TUBE COUPLINGS

摘要

1504826 Pipe couplings FORD AEROSPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORP 5 Nov 1976 [17 Nov 1975] 46225/76 Heading F2G A coupling between tubes 12, 25 comprises an annular cage 13 secured on the tube 12 by means of well-formed upset beads 23, 24 and presenting a flange 21 which extends and converges toward the free end 14 of the tube 12 and an outwardly flared end 28 on the tube 25 which is receivable within the cage 13 and extends substantially parallel to the flange 21, a helical garter spring 29 being located between the flange 21 and flared end 28 to prevent separation of the tubes 12, 25, and two 0-rings 32 being disposed in grooves 31 in the tube 12 to provide a seal. The coupling is assembled by pushing the tubes 12, 25 together so that the flared end 28 expands the garter spring 29 which then adopts the locking position shown. For disconnection of the coupling a tool 34 is used which is partly shown in Fig. 4 and includes two pivotally connected arms each carrying at one end a semicircular cylindrical body section 35 which together may be closed around the coupling and provide an annular boss 41 which may be pushed into the cage 13 to expand the garter spring 29 as shown and thus allow the passage of the flared end 28, and also provides a base wall 36 which on removal of the pipe 25 from the pipe 12 with the tool in position will abut the cage 13 at a position which allows venting of the coupling with the 0-rings 32 clear of the flared end. Subsequent removal of the tool will then allow complete disconnection.