Device for coupling two pipes of a run of piping comprising a set of frustoconical flanges, and piping comprising the coupling device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11680668-B2
Application number	US-201916661571-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2019
Priority date	Oct 25, 2018
Publication date	Jun 20, 2023
Grant date	Jun 20, 2023

Abstract

A coupling device configured to couple first and second pipes, which comprises a first part coupled to the first pipe and which has a first contact surface, a second part coupled to the second pipe, separate from the first part, and which has a second contact surface configured to collaborate with the first contact surface, at least one clamp comprising at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to collaborate with the first and second parts, which has a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another. Thus, the coupling device makes it possible to obtain a ball joint type connection between the first and second pipes.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A coupling device intended for coupling first and second pipes of a run of piping, the coupling device comprising:
a first part, configured to be coupled to the first pipe, as well as a second part configured to be coupled to the second pipe,
the first part comprising a first flange which widens in the direction of the second part in operation and which has a first contact surface,
the second part comprising a second contact surface, which widens in a same direction as the first contact surface, configured to collaborate with the first contact surface, the second part comprising a second flange and a third flange,
the coupling device comprising at least one seal interposed between the first and second parts as well as at least one clamp to keep the first and second contact surfaces pressed against one another while allowing them to slip relative to one another,
at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface including a housing configured to house the seal,

wherein the clamp comprises at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to contact with external surfaces of both the first and second parts such that the clamp contacts the first flange, the second flange and the third flange, the groove having a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another,
wherein the groove has a first flank configured to be in contact with an external surface of the first flange and a second flank configured to be in contact with an external surface of the third flange, and,
wherein the at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface which includes the housing has a reduced thickness at the housing,
wherein a joining zone joining the second and third flanges has a cylindrical external surface, and
wherein each clamping jaw comprises a central portion, connecting the first and second flanks, which has a cylindrical internal surface configured to bear against the external surface of the joining zone when the clamp is clamped tight in operation.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface has a concave spherical shape and wherein the second contact surface has a convex spherical shape, the concave and convex spherical shapes of the first and second contact surfaces having the same radius.

3. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the joining zone form a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, the second flange comprising the second contact surface.

4. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the joining zone form a U-shaped or V-shaped cross section, the second flange comprising the second contact surface, and wherein the housing is positioned on the second contact surface, at a distance a free first end of the second flange.

5. The coupling device according to claim 3 , wherein the first flange has a free end distant from a second end of the second flange in a state of rest.

6. The coupling device according to claim 5 , wherein the free end of the first flange is positioned equidistant from the housing and from the second end of the second flange.

7. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein, of the first and second contact surfaces, at least one comprises a coating made of a material which encourages a slipping of the first and second contact surfaces against one another.

8. The coupling device according to claim 7 , wherein the first flange comprises a coating made of a material that encourages slippage between the first flange and the clamp.

9. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the first part comprises a first pipe configured to connect the first flange and the first pipe, and wherein the first flank is dimensioned so that, in a state of rest, the first flank is distant from the first pipe.

10. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the first flank of the clamping jaw and the external surface of the first flange have collaborating concave and convex spherical shapes.

11. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the seal is an annular seal with a C-shaped cross section.

12. The coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a rectangular cross-section.

13. An aircraft piping comprising at least one coupling device according to claim 1 .

14. A coupling device intended for coupling first and second pipes of a run of piping, the coupling device comprising:
a first part, configured to be coupled to the first pipe, as well as a second part configured to be coupled to the second pipe,
the first part comprising a first flange which widens in the direction of the second part in operation and which has a first contact surface, the first flange comprising a first free end and a second end configured to be coupled to the first pipe,
the second part comprising a second contact surface, which widens in a same direction as the first contact surface, configured to collaborate with the first contact surface, the second part comprising a second flange, the second flange comprising the second contact surface, the second flange comprising a free first end and a second end connected to a third flange,
the coupling device comprising at least one seal interposed between the first and second parts as well as at least one clamp to keep the first and second contact surfaces pressed against one another while allowing them to slip relative to one another,
one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface including a housing configured to house the seal, the other of the first contact surface and the second contact surface completely covering the housing,

wherein the clamp comprises at least one clamping jaw comprising a groove, configured to collaborate with the first and second parts, which has a cross section such that a concentric tightening of the clamp causes the first and second contact surfaces to be kept pressed against one another,
wherein the at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface which includes the housing has a reduced thickness at the housing, and
wherein the housing is positioned on the second contact surface, closer to the free first end of the second flange than to the second end,
wherein a joining zone joining the second and third flanges has a cylindrical external surface, and
wherein each clamping jaw comprises a central portion, connecting the first and second flanks, which has a cylindrical internal surface configured to bear against the external surface of the joining zone when the clamp is clamped tight in operation.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Sas

Inventors

• Brohan Didier

Classifications

• F16L27/06

  with special sealing means between the engaging surfaces · CPC title

• F16L27/04

  with partly-spherical engaging surfaces · CPC title

• F16L27/0812 Primary

  with slide bearings · CPC title

• F16L27/067 Primary

  the sealing means being actuated by the medium pressure · CPC title