Patent Grant
10378210
The use of concrete as a building material is widely known as is its fundamental strength is in compression and its weakness is in tension. It is very desirable in many construction applications to utilize materials which can withstand both compressive and tensile forces. As concrete is typically unable to resist tensile forces, some type of tensile reinforcement must be utilized with the concrete.
Pre-stressed concrete utilizes reinforcement by high strength steel which is pre-stressed within the concrete thereby providing active tensile reinforcement within the concrete versus the passive reinforcement which resulted with the traditional, rebar-reinforced concrete. Such active reinforcement has been found to dramatically extend the range of applications where concrete can be used.
In a typical tendon tensioning anchor assembly used in post-tensioning operations, a pair of anchors is used for anchoring the ends of the tendons suspended there between. In the course of installing the tendon tensioning anchor assembly in a concrete structure, a hydraulic jack or the like is attached to one of the exposed ends of the tendon for applying a predetermined amount of tension to the tendon. When the desired amount of tension is applied to the tendon, a wedge, threaded nuts or the like, are used to capture the tendon and, as the jack is removed from the tendon, to prevent its relaxation and hold it in its stressed condition.
Metallic components within concrete structures may become exposed to many corrosive elements, such as water, de-icing chemicals, sea water, salt water, brackish water, or spray from these sources. Wire cable corrosion is a significant concern in post tension systems. If this occurs, and the exposed portions of the anchor suffer corrosion, then the anchor may become weakened due to this corrosion. The deterioration of the anchor can cause the tendons to slip, thereby losing the compressive effects on the structure, or the anchor can fracture. Also, tendon failure can occur due to water intrusion into the interstices between the tendon and is typically concentrated at tendon ends or anchors. This can cause a premature failure of the post-tensioning system and a deterioration of the structure.
Tendon failure can occurs at portions of the tendon remote from the anchor if it is damaged during installation. The installation of tendons typically occurs in a rugged construction environment where the tendons can be damaged by equipment, careless handling and contact with various site hazards. When the elastomeric sheath is punctured, a water leak path contacting the wire tendon is established. The puncture must be patched to resist water intrusion between the sheath and tendon.
Tendon corrosion typically occurs near the post-tension anchors because the outer sheath is removed from the wire tendon at such locations. To protect the bare wire from corrosion, protective tubes are connected to the anchor and are filled with grease or other corrosion preventative material. This conventional practice is demonstrated by different post-tension systems. Some conventional approaches attempt to create a water tight seal between portions of an encapsulated anchor and the tendon, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,185; 6,023,894; and 6,883,280.
Unfortunately, these conventional systems do not prevent water intrusion in all circumstances due to tendons and their sheathing lacking dimensional integrity. Tendons can come from a wide variety of manufactures with large tolerances in outside diameter of the tendon and its protective sheath. Due to the wide variety of tendon dimensions for a nominal size, conventional seal arrangements designed to fit the largest diameter tendons, lack sufficient sealing on lowest diameter tendons of the same nominal thickness. Additional factors potentially causing seal problems include shrinkage and/or other dimensional changes of the sheath, encapsulation, sealing materials, or any combination thereof.
A need exists for an improved post-tension system which better resists corrosion than conventional technology. The system should be compatible with existing installation procedures and should resist the risk of water intrusion into contact with internal tendon wires.
One aspect of the invention relates to a method of sealing a tubular extension and a sheath of a concrete tensioning tendon. The method includes placing a seal on the sheath; moving the seal adjacent an end of the extension while the extension overlaps a portion of the sheath; and compressing the seal into engagement with the extension and the sheath with a seal activating member to seal the sheath and the extension. The method can further include coupling the seal activating member to a portion of the extension to retain the seal in place, wherein coupling can include threading the seal activing member onto the extension. In some embodiments, the tubular extension is part of an encapsulate anchor assembly. In other embodiments, the tubular extension is part of a splice or patch.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fixing a relative location of a sheath of a concrete tensioning tendon and a tubular extension of a concrete tensioning component. The method includes placing a gripping member on the sheath; moving the gripping member adjacent an end of the extension while the extension overlaps a portion of the sheath; and compressing the gripping member into engagement with the extension and the sheath with a compression member to inhibit relative movement between the sheath and the tubular extension. The method can further include coupling the compression member to a portion of the extension to hold the gripping member in place. In some embodiments, the tubular extension is part of an encapsulate anchor assembly. In other embodiments, the tubular extension is part of a splice or patch.
