Method and device for assembling several components, particularly connection fittings for fluid couplings
AssigneeSociete Anonyme Styled Legris
InventorAndre Legris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device for assembling connection fittings such as couplings, between hard components, such as metal pipe and a body formed of a softer substance to obtain a permanent coupling able to withstand aging and thermal shock conditions. The parts coupled are formed of materials of different hardness which are first force fit together. One of the parts is then rotated at high speed so that the part made of the softer material is locally heated until it melts. The result is a snug but swivelable connection free of internal stress.
Claims11
A method of forming a stress-free, fluid tight, swivelable joint between members of different hardness for fluid coupling said members, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) force fitting the harder of said members having a projecting ridge and adjacent groove into an opening in the other of said members, thereby locally deforming and stressing a portion of said opening opposing said ridge;
- (b) rotating the harder of said members at a speed sufficient to cause melting of at least some material of the locally deformed and stressed portion of said opening, whereby the melted material flows into said adjacent groove forming a fluid tight joint assembly without bonding said members, whereby said members are operable to swivel relative to each other.
A stress-free assembly comprising:
- a body formed from a first meltable material of a first hardness, said body having a generally cylindrical opening therein;
- a generally cylindrical connecting member formed from a second material of a second hardness greater than said first hardness, said connecting member being sized to force fit into said opening;
- said connecting member having an annular ridge, a first annular groove adjacent said annular ridge and a second annular groove spaced from said annular ridge, said annular ridge having a slightly larger diameter than said opening to locally deform a portion of said opening when force fit therein;
- a sealing member disposed in said second annular groove;
- said connecting member being shaped to receive means for rotating said connecting member relative to said body to thereby melt said locally deformed portion of said opening whereby the melted first material flows into said first annular groove, said body connecting member forming a stress-free, swivelable assembly essentially without bonding or welding said first and second materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.