Patent Application
20190084136
The present subject matter relates to tool systems for forming sealed connections, die sets for use with the tool systems, and various methods of use relating to the tool systems and/or die sets.
Crosslinked polyethylene tubing (PEX) is widely used in plumbing applications for carrying potable water. In such systems, connections are typically made using fittings that are crimped in place by a crimp tool. Most fitting systems are radial press systems. A seal is created by inwardly compressing the PEX tubing over a barbed male component or other component such as a union, T-adapter, manifold, or valve. A ring or sleeve positioned over the tubing and permanently deformed around the entire circumference of the tubing using the crimp tool to create a compressive seal between the tubing and the component. Thus, the crimp tool engages the ring radially and the crimp profile formed in the ring results from the tool. An example of these systems are those that satisfy the ASTM F1807 crimp standard.
Other fitting systems are available that use a clinch clamp ring instead of a radially pressed ring. In these clinch-type systems, the clamp ring once placed over the tubing, is clinched or permanently deformed at one location along its circumference thereby causing radial tension in the ring around its entire circumference. This action results in a compressive seal between the tubing and the component. Such a system from Oetiker is known. Typically, an entirely different and separate clinch tool is used for these systems.
Although satisfactory in many respects, it would be desirable to utilize a single tool or tool system that could form sealed connections from different types of sealing rings. In particular, it would be beneficial to provide a tool system that could be used with both radial press systems and clinch-type systems.
The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previous approaches are addressed in the present subject matter as follows.
In one aspect, the present subject matter provides a tool system comprising a pivotally positionable jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw. The jaw assembly is positionable between an opened position and a closed position. The tool system also comprises a clinch-type die set adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw. And, the tool system comprises a radial press die set adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw.
In another aspect, the present subject matter provides a tool system comprising a tool having an actuator, and a jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are positionable between an opened position and a closed position. The tool system also comprises a radial press die set adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw. The tool system additionally comprises a clinch-type die set including a first movable member and a second movable member. Each of the first and second movable members define a clinch member at a distal end of a corresponding movable member. The die set is adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw. Upon placement and engagement of the clinch-type die set with the jaw assembly, and positioning the first and the second jaws to the opened position, the clinch members are spaced apart from each other. And upon positioning the first and the second jaws to the closed position, the clinch members are spaced apart from each other by a closure span.
In yet another aspect, the present subject matter provides a method for forming a sealed connection between flexible tubing and a component. The method comprises providing a tool system including (i) a pivotally positionable jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw, (ii) a clinch-type die set adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw, and (iii) a radial press die set adapted for placement and engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw. The method also comprises identifying an end of the flexible tubing to be sealingly connected to the component. The method further comprises selecting one of (i) a clinch-type fitting ring and (ii) a radial press fitting ring. The method additionally comprises positioning the end of the tubing over the component to which the tubing is to be sealingly connected. The method also comprises placing the selected fitting ring over the tubing at or proximate the end of the tubing. The method additionally comprises selecting one of the die sets of the tool system based upon the selection of the fitting ring. And, the method comprises engaging the selected die set with the jaw assembly of the tool system. If the selected fitting ring is a radial press fitting ring, the selected die set is the radial press die set, and the method further comprises positioning the jaw assembly and radial press die set such that the radial press die set is disposed about the radial press fitting ring, and urging the jaw assembly toward a closed position whereby the radial press fitting ring is deformed about the tubing to thereby form the sealed connection. If the selected fitting ring is a clinch-type fitting ring, the selected die set is the clinch-type die set, and the method further comprises positioning the jaw assembly and clinch-type die set such that the clinch-type die set is engaged with the clinch-type fitting ring, and urging the jaw assembly toward a closed position whereby the clinch-type fitting ring is tensioned about the tubing to thereby form the sealed connection.
As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
The subject matter under review relates to tool systems that include a crimp or press tool with a pivoting jaw assembly and one or more insertable die sets that can be used with the tool to crimp, deform, or clinch a variety of fittings. One die set is configured for “clinching” or applying a tangential compressive force to a circumferential workpiece or fitting. This type of die set is referred to herein as a “clinch-type” die set. The clinch-type die set is also configured to be fittingly received within the work region of the tool. Clinch-type sealing rings such as those which are used with Oetiker sealing systems are well known in the art and are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,614,304 and 3,082,498. Such sealing rings are typically in the form of a closed or continuous ring having one or more radially projecting “ears.”
Upon placement of the ring over tubing or other flow member(s) and compressing one or more of the ears by use of the die set to thereby deform the ear, radial tension is created in the ring which forms and maintains a sealed connection between the tubing and the component.
Another die set is configured for “radially pressing” or applying a radially compressive force to a circumferential workpiece or fitting. This type of die set is referred to herein as a “radial press” die insert. The radial press die insert is also configured to be fittingly received within the work region of the tool. Radial press sealing rings are typically in the form of a closed or continuous ring, free of any ears or other radial projections. The rings are radially compressed about the tubing or flow member(s) to such an extent that the ring is permanently deformed in place to thereby maintain a sealed connection between the tubing and component.
The tool systems enable an operator to use a single tool to crimp fittings that receive radial forces such as PEX fittings and clinch fittings that receive tangential forces such as Oetiker fittings.