Another aspect of the invention includes a seal assembly for sealing a tubular extension of a concrete stressing component and a sheath of a concrete stressing tendon. The seal assembly includes a seal dimensioned and configured to extend around a circumference of the sheath and adapted to engage an end of the tubular extension while a portion of the sheath is contained within the tubular extension; and a seal activating member adapted to compress the seal into engagement with the extension and the sheath to seal the sheath and the extension. In some embodiments, the seal includes an annular elastic member such as an o-ring, ferrule, or the like. Also, in some embodiments, the seal activating member includes fastener, which can include a threaded fastener, and more particularly, a self-tapping nut. In some embodiments, the concrete stressing component includes an encapsulated anchor assembly, wherein the extension is coupled to the encapsulated anchor assembly, and wherein the seal assembly inhibits fluid from entering a distal end of the extension relative to the encapsulated anchor assembly. In other embodiments, the concrete stressing component includes a splice, wherein the tubular extension extends over exposed tendon from a first portion of sheath to a second portion of sheath.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a splice for sealing a discontinuity in a sheath of a concrete tensioning tendon. The splice includes a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a tubular body extending from the first end to the second end; a first seal assembly adapted to be coupled to the first end of the sleeve and seal the first end of the sleeve and the sheath, the first seal assembly adapted to be coupled to the first end of the sleeve and seal the second end of the sleeve and the sheath and a second seal assembly adapted to be coupled to the second end of the sleeve and seal the second end of the sleeve and the sheath. Each seal assembly includes a seal dimensioned and configured extend around the circumference of the sheath and adapted to sealingly engage the end of the sleeve; and a seal fixation member adapted to compress the seal into engagement with the end of the sleeve and the sheath to seal the sheath and the end of the sleeve. Some embodiments include a split sleeve positioned between the sleeve and the sheath.
Another aspect of the invention relates to an encapsulated anchor assembly having a seal with a concrete stressing tendon sheath. The encapsulated anchor assembly including an anchor having a bore adapted to receive and hold a wire tendon in tension; encapsulation substantially surrounding the anchor to inhibit fluid from contacting the anchor, the encapsulation having an extension defining a bore substantially axially aligned with the anchor bore and adapted to receive a portion of the sheath; a compressible seal adapted to engage a distal end of the extension and the sheath; and a compression member adapted to compress the compressible seal into sealing engagement with the distal end of the extension and the sheath. In some embodiments, the compressible seal includes an annular elastic member axially compressed between the extension and the compression member to cause radial deformation of the annular elastic member resulting in engagement with the annular elastic member and the sheath. The annular elastic member can include an o-ring, ferrule-shaped seal, and the like. In some embodiment, the compression member includes a nut threadedly engaged with the extension, application of the threaded engagement causing compression of the annular elastic member between the nut and extension. In some embodiments, the seal is provided with an annular tapered outer surface extending from a largest diameter proximate the rear portion to a smallest diameter proximate the front portion to allow the seal to be wedged between the sheath and the interior surface of the extension. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the extension is provided with an annular tapered surface extending from a largest diameter proximate the end of the extension to a smallest diameter inward from the end of the extension. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the extension is provided with at least one internally projecting circumferential rib proximate the distal end of the extension, the rib being adapted to engage and compress the annular tapered surface of the ferrule against the sheath.