Hydrostatic test tool and method of use
AssigneeAirmo, Inc.
InventorCharles R. Smida
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hydrostatic testing tool and methods for testing a test article, such as a hose or container having an external threaded aperture. The preferred testing tool includes a housing, a piston and a collet body having a plurality of collet segments collectively forming a cylindrical inner perimeter having a variable diameter, each collet segment having a threaded surface on the inner perimeter such that the piston can selectively actuate the collet body to vary the diameter of the inner perimeter. In preferred embodiments, the hydrostatic testing tool utilizes a handle assembly that is arranged and configured such that only one hand is needed to operate the hydrostatic testing tool.
Claims18
A hydrostatic testing tool for testing a test article with a source of pressurized medium, the test article including a fitting having a threaded outer surface and an end surface, the hydrostatic testing tool comprising:
- a housing including a channel and an opening in communication with the channel;
- and
- a collet body located proximate the opening of the housing, the collet body having a plurality of collet segments collectively forming an inner perimeter having a variable diameter, each collet segment having a threaded surface on the inner perimeter;
- wherein the collet body can be actuated to grip the test article;
- wherein the source of pressurized medium can be connected to the opening such that the pressurized medium can flow from the opening into the test article when the collet body is secured around the fitting.
A hydrostatic testing tool for testing a test article with a source of pressurized medium, the test article including a fitting having a threaded outer surface and an end surface, the hydrostatic testing tool comprising:
- a housing including a channel and an opening in communication with the channel;
- a piston at least partially located within the channel of the housing;
- and
- a collet body located proximate the opening of the housing, the collet body having a plurality of collet segments collectively forming an inner perimeter having a variable diameter, each collet segment having a threaded surface on the inner perimeter;
- wherein the fitting of the test article can be inserted at least partially into the opening for testing and the collet body can be actuated by the piston to grip the test article;
- wherein the source of pressurized medium can be connected to the opening such that the pressurized medium can flow from the opening into the test article when the collet body is secured around the fitting.
A method of testing a test article, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a test article including a fitting;
- the fitting having a threaded outer surface and an end surface;
- providing a hydrostatic testing tool including:
- a housing including a channel and an opening in communication with the channel;
- and
- a collet body located proximate the opening of the housing, the collet body having a plurality of collet segments collectively forming an inner perimeter having a variable diameter, each collet segment having a threaded surface on the inner perimeter;
- inserting the threaded outer surface of the test article at least partially into the housing opening;
- and
- actuating the collet body such that the collet body engages the threaded outer surface of the fitting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.