Patent Application
20200166162
The invention relates to a pipe and/or hose connector and a method of using the same in joining pipes and/or hoses, particularly in relation to permanent joints.
It is important when connecting conduits, such as pipes and/or hoses, that the flow rate through those pipes known and predictable so that flow can be calculated and anticipated, particularly where high pressure fluid passes therethrough. If turbulence is created in the pipes, additional energy may be required to overcome the increased drag due to turbulence. Therefore, it is desirable to have known internal surface profiles on the conduits.
When connecting pipes, various systems have been previously proposed. One such system employs machined grooves or rolled grooves at the end of pipes. A releasable housing with a gasket within the housing is then employed and the housing engages the grooves of the pipes and, by use of bolts, holds the ends of the pipes in place. With the housing being relatively heavy and the need to tighten the bolts, the system is time-consuming to install, particularly where a large number of joints are required. Furthermore, due to the cost of the parts for the housing and the machining involved in constructing those parts, such systems can be expensive.
Other systems for joining such pipes have been proposed, for example, one such system employs a tubular ferrule having inwardly protruding teeth. The ferrule is positioned on the end of two pipes and swaged such that the teeth bite into the pipes and compress them, thereby creating a join. However, the use of such a system results in the compression of the pipe ends during the swaging process, thereby creating distortion of the internal surface of the joined pipes, wherein the distortion may be unpredictable, thereby leading to unexpected turbulence.
A further solution for connecting pipes is to weld them. However, welding involves the use of hot work and may employ hazardous materials and create hazardous fumes. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid such a process.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a conduit connecting ferrule comprising a tubular structure having a first end and a second end in fluid communication with one another, wherein the first end is provided with at least one inwardly directed protrusion extending from the internal wall of the tubular structure into the inside of the ferrule and the second end is provided with at least one inwardly directed protrusion extending from the internal wall of the tubular structure wall into the inside of the ferrule. The invention is also directed to a joint comprising the ferrule and two conduits connected by that ferrule, as herein described.
Preferably, the end of the at least one inwardly directed protrusion distal from the internal wall of the tubular structure is provided with a flattened end surface, and, more preferably, all of the inwardly directed protrusions are provided with a flattened end surface. The use of a flattened, which can be positioned inside a corresponding groove on a pipe end reduces the risk of the protrusion contacting and/or penetrating the external wall of the pipes that are being joined, thus reducing the risk of deformation of the internal surface of the pipe.
Advantageously, the at least one inwardly projected protrusion is at least partially annular and, it may be further advantageous that the annular inwardly projected protrusion is continuous and extends around the inner surface of the outer wall, or, alternatively, wherein the annular inwardly projected protrusion comprises at least one segment extending about the inner surface of the outer wall with a gap between its ends. Employing an annular protrusion that extends partially or wholly around the internal surface of the ferrule improves the resistance of the ferrule to axial movement of the pipes, when in use to movement of the pipes away from one another.
In one construction, an elastomeric seal is provided adjacent one side of the at least one inwardly directed protrusion and, in a further construction, an elastomeric seal is provided adjacent both sides of the protrusion(s) of the first end and/or adjacent each side of the protrusion(s) of the second end. Arranging an elastomeric seal on one or both sides of the protrusion assists with the reduction of leakage from the joined pipes.
The invention extends to a method of connecting two conduits comprising the steps of;
The process aligns the locking protrusion inside the groove of the conduit, thus forming a secure and permanent joint. Furthermore, the inside of the conduits is smooth, or uncontoured, and thus reduces the risk of turbulent flow therethrough. By avoiding deformation of the conduit, the method and associated joint provides a secure connection between conduits, without disrupting flow, thereby giving a smoother flow to fluid passing through the conduits. The internal surface of the conduit is, preferably, straight and/or uniform in order to reduce turbulence, that is, it does not deviate from its original shape after the process of connecting the conduits within the ferrule.
The method of the present invention reduces the risk of the internal surface of the pipes being joined becoming unpredictably distorted, thereby giving conduits joined by the system of the present invention a more predictable flow therethrough. Additionally, the method removes the need for hot work, thus making the connection of pipes safer and reducing the explosion risks, hazardous fumes and the need for hazardous materials to be employed. Additionally, whilst welding heat might cause brittleness or corrosion implications, the method of the present invention is less susceptible to such issues and also results in a substantially tamper proof and lead-free connection without the loosening problems associated with threaded components.
The swaging device is intended to be a separate tool or part that is removed from the finished joint, rather than a part retained thereupon. This reduces the number of parts required in the final joint.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The ferrule 10, shown in
In the first position, the first conduit 20 and the second conduit 22 are inserted into the ferrule 10. The diameter of the ferrule 10 is such that the conduits 20 and 22 fit within the ferrule 10 and some radial clearance 24 is present between the ferrule 10 and the conduits 20 and 22. The protrusions 16 on the ferrule 10 are aligned with the grooves 20a and 22a of the conduits 20 and 22. Once the protrusions 16 are aligned with the grooves 20a and 22a, the ferrule 10 is swaged, which removes the clearance 24, and the arrangement is put into the second position as shown in the second Figures (2b, 3b and 4b). Post-swaging, the diameter of the ferrule 10 is reduced, thereby repositioning the protrusion 16 within the respective groove 20a and 22a. As a result of the protrusions 16 being received within the respective grooves 20a and 22a, the axial movement of the conduits 20 and 22 is restricted such that they cannot be disconnected. Thus, the conduits 20 and 22 are held together.
a show a similar arrangement to that shown in the preceding Figures, wherein a ferrule 10d is provided, which comprises two inwardly extending protrusions 16d. A recess 30 is provided on each side of each protrusion 16d such that each protrusion 16d is arranged between two of the recesses 30. Seals 32, preferably in the form of elastomeric O-rings, are positioned into each seal recess 30. A first conduit 20 and second conduit 22 are inserted into the ferrule 10d, with each conduit having a respective groove 20a adjacent its end. The ferrule 10d is then swaged so that the protrusions 16d are received within the grooves 20a. During the swaging process, the seals 32 are compressed to provide a fluid-tight seal to reduce the risk of fluid escaping through the ferrule 10d.
Each conduit 20 and 22 is provided with two grooves that correspond to the positions of the protrusions 16e of the ferrule. Either side of the recesses of the respective conduits 20 and 22 are recesses with seals 32e located therein. The protrusions 16e, post swaging and as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The shape of the protrusion 16 may be adapted according to the requirement and the groove in the respective conduits. Therefore, its profile may vary and it may comprise parallel sides.
Whilst it is envisaged that the protrusion may comprise a pointed-tip that can penetrate into the conduit, it is preferable that the end of the protrusion is flat so spread any pressure and reduce the risk of the internal surface of the conduit deforming.
Any number of grooves in the conduit and protrusions in the ferrule may be used. For example, it may be desirable to employ more grooves and protrusions in high-pressure conduits (6000 psi) and fewer in low-pressure conduits (1000 psi).
The present invention provides a joint wherein the pipes, or conduits, comprise grooves in their external surface and protrusions of a ferrule are received into those grooves, but do not bite into or deform the pipes. Adjacent the grooves of the conduits and/or the protrusions of the ferrule, there may also be recesses in the ferrule or the conduits to receive elastomeric O-ring seals. This creates a seal that prevents longitudinal movement of the pipes relative to the ferrule without causing damage to the pipes that might affect the flow therethrough. A method employed to create this joint comprises swaging the ferrule around the conduits to relocate the protrusions from a position outside the grooves to be received within the grooves.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1513069.3 | Jul 2015 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2016/052210 | 7/21/2016 | WO | 00 |