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of sealing an encapsulated anchor assembly and a sheath of a concrete stressing tendon engaging the encapsulated anchor. The method includes inserting the tendon into the encapsulated anchor, the encapsulated anchor having a main body portion substantially surrounding the anchor and an extension coupled to the main body portion and extending from the main body portion, the main body portion being formed from a first material and the extension being formed from a second material, the second material being substantially more compressible and flexible compared to the first material; arranging the sheath of the tendon to be in an overlapped engagement with the extension; activating a compressing member against the distal end of the extension; and compressing the distal end of the extension against the sheath to form a in response to activating the compressing member. In some embodiments, the compressing member includes a threaded fastener, and wherein activating includes threading the threaded fastener onto the distal end of the extension. In some embodiments, the threaded fastener includes a self-tapping nut having a front portion, a rear portion, and a threaded bore extending between the front portion and the rear portion, the threaded bore having an annular tapered inner surface extending from a largest diameter proximate the front portion to a smallest diameter proximate the rear portion, and wherein compressing includes further threading the front portion of the self-tapping nut onto the distal end of the extension resulting in the annular tapered inner surface of the bore to engage the distal end and increasing compressive force to the distal end with each rotation of the self-tapping nut. In some embodiments, the compressing member includes a band clamp, and wherein activating includes squeezing the band clamp to increase the diameter of the band clamp, positioning the band clamp in a position on the extension in which the extension overlaps the sheath, releasing the band clamp in the position.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a seal assembly for sealing and providing visual indication of a sealing engagement between tubular extension of a concrete stressing component and a sheath of a concrete stressing tendon. The seal assembly includes a seal dimensioned and configured to extend around a circumference of the sheath and adapted to engage an end of the tubular extension while a portion of the sheath is contained within the tubular extension; and a seal activating member adapted to compress the seal into engagement with the extension and the sheath to seal the sheath and the extension, wherein the seal activing member has an at least translucent portion allowing visual indication of compression of the seal by the seal activating member.
Further aspects of the present invention, together with the organization and operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected,” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Finally, as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other alternative mechanical configurations are possible, and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
One aspect of the present invention relates to improved methods and devices for preventing water intrusion (or other corrosive fluids or elements) on the corrosive core of a tendon when the jacket or sheath around the tendon has been breached. Such breaches can occur in many locations as noted above, and they can happen intentionally, such as at an anchor assembly, or unintentionally, such as unintentional damage to the sheath mid-run (i.e., between anchor assemblies).
Because wire strands 12 are circular in cross-section, spaces between adjacent wire strands 12 and center wire 14 are cumulatively identified as cable interior interstices 20. As shown in
The anchor body 26 can include many constructions known in the art. As illustrated, the anchor body 26 includes a base 30 having an aperture 32 extending through the base 30.
The encapsulation 28 includes an anchor body portion 34 engaged with the anchor body and cylindrical extension 36 extending from the anchor body 26 to an end 38 distal from base 30. The distal end 38 is preferably at least four inches distal from base 30, however shorter or longer lengths are possible to satisfy the objectives of the invention. In some embodiments, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,280, the extension 36 is integrally molded with the anchor body portion 34 of the encapsulation. In other embodiments, the extension 36 forming the seal with the tendon can be separately coupled to the anchor assembly and be formed of one or more pieces, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,894, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
As further illustrated in
As illustrated, the seal 40 is located on the inner surface of cylindrical extension 36. The seal 40 can be formed an shaped many different ways, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,280, which is hereby incorporated by reference relative to the construction of the seal. The seal 40 can include one or more rings for contacting the exterior surface of tendon 10 and for providing a liquid tight engagement there between. The ring(s) can comprise a molded feature on an inner surface of cylindrical extension or can comprise a separate component (o-ring) assembled with the contact end 38. The ring(s) can comprise a simple ring feature or can comprise a compound shape. The ring(s) can be angled in a selected direction to facilitate insertion of the tendon 10 there through while resisting withdrawal of the tendon 10 from engagement.
