This application relates generally to a connecting assembly.
Fittings have been utilized to couple two pipes together. However, once a fitting has been secured to a first pipe, the fitting cannot be readily rotated for further coupling the fitting to another pipe disposed at a different longitudinal angle than the first pipe.
Accordingly, the inventor herein has recognized a need for an improved connecting assembly that eliminates and/or reduces the above mentioned deficiency.
A connecting assembly for coupling to a tubular wall in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The connecting assembly includes a connecting fitting having a tubular coupling portion, an abutment ring, and an arcuate-shaped tubular body. The tubular coupling portion has first and second ends. The abutment ring is disposed around an outer surface of the tubular coupling portion a predetermined distance from the first end of the tubular coupling portion. An end of the tubular body is coupled to the second end of the tubular coupling portion. The connecting assembly further includes a retaining member having a ring-shaped portion and first and second finger portions extending in a first direction from the ring-shaped portion. The ring-shaped portion defines a central aperture. The arcuate-shaped tubular body of the connecting fitting is received through the central aperture of the ring-shaped portion such that the ring-shaped portion is slidably disposed on the tubular body of the connecting fitting and is further slidably disposed against the abutment ring. A diameter of the central aperture is less than a diameter of the abutment ring. The first and second finger portions are configured to removably hold the connecting fitting against the tubular wall.
Referring to
The cooling system 22 includes a reservoir 60, a pump 62, a manifold assembly 64, a manifold assembly 66, and conduits 68, 70, 72. The reservoir 60 holds a fluid therein. The pump 62 pumps the fluid from the reservoir 60 via the conduit 68. Thereafter, the pump 62 pumps the fluid through the conduit 70 into the manifold assembly 64. The fluid flows through the manifold assembly 64 into both a plurality heat exchangers in the battery module 30 and another plurality heat exchangers in the battery module 32. The manifold assembly 66 receives the heated fluid from the heat exchangers in the battery modules 30, 32 and routes the heated fluid through the conduit 72 back to the reservoir 60.
Referring to
As shown, the heat exchanger 122 is disposed between the battery cells 102, 104 to extract heat energy from the battery cells 102, 104. Further, the heat exchanger 122 is disposed between the battery cells 106, 108 to extract heat energy from the battery cells 106, 108. The frame members 150, 152 are configured to be removably coupled together and to hold the battery cell 102, the heat exchanger 122, and the battery cell 104 therebetween. The frame members of 152, 154 are configured to be removably coupled together and to hold the battery cell 106, the heat exchanger 124, and the battery cell 108 therebetween.
In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 100 are rectangular-shaped pouch-type lithium-ion battery cells. Of course, other types of battery cells known to those skilled in the art could be utilized. Since each of the plurality of battery cells 100 have a substantially similar structure, only the battery cell 102 will be described in greater detail for purposes of simplicity. As shown, the battery cell 102 has a rectangular-shaped pouch-type body 170 and electrodes 172, 174 extending from the body 170. The battery cell 102 generates a voltage between the electrodes 172, 174.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-10, the manifold member 250 is configured to route fluid into the heat exchangers of the battery module 30. The manifold member 250 includes a tubular wall 290, tubular port members 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, a sealing member 360, and a male connecting portion 370.
The tubular wall 290 has a first end 292 and a second end 294. In one exemplary embodiment, the tubular wall 290 is constructed of a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene for example. The tubular wall 290 includes an inner surface 297 defining a central aperture 296 extending a longitudinal length of the tubular wall 290 from the first end 292 to the second end 294. The tubular wall 290 also has a plurality of apertures 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 extending therethrough. Further, the tubular wall 290 has notches 320, 321, 322, 324 the extending therein.
The tubular port members 330-348 are disposed on the tubular wall 290 over the apertures 300-318, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the tubular port members 330-348 are constructed of an elastomer, such as at least one styrene, ethylene, butylene, propylene, and diene for example. Of course, other types of elastomers known to those skilled in the art could be utilized to construct the tubular port members 330-348. The tubular port members 330-348 are further removably coupled to inlet ports on the heat exchangers in the battery module 30. An advantage of utilizing the tubular port members 330-348 constructed of an elastomer, is the tubular port members 330-348 can be easily removably coupled to the inlet ports of the heat exchangers and forms a fluid-tight seal with the inlet ports.
