Fluid joint assembly adjustable from primary to backup sealing state and fluid connector for same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorBailey Justin Ferkel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid connector in a fluid joint assembly such as in a machine hydraulic system includes a connector body having a stem with a seal face extending circumferentially around a connector axis at a backup sealing location. A non-metallic seal is upon the stem and extends circumferentially around the connector axis at a primary sealing location. The fluid connector also includes a swivel nut including threads and a snap retainer and supported for rotation upon the stem. The fluid connector can establish a primary sealing state by way of hand installation, and can be torqued to a backup sealing state to provide a robust metal-to-metal seal.
Claims18
A fluid connector comprising:
- a connector body defining a connector axis, and including a line-connecting portion, a stem including a seal face extending around the connector axis at a backup sealing location, and a fluid passage extending through the line-connecting portion and the stem;
- a non-metallic seal upon the stem and extending around the connector axis at a primary sealing location;
- and
- a swivel nut including threads and a snap retainer and being supported for rotation upon the stem,
- wherein the stem includes a stop protrusion, and the swivel nut is slidable upon the stem between a first stop position in contact with the stop protrusion, and a second stop position,
- wherein the stem includes an engagement indicator located axially between the stop protrusion and the line-connecting portion, and the engagement indicator is exposed when the swivel nut is at the first stop position and obscured by the swivel nut when the swivel nut is at the second stop position.
A fluid joint assembly comprising:
- a first fluid connector defining a connector axis, and including a first seal face extending around the connector axis, and a swivel nut;
- a second fluid connector coaxially arranged with the first fluid connector and including a second seal face extending around the connector axis and positioned at an axial gap from the first seal face;
- a non-metallic seal forming a primary seal between the first fluid connector and the second fluid connector;
- a snap retainer coupled between the swivel nut and the second fluid connector;
- and
- the snap retainer limiting translation of the swivel nut in a deinstallation direction to maintain the primary seal, and permitting translation of the swivel nut in a backup sealing direction to establish a backup seal formed by metal-to-metal contact between the first seal face and the second seal face.
A fluid connection apparatus comprising:
- a fluid connector including a connector body having formed therein a fluid passage defining a connector axis and extending between a first axial connector end and a second axial connector end having a seal face extending around the connector axis and oriented obliquely to the connector axis;
- the connector body further including a stop protrusion, and a seal groove formed in the connector body and extending around the connector axis at a location axially between the stop protrusion and the seal face;
- a swivel nut supported for rotation upon the connector body and for translation between a first stop position in contact with the stop protrusion, and a second stop position;
- and
- the swivel nut including a journal surface in contact with the connector body, an inside snap retainer surface oriented normal to the connector axis, and internal threads axially between the journal surface and the inside snap retainer surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.