By integrally molding extension 36 into base 30 and by reducing the size of shaped aperture 32, void spaces within the anchor interior are substantially eliminated. An integral extension 36 reduces the zone of encapsulation proximate to engagement between slips and the tendon 10, thereby reducing the possibility of intrusion of corrosive elements into contact with the exposed wire strands 12. Additionally, the extension 36 provides an integral seal connection between base 30 and the exterior surface of the tendon 10. The extension 36 also permits such point of connection to be distal from base 30, thereby providing potential gripping strength over a larger surface area than is possible within the relatively small surface area provided by base 30.
As noted in the Background, conventional extensions 36 with friction fit or interference fit style of seals located near or at the distal end 38 of the extension can fail to provide appropriate sealing engagement or fluid penetration resistance in some situations, which is unacceptable. As discussed above, this problem is prevalent when a tendons thickness is on the lower end of a nominal thickness.
As shown in greater detail in
As illustrated, the taper 50 can be linear (when viewed in cross-section) or conical in shape. In some embodiments, the taper can be slightly curved (when viewed in cross-section) either parabolic or hyperbolical in shape.
As illustrated, the taper can be positioned at the distal end 38 as illustrated, or it can start slightly inward from the distal end 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the taper in the axial direction stops short of the inner seal 40. In other embodiments, the taper can extend to the seal 40. In such an embodiment, the taper could end at the apex or radially innermost portion of the seal 40. In some embodiments, the inner seal 40 can be eliminated.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The seal member 58 can be made of many different materials to provide the sealing engagement discussed above. In one embodiment, the seal member 58 is made from elastomeric material such as any rubber material, saturated or unsaturated, or other polymers having rubber-like elasticity.
The seal member 58 can also be configured many different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the illustrated seal member 58 can be described as an annular seal member, or more particularly an elastomeric ferrule. In other embodiments, as described in greater details below, the seal member 58 can be an o-ring.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment shown in
As illustrated best in
In some embodiments, the ferrule 58 is forced between the extension 36 and the sheath 16 with a tool dimensioned and configured to engage the shoulder and apply sufficient force to seat the shoulder 70 against the end of the extension. Such a tool could be semi-circular to extend around the tendon 10 and engage the shoulder 70. A seating force could be applied to the tool and shoulder 70 with a hammer or other similar device. In an embodiment such as this, the friction force created by the interference fit may be sufficient to hold and maintain the fluid tight seal.
In other embodiments, such as the one illustrated in
In some embodiments, the extension 36 can be manufactured with corresponding threads for engagement with the nut 60. However, in the illustrated embodiment, only the nut 60 is provided with self-tapping threads 72. As the nut 60 is turned, the self-tapping threads engage the outer surface of the extension 36 and thread into the surface. The nut 60 is provided with a maximum diameter bore of a sufficient dimension to receive and engage the extension 36. The nut 60 of some embodiments, such as is illustrated, is also provided with a radially inwardly extending shoulder 74 adapted to engage the shoulder 70 of the ferrule 58, and the inner diameter of the shoulder slightly greater than the diameter of the tendon 10 sheath 16.
Externally, the nut 60 can include relatively small wrench engaging flats, relatively larger hand engaging flats, or a textured surface for hand engagement and threading. In use in the intended field, workers may be wearing gloves and may have grease on their hands when working with the nut 60. As such, it may be advantageous for hand threading purposes to have an external surface with one or more wings, like a wing nut.
In other embodiments, the seal activation/fixation member 60 can be other activation or fixation devices known in the art. For example, other fasteners, such as threaded fasteners or quick connect devices like a bayonet fitting can be utilized provide either or both functions of activating the seal (i.e., pushing the ferrule into the space between the extension 36 and the tendon 10) and fixing or securing the seal in place. An example of a bayonet fitting can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,871, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Similarly, other quick disconnect fitting can utilized, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,526 (Quick disconnect assembly); U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,968 (Quick disconnect coupling with ring detent); U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,360 (Snap Lock); U.S. Pat. No. 2,457,523 (Detent Mechanism); and the like, which are all hereby incorporated by reference with respect to their teachings of fixation devices.