Referring to
The male connecting portion 370 extends from the second end 294 and is configured to engage the manifold member 252 in order to couple the manifold member 250 to the manifold member 252. The male connecting portion 370 is constructed of a plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene for example.
Referring to
The tubular wall 390 has a first end 392 and a second end 394. In one exemplary embodiment, the tubular wall 390 is constructed of a plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene for example. The tubular wall 390 includes an inner surface 398 defining a central aperture 396 extending a longitudinal length of the tubular wall 390 from the first end 392 to the second end 394. The tubular wall 390 also has a plurality of apertures 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 extending therethrough. Further, the tubular wall 390 has notches 420, 421, 422 (see
The tubular port members 430-448 are disposed on the tubular wall 390 over the apertures 400-418, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the tubular port members 430-448 are constructed of an elastomer such as at least one styrene, ethylene, butylene, propylene, and diene for example. Of course, other types of elastomers known to those skilled in the art could be utilized to construct the tubular port members 430-448. The tubular port members 430-448 are further removably coupled with inlet ports on the heat exchangers in the battery module 32. An advantage of utilizing the tubular port members 430-448 constructed of an elastomer, is the tubular port members 430-448 can be easily removably coupled to the inlet ports of the heat exchangers and form a fluid-tight seal with the inlet ports.
The sealing member 460 is disposed on a portion of the inner surface 397 proximate to the first end 392. In one exemplary embodiment, the sealing member 460 is constructed of an elastomer such as at least one styrene, ethylene, butylene, propylene, and diene for example. Of course, other types of elastomers known to those skilled in the art could be utilized to construct the sealing member 460. An advantage of utilizing the sealing member 460 constructed of an elastomer is that the sealing member 460 can be easily removably coupled against the male connecting portion 370 of the manifold member 250 to form a fluid-tight seal with the male connecting portion 370.
The male connecting portion 470 extends from the second end 394 and is configured to engage the end cap 270 in order to couple the manifold member 252 to the end cap 270. The male connecting portion 470 is constructed of a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene for example.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 20-23, the end cap 270 is configured to be coupled to the male connecting portion 470 and the end 294 of the tubular wall 290 of the manifold member 250 to fluidly seal an opening in the male connecting portion 470. In one exemplary embodiment, the end cap 270 is constructed of plastic. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the end cap 270 could be constructed of other materials known to those skilled in the art. The end cap 270 includes a circular-shaped body 700, a sealing member 710, and the first and second finger portions 712, 714. The circular-shaped body 700 has an inner surface 730 defining an aperture 732 that extends into the circular-shaped body 700 but not completely through the circular-shaped body 700. The sealing member 710 is disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface 730 of the circular-shaped body 700. The first and second finger portions 712, 714 extend in a first direction from the circular-shaped body 700 that are configured to removably engage first and second notches 422, 421 in the tubular wall 390 such that the inner surface 730 contacts an outer surface of the male connecting portion 470 and the end cap 270 is removably attached to the male connecting portion 470 and the tubular wall 390. The first finger portion 712 has an extension portion 740 and a tab portion 742. The extension portion 740 extends away from the circular-shaped body 700 in the first direction. The tab portion 742 extends away from the extension portion 740 generally perpendicular to the extension portion 740. The second finger portion 714 has an extension portion 750 and a tab portion 752. The extension portion 750 extends away from the circular-shaped body 700 in the first direction. The tab portion 752 extends away from the extension portion 750 generally perpendicular to the extension portion 750. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The above-described connecting assembly provides a substantial advantage over other connectors. In particular, the connecting assembly has a connecting fitting that can be easily secured to a tubular wall while allowing subsequent rotation of the connecting fitting for further coupling the connecting fitting to another tubular wall.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed for carrying this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms, first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1806364 | Newman | May 1931 | A |
2273244 | Ambruster | Feb 1942 | A |
2814404 | Towns | Nov 1957 | A |
3394836 | Millard | Jul 1968 | A |
3503558 | Galiulo et al. | Mar 1970 | A |
3522100 | Lindstrom | Jul 1970 | A |
3588149 | Demler et al. | Jun 1971 | A |
3603621 | Parsons | Sep 1971 | A |
4009720 | Crandall | Mar 1977 | A |
4390841 | Martin et al. | Jun 1983 | A |
4396689 | Grimes et al. | Aug 1983 | A |
4706737 | Taylor et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4730856 | Washizu | Mar 1988 | A |
4946204 | Boticki | Aug 1990 | A |
4964658 | Usui et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
5071020 | Reutter | Dec 1991 | A |
5071652 | Jones et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5123677 | Kreczko et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5161830 | Abe | Nov 1992 | A |
5219188 | Abe et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5228724 | Godeau | Jul 1993 | A |
5270131 | Diethelm et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5330235 | Wagner et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5346786 | Hodgetts | Sep 1994 | A |
5354630 | Earl et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5364711 | Yamada et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5385793 | Tiedemann et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5487955 | Korall et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5487958 | Tura | Jan 1996 | A |
