HYDRAULIC HOSE COUPLING WITH SEALANT

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to hydraulic hose couplings used on heavy machinery employed in the earth moving, construction, and mining industries or the like. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hydraulic hose coupling provided with a sealant between various components of the coupling to help prevent leaks.

Background

Heavy machinery such as those employed in the earth moving, construction, and mining industries employ various work implements that are powered hydraulically to effectuate their movement and their work such as moving payloads via buckets, breaking up materials using a hydraulic hammer, lifting a boom, etc.

Current hydraulic hose couplings used in these applications may have a shell that is configured to receive the open end of a hydraulic hose, and a stem that is configured to fit within the hydraulic hose. Sometimes, the couplings leak at this interface.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,405 B2 discloses a hose coupling for fitment to an end of a cable reinforced hose includes a unitary stem having a cable trap groove portion having an outside diameter greater than an inside diameter of a tube of the hose and less than an inside diameter of the hose with the tube skived from the hose. A unitary ferrule defines at least one cable trap rib corresponding to the cable trap groove and having an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of the cable reinforced hose and greater than an outside diameter of the hose with material covering the cable skived from the hose. The groove width is at least the width of the rib plus twice the diameter of cable reinforcing the hose. Epoxy may be disposed between the hose tube and the stem for sealing or injected between the ferrule and the stem permeating the cable. However, the ‘405 patent teaches applying the epoxy to the stem prior to insertion of the hose, or injecting epoxy into the coupling after the insertion to help prevent leaks, etc. As can be seen, a need still exists to prevent leaks at the junction of the stem, the shell, and the end of the hose.

Summary

A hydraulic hose coupling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a shell including a sidewall defining a top aperture defining a large diameter, and a bottom wall extending from the sidewall. The bottom wall may define a bottom aperture defining a small diameter that is less than the large diameter of the shell. A stem defining an outer diameter that is equal to or less than the small diameter of the bottom aperture of the shell may extend through the bottom aperture. The outer diameter of the stem is offset radially inwardly from the sidewall, forming a hose receiving annular slot that extends from the top aperture to the bottom wall, and a layer of sealant may be disposed in the hose receiving annular slot adjacent to the bottom wall.

A hydraulic hose coupling and hose joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a coupling constructed according to the previous paragraph. Also, a hose with an open end may be provided is disposed in the hose receiving annular slot, and a layer of sealant may contact the open end of the hose, and the outer diameter of the stem.

A method of manufacturing and using a hydraulic hose coupling to form a joint with a hose according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise placing a layer of sealant near a bottom wall of a shell of the hydraulic hose coupling, or placing a layer of sealant on an open end of the hose.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: FIG. l is a sectional view of a hydraulic hose coupling with a sealant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure shown before a hose has been inserted into the shell of the coupling.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a hydraulic hose coupling of FIG. 1 after the hose has been inserted into the shell and made contact with the sealant. Also, the shell has been crimped onto the hose.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing and/or use of various embodiments of a hydraulic hose coupling with a sealant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100a, 100b or by a prime for example, 100’, 100’ ’ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters and primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features, having similar or identical function or geometry, discussed within this written specification.

Various embodiments of a hydraulic valve coupling that are constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure will be discussed that may provide better leak prevention than previously known. More particularly, various embodiments address the problem of leakage between a stem and a shell of a hydraulic hose assembly. Often, the hydraulic hose assembly leaks due to compression of a rubber set. In various embodiments, a hydraulic hose coupling with a sealant may be provided. The coupling may include a layer of oil-resistant rubber that is inserted into a base of the coupling prior to inserting the hose. Further, the rubber layer may seal the cut end of the hose as well as an area where the stem and shell join. It is to be further understood that the described valve assemblies and components may be used in heavy machinery such as that used in the construction, earth-moving, and mining industries as well as other industrial applications not specifically mentioned herein.

Starting with FIG. 1, a hydraulic hose coupling 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a shell 102 (may also be referred to as a ferrule, a base, etc.) that includes a sidewall 104. Usually, the shell has a cylindrical or a conical annular configuration as shown in FIG. 1. Other shapes includes polygonal are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

The sidewall 104 may define a top aperture 106 that has a large diameter 108 (that is to say it is large enough to receive a hydraulic hose 202). For example, a 6000 psi system may require reinforced hose with a 3/8 of an inch or U of inch diameter. Also, the shell 102 may also include a bottom wall 110 that extends from the sidewall 104. The bottom wall 110 may define a bottom aperture 112 that has a small diameter 114 that is less than the large diameter 108.

That is to say, the small diameter 114 is sized to receive a stem 116 that has an outer diameter 118 that is equal to or less than the small diameter 114 of the bottom aperture 112. This allows the stem 116 to extend through the bottom aperture 112.

In some embodiments, the stem 116 is fixedly attached to the shell 102. For example as shown in FIG. 1, the stem 116 may include a male engagement portion 120 circumferentially formed on an outer surface 122 of the stem 116, while the shell 102 may include a female engagement portion 124 formed on the inner bore surface 126 defining the small diameter 114 (or vice versa). This construction may facilitate a permanent engagement between these features to create a unitary coupling assembly. Further, these features may be fused together through a swaging operation, a crimping operation, an interference fit, welding, brazing, adhesion via adhesives, etc. In other embodiments, the male and female engagement portions may be omitted by fixing using these processes may still be achieved. In some embodiments, the stem and shell may not be fixed together, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the outer diameter 118 of the stem 116 is offset radially inwardly from the sidewall 104, forming a hose receiving annular slot 128 that extends from the top aperture 106 to the bottom wall 110. As shown, a layer of sealant 130 may be disposed in the hose receiving annular slot 128 adjacent to the bottom wall 110 along the longitudinal axis 132 (sealant may actually be contacting the bottom wall). Before the assembly process is complete, the hose receiving annular slot 128 is empty as shown in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the layer of sealant may include at least one of the following: a rubber, an elastomer, and an epoxy. For example, any oil resistant or compatible sealant may be used (e.g., Permatex®, Scotch-Weld®, etc.). The sealant may initially be in a liquid form and may eventually dry, harden, cure, etc. In such a case, the sealant may cure anaerobically. Some sealants may cure in the presence of air or with heat, etc.

In other embodiments, the layer of sealant may include an O-ring, or a quad ring, etc. Such rings may be commercially available, custom made, etc. In any case, the layer of sealant 130 may contact the outer diameter 118 of the stem 116 either before or after the assembly process is complete.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the bottom wall 110 may include an arcuate surface 134. In other embodiments, the bottom wall may have a flat or conical surface, etc. Also, the stem 116 may include a T-shaped end 136 extending past the bottom wall 110, and a nipple end 138 may extend past the top aperture 106 of the shell 102. This may allow a nut 140 to be captured on the T- shaped end 136, while the hose 202 may slide over the nipple end 138 into the shell 102 until the hose 202 contacts or nearly contacts the bottom wall 110. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure. The T-shaped end 136 may have a sealing interface 148 which is urged into contact with a complementary shaped nipple (not shown) as is customary when a threaded portion of the nut is threaded onto such a nipple. It is envisioned that the sealing interface of the T-shaped end of the stem can alternatively include any conventional pipe-end connection such as a male pipe coupling, a JIC 37 degree flare coupling, or an angled connection an angled connection coupling, etc.

Moreover, a plurality of ribs 142 may radially extend from the sidewall 104 toward the outer diameter 118 of the stem 116. In some embodiments such as shown in FIG. 1, the layer of sealant 130 may define an outside diameter 144, and the plurality of ribs 142 may define an inside diameter 146 that is equal to or greater than the outside diameter 144 of the layer of sealant 130. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In addition, the shell 102 may include a tool engaging portion 150, which may be hexagonally shaped, for example, for allowing a tool or wrench to engage the shell. As the nut 140 is tightened on the stem 116, the shell 102 may have a tendency to rotate with the stem 116 in response to this torque. The tool engaging portion may be held stationary with the tool/wrench to resist this rotation and any possible twisting of the shell, the hose, etc. This feature may be omitted in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Now, a hydraulic hose coupling and hose joint 200 (may also be referred to as an assembly, a connection, etc.) as shown in FIG. 2 will be discussed. The joint 200 may include a coupling 100 as previously described herein as well as a hose 202 with an open end 204.

Either before or after a swaging or crimping operation, but after the hose 202 is disposed in the hose receiving annular slot 128, the layer of sealant 130 may contact the open end 204 of the hose 202, as well as the outer diameter 118 of the stem 116. Moreover, the sealant may contact the bottom wall 110 of shell 102.

After a swaging or crimping operation is performed as shown in FIG. 2, the space 152 accommodating the layer of sealant 130 may be reduced, and the hose 202 may assume a wavy configuration (see 154) as the ribs 142 press into the outer diameter of the hose. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure such as when a swaging or crimping operation is not employed.

It should be noted that any of these components and their features may be differently configured in other embodiments of the present disclosure. The components of the coupling may be manufactured from any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, thermoplastics, etc. as long as the material is durable enough to withstand the pressures, and are chemically compatible with the fluids being used.

Any of the dimensions, configurations, etc. discussed herein may be varied as needed or desired to be different than any value or characteristic specifically mentioned herein or shown in the drawings for any of the embodiments.

Industrial Applicability

In practice, a hydraulic hose coupling or any of its components may be constructed according any embodiment disclosed herein, and may be sold, bought, manufactured or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or after-market context. In some cases, various components of the hydraulic hose coupling, and sealant, etc. may be provided as a kit to repair or retrofit a hydraulic system or other apparatus (e.g., a lubricant system etc.) in the field.

The disclosed valve components including a stem, a shell, a hose, etc. may be provided using known manufacturing techniques including casting, forging, machine, stamping, etc.

FIG. 3 discloses a method 300 of manufacturing and using a hydraulic hose coupling to form a joint with a hose. The method includes placing a layer of sealant near a bottom wall of a shell of the hydraulic hose coupling (step 302). In addition to or in lieu of step 302, the user may place a layer of sealant on an open end of the hose (step 304). The method may also include inserting the open end of the hose into the shell with the layer of sealant contacting the bottom wall of the shell, and an outer diameter of a stem of the hydraulic hose coupling (step 306).

In some embodiments, sealing includes having the layer of sealant contacting the bottom wall of the shell, the outer diameter of the stem, and the open end of the hose simultaneously (step 308).

The method may further include crimping, swaging, etc. to connect the coupling to the hose, etc. Also, the method may further include curing, drying, hardening, etc. a liquid sealant.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, “with” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments. Accordingly, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention(s) being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.