Proper engagement of the illustrated seal assembly 56 is accomplished by a predetermined number of revolutions of the compression nut 60 and as the nut 60 is tightened; thus, translating the nut to the right of
Unexpectedly, additional advantageous effects of the illustrated embodiment have been identified. Particularly, it has been discovered that in addition to providing a fluid inhibiting seal, the illustrated embodiment of
Prior art references utilizing the internal seals discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,280 were touted as providing this benefit in addition to providing a sealing, fluid tight engagement. However, in practice, dimensional tolerances of sheathing along with heavy use of lubricious grease for enhanced sealing causes problems with the interference fit design of the prior art. Occasionally, the sheath would be pulled out of engagement with an anchor assembly while performing work at an opposite anchor assembly (100 feet or more away). Once the sheathing is pulled out of the anchor and sealed at the opposite anchor, creating a fluid tight seal can be complex and may require substantial patching, which is not preferred.
Unlike the prior art references relying upon a more passive interference fit (such as seal 40 of
An additional advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that the seal can be selectively released or disengaged during installation to allow adjustments to be made without wasted materials. This is possible to due to the threaded engagement of the nut. Since tendons are run about one-hundred feet or more at times, adjustments may be needed occasionally on a construction site. Due to the threated engagements and interference fits, the seal assembly 56 can be disengaged from the anchor assembly 24 and reset if necessary.
The embodiment discussed above and illustrated in
In alternative embodiments, the taper can be removed from one or more of the surfaces and yet provide a sufficient seal or grip. For example, the annularly tapered outer surface 68 of the ferrule 58 can be eliminated leaving a generally constant diameter outer surface. In use of this modified ferrule, significant portions of the ferrule can be wedged into contact with the extension and compressed against the sheath 16 to form a sufficient fluid tight seal.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the illustrated ferrule 58 can be used with an extension 36 lacking an annularly internal tapered surface 50. Rather, the inner surface could have a generally constant diameter, such as shown in
In yet another alternative embodiment, the illustrated ferrule 58 can engage one or more integrally molded ribs, such as item 40 of
The embodiment illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
In other embodiments, the extension 36 or portions thereof can be made from a more compressible, more elastomeric material, such as polyurethane or the like, to allow compression of the extension (preferably near the distal end) 36 as shown in
The seal assemblies described above were described primarily within the context of an anchor assembly 24. However, as discussed in the background, patches or splices in the sheath 16 may be required at any position outside the anchor assembly for many different reasons. These patches or splices have the same requirement as encapsulated anchor assemblies to prevent fluid intrusion to the wires 12 and 14 of the tendon 10. Therefore, all of the above referenced seal assemblies can be utilized in a patch or splice 78 that utilizes a sleeve 80 (similar to extension 36) to patch openings in the sheath 16 or splice together adjacent sections of sheath 16 as shown in
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
As shown in the illustrations, the sleeve 80 has a generally tubular shaped body that extends a sufficient distance to appropriately cover or bridge a discontinuity 82 in the sheath 16 of the tendon 10. Depending upon whether the sleeve 80 is merely covering a small puncture in the sheath 16 or substantial gap between two adjacent sections of sheathing (possibly incorrectly cut near an anchor), the length of the sleeve can vary. The diameter of the sleeve 80 can vary depending upon the application and/or materials utilized (discussed below). However, the inside diameter should be only slightly larger than the diameter of the sheath 16. Due to the dimensional variability of commercially available sheaths, the diameter should be selected to accommodate the upper end of available diameters for the nominal thickness of the tendon 10 used. Generally, the sleeve will have a diameter similar to known extensions of encapsulated anchor assemblies commercially available.