In many embodiments, the tool systems of the present subject matter may include (i) a tool, which can for example be in the form of a press tool, having an actuator assembly with a displaceable ram and a jaw assembly that is positionable between a fully opened position and a closed position, and one or both of (ii) a radial press die set and/or (iii) a clinch-type die set. In many embodiments, the actuator assembly includes a roller screw assembly which is driven by an electric motor. In certain embodiments, the tool systems include the jaw assembly and one or both of the noted die sets and may optionally include the noted actuator assembly if the jaw assembly is releasably engageable with the actuator.
The tool is typically electrically powered and in many embodiments utilizes an actuator assembly having a roller screw assembly which upon activation, displaces a ram member which in turn actuates a jaw assembly.
Referring to
In many embodiments, the jaw assembly 30 also comprises a lever 42 that is pivotally supported at the jaw pin 31 of the first jaw 32. The lever 42 is positioned and configured to selectively contact a region of the cam linkage member 38, as described in greater detail herein. After performing a crimping or clinching operation such that the jaws 32, 34 are in a closed position, a user can easily open the jaws 32, 34 by pressing the lever 42. Pressing the lever 42, applies a rotational moment to the cam linkage member 38, which in turn linearly displaces the clevis 25 to move away from the jaws 32, 34, thereby opening the jaws. A user can grip a workpiece such as plastic tubing and/or a fitting with one hand and engage the fitting with the tool to complete the crimp with the other hand. A typical hand position when operating a tool 10 in accordance with the present subject matter is depicted in
In many embodiments, the jaw assembly such as jaw assembly 30 shown in
Additional details and description of the tool 10, the jaw assembly 30, and operation of the tool 10 and jaw assembly 30 are provided in US applications U.S. Ser. No. 15/379,105 filed Dec. 14, 2016; and U.S. Ser. No. 15/429,978 filed Feb. 10, 2017. It will be appreciated that in no way is the present subject matter limited to the particular tool 10 and/or the jaw assembly 30 described and illustrated. Instead, the present subject matter includes the use of a variety of different tools and/or jaw assemblies.
In many versions of the tool systems of the present subject matter, the receiving regions provided by the radial press die set and the clinch-type die set are identical to each other. This feature enables both sets of die sets to be engaged with the same jaw assembly. For example, the receiving region 103 of the clinch-type die set 100 is the same or substantially the same as either of the receiving regions 203 of the radial press die set 200. In this regard, the term “same” refers to each receiving region, e.g., 103 and 203, having the same shape and size so as to receive and fittingly engage a protruding member of the jaw assembly. A similar relationship exists with regard to receiving regions 105 and 205 of the die sets 100, 200, respectively.
In accordance with the present subject matter, the tool systems enable the use of either of the radial press die set or the clinch-type die set to be used directly within a jaw assembly without the use of any adapters. This feature reduces the number of components which promotes ease of use and reduces costs of the tool system.
In many embodiments, the outer contours of both the radial press die set and the clinch-type die set include similar or identical contours or structures. This feature enables either of the die sets to be used in association with a single jaw assembly and/or press tool. In addition, this feature enables the use of either of the die sets without any adapters. Referring to
The present subject matter also provides methods of forming sealed connections using different types of fittings or workpieces. In many embodiments, the methods form sealed connections between flexible tubing such as PEX tubing, and a fitting or other component as noted herein. The methods involve providing a tool system including a jaw assembly, a clinch-type die set adapted for placement and engagement between the jaws of the jaw assembly, and a radial press die set also adapted for placement and engagement between the jaws of the jaw assembly. The methods also comprise identifying an end of the flexible tubing to be sealingly connected to the component. The methods also comprise selecting one of (i) a clinch-type fitting ring and (ii) a radial press fitting ring. The methods then comprise positioning the end of the tubing over the component to which the tubing is to be sealingly connected. The methods additionally comprise placing the selected fitting ring over the tubing at or proximate the end of the tubing. The methods further comprise selecting one of the die sets of the tool system based upon the selection of the fitting ring. The methods also comprise engaging the selected die set with the jaw assembly of the tool system. If the selected fitting ring is a radial press fitting ring, the selected die set is the radial press die set, and the method further comprises positioning the jaw assembly and radial press die set such that the radial press die set is disposed about the radial press fitting ring, and urging the jaw assembly toward a closed position whereby the radial press fitting ring is deformed about the tubing to thereby form the sealed connection. If the selected fitting ring is a clinch-type fitting ring, the selected die set is the clinch-type die set, and the method further comprises positioning the jaw assembly and clinch-type die set such that the clinch-type die set is engaged with the clinch-type fitting ring, and urging the jaw assembly toward a closed position whereby the clinch-type fitting ring is tensioned about the tubing to thereby form the sealed connection.
Although the present subject matter has been described in terms of die sets for clinching or crimping a workpiece, fitting, or sealing ring, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes the use of other die sets which are adapted for compressing, deforming, or otherwise applying force to a workpiece, fitting, or sealing ring.
Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology.
All patents, applications, standards, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present subject matter includes all operable combinations of features and aspects described herein. Thus, for example if one feature is described in association with an embodiment and another feature is described in association with another embodiment, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes embodiments having a combination of these features.
As described hereinabove, the present subject matter solves many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.
