Low profile flexible coupling and tool for assembling flexible couplings

A low profile flexible coupling for low temperature and low pressure pneumatic systems to provide transfer of a gas between first and second conduits, the flexible coupling comprising:

• an annular inner member defining a spherically shaped convex seal receiving surface extending from a first end to a second end and interrupted by a radially inward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the inner member;
• an annular outer member assembled over the inner member, the outer member defining a spherically shaped first concave seal receiving surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface and interrupted by a first radially outward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the outer member;
• and
• a locking member assembled over the inner member, the locking member defining a spherically shaped second concave seal receiving surface, the second concave seal receiving surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface and the second concave seal receiving surface being interrupted by a second radially outward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the locking member, the outer member being positioned over the locking member.

A low profile flexible coupling for high temperature and high pressure pneumatic systems to provide transfer of a gas between first and second conduits, the flexible coupling comprising:

• an annular inner member defining a spherically shaped convex seal receiving surface extending from a first end to a second end, the inner member being interrupted by a first radially inward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the inner member and a second radially inward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the inner member and extends radially inward from the convex seal receiving surface;
• an annular outer member assembled over the inner member, the outer member defining a spherically shaped first concave sealing surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface;
• and
• a locking member assembled over the inner member, the locking member defining a spherically shaped second concave sealing surface, the second concave sealing surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface and the outer member being positioned over the locking member.

A tool for assembling a flexible coupling, the tool comprising:

• a housing comprising a first interior surface and at least one first anti-rotation feature;
• a thrust transfer assembly spaced apart from the housing;
• a connector extending between the housing and the thrust transfer assembly;
• a thrust transfer assembly in variable engagement with the connector and the thrust transfer assembly, for compressing the inner member into the outer member;
• and
• a torque application assembly having at least one first torque transfer feature for transmitting torque to the locking member.

A low profile flexible coupling for pneumatic systems to provide transfer of a gas between first and second conduits, the flexible coupling comprising:

• an annular inner member defining a spherically shaped convex seal receiving surface extending from a first end to a second end and interrupted by a radially inward extending seal ring assembly groove that extends circumferentially around the inner member;
• an annular outer member assembled over the inner member, the outer member defining a spherically shaped first concave seal receiving surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface;
• and
• a locking member, preferably an annular locking nut, assembled over the inner member, the locking member defining a spherically shaped second concave seal receiving surface, the second concave seal receiving surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface and the outer member being positioned over the locking member.