Like the extension 36 of the encapsulated anchor assemblies of
Although it is not always required, some embodiments, like the illustrated embodiment of
The split sleeve 84 provides a few advantages over the external sleeve 80. First, it does not have to be slid along the length of the tendon 10 to be moved into position over the discontinuity 82 in the tendon 10. Rather, the split allows the split sleeve 84 to be opened up sufficiently to fit around the tendon 10 at the discontinuity 82 and elastically return to its original shape to substantially enclose the tendon 10. Second, due to this split arrangement, the split sleeve can provided with an inner diameter much closer in approximation to the out diameter of the tendon sheath 16. The split allows the split sleeve 84 to absorb dimensional integrity issues of the sheath on commercially available tendons. Due to the elasticity of the split sleeve and the relatively thin wall thickness of it, the split sleeve can be dimensioned to snuggly engage the smallest diameter sheath (within a nominal diameter range) by allowing the ends defined by opposite sides of the split to overlap. When applied to the largest diameter sheath (within the same nominal diameter range), the ends defined by opposite sides of the split preferably resiliently return to a position where they are touching each other.
Like the outer sleeve 80, the split sleeve 84 can be made from a wide variety of materials. In one embodiment, the split sleeve 84 is made from LDPE for its elastic resilience, wherein when the sleeve is split it tends to partially spool around itself or otherwise overlap in the absence of a tendon. Other materials with similar properties can be utilized as well. In yet other embodiments, materials with different properties can be used as well. For example, if a more rubbery material lacking the elastic resilience described above is used, it can be adhered in place to provide an inner sleeve. In some embodiments, a sheet of material can be coupled to the tendon and wrapped around the tendon in a mating or overlapping arrangement. In yet other embodiments, tape can be continuously wrapped around the tendon in place of the split sleeve.
In operation, it is preferred to have corrosion inhibiting material, such as grease, applied to the discontinuity 82 in the sheath 16 before applying either the sleeve 80 or split sleeve 84, if applicable. More preferably, the corrosion inhibiting material is applied not only to the exposed wires 12 of the tendon 10, but also to the sheath 16 extending along the length of the splice. In embodiments that utilize the split sleeve, it may be desirable to apply corrosion inhibiting material along the length of the split as well. Alternatively, the corrosion inhibiting material can be applied on the entire outer surface of the split sleeve to further prevent fluid intrusion into the discontinuity.
As discussed above and shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The seal member 58 can be made of many different materials to provide the sealing engagement discussed above. In one embodiment, the seal member 58 is made from elastomeric material such as any rubber material, saturated or unsaturated, or other polymers having rubber-like elasticity and compressibility.
The seal member 58 can also be configured many different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the illustrated seal member 58 can be described as an annular seal member, or more particularly an o-ring. In other embodiments, as described in greater details below, the seal member 58 can be an x-ring, diaphragm, rubber washer, ferrule, tapered ferrule as discussed above, or other elastically deformable interface.
As further illustrated in
The nut 60 is internally threaded 72 for threadedly mounting the nut to the sleeve 80. In some embodiments, the sleeve 80 can be manufactured with corresponding threads for engagement with the nut 60. However, in the illustrated embodiment, only the nut 60 is provided with self-tapping threads 72. As the nut 60 is turned, the self-tapping threads engage the outer surface of the sleeve 80 and thread into the outer surface of the sleeve 80.
The nut 60 is provided with a maximum diameter bore of a sufficient dimension to receive and engage the sleeve 80. The nut 60 is also provided with a radially inwardly extending shoulder 74 adapted to engage the o-ring 58, and the inner diameter of the shoulder slightly greater than the diameter of the tendon 10 sheath 16. As illustrated, the shoulder of this embodiment has a fillet between the shoulder and main body of the nut for better seating of the o-ring against the nut and direct most compression of the o-ring towards the sheath.
The illustrated nut 60 also has a flange 86. This flange 86 limits the threading engagement of the nut 60 on the sleeve 80. In the illustrated embodiment, it can provide a benefit of preventing too much compression on the o-ring 56. Due to the size of the illustrated inner bore of the nut 60, it may be possible for the o-ring to be compressed to a point where the o-ring begins to extrude through the inner bore, which could result in a seal failure. In other embodiments, the inner diameter of the nut bore can more closely match the outer diameter of the sheath. In such embodiments, the flange 86 may not be necessary.
