Freeze resistant quick connect fitting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12092250-B2
Application number	US-202118011966-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2021
Priority date	Sep 25, 2020
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

A metallic fitting assembly employs a clip-to-body attachment for locking a tube end of a fluid system component to the fitting assembly. The fitting assembly includes a fitting body defining a fluid flow path between a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. The first end receives a tube end of a first fluid system component, and the fitting body defines a clip slot adjacent to the first end, and a material of the fitting body includes metal; and a clip wherein a material of the clip includes metal. When the tube end is inserted through the first end of the fitting body, the clip is inserted through the clip slot and around the tube end to engage the tube end in a connected state in which the tube end is locked within the fitting body. The fitting body includes a main body and a ring end that define the clip slot between the main body and the ring end, the main body and the ring end being attached to each other by a bridge. For freeze resistance, the ring end minimizes distortion of the ring end to 0.010″ (0.25 mm) or less at a tensile load of 500 lbf (2200 Newtons). A ratio of a cross-sectional area of the ring end to an inner diameter of the fitting body may be from 21% to 73%. The bridge may have a width within a range of 20% to 70% of an outer diameter of the fitting body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A freeze-resistant quick connect fitting assembly for connecting components of a fluid system, the fitting assembly comprising:
a fitting body defining a fluid flow path between a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, wherein the first end is configured to receive a tube end of a first fluid system component, and the fitting body defines a clip slot adjacent to the first end, and a material of the fitting body includes metal; and
a clip wherein a material of the clip includes metal, and when the tube end is inserted through the first end of the fitting body, the clip is inserted through the clip slot and around the tube end to engage the tube end in a connected state in which the tube end is locked within the fitting body;
wherein the fitting body includes a main body and a ring end that define the clip slot between the main body and the ring end, the fitting body further including a bridge, and the main body and the ring end are attached to each other by the bridge;
wherein the ring end is configured to minimize distortion of the ring end to 0.010″ (0.25 mm) or less at a tensile load of 500 lbf (2200 Newtons); and
wherein a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the ring end to an inner diameter of the fitting body ranges from 21% to 73%.

2. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fitting assembly is configured to connect to a ⅜″ male stub, and the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the ring end to the inner diameter of the fitting body has a minimum ratio of 0.212 and a maximum ratio of 0.729.

3. The fitting assembly of claim 2 , wherein the ring end has a longitudinal dimension of 0.400″ (10 mm).

4. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bridge has a width within a range of 20% to 70% of an outer diameter of the fitting body.

5. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip includes first and second opposing legs that extend from a transverse segment, wherein in the connected state the transverse segment spans across the bridge of the fitting body and the opposing legs extend through the clip slot.

6. The fitting assembly of claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second opposing legs of the clip comprises:
a first segment that extends from the transverse segment;
a second segment that extends from the first segment in a direction away from the transverse segment, wherein the second segment of the first leg and the second segment of the second leg are oppositely curved about a center point suitable for locking around the tube end;
a third segment that extends from the second segment in a direction away from the transverse segment; and
a fourth segment that extends from the third segment in a direction away from the transverse segment, and the fourth segment of the first leg and the fourth segment of the second leg respectively are flared in opposite directions from the third segment of the first leg and the third segment of the second leg.

7. The fitting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first segments extend from the transverse segment at substantially right angles such that the first segment of the first leg and the first segment of the second leg are parallel, and the third segments respectively are aligned with the first segments.

8. The fitting assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first leg terminates at a first clip end and the second leg terminates at a second clip end, and the first and second legs widen from the first and second clip ends towards the transverse segment.

9. The fitting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the segments of the first leg are a mirror image of the segments of the second leg.

10. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fitting body and/or the clip are made of stainless steel.

11. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element that seals against an outer surface of the tube end in the connected state.

12. The fitting assembly of claim 11 , wherein an inner diameter of the sealing body includes a groove, and the sealing element is an O-ring seal that is positioned within the groove.

13. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein metal materials of the fitting body and clip have a yield strength above 50 kpsi.

14. The fitting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the fitting body is configured to connect to a second component of the fluid system.

15. The fitting assembly of claim 14 , wherein the second end of the fitting body is a ribbed nipple that is configured to receive a hose.

16. The fitting assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a shell that is connected to the second end of the fitting body, wherein the nipple and shell define a space for receiving the hose, and the shell is crimped about the hose to connect the hose to the fitting assembly.

Assignees

• Parker Hannifin Corp

Inventors

• Powell Steven M
• Henry Ty A

Classifications

• F16L37/142 Primary

  where the securing element is inserted tangentially · CPC title

• F16L37/144 Primary

  the securing element being U-shaped · CPC title