5510203 | Hamada et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5520976 | Giannetti et al. | May 1996 | A |
5542717 | Rea et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5561005 | Omaru et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5589290 | Klink et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5606242 | Hull et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5652502 | van Phuoc et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5658682 | Usuda et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5663007 | Ikoma et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5693432 | Matsumoto | Dec 1997 | A |
5711553 | Bonser | Jan 1998 | A |
5725257 | Sakane et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5735555 | Answine et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5756227 | Suzuki et al. | May 1998 | A |
5796239 | can Phuoc et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5825155 | Ito et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5873610 | Szabo | Feb 1999 | A |
5882047 | Ostrander et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5982403 | Inagaki | Nov 1999 | A |
6016047 | Notten et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6099986 | Gauthier et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6117584 | Hoffman et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6121752 | Kitahara et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6182694 | Sievers et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6257328 | Fujiwara et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6257417 | Szumera | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6279600 | Robinson | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6295980 | Lopez et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6328349 | Bandlow et al. | Dec 2001 | B2 |
6353815 | Vilim et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6362598 | Laig-Horstebrock et al. | Mar 2002 | B2 |
6371319 | Yeaton et al. | Apr 2002 | B2 |
6406812 | Dreulle et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6413678 | Hamamoto et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6422027 | Coates, Jr. et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6441586 | Tate, Jr. et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6448741 | Inui et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6462949 | Parish, IV et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6475659 | Heimer | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6481759 | Kawasaki et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6501036 | Rochon et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6505866 | Nakamura et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6515454 | Schoch | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6534954 | Plett | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6539920 | Spiers | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6563318 | Kawakami et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6655491 | Stoll et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6666263 | Luz et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6688654 | Romero | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6709783 | Ogata et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6724172 | Koo | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6771502 | Getz, Jr. et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6780538 | Hamada et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6792977 | Presby | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6821671 | Hinton et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6829562 | Sarfert | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6832171 | Barsoukov et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6876175 | Schoch | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6886249 | Smalc | May 2005 | B2 |
6892148 | Barsoukov et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6926174 | Heldt | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6927554 | Tate, Jr. et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6943528 | Schoch | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6967466 | Koch | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6982131 | Hamada et al. | Jan 2006 | B1 |
7012434 | Koch | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7026073 | Ueda et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7039534 | Ryno et al. | May 2006 | B1 |
7061246 | Dougherty et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7072871 | Tinnemeyer | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7098665 | Laig-Hoerstebrock | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7109685 | Tate, Jr. et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7126312 | Moore | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7147045 | Quisenberry et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7197487 | Hansen et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7199557 | Anbuky et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7229327 | Zhao et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7250741 | Koo et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7251889 | Kroliczek et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7253587 | Meissner | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7264902 | Horie et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7315789 | Plett | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7321220 | Plett | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7327147 | Koch | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7400115 | Plett | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7446504 | Plett | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7479758 | Moon | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7518339 | Schoch | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7521895 | Plett | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7525285 | Plett | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7583059 | Cho | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7589532 | Plett | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7690694 | Poder | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7846573 | Kelly | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7857359 | Zeitlinger et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7866710 | Sheppard et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7878553 | Wicks et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
