US 4,227,721 A · Variable size coupling

Abstract

Apparatus for forming a tight seal between a coupling and a tube of variable sizes. A cylindrical housing defining an opening therein is provided such that a plurality of jaws having gripping teeth and gear teeth are mounted within the housing by being rotatably secured on a pin. A sleeve having rack teeth for engaging the gear teeth of the jaws is provided for rotating the jaws such that the inward extension of the gripping teeth may be varied. A piston having a seal mounted thereon and a projecting member extending therethrough is slidably maintained within the cylindrical opening such that a joint may be formed between the tube and the coupling. The piston defines together with the housing an expansible chamber which may be filled with a pressurized fluid to move the piston against the tube to assure a tight seal. A limit switch may additionally be provided such that if the gripping teeth do not properly engage the exterior of the tube the piston will be displaced sufficiently to engage the limit switch.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A coupling adapted for forming a tight seal with various sized tubes which comprises:

a housing defining a cylindrical opening therein;
a plurality of jaws having gripping teeth and gear teeth mounted for rotation about an axis;
means for mounting the jaws to the housing such that the gripping teeth are located at varying radial distances from the axis of rotation and are within and spaced about the opening within the housing;
having rack teeth thereon;
means for mounting the rack means in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of the housing with the rack teeth mechanically engaging the gear teeth of the jaws such that a sliding motion of the rack means results in rotational motion of the jaws;
means defining a fluid passage extending through the housing;
and
a seal associated with the fluid passage means and being adapted to abutably receive a tube to be secured in the coupling such that a fluid tight joint is formed between the tube and the fluid passage means, the rotatable jaws engaging the exterior surface of the tube to secure the tube to prevent removal from the coupling once the tube has been inserted therein.

5 more elements

A coupling for use with a compressor testing machine for forming a tight seal between a conduit extending from the testing machine and a tube extending from the compressor which comprises:

a cylindrical housing defining therein a first cylindrical opening and a second cylindrical opening of lesser diameter;
a plurality of rotatable jaws, each jaw having gripping teeth variably spaced from the axis of rotation thereof and each jaw additionally having gear teeth;
means for securing the jaws to the housing such that the jaws may rotate about an axis;
a sleeve having rack teeth mounted on the interior thereof for mechanical interaction with the gear teeth of the jaws;
means for mounting the sleeve in sliding engagement with the exterior of the housing such that a sliding motion of the sleeve will cause the rack teeth to engage the gear teeth causing rotation of the jaws whereby the tube to be inserted into the coupling is engaged by the jaws and held in the coupling;
a piston having a fluid passage means extending therethrough is slidably mounted within the first and second cylindrical openings of the housing abutting against the housing where the first cylindrical opening is reduced to the second cylindrical opening;
sealing means operatively associated with the piston to abutably receive the tube to be inserted into the coupling;
the housing and the piston forming an expansible chamber about the piston;
the passage means extending through the piston which extends out of the housing through the second cylindrical opening;
and
pressure means for supplying a pressurized fluid to the chamber, said pressurized fluid displacing the piston in the housing to form a tight seal between the tube secured by the jaws and the seal mounted on the end of the piston such that a joint capable of withstanding high pressures is created between the tube and the passage means extending through the piston.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable size coupling

Life of this patent

Variable size coupling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10