Externally, the nut 60 can include relatively small wrench engaging flats, relatively larger hand engaging flats, or a textured surface for hand engagement and threading. In use in the intended field, workers may be wearing gloves and may have grease on their hands when working with the nut 60. As such, it may be advantageous for hand threading purposes to have an external surface with two of more wings, like a wing nut.
In other embodiments, the seal activation/fixation member 60 can be other activation or fixation devices known in the art. For example, other fasteners, such as threaded fasteners or quick connect devices like a bayonet fitting can be utilized provide either or both functions of activating the seal (i.e., compressing the o-ring into sealed engagement with the tendon 10) and fixing the seal in place. An example of a bayonet fitting can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,871, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Similarly, other quick disconnect fitting can utilized, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,526 (Quick disconnect assembly); U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,968 (Quick disconnect coupling with ring detent); U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,360 (Snap Lock); U.S. Pat. No. 2,457,523 (Detent Mechanism); and the like, which are all hereby incorporated by reference with respect to their teachings of fixation devices.
Proper engagement of the illustrated seal assembly 56 is accomplished by a predetermined number of revolutions of the compression nut 60 and as the nut 60 is tightened; thus, translating the nut to the right of
Like the embodiment shown in
As illustrated best in
As illustrated in
Externally, the nut 60 can include relatively small wrench engaging flats, relatively larger hand engaging flats, or a textured surface for hand engagement and threading. In use in the intended field, workers may be wearing gloves and may have grease on their hands when working with the nut 60. As such, it may be advantageous for hand threading purposes to have an external surface with one or more wings, like a wing nut.
Proper engagement of the illustrated seal assembly 56 is accomplished by a predetermined number of revolutions of the compression nut 60 and as the nut 60 is tightened; thus, translating the nut to the right of
Due to the forces (i.e., friction from tapping and seal compression) exerted on the nut 60, it may be difficult with some embodiments to determine if the nut has rotated sufficiently to generate a proper seal. As such, the seal assembly 56 of this embodiment provides a visual indicator of proper engagement. As described in greater detail below, the visual indicator of the illustrated embodiment is on the seal activation and/or fixation member 60.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the portion of at least translucent material 60B is a window molded into either the axially extending portion of the seal shoulder engaging area of the nut or the radially extending portion of the seal shoulder engaging area. The window should be at least translucent. However, in some embodiments, it can also be made of generally transparent materials.
In the illustrated embodiment, the visual indication is provided by molding the entire shoulder engaging area of the nut 60 from a single material that is at least translucent. Depending upon the choice of material used, this area can be made generally transparent if desired. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of
As noted above, in some embodiments, the entire nut 60 is at least translucent. In such an embodiment, the end of the seal 58 extending beyond tube 36 can be observed along the threaded portion 60A of the nut 60 as the nut 60 is tightened and secured from the position shown in 10A to the position shown in 10B. Once the seal 58 is viewed in the seal indicating portion 60B (
In some embodiments, the seal 58 can be more easily seen through a translucent body through the use of a colored seal. For example, very bright colors, such as red, orange, bright green, etc., may transmit quite well through a generally white plastic translucent nut 60. In other embodiments, very dark seal colors, such as black or blue, may also transmit light (or shadows) well through certain translucent materials. In yet other embodiments, the seal 58 is a first color when not sealed and a second color when sealed (i.e., under sufficient compression by the shoulders).
The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, various alternatives to the certain features and elements of the present invention are described with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention. With the exception of features, elements, and manners of operation that are mutually exclusive of or are inconsistent with each embodiment described above, it should be noted that the alternative features, elements, and manners of operation described with reference to one particular embodiment are applicable to the other embodiments.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/110,938, filed Feb. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/016139 | 2/2/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016/126687 | 8/11/2016 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20180023298 A1 | Jan 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62110938 | Feb 2015 | US |
