2 inches) to 2.54 cm (1 inch). The second connector having an inner diameter (d) of, about, 2.54 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 1.27 cm (1/2 inch). The third connector having an inner diameter (d) of, about, 1.27 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 1.27 cm (1/2 inch) to 0.635 cm (1/4 inch). The method may further comprise selecting one of the three connectors that has the same or a larger diameter and is closest in diameter to the pipe; inserting the pipe into the connector; and providing fluid to the passage to inflate the elastic member. The fluid provided may be air or liquid. When inserting the pipe into to connector, the pipe may be inserted all the way in so that the pipe contacts the flange (32) of the first or second body (20, 30). This provides for a swift and easy way of making a connection with any size of pipe with a diameter of 1/4-4 inches with only three connectors.

According to one embodiment, the providing of fluid to the passage comprises providing compressed fluid of 150000 Pa (1.5 bar) or more. The fluid may be air or liquid.

According to one embodiment, two connectors may be joined and facing away from each other. That is, the openings of the two connectors where a pipe may be inserted are facing in opposite directions. Hereby a broken pipe can be spliced, by joining the broken pipe by inserting each broken end in one of the two opening of the two connectors. According to one embodiment, the two connectors may be used to splice a pipe or join pipes. In this way two interconnected connectors, facing away from each other, may be used to repair a broken pipe swiftly.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed above. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed connectors and methods. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

List of elements 10 a central body 12 an inner side 14 an outer side 16 a first axial end 18 a second axial end 20 a first body 30 a second body 32 a flange 34 a cylinder 40 a passage 50 an elastic member 52 a first end of the elastic member 54 a second end of the elastic member 60 a port 70 a volume 90 a tube 100 a valve 200 a pipe

Claims

Claims 1 A connector for connecting to a pipe, the connector comprising a central body (10), the body being cylindrical with an inner side (12), an outer side (14), a first axial end (16) and a second axial end (18), the central body (10) comprising a passage (40); a first body (20) connected to the central body (10); a second body (30) connected to the central body (10); and an elastic member (50) comprising a first end (52) of the elastic member (50) and a second end (54) of the elastic member (50); wherein the first end (52) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) is attached to the second axial end (18) of the central body (10), the elastic member (50) is detached from the inner side (12) of the central body, and the passage (40) being in fluid communication with a volume (70) between the inner side (12) and the elastic member (50). 2 The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first end (52) of the elastic member (50) is clamped between the first axial end (16) of the central body (10) and the first body (20), and wherein the second end (54) of the elastic member (50) is clamped between the second axial end (18) of the central body (10) and the second body (30). 3 The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic member (50) extends in a cylindrical and circumferential direction over the entire inner side (12) of the central body (10). 4 The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first body (20) or the second body (30) is in the shape of a cylinder (34) with a flange (32) at one end, the flange being connected to the central body (10). 5 The connector according to claim 4, wherein the flange (30) extends inwardly of the inner side (12) of the central body (10) for stopping a pipe (200) to be inserted in the connector. 6 The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first body (20) and the second body (30) are each connected by fastening means to the central body (10). 7 The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein elastic member is made out of rubber or silicon. 8 The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a valve (100) for controlling fluid flow to the passage (40). 9 The connector according to claim 8, further comprising a port (60) attached to the central body (10), and a tube (90) between the port (60) and the valve (100). 10 The connector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the valve (100) is removable attached to the connector. 11 Two connectors, each according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the two connectors are joined and facing away from each other. 12 Method for attaching a connector according to claim 1 to a pipe (200), the pipe having any diameter between X and X/2, the connector having an inner diameter (d) equal to X. 13 Method according to claim 12, or independently, for attaching a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to a pipe having any diameter from and including 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) to and including 5.08 cm (2 inches), the method comprising: providing three connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 10 as follows: the first connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 5.08 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 5.08 cm (2 inches) to
2.54 cm (1 inch); the second connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 2.54 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 1.27 cm (1/2 inch); and the third connector having an inner diameter (d) of (about) 1.27 cm and being suitable for pipes of the diameter of 1.27 cm (1/2 inch) to 0.635 cm (1/4 inch); selecting one of the three connectors that has the same or a larger diameter and is closest in diameter to the pipe; inserting the pipe into the connector; and providing fluid to the passage to inflate the elastic member. 14 The method according to claim 13, wherein the providing of fluid to the passage comprises providing compressed fluid of 150000 Pa (1.5 bar) or more. 15 A method of using the two connectors according to claim 11, wherein the two connectors are used to splice a pipe or pipes.