US 4,289,336 A · Pipe swivel joint for a plurality of separate fluids

Abstract

A pipe swivel joint for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of separated fluids between a plurality of inlet conduits and a plurality of corresponding outlet conduits. The swivel joint includes an annular inner element, an annular outer element surrounding at least a part of the inner element, and a plurality of annular fluid flow passages formed between the outer surface of the inner element and the inner surface of the outer element. Each of the inlet conduits is connected to the portion of a corresponding one of the flow passages that is defined by the outer surface of the inner element, and each of the outlet conduits is connected to the portion of a corresponding one of the flow passages that is defined by the inner surface of the outer element. The cross-sectional configuration of each of the fluid flow passages is preferably circular in order to allow passage of spherical or round cleaning elements through them, and an annular bearing race chamber, defined by the outer surface of the inner element and the inner surface of the outer element, contains a plurality of ball bearings to facilitate rotational movement of the outer element relative to the inner element.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A swivel joint for connecting an inlet conduit with an outlet conduit, said joint comprising:

an annular inner element having a radial flange which includes an annular groove in its upper face;
an annular outer element at least partially surrounding said inner element, said outer element having a radial flange which includes an annular groove in its lower face;
an annular bearing race chamber defined by the outer surface of said inner element and the inner surface of said outer element;
bearing means mounted in said race chamber to facilitate rotational movement of said outer element relative to said inner element;
an annular fluid flow passage defined by the annular groove in the upper face of said flange of said inner element and the annular groove in the lower face of said flange of said outer element, the diameter of said flange faces defining said fluid flow passages being larger than the diameter of the inner and outer surfaces defining said bearing race chamber;
means for connecting said inlet conduit to the portion of said flow passage that is defined by the upper face of said flange of said inner element;
means for connecting said outlet conduit with the portion of said flow passage that is defined by the lower face of said flange of said outer element;
and
means for sealing the fluid flow passage at the junction of said inner element and said outer element.

6 more elements

A swivel joint for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of separated fluids between a plurality of inlet conduits and a plurality of corresponding outlet conduits, said joint comprising:

an annular inner element having at least one radial flange including a plurality of annular grooves in flange faces thereof;
an annular outer element at least partially surrounding said inner element, said outer element having at least one radial flange including a plurality of annular grooves in flange faces thereof;
an annular bearing race chamber defined by the outer surface of said inner element and the inner surface of said outer element;
bearing means mounted in said race chamber to facilitate rotational movement of said outer element relative to said inner element;
a plurality of annular fluid flow passages each defined by the annular groove in the face of said radial flange of said inner element and the annular groove in the face of said radial flange of said outer element, said fluid flow passages each having a central diameter greater than the central diameter of said bearing race chamber;
means for connecting each of said inlet conduits to the portion of a corresponding one of said flow passages that is defined by the face of said flange of said inner element;
means for connecting each of said outlet conduits to the portion of a corresponding one of said flow passages that is defined by the face of said flange of said outer element;
and
means for sealing each of the fluid flow passages at the junctions of said inner element and said outer element.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pipe swivel joint for a plurality of separate fluids

Life of this patent

Pipe swivel joint for a plurality of separate fluids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9