8353315 | Gadawski | Jan 2013 | B2 |
20010046624 | Goto et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020074801 | Chan et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20030082440 | Mrotek et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030184307 | Kozlowski et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030235745 | Mook et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040021442 | Higashino | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040232696 | Andre | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20050026014 | Fogaing et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050100786 | Ryu et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050127874 | Lim et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050134038 | Walsh | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20060100833 | Plett | May 2006 | A1 |
20070037051 | Kim et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070087266 | Bourke et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070120533 | Plett | May 2007 | A1 |
20070126396 | Yang | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20080094035 | Plett | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080299446 | Kelly | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090029239 | Koetting et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090159239 | Desai et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090186265 | Koetting et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090325051 | Niedzwiecki et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090325052 | Koetting et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090325053 | Koetting et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090325054 | Payne et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090325055 | Koetting et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090325059 | Niedzwiecki et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100086842 | Yang | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20120043754 | Gadawski | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120045683 | Gadawski | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120045684 | Gadawski | Feb 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1512518 | Jul 2004 | CN |
0736226 | Mar 1999 | EP |
0673553 | Feb 2001 | EP |
1435675 | Jul 2004 | EP |
4056079 | Feb 1992 | JP |
8138735 | May 1996 | JP |
8222280 | Aug 1996 | JP |
9129213 | May 1997 | JP |
09-219213 | Aug 1997 | JP |
10199510 | Jul 1998 | JP |
11066949 | Mar 1999 | JP |
11191432 | Jul 1999 | JP |
2001167803 | Jun 2001 | JP |
2003219572 | Jul 2003 | JP |
2004006089 | Jan 2004 | JP |
2004288527 | Oct 2004 | JP |
2005-126315 | May 2005 | JP |
2005518645 | Jun 2005 | JP |
2006032037 | Feb 2006 | JP |
2006210245 | Aug 2006 | JP |
2008-080995 | Apr 2008 | JP |
100765659 | Oct 2007 | KR |
100889241 | Apr 2008 | KR |
20080047641 | May 2008 | KR |
100921346 | Oct 2009 | KR |
20100003139 | Jan 2010 | KR |
WO03071616 | Aug 2003 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Chinese Office Action dated Dec. 7, 2007 for Chinese Patent Application No. 200480025941.5 (PCT/KR2004/002399). |
European Supplementary Search Report dated Aug. 28, 2009 for EP Application No. 04774658. |
International Search Report for International application No. PCT/KR2005/003755 dated Mar. 2, 2006. |
International Search Report for PCT/KR2009/000258 dated Aug. 28, 2009. |
International Search report for PCT/KR2009/003434 dated Jan. 18, 2010. |
Machine translation of JP 08-138735. |
Machine translation of JP 10-199510. |
Machine translation of JP 2000 260469. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/426,795, filed Apr. 20, 2009 entitled Frame Member, Frame Assembly and Battery Cell Assembly Made Therefrom and Methods of Making the Same. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,155, filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Cooling System for a Battery System and a Method for Cooling the Battery System. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,397, filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Modules, and Method for Cooling a Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,427, filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Cooling Manifold and Method for Manufacturing the Cooling Manifold. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,485, filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Module, and Method for Cooling the Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,534, filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Modules, and Method for Cooling a Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/511,530, filed Jul. 29, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/511,552, filed Jul. 29, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/549,766, filed Aug. 28, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/794,949, filed Jun. 7, 2010 entitled Battery Module and Methods for Bonding a Cell Terminal of a Battery to an Interconnect Member. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/857,908, filed Aug. 17, 2010 entitled Battery Cell Assemblies. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/861,375, filed Aug. 23, 2010 entitled attery System and Manifold Assembly Having a Manifold Member and a Connecting Fitting. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/861,381, filed Aug. 23, 2010 entitled End Cap. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/861,394, filed Aug. 23, 2010 entitled Battery System and Manifold Assembly With Two Manifold Members Removably Coupled Together. |
U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,111, filed Aug. 25, 2010 entitled Battery Module and Methods for Bonding Cell Terminals of Battery Cells Together. |
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/KR2011/005821 dated Feb. 10, 2012. |
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/KR2011/005823 dated Mar. 22, 2012. |
U.S. Appl. No. 13/587,102, filed Aug. 16, 2012 entitled Battery Module. |
International Search Report for International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2011/005822 dated Mar. 22, 2012. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120043754 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |