Clamping system
AssigneeSignet Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam H. Crouse, Richard V. LaHue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealing system for sealing a hose to a barb coupling, the hose and barb coupling defining a joint having a high pressure portion associated with the barbed portion of the coupling, and a low pressure portion associated with the barbless portion of the coupling, the system comprising a constant displacement clamping portion for mounting on the portion of the hose positioned over the high pressure portion, and a constant tension clamping portion for mounting on the portion of the hose positioned over the low pressure portion.
Claims18
A hose to coupling joint comprising:
- a tube-like fitting;
- an elastomeric hose disposed on said fitting;
- a constant tension, metallic clamp circumferentially disposed about the hose and clamping the hose on said fitting with substantially constant tension to maintain a clamping force on the hose and expand and contract as the hose expands and contracts to avoid permanent compression and deformation of the hose;
- and
- a constant displacement clamp circumferentially disposed about the hose and clamping the hose to said fitting, said constant displacement clamp being axially spaced along said hose from said constant tension clamp.
A sealing system for use with a coupling, comprising:
- a barrier hose including:
- a core tube having an opening adapted for receiving the coupling so as to define a hose-coupling joint having a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion;
- an inner elastomer layer disposed over said core, a braided layer disposed over said inner elastomer layer, and an outer elastomer layer disposed over said braided layer;
- and a constant displacement clamp comprising a screw clamp for mounting on the high pressure portion of the joint, and a constant tension clamp comprising a spring clamp for mounting on the low pressure portion of the joint;
- said spring clamp and said screw clamp being spaced between about 0.087 inch and 0.107 inch, inclusive.
A method for sealing a hose to a coupling, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a sealing system comprising an annular constant displacement clamping portion and an annular metallic constant tension clamping portion;
- b) placing said clamping system on the hose such that said constant tension clamping portion does not permanently compress or deform the hose;
- c) placing the hose over the coupling to form a hose coupling joint having high pressure portion and a low pressure portion;
- d) adjusting the sealing system such that the constant displacement clamping portion is positioned substantially on the high pressure portion of said joint, and the constant tension clamping portion is positioned substantially on the low pressure portion of the joint;
- e) expanding and contracting the diameter of the constant tension clamping portion as the diameter of the joint expands and contracts, respectively;
- and
- f) maintaining the diameter of the constant displacement clamping portion as the diameter of the joint expands and contracts.
A kit for providing a seal for sealing a hose to a coupling wherein the hose and coupling define a joint having a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion, said kit comprising a plurality of annular sealing systems, each of which has a different diameter, each sealing system comprising:
- a constant tension annular metallic clamp for mounting on the low pressure portion of the joint in circumferential sealing relation thereto;
- and
- a constant displacement annular metallic clamp for mounting on the high pressure portion of the joint.
A sealing system for use with an air conditioning system that uses R-134a refrigerant, said sealing system comprising:
- a barrier hose having an opening for receiving a coupling associated with the air conditioning system so as to define a hose-coupling joint having a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion;
- and
- a clamping system including,
- means for providing a constant displacement clamp on said high pressure portion of said joint, and
- means for providing a constant tension clamp-circumferentially disposed on said low pressure portion of said joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.