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US 11,239,592 B2Granted
Connecting device for feed lines
AssigneePower Link Security, S.L.
InventorJuan Antonio Mahugo Criado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for connecting feed lines, comprising: first electrical connector elements which can each be connected to a power supply, and first fluid connection elements which can be connected to a working fluid source, all of said elements being grouped together in a fixed manner in a first stationary connector; a power feed line, a working fluid feed line; and a second fluid connection element coupled to a first end of a flexible tube and second electrical connector elements, grouped together in a fixed manner in a first movable connector. According to the invention, at least first end segments of the second electrical connector elements and of the flexible tube are disposed inside an elastically flexible hose that is connected to the first movable connector.
Claims18
A connection device comprising
- first electrical connector elements which are each connectable to an electricity power supply,
- first fluid connection elements which are connectable to a working fluid source,
- an electrical power feed line comprising a plurality of electrical cables with corresponding second electrical connector elements coupled at respective first ends of the electrical cables, and which are each connectable to one of the first electrical connector elements in a male-female connection,
- a working fluid feed line comprising at least one flexible tube which conducts a working fluid with a second fluid connection element coupled at a first end of a flexible tube, designed to carry a working fluid selected between pneumatic fluids and hydraulic fluids, and which are each connectable to a first fluid connection element in a first rapid connection,
- wherein the first electrical connector elements of the electrical power feed line and each first fluid connection element of the working fluid feed line are grouped together in a fixed manner in a first stationary connector;
- wherein the second electrical connector elements and each second fluid connection element are grouped together in a fixed manner in a first movable connector;
- wherein the first and second electrical connector elements and the first and second fluid connection elements are disposed such that, when the movable connector is connected to the first stationary connector, each first electrical connector element and each second electrical connector element are connected to each other in a male-female electrical connection, and each first fluid connection element and each second fluid connection element are connected to each other in a male-female fluid connection;
- and
- wherein at least first end segments of the electrical cables and of each flexible tube are all disposed inside an end of one single elastically flexible hose connected to the first movable connector
- the connection device further comprising, at an opposite end of the hose, a second movable connector comprising third electrical connector elements and third fluid connection elements grouped together in a fixed manner in a male-female connection;
- the connection device further comprising a second stationary connector, comprising fourth electrical connection elements and fourth fluid connection elements, grouped and immobilized in a female connection and complementary to the third connector elements of the second movable connector;
- wherein the third fluid connection element comprises a plurality of tubular projections with respective inner passages which each connect to one valve of the third fluid connection element, each projection making up a male connection element, the fourth fluid connection element making up a female working fluid connection element, comprising an inlet that surrounds a front mouth of a fluid passage and wherein the third fluid connection element fits when inserted into the respective second stationary connector, and
- wherein the female fluid connection element has a female-connection body in the rear portion of which it comprises a female-connection adapter for coupling thereof to the flexible tube, the female-connection adapter provided with a female-connection passage hole for passage of air and in the front portion the female-connection body comprises an abutment surface in complementary correspondence with the annular surface of the outer portion of the male-connection body, and a funnel-shaped inside in order to facilitate entry of the male connection elements.
10 more elements
A connection device comprising:
- first electrical connector elements which are each connectable to an electricity power supply,
- first fluid connection elements which are connectable to a working fluid source,
- an electrical power feed line comprising a plurality of electrical cables with corresponding second electrical connector elements coupled at respective first ends of the electrical cables, and which are each connectable to one of the first electrical connector elements in a male-female connection,
- a working fluid feed line comprising at least one flexible tube which conducts a working fluid with a second fluid connection element coupled at a first end of a flexible tube, designed to carry a working fluid selected between pneumatic fluids and hydraulic fluids, and which are each connectable to a first fluid connection element in a first rapid connection,
- wherein the first electrical connector elements of the electrical power feed line and each first fluid connection element of the working fluid feed line are grouped together in a fixed manner in a first stationary connector;
- wherein the second electrical connector elements and each second fluid connection element are grouped together in a fixed manner in a first movable connector;
- wherein the first and second electrical connector elements and the first and second fluid connection elements are disposed such that, when the movable connector is connected to the first stationary connector, each first electrical connector element and each second electrical connector element are connected to each other in a male-female electrical connection, and each first fluid connection element and each second fluid connection element are connected to each other in a male-female fluid connection;
- and
- wherein at least first end segments of the electrical cables and of each flexible tube are all disposed inside an end of one single elastically flexible hose connected to the first movable connector;
- wherein the first stationary connector comprises a body made of electrically insulating material with a rear portion, an intermediate portion and a front portion,
- wherein the rear portion of the body comprises electrical input connections and at least one working fluid inlet,
- wherein the intermediate portion comprises intermediate electrical connections which connect the electrical input connections to the first electrical connector elements,
- wherein the front portion comprises the first electrical connector elements and each first fluid connection element, wherein the first electrical connector elements of the first stationary connector are disposed next to the first fluid connection elements in a peripheral area of a front face of the front portion of the body of the first stationary connector,
- wherein the second electrical connector elements and the second fluid connection element(s) of the movable connector are disposed on a front face of the first movable connector in a complementary manner with respect to the first electrical connector elements and each first fluid connection element in order to form respective male-female connections;
- wherein the intermediate portion of the body of the first stationary connector comprises at least one internal chamber for receiving the working fluid entering through the working fluid inlet and is connected to at least one of the first fluid connection elements,
- wherein each first fluid connection element is a fluid fitting provided with a valve operable by pressure or a manual operation or a combination of both which closes the passage of the working fluid, for preventing the discharge thereof when the second fluid connection element is not inserted and which is unlocked when the corresponding second fluid connection element is inserted into the first fluid connection element and enables the passage of working fluid;
- wherein the stationary and movable connectors incorporate fastening and interlocking elements which are operable by pressure, manual operation or a combination of both, for fastening and interlocking the first stationary and first movable connectors to each other, the fastening and interlocking elements comprising pivots secured to the respective connector, in correspondence with anchoring slots in the complementary connector or vice versa, the fastening and interlocking elements being actuable by rotation according to several stages;
- wherein in a first stage, the connectors are facing each other and the pivots are inserted into the slots, so that the movable connector can no longer be accidentally released and the valves of the movable connector and the valves of the fixed connector are not in contact, and therefore stay closed;
- wherein, in a second stage, as rotation goes on, the valves contact to each other although the valves remain closed;
- and
- wherein in a third stage, as rotation goes on, the valves are in contact and open.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.