Mandrel Bladder End Fitting

摘要

A mandrel bladder end fitting includes a compression housing defining a circumferential interior wall; the interior wall constitutes a first clamping surface. An expansion assembly, axially received within the interior wall, includes a plurality of wedges that collectively define a second clamping surface. The expansion assembly also includes a central core and a threaded member received within a threaded aperture of the central core. A radially extending flat washer, seated within the interior wall, prevents axial movement of the expansion wedges in one direction. Thus, upon rotation of the threaded member, the central core will move axially toward the washer, forcing the second clamping surface to move only radially outwardly toward the first clamping surface. As such, because the flat washer restricts axial movement of the expansion wedges, relative motion between first and second clamping surfaces; i.e., between the collective wedges and interior wall, is limited to radial movement, only.

主权项

1. An end fitting configured for securing a fluid-tight sealing connection with an open end of a mandrel bladder, the end fitting, comprising:
an outer body having a longitudinal axis, and an interior wall extending about the longitudinal axis, the interior wall defining a first clamping surface; an expansion assembly configured for containment within the first clamping surface, the expansion assembly comprising a central core coaxially aligned with the outer body, and an array of expansion wedges situated circumferentially about the central core and between the central core and the first clamping surface, the expansion wedges defining radially outer surfaces that collectively define a second clamping surface; wherein, relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer body, the second clamping surface is restricted to orthogonal movement with respect to the first clamping surface, such that the end fitting is adapted to prevent axial motion between the first and second clamping surfaces while securing a fluid-tight connection with an open end of a mandrel bladder.