Hydraulic Coupling

Technical Field

The present invention concerns a hydraulic coupling, nipple (fitting) or the like which is designed to be coupled together with another hydraulic component and which said hydraulic coupling is comprised of a function that prevents the hydraulic coupling from rotating in relation to, or loosening from, the other component. More specifically the present invention regards a hydraulic coupling in accordance with the claims.

Background of the Invention

Hydraulic couplings, nipples (fittings) and the like are used in many different ways to couple together hoses (lines), pipes (tubing) and the like in hydraulic systems. One problem with existing hydraulic couplings is that they tend to loosen from connected hoses if the hoses move significantly in relation to the hydraulic couplings. The chance of hydraulic couplings loosening (separating) for this reason is especially great in applications such as forest tractors (harvesters, forwarders), tracked vehicles (tractor crawlers) and similar vehicles and similar designs. Another problem is that hydraulic couplings in especially unfavorable applications tend to loosen from one another if they exposed to vibrations. A disconnected coupling may entail leakage of oil which may in turn increase ecological impact if the leak occurs in the outdoor environment. A disconnected coupling may also cause working pressure in the hydraulic system to drop which in turn, in the worst case, may lead to accidents. A further problem with existing hydraulic couplings is present in conjunction with the installation of hoses, because they tend to rotate (twist) relative the coupling during tightening of the hydraulic coupling. It is often necessary to perform adjustments by untightening the hose coupling and adjusting it and then retightening the hose coupling. This method is time consuming and cost inefficient.

Prior Art

Several designs have been developed for preventing or at least minimizing the chance of hydraulic couplings loosening from connected hoses. Thus patent document US5882044 describes a design intended for preventing couplings for fuel lines (hoses) from unintentionally loosening from one another. The design differs from the present invention because it is essentially comprised of more parts. Furthermore it does not facilitate the tightening of parts incorporated in the hose.

Patent document US5586790 describes a different hydraulic coupling that reduces the risk of the coupling's parts unintentionally loosening from one another. The design differs significantly from the present invention because it does not include projective parts in accordance with the present invention.

Even patent document US5348349 describes a hydraulic coupling which intends to prevent or at least make it difficult for the comprising parts to unintentionally loosening from one another. The design differs significantly from the present invention. Further examples of hydraulic couplings intended to prevent hoses and the like from loosening from one another are earlier known via US5094491, US5215336, US5269566, US5348349, US5586790, US5882044, US6447017 and US6905142. Even if each one of these designs fulfills its purpose, none of them consist of a design in accordance with the present invention which significantly reduces the risk of hydraulic couplings included in a hydraulic system loosening from one another.

Brief Description of the Invention Concept

The main purpose of the present invention is to create a hydraulic coupling which substantially reduces the risk of the comprising components loosening from one another. Another purpose is to create a hydraulic coupling which substantially facilitates the fitting (positioning) of a hydraulic hose in relation to the hydraulic coupling.

Description of the Invention

The invention will be described in detail in the following text with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings that in an exemplifying purpose show the current preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a hydraulic coupling according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the hydraulic coupling coupled between two hydraulic components.

Figure 3 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of figure 2.

Figure 4 shows in detail a coupled hydraulic coupling and a hydraulic hose. Figure 5 shows a hydraulic hose in perspective.

Figure 6 shows a first alternative embodiment.

Figure 7 shows a second alternative embodiment.

With reference to the figures, a hydraulic coupling 1 nipple (fitting) or the like is shown in accordance with the present invention. Couplings for pressurized media other than oil such as compressed-air and brake fluid are equated with the hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic coupling 1 is designed for example to be used to couple together a hydraulic component 2, such as direction control valves or the like with a second hydraulic component 3, such as a hydraulic hose, coupling or the like. The hydraulic coupling 1 according to the present invention is essentially comprised of some form of earlier known design of hydraulic coupling, nipple or the like comprised of at least one sealing surface 4 and a coupling member 5 and at least one aperture (throughway or passage) 6 through which a flow of fluid or gas may occur.

Further, the hydraulic coupling is even preferably comprised of a at least one type of wrenching portion 7, such as a hexagonal head or other for the purpose suitable wrenching portion, with which the hydraulic coupling 1 can be regulated (adjusted) as done for example during tightening and loosening. The hydraulic coupling 1 is intended to be coupled together with a second component 3, such as for example a hydraulic hose, hydraulic coupling or the like consisting of a coupling member 8 and a second sealing surface 9. During coupling of the hydraulic coupling 1 and the second hydraulic component 3, the sealing surfaces are designed to be tightly sealed against one another. If sealing surface 4 is outwardly conical, sealing surface 9 is inwardly conical. If sealing surface 4 is inwardly conical, sealing surface 9 is outwardly conical. If sealing surface 4 is straight, sealing surface 9 is straight.

Figure 1 exemplifies the present invention with the preferred embodiment of the hydraulic coupling 1, consisting of a so called inlet plug (nipple). In the following description the inlet plug is referred to as the hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic coupling is fitted with an outwardly conical sealing surface 4 and a coupling member 5 consisting of an outwardly threaded part 10. Furthermore the hydraulic coupling is comprised of a second threaded part 11 with an intermediate hexagonal head 12. The angle V on the outwardly conical sealing surface 4 is preferably, in accordance with current standards in the field, at a 39 degree angle. In alternative special embodiments other angles on the sealing surface are conceivable. For example the angle can essentially be 90 degrees in relation to the nipple's axial center. The hydraulic coupling 1 according to the present invention differs from earlier known hydraulic couplings because it consists of at least one protruding projection 13, segment or the like. The projections are preferably three in number. The projections' 13 size, such as their protruding length and diameter, can vary greatly within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore the projections' 13 shape and cross-section can vary greatly within the scope of the present invention. It is conceivable that the projections' cross-section can be oval, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular or other for the purpose suitable cross-section. Furthermore the projections' placement in the hydraulic coupling's (nipple's) radial direction may vary greatly within the scope of the present invention. The projections 13 may even be angled in relation to the hydraulic coupling's radial direction, that is to say it can stretch in another angle than essentially a right angle in relation to the nipple's axial center.

The projections 13 are designed, during coupling of the hydraulic coupling 1 with the second hydraulic component 3, to be fixed in place and partially penetrate (be pressed into) the rim 19 (shown in figure 5). Alternatively, the projections 13, during coupling of the hydraulic

coupling 1 with the second hydraulic component 3, can be fixed in place and partially penetrate (be pressed into) the sealing surface 9. In further embodiments of the present invention, the projections 13 can be designed, during coupling of the hydraulic coupling 1 with the second hydraulic component 3, to be fixed in place and partially penetrate (be pressed into) both, parts of the rim 19 and parts of the sealing surface 9. In still further embodiments of the present invention, the hydraulic coupling 1 may be fixed in place with the second hydraulic component 3 by the projections 13 being designed to be inserted into a recess, groove or the like in either parts of the rim 19 and/or parts of the sealing surface 9.

Figures 3 and 4 show a hydraulic coupling 1, in accordance with figure 1, coupled with a second hydraulic component 3. The second hydraulic component 3 in the figures consists of a hydraulic hose 14. The hydraulic hose 11 consists of some kind of earlier known type of hydraulic hose consisting of a nipple 15, hydraulic coupling or the like, with an inwardly conical sealing surface 9. The angle of the conical sealing surface is preferably according to standard. In alternative special embodiments, other angles are conceivable. For example the angle can essentially be 90 degrees in relation to the nipples axial center. Furthermore the hose consists of a coupling member 8 in the shape of an inwardly threaded coupling 16, nut or the like, with an outward hexagonal head 17. The threaded coupling 16 is designed to rotate in relation to the nipple 15. The figure even shows a quick-connect coupling 18.

The projections 13 as shown in the figure are fitted with the outer part of the sealing surface 9 in the nipple 15. During coupling the coupling 16 is threaded on the threaded part 11 and tightened with the torque needed for penetration of the projections 13 into the rim 19 and/or the outer part of the sealing surface 9. Alternatively, the penetration of the projections 13 can take place in the rim 19 of the nipple or other for the purpose suitable part of the nipple. Thanks to this design, sealing surface 4 and sealing surface 9 are prevented from internal rotation in relation to one another.

The material that comprises the projecting segments is preferably of a harder material than in the sealing surfaces 4 and 9 respectively, which results in the projections 13 (segments) being pressed into sealing surface 9 or alternatively in the rim 19 as shown in figure 5.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention which exemplifies the embodiment with an inwardly conical sealing surface and three projections 13.

Figure 7 also shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention which exemplifies the embodiment with a straight sealing surface.

The invention has several advantages. The most obvious is that its design prevents a hydraulic coupling and a hose from unintentionally separating from one another. Another advantage with the present invention is that it substantially facilitates the coupling together and positioning of a hydraulic hose in relation to the hydraulic coupling and the rest of the hydraulic system. A further advantage with the present invention is that the time it takes to couple a hose fitted with the present invention is substantially reduced.

Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications can within the scope of the invention become evident for specialists in the field and all such are regarded as falling within the scope of the following claims. It is, for example, conceivable that the present invention can be combined with earlier know other devices that prevent a hydraulic coupling's parts from